DISCLAIMER: For the last time in this trilogy: I DON'T OWN IT!!!!

Epilogue

End of an Era

The water swished back and forth across the pale and sandy beach. The water itself was clear, so clear that it wouldn't even seem blue on the nicest day with the bluest sky. Instead it would appear as if the water was glass itself, so fragile, so easy to break but soothing all the same as it washed across the sand. The sand itself was fine, and extraordinarily, was not wet at all. It wouldn't get stuck on the bottom of someone's feet in the slightest or in between someones toes. It was the nicest sand there was. Beyond this beautiful white shore were rolling meadows filled with a multitude of green grass that was amazing for the eye to see. It was here that Sora found himself standing, garbed in white, soft, clothing that made him feel comfortable. The sight was familiar to him, he had seen it once before and had it described to him a second time a year later. Sora looked down the shore and saw Gentai standing there, garbed in similar clothing. Sora looked at his hands to find that they were perfect and unblemished and that all dirt which had crowded his face prior was now all disappeared. Gentai strode toward him, a confused look on his face.

"Where are we?" Gentai asked, his brow furrowed, wondering where in all of the worlds they could be and why they were dressed in this way.

"You're home." a female voice answered and Gentai's breathing caught in his throat. Both Sora and Gentai turned to face the speaker, their ears unbelieving and Gentai's breath was now officially caught.

"Demora…" he gasped out. And it was true. Demora Suwara stood there, her brown hair flowing behind her. Her green eyes were sparkling with life and a smile was on her face. She was standing only a few feet away but to gentai it seemed like it could be an infinite amount of miles. Sora mulled over Demora's words and came to a solid conclusion.

"So that means that we are-" Sora began to affirm but another voice, this time male, cut across his thoughts. This one was a voice that Sora was surprised to hear.

"Dead? I think that depends really." Said the voice and Sora shifted his body, locking his vision onto the face of Alexander Garibaldi. "You're the ones who have to make that choice, I think."

"He's right you know, you're one of the few lucky ones who get to make a choice." Came yet another vice and this time Gentai was even more frozen upon seeing the face of Hikaru who smiled at him. Sora turned to look at Gentai to see how he was taking it. He was shaking and it didn't help matters that both of these people were right in front of him. Looking up, Gentai was also able to see his parents standing behind them. Tears started to pour from Gentai's eyes in an inexhaustible wave of sadness.

"I'm so sorry…" he said, tears staining his vision and distorting his voice. "I'm so sorry…" And Sora knew in that moment that Gentai had never been able to let them go, never been able to conquer the fact that they had died. He still missed Hikaru and he was still very much in love with Demora.

"Why are you crying Gentai?" Demora asked sweetly but Gentai was unable to form a response at that moment. Gentai still remained standing there, tears falling unabashedly down his face. He then collapsed to his knees.

"I failed you…" Gentai sobbed out. "I let you die…all of you…I promised I wouldn't fail you again but I did. Look at what I did." He sat there, silently crying over his failure while Sora just watched his tears stain the sand beneath them. A hand was offered to Gentai and Gentai looked up, seeing Hikaru stretching his hand out. Gentai shakingly took it and Hikaru helped him up, shaking his head.

"You're wrong Gentai. You didn't fail, in fact, I'd say you surpassed all expectations." Gentai looked at him with reddened eyes and a confused look on his face. "That keyblade, my Keyblade, you wield it now as a sign that you've surpassed me as its wielder. It is ture that you did untold amounts of damage but you did just as much trying to remedy it."

"The future is now yours to shape as you will. Onyx is gone as is the threat of darkness, destroyed forever." Edge said, a twinkle in his eyes. "I think you did the greatest things for the worlds."

"But…I let all of you die…" Gentai said in a sad tone. Demora sighed theatrically.

"Oh Gentai…you were always one to blame things on yourself. Why can't you just get over it?" Demora snapped and Gentai looked at her. She smiled at him. "Who cares if we died, the important point is that you lived. I know you've been tortured by these thoughts but really, move on. Find someone else to spend your life with. I'll always be here when you return."

"But…Demora…I could never stop loving you." Gentai said, shaking his head, a slight chuckle escaping his lips. Demora walked up to him and stood on the tip of her toes, kissing him on his forehead.

"I know…I know you can't…but I'm not there anymore. I'm here and always will be. You need to move on and live your life and love those you live with." Gentai nodded at her words, accepting them more than anything. Edge looked at both Sora and Gentai.

