At last. It's time. Keys is... nearly complete. My heart is overflowing with all sorts of emotions right now as I post this. I genuinely never thought I'd see the day. But here we are. And really, that's all I have to say. Enjoy 3

Epilogue

Once upon a time, there was a war. That war was waged in a world lost to the ages, nearly destroying every other world and all life within them. And yet… it was a war that almost nobody even knew about. A war that, in time, almost everyone eventually, inevitably forgot.

The Kingdom has a way of doing that, of making people forget anything it doesn't want them to remember. Making them forget about wars and destruction and darkness and even its very own King.

Even so, there are some who can't forget. Some who never will.

Some, in every world he went to, who were touched by the heart of the Kingdom's King.

These are the stories they still have left to tell. And the songs they still have left to sing.

He's a hero who can please the crowd,

(A star is born!)

Thebes recovers well from Hades' latest onslaught. It's really nothing its citizens aren't used to by now. With its close proximity to Mount Olympus, the city is often the stomping ground for the occasional rogue monster or errant deity trying to make a claim on Zeus' throne. Fortunately though, the people of Thebes have a hero to rely on, a true god among men if there ever was any.

Hercules wears a befuddled grin as he watches Phil march through the square, shouting orders at the sculptors and stonemasons. He tries his best to pose for the restoration of his statue, something he's done far more times than he can count by now, not that it's ever gotten any less dull over time. At least Phil's well-meaning tirade provides him with some form of entertainment to pass the time.

Come on everybody shout out loud-

A star is born

"Hey! What are you all doin' lazyin around here? Lunch break? What the Helen of Troy are you on about!? Do ya think my boy Herc here took a 'lunch break' when he was chopping off each of the Hydra's heads?! Well, do ya?!"

"Hey, Phil?" Hercules calls. "Maybe ease up a bit? Those poor fellas have been working at it all day-"

"Shhh!" Phil glares back at him. "Can it, kid, we're burning good daylight here. Less talk, more flex!"

Hercules can't help but chuckle as he does as his mentor says. At least until another, much more sultry distraction happens to stroll along.

Just remember in the darkest hour-

"Lookin' good there, wonder-boy," he jolts when Meg catches him off guard. She approaches from behind, perching herself on her toes to give him a kiss on the cheek. "And I'm not just talking about the statue either."

"Heh, thanks," Hercules smirks, stifling a blush. Especially when Pegasus trots in after Meg with a teasing whicker. "To be honest, I tried talking Phil and the town council out of rebuilding it, but… they insisted so, here we are."

"Aw, don't be so modest," Meg counters. "You earned this. After all, who else can say they've put the lord of the dead in his place not once, but twice?"

"Well, it's all part of the job," Hercules says. It isn't lost on Meg when his gaze drifts past the statue, past the city, up to the grand mountain towering afar in the distance. To where the gods, where his true family reside in all of their legendary glory.

Within your heart's the power-

For making you a hero too,

"...Hercules," Meg begins, looking away from him. "Do you ever wish… ya know… that you'd…gone back?"

"Gone back?" Hercules frowns, confused. "Where?"

"...Home," she mutters, nodding up to the mountain. "Olympus."

"Oh…" Hercules is quiet for a moment. He's still staring up at Olympus, an almost wistful look filling his face. One that fades as soon as he looks back at the beautiful woman standing by his side. A woman he risked everything to save, a woman he wouldn't trade anything, even godhood itself for. "Well…" he takes her hands, gently kissing one of them. "Even if I do miss my family sometimes… why would I ever want to go home… if you're here?"

"...Geez, that's schmaltzy," Meg finally eases into a laugh. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, wonder-boy."

So don't lose hope when you're forlorn-

Just keep your eyes upon the skies-

Hercules shares her laughter, his cheeks flushing when she kisses him once more. By now, Phil's finally taken notice and is already trotting over to complain about it. "Hey! Break it up, lovebirds! The last thing Thebes wants is a statue of you two makin' goo-goo eyes at each other."

"Oh, don't get your horns in a twist about it, shorty," Meg rolls her eyes. "Even heroes deserve a break sometimes. And I'd say this hero has more than earned his."

"Thanks, Meg," Hercules grins. To appease Phil, he picks up his commanding pose so the sculptors can continue their work. "But you know what they say: a hero's work is never done. And as long as someone out there needs a hero…" When looks up at Olympus again, the sky above it seems just a bit brighter. It's as if his father, and all of the other gods who call that sacred mountain home, are smiling down on one of their own, on the one who decided to stay. The one who decided to forgo the home he thought he wanted in favor of the new one he'd found in its place. "Then I'll be there… to go the distance."

Every night a star is-

Right in sight a star is-

Burning bright, a star is born!

And as the years go by-

Andy's room is busier than it usually is tonight. His many toys scramble to make sure they're ready for his scheduled return from his family's vacation. As usual, Woody leads this effort, making sure that batteries are charged, parts are in their place, that his team, his friends are prepared for playtime. Only the best for Andy, after all.

"Rex, can you help Slinky straighten his spring out?" Woody calls, pacing around the room at a nearly frantic speed. "Hamm, Potato Head, can you two please put your game of go-fish on hold and help me out here?! No, Bullseye, I don't have time to play fetch right now, bud, I've got to-"

"Er, Woody?" A tap on the shoulder cuts him off. He turns to see Buzz and Jessie standing behind him, concerned frowns on both of their faces. "I believe you're, um… micromanaging again."

"What? Tch, no I'm not," Woody scoffs. "I'm just making sure that everything's juuuuust right for when Andy gets back."

Our friendship will never die-

"Aw, but Woody, everything already is right!" Jessie assures as she smooths out Bullseye's yarn mane. "You know Andy better than anyone. And that means you oughta know that he'll be happy just havin' all of us here to play with."

"She's right." Woody eases up a bit when Bo steps up. She offers him a consoling smile as she adjusts his hat, just like she always does. "We're all so lucky to be together again after everything that happened at that toy store. Don't you think that's more than enough?"

"I mean, it is, but still-"

"So settle down already, sheriff!" Jessie flashes him a wide, breezy grin. "We've got nothin' to worry about."

"What is it you already say, Woody?" Buzz elbows him lightly. "No toy left behind?"

You're gonna see it's our destiny-

Woody sighs, finally slipping a smile. "No toy left behind," he echoes, his grin turning a touch prouder. "And no one was. Especially not you, Buzz. I couldn't imagine what I would've done if we'd had to come home without you."

You've got a friend in me,

"Well, thanks to everyone's brave efforts, you didn't have to," Buzz nods, truly grateful. "Now, what do you say we-"

"The car just pulled up!" Rex shouts from his spot near the window. "They're home!"

"Already?!" Woody jolts, immediately frazzled once again. "O-ok, everyone, places! Remember to go right back to whatever spot you were left in the last time Andy saw you! Hurry!"

You've got a friend in me,

The toys scramble, trying to be as quick and quiet as possible, especially when they hear the front door open downstairs. They manage to make it just in time for Andy to burst into his room, clearly glad to be home after such a long time away. "Woody! Buzz!" he makes a beeline for the bed, where his two favorite toys lie waiting. He scoops them up into his arms, hugging them tight. "I missed you guys soooooo much!"

Though neither of them can respond, they still exchange a discreet wink with one another when Andy isn't looking. After all of the danger and darkness they'd faced to get to this moment, it's more than worth it all. More than worth it to finally be back together again, to be back home where they truly belong. To be back in the arms of their very best friend.

You've got a friend in me.

Adventure is out there, it's heading our way,

Russell stands at attention on the stage of the Wilderness Explorer Sweatlodge, still burned and bruised from the harrowing adventure he's only just returned from. While his mother had plenty of questions for him, the other kids and parents, even the sweatlodge leader, didn't seem to notice. At least until the time comes for him to receive his most coveted badge.

"For assisting the elderly-" the sweatlodge leader stops short at him, badge in hand. The other kids have their fathers standing close by, but Russell stands alone, something that isn't lost on the small audience gathered for the ceremony. "Uh… Russell? Is there someone who, uh…"

Russell frowns as he sweeps a glance over at the audience. He'd promised he'd be there, he'd even crossed his heart. And yet…

So grab your scarf and goggles, let's fly!

"Excuse me," a familiar voice speaks up. "Pardon me. Old man coming through." A huge grin fills Russell's face when Carl steps up to take the empty space at his side. "I'm here for him," he says proudly, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder.

The sweatlodge leader nods, placing the badge in Carl's palm. Russell is more than ready to finally receive it, except… Carl has a bit of a different idea in mind.

I've mapped out our journey, we're up here to stay,

"Russell," he slowly kneels down to the boy's level. "For assisting the elderly, and for performing above and beyond the call of duty, I would like to award you the highest honor I can bestow…" He pulls out something he's held onto for more years than he can count, his first memento from his late wife, the first memory he'd ever made with her: a weathered soda bottle cap. It's a symbol of sorts, of all of the adventures they'd had together, of the new adventures she'd wanted him to have even after she was gone. He gingerly pins into the only empty spot on Russell's sash, knowing that after everything they've been through together, he's more than earned it. "The Ellie Badge."

"...Wow," Russell whispers, awestruck. He exchanges a solid salute with Carl before engulfing the elderly man in a happy hug. Amidst it, he makes sure to show off his new "badge" to his mother, sitting in the audience and petting Dug. The rest of Muntz's former dogs are there too, gladly (and loudly) showing their support for their new "alpha's" friends.

A sunset is our home, a moonbeam we will own-

They go for ice cream when the ceremony is over, sitting on the curb and counting the cars going by. The Spirit of Adventure hovers not too high overhead, ready and waiting for whatever new journey they might someday go on, for whatever new adventures might await them.

And… on a lonely cliff close to a beautiful waterfall somewhere very far away… a lone house sits, empty, yet still somehow full. Full of the memories the couple who once lived there had made, full of the tiny, little moments that had made that house a home.

