Xion stepped out of the doorway into a strange room.

A round, big room with a desk and a chair. With windows shaped like stars and a moon. There were shelves and books on the walls.

There were two real, solid doors in the room. One behind her - and one to the right.

The old man in blue, Yen Sid, was sitting at the desk, with a large, thick book open in front of him. He was leaning over it, reading it intensely, a deep frown on his face.

Kairi was sitting on the floor, against the wall to the left. Sora was sitting with her, holding her hand.

Riku was on his knees, his head bowed, his blindfold off. His scarred blue eyes were "looking" right at Kairi.

Terra was standing nearby, pacing back and forth quickly, an intense look on his face.

Ven was watching over Kairi, a look of confusion and sadness on his.

Xion walked across the room slowly, falling to the floor in front of Kairi.

Sora glanced over at her - then he looked away. He sat back, letting Kairi's hand go. "Oh, hey..." he said quietly.

"Hey..." Xion replied. She looked Kairi in the face, frowning. "Does anyone know...what's wrong with her?"

"To arrive at that answer," spoke the voice of Yen Sid. "we must first discern what the cause may be."

"I...I can tell you what happened before..." Xion started.

"That would be very helpful indeed," Yen Sid stated, straightening up from the book and folding his hands in front of him. "Every detail you can remember, please. It may hold the key to understanding this...terrible incident."

Xion nodded. She took a breath. "Kairi went to visit the other Princesses of Heart yesterday. When she came home, she said she couldn't wait to sleep because it might help her figure out...what happened before. With- Hikari? The monster of light. She said the other Princesses of Heart were having dreams - important dreams? And she said she had to have one, too. But she was scared it might happen again, with that monster, so she wanted- our dad to leave. But I promised her...I'd keep him safe. Kairi went to sleep, and then...I watched her. After a while she...flew up into the air, and there was wind and light and lightning and- our dad thought it was too dangerous to stay in the house, so we left it. Then the house...it was destroyed by the light. That big ball of light was being- created, in the sky, and Kairi...Kairi was on the ground. Like you saw."

Yen Sid closed his eyes, bowing his head and stroking his beard. "I see...our Princesses of Heart did face the choice recently to retain their power and roles, or to pass them on to another, worthy girl's Heart. If Kairi did indeed face such a choice tonight as well...but what you describe indicates to me it was more trial than anything else...naturally, given her nature and capabilities - the World would wish to take extra caution with her, considering similar girls of past times. However...it seems such trials may have gone terribly awry, in a way unforeseen..."

"So, you know what's wrong with her?" Xion said hopefully.

Yen Sid opened his eyes. He gave her a look of apology. "Not quite yet, no. But I believe an answer may be within reach."

"Her Heart's...gone, isn't it?" Ven spoke up, hoarse and quiet. He turned and gazed at Yen Sid. "Like- like mine was...isn't it?"

Yen Sid hesitated. His eyes flickered over to Kairi. Then, he gave a slow nod. "I believe so - yes."

"But- it can't just be gone!" Sora said, jumping to his feet. "She- she can't just be gone! She- she would have gone somewhere, right? Like Ven - when I was little - or like when Xehanort's Heartless attacked us in Radiant Garden! Her Heart went to mine, I felt her, I-" He stopped, his hand on his heart. He looked down at his chest. His hand fell, and his shoulders sagged. "But I can't...feel her this time..." he whispered.

"Yes, Kairi's Heart is too pure to fall into the Realm of Darkness, and I believe it is also too strong to fade away completely," Yen Sid spoke, careful and measured. "I do not believe a Princess - or a person - such as her would be lost to us so utterly, so easily. Her will burns too bright; she would remain, with all her strength and force of mind. Yet, if she has not gone to her closest friends and family for refuge, then where...?"

Everyone watched Yen Sid silently for a long moment.

He looked them all over, silent too. Then he spoke again. "If she was undergoing such an intense trial, in the deepest recesses of her own Heart, while in the grips of deepest slumber, then perhaps...whatever has gone wrong...her Heart has fallen ever more deeply into said pit of slumber. Yet, as she is a Princess of Heart, with an innate, mystic connection to our worlds and their Hearts, it is possible...that one of those worlds' Hearts has decided to welcome her into its embrace, giving refuge to one of its seven protectors and upholders."

"So- so you're saying Kairi's Heart isn't in a person's Heart, like Ven's was with me, but...in a world's Heart?" Sora said haltingly, seeming as confused and lost as Xion felt.

