Prism Hearts 

 

 Epilogue

 

 Simple and Clean

 

 by Amazoness Duo

 

 amazonessduo@hotmail.com

 

 

 

 'Every new beginning is some other beginning's end.'

 

 

 

 

 

 At first, there was only darkness. It stretched out for an eternity,

 

 a sea of blackness that knew no end. But slowly, ever so slowly, a

 

 glimmer appeared. Then another. And another. Like stars shimmering in

 

 the night sky, they appeared, delivering light unto the darkness. 

 

 

 

 “I told you she would save us,” Aerith said, smiling faintly as the

 

 blackness began to take shape under the light. 

 

 

 

 “Perhaps,” Harle replied, the dragon god remaining in the form of

 

 the female harlequin. “But she did envelop everything in darkness

 

 before she did.”

 

 

 

 “We will rebuild. Just as we did before. And this time, without the

 

 Heartless.” The young blonde girl named Aya smiled at her twin

 

 sister, Maya. Yes, Kairi had given them a second chance for this

 

 world. 

 

 

 

 “But of course, you do realize that nothing is ever completely gone,

 

 right?” Harle asked, raising an eyebrow. “Wherever zere is light,

 

 zere is also darkness.”Aerith smiled, nodding. “And where there is

 

 darkness, there will always be light. Perhaps they're inseperable.

 

 Like life, death, and rebirth. Now, the worlds can all be reborn.”

 

 “If you'll please hurry, that would be appreciated. I hate having to

 

 ferry the dead back to the land of the living,” Sophie says softly,

 

 angel wings seemingly holding her aloft in the darkness. 

 

 

 

 “All good things take time, Sophie. But it won't be much longer

 

 now,” Aerith promises.And around them, the worlds slowly begin to

 

 take shape once more. 

 

 

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

 

 Dear diary,

 

 

 

 Everything seems fine here on the Destiny Islands. I'm sitting on

 

 the pier with my feet in the beautiful aquamarine water. It's so nice

 

 and warm. Quisty and Seifer are playing Triple Triad again behind me.

 

 I'm so tempted to scoop up some water and splash Quisty. It'd be fun!

 

 But I'm not sure if she'd think so. She concentrates too hard when

 

 playing games. Which is why I have so much fun trying to distract

 

 her! She's sitting behind me, so I'm resting my back against her as I

 

 write this. She's so cuddly. 

 

 

 

 Anyway, no one really knows what happened at the Heart of the

 

 Universe. Everything went black and that's the last thing anyone

 

 remembers. After that, we all kinda woke up back home. The Destiny

 

 Islands are beautiful again. No weird holes, no scary, ominous skies.

 

 THe ocean's beautiful and warm again. It's like nothing ever

 

 happened. We looked for the door that led to the End of the World,

 

 but it was gone. It's almost like it was all just a dream. 

 

 

 

 Elder Seymour stepped down from his place as the highest elder. I

 

 said we should nominate Quisty, but she said she was too young for

 

 the position. Wouldn't it be great if Quisty could be the elder of

 

 the Destiny Islands? She's all cute and serious! She'd be the perfect

 

 new leader for the islands. All of the children listen to her. Well,

 

 except for Seifer. But he just doesn't listen to her because he has

 

 fun riling her up. 

 

 

 

 Tidus is back! He says he doesn't remember anything after Sin got

 

 him, though. Which is probably better. I wouldn't even want to

 

 remember Sin getting me if it was my choice! Poor guy. But you know

 

 Tidus. Nothing can keep him down. He's already back to playing that

 

 water soccer game thing he made up with Wakka. 

 

 

 

 Yuna's doing better. She felt awful for the longest time, but we've

 

 all been trying to cheer her up. We're trying to let her know that

 

 none of us blame her for what happened. I probably would've done the

 

 same thing if something had happened to Quisty! I think that catgirl

 

 Yuna and I found, Rikku, has been helping Yuna a lot. Only she's not

 

 a cat anymore. How sad! She made such a cute kitty! But she's been

 

 there with Yuna the whole time. Yuna smiles a lot around her, so that

 

 makes me happy. Rikku asked Yuna to come travel the different worlds

 

 with her. Isn't that romantic? I wonder what Yuna will say. 