My Spirit of Adventure is you!

Aue, aue–

We set a course to find-

A brand new island everywhere we roam!

The ocean is bright and blue and alive with boats, far more boats than its seen in centuries. Dozens of canoes cut their way through the clear, open surf. One leads the pack in search of new islands, letting the sea and the stars guide their way to wherever they're meant to go.

Moana boldly climbs onto the deck of that boat, helping her father steer the rudder just right. She remembers Maui's sailing lessons well, and has made sure to pass that knowledge onto her people. With no more darkness or monsters or danger threatening the Great Ocean, there's nothing to stop them from voyaging out from Motonui in search of new lands, just as their ancestors had done before them.

Aue, aue-

We keep our island in our mind,

And when it's time to find home-

We know the way!

It's a good day for sailing, Moana thinks as she swings to the bow of the boat, narrowly rescuing Heihei from stepping over the side. Her hand skims the water, and the Ocean returns the gesture fondly. She trusts it, just as she had before, to help them find their way, to let them explore as much and as far as they want to. And, when it's all said and done and they've planted new roots across the sea, then that same Ocean will lead them back to Motonui, it will lead them back home.

A graceful manta ray glides just beneath Moana's fingertips. She smiles warmly as she reaches out for it, the spirit of her grandmother, still with her even now. She doesn't even have to question whether or not she'd be proud; she already heard it from her firsthand.

Aue, aue-

We are explorers reading every sign,

We tell the stories of our elders in a never-ending chain,

When she climbs up to the top of the sail for a better view, she spots him. Maui is a hawk as he flies by, winking wryly at her. Though they'd parted ways back on Te Fiti, he still visits from time to time to check in on his companion and her people. He jokes that a demigod is nothing without his waves of admiring fans, but she knows there's more to it than that. She knows that with a friendship forged through literal flames like theirs, it's hard to stay away.

Aue, aue-

Te fenua, te mālie-

Nā heko hakilia,

Moana watches Maui disappear into the distance, over the horizon that they're soon to cross themselves. The sun is just setting over the line where the sky meets the sea. She may not know what waits beyond that line, but she can't wait to find out, to see just how far they can really go.

She can't wait to go wherever her friend, wherever the Ocean itself, decides to take her next.

We know the way!

I am the sand in the bottom half of the hour glass (glass)-

"Baymax, now!"

Hiro doesn't specify which Baymax, so both of them spring into action. Their rocket fists fly in tandem, cutting the escaping robbers' escape car off well in advance. They both slam into the side of the vehicle, sending it rolling down an alley that Honey Lemon has spread an icy chemical compound all throughout. The car veers wildly out of control, even more so when Wasabi's energy blades slice through one of its tires as it passes him by.

I'll try to picture me without you but I can't,

Go Go keeps pace alongside the periled car, skating fast enough to cut a megalev disk into its driver door. It pries it open, and she's quick enough to pull the driver out, allowing Fred to finish the job when the car skids to a final stop soon after. He boldly jumps onto the hood, tearing the roof off before grabbing the other robber and tossing him over to the awaiting police.

"Great work, you guys!" Hiro congratulates his team as he rushes over. By now, both thieves have been loaded up into the police car and are on their way to jail. Yet another set of criminals brought to justice by the work of San Fransokyo's up and coming super hero team. "I think that was our most coordinated takedown yet."

'Cause we could be immortals, immortals-

Just not for long, for long-

"It's all in the technique," Wasabi smirks, playfully swinging an energy blade around. Only to nearly slice it straight into Go Go by mistake.

"Watch it," she hisses, narrowly dodging out of the way.

"Looks like that technique could still use a little work…" Honey Lemon chuckles.

Live with me forever now-

You pull the blackout curtains down-

"Guess this calls for more… shugyo!" Fred proclaims excitedly. Though an annoyed groan ripples through the rest of the group, there's still plenty of smiles to go around. A little practice in the name of improving their heroism could never hurt, after all.

"Actually, looks like we're gonna have to put that shugyo on hold for now," Hiro frowns, pressing his headpiece closer to his ear. "I'm picking up a report from the scanners about a fire on the north end of town. You guys up for saving the day one more time tonight?"

"Do you even need to ask?" Go Go smirks as the rest of the team gears up to get going.

Just not for long, for long-

"What about you, Baymax, and… er, Baymax?" Hiro's still getting used to there being two of them; the rest of the team is too. Not that either Baymax seems to notice. "You both along for the ride too?"

"We will not be riding there," Baymax 1 notes. "We will be flying."

"Uh, that's not what I… oh, forget it," Hiro shakes his head. "You'll help us out, right?"

"We are your personal healthcare companions," Baymax 2 nods dutifully. "We are programmed to provide you with any assistance you may need."

"Whenever you may need it," Baymax 1 finishes, wings out and ready to fly.

We could be immortals, immortals-

"Yeah, I know," Hiro smiles, hopping on Baymax 2's back. The rest of the team follows suit, either taking one of the robots' hands or hopping onto Baymax 1 for the trip. Protecting San Fransokyo is a full time job; but if there's any team that's ready and willing to do all they can to save the city they call home, it's Big Hero 6. "Just like Tadasih would have wanted."

And with that, they fly together off into the night.

Immortals, Immortals.

When you finally found that place-

You'll find all you need,

Kida watches as Milo finishes making the final chisel on the monument, her heart heavy, yet hopeful all at once. He steps back to her side to comfort her, but she doesn't stew in sadness for too long. Not when she knows what still needs to be done.

She removes her crystal from around her neck, gently placing its tip against the statue's surface. The runes carved into its face quickly take on that same blue glow, alive with the energy of Alantis' heart. Even if the king who it will memorialize no longer is.

Where the dream leads you-

(Your dream will lead you home)

The people of Atlantis stand silent, paying their respects as the massive stone mask begins to rise. It goes to join the others, the rest of the relics of the city's fallen kings. Kida pulls Milo to watch its ascent, racing to scale up to the highest vantage point they can find. They stand there together as the monument to Kida's father takes its place in the circle in the sky, a circle guarding the city's life-sustaining heart.

Far as your heart can see-

There's a world that waits for you,

That heart brims with energy, no longer buried below the surface, but awakened and alive high above. Atlantis may still be hidden deep beneath the waves, it may still only be in the early stages of recovering from the crumbling ruins it had been. Its people may still have so much history, so much heritage, so much of their home left to rediscover.

But they'll get there. With a brave and beloved new queen like Kida, and someone from the surface, someone as clever and compassionate as Milo by her side, there's no chance that they won't. They're already finding new ways each and every day to help Atlantis thrive, to help its people grow stronger, to help the lost city finally begin to heal into the great empire it once was.

Perhaps… even beyond.

You're not alone,

You'll find your home-

Where the dream takes you.

All those days watching from the windows,

All those years outside looking in,

Rapunzel squeezes Eugene's hand when she hears the doors open behind her. Fear rushes through her, but he steadies her, stays close by her, just as he intends to do no matter what might happen next. With one final deep breath and an unspoken prayer, they both turn around to face them: the king and queen of Corona themselves.

There's no doubt that Rapunzel is their daughter. That's the first thing Eugene thinks when he sees them. She has her mother's face, her father's eyes. They'll have to see it, he desperately hopes that they do. He hopes that she's finally found her family, her real family. Not whatever twisted facade of a "family" Gothel spent the past eighteen years fooling her with.

All that time never even knowing-

Just how blind I've been,

Even Pascal seems to tense up on Eugene's shoulder as they watch the royal couple step out onto the balcony. Somewhere in the courtyard below, Maximus is also waiting–and making sure Eugene has security clearance at the castle. How a horse has so much sway over Coronan royal guard, he has no idea, but that's the least of his worries now. Instead, he focuses on Rapunzel, and on the queen as she comes closer to see her daughter for the first time since she was a baby.

Now she's here shining in the starlight,

Now she's here, suddenly I know-

She's cautious at first–they both are. As if they're unsure about any of this: that they're right, that this is real. The queen doesn't say anything as her fingers skim Rapunzel's cheek. And somehow, that's all it takes. She breaks down into a smile, into tears, into happiness she likely hasn't felt in eighteen years. Rapunzel does too, especially when the queen, when her mother pulls her into a tight, loving hug. The king quickly joins, their tiny family finally together again, finally reunited after so many painful years apart.

And at last I see the light-

And it's like the fog has lifted-

The queen extends a hand out to Eugene, silently inviting him into their hug. He tries to turn the offer down, not wanting to spoil such a touching moment. Only for Rapunzel to swiftly drag him into it anyway. He guesses he better get used to this if he plans on sticking around.

And at last I see the light-

And it's like the sky is new-

Eugene's been a thief for many years, most of his life really. In that time, he's taken more than he can count; but he can't say he's ever returned anything before, much less felt so good about it. He can't help but think how much that bright, beautiful, magical young woman has changed his life in almost no time at all. How much he's saved his life, how much she's saved his heart.

And it's warm and real and bright-

And the world has somehow shifted-

And in return, he's so glad to have given her the one thing he knows she deserves more than anything. He's glad to have helped her finally find her way back to her family, to have helped her find her way home.

All at once everything looks different-

Now that I see you.

Say that I'm crazy or call me a fool,

But last night, it seemed that I dreamed about you,

"Next!"

Héctor grips his hat a bit tighter, stiffening as he steps up to the gate. He's been through this before, far too many times to count, and each time, he's been denied. But this year, this Dia de Muertos, is different. This is the first time he's remembered. This is the first time he's allowed to cross the bridge.

"Enjoy your visit, Héctor," the gate attendant tells him with a smile.

When I opened my mouth, what came out was a song,

And you knew every word and we all sang along!

There's a new addition to the undead Riveras this year, always a bittersweet reality. But for Héctor, just getting to be here, to see her again, is a reason to celebrate instead of mourn.

