Queen Kiki held Amari in her arms as she walked down the corridor of the castle. She noted that the walls in the corridor weren't responding to her darkness. "Even now, light holds more power, but not for long. This world will only know the darkness. Your world will also bow to it, when I unleash the magic in it as well."

Amari cooed as he played with her finger and pulled it into his mouth and sucked on it.

"I don't need you either. Your life doesn't matter to me and your end will come at the rising of the full moon, tonight. Your pitiful life will end and I will finally be freed from your powerfully persuasive… You are cute… But I don't need you, you hear me. I am better off without you. This is what I have always wanted, isn't it?" She thought for a moment. "Yes. It is."

Amari's sweet eyes met hers and she felt like a part of her wanted to melt.

"Don't you look at me like this. You can't stop me. I will proceed on schedule." She couldn't bring herself to put him down. "Since this is your last night of existence, is there something you want to do… before you go?"

Amari then played with her locket, that was around her neck. "Gawawa…"

Queen Kiki held the locket firmly in her grasp and a tear escaped her eyes. "Don't touch that." She pulled it away from Amari and put it into the neck of her dress.

Amari just stared at her, with amusement.

"Why do you always have to do this? You make me want to…. Arghh… You're doing it again. I won't play with you if you keep that up." She placed Amari down on the bed and walked away.

Amari burst out crying at her disappearance.

Queen Kiki stopped and looked back at Amari. "No… I won't… You can't make me…" She released a breath and then gave in and returned to the little infant's side. "What do you want?"

He stopped crying and raised his hands in the air with a toothless smile. "Umawa!"

"Alright, you win. Only for two more minutes and then I am leaving. You won't be able to change my mind this time." She took him in her arms and sat at the chair at the bedside and fell asleep.

Beauty rode towards the mountain at a full on gallop, but then she was cut off by the dragon's blast. Beauty reared up after being taken by surprise and Kat nearly fell off her back. Deston did however with a big 'uphhh'.

Zen pulled out his sword, but his other shoulder couldn't move. This was going to cause some very sloppy attack strategy. Shirayuki couldn't shift and found herself only ducking, holding onto Zen the best she could. Getting off the horse's back was becoming an impossibility and the horse was starting to react accordingly towards that occurrence. The horse scrambled and tried to take matters into its own hooves, fighting against Zen's grasp.

Beauty was fearless however and didn't do much for abandoning her quest to lead them to the crystal castle.

The dragon wouldn't permit them to escape it.

Kat pulled out her wakizashis and tried to strike the dragon as it came by, but they didn't do anything against the dragon's thick scales. "Those scales are tougher than iron! We won't be able to penetrate them."

"There must be a way to pass. Distract it and we will go on ahead!" Zen ordered.

The woodland creatures did as ordered, but Beauty wouldn't let them go without her and blocked them. She snorted loudly. She only knew where the secret entrance was and they will be chasing their own tails without her help.

"What are you doing, Kat?!" Zen roared.

"It's not me!" Kat defended.

Beauty struck the ground with her hoof and then she turned her attention to the dragon. She then threw Kat off her back and charged at the dragon. The dragon went after her and she back kicked it in the face.

The dragon recoiled for a moment, after taking a hoof to the eye. It whipped its head back and forth and took to the air.

Beauty whipped her head as a signal to follow her. Kat then jumped back onto her back, trying to get distance before the dragon came down for another strike.

Everyone was surprised by Beauty, because she was starting to act more human like, than horse.

Queen Kiki entered the great hall, with Amari asleep in her arms. She cautiously approached the heart of the castle.

The full moon came into the sky and the gem responded, by glowing too brightly to stare into.

"It is time." She pulled out the book and placed it on the end table. "Pull the darkness and the light, bring it in and make things right. Dim the brightness and darkness cries out, unleash your power over it's defying might."

In response, the room became even more bright, to the point it would be blinding and Queen Kiki covered her eyes and Amari's, just to be safe.

