Epilogue
Weiss and Yumi
After Sora and Yumi left quietly following the holidays, they said goodbye to the Gessen Team, as Yozakura promised to lead them to the best of her abilities, just as her friend did.
"You know, it's strange, Sora. When you died by mine and Fubuki's hands, I was horrified by what she and I had done, after she gave herself fully to the darkness in her heart. Seeing your deceased form in Asuka's arms made all of us around you sad as well, and we even wept for you. But, even as we wept for you, our tears of life were able to call your soul back to this plain of existence, the world of the living. Then I had a theory, and began to believe that kissing you would be enough to revive you, which Ikaruga called a miracle," she explained.
"Then Fubuki said that my sacrifice was enough to stop the bloodshed from continuing. Even when good and evil ninja are pitted against each other, there comes a time when they have to put aside their differences to stop an even greater force of darkness. She even told me that the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant, and that what you do with the gift of life determines who we are," replied Sora.
As they walked, they soon saw Asuka, waiting by the Ark, with Team KRYYSSTAAL and the Specter Sisters making final preparations for departure. It did take them some time to explain the situation, but at last they came to an understanding, as Sora told them that he would always have plenty of people at his side, as well as members of the Warriors of Light.
"Oh, by the way, Sora. Haruka and the rest of us agreed to make something special for you. It took a bit of time and effort, but at the very least, we managed to make some special new clothes for you to try on. I hope you like them, since we bought a lot of fragments from a clothing shop that she liked to visit. Shopping districts are a neutral zone after all," she said to him.
Sora nodded, then went inside the ship and changed out of the clothes that the Five Goddesses of Seikan gave him, and tried on the new clothes that Yomi had made for him. They contained the symbols of Hanzo, Hebijo, Gessen, the Mikagura Sisters, and Team Crimson, which meant that he was the balancing force of light and darkness of that very world he visited. They seemed to suit him pretty well. He slowly stepped out, dressed in the new garments he had been given.
"Oh my goodness," Yumi gasped in surprise.
"Wow," agreed Asuka.
"Thanks, girls. I really like these new clothes, especially since Yomi did most of the hard work making them fit my style," replied Sora.
But then he noticed something on his left sleeve.
"Oh, right. We managed to make a few enhancements to that shoulder pad on your left jacket sleeve. It'll feel very similar to how we used our Shinobi Transformation to change into our other state," explained Yumi.
Sora happily agreed. He may have endured a lot in that world after the whole Yoma debacle. But at the very least, he was fully satisfied with the clothes he was wearing.
"Also, before we head off to meet your friends, Sora. I still remember how that kiss brought you back to life," she said quickly.
Sora wasn't sure why, but then he felt Yumi's lips press against his, which caught him by surprise. Asuka was momentarily shocked by this, but she maintained her composure so as not to lose herself to her false beliefs in justice being dead. Sora ultimately gave in as he wrapped his arms around Yumi, as the kissing continued. After that, they pulled back so that they could take a breath.
"This time, it was a real kiss of true love, Sora," Yumi explained briefly.
Then Asuka slowly stepped forward, and she too kissed Sora. Normally, Yumi would be annoyed by this, but she wasn't sure what to think if she met any of the other girls in Sora's estranged family. They soon boarded the Ark, and at Kenton's urging, they were about to blast off into the lanes between, when Cody Xehanort, Yomi, and Ikaruga came running towards them.
"Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle. Looks like Cody found himself another pretty girl. I wonder how Destiny's gonna deal with this," he mused.
Berthier gave a bit of a light giggle, and agreed to let them come aboard, even though she was worried they had violated a strict taboo of the World Order.
"Hey, don't worry, Berthier. Besides, some rules can have a few loopholes in them," assured Calaveras.
"My thoughts exactly," agreed Kiba.
"Alright, alright, alright, we'd better get this show on the road already. Besides, I'd hate to find out what would happen if any of our colleagues got left behind. Still, something about Sora and Cody bringing three Kunoichi with them kind of makes me a bit odd at the moment," quipped Lisbeth.