"Papa!" she calls sweetly as she hobbles over to him.

"Coco!" he sweeps her up into a hug. She died a very old woman, but in the Land of the Dead, she's still as sweet and spirited as he remembered her in life.

To a melody played on the strings of our souls,

And a rhythm that rattled us down to the bone,

They join Imelda in regrouping with the rest of the Riveras to begin their journey across the marigold bridge. It's a journey Héctor can scarcely believe he's making after so many decades of being stuck in the same place. But sure enough, his photo is on his family's ofrienda. After so many years of lonely death, for at least one night a year, he's finally going back to his living home.

There's a familiar face waiting for them there. Miguel can no longer see his dead relatives, but he knows they're there when he begins his performance. Music is not only welcomed in the Rivera household now, it's warmly embraced. Thanks to the letters Coco had kept from her father, De La Cruz was outed as a fraud and Héctor was rightfully recognized as the true genius behind all of his beloved songs. Now, not only is Héctor finally remembered by his family, he's known and treasured by so many more beyond them.

"¡Ay mi familia! ¡Oiga mi gente!

Canten a coro, let it be known-

Our love for each other will live on forever

In every beat of my proud corazón!"

Miguel leads his family in song, his great-great grandfather's guitar in hand as he strums it happily. Héctor and Imelda dance to his upbeat melody, far more proud of him than words can even say. Because somehow, this boy managed to bridge the gap between the living and the dead unlike anyone ever has before. Somehow, this boy brought his broken familia back together again for this Dia de Muertos, and every one to come.

"Our love for each other will live on forever

In every beat of my proud corazón!"

Certain as the sun-

Rising in the east-

The ballroom is aglow in the light of the setting sun, filled to the brim with happy guests to hail the prince and his new bride. A beast no more, he's since reclaimed his human name–Adam. It took Belle a bit of practice to get used to calling him that, a bit of time to get used to his human face. But sure enough, the one she fell in love with despite all the odds is still there all the same.

Tale as old as time-

The castle servants watch on, smiling as the couple kisses once more just short of sweeping across the ballroom. This celebration is for them just as much as it is for Belle and Adam; after all, it's not every day that folks shift from household objects back into their proper human forms. While Lumiere and Cogsworth pick up their usual bickering-this time about who was right about Belle being the one to break the spell, Mrs. Potts and Chip stand alongside Maurice as the newly-wed couple blissfully passes them by.

Song as old as rhyme-

"Are they gonna live happily ever after, Mama?" Chip asks, ever curious.

"Of course, my dear," Mrs. Potts hugs him tight. "Of course."

"...Do I still have to sleep in the cupboard?" Chip questions after a moment of thought. Only for Mrs. Potts and Maurice to answer with laughter that Chip can't help but be grateful for.

Beauty and the Beast,

Belle and Adam twirl gracefully through the ballroom, all eyes on them. And yet, they only have eyes for each other, their hearts full of just as much adoration now as it had been the first time they'd danced together. Even if it hadn't been that long ago, everything had been so different back then. Funny how that night had started just like this, so gentle and sweet, and had turned into one of the most tumultuous of either of their lives.

Tale as old as time-

Song as old as rhyme-

And yet, they'd made it through. Through the love they had for each other, they'd not only survived, they'd broken the castle's longtime curse. They'd freed the prince and his servants, brought light back into these once-hallowed halls. Together, they'd found everything they'd both always been looking for: a friend, a future, a home. And perhaps the one thing neither of them actually knew they needed most: each other.

Beauty and the Beast.

My heart has wings, mm-

And I can fly,

The castle brims with light that can be seen across the entire kingdom. The prince and princess are known for holding many balls for all their people to enjoy. But tonight's affair is a bit more private, a touch more personal. Tonight, the celebration of their wedding anniversary is just for them.

Fairy Godmother waves her wand as she finishes her work off for the night, casting the empty ballroom in low, lovely candlelight. Cinderella and her prince enter soon after, arms linked and eyes locked lovingly on one another. There are no musicians to play for them tonight, no crowd to watch them dance. Fairy Godmother uses a bit of her magic to create a gentle melody for them out of nowhere and they take to it quickly. A recreation of the night they met, where all else seemed to fade away, where it felt like they were the only ones in all of existence.

I'll touch every star in the sky,

They glide through the ballroom as if dancing on air, feeling the magic of that wonderful evening just as much now as they did then. Though time has passed and things have changed, one thing that hasn't, that never will, is the way they feel about each other. Funny how such feelings sprung up from a story that started with, of all things, a missing shoe.

So this is the miracle-

That I've been dreaming of,

Fairy Godmother keeps the magic going when they stroll out to the garden, casting brightly-colored fireworks high above the garden. The couple pauses on the bridge to watch them, smiling and leaning against each other all the while. When the show is over, they find themselves wandering to the fountain, sitting on its edge and sharing a kiss, just as another young couple had not so long ago.

Cinderella and her prince have shared plenty of kisses there themselves, each one more special than the last. It's amazing, really, how it's managed to grow with with time. The spark of adoration she'd felt for the prince that first night has blossomed into something she knows will last the rest of her life, a flame that she'll cherish and treasure more and more each and every day.

So this…

That spark, that flame… is…

Is Love…

In the Southland there's a city-

Way down on the river-

It's taken months of hard work, of rebuilding, renovations, hiring, training, menu planning, and preparation, but the night is finally here. Tiana's Place is finally open.

Its lights glow jubilantly on the riverbank, already the talk of the town even before its opening night thanks to Charlotte. And in that first night alone, the restaurant becomes an instant hit. The food is to die for, the music just as stellar (Louis makes sure of that), and the atmosphere is bright and lively.

Where the women are very pretty-

And all the men deliver,

Tiana's beaming as she makes her way through her restaurant. She stops by her mother's table for a hug and a reminder that her father would be so proud. Through impossible odds, she brought the dream they'd always had to life. And in the process, made another dream entirely come true, one that she never knew she even had.

They got music, it's always playin'-

Start in the day time, go all through the night,

She smirks when she sees Naveen serving up a nearby table. He isn't much help in the kitchen, but it turns out he's a superb waiter. He'd worked his way up to maître d' practically over night (even if a few of the other waiters joke that it's because he's the owner's husband, and a prince at that).

When you hear that music playin'-

Hear what I'm saying-

Make you feel alright!

The crowd goes wild for Louis' spirited performance. It had taken some coaxing to calm the first few customers from panicking at the sight of a trumpet-playing alligator. But after the first few songs, the audience was more than eager to listen to any tune that talented gator might play. Naveen briefly joins him on stage with his ukulele, and pulls Tiana up to dance along with them. Somewhere on the floor below, she spots Charlotte, and can't help but laugh at the sight of her dancing with one of Naveen's younger siblings. Looks like she's already found another prince–even if he's a bit on the shorter side.

Grab somebody, come on down-

Bring your paintbrush, we're paintin' the town-

There's some sweetness goin' around-

Tiana and Naveen's dance eventually takes them out onto the restaurant's deck, overlooking the lights of the river. He spins her, smiling as they both revel in such a grand night, the first of so many more to come. And on each one of those nights, they know there will always be two very special stars watching them from their home high above: Ray and his Evangeline.

Dreams do come true in New Orleans!

So it goes, short and sweet,

They were wed down the street-

May their marriage be truly blessed-

After two failed attempts, Aladdin and Jasmine finally manage to marry. Genie proclaims that the third time's a charm, and he's right. Their final wedding goes off without a hitch. The people of Agrabah celebrate the young couple, and the Sultan is ecstatic, glad to finally see his daughter marry the man of her dreams. Abu cheers from atop Carpet as Genie happily hurls fireworks into the air. But amidst all this excitement, as they leave the altar behind, Aladdin finally manages to spot him.

Cassim took a risk in coming back, but he did anyway. He had to be discreet, to go unseen by any of Agrabah's royal guard or anyone else who could recognize him as the King of Thieves. But he made it just in time to watch his son kiss his beautiful bride. He meets Aladdin's grateful grin, glad that he got to see his son's wedding after all. Even if he knows he can't stay for much more than that.

He'd already extended the offer to Iago to go with him on whatever journey he finds himself on next. The parrot, already ready to find new riches, eagerly agreed, and before the wedding ceremony even fully wraps up, they're on their way into the desert under the cover of night. On their way to any untold adventures–and treasures–they might come across next.

Well, salaam, worthy friend-

Come back soon, that's the end-

As Cassim rides across the sands, he notices an all-too-familiar carpet soaring high overhead. He waves up at Aladdin and Jasmine as they fly past, bidding each other one final, fond farewell. Both father and son have a feeling it won't be their last; they found each other before, they'll manage to find each other again someday. Whether they're together or apart, they'll always be a family, and always have a home within each others' hearts. After all, the bond of blood, between father and son, runs far deeper–and richer–than any gold in all the world.

Till another Arabian Night!

Faded pictures bleached by sun,

The bus pulls up far sooner than any of them would have liked. Dipper and Mabel already took time to part ways with all of the friends they'd made during their summer in Gravity Falls. The only goodbyes they have left to make are, of course, the hardest of them all. Because the only ones they still have to say farewell to are their grunkles.

"What a summer we've had together, hm?" Ford grins fondly at the younger twins. "I have to admit, I wasn't expecting to return to this dimension and meet any new relatives. But I'm so very glad I did."

"Aw, Grunkle Ford, you old softie!" Mabel chuckles, running up to hug him. Dipper is a bit more hesitant, knowing well that he could stay if he wanted to. Ford all but made the offer to him, to take him under his wing as his apprentice, and yet… the thought of watching Mabel go home all alone… it wasn't something he was going to let happen. He wasn't about to tear so-called 'Mystery Twins' apart, now, or ever.