"Now, you must make the decision to stay in this life…or go back." Edge said and Sora looked at him trying to formulate a decision. Sora breathed in deeply for a moment.

"Anyone would want to stay here. It's beautiful. I can't see anyone going back to the real world when they could live in this." Sora stated and everyone nodded around him. Sora, however, stared straight into Edge's eyes. "But I have a wife and kids back there and a world that needs cleaning up. I'm going back to them."

"I was hoping you'd say that." Hikaru said with a laugh. "I would've beaten you if you said you were planning on abandoning my sister."

"Oh, I think we should do more than that, son." Came a distinctly rich and British voice, the blond haired form of Ansem the Wise appearing. Sora smiled, facing Gentai.

"I know my decision, what about you Gentai?" Sora asked of his brown haired friend. Gentai stared down at the ground for a moment. Hikaru spoke up once again.

"You must make the decision to either stay here with the people you love and who love you…or go back to the people who need you. It's your decision." Hikaru told him and for a moment, Gentai continued to stare at the ground. Then he looked up.

"It's enough to know that you're proud of me." Gentai said. "I'm going to go back." That was it, a simple statement but so important. Sora nodded at him. He looked at the friends who had come to see them and nodded. Edge spread his arms out and pointed down the shore. Sora smiled and began to lead Gentai down that way. They didn't say a single word to the others but as they seemed to be reaching the end of the shore. Both turned back and saw even more people standing there. Still remaining there was Demora, Hikaru, Gentai's parents and Edge as well as Ansem the Wise. But behind them was the red-haired form of Axel, lazily saluting him, the three knights of Terra, Ventus, and Aqua and eleven other figures, three of which were very familiar. One of the figures, a female, turned to the three.

"Well, Orddu, Orgoch, Orwen, are you happy now? You were right all along." Said the woman loudly.

"Oh, nonsense" said all three at once. "It was just as the loom predicted it would be." The woman rolled her eyes before turning to a man.

"Well, Flaron, could we not have entrusted the future to any better stewards?" the woman asked and the man, Flaron, chuckled.

"No…I don't believe so…and now the future is theirs, Gail…to live and shape as they wish it." Flaron said, a chuckle on his voice. Sora turned and looked at Gentai who, for the first time in over twelve years, truly smiled. Not a smirk or anything else but a pure smile. Then, together, the two walked off to their world.

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Sora opened his eyes blearily. He wasn't sure of what he saw at first because his vision was completely blurred. All he knew was that it was a large mass of white, pink, and blue but he couldn't discern a shape. For some odd reason, he felt no pain inside of him or on any point of his body. He moved his hand and felt sheets beneath them. He gasped. He could feel. His hands were no longer burnt. He could touch things without pain. There was a loud noise beside him, like someone almost falling off of a chair. His eyes snapped open and he saw Kairi standing there.

"Kairi!" Sora yelled out and she smiled at him. She descended on him and kissed him, tears of joy coming from her eyes, all the while calling him a lazy bum. He laughed as she did so, chancing a glance at his hand. The skin was restored. He lifted it up to marvel at this miracle. Kairi caught him looking at it. She shifted her weight around and lied down next to him.

"Amazing, isn't it?" Kairi said with a smile as she cuddled up to Sora. "The same thing happened with Riku. When that rain came Riku's scars were suddenly gone. All of our pain was alleviated so we brought the wounded out and it healed them. His Majesty says that it was Kingdom Hearts being released." Sora shifted around and relaxed on the bed. He turned his head toward Kairi.

"So…Kairi, tell me what happened after we defeated Onyx." Sora asked, an inquisitive gleam in her eyes. "Were you guys able to get rid of the lava?" Kairi nodded knowingly.

"Oh yeah. His Majesty, Merlin and Gentai just managed to finish vanishing it yesterday." Kairi said, her head cocked slightly. Sora looked at her with a befuddled expression on his face.

"Gentai's already up?" Sora asked, concerned over his battle partner's well-being. Kairi laughed sweetly for a moment.

"Uh-huh, you've been out for five days. He was up two days ago. I swear, none of us know what that guy is made of. Anyway, I believe you asked a question and it's rude to interrupt." Kairi lightly whacked him on the arm. The sun finished creeping into the room and Sora figured that it was morning. "Anyway, when you guys defeated Onyx everybody started cheering, heroes and villains alike. Pete let loose some of his bombs as fireworks…but Riku and I, we noticed you two weren't coming back. We were watching the whole battle but you didn't come back. So, me, Riku, His Majesty, Melissa, and Merlin went out to look for you. It was quite easy to get to you even with the rain. It was strange because everyone who sided with Onyx and even some villains who still relied on the darkness were destroyed by that rain."