"Lisbeth, let it go. Besides, Sora, Asuka, and Yumi have been through a lot battling some new yet dangerous enemies, but I'm sure the yoma of that world will try to mount another assault just as the demons of Dante's world once did when they served that heartless Mundus, whom both he and his dad, Sparda defeated," assured Yohko.
"You said it, Yohko. But, there was that one time where I nearly lost my eye to Hyena R. Droid. I was blind in just one eye, and it needed a long time to heal after that fact. It was when Panty almost got killed by him, but I chose to protect her of my own volition, rather than just let her die. After that, we parted ways on much more friendly terms. But I know that despite her eagerness, she doesn't like darkness one bit, or seeing any guy she 'sleeps with' being destroyed by that same darkness. Still, she and I did agree on one thing, and that was to ensure that darkness never wins, which did put her younger sister, Stocking, in a bit of a good mood, when she met Lex. Both of these girls are without a doubt unique in their own way. One uses handguns and the other uses swords, but despite their differences, they know that they can't allow any force of evil to destroy what they cherish most of all," agreed Cody.
Then the Ark soon rose up and out of the atmosphere and was now in deep space. As they were leaving, Asuka, Yomi, and Yumi saw their small world slowly receding into the distance.
"The hyperdrive is ready, Captain," called Petz.
"Punch it," Kenton said to Trish.
Trish nodded, then with a careful pull of the lever, they soon rocketed off into hyperspace. Moments later, after returning to Canterlot, the heroes soon disembarked and landed safely in the city streets, all of Sora's friends and loved one's welcomed him back, even though Minako was surprised to see more girls arriving in Canterlot.
"Uh, Sora, who is this other girl?" she asked.
"Oh, this is Yumi. Leader of the Gessen team from Asuka's world. She told me about how she and her new friends were at odds with each other about their belief in justice, but when they tried to strike each other down, Kurokage stopped them and said that true light isn't from justice, but rather from the people we cherish with all our hearts. As for Yumi, sometimes she can be serious about some things, but there are times when she can choose to relax and be with other people. It was back when she and her friends went to a resort, and because her friends would double their training, she told them that training nonstop isn't fun at all. That's when she realized the importance of fun, to be free and have the time of her life without worrying about what's going on around her 24/7. A certain friend of mine once said that fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering. Also, she's a bit like the Princess of Atlas, Weiss Schnee. Smart, brave, talented, and when she fights with precision and coordination, it's almost like she's dancing like a true snow angel. And, she also has a beautiful smile. So as my promise to her grandfather, I want to make sure that she's happy, no matter what. And both you and everyone else in my family can make sure of that as well, as well as honor Kurogage's spirit, when I ask for his guidance and understanding. When I learned that he once became overzealous in his belief that everything was no more than pure unadulterated evil, he started acting too much like the fallen General James Ironwood, without any form of morality or sense of concern for other people, and he even went so far as to sever his connection with Hanzo, Asuka's grandfather. So I promise to make sure that I prove to be better than him, because Asuka told me I remind her of Hanzo back in his youth," explained Sora.
"Sora," Yumi murmured.
"Even in death, your grandfather would be very proud of him, Yumi," assured Asuka.
"Like I said, Minako Aino. We'll all be there for each other," Sora finished firmly.
"I know we will," replied Minako.
"After all, all's well that end's well," agreed Artemis.
"I agree, Arty," added Compa who arrived, which in turn made Minako giggle at the nickname she gave her cat.
"Yes, same here. Also, Yumi, It's a great pleasure to meet you. I am Weiss Schnee, Daughter of Jacques and Willow, Sister of Winter and Whitley. And these are my companions," Weiss said.
Then she introduced all the people that were part of Sora's harem, or family, depending on what you'd call it. Yumi gave a bit of a light giggle.
"I guess I had no idea that Sora was actually quite the lady's man," she said.
"Yeah, but that's nothing, since he formed Team SKYYLARC with me, Kirito, Asuna, Yang, Yui, Leafa, and eventually Cody. But, at the same time, we've gone on a lot of adventures together, such as when we stopped Oogie Boogie on my birthday, after he ruined it. However, I was actually happy to have a birthday adventure, and we managed to put a stop to that ugly sack of bugs for good," remarked Ruby.