 

 

 

 No one knows what happened to Kairi, Riku, and Sora. We haven't seen

 

 any of them since Kairi ran off to the Heart of the Universe. I hope

 

 they're okay. They have to be, right? They are. I know they are.

 

 They've made it through all sorts of things. A little thing like the

 

 collapse of the universe wouldn't stop them. They're out there,

 

 somewhere. And we'll all be here waiting for when they come

 

 back.Well, I better get back to distracting Quisty. Good luck out

 

 there, everybody. Booyaka!Selphie

 

 

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

 

 Leaning back against her blonde lover, Selphie gazed up at the

 

 clouds. They floated lazily above their islands, enjoying the

 

 beautiful weather. They were reassuring, almost like whispers that

 

 everything was finally all right. That feeling was reinforced by the

 

 sensation of Quistis's pink dress rustling against her back. Knowing

 

 the blonde was nearby always lifted Selphie's already high spirits.

 

 “It's so pretty... Quisty! Look! It looks just like a paopu fruit!”

 

 The brunette pointed up at the heavens, gazing at a cloud that

 

 resembled her favorite romantic fruit.Turning, Quistis adjusted her

 

 glasses. She smiled faintly, nodding. The vaguely star shaped cloud

 

 wouldn't have immediately made her think of a fruit from the island,

 

 but she found it cute the way Selphie's mind worked. The other girl

 

 was such a romantic. “It is, isn't it?” “And I believe you lose

 

 again, Miss Trepe,” Seifer interrupted, smirking. No matter how often

 

 Quistis told him to stop calling her that, he insisted upon it. She

 

 was the most mature person he knew on the Islands and he liked the

 

 way it ruffled her feathers. Quistis was probably his best friend.

 

 Where was the fun in that if he couldn't tease her now and again?

 

 

 

 Quistis turned quickly, blonde hair swishing over Selphie's head.

 

 “What?” Quistis frowned. “Seifer, let me see those cards. You're

 

 cheating, aren't you?” That was the third time he'd beaten her today.

 

 It was usually more give and take. Laughing, Seifer gathered up his

 

 cards. “I'm wounded, Miss Trepe. You know cheating isn't my style.

 

 But I do always cherish the chance to mop the floor with my favorite

 

 tutor.”He raised a blond eyebrow. “Another game, perhaps.”Sighing,

 

 Quistis nodded. “Of course.” This was their ritual, wasn't it?

 

 Playing this game for hours, winning by such slim margins. But always

 

 just so they could all play together. And of course, she had a

 

 constant disadvantage. “But it isn't fair with Selphie trying to

 

 distract me.” Selphie's fingers were currently in the bottom of her

 

 sandals, tickling the undersides of her feet.Seifer simply grinned.

 

 “That's why she's your girlfriend and not mine.”

 

 

 

 “But you're so much fun to distract!” Selphie squealed, turning to

 

 hug Quistis tightly from behind.Quistis sighed overdramatically as

 

 Selphie began kissing her cheeks, but Seifer could see her smiling.

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

 

 

 

 Waves crashed inches away from a small brunette girl gazing out to

 

 sea. Her thoughts were muddled. She still felt guilty about the part

 

 she had played in the recent chaos. She had let her fear of life

 

 compell her into sending everything into the world of death. They had

 

 every reason to hate her for that. But they didn't. And the one girl

 

 she had betrayed the most had even followed her into that world of

 

 death. “And now she wants me to go with her,” Yuna whispered to

 

 herself. 

 

 

 

 Should she go? Should she travel that infinitely vast universe by

 

 Rikku's side? It was exciting, but it was also terrifying. She had

 

 never been away from the Destiny Islands before. What might be out

 

 there? Boundless possibilities. Her stomach rolled in anxiety. Rikku

 

 would be leaving soon. What would she say? It would be a fresh start,

 

 a chance to see all the many worlds untold secrets. And by the side

 

 of the girl she loved no less, a girl who had sacrificed her life for

 

 her. It would be a chance to get away from her pain and fears, to try

 

 to discover the joys of living. Was it worth the risk?