Miko was sitting so still in the top of the castle, but when her pendant was drained of its magic, her eyes opened and she shot up from the bed. Her eyes scanned the room and then she saw a portal that was filled with light. "My time is up…" She could barely stand, but she stumbled towards the portal and then she covered her eyes.

When she came through the portal, she felt her very life force being drained from her and she fell to her hands and knees, bracing herself with whatever strength she had left. She looked up to see that I was summoned here as well, and in the very same state as she. Her eyes met Queen Kiki's. "I'm too late… no…" Her legs gave out and then her arms. Her eyes littered with tears as they met mine, like a reflection.

"I'm sorry… I couldn't… stop her…" I looked back to the queen and saw my little brother. "Am...ari… forgive… me…" I saw that my hands were starting to fade in the light and then my arms were next. I was fading away… forever…

Kiki ran in, after she had scaled the entire castle, looking for us. "Stop! You can't do this!" Kiki's eyes landed on Amari who was now being placed on the gem and the brightness was now absorbed into his body. Kiki was shielding herself from the light.

"Hurts, doesn't it? Light has that effect. But not for long." The queen smirked.

Kiki saw the last shred of me and Miko fading away. "Miko!"

The light from all the crystals, including the heart of the castle, had turned black as night.

"What have you done?!" Kiki roared.

The dragon was encased in some kind of strange light and was thrown against the mountainside.

Zen and the others proceeded towards the cave, but then a light was being pulled from Beauty and the woodland creatures. From them, their forms returned to being Obi, Desti, Nosuke and now Kat was sitting on a woman's back.

Kat panicked and jumped off. Her eyes met the woman's and she suddenly recognized her.

"Katsumi…" Kita smiled tenderly, with tears in her eyes.

"M-om…?" Kat's eyes were in likeness. They shared an embrace, but then Kat realized that this woman had betrayed her friend. "Why did you do it?"

Kita's smile slid from her face. "The Evil Queen has powers that can be near impossible to resist. I couldn't have defied her orders no matter how I felt about it. But I am going to take you to her. I hope that we aren't too late."

Zen could feel his arm again and Shirayuki could feel her leg. "Take us to her!"

They made their way towards the secret entrance to the castle. They could see that there was a deep darkness over this castle and everything in it was black, but the fires that ensued around it, gave it some light, enough to see.

Obi turned to Zen. His eyes went wide, but then he bowed. "Master. I am at your service. What would you have me do?"

Zen seemed confused by the nature of Obi's request.

Obi smirked at Shirayuki. "It is nice to meet you, Miss. Master, you aren't straying are you? Seeing you with another woman, will make the Mrs very envious, you know."

"This is Shirayuki." Zen spoke in a I-don't-believe-this tone. "My wife."

"Congrats... but Princess Ezria is going to kill you." Obi's smirk only grew.

"Ez-ria…?" Zen and Shirayuki exchanged confused looks.

Nosuke looked upon them in doubt. "When did this happen? This is news to me."

Kat looked to her mother and saw the same absent minded expression that Nosuke had and Deston as well.

Desti's eyes grew wide. "MIKO!"

Zen turned his horse towards the castle again. "No!" He rode off as Desti ran as fast as he could.

Zen jumped off of the horse and helped Shirayuki down once they reached the castle. They entered and ran towards the hall. "Where could they be?" Black webs were all over the winding staircase and bats flew around them. It was starting to look far worse than any abandoned old mansion, but with a morbid vibe.

Amari's glow dimmed enough to be able to see without the risk of being blinded. Amari opened his eyes and he gazed into Queen Kiki's.

"It isn't too late! You are me! We aren't so different. You don't have to do this!" Kiki reasoned.

"No… but this is my destiny. Darkness shall rule the earth, by this child's last breath. All the good will die with him." The queen raised her dagger in the air, poised to strike.

"NOO! Amari!"