The tale's told, the summer's done,

"Mabel, stay creative, and Dipper, you stay curious," Ford pulls his nephew into the hug anyway. "We'll be sure to stay in touch."

"Yeah," Stan smirks, throwing an arm around his brother's shoulder. It had taken some time and work to get the pair back on good terms again, but Dipper and Mabel had kept at it. They'd managed to not only convince the older twins to forgive each other for past transgressions, but agree to continue mending their bond through a voyage at sea. "Even if we're out in the middle of nowhere, we'll still be around to pester you runts. Don't you forget it!"

His playful grin is quick to vanish when the younger twins turn to him next. He kneels down to their level, a hand on both of their shoulders as he clearly fights back tears. "Kids… you knuckleheads have been nothin' but trouble, and I'm glad to be rid of ya."

He chokes up on his last few words, pulling the kids in close. They're both crying too when Mabel pats his back consolingly. "We'll miss you too, Grunkle Stan."

In memories, the Pines still play-

When they eventually pull away, the younger twins grab their bags and step up to the bus. Their eyes are still wet with tears, but they smile as they look to each other, ready to finally go home. Just as long as they're together, they're ready for anything, from violent dream demons bent on world domination… to the perils and pitfalls of just growing up.

"Ready to head into the unknown?" Dipper asks.

"Nope," Mabel laughs. "Let's do it."

With that, they board the bus and they're on their way. They leave Gravity Falls and the memories they've made there, leave all of its weirdness and wonder behind. At least, of course… until next summer rolls around. Next summer, when they can return to this odd little town waiting somewhere in the woods.

On a sunny summer's day.

We'll have a Dalmatian Plantation-

Springtime arrives once again to the Radcliffe farm and with it comes spring cleaning. Everyone pitches in to help tidy up the ranch, even the Dalmatians. Pongo guides half of their many puppies in picking up any stray bones or toys that might be out of place, while the rest are outside with Perdita and Anita tending to the garden. Nanny hurries through the house, sweeping every surface in sight, while Roger sorts through the kitchen cabinets. And in doing so, finds something that he hasn't seen in quite some time.

He slowly takes it out of the cabinet, turning it over in his hands with a wistful frown. Pongo steps up to him, nudging his leg with a small, consoling whine. Roger smiles down at him, patting his head as he heads for the back door. Outside. Anita is planting her garden, putting down seeds that are sure to blossom into a bountiful harvest later on. He hates to interrupt her when she's so focused, but he can't help it. For something like this, it's more than worth it.

Our own little place with a view,

"Nita, darling," he calls. "Could you come here and take a look at this, please?"

Anita smiles, setting her trowel down as she begins making her way over the house with Perdita right behind her. That smile is quick to vanish, however, when she sees what her husband is holding. "Oh… Roger, is… is that…?"

"It is," he nods, handing it over to her. An elegant red mug with a simple engraving, a Christmas present that never made it to who it was intended for. And, so many months later, there isn't much of a chance that it ever will.

The peace and the quiet-

We'll identify it,

"I wish we could have given it to him…" Anita sighs, running a hand over his name. "I think he would have loved it…"

"I'm sure he would have," Roger solemnly agrees. "It's still so strange, how he just disappeared without a trace, without saying anything at all. As if he'd never been here in the first place…"

"...How do you think he's doing right now?" Anita wonders, awash with concern. "If… if he's even still-"

"I think," Roger quickly interrupts before she can even finish the thought. "That wherever he is now, he's somewhere safe, comfortable, well-cared for. And…" He wraps a comforting arm around his wife's shoulder, picking up a small smile as he watches a handful of the puppies frolic in the springtime sun. It's a lovely sight, one that would only be made even better if someone else was out there along with them. Someone who had, for such a brief, but beautiful time, managed to make their already full house feel even fuller. "Wherever he is, I hope, no… I know… he's with the people he loves."

As our little dream, that's come true!

"Kui ka laima!"

"Hoo ki ma!"

"So Hi'iaka and Lo'hiau were reunited and are together to this day!" Lilo proclaims to an empty audience. She'd missed out on performing with the rest of her class, but that's just as well. Even if she didn't win first prize, she still won the greatest prize of all: Stitch.

E ku'u lei e hele mai 'oe-

A 'ike i na waiwai o ke kai 'uli iho-

Stitch joins her on stage, as does Nani, Pleakley, and Jumba, all performing her practiced hula alongside her. It's something of a celebration, set late into the night, under the bright, shining stars. And even though her audience is small, Lilo dances better than she ever has before, free from any worry or woes as long as Stitch is still by her side.

Mai 'uwe 'oe e ku'u lei hiwa-

E aloha wau ia 'oe na kau a kau-

The pair lead the rest of their unusual family through the hula, through the story of a friendship thought lost only for love to bring it back again. That's what happened up on that mountain, they all know it. That the bond between Lilo and Stitch was too strong to simply fall away, that there's nothing, no glitches or anger or anything else for that matter, that could come in between a friendship like theirs for long.

Skies will turn to gray, the stars fade away,

I will love you, I will love you always,

When the hula ends, Lilo runs over to Stitch, hugging him happily and not letting go that easily. After how close she got to losing him, she's not about to make that mistake ever again.

When it's hard to stand, you can take my hand,

I will love you, I will love you always,

Nani kneels down beside the pair, smiling at her sister as she adjusts the pink hibiscus in her hair. "Mom would be so proud of you," she tells her, hugging her and Stitch both. Lilo would like to think so too. Because even if she didn't follow in her mother's footsteps, even if she didn't win first place in the hula competition… she followed her own heart instead. And it led her back to her best friend, to her home.

To her ohana.

I will love you, I will love you always…

Let it go, let it go,

And I'll rise like the break of dawn!

"Are you ready?" Elsa calls to the crowd surrounding her. Her people cheer her on, in a way she never could have expected before. Her people cheer for her magic, they no longer fear it, they no longer fear her. And now… she no longer fears herself either.

With a single step, Elsa spreads ice all along the castle courtyard, creating a makeshift ice-skating rink. As an extra touch, she freezes the nearby fountains and creates a small flurry overhead. The people love it, they always do, taking to the ice in the midst of a warm summer's day. Elsa smiles as she watches them, her heart full with love for her kingdom, the same love that makes her magic shine so pure and strong.

Let it go, let it go,

That perfect girl is gone!

Where she might have stifled a chuckle before, she now laughs freely, openly as she watches Sven slip across the ice trying to steal Olaf's carrot nose. Where she would have concealed instead of feeling, she now lets her emotions be seen, her feelings be heard. It's healing, in so many ways, after closing herself away from the world, to finally be out in the open again. To be with others instead of trying to always live her life alone.

Here I stand, in the light of day-

In the distance, she spots Kristoff trying to help Anna stay steady on the ice. It isn't long before she stumbles her way over to Elsa, narrowly maintaining her balance as her sister catches her arms just in time.

"I like the open gates," she says with a smile as bright as the sun, and every bit as warm.

"We are never closing them again," Elsa assures. She catches Anna off guard with a bit of magic, transforming her boots into a pair of elegantly-crafted skates.

"Oh, Elsa, they're beautiful, but you know I don't skaaaaa-"

"Come on!" Elsa cheerfully encourages, pulling her into a spin. "You can do it!"

Let the storm rage on!

It isn't long before Anna joins Elsa's laughter as they clumsily slip and slide across the ice together. Sven and Kristoff nearly barrel them over as they zoom past, while Olaf gracefully glides by without a care in the world. Eventually, they manage to meld into some sort of dance, barely holding back giggles all the while. They can't believe it's taken them this long to do this again, to be sisters again, but here they are. Finally ready to turn the castle that had been their prison for so long back into a home. Finally ready to pick up right where they were young. Finally ready to let the past go and move on into a bright beautiful future together.

The cold never bothered me anyway.

I could dot the I's and you could cross the T's-

Cause letters alone are lonely,

It's another picture-perfect afternoon in the Hundred Acre Wood. The sun shines warm overhead, a gentle breeze rustles through the trees, and the bees and butterflies drift happily through the air. They'd all determined that this would be the perfect day for a picnic, each of them agreeing to bring something to share.

Rabbit proudly presents a basket of produce fresh from his prized garden. Kanga and Roo come with three different types of pie. Tigger brings a bushel of apples, all picked while he was bouncing between the trees. Eeyore had intended to bring some bread and jam, only to drop both into the river by accident along the way–not that any of the others blame him for it. Owl tries to outdo them all with a homemade souffle, only to end up overcooking it and bringing it flat. Surprisingly, Piglet keeps his dish a secret, though it isn't hard for the others to tell what might be in the pot he'd carried in, one that's almost his size. Pooh is the last to arrive, oddly empty-handed, something Rabbit calls out as soon as he sees him.

I could be the blossom-

And you could be the bee-

"Pooh! You were supposed to bring something to the picnic!"

"Oh, forgive me, Rabbit," Pooh says as calmly as ever. "I was trying to find a smackrel or two of honey to share with all of you, but I couldn't seem to find any."

"Aw, but Pooh, didn't ya say you found a whole buncha honey just yesterday?" Tigger asks, scratching his head.

"Why, yes, I did," Pooh nods. He grins, patting his tummy sheepishly. "But it appears I've already snacked it all away…"

And then I can call you honey,

"D-don't worry, Pooh!" Piglet pipes up, He lifts his pot, struggling to heave it high over his head. "I've brought more than enough honey for both of-whoa!" He gasps as he trips over a stray root, falling forward. The honey pot goes flying, nearly hitting Roo and Eeyore as it cuts through the air. Ultimately though, it ends up landing squarely on Pooh's head–not that he's upset about it in the slightest. "Oh! S-sorry, Pooh!"

"Whatever for, Piglet?" Pooh's voice echoes from inside of the pot. "As far as I can see, this picnic is off to a wonderful start."