 

 “Yunie?” Rikku broke into the brunette's thoughts. She wrung her

 

 hands as she stood in front of her. Would Yuna agree? Her heart was

 

 all over the place. She didn't want to leave without the beautiful

 

 brunette. What if she wanted to stay? What if she was too afraid to

 

 leave? Yuna looked up at her, her blue and green eyes almost flashing

 

 in the sunlight. “Please, Yunie, come with me. I don't want to go

 

 without you. I... I love you!” The blonde dropped down next to Yuna

 

 on the sand, gazing deeply into her eyes. “I finally found you, the

 

 treasure I've been looking for all my life. I want to show you

 

 everything. I want to see everything with you.” She clasps Yuna's

 

 hand tightly to her chest, pleading with her swirling emerald eyes.

 

 “All the beautiful things the worlds hold, we can see them all.

 

 Please, Yunie. I just want to be with you for it all.” Yuna smiled,

 

 blinking back tears as she gazed back at Rikku. Her hand cupped

 

 Rikku's cheek. “Rikku... Of course I'll go with you. I... I want that

 

 to. To see everything... with you.” Leaning forward, the brunette

 

 lightly kissed the blonde. It was strange now that Rikku wasn't a

 

 catgirl. She was used to the scratchy tongue against hers. But this,

 

 she admitted, was very, very nice as well. Rikku nearly pounced on

 

 the petite girl in her joy. Her arms wrapped tightly around Yuna as

 

 they fell back onto the sand, kissing. She kissed Yuna as deeply as

 

 she could, her heart aching for the girl in her arms. Each kiss was a

 

 tiny 'thank you' to the brunette. She was coming with! They would be

 

 together. All across the universe.

 

 

 

 The tears rolling down Yuna's cheeks felt wonderfully freeing. She

 

 was happy. She was going to be with Rikku. No matter what. From now

 

 on. Her heart soared. Her hands stroked up and down Rikku's back as

 

 they kissed. Though she was a bit embarrassed about the way Rikku was

 

 kissing her so deeply right out in the open, she wouldn't trade it

 

 for anything in the world. Let her embarrassment come. She could deal

 

 with it. She kissed back as best she could. 'Oh, Rikku...' she

 

 thought dreamily. Though still anxious about where this journey may

 

 lead, she knew her blonde ex-catgirl would be there to see it through

 

 with her. And that was all that mattered to her. “Yunie...” Rikku

 

 said between kisses, trying to calm herself down enough to finally

 

 pull away. But for once, Yuna's hands would let her go. Yuna held her

 

 close, kissing back again and again. Rikku giggled, kissing deeply

 

 again. “Yunie, they're here,” she got out at last. The sound of the

 

 gummi ship landing finally caught the brunette's attention. Yuna

 

 blushed cutely and slowly let go of Rikku's waist. The thief helped

 

 Yuna to her feet, watching the gummi ship come to a halt.

 

 

 

 As the doors slid open, a brunette ninja came into view. Yuffie

 

 gazed out onto the beach, her heart stopping for a moment. Her little

 

 sister smiled at her on the beach, vibrant and alive. Alive. Kairi

 

 had done it. She'd fixed things, after all. “Thank you, Kairi,”

 

 Yuffie whispered. Tears burned at her eyes, but she tried desperately

 

 to force them back. She was the greatest ninja ever, damnit. Ninja's

 

 don't cry. Seeing the indecision in Yuffie's eyes, Relm, brushed her

 

 knuckles over the ninja's cheek soothingly. “Go see her, Yuffie.

 

 She's missed you.”Yuffie didn't need anymore prodding. She ran out to

 

 meet her sister, gripping her tightly in a hug. “Rikku!” When Yuffie

 

 had seen Ansem cut her sister down, she had thought she'd never see

 

 Rikku again. Now, Rikku was in her arms and she was afraid of letting

 

 her go. What if she disappeared? What if it was just a dream? No...