"Really? Hmm…" Sora put a thoughtful finger to his chin before he sat up. "Sounds like I was right all along: Kingdom Hearts is light. But anyway, what about the Unbirths, the Heartless, and the Nobodies?"

"Vanished with Onyx. The second Onyx hit the floor…or lava, and it began to rain they just disappeared like they were never there." Sora nodded his head thoughtfully. No more shall sounds of darkness be heard…Was what Gentai said absolutely true? Was it all over? But Kairi was speaking again and he directed his attention onto her. "When we got there, His Majesty and Merlin were busy holding back the flow of lava. They managed to cease its flow and started to vanish it. When we finally found you there was no pulse and we thought you were…you were…" She choked up at this part but Sora put a comforting hand on her shoulder to urger her on. "There's was no pulse in either of your bodies. We tried for almost half an hour before Riku said he could feel something. Then he slung you over his back while Melissa and I carried Gentai up to the castle and now…here you are, five days later."

"Wow…I think I look pretty good for being dead for half an hour." Sora said with a wide grin and Kairi smacked him. Sora then started tickling her and inbetween her bouts of uncontrollable laughter she fell to the floor. She stood up soon after however and brushed herself off.

"You know, Riku, His Majesty, Gentai and the kids are all waiting outside to see you. Should I go get them?" Sora nodded happily and Kairi left the room. Sora laid back against the sheets and stared at the canopy. He could hear the voices of his friends outside. What Demora said was true…his friends would always be there for him and he would be there for them. And when they entered the room, he embraced them happily.

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"Change can be the hardest part." Sora found himself saying later that afternoon to a large group of people that constituted the entire army and their families. He had arranged a funeral for all those who had died. He figured that it would be fitting hallmark to all of them. However, nobody dressed in black. Hayner was helped into his chair by Olette, Kairi and Riku sat together at the front giving Sora encouraging glances and smiles while Mickey sat with Donald, Goofy and even Pete. Gentai and Melissa were also in the front row, Melissa being a little closer to Gentai than she had been before. Many of Sora's other friends were filed in behind them. And Sora knew that the words he was speaking were true. "Even if it that change is for a future that is brighter it is still difficult. We…lost many people in the battle five days ago and within the war itself; people who gave their lives to secure this brighter future that we and our children can look forward to and build together. If it weren't for these people, then the battle would have meant nothing. No person is worth nothing and neither are they. So, raise your glasses. To the victorious dead!"

"Hail!" the hall cried and they drunk to the memory of the fallen. Sora placed his cup down and still the hall remained quiet. They were all going back home tomorrow and he couldn't let them go without saying another word. He looked to second row and saw Cloud and Tifa sitting together, their hands clasped together. Yuffie's head was hung low and Aerith merely had a blotchy red area around his eyes while Cid was trying, and failing miserably, to look manly and not cry. "I would also…like all of you to raise your glasses to one man in particular. Squall Leonhart was a brave man who paid with his blood to see this world rebuilt into the lovely place it once was. Without him, I don't think that we could have attained victory because he was the one who made sure all of us were brought together. In my absence he knitted the pieces that made this army what it was. Because of him…we can all look towards a brighter future…a future without darkness…a future we can create. I'll say again that change is the hardest part but I believe that if we work together then we can create a future that we ourselves never knew before this. To Squall Leonhart!"

And they drank. Those words stuck with everyone through the evening as they celebrated their victory now that Sora was awoken. Sora was forced to clasp the hands of the bereaved and cry tears of joy with the cheerful. But there was only one person's company he wanted. He needed to talk to him because only Gentai could understand exactly what Sora was going through. And Kairi understood that, which was why she chatted with Riku and Melissa through the party. But Sora was still smiling as he greeted Jim whose role in the war now made him Admiral Hawkins and Silver was due to receive a Medal of Honor. He was happy as he saw Aladdin unharmed and whole. But then he glanced to the balcony where the sun was setting, filling it with a golden glow. There he saw Gentai's form, leaning on the railing, staring out at it. He quickly walked over to him.

"What'cha out here for?" Sora asked as he stepped outside and Gentai turned to him. "The party's inside." Gentai shrugged and turned back to watching the sunset.

"Never was one much for parties." Gentai said with a smile. "I love the sunset…I told Riku, I watch it every night." Sora looked confusedly at him beyond any comprehension.

"What for?" Sora asked and Gentai chuckled, turning to face Sora.