Hate to say goodbye, goodbye (and I)-

That's all it takes to get the entire group Pooh isn't quite sure what's so funny, he's still having a great time anyway as he eagerly helps himself to the honey surrounding his head. The picnic only gets better from there, going on long into the afternoon as they eat and talk and laugh. It isn't much different from what they normally do day-to-day, enjoying the peaceful serenity of the woods they call home and the cherished friendship each of them shares.

Hate to see the end, the end-

Still, there's a feeling several of them can't quite shake. The feeling that something, or someone, is missing. Someone who didn't even say goodbye to most of them before he left once again. Someone who each of them, especially Pooh, just can't wait to someday see again.

"Even if… if I don't come back soon… we'll still be together. Don't forget, I'll always be right here. No matter how far apart we might be."

"Yes. If I think of you now and again, then it will be like you never left. For even if you're gone from my sight, you're never gone from my heart."

"Exactly."

Cause it's been so long since I made a friend like you.

How did I live in a kingdom of thieves-

And people who say things they don't really mean, really mean,

"Alright," Leon stands at the head of the table, arms crossed and expression as stoic as ever. These daily debriefings are nothing out of the ordinary for the Restoration Committee, though more often than not, they've been getting shorter and shorter than they used to be. A fact that hasn't gone unnoticed by the other members. "Does anyone have anything new to report?"

"Nothing other than the usual," Yuffie leans back in her chair.

"Everything's calm and quiet all over town," Aerith says, smiling. "The market's thriving, the weather's been good, the people are happy-"

"I think it's safe to say we've been doing a pretty good job at this whole 'restoration' thing," Yuffie smirks, hands behind her head.

"Almost too good, if ya ask me," Cid mutters from his computer. "Do ya kids ever wonder if… ya know, Radiant Garden even needs a restoration committee anymore?"

"What do you mean?" Leon asks, arching an eyebrow.

"The town's been safe for months now," Cid points out. "Not a single sign of trouble in sight. There's nothin' left for us to really fix 'round here, nothin' left to restore. So, what's a restoration committee without the… well, the restoration part?"

You're only everything I ever dreamed-

Ever dreamed of, ever dreamed of,

Leon scoffs, appalled by the very idea of disbanding. "I can't believe what I'm hearing. Have you all forgotten that Radiant Garden is our home? It's up to us to protect it from-"

"From what?" Yuffie asks. "The Organization is gone, Maleficent is too. There aren't any bad guys left hanging to bust. And even if there were, the guardians of light would have it covered. So…"

"So," Aerith picks up where she leaves off. "I think what we're all trying to say here, Leon, is… maybe after all this time and all of our hard work, we can finally just… take a break?"

"...I've never been very good at taking breaks," Leon crosses his arms, glaring away.

"Well, there's no better time to learn!" Yuffie chuckles. "All in favor of putting the Radiant Garden Restoration Committee on hold for the foreseeable future, say aye!"

"Aye!" Cid and Aerith enthusiastically raise their hands.

"All opposed?" Yuffie shoots Leon a knowing grin.

He's quiet for a moment, looking between his team, his closest friends, the people who have more or less been his family for as long as he can remember. They've lived together, worked together, strived every day for the past few years together to make their old home every bit as bright and beautiful as it used to be. And now that it finally is, now that all of their hard work has finally paid off in full… maybe they're right. Maybe it's finally time for them to start reaping the rewards of everything they've done to restore Radiant Garden. Maybe it's finally time to pick their old lives up where they left off.

"Alright," he yields, grinning as the others let out a cheer of celebration. "Looks like we've finished what we started all those years ago. So let's enjoy it. Together."

You must be kidding me, did you really think-

I could say no…

I want you for a lifetime-

So if you're gonna think twice, baby-

Somewhere on the other side of Radiant Garden, a light gate opens. A trio emerges into the warm afternoon, before just a few of the city's famous sparkling fountains. Their vantage point offers them a great view of everything the town has to offer, from the bustling market, to the cozy homes and villas, to the towering castle at the center of it all.

"So?" Naminé turns to the boys behind her with a smile. "What do you think?"

"Ugh, Radiant Garden?" Vanitas groans, shielding his eyes from the sun. "It's so… bright."

"You've said that about every world we've been to so far," the other Riku jokes, crossing his arms. "I think this place should be just fine."

"Of course, you would," Vanitas shoots back. "Kiss up."

"What did you just call me?"

"O-ok, you two! That's enough," Naminé intervenes, just like she usually does whenever tension is about to erupt between the pair. "I know we've been having a bit of a… time trying to find a place for the three of us to live, but I really have a good feeling about this world. Trust me."

I don't wanna know, baby, I don't wanna know,

Vanitas and the other Riku exchange a look, but it doesn't take much for either of them to fold. It never does when it comes to Naminé. "Of course," the other Riku smiles softly.

"It's not hard to trust you, sunshine," Vanitas smirks, crossing his arms.

Naminé returns their grins, perking up as she spots a swell of magic forming before them. "Look!" she points excitedly as the guide they've been waiting for finally arrives.

"Ah, there you are!" Merlin greets with a cordial wave of his wand. He does take pause for a moment, however, when he looks over the trio, surprised, but not too surprised. "My, the three of you really do look like them…" he mutters under his breath. "Anyway, King Mickey told me you would be coming. So allow me to be the first to welcome each of you to Radiant Garden," he moves to shake each of their hands. "Naminé, Vanitas, and… er… Ri-"

"Urik," he quickly interrupts. "I want to be called–no. My name… is Urik."

Naminé gasps, her eyes alight with elation. "You finally picked your name!"

"And that's what you decided to go with?" Vanitas asks skeptically. "It's just Riku with the letters rearranged."

"Yeah," the other Riku–Urik–says, solidifying that decision. "I dunno. I think it fits."

"I think it's a wonderful name," Naminé takes both of his hands, beaming. "Just because it's nobody else's but yours."

Everything is just right-

Vanitas finally cracks a smile at this, nodding his approval. "I guess there are plenty of stupider names you could have picked."

"Glad you like it," Urik retorts with a playful smirk.

"Well, now that we have all that sorted out," Merlin cuts in. "If all of you really do plan on staying in our fair city here, I'd be honored to be the one to show you around. That is, if the three of you are ready…"

None of them answer right away. Instead, they take a moment, gauging what they see in each others' eyes. Excitement, fear, worry, and doubt, all mingling together inside of each of their hearts. But when Naminé reaches out to take Urik and Vanitas' hands, those feelings all start to settle out into something else entirely: hope.

But if you're gonna think twice, baby,

None of them have ever had a home to call their own before. Until recently, their lives weren't even truly their own. All of this, learning who they really are, who they want to be, where they want to be, is so new to each of them. But for as daunting and downright terrifying as it all might be, at least they don't have to do it all alone. They have each other, they have the bond they're still only beginning to form. And best of all, they have the future ahead of them, a future where nobody else can decide for them what they should do or what they should be. A future where they can work on building a brand new home, a brand new life, together. A future where each of them is finally free.

"Yeah," Vanitas, surprisingly, is the first to speak up. Naminé squeezes his and Urik's hands, and they squeeze hers right back. None of them need to say a single word because they already know; they're right where they're meant to be. "We're ready."

I don't wanna know, baby, I don't wanna know,

I really don't get what everyone else believes-

Disney Castle hasn't hosted a ball in quite some time, in no small part because of its king's frequent absences. So it's no surprise that Queen Minnie begins planning one almost as soon as Mickey returns from his most recent adventure. The entire kingdom is invited to join the festivities, and the turnout is impressive. There's dancing, feasting, fireworks, plenty of fun for all.

And yet, there are some who still can't find it in them to enjoy it, no matter how hard they try.

So why do I say things I don't really mean, really mean?

"Heya, fellas," Mickey approaches Donald and Goofy as they linger on the sidelines of the ballroom. "How are ya holdin' up?"

The pair exchanges a solemn glance. It's been a few months since the war, a few months since they came home, a few months since they lost… him. And though they've had more than enough time to begin healing, they can't say they truly have or that they ever truly will.

Still, Goofy puts on a soft smile, one that'll hopefully be enough to placate the king. "We're good. Glad to be here celebratin' with everyone."

"Well, I'm glad you both could come," Mickey warmly returns. "Ya know, you're both still welcome to take as much time off as you need to-"

"We've been over this already," Donald interrupts. "Work keeps us busy. Keeps us from thinking about…" He trails off, sighing. Even so much as saying his name anymore has become a struggle for them both, it seems.

"W-well, whatever helps," Mickey says, his smile fading a bit. He starts when he hears Minnie calling for him from the other side of the hall. "Oh! Gotta go! I'll catch up with you fellas later on, ok?"

They both nod as the king hurries off to join the queen in greeting Yen Sid as he arrives. The rest of the party is in full swing, and even from the sidelines, Donald and Goofy can spot plenty of familiar faces in the crowd.

Goofy perks up, waving fondly at Max from afar. He's chatting up a young lady he's grown fond of lately–Roxanne, if he remembers right. Not long after he returned to Disney Town, Goofy sat down with his son and heard out his request to quit his training with the royal guard. After losing one son, Goofy wasn't about to even imagine losing another, so he quickly agreed, allowing Max to pursue whatever new path he might find. And from the looks of it, he's already found one that suits him just fine. Goofy couldn't be prouder.

Even from afar, Donald can see his nephews causing trouble. Huey, Dewey, and Louie are embroiled in a heated prank war, slipping ice cubes down each other's shirts, tossing hors d'oeuvres at one another when no one's looking, and that's just what Donald's managed to catch sight of so far. Webby quickly comes out on top when she dunks all three of them with one of the party's many punch bowls, causing a scene and quite a mess along with it. Donald nearly rushes over to put a stop to it, at least until Scrooge beats him to it. He breathes a sigh of relief, though it's short lived when a certain someone happens to pass him by.