 

 It was over. Her sister was back. She slowly stepped back, putting a

 

 goofy grin on to hide her tear stained eyes. “You aren't a cat

 

 anymore.” A stupid thing to say, but the best she could get

 

 out.Laughing, Rikku nodded. “Nope. Not anymore.” She smiled back at

 

 Yuffie. Her big sister had tried so hard for her. That was so sweet.

 

 It was so nice just knowing Yuffie cared. “It's good to see you, too,

 

 Yuffie.”Shaking her head, Yuffie can only smile. The pieces were all

 

 falling into place. They had done it. They'd saved the universe. And

 

 these small things, being with her sister again, it all made it

 

 worthwhile. 'Kairi, wherever you are, we did it. We won.' She was

 

 glad for her journey with the Keyblade Mistress. It had led her to

 

 the girl she loved. It helped her find her sister again. It had fixed

 

 their wounded worlds. She only hoped she could see the princess again

 

 someday. They were a team, Kairi, Relm, and herself. She felt that

 

 something was missing without the princess. “Yunie's coming with us!”

 

 Rikku said excitedly. Taking Yuna's hand, she pulled the brunette

 

 closer, smiling brightly. Yuna blushed faintly and nodded. Laughing,

 

 Yuffie nodded. “Is she joining the Radical Dreamers? Relm's coming

 

 with us, too. She's going to paint the backgrounds for out

 

 performances. People will be so dazzled that they'll practically be

 

 asking to give us their gil.” The ninja winked smugly. “Yunie could

 

 dance! That would be great! We could fit her into our performances!”

 

 Rikku hopped from foot to foot. Having seen Yuna dance, she knew

 

 plenty of other people would love to see her perform. And with their

 

 travelling troupe of actors/thieves, it would work perfectly.

 

 “They'll be enchanted!”“Wait!” Yuna blushed and shook her head.

 

 Performing? In front of people? She didn't know they'd be doing that. 

 

 

 

 “It'll be great, Yunie!” Rikku assured her, squeezing the other

 

 girl's hand, already picturing Yuna dancing in front of packed

 

 crowds. “How cute!”Relm laughed, wrapping her arms around Yuffie's

 

 right arm. “Looks like we'll be able to put on some interesting

 

 performances.” She nuzzles the other girl's ear, whispering. “But my

 

 favorite performances are the onces you give when we're alone.” She

 

 delighted at the blush that crossed her sarcastic ninja's face.

 

 Giggling, she kissed the other girl's cheek. She now had something to

 

 focus her considerable painting skills on. And she got to travel with

 

 her beautiful ninja. Granted, it was so they could steal from all

 

 sorts of places, but she could live with that. It was pretty easy for

 

 her to accept that Yuffie was a thief. As long as she was her thief.

 

 “Are ya'll comin' or not?” Cid called out, irritated. “Buncha kids.

 

 We got places to go.”“We're coming, old man!” Yuffie yelled back. “I

 

 knew I should have taken the ship myself.” The ninja shrugged. “Well,

 

 we all ready?”“Yep!” Rikku smiled, turning to Yuna. 

 

 

 

 Yuna nodded slowly, smiling. “Let's go.” The group of girls made

 

 their way to the gummi ship. Relm paused at the entrance. She thought

 

 she heard something. She turned, looking out at the beach. It felt

 

 familiar.“Relm? You okay?” Yuffie asked curiously. Relm looked deep

 

 in concentration. “What's takin' ya'll so long?” Cid called

 

 down.Yuffie slammed her hand into the wall near her, trying to get

 

 Cid's attention. “Hold on a minute!” She turned back to watch Relm.

 

 There it was again. Distant, but unmistakable. Relm stepped away from

 

 the entrance, glancing around rapidly. Where was it coming from? It

 

 had to be real, right? It couldn't just be her imagination. And

 

 again. A bark. And this time she saw its owner racing towards her.

 

 “Interceptor!” she cried out, elation running throughout her as the

 

 dog her father had left to protect her pounced into her waiting arms.

 

 He was alive! Her best friend was alive. She'd known him since he was

 

 a puppy. They'd always been together. And he was back again.

 

 Interceptor licked at her cheek as she giggled, holding him close.

 

 Their journey had been long and hard. But it had been worth it.