"Even still, we'd be honored to welcome you and Asuka into our ranks, Yumi, if Sora doesn't mind that is," added Kirito.
As indeed he agreed, and both Asuka and Yumi were now accepted into the ranks of Team SKYYYLAARC. But then Cody had to tell Sora something as well.
"Before we left, I decided to confess my feelings to two of your friends, who also happened to be rivals themselves, Ikaruga and Yomi. Their fighting styles may be different from each other, but at the same time, they were indeed born as commoners, yet still had a bit of a grudging respect for each other, much like two certain Sailor Guardians I know of," he said.
"Way to rub it in our faces, Cody," Usagi and Rei grumbled towards him.
"Anyway, Yomi did tell me that you told her that it doesn't matter if someone's born rich or a commoner, which did leave Ikaruga feeling a bit surprised, as she could tell that you were truly different from everybody else," Cody finished.
"Yes. Oh, I'm actually a bit anxious to find out what our kids may look like after we get married, Cody," cooed Yomi, as she wrapped her arms around his left arm.
Cody blushed a little, until Ikaruga did the same with his right arm.
"I'm also anxious about our own children, Cody, but patience is a far stronger virtue," she said.
"Uh, you mind letting me go then?" Cody asked them.
The two kunoichi did, until they kissed either of his cheeks.
But Yumi was happy to be part of a new family, after placing Yozakura in charge of her team back in Gessen, since she was her second in command. The battle with Fubuki, the yoma hoard, and the challenge to change her into a much wiser person would be forever etched into the Chronicles of Sora, as new adventures would await him, in the next world he visited. However, Sora smiled proudly, knowing that his family would still continue to grow even larger than before, but he also knew that he'd fight for a brighter tomorrow.
"Um, Sora, if it's okay with you, I'd actually like to say something that might describe me in the best way possible," she said to him.
"Okay, sure," replied Sora.
(And to end this story, it's time for Yumi to sing something to Sora, now that they are alone with each other, so play Melodies of Life from Final Fantasy 9, for this touching moment)
Soon, on a balcony, outside of Stargazer Heights, Yumi gently took hold of Sora's hand, making him look into her eyes.
"Alone for a while I've been searching through the dark,
For traces of the love you left inside my lonely heart.
To weave by picking up the pieces that remain,
Melodies of life—love's lost refrain.
Our paths they did cross, though I cannot say just why.
We met, we laughed, we held on fast, and then we said goodbye.
And who'll hear the echoes of stories never told?
Let them ring out loud till they unfold.
In my dearest memories, I see you reaching out to me.
Though you're gone, I still believe that you can call out my name.
A voice from the past, joining yours and mine.
Adding up the layers of harmony.
And so it goes, on and on.
Melodies of life,
To the sky beyond the flying birds—forever and beyond."
But then, Asuka slowly stepped forth, dressed in casual clothes, rather than her Hanzo Academy uniform, but kept her silence, as she heard Yumi singing to Sora, and soon the other girls who loved him joined their side.
"So far and away, see the bird as it flies by.
Gliding through the shadows of the clouds up in the sky.
I've laid my memories and dreams upon those wings.
Leave them now and see what tomorrow brings.
In your dearest memories, do you remember loving me?
Was it fate that brought us close and now leaves me behind?
A voice from the past, joining yours and mine.
Adding up the layers of harmony.
And so it goes, on and on.
Melodies of life,
To the sky beyond the flying bird—forever and on.
If I should leave this lonely world behind,
Your voice will still remember our melody.
Now I know we'll carry on.
Melodies of life,
Come circle round and grow deep in our hearts, as long as we remember."
(And the song ends with Sora and Yumi sharing a passionate kiss with each other, and the ship called SnowySky now sails across the sea of stars, with the Main theme of Final Fantasy playing)
"Sora, after what happened, I was worried that your death would mean you'd never be able to come back to us, but then I heard a voice telling Asuka that you'd be alright, so long as our hearts would always keep you safe from death. I think it may have been someone who looked very much like you, but had gray hair and royal garments on him. I can't explain who that is, but I think it may have been someone from your past," said Yumi.
"Dad…" Sora murmured quietly.