Kingdom of Chaos

Chapter 20: Epilogue

Author: Sketchy Sunshine of OSTOCOM

Rating: PG-13, just to be on the safe side

Author's Notes: Wow, last chapter! I'll post some more notes at the end of the actual fic…

See chapter one for summary, disclaimer and other goodness. This is now the last chapter!

3 3 3 3 3 3

"Come here, I want to show you something."

Toshi looked up from the papou fruit he was trying. Sora was waving to him from across the pier, the wind tussling his brown hair. The wooden boards creaked under his feet as Toshi stood.

Four days later, Toshi was still getting used to Destiny Islands. Having lived his entire life in the cold and rainy streets of Twilight Town, the tropical climate of Sora's home was a large adjustment. He gave a final glance at the pristine ocean before following Sora into a thick grove of palms. Sora pushed aside the branches, revealing a low tunnel. Toshi squatted down slightly as they made their way into the dimly-lit cave.

Toshi let out a low whistle as he observed the chalk drawings scattered across the cave rocks. At the end of the cave, the featureless door caught his eye. "This place feels so familiar."

Sora smiled. "This is Kairi, Riku and I's secret place. We drew all this when we were little."

"That explains a few things…" Toshi said, tracing a few of the chalk lines with his finger. Sora and he both knew that familiar places resonated with each other.

Toshi sat down on one of the rocks, breathing heavily. Since he had left the Kingdom of Chaos, he was significantly weaker. There was a slightly uneasy pause.

"We're going to have to permanently merge eventually," Sora finally said with some hesitance. "There's no telling how long you'll last here."

"I know," Toshi sighed. When they were in the thick of battle, merging was nearly an afterthought. But now the entire ideal felt awkward. Even the realization that he was conversing with the other side of himself made Sora feel strange. "But when that happens, we'll both change," Toshi continued.

"It'll ultimately be your choice," Sora said. He gazed at the ceiling of the cave, and spotted some chalk scribbles he didn't recognize. A fireworks of shooting stars spread across the rock as if it were an expanse of sky. Toshi also noticed the drawings.

"I stayed up last night and counted three falling stars," he said with some sadness. "The Heartless are starting to destroy worlds again."

Sora gritted his teeth. "We can't go and do anything about it until we find a way to get off the islands."

Toshi cocked an eyebrow at Sora. "You worked so hard to get back home, and now you're impatient to leave again?"

Sora managed a grin. "Your sense of urgency's rubbed off on me."

Toshi looked back up at the shooting stars. "I guess Kairi drew these."

Another awkward silence followed. Kairi had said very little since they had returned to Destiny Islands; spending most of her time drawing in Naminé's sketchbook. Her withdrawn attitude was a point of tension between Sora and Toshi. Sora knew that his relationship with Kairi would never be the same. However, he knew that permanently merging with Toshi would change him as well, and he had no idea how he would see Kairi then.

Toshi seemed to sense Sora's thoughts, and changed the subject. "I wonder what happened to Axel."

Sora sighed. "I don't know…maybe he's still in the Kingdom of Chaos."

"I doubt it. Axel won't have any power there now that he has a heart. He'll have to cross into this Kingdom," Toshi replied.

"I'd just figure he would've come looking for us by now," Sora said with arms crossed.

"I've had my fill of the Organization," Toshi said bitterly. "I don't want to meet any of them again for awhile."

A sea breeze whistled through the holes in the cave roof. Sora and Toshi stopped for a moment, letting the images on the walls soak in.

Slowly, Kairi's voice came drifting in on the wind. At first the words were inaudible, but it finally became louder. "Sora! Toshi! Come quick!"

Sora and Toshi glanced at each other, then exited the cave. Kairi was waiting for them outside, waving and smiling for the first time in days. They shielded their eyes against the sun for a moment, then saw what had caused her excitement.

Striding across the sands towards them was Riku. He held the Soul Eater in one hand, and carried his black robe under the other arm. A fresh scar crossed one side of his face, but he didn't seem to care. Sora noticed a Gummi ship parked on the small island nearby, with Donald, Goofy and their king standing outside.

Riku stopped, and stared around at his friends and island home. The wind whipped through his silver hair, and he let out a long breath.

"Hey guys…I'm home."

THE END

3 3 3 3 3 3

Author's Notes: Yes, I decided to stop here. This probably could've kept going ad infinitum, but I was beginning to run out of ideas, and I wanted to stop while I was ahead. Perhaps if I'm suddenly struck with bizarre inspiration again it'll get a sequel, but for now there are no plans for one.

Instead, I have an idea for another fic, falling more into the realm of comedy. XD I can't seem to escape the drive to parody… o.O

A humongous thanks to those that read and reviewed! You completely made this story worthwhile…so go you! XD