"Save me a dance, ok, Donald?" Daisy winks at him. He swallows hard, flustered by just how radiant she looks tonight–not that she doesn't look radiant all the time. "You've kept me waiting this long for one, I'd say I've been more than patient."

"Y-yes, ma'am!" he stands at attention, saluting her. Only for her to scold him to ease up a bit, which he does manage. Just barely.

I'm only crying 'cause I never dreamed-

Goofy elbows him a moment later, pointing out someone else who's taken to the dance floor. They can't help but smile when they spot Pete, happily cutting a rug with his wife Peg. True to Mickey's word, he'd been warmly welcomed back into Disney Town, reunited with his family and living every day in bliss since. A fitting reward for someone who, even in a small way, went from threatening the worlds to playing a part in saving them.

Sure enough, it looks like everyone they know and love has gotten their happy ending. Everyone except…

"He woulda loved a party like this…"Goofy mutters, glancing down. "Wish he were here to see it."

Donald sighs once more. He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a photo the pair has come to treasure more than almost anything else. A photo of the three of them, smiling, happy, together. Taken far before they were torn apart over and over and over again. "Do you think he ever thinks about us?" he asks softly, sadly. "Do you think he misses us as much as we miss him?"

"I'm sure he does," Goofy turns to look out the wide window behind them. There's a moon in the night sky, but it isn't the moon they saw back in Scala. It isn't the moon that stole their son away. "Ya know, sometimes I imagine what'd be like if we ever see him again. If he came back, then we'd go on all sorts of adventures together, go to all sorts of different worlds. Not because we have to save anyone or anything, but just for fun. For us."

"But we won't see him again," Donald counters glumly. "He said so himself. Kingdom Hearts took him away from us and it's never going to give him back!"

Goofy can sense the magician's anger starting to rise, anger that's been put on full display so many times over the past several months. It's anger he feels plenty of himself for how unfair and unjust it all is. For how much they'd struggled to save him only to end up losing him all the same.

And yet…

"I dunno, Donald," Goofy takes a step closer to the window. His eyes are sad but he's smiling up at the moon. Up at the sky that their son now calls home. At least… for now. "I don't know why but I've just got this feelin' in my heart that we'll see him again. Someday…"

"Hmph," Donald crosses his arms, not sharing the captain's hope. At least until he spares a glance up at the moon himself. At least until he remembers the vow the three of them have always made, a vow that still rings true even when they're so very far apart.

All for one, and one for all.

"...Yeah," the magician finally folds. Goofy pulls him into a comforting hug, one of many they've shared ever since they returned home. Hugs that always feel like they're missing someone, hugs they hope they can somehow share with him again. "Maybe someday…"

It'd take this long, it'd take this long,

I want you for a lifetime-

Roxas makes it to the top of the clock tower first. He knows the others will be joining him soon, but he's glad for a moment of solitude. There's something he needs to say in the glow of the sinking sun, something he needs to do.

"You know…" he begins quietly, staring down at his lap. "I'd always wished that you and I could have hung out up here, at least once… I guess not everything I've wished for could come true…"

So if you're gonna think twice, baby,

He slowly pulls something out of his jacket, a beautiful conch shell that seems to shine in the light of the dying sun. "Xion and I found this the last time we were on the Destiny Islands. It reminded us of you. So… I guess this'll have to do for now, huh?" He sets it down in the empty space beside him, sighing sadly as he struggles to fight back tears. "It wasn't supposed to be like this. You weren't supposed to go… You were supposed to stay… So why? Why didn't you?" He's fully crying now as he begs the sunset for answers it won't give him, begs someone he speaks to so often, someone who never bothers speaking back. "Why won't you come back…?"

"Roxas?" He starts, looking to his left to see Xion standing next to him, concerned. Hayner, Pence, and Olette stand just behind her, sea salt ice cream in hand. Hayner's brought an extra one for him. "Are you ok?"

"Y-yeah," he rushes to wipe his tears away. "I was just… you know…"

Xion looks past him, to the sea shell sitting on his other side. It doesn't take much for her to understand exactly what he was doing, exactly who he was trying to talk to. "Yeah," she places a gentle hand on his arm when she sits down beside him. "I know."

The others offer him gentle, consoling smiles as they pass his ice cream down to him. He takes a lick, salty yet sweet, just like it always is. Just like everything seems to be anymore.

I don't wanna know, baby, I don't wanna know,

"There you guys are!" Axel breaks through the solemn silence as he and Isa finally make their appearance. They're in good spirits these days, usually always together, their hands always intwined, their arms always wrapped around each others' shoulders. Roxas and Xion tease them for it plenty, and while it flusters Isa, Axel is always more than ready to throw that teasing back in full for their own blossoming bond. "The least you could have done is wait up for us."

"Don't worry," Xion chuckles, reaching into the bag at her side. She retrieves two ice cream bars, handing them off to the pair as they take their seats along the tower's edge. "I bought extra, just in case you two were late, like you always are."

"Don't blame that on me," Isa says with an insincere scoff. "Lea is the one who likes to lag behind."

"Yeah, yeah," Axel issues him a playful scowl. It only barely manages to hide the red that rushes to his cheeks when he hears the others' laughter. "Keep on rubbing it in…"

Everything is just right-

It doesn't take long for Axel to notice Roxas is the only one who isn't laughing. And it takes even less time for him to figure out what, or who, he might be thinking about as he stares off into the golden horizon.

"So, uh, changing the subject, we got some good news," he begins, hoping this'll be enough to cheer Roxas up. Stars knows little else can lately. "We got the apartment."

"What?" Xion gasps. The others quickly perk up, and even Roxas finally looks away from the sunset, eyes wide with surprise. "Really?!"

Isa nods, smiling. "That's the real reason why we were late. We were signing the paperwork for it. Everything's all settled. We move in next week."

"Wow!" Olette exclaims. "That's so exciting!"

"Yeah, congrats," Hayner says, smirking. "After all the back and forth with that place, it's about time you all landed it."

"You're tellin' us," Axel brushes his hair back. "At least we don't have to stay in that cramped hotel room anymore."

"Looks like the four of you are officially residents of Twilight Town," Pence proudly proclaims. "Don't forget to invite us to the housewarming party!"

"Oh, consider yourselves already invited," Xion chuckles. She pauses for a moment, gently nudging Roxas as she offers him a cheerful smile. "Isn't this great, Roxas? We finally have a house–no, a home of our own."

But if you're gonna think twice, baby,

It's bittersweet. That's the best way to describe it. To finally have everything he's yearned for, everything he thought he'd never get to have. To have his friends both old and rekindled. To have the kind of freedom the Organization had never let him have. To have a home, a life, a family, a heart all entirely his own.

"Yeah…" he says, smiling down at the shell at his side. Smiling and still finding himself wishing someone else were here to enjoy it all with them. "I guess we do."

It's everything he's ever wanted.

Everything except… the one who gave everything to give it all back to him.

Everything except for the reason why he exists at all.

Everything except… for him.

I don't wanna know, baby, I don't wanna know,

Don't think twice, don't think twice-

"Aaand finished."

Aqua holds her handiwork up to the light, smiling as it glistens in the late day sun. It's been well over a decade since she's tried her hand at crafting anything, much less something this important. She's glad to discover she still has a knack for it even still.

"Can I open my eyes now?" Terra asks, feigning impatience.

"Wait, not yet," Aqua advises, rushing to put one final touch on it.

"I thought you said you were finished," he chuckles, keeping his eyes closed anyway.

"Yeah, it sure looks like you are…" Ventus frowns from his spot at the end of the table. "Aqua, what are you–ohhhh…"

"Let me see yours, Ven," Aqua holds her hand out. Ventus gives her what she's asking for, watching curiously as she fastens two new fixtures onto the cord it's attached to. Something that'll make a very special set of charms even moreso.

"Ok," Aqua takes in a deep breath, finally stepping back from her work. "Now you can open your eyes, Terra."

He does so, instantly dazzled by what he's seeing. Aqua stands before the kitchen's wide window, sunlight blazing behind her, almost haloing her in its rich glow. Her smile is every bit as bright and beautiful as that glow, and the sight of it alone is nearly enough to make Terra fall to pieces. But when his eyes drift to what's resting in her outstretched palms, he finds that she's somehow managed to find a way to dazzle him even more.

"It's… a wayfinder…" he carefully takes it, running a finger down its orange stained glass surface. It's almost identical to the one he had before, before he lost his body, his heart, his life. It's still just as expertly, lovingly made as he remembers it being. The only difference is that this wayfinder isn't just orange. When he holds it to the light, he can see the magic Aqua cast upon it, he can see how it changes between orange and blue and green.

Ventus does the same, his eyes alight with excitement. Aqua looks over her own charm, proud of her last-minute idea to make their charms as interconnected as they are. To reflect the bond between them that through it all, through darkness and sleep and so many painful years apart, still refused to break.

Don't think twice, baby, don't think twice,

"Aqua…" Terra struggles to fight back tears. "These are amazing…"

"Thank you," Aqua blushes, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. "I, um… actually made one more." She picks up the extra wayfinder, a red one this time, bereft of any of the additional colors the others have been enchanted with. "It's for Master Eraqus. I thought we could put it outside on his… his…" She swallows hard, unable to get the final word out. Fortunately, Ven and Terra know what she means all the same.

"That's a great idea," Terra assures her warmly.

"Yeah, let's do it!" Ventus agrees, already leading the way.

They head outside together, out into the pleasant serenity that always surrounds the Land of Departure. They'd only recently decided to move back here full-time, to begin reclaiming the home that had once been all but lost to all three of them. And yet, for as happy as they are to be here, to be back together again, they're still all too aware that they're still one short. That their family still isn't–and won't ever be–as whole as they wish it could be.