"Because I would never know if I would ever see it again. I didn't know when I was going to die so I looked towards it to never forget. Now…I can look towards it and see a future." Gentai smiled at him and Sora laughed. But his grin soon dropped.

"Hey Gentai, I forgot to thank you…for fighting with me. I know how hard it must have been for you to endure what you did. I'm sorry I couldn't understand before." Sora said with a sad smile and Gentai chuckled, shrugging his shoulders.

"It's okay. I was lost…confused, but I think I'm okay now. I came back consciously." Gentai said with determination set on his face. "I told Terra twelve years ago that you shouldn't let the past shape who you are and now…I think it's time that I followed my own advice. After all…now I understand what a hero is. It's not someone who tries to destroy the demons of others for themselves but tries to destroy the demons of themselves for others. In other words…following your heart to the light. I told Zeus I couldn't understand all those years ago…but I think I can now." Sora nodded in acceptance.

"So then, uh, what are you gonna do now?" Sora asked, wondering where Gentai could go from here.

"Tomorrow I'm leaving with His Majesty for some training. Melissa's going with me. Then, after that, I'm going to restore Agradar." Gentai said and Sora nodded with a smile. "You don't mind if I come to visit now and then do you?"

"Not at all…after all, Demora needs a new godfather and who better than you?" Gentai laughed at that. The two then gave each other a high five as Sora and Gentai smiled at each other.

"You know…for the first time in thirteen years since I left on this crazy quest…I'm actually glad that I did it." Gentai said and Sora laughed. After all, he was exactly right.

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The following day was completely chaotic as everyone got on their designated Gummi Ships. Sora had to see a large number of them off, but this was thankfully helped along by Cid who overtook this position from Leon due to his intense knowledge of Gummi Ships. Sora bid goodbye to Jim as he left with his new girlfriend, Emily Vance, as well as Silver who gave Sora a bone crushing hug. He parted ways with Adam, Aladdin, Mulan, Hercules, Auron, Zack, and many others who he had come to know over the years. Phoebus came over to him quickly.

"Sora, I have to say, I'm glad you called us in the end." Phoebus said and the two gave each other a brotherly hug before he marched over and met up with Qusaimodo. In the distance, Sora saw Riku hugging a woman named Helen Parr and slapping hands with their kid Dash as they went separate ways. Mickey was busy saying his goodbyes to Cecil Harvey and the gang (minus Kain) as they proceeded to board their Gummi Ship. Sora glanced next to him and saw Gentai saying a farewell to Taran and Eilonwy and he also saw Kim thanking Kairi for getting her and Ron together. Sora wanted so much to assert that he had a part in it but he let it go. Soon he saw Mickey walk over to where Donald, Goofy, Melissa, Gentai, and even Pete were standing near the ship to Disney Castle. Sora walked over to join them. Mickey turned to face him.

"Welp Sora, looks like we're all headin' home!" Mickey said brightly and Sora nodded his head with a smile. He looked to Donald and Goofy and brought them into a hug which they gratefully accepted. He then hugged Melissa and Gentai but refused to hug Pete. But he still smiled at him. If it wasn't for Pete Sora didn't think they ever would have defeated the Horned King. His brave efforts (and the fact that he was still here) allowed King Mickey to let him come back to the castle and reunite with his son P.J. who he hadn't seen in over twenty years. "I'm sure we'll see each other real soon!" Sora nodded at him and the six of them turned to get onto their ship while Riku and Kairi walked up to him. Most of the ships had now left and Mickey's ship was soon revved up. The trio stepped away from it. Sora and Kairi took each other's hands. Kairi looked at Riku.

"So, Riku, what's your plan?" Kairi asked and Riku laughed while scratching the back of his head. He looked down for a moment as they walked up to the ramparts of the castle. He looked back at them.

"Actually, with Leon…sorry, Squall gone I thought that you guys would need someone as captain and…well, if you'd want me I'd be happy to stay here with the remaining Keyblade wielders and lead the army and be an advisor." Riku told Sora and Sora looked at him with an amused expression.

"You won't mind putting yourself under me?" Sora asked with a jibing tone. Riku laughed loudly.

"Don't think I didn't think about it!" Riku said as they reached the ramparts and leaned on it. "So, will you take me on?"

"Of course we will Riku! Cause we're friends!" Sora said and they all smiled, watching out to the horizon as the last ship flew over it and towards its home.