 

 Resting her hand on Relm's shoulder, Yuffie smiled. “Come on. Cid's

 

 getting cranky again. Let's get out of here.” Relm nodded, letting go

 

 of Interceptor. Her dog, loyal as ever, stayed near her, afraid she

 

 would be whisked away from him again. She followed Yuffie into the

 

 ship, taking the ninja's warm hand. 

 

 

 

 Yuffie shook her head, but smiled faintly. “Fine, but he's not

 

 sleeping in our room.”Yuna hurried to the window with Rikku. Yelling

 

 and cheering arose from the island below. The brunette smiled as she

 

 saw all of her friends waving goodbye to her. Tidus and Wakka had

 

 written 'Goodbye, Yuna' in the sand. Lulu was casting magic in the

 

 air like fireworks. The others waved as she lifted away. “See, Yunie?

 

 They could never hate you,” Rikku said, hugging Yuna from behind.Yuna

 

 watched her friends through her tears, still smiling. “Yes, I guess

 

 you're right....” She placed her hand on the glass. She was happy to

 

 know they still cared about her.

 

 

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

 

 “Arise, Queen Garnet.”Garnet stood up, cheers erupting around her.

 

 Beatrix smiled at her, nodding. She gazed out at all the people. She

 

 was now their queen. It wasn't something she had been expecting. But

 

 her mother had insisted, stepping down from the position. All she

 

 knew was that she would try her best for the people of Alexandria.

 

 “Thank you. Everyone.” A flash of purple brought a smile to her lips.

 

 At least she wouldn't be alone. She turned her attention to Eiko. The

 

 younger girl smiled brightly at her, urging her on. The summoner girl

 

 had declined going back home, choosing instead to stay in Alexandria

 

 with Garnet. And Eiko's support bolstered Garnet. She could do it.

 

 Alexandria needed her. She stepped forward to accept the throne.

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

 

 They stood side by side on the rooftop bridge spanning the ice-laden

 

 cliffs above the town, watching the snow fall peacefully around.

 

 

 

 “It’s so beautiful,” Terra said softly, looking out with wonder.  “I

 

 don’t remember it ever being this beautiful here.”

 

 

 

 “It probably hasn’t,” the other Magitek Knight nodded.  “This is the

 

 first we’ve been without the Heartless.  Even the factions against

 

 the Empire have died down for now.  Personally, I’m glad for a little

 

 peace and quiet.  Might even have time to make a home here instead of

 

 wandering.”

 

 

 

 They fell silent for a moment, content with simply enjoying the

 

 natural splendor that presented itself.

 

 

 

 ‘I’m so glad Kairi could set things to rights,’ the green-haired

 

 woman thought.  ‘Otherwise none of this…none of us would be here. 

 

 Even Kefka’s doing well, serving the Emperor again.  And we…we can

 

 finally be free….’  She leaned closer to Celes and intertwined their

 

 fingers.  “Can you ever forgive me?” 

 

 

 

 “There’s nothing to forgive,” the blonde smiled softly, reaching

 

 over and placing an arm around Terra’s waist.  “Nothing at all.”

 

 

 

 Terra smiled back gratefully and rested her head against Celes’

 

 shoulder, the snow dancing light-heartedly through the skies.

 

 

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

 

 “Kid! Did you catch dinner yet?” Leena asked, stepping out onto the

 

 docks of Arni. She spotted the pretty blonde struggling with a

 

 fishing line.“Dang blasted thing won't work! I'm a thief, not a

 

 fisherman,” Kid growled. Taking the line from Kid's hands, Leena

 

 reeled the fish in. Smiling, she kissed the other girl's cheek,

 

 handing the fish to her. “Go wash up. I'll start dinner.”Kid merely

 

 blinked in stunned silence. Was there anything the redhead couldn't

 

 do. “Err... Yes, dear.”~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

 

 “It seems like almost everyone has returned except the princess,”

 

 Rinoa stated, sitting around the grand library of Hollow Bastion with

 

 Squall, Aerith, and the Turks. “And Cloud,” Squall added. Rinoa

 

 nudged him hard in the side. She'd intentionally not mentioned him so

 

 as not to worry Aerith. Aeirth smiled softly. “Cloud will come back

 

 to me. He always does. It's only a matter of time.” And time was

 

 something she had plenty of. She would wait as long as it took for

 

 him to find his way back to her. Just as Kairi had Sora and Riku, she

 

 had Cloud. And just as surely, she knew he would return to her.

