"Wow, Grandma! Look at all these colorful dandelions!" The little boy let go of the older woman's hand; the soles of his black shoes gripped the cobbled pathway as he squatted next to the bed of vibrant flowers lining the gates of the palace. They were in full blossom, as was nearly every plant or shrub that surrounded them.

It was yet another perfect spring day in Radiant Garden.

"They certainly look like dandelions, don't they, child?" the woman said gently while lovingly observing her grandson as he continued to examine them with wonder in his indigo eyes. "But these are asters. And if you ask me, they're quite the magical flower."

"Magical?" the boy asked. He peeked up at his grandmother curiously, anticipating another one of her legendary tales.

Slowly, she bent down next to his level. With her frail hand, she plucked a flower and held it close to her nose, drinking it its scent. "They say that if you give an aster flower to someone that you love dearly, then you will never, ever forget about that person – even if you are driven worlds apart from them." She handed the flower over to the boy, who accepted it gingerly.

"But…I could never forget you, Grandma."

"And you will always be here in my heart, love," she reassured him, affectionately stroking his black hair. "No matter what." A small grin appeared on his face as he twiddled its petals between his small fingers.

"I should pick some of these for Kairi!" he said suddenly, turning his attention back to the flowerbed. "You think she'll like these?"

The old woman's eyes crinkled as she smiled at the boy once more.

"I think your little sister would love them."

Three young children were playing on the beach. A little girl with the two black ponytails stood as a referee at the make-shift finish line. The two other boys raced each other down the shore, flecks of sand flying in their wake as their feet hurriedly struck the ground.

The taller boy won by a mere difference of two steps.

"You just got lucky!" complained the younger boy, stomping in frustration.

"Nuh-uh, I won fair and square," teased the older boy, sticking his tongue out. "Right, Amaya?"

"Rules are rules," shrugged the girl, clearly indifferent to the situation.

"Hmph! Well, this one settles it, Riku!"

"Not again, Sora," the girl whined, as she watched two boys heedlessly run back off to the starting line.

Occupied by their shenanigans, the children were oblivious to the strange young woman seated on the trunk of the paopu tree, observing them in amusement. She couldn't help but chuckle at the young girl's annoyance at the other two. It was almost like looking into a mirror.

"This really takes me back to those times," she mused. "Terra, Aqua, Ven…"

A/N: Welcome to my headcanon, folks. Strap in, y'all are in for one hell of a ride.

This prologue replaces the old one I had; that was more of a preview, whereas this is the true prologue to this story. I'd say more, but chapter one is on its way soon, so stay tuned! Leave a review if y'all are intrigued.