Epilog: Looking Forward

…The Time Room…

"Uh…remind me what we're watching now?" asked Alegra as she sat with The Cosmic Owl and Death.

"Highlights of Sora's last day," said Prismo as the screen showed Sora, Riku, Kairi, Aiden, Tess and Malcolm teleport back to Radiant Garden. Our heroes hurried to where Cinderella, Belle and Jasmine were being kept and, after wasting almost an hour trying to figure out which power went with which princess, restored said powers to their rightful owners. The next clip showed Cinderella, Belle and Jasmine waking up, right as rain and returned to their loved ones.

"One less tragedy averted," said The Cosmic Owl.

"And there's another," said Alegra as the next clip showed Alice recovering from her drawing fugue. After that, the screen showed our heroes teleporting across The Realms, stopping briefly on each world to check in with friends and see that everyone was alright. The tour ended with our heroes heading back to Radiant Garden for a brief farewell celebration with the survivors of the battle.

All the various Meta-Human groups, The New Zumakali, The Survey Corps, the gamers, The Guardians and their loved ones, the third tier of Princesses of Heart, even Saitama and Genos, everyone was on Radiant Garden to celebrate their victory and remember those who gave up their lives for the sake of love and peace.

After a long series of goodbyes and well wishes, Sora, Riku, Kairi, Aiden, Tess and Malcolm returned to Destiny Islands. They were saddened by the loss of The Paopu Tree at the vile hands of The Lich, but Malcolm spotted one last ripe Paopu fruit, washed up on the beach. They cut the seed out and planted it on the small island, hoping it would grow as tall as the old tree.

They watched the sun go down and retired to their respective homes, save for one. Kairi insisted that Sora spend the night with her, that this would be their last night together. They kissed as they turned out the light.

"I'm gonna fast forward through the X-rated part," said Prismo, "no need to embarrass Sora for that."

"Though you gotta admit," said The Cosmic Owl, "if you're gonna do it, your last night alive is as good a time as any." This earned laughter from The Cosmic Owl, Prismo and Death.

"Oh leave him alone!" said Alegra as she walked over to and placed a comforting hand on a highly embarrassed Sora, whom had been there the whole time, "it's bad enough he's dead again, no need to humiliate him just when he finally consummated his marriage."

"No, it's alright," said Sora, "it's just…do I have to go?"

"The deal was twenty-four hours, kid," said Death, "it was either that nor not bring you back at all."

"Oh, here's the best part!" said Prismo as he resumed the video.

Kairi awoke early in the morning and felt her bed beside her empty. For a second her heart felt like it was going to break beyond repair, but then she saw something out of the corner of her eye. She got up and went to the open window and saw a new star shining in the predawn light, a star she knew came from Sora.

"I love you, Sora," said Kairi to the new star, "I love you so much."

"I love you too, Kairi," said Sora as he placed a hand on the screen, "more than words can say."

"Change the channel, Prismo," sniffed The Cosmic Owl, "before I start crying."

"Oh, right," sniffed Prismo as he wiped his two-dimensional eyes. He fast-forward the video to a few weeks in the future, showing our heroes helping their friends and allies across The Realms of Light cleaning up the mess made by the cracked Keyholes.

Another screen showed Kazuto and Asuna attending Miskatonic University, with Yui's camera shared between them. Another showed Eren and his fellow Survey Corps eventually sealing up Wall Maria and finding the means to defeat The Titans once and for all.

"It looks as if I did pretty well," said Alegra as more images showed our heroes and allies moving on with their lives.

"You did well?" asked Death.

"Well, I set most of this in motion," said Alegra, "and I did have help, a lot of help."

"You sure did," said Prismo as the screen showed Sabrina, helping the other Sabrina put Katrina back together and restoring her life.

"She is not amused," said Alegra as Sabrina left the other Sabrina to rehabilitate her sister, "but somehow I doubt Katrina will cause any more trouble, at least for a while. And that Sabrina," the screen showed the younger version of Sabrina living her life as it should have had Alegra never met her, "Let's hope her life turns out as normal as it possibly can for a teenage witch."

"But…what about Regina?" asked Sora, "And Insano? And what about any other villain trying to attack The Realms of Light."

"See for yourself," said Prismo as the videos showed the new Cornerstones of Light forming across The Realms.

"The Heartless will always be a threat," said Alegra, "and always will be so long as humans carry darkness in their hearts. But they'll never be such massive numbers in The Realms as before. Any would-be villain will have a hard time getting things done without The Heartless and other dark creatures to use."

"As for old goggles and the former evil queen," said The Cosmic Owl, "he's locked up in a secure room in Kandrakar, and she…well…"

The screen showed Regina sitting on a dark throne on a world she conquered easily, content with a world of her own to rule, so long as she had her mirrors to satisfy her vanity.

"Let's just hope her narcissism doesn't get out of control again," said Alegra, "oh, how could I forget? Let's see what happens to the Keyblade Wielders."

"Oh yeah," said Prismo, "we gotta check that out."

The screen shoed Aqua, Terra and Ven, now carrying Roxas's memories. Various clips showed Aqua and Terra finally realizing their feelings for each other, while Ventas picked up with Naminé where she left off with Roxas.