The queen's arm grew weak, when she looked into his sweet eyes again. "I will finally be… rid… of… y...y… what am I doing?" The queen pulled him into her arms and at that moment, her hand released the dagger from her grasp. She was broken from the darkness' hold and she fell to her knees and cried. "It's forever… I can't… I can't do it…"

Kiki placed a tender hand on the queen's shoulder. "I know." She smiled at… herself.

"I don't know how he does it, but his magic is far stronger than mine." The queen confessed.

"You don't say. I think it might be something else." Kiki responded. "Love, perhaps?"

"No. Love could never be in my heart again."

"I doubt that."

The queen pulled out her locket and opened it. Mitsuhide's most prized possession was inside. And a tiny painting of him.

"I think it is time to let him go."

"Why? Because you want him?" The queen lashed out.

"No. Because you are wanting something that is unrealistic. Mitsuhide belongs in our world. Nothing can change that, whether I am with him or not. Love can't be forced. It can only be given."

"You love him, don't you?" The queen's voice became soft.

"I do."

"Then… don't let anyone stop you from being with him. Promise me that." The queen stood up and faced Kiki directly.

"You have my word."

Zen and Shirayuki burst into the room, with Desti and Kat at their sides.

Zen pulled his sword from its sheath as his eyes met Amari's glowing form. "What did you do to Amari?!"

Shirayuki felt the tears welling up inside, while gazing helplessly at her son.

Kiki stood in front of the queen. "She is on our side. She is no longer a threat to us."

Zen relaxed his arm, but didn't sheath his sword, out of caution. "Amari? And where is Miko?"

Kiki turned to the queen. "Please save them."

The queen turned her attention to the heart of the castle. "I'm sorry… I can't… I can't wield magic anymore… Amari's body cannot withstand this much magic and his form will succumb to its power. Light magic will be lost and Miko will cease to exist, in your world and ours. Because Shirayuki is now Prince Raj's concubine. Prince Zen never met her." Queen Kiki felt remorse, but it was too late to stop it.

Prince Zen's attention turned to Shirayuki in horror. "No! We have to do something! I won't let that happen!"

"What can you do? You don't possess magic either." Queen Kiki gave Zen a stern look. "The only one who was capable of doing that, has already disappeared. The moment the full moon descends to the earth and disappears, you both will be returned to your world and will have no memories of each other. It won't even hurt. It is over."

"I don't believe that! Kiki can use light magic." Zen pulled Shirayuki in close, afraid that what the queen said was the true.

"Kiki can barely make a portal. These are very complex spells. She will never be able to alter them in time." The queen couldn't help but hate herself for her actions. She pulled the book from the end table. "Please try." She handed the book to Kiki. "I don't want Amari to die… I am rather fond of him."

Shirayuki took Amari from the queen. "We are too."

Kiki stood in front of the massing darkest gem. She opened the book and watched the spell being expressed and the multitude of instructions being carried out.

Swethyna ran into the room and panted falling to her knees. She was human! Pure human! "Stop!" She panted some more. "If… you don't… do it right… it will have far worse outcomes!"

Kiki's eyes widened.

Desti met her gaze. "The future was altered in your world. How are you not affected?"

"I know this incantation inside and out." Swethyna straightened out. "You aren't effected yet, because your world is waiting on Amari's existence to diminish. In ours, it has already been altered. I am able to avoid it, with a trick I had learned through my connection to magic, but it will fade by morning. But enough of that right now!" Swethyna turned to Kiki. "If you do not counter its spell properly, you are only going to make it worse."

"Then how do I do it right?" Kiki asked.

Swethyna turned to the queen. "Please. You have the knowledge of this spell also. You can search through this book and find a solution."

The queen took the book in her hand. "I never studied that part. I never wanted to know."

"The darkness wanted to keep you in the dark. You have to see that now. You aren't held down by it any longer." Swethyna recognized how clear Queen Kiki's eyes were now.

"I will try." Queen Kiki took the book and watched its contents. "You need to take Amari."

Kiki approached Shirayuki, who didn't want to let go of her son. "It is the only way."