 

 

 

 “But what do we do without the Princess?” Reno asked leaning against

 

 a bookshelf. “Should we just wait for her?” Elena nibbled on her

 

 lower lip. “That's assuming she is coming back,” Vincent pointed out. 

 

 

 

 “But if she's not, what can we do?” Elena shot back.

 

 

 

 “We do what we can. We rebuild. We try to make Hollow Bastion as

 

 beautiful and as wonderful as we can make it. It's what Princess

 

 Hikari would have wanted.” Aerith stands up. “It's all we can do for

 

 her. But I know it will make her happy.” 'We'll protect your dreams,

 

 Kairi. Forever. It's the least we can do for your sacrifice. And if

 

 you can ever find a way back, I'll make sure Hollow Bastion is

 

 waiting for you.'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

 

 

 

 “You're sure you haven't seen her? She looks a lot like me, but with

 

 shorter hair,” an auburn haired girl asked, standing beside a

 

 brunette boy around the same age. The two waited eagerly for the

 

 reply.The blonde girl shook her head slowly. “I'm sorry. I don't

 

 think I have.” Turning she looked over her shoulder. “Kumiko! Come

 

 here.” 

 

 

 

 A girl with long, braided brunette hair came up to the small group.

 

 “Yes, Megumi-chan?”Megumi pointed back to the auburn haired girl.

 

 “Have you ever seen someone who looks like her? With shorter

 

 hair?”Shaking her head apologetically, Kumiko looked at the girl.

 

 “No, I haven't.”“That's okay. Thanks for your help,” the brunette boy

 

 smiled before walking off with the auburn haired girl. “So she isn't

 

 here, either.”

 

 “It's okay. I didn't think she would be,” the girl replied, brushing

 

 some hair from her eyes. “But she's out there. I can feel it. She's

 

 waiting for us.”“Then let's not keep her waiting.” The boy looked

 

 down at the girl, grinning. “It's so weird not that you're smaller

 

 than me, Riku.”“Don't start that, Sora. You know I can still send you

 

 away limping just like always,” Riku said, a smile splaying across

 

 her mouth. This body was Kairi's gift to Riku. With his body

 

 destroyed, his soul would have returned to the Lifestream, but she

 

 had left her body for him. It was taking a while to get used to it,

 

 though. He had let the hair grow out longer and wore a different

 

 style from Kairi, but the fact that it was female still threw him for

 

 a loop now and then. 

 

 

 

 The two had travelled across so many worlds since the universe had

 

 been reborn. And they would continue travelling until they finally

 

 found Kairi. That was their mission, to find the girl they both

 

 loved. No matter where it took them. And they wouldn't stop until

 

 they were with her again.“The next world?” Sora asked, pulling up his

 

 Keyblade.Riku nodded. “Maybe we'll have better luck on this one.”

 

 'Just wait a little longer for us, Kairi. We're

 

 coming.'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

 

 My wrists ache. I tug weakly at the bandages that cover my wrists.

 

 They remind me of the wristbands I wore as part of my outfit back on

 

 the Destiny Islands. But those weren't tinted red. Owwwww....“Hikari,

 

 don't play with those. You'll just make it worse,” mom says worriedly

 

 as she sets down a tray with some noodles. 

 

 

 

 I stop plucking at them and look better at her. I still feel guilty

 

 about almost leaving her all alone. But she's been as sweet and

 

 supportive as ever. “Thanks, mom,” I whisper. She smiles back and I

 

 feel a little more at ease. She doesn't blame me, at least. That

 

 makes it a little easier. 

 

 

 

 “If you need anything, I'll be in the other room, sweetie.” Mom

 

 waves as she exits the room. 