"It is a possibility - a theory," Yen Sid replied calmly, raising a hand. "I would need to consult with the stars themselves. One may speak of one of its enduring lights having entered into its Heart - and even, perhaps, its dreams..."

"Wait, dreams?" Sora said, scratching his head. "What do you mean?"

"You are familiar with the Realm of Sleep?" Yen Sid spoke.

"Uh - I think Kairi had something to do with that a while back...?" Sora offered, concentrating.

"Yes, the Fairy Godmother informed me of such." Yen Sid nodded. "But that escapade of hers took place within the Dreams of People's Hearts - namely, her own. What I speak of are the Dreams of World's Hearts. Previously, Kairi had ventured into her own Heart's dreams, and was able to cross the ocean to the dreams of others - such as her fellow Princess, young Alice." Yen Sid paused. "Ah, former Princess, that is. But what I speak of now is something different, yet similar. Like people's Hearts, when a world sleeps, it also begins to dream. And it dreams of what it knows and remembers - itself and its inhabitants. Its own, long history. Given that the Hearts of worlds are vaster than our own, their dreams tend to be correspondingly grander as well."

"Okaaay...and so you think Kairi's in one of these dreams?" Sora pressed.

"If she is," Yen Sid began. "it will be no easy journey to find and retrieve her. Worlds, unlike people, are rarely meant to sleep - to dream. For to sleep and dream is to shroud itself in darkness, and in darkness a world's waking inhabitants are lost, and the Heart of said world itself is cut off from outside channels. A Sleeping World is so isolated, so deep and lost in the haziness of dreams compared to concrete reality, that only a rare few beings can ever enter into them - that being powerful mages, or skilled Keyblade Masters. Not even the Heartless can enter them."

Yen Sid looked to Terra, considering. "You do not possess the Power of Waking, do you, Master Terra?"

"No," Terra said, defeated.

"Nor does Eraqus, either, unless he neglected to tell me of a very interesting adventure in past years," Yen Sid continued, a small note of humor to his voice now.

"You-" Terra began. He stopped, then he smiled. "Of course you know."

"I have had suspicions as of late, though nothing concrete," Yen Sid said simply. "And as I am Keyblade Master no more, I could not open a path into the Sleeping Worlds for you myself."

"Luxu can," Sora said. "He offered, before, to Kairi-"

"Yes, one as old and traveled as he would doubtless have the ability," Yen Sid agreed. "If my assumption is correct, we can indeed ask for the man's assistance in this. Failing that, however, I do believe I could devise a more...round-about method for a select few of you young wielders to enter the Sleeping Worlds. But I would like it to be a last resort only."

"Well let's go ask the guy!" Sora said, turning and heading for the wooden door.

"It is only a theory," Yen Sid spoke, slightly louder. Firmer. "Perhaps her Heart drifts freely between worlds, or perhaps it found refuge in another, someone unknown to us, yet closely linked to her all the same. We must investigate thoroughly before making any rash decisions. Our search should begin in the waking world, before plunging into the Realm of Sleep."

"Why not? What's the harm? You said the Heartless can't enter, right?" Sora argued. "So why don't some of us stay out here, and others of us can go into these dream world Heart places and-"

"I did indeed say the Heartless cannot enter the Sleeping Worlds; I did not say that they were free of danger," Yen Sid cut across gravely. "A sleeping world, enveloped in darkness, is still not a Pure Light, as our Princesses are, and thus still is possessed of its own manner of darkness. This darkness as much as light, as with people's Hearts and dreams, can creep into and permeate a world's dreams. This unique manner of darkness takes two forms: one, the Spirits, who protect sleeping Hearts from Nightmares; and the Nightmares, which seek to devour dreams and produce more of themselves. As a whole, these dark creatures are called Dream Eaters."

"Dark creatures...protecting people's Hearts?" Riku spoke, his voice full of surprise, as he turned his head toward Yen Sid.

Yen Sid gave a nod, and a small smile. "Indeed - for what else can protect a Heart slumbering in the depths of darkness but those that exist within said darkness?"

"Huh..." Riku breathed, looking strange and almost...kind of happy? Or relieved, maybe?

"If any of you is to enter the Realm of Sleep, it is the Spirits who will be your guides and stalwart allies," Yen Sid stated lightly. "It is they, perhaps, who can best lead you to Kairi's Heart...wherever she may sleep. But, as I have said: we must explore all avenues before delving into such a place. Now then, to begin..."