For many generations to come, people would praise the deeds of Sora, Riku and Kairi and the Tale of Gentai Tanaka. Their Parliament of Worlds continued and after few years, cleaned up all of the messes in the worlds. It was with a saddened tragedy that King Mickey Mouse died many years later as a very old mouse but Sora accepted his new status, taking on the role of what Disney Castle was. It was only a year after that which saw the union of his family as well as Hayner and Olette as their son married Jeanette. Demora herself married the accessory shop owner in town and eventually become the head of the economic council on Radiant Garden. Riku's heart was finally able to thaw out and he eventually met a girl named Terra with green hair and very frightening attitude (at least…it was an attitude that could rival Sora's). They married many years later but had no children…but their story is not to be told. Finally, at an old age, Sora, Riku, and Kairi stepped down, allowing Gentai and Jeanette to become king and queen of Radiant Garden while the three of them returned to Destiny Islands where they spent the remainder of ther days…for all stories must end.

In the case of Gentai Tanaka, he did indeed return to Disney Castle and for many hours a day would train with King Mickey, mastering his emotions and the pain he had previously felt. Melissa Ardintous would always be there to cheer him on. It was strange to Gentai as he finally felt himself falling in love with her. He didn't even notice it until after a visit to Sora one weekend. He trained with her in the courtyard and when the two had finally doubled up laughing she rested her head on his shoulder and he rested his head on hers. Many years later, the two returned to Agradar and with their combined magical prowess after training under Mickey they had at last managed to restore Agradar, naming them heroes and granting them a constellation in the sky in their own rights. The children they then had after getting married became a founding lineage for the world that would eventually give birth to the line of Mortic Ilman, who became president of Agradar after the events following Windsor's old weapon Oblivion…but his is not a story that should be told amidst these. Overall, the Keyblade wielders became obsolete but not in the way Onyx had planned. They were no longer needed to protect a safe world.

Because now, the world was for those who lived within it to live in freedom, to make their own choices. For you see, in the grand scheme of everything, a few decades is no more than a fleeting dream, an eye blink, a brief moment in time. But for all the people in the worlds it comes down to one decision, one moment that can decide everything. It is that one second of everything that counts beyond all measure. The challenge is for people to adapt to change and live in a future without any fear of the darkness. But that gift of freedom is truly one of the most powerful in all of time. Everyone should be able to control their own destiny, their own fate. They should be able to make their own decisions. Truthfully, some choose worse than others but that's how it is in the world. That's how it has been and how it should be; how it was meant to be. And that is why these stories are remembered. Not because they were forced on someone but because of three people who chose to write their own fate and not be bound by history's chains. It is because of them we can live without fear of the darkness and all of it began with the source of all hearts and all light: the light that was called Kingdom Hearts.

THE END

Author's Note: And at last it is finished! The complete sign that I have been waiting to see for six months is finally there. So review all you happy people and rejoice in this trilogy's end. It took me almost a year to write and I am very glad of doing so. Even though I received very little reviews I am still glad I completed it. Also, I believe I ended it the only way I could: Sora, Riku, and Kairi together at last. I would like to extend a big hearty thank you to Lord Moldybutt, Captain A, and Vergil Theart for all their thought provoking and kindly reviews. Now, the next time you'll hear from me may be for Tales of Existence, a collection of stories that will expand upon what is here. Illusion's Heart will be posted on the anniversary of this trilogy a month from now so put me on Author Alert and do let it be noted that that is a prequel following Gentai Tanaka before Lineage. Now, before I go, some previews of Illusion's Heart:

"This place has darkness…it's powerful."
Gentai clutches his head and collapses
"I cannot do this alone."
"Times like these, darker times, can usually bring people together."
"My best friend Tom has betrayed me…why?"
"I don't know Gentai."
A robed figure "destroys" the island.
"These are some crazy times we live in."
"In my life I've seen terrible things…You're going to see worse."
Gentai attacks Riku but is blasted backwards, flipping up.
"You're the Key of the Future Gentai Tanaka. Without you, we leave the fate of the worlds to chance. You must not fail."
"I don't want to do this!"
"Gentai, NO!!"
"It's over."
Maleficent cause flames to spring up on Isla Cruces.
Gentai flies around the Flying Dutchman and the Black Pearl.
"I can't do this…"
"Fight back, you traitor, fight back!"
Everybody summons their Keyblades.

Yup, there's your summary so enjoy till end of October and have fun with Days. In the meantime, please review on every conversation in this chapter and my ending monologue as well as why you think, after all this time, I decided to name it The Existence Trilogy and don't ever forget…

Dare to Be Silly,

MindReader13