Shirayuki finally gave up her son. "You have to save him, Kiki. Please do not fail us." She pleaded.

Kiki held Amari close, but he wasn't looking very good. The queen was right and the brightness was overwhelming his tiny form. "Now what?" She returned to the queen's side.

The queen pointed to the carnation shaped black gem. "Place him on the jewel of magic's origin. Then focus on influencing Shirayuki's thoughts in your world and mine, the day she was supposed to leave Tanbarun. As you recite these words. Focus your powers on it. Focus the powers of light to return to the heart of this castle. If you go too fast, Amari will die. Be careful."

Shirayuki placed her hand over her mouth in fear, as the tears cascaded down her cheeks. "...no… please no…" Shirayuki whined.

Zen pulled her into his arms and he felt the same pain as she. "Trust Kiki… it's going to be alright…"

Kiki prepared herself. "I am ready." She extended her hands to the gem after placing Amari on the it. "Light come forth from the darkness, re-enter this world and make it whole. Shine bright and remain true to your unwavering might. Resound in our hearts and make it anew."

They could see that there was light bleeding into the gem from Amari's little body. The glowing in Amari ceased and he cheered happily, finally returning to his former self.

As the last of the light returned to the gem, Miko and I suddenly reappeared on the great hall's floor.

Desti ran to my side and picked me up into his arms.

Deston came in, without the others even being aware that he was even here and he pulled Miko into his arms. He had entered with Swethyna, but no one had noticed.

Miko's eyes fluttered open, with an expectation on Deston's face.

Relief overcame him. "Thank goodness!" Tears filled his eyes.

Miko softly caressed his cheek. "Deston… I never thought you would be the first person I looked upon… But I am not disappointed." She smiled as she finally tried to get to her feet with Deston's help. He then kissed her, not really knowing what had come over him.

Miko kissed back.

He broke the kiss and his face went beet red. He quickly bowed out of respect. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to…"

Miko's face went bright red as well. She then lifted his chin so that he may face her again, then she claimed his lips and allowed it to go even deeper.

Deston then eased into it, raising his hands to either side of her face.

I just watched them and smiled to myself, as Desti lifted me to my own feet.

Shirayuki took Amari in her arms and cried. "I missed you so much, Amari." She held him close and Zen pulled them into his arms and tears of joy came down. He then pulled me into the hug and then offered his other hand to Miko after she broke from her kiss.

Miko greatly accepted.

Shirayuki cried, "It's finally over… We can go home now…"

Zen's eyes sought out Miko's as she was washed with disappointment. "You are welcome in our castle, any time you like. We owe you everything. Thank you."

Miko looked like she might cry. "You mean…?"

Zen nodded.

She wiped her eyes and returned a smile. "Then I will make sure to find time in my schedule. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

The queen was sitting alone in the corner. "They have their happily ever after… they don't need me anymore…"

Kiki leaned against the wall next to her. "That isn't true. You have a world of opportunities to start over. You can chose to live your life the way you want. That is your choice to be made and not for the darkness to decide. You make your own fate."

The queen looked up to Kiki. "I will." Her eyes landed on Miko's excited form. "My first action will be to return this land to Clarines. Princess Miko shall be given her rule. I don't deserve it."

Zen and the others were taken by the light being swiftly returned to the crystal castle and everything became beautiful again. "Let's go home."

"No wait!" Miko grabbed onto Zen's arm. "I want you to accompany us to the celebratory ball in your honor."

Zen gave her a look of disappointment and regret. "We have been away from our castle too long… I'm sorry."

Miko thought for a moment. "Then I extend you an invitation to join us when it is time. Just an appearance, that is all I ask."

Shirayuki smiled at Zen. "We would love to."

Of course he agreed with Shirayuki.

"The mirror is upstairs in the tallest tower, if you are wondering." The queen pointed out.

"Thank you, Kiki." Zen smiled at the queen.

"I am never going to understand these people, am I?"

"Don't even try." Kiki mused at the queen's comment.