Well, today marks a month's reign of Zanskar, as king. When I look back at all that has transpired over the last few days, and the last thirteen years as well, I can't help but think how much has changed...of everything. But it is as it should be.

After me and Blaze defeated Gustav, I ascended to the throne as the new king, and rightful heir as well. Gustav's words about peace never being obtained...they still haunt me, and will continue to do so until I die. But I will never stop striving for peace, because the challenge in getting as close as possible to that impossible margin is what makes the mission all the better.

Victoria...or Elaine as I used to know her. I knew from the very beginning where she was, about how she took control of the Volstead Inn and used a different name to cover her tracks. I knew it would be a safe haven for Blaze and Silver while they planned their uprising, so I constantly sent letters to her. After I took the throne, I sent a convoy to Volstead to seek her out and bring her to me. I could barely remember what she looked like, but she's still as beautiful as the day I saw her. I'm set to marry her in two months time, and when she becomes my wife, she will also become the Queen of Zanskar.

Speaking of Zanskar, I officially had the old planet's name sworn back in. I didn't want to leave behind harsh scars of the past, so I decided to set things back to a time where the havoc was absent, sort of speak. All knights were told to pledge their allegiance, or leave the castle. I wasn't going to go around executing people like Gustav did. Everyone accepted their new pledge, almost as if they were all glad to be rid of that tyrant of an uncle!

After the battle, Wolfgang returned the Sol Emeralds to their shrine. I made him my successor to the title of Primary Commander of the forces, and I awarded him a medal for bravery in his efforts to aid the effort against the tyranny. He is a gifted warrior, even if he's starting to feel the effects of middle age, he's still supremely fit. His wound has also healed completely as well.

Amadeus is back with us, strangely enough. I went to visit him in the Volstead jails, where he seemed to be having a nasty time. After talking with him a little, I decided to give him his job back as a Field Commander, and why? Because Amadeus hasn't got the brains understand my uncle's actions. What motivated him was they pay; he would do anything to ensure he got his pay check. So I paid his bail and he's back on the job, doing what he does best. He still gets teased about being defeated by a recruit, however. May that be a lesson to him.

Volstead will begin to thrive shortly. I annulled all of Gustav's money siphoning contracts and restored them to their original, and fair, terms. Hopefully every town should be thriving now. I also heard that the Volstead Inn is under new management, with Wolfgang's brigade taking the helm! With the ten of them working there, things are ship shape, and the publicity is massive, so they're swamped in customers and people wanting to stay. There's extra charge on the rooms where Blaze and Silver stayed, so it's got good revenue!

Silver was awarded the same medal as Wolfgang was for his brave efforts. He's now training under Wolfgang himself to become a Field Commander, to fill in the empty space Wolfgang left in his promotion. He is a bright young man, and he is very skilled. Him and Amadeus have also buried the hatchet and have become firm friends. It's nice to see how well his training is going. Plus, him and Blaze...they do make quite the nice couple. Perhaps I'm just speculating, but do I see the future of the throne right before my eyes? Plus, he's taken his place back at the resident band as the bassist again, so I can't wait to throw a party so I can dig those solos of his!

And finally...Blaze. My darling daughter. I didn't need to award Blaze a medal, the recognition she gets from everyone is enough of a reward. I will make sure that I raise her properly and clear her mind of any darkness that Gustav may have implanted while he looked after her. I'm still quite strict on the etiquette and such, but I don't go so far as to slander her for not being proper. Even I forget to keep my knife in my left hand sometimes, and boy does she flare up when she sees me do that!

It's glad that things will be looking swell from here on out. Balance or unbalance, without that tyrant ruling the world, soon things will flower and we shall grow and prosper. I see bright days ahead for us all...

[Excerpt from Tinder's diary]

Midnight. Out in the garden, they sat on the bench, her head resting on his shoulder, his arm around her, the two held in a loving embrace, gazing at the stars.

"...Silver?"

"Blaze?"

"...Do you think...we were destined to be together?"

"...I dunno. What do you think?"

"I think we were. I think life is like a play, and we're acting out the script"

"That's a pretty big play"

"It's called life, Silver. Get an imagination, will you?"

"Hey! Don't pinch me!"

"Tee hee!"

"...*sigh*...Well, I do know one thing"

"What's that?"

"...I know that I don't want to be with anyone else. If that's destiny...then I'm happy"

"I'm more than happy Silver..."

"...I suppose I've never asked you this...but...do you love me?"

"Silver?"

"...I was just wondering, that's all...Ouch!"

"Tee hee!"

"Stop pinching my armpit! It hurts!"

"I just love doing that to you! I like it when your eyes just widen when you feel it"

"Gah..."

"...I do love you, Silver. Do you..."

"I do, Blaze. I made my mind up about that some time ago..."

"So why didn't you tell me?"

"I was nervous"

"Nervous?"

"I get nervous around royalty"

"You did...but not anymore, right?"

"No...not now. If I was, then I'd have some social problems"

"Then you wouldn't get nervous if I did this..."

He felt her lips softly rub against his. His head slowly turned towards her as his kiss deepened, He leant his forehead against hers, before opening his eyes and looking into her, the deep golden pools of beauty. His lips departed from her for a second.

"...No, I don't" he said quietly. Then, he slowly caressed the back of her head with one hand and kissed her again, his other hand holding her back. They parted, gazing into each other's eyes once more.

"...You look like you have something on your mind" he said softly.

"...I do" she answered, smiling.

"Care to share?"

"I'm a little nervous"

"Nobody's watching..."

Slowly, she took a breath, and with pitch perfect tuning and a serene, clear voice, she sung quietly:

Lately, I find myself,

Out gazing at stars,

Hearing guitars,

Like someone in love.

Sometimes the things I do,

Astound me,

Mostly whenever you're,

Around me.

Lately, I seem to walk,

As though I have wings,

Bump into things,

Like someone in love,

Each time I look at you,

I'm limp as a cloud,

And feeling,

Like someone in love...

The End.

And there you have it! The story is officially finished! I really do hope that you enjoyed it from its beginning to the end, and I have to say it is possibly the best story I have ever written for Fanfiction (seeming the rest of the stuff I write is usually crap). I have to thank everybody who faithfully reviewed this story, including Galexia the Chao and Disney Villain amongst others, so my deepest thanks to you guys and your kind reviews! I have no idea what my next story is going to be, I may take a day or two off to cool my brian and strum up some new ideas before I get cracking on something new, but until then, keep yer eyes peeled for any new stories! Also come and read some of my other stories, they may not be as popular as far as revies are concerned, but they are all just as good! And with that, I'm off!