If you want to take it to an even higher level-

They built the memorial on one of the world's highest floating isles, near the tree that their master used to meditate under. It's in full bloom now as the light breeze scatters its pink blossoms over the distant hills. They have no doubt Eraqus would have been out here on a day like this, finding peace of mind in the quiet beauty of the world they call home.

They're solemnly silent as they approach the grave, Aqua holding the spare wayfinder close to her heart the whole time. She slowly kneels down before it, the Master's Defender's final resting place, surrounded by flowers they tend to with plenty of time and love. Aqua makes a silent vow as she securely ties the wayfinder to the Keyblade's hilt. A vow to continue their master's work, to continue serving the worlds and protecting all who live in them. To stay together, just like he would have wanted.

Terra kneels beside her, slipping a gentle hand on her shoulder. Neither of them cry this time; they've already spent far more tears here to count. Still, Aqua leans on him for support, for comfort, for love he's ready to so freely give. Love that she's more than ready to return.

All you gotta do is say the word, you know I'll follow-

Ventus can't help but smile as he watches them. Despite that smile though, his heart still feels heavy as his sights drift away from Eraqus' grave, up to the sky instead. Though he'd found his way back to Aqua and Terra, it seems two others who were so important to him were still taken far too soon all the same. His master was the first, and though he'd died over a decade ago now, the pain he'd felt in that moment still feels so very fresh. As for the second…

He rests a hand over his heart as his smile finally fades in full. For so many years, his heart had been fractured, incomplete, with the bulk of it dwelling in someone else's altogether. That heart had shielded him, guarded him, gave him a second chance when no one else could. Only now that he knows who that heart truly belongs to does he understand how that was possible. Even if he still doesn't understand why that heart, the heart of a King, chose him, of all people, to save.

"Thank you…" Ven whispers, even if he's won't sure he'll hear. But he still says it anyway, in the slim chance that he can hear, the chance that he's watching all of them from so very far away all the same. "For everything…"

If you wanna take it to an even higher level,

(I don't, I don't mind)

If you want to make it happen, nothing's impossible-

The Keyblade Graveyard stands still and silent once again. If not for the dead, decaying weapons strewn in every direction, one could have mistaken it for an entirely untouched world. But not the lone figure who walks these dusty canyons now. He's seen both of the wars that broke out upon this forsaken grounds, watched both of them play out in full. He'd even pretended to take part in the second, all for the sake of making it to this moment right now. A moment he's gone through hundreds of years and hundreds of names to finally reach.

He stops at the crossroads of Keyblades, dragging the black box to a halt beside him. No matter how many worlds and decades he's carried through, it still looks as mysteriously pristine as it did the first day he ever saw it. He can't help but wonder if the same goes for whatever's inside of it.

He holds out his hand, focusing as much as he can. What happened in Scala ad Caelum was mostly according to plan, though some of it fell outside of his control. The biggest setback was the destruction of his master's old Keyblade, wiped out of existence by the hand of the King himself. Or at least, it had been in this age. In the past, however, that weapon still exists. And in the past is exactly where he calls it from, with a handful of familiar faces right along with it.

"Finally," he heaves a sigh of relief when No-Name flashes into his hand. "Back where it belongs."

When he looks up, four bursts of energy are blooming to life all around him. He smiles under the shade of his hood, gladly anticipating the reunion that's about to take place. Once again, all according to plan.

Out of the portals, out of the past, step four robed figures, ornate masks hanging over each of their faces. They arrive in a mix of caution, confusion, and concern. though one among them wastes no time in confronting the hooded man who stands before them.

"You!" he points, hands clenching at his sides. "Who are you? Why did you summon us here?"

"Whoa, easy there, Aced," the man holds his free hand up. "No need to go all 'papa bear' on me right away."

"...Luxu?" Ira, another one of the group asks, recognizing the Keyblade in his hand. "Is that you?"

The man nods, slowly lowering his hood to reveal his scarred face. The others don't find any familiarity in it, but that's fine; they're not supposed to. "Haven't heard that name in a long while," he offers each of them a friendly grin. "These days, they just call me Xigbar, but hey, whatever suits you."

"Why do you… look like that?" Invi, the only woman among them, asks.

"I had to cast my old form away some time ago," Xigbar explains simply. "Couldn't have made it all this way if I hadn't. So I've been through plenty of other… identities since. But don't worry; it's still me underneath it all."

"Uh…. Ok then…" Gula, the youngest present, frowns under his mask. "So… where's Ava? Why isn't she here with the rest of us?"

"Oh, huh," Xigbar doesn't seem that concerned as he perches a hand on his hip. "Yeah, I guess she didn't make it after all. Oh well."

"Oh well?" Invi questions disapprovingly. "Luxu, we-"

"What?" Xigbar scoffs. "I told her, clear as day, what I had to do. She had her own mission and she carried it out. She knew what she was getting herself into. Which probably explains why she didn't make to now like the rest of us did."

"I've heard enough!" Aced suddenly shouts, impatient. "Luxu, what is going on? What do you mean now? Where–when even is now?!"

"Well, I guess to all of you, 'now' would be… the future," Xigbar shrugs, hardly concerned at how shocked the others seem to be.

"Just how far into the future, Luxu?" Ira asks much calmer than Aced had. "I'll ask you one more time: why did you bring us here?"

"...I had a role to play," Xigbar raises No-Name, holding it up for the others to see. "And after all these years, it's almost done."

"What role?" Invi asks.

"Ah ah ah, can't say quite yet," Xigbar smirks. "How about I just leave that to the Master to explain instead."

"The Master?" Ira gasps. The others are equally taken aback by the mere mention of their beloved mentor. "Where is he? Is he here?"

"...Not yet," Xigbar's smile fades as he looks up to the dusky sky. "But he will be, soon."

"What makes you so sure?" Gula wonders, confused.

"Because…" Xigbar–Luxu–continues staring at the sky, almost as if he's waiting for something, or someone to emerge from it. "The King has returned and claimed his crown…"

All you gotta do is say the word, the walls will crumble,

The other Foretellers are all still clearly lost, even as Xigbar begins to explain. By now, the pair that's been watching their meeting from afar finally tunes them out. After all, they've already gotten all they've needed to hear.

"That settles it then," he moves from his hiding spot behind a towering stone. "The Kingdom has its King. And if that King has the power to bring their Master back, then there's no doubt: he has the power to bring her back too."

"Tch, you seriously believe that?" she scoffs, crossing her arms. "Because I don't buy a word out of Xigbar. Especially since he never even was Xigbar to begin with, apparently. Once a liar, always a liar; we should've known he was a shady fraud from the start."

"I don't care about Xigbar," he returns sternly. "I don't care about any of those foolish Foretellers down there. They had their chance to fix all of this before they started, and they failed. That's why they had to leave all of it to us in their stead; that's why…" He steadies himself with a deep breath, his anger still stewing just beneath the surface. "That's why she disappeared in the first place…"

Her scowl softens as she stands to join him. "Well," she tries throwing on a supportive smirk. "That's a step up from blaming yourself for it, at least."

"...I have to get her back," he says, without a trace of doubt or hesitation. "I have to. I'll do whatever it takes. I'll go as far as the Kingdom itself if it means she can stand by my side again. But… I know I can't do it alone. Please, Elrena," he takes her hand, practically pleading with her by this point. "I need your help."

She hesitates, but only for a moment. That's all she needs to decide exactly what she wants. And what she wants… is the exact same thing he does. "Hmph, becoming human again has made you soft, Marluxia," she grins, though she's quick to correct herself when he flashes her a disapproving frown. "Ugh, fine. Count me in," she squeezes his hand as they shake to solidify their plan. "Like you said, anything it takes to get Strel back. I'm with you, Luriam. Till the end of the road and even after that."

If you want to make it happen, nothing's impossible….

I want you for a lifetime-

So if you're gonna think twice, baby,

"Hey, Ki… Did you hear? Our boy's a King…"

Himari laughs in spite of herself. It isn't very funny, it never is. But she might as well laugh about it instead of the alternative. Instead of all but suffocating to her own sorrowful sadness like she usually does.

She kneels down at her husband's grave, a basket of fresh seashells ready to replace any weathered by wind or storms or sun. Even though it's autumn, the weather is still warm, even on top of the island's tallest cliff. And yet, despite that warmth, Himari can't help but feel cold any time she voyages up here all on her own.

She'd thought about making a second memorial alongside Tsuki's, one meant to honor their son. And yet… in her heart, she knew that wouldn't be right. He's not dead; Riku and Kairi have assured her of that much many times over. But even if he isn't, even if he's alive and well and where he's supposedly supposed to be… she knows she'll never get to see him again.

She knows now that he was never truly hers to begin with.

I don't wanna know, baby, I don't wanna know,

"Tsuki…" she mutters as she arranges the shells around his headstone. "I know I tell you this all the time, but… I-I really wish you were still here. I wish one of you were still here. Having to do this all on my own, having to be alone all while knowing neither of you are ever coming back to me, I… I just… I don't know…"

Everything is just right-

She wipes away the tears starting to form on the edges of her eyes. Not that it does much to really stop them from coming. "I wish you'd told me, you know," her tone turns a touch more bitter. "About your father. About what kind of a man he was. If we'd known, maybe… maybe you wouldn't have… maybe we could have…"

She sighs, shaking her head. "Maybe it still would have happened like this anyway," she admits, defeated. "Maybe this is how it was all supposed to go. I mean… even if we had stopped your father from taking you away, what could we have done to stop the heart of all worlds from taking him…?"

Silence is the only answer her question gets. The only answer any of the questions she lies awake at night asking herself or any of the questions she angrily screams up at the sky seem to get anymore. She's used to that silence by now, used to the loneliness that comes along with it. But just because she's used to it doesn't mean she likes it.