Kairi slowly opened her eyes.

She moaned softly, rolling onto her side and bringing her arms up...

She stared at her palm, curling her fingers and letting them uncurl again.

She sucked in a breath, and raised her head.

She did her best to push herself up.

The hazy, swimming world around her solidified, suddenly and strangely.

Kairi examined her surroundings, frowning. Trying not to freak out or anything like that.

It helped that she immediately recognized where she was: Traverse Town?

She was in the First District - with that nice, open restaurant, the mailbox, the entrance gates, the houses and stairs littering the place on all sides.

Kairi unsteadily rose to her feet. She raised a hand to her head, shaking it firmly.

How had she gotten here?

Why was she even here?

What...had happened to her?

She looked down at her hand, concentrating, until her Keyblade appeared in a flash of light. It filled her hand with comforting warmth.

Staring at it now, flashes of memory came back to her.

Her Heart - her dream - meeting one really nice girl, and one not so nice girl.

Fighting that second girl - another Princess of Heart!

And then-

Everything had shattered, and then she'd been...

Overwhelmed.

Skirt-pissing terrified.

Defeated.

She hadn't tried to run away or anything, but she also hadn't tried to fight...

She'd just - frozen.

And then-

Burning, lost, blinding light in all directions...

And then nothing?

And now, apparently, she was in Traverse Town?

At least it was a familiar world.

She could find people here, surely, who might be able to help her leave. Or-

Or she could try to reach out to Namine again, Heart to Heart. It had worked last time.

Kairi shut her eyes, raising hand to her chest, focusing...

Namine...if you can hear me, I could really use some help right now. Please.

She let a breath go, opening her eyes again.

Well, last time it had taken a minute or two.

Kairi stood, silent, waiting.

And waiting.

And waiting...

A minute. Two. Three...

Five?

Nothing.

Kairi let her Keyblade vanish, frowning at her surroundings. Had something happened to Namine, too? Or was the problem...Kairi? Had whatever happened to her...damaged their connection somehow?

Or maybe Namine's just sleeping, Kairi told herself, shaking her head.

She just had to...give it some time. Yeah.

In the meantime, she knew she was safe here, right?

So...nothing to it but to just...

Kairi walked across the square, and sat herself down at a candlelit cafe table under the extended roof of the building above.

No matter how long it took, she knew her friends and family would find her again.

She just had to wait...


In a castle in a grand field, once marred by thorns, a raven flies across the landscape, a tattered black cloak in its talons.

It soars high, purposefully heading toward a tower window.

The bird perches on the stone sill, cawing, its eyes boring into the three, brightly dressed women with wings bustling about the room, where several dresses stood on wooden mannequins.

The three fairies react with fear and horror, trying in vain to keep the memories at bay.

The raven drops the cloak to the floor.

The cloak begins to rise up, something growing to life within it. Filling it.

A towering, horned witch takes form, spreading her arms wide with cackling glee and a burst of green fires.

The three fairies turn and flee out the door, desperate to escape her.

But the witch cares not for them.

She turns away, looking to the raven. She extends an arm, and it comes to perch on her affectionately.

"At last, I have returned!" Maleficent declared, a rare, whooping joy and victory in her dark Heart. "And now, to get back at the rabble that undid me, snatching the ultimate prize from my grasp! The Radiant Garden rabble, and that Princess of Heart. And of course, the foolish boy, Riku, who turned against me. Who was so ungrateful for all that I gave him. Who was too weak to-"

She paused, as a thrill of cold darkness ran up her spine.

She turned back swiftly - in time to see the strangest thing.

The air itself was stirring, twisting and turning on itself...a wind was sweeping away the dust of the room...

And then, from the center of it all, a flickering flame of purple dark energy appeared. It grew higher still, spreading out and rippling down to the floor...until it had taken a curious shape.

The shape of a vague, featureless, humanoid figure, shrouded in purple flames.

Maleficent gripped her staff, gazing at the figure with narrowed eyes. "Well now...what- are you?"

The dark shape tilted its head, stepping forward in a ripple of flames. "...You don't...remember? I'm...an old friend."

Maleficent gasped, as a sudden rush of memories flashed through her mind. She raised her hand, nails clawing at her face...and then she let it fall, giving a high chuckle. "As a matter of fact, I do remember you now. 'Darkness', yes? But, why, that was ages ago - why have you appeared before me now?"