 

 

 

 I slump back in my bed, stuffed characters falling in every

 

 direction. It try not to look, knowing Riku's doll is lying just at

 

 the corner of my eye. Damn. I can't help it. My eyes shoot to it and

 

 my heart plummets just like I knew it would. It's been a few weeks,

 

 but I still feel the pain of the night I had to say goodbye to them.

 

 I miss them so much. I finally found them and I was the one who had

 

 to leave. Hugging the Riku doll tightly, I gaze at the wet, rainy

 

 window. Are they happy? Did our sacrifices matter? I can only hope

 

 the other princesses got to remake everything. That the Destiny

 

 Islands are bright and beautiful again. As long as it was worth it,

 

 then I'm glad about what I did. I'd love to go back, but mom needs

 

 me. I didn't realize just how much until now. And now that I'm gone,

 

 the doorway is shut. The Heartless, the darkness of reality can't

 

 filter in. All that I love there is finally safe. 

 

 

 

 They said they were surprised I made it. They did everything they

 

 could to revive me, but in the end, the doctors said it all depended

 

 on me. If I hadn't stopped Hikari... No, that's not right. I am

 

 Hikari. I remember everything that happened from both of our sides.

 

 If the light in my heart hadn't changed my mind, then I would have

 

 died. And all of those beautiful dreams would have died with me. And

 

 mom would have been all alone. 

 

 

 

 Mom's been overprotective lately. I can understand why. And it's

 

 really sweet of her to be spending so much time with me. We've been

 

 playing games together every night. She said she's going to take me

 

 to a videogame/anime convention in a month or two, so I need to pick

 

 out what costume I want her to make for both of us. This is why I

 

 couldn't have stayed there and closed the door. Because I love her

 

 too much. I could never entirely give up on this world. I wonder what

 

 Aya and Aerith gave up in this world when they went to the other

 

 one?But still... I miss them so much. Turning my head, I gaze at the

 

 picture I drew, framed by my bedstand now. There's the me from the

 

 Destiny Islands kneeling with Riku sitting on my left and Sora

 

 resting against me on the right. Yuffie and Relm are standing behind

 

 us. My friends. The boys I love. And now all I can do are draw

 

 pictures of them, or dream about being together again. My heart aches

 

 everyday. I love them. I know that. I will always love them. I hold

 

 the tiny trinket, all I still have from that world. A tiny key on a

 

 chain that I wear around my neck. 

 

 

 

 That world is safe now. I'm happy for my part in that. Sacrifices

 

 had to be made, but I understand that. Now I am back in the darkness

 

 of the world I sought so hard to escape. But... Even in darkness,

 

 there will always be light. I have my mother. And one day... One

 

 day... I'll have you both again... I'll be waiting for you. I love

 

 you. Always. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Author's notes: Well, this is the end of Prism Hearts for now. ^-^

 

 Kairi has completed her journey. She has shut the door between the

 

 real world and the other world. The Heartless can't reach it anymore.

 

 Riku and Sora will continue searching for her, no matter how long it

 

 takes them. I'm happy with how it all turned out. ^-^ It took me a

 

 year to write, and it went in all sorts of directions I hadn't

 

 expected, but I'm happy with it. ^-^ There were times when I was

 

 worried it wouldn't get finished, so it's with a bittersweet heart

 

 that I put the finishing touches on my baby. It's so beautiful

 

 watching stories grow up, letting them grow on their own, but trying

 

 to help them here and there. ^-^ I'm sad to see it end, but I'm glad

 

 that it all worked out. Maybe someday I'll return to Prism Hearts. ^-

 

 ^ After all, Kairi's own daughter has a story to tell. Her own

 

 journey to travel, sacrifices to make, and loves to find. I'd like to

 

 thank my wonderful Lainebear for her help with the FF6 scene in this

 

 story as well as for letting me force her to read all of the chapters

 

 when I'd finish them. ^-^ And Chi for being eager enough to want to

 

 see me finish this series. ^-^ And Jason, as always, for letting me

 

 bounce ideas off of him. ^-^ And to all of you who accompanied Kairi

 

 on her journey. ^-^ Thanks to all of you, from both of us. And always

 

 remember, 'Even in Darkness, there will always be Light.'