But if you're gonna think twice, baby,

"My Ki…" she skims a gentle hand on the side of his headstone. Her tears come freely now, her heart breaking a little more each day. She knows it'll only be a matter of time before it falls apart completely, if it hasn't already. "My little sky…" she looks up, the glow of the setting sun shining through her tears. "I… I miss you both so much… You two were my whole life, my whole heart… and now… now you're both gone…"

Her anguished cries echo across the clifftop, unheard by anyone far below. She's already spent many long hours up here crying after her husband died, but since her son left, she's found herself spending so many more. For the past several months, she's made this voyage at least once a week, sometimes several, all in a vain effort to be somewhat close to some of her faded family again. All in a futile attempt at chasing a feeling that only lives in her memories anymore.

It isn't long before it all becomes too much for her to take. She stands, wipes her eyes clean, brushes off her skirt, and grabs her basket, intent on heading back home as quickly as possible. Even if she hates being in that home, in a house that's so achingly empty, a house so full of shadows of the lovely life she used to share with them. Still, anything's better than stewing in such immense, immeasurable sorrow.

Himari quickly turns to leave, though she doesn't get very far down the hill before she sees it. It breaks slowly through the clouds, far bigger and brighter than she knows the moon is supposed to be. The sight of it alone is enough to force her to stop and stare, to remember the first and only time she'd seen this particular moon before: the very night her son was born.

She knows what it is now, why it was there then, but she doesn't know why it's here now. At least, she doesn't until that moon "beats" with a bright pulse of light. A light that shoots down from the heavens like a comet, straight out of the sky, down toward the sea.

Toward the play island, where a promise was made. Where a promise is about to finally be kept.

I don't wanna know, baby, I don't wanna know-

Kiss me once, kiss me twice, kiss me three times-

There's an empty space between them as they sit upon the paopu tree. There always is anymore, a space they know will never be filled again. Just like the empty space left in both of their hearts.

They don't like coming out here that often, don't like to be reminded of what once was and never will be. It's almost ironic, really, how much time they used to spend here on the play island compared to now. Back when they were kids, it felt like they hadn't a care in the world, like nothing could ever come between them. Little did they know that something already had right from the very start.

They try their best to keep busy by visiting their friends in other worlds, making sure those worlds are truly safe. But no matter how far they might roam, no matter how much they might try to stay away, the Destiny Islands always call them right back. Back to where their memories of him echo the loudest.

Cross the line,

Neither of them know what to say that hasn't already been said a hundred times by now. So they simply sit there in silence, watching as the sun continues slipping past the horizon. Their hands reach out to each other, but don't touch. How could they when they know they'd both still have an empty hand left over, with no one there to hold them?

When he first left them behind, they'd tried everything they could to get him back. They'd consulted everyone they could think of, from Yen Sid to Merlin to Fairy Godmother, even Ienzo to see if there was any scientific explanation. But not a single one of them knew enough about the Kingdom to even know where to start. Those first few months had been a desperate flurry of sleepless nights, hours of fruitless research, and far too many tears to count. It didn't take them long to exhaust every option they could think of, to try every last idea they had. And once they finally had… it brought them to the point they're at now. Defeated, dejected, hopeless, heartbroken.

Hollow.

Don't think twice, don't think twice,

Don't think twice, baby, don't think twice,

The others tried to comfort them, console them, cheer them up in any way they possibly could. Even if each of them were still so clearly struggling with losing him themselves. They try to remind them each time they cross paths that it's all over, that they still have each other to hold onto, that the worlds are free and finally at peace. But all of it rings meaningless when weighed against what they lost, what they'll never get back. All of it means nothing if they can't have him to enjoy it with.

Even the sunset, as stunning as it shines before them, seems so dull, even the warmth it brings them feels like ice. They don't speak much anymore, not to their families, not even to each other. But they still spend so much time together in silent sadness, even though every new second of it hurts more than the last. They still need each other, even though they don't know how to show it, even though they can't bring themselves to say it. They still love each other, just as much as they loved–love him.

If only that love were still enough to bring him back to them like it had once before.

Kiss me once, kiss me twice, kiss me three times-

Cross the line,

Riku sighs as he slowly slips off the side of the tree. "It's getting late," he says curtly. Sure enough, the sun has fully vanished, leaving only dusky, dimming skies in its wake. "I'm heading back. You coming?"

Kairi shakes her head, her face solemn, scarcely conveying all of the emotions lying just underneath it. "I think I'll stay here for a little while longer. There's… something I've been meaning to do…"

She opens up her hands to reveal what's been resting in them: a carefully-crafted charm, almost identical to one she'd made for him what feels like decades ago now. Riku frowns, only vaguely familiar with the momento, though he knows what it means to her, what it meant to them. Which is why he can't help but start a bit when he watches Kairi slowly hold it out toward the sea.

"What are you-"

"Xehanort broke the one I gave him before," she says, an edge of lasting bitterness in her tone. It evens out into sadness as she sighs, her free hand resting over her heart. "I promised him I'd make him a new one. But… I don't know how to get it to him now. I doubt our ocean touches any that might be up there, but… if it does, then… maybe…"

She trails off wistfully. Riku steps over to her, drawing her gaze over to him as he brushes a few windblown locks out of her eyes. His own eyes already look like they're ready for tears to match the ones resting in Kairi's, but they both hold them back. At least for the moment. "I think that's a great idea," he tells her. "To be honest, I don't know if it'll reach him either, but… if it somehow does, then I just know he'll love it."

Kairi smiles, not as brightly as she used to when he was around, but it's still more than she can manage most days anymore. She steps a bit closer to the edge of the islet, overlooking the pink-shaded sea as it lightly splashes into the rocks a few feet below. She knows she should probably go down to the beach to do this, but it feels more fitting here, right in the same spot they'd shared paopus, where the three of their hearts truly became one. Or at least… that's what they'd thought. The Kingdom, of course, had other plans.

She holds the good luck charm out just as the first few stars begin taking their place in the sky. Riku watches on in solemn silence as she presses her lips to the seashells she'd used to make it, hoping to send him a kiss in whatever way they can. "You don't have to give this one back to me," she whispers to it, to him. "Just like my heart, our hearts… it's yours to keep."

Kiss me once, kiss me twice, kiss me three times-

She's just about ready to let it go, to let it fall into the sea, when… she sees it. That first speck of light glowing upon the surface of the water. At first, she thinks it's just another star, maybe even the moon making its way into the early night sky. But then…

Riku grabs her by the arm, so tightly that she nearly falls forward. He catches her before she can slip over the short cliff, a gasp escaping them both for entirely different reasons. As Kairi steadies herself, she looks over to him for an explanation. Only to find his eyes wide, completely fixated on the sky straight ahead of them. And when Kairi spares a glance in that direction, she's quick to find out exactly why.

It can't be here. It shouldn't be here. But it is all the same.

Without reason, without cause, without anyone calling it down from the heavens above… the Kingdom has come all on its own.

And this time, it's come to them.

Be mine,

It's massive as it looms overhead, every bit as incredibly bright and dangerously beautiful as it had been on that fateful day several months ago. They freeze under the glow of its radiance, terror and outrage swelling through them both. The mere sight of what stole him away from them fills them with so many conflicting feelings, from hatred, to disgust, to grief, to wonder. But not a single one of them can compare to the emotions brought on by what happens next. Nothing can come close to what they feel when they watch exactly what the Kingdom has come here for.

They barely even have a moment to think about what's happening when it suddenly pulses with light so bright it's practically blinding. They shield their eyes from it, still holding onto each other for support in so many different ways as a brutal rush of wind ripples over the island. The sea churns, the earth shakes, the sky swirls with colors as the stars seem to flash in and out of sight. It creates a deafening, almost angry din that seems to echo far past the tiny islands they call home. That chaos is finally put to an abrupt end when a lone burst of light splits off from the center of the Kingdom. A light that rapidly speeds toward them both.

It all happens so fast, too fast to do anything but duck and dodge in the chance it might hit them. And yet, it doesn't. Instead, it crashes to the ground just a few feet behind them, landing on the bridge connecting the paopu tree to the rest of the island. They spin around to face it, almost dreading what they might find. Until…

Until…

Until the light fades. Until it leaves only one thing behind.

Until they see… him.

Don't think twice, don't think twice-

They scream his name, running for him without a second thought. His eyes are closed, his expression peaceful, his body somehow human once more. There is no crown or Keys or Kingly radiance surrounding him. He stands on his own two feet now, and when his eyes finally open, they no longer glow. And when he speaks, when they hear him say their names for the first time in what feels like forever… his voice is solely, entirely, wonderfully his own.

"...Riku… Kairi…" His smile is somehow even brighter than the shower of light he returned to them in. They stop only briefly at the edge of the bridge, looking to each other as if to confirm this is real. In many ways, it's like a dream they've had so many times these past few months, a dream that they always seem to awaken from far too soon. But this time…

This time, they're wide awake. This time, it doesn't end just before they can reach him. This time… the dream is real.

They run into each others' arms, crashing as they fall into the sand below together. Their laughter and tears mix together, echoing into the early night as he kisses them both before even saying another word. The Kingdom is still in the sky, still watching them, watching him, but he doesn't care. He doesn't care what he just left behind, what he lost when he did. All he cares about is what he came back to, who he came back to. All he cares about is exactly what he'd longed so much for, what he'd fought so hard for, what he's finally found.

All he's ever wanted is right here, right now.

Don't think twice, baby, don't think twice…

"...Sora," Kairi caresses the side of his face, thumbing a few of his tears away. "You're back…"

She leans her head against his chest, joyful sobs wracking her entire frame. Riku kisses his forehead once more, holding him tighter than he ever has before. And though he's technically lived for thousands, for millions of years, Sora knows he has never once felt more loved.

So he pulls them in close, making sure they know he's here to stay. He makes sure they know they'll finally get to be together, just like they promised on this very shore not so long ago. He makes sure they know that after searching for so long, from the very start of time itself, he's finally where he knows he belongs.

"...I'm home."

The End