"We did you a favor, once; this is the completion of your end of the deal," the dark figure replied.

"Ah, yes - you wished me to be your 'Waypoint' or some such, wasn't it?" Maleficent said vaguely, waving a hand. "Well, now that you're here - enjoy your time in the present. Go on now, do whatever your frustratingly enigmatic Heart wants. Meanwhile, I have work to do. People to get vengeance upon. Worlds to conquer."

The Darkness remained motionless. They spoke again. "Our alliance worked out well for both of us, didn't it? Why stop now?"

Maleficent paused. "Oh...? What are you suggesting?"

"That we continue our alliance in the here and now," Darkness stated. "We both can still stand to gain from it."

"Go on..." Maleficent allowed, a touch of intrigue burgeoning in her Heart.

"For us," Darkness went on. "this future is not the future we intended to come to. It's changed, becoming uncertain - unpredictable. Worlds and people are not where they should be." They paused. "Before, in the past, you trusted us with your vulnerability - being trapped and helpless, you had no choice but to rely on our assistance. And we didn't do you wrong, did we?"

"No, it seems you didn't - but what is your point?" Maleficent said reluctantly.

"We will, in turn, now, trust you with a vulnerability of our own," Darkness spoke. "As I exist now, I am as you needed to be to return to this future era: formless. A mere shadow. This does afford us a certain invincibility, but it also has its drawbacks and limitations. Mainly, that we cannot actually interact with the physical world around us. In the past, you saw that in action: we need physical beings to open doors for us. We cannot simply pass through walls, even as much as we seem to be ghosts. Another, more important vulnerability...is the fact that for every second we spend in this formless way of existence, we risk losing our will. Our very memories, and our sense of self. Our ability to think and plan. Spend too long in this form, and we suffer for it. Too long, and we degrade so far that it becomes permanent. We lose everything we are, everything we know, and become mere...dark energy on the wind, no different from the elemental powers you use for combat."

"Hm. How interesting," Maleficent said drolly. "Yet, again - your point, if you would get to it sooner rather than later?"

"Just as there was a way that we showed you to return to the future, freeing you from your vulnerable state...there is a way for us to stave off this weakness as well - to be free of it," Darkness continued. "The way to do this is by inhabiting the Heart of a physical, living being. To nestle into the Heart of a host, to allow them to carry us in this world."

"And your point?" Maleficent huffed, annoyed now.

"If you were to agree to host us, it would be beneficial for both of us."

Maleficent narrowed her eyes into slits, her lips twisting. "Why on earth would I ever wish to do that? What benefits could having a being like you within my very Heart provide me?"

"Firstly, we would offer you the full breadth of our strength, unrestrained, added to your own," Darkness said. "Second: we would also share with you our knowledge - of past, and future. Of enemies and allies, all. All that we saw in the Book of Prophecies, as well. We would hold nothing back."

"And you would be so magnanimous, would you?" Maleficent said loftily.

"We worked together before, and it worked out well for us both," Darkness repeated. "As I said, it would be a simple continuation of our alliance - a mutually beneficial relationship."

"And what do you want in return? What do you gain from this...intimate partnership of ours?"

"As I said: this future is uncertain, and too much of it is unknown to us. But, quite simply, more than anything else: I want to live. And you can help me do that - as I helped you to live again, just moments ago."

"Mmm...how long, precisely, can you remain in this non-form before you begin to, ah, degrade?" Maleficent spoke, pondering.

Silence, for a long moment. Then-

"A matter of days, before we begin losing things. Two or three, usually."

"Then you will give me a day to consider the matter of a...continuation of our alliance, as you put it," Maleficent stated. "You may hang around as you please - lurking from the shadows seems to be your specialty - but if you step foot within my Heart even a second before the day is up...I will find a way to cage you, and then I will delight in watching you slowly wither away and die."

"We understand. Your terms are acceptable to us."

"Then come along. As I said..."

Maleficent strode to the window, gazing out at the expanse of grassy fields of a lush, restored kingdom of her enemies.

"I have work to do."


AN: WOOH. That is the revised/reorganized little epilogue that was formerly a whole, normal chapter, DONE. xD

I think I made it a nice good stopping point. :) Hope you guys liked it...and now...

Onward!

As Maleficent said: I have work to do. Muhahaha.