Another series of clips showed Riku and Tess getting married and having children, while Malcolm achieved a more stable relationship with Merida. Aiden decided to go home to The State and start anew as an independent Alchemist.

As for Kairi, she had a son from her one night with Sora.

"Congrats, kido!" said The Cosmic Owl as he thumped Sora on the shoulder with one wing, "you're a father! Somebody get him a cigar!"

"I…I'm a dad?" asked a shocked Sora as he watched clips of his child with Kairi grow up to become a strong Keyblade Wielder in his own right.

"The irony in Riku's wish," said Prismo, "but good irony this time."

"I don't even know his name," said Sora as he saw his son grow into a strong young man with Sora's hairstyle but Kairi's coloring. Another image, one twenty or so years into the future, saw Sora's son standing in the beach at Destiny Islands, demonstrating how to fight with a Keyblade before an audience of teenagers and children, some with wooden Keyblades, others with Keyblades of their own. Among the children were two with features of Ventus and Naminé, some resembling Riku and Tess, while one had Merida's hair and Malcolm's face.

Relaxing on the small island in the shade of the new Paopu tree was Kairi, smiling at her son. The sun had just set and the stars came out. She looked up and smiled a specific star, which, she imagined, was smiling back at her.

"I am smiling at you," said a crying Sora, "oh, Kairi, I wish I could…wait…what's that?!" he looked at another image, one that showed Maleficent's hidden dark castle, illuminated beneath flashing thunderclouds.

Eight dark individuals knelt in an unholy chamber, waiting patiently, training and growing stronger for the day they have prepared. That day has come as the object they were kneeling around, a mass of proto-matter hardened into a cocoon, cracked open and shattered.

Maleficent emerged from the cocoon, looking much more human than her previous form, with long, flowing brown hair, intense green eyes, sculpted facial features and much longer, more detailed horns. From her back flexed a pair of enormous, brown-feathered wings.

"At last," said Maleficent as two of the individuals dressed her in dark robes, while another handed her a new staff of power, "the long silence is over, an eternity of waiting is complete. The resurrection has come, as I always knew it would.

Maleficent's raven, Diablo, flew from a nearby perch and landed on her shoulder.

"We've awoken into a new era, my pet," said Maleficent as she and her dark followers walked out onto a balcony, "I sense The Realms have changed greatly during our long convalescence. They have enjoyed peace and prosperity far too long."

Maleficent looked out the balcony, where countless throngs of Heartless and other fell creatures gathered, waiting their mistress, "And so it begins again," said Maleficent as she and her Dark Disciples looked out at their army of darkness, ready to unleash upon those who stood against the mistress of all evil.

"She's back and worse than ever!" said Sora as he backed away from the screen, "you've got to send me back! Kairi and the others, they don't know!"

"They'll know when the time is right, Sora," insisted Alegra, "they will rise to this new challenge and overcome it in their own manner. As much as I hate to admit it, your part of the story is over."

"Indeed it is," said Death, "it's time, Sora"

"Time?" asked Sora, "wait…no, no! I can't go with you! I just found out that I had a baby with Kairi! And Maleficent's coming back! I can't go! I…have to go back! I have to!" he looked at Prismo, "I wish I could go back to Kairi and our baby! Please!"

"I'm sorry, Sora," said Prismo, "I can't grant wishes for the dead."

"You're lucky I let you stick around long enough to see that your loved ones turn out alright without you," said Death, "now come on!" he pulled out a pocket watch, "it's late enough as it is."

"Alegra, can't you do something?" asked Sora, "for old time's sake?"

"It's out of my hands, Sora," said Alegra, "I may have an indefinite reprieve from the reaper, but I can't interfere with your death," she then smiled and looked at Death, "unless you want to exchange my immortality for his death."

"Not this time," said Death.

"Darn," said Alegra, "I'm starting to get bored with immortality."

"We'll work something out later," said Death, "And now," he looked at Sora, "it's time."

The next thing Sora knew, he and Death were walking through a long hallway filled with light and shadow.

"This is the way to the afterlife?" asked Sora.

"Your version of the afterlife," said Death, "it's different for everyone."

"I'm scared," said Sora, "and I'm not ashamed to say it."

"I wouldn't worry if I were in your shoes," said Death, "after all the good you've done, no way you'll end up in perdition. No, an eternity of peace, joy and overall fun awaits you on the other side of that door," he pointed to the end of the hallway, where a single door stood.

Sora walked to the door and put a hand on the doorknob. He looked back at Death, whom gave an approving nod. Taking a bracing breath, Sora opened the door, and smiled at what he saw.

The End of Path of the Keyblade Wielder.

Yes! Yes! At last, it's over! It's finally finished!

I have to tell you, fellow readers and writers, this has been one epic journey, for our heroes and for myself. Of course, there'll be another Kingdom Hearts series from me, just as soon as I can think of what stories to write about. In the meantime, I've other writing projects to work on and hopefully, you'll enjoy reading them as much as I'll enjoy writing them, just as I hope you enjoyed reading this story. As always, keep reading and reviewing, the best is yet to come.

AndrewK9000