rlm@0: Prism Hearts 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Epilogue
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Simple and Clean
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: by Amazoness Duo
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: amazonessduo@hotmail.com
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 'Every new beginning is some other beginning's end.'
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: At first, there was only darkness. It stretched out for an eternity,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: a sea of blackness that knew no end. But slowly, ever so slowly, a
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: glimmer appeared. Then another. And another. Like stars shimmering in
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: the night sky, they appeared, delivering light unto the darkness. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “I told you she would save us,” Aerith said, smiling faintly as the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: blackness began to take shape under the light. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Perhaps,” Harle replied, the dragon god remaining in the form of
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: the female harlequin. “But she did envelop everything in darkness
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: before she did.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “We will rebuild. Just as we did before. And this time, without the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Heartless.” The young blonde girl named Aya smiled at her twin
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: sister, Maya. Yes, Kairi had given them a second chance for this
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: world. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “But of course, you do realize that nothing is ever completely gone,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: right?” Harle asked, raising an eyebrow. “Wherever zere is light,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: zere is also darkness.”Aerith smiled, nodding. “And where there is
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: darkness, there will always be light. Perhaps they're inseperable.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Like life, death, and rebirth. Now, the worlds can all be reborn.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “If you'll please hurry, that would be appreciated. I hate having to
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: ferry the dead back to the land of the living,” Sophie says softly,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: angel wings seemingly holding her aloft in the darkness. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “All good things take time, Sophie. But it won't be much longer
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: now,” Aerith promises.And around them, the worlds slowly begin to
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: take shape once more. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Dear diary,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Everything seems fine here on the Destiny Islands. I'm sitting on
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: the pier with my feet in the beautiful aquamarine water. It's so nice
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: and warm. Quisty and Seifer are playing Triple Triad again behind me.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: I'm so tempted to scoop up some water and splash Quisty. It'd be fun!
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: But I'm not sure if she'd think so. She concentrates too hard when
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: playing games. Which is why I have so much fun trying to distract
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: her! She's sitting behind me, so I'm resting my back against her as I
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: write this. She's so cuddly. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Anyway, no one really knows what happened at the Heart of the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Universe. Everything went black and that's the last thing anyone
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: remembers. After that, we all kinda woke up back home. The Destiny
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Islands are beautiful again. No weird holes, no scary, ominous skies.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: THe ocean's beautiful and warm again. It's like nothing ever
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: happened. We looked for the door that led to the End of the World,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: but it was gone. It's almost like it was all just a dream. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Elder Seymour stepped down from his place as the highest elder. I
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: said we should nominate Quisty, but she said she was too young for
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: the position. Wouldn't it be great if Quisty could be the elder of
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: the Destiny Islands? She's all cute and serious! She'd be the perfect
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: new leader for the islands. All of the children listen to her. Well,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: except for Seifer. But he just doesn't listen to her because he has
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: fun riling her up. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Tidus is back! He says he doesn't remember anything after Sin got
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: him, though. Which is probably better. I wouldn't even want to
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: remember Sin getting me if it was my choice! Poor guy. But you know
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Tidus. Nothing can keep him down. He's already back to playing that
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: water soccer game thing he made up with Wakka. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Yuna's doing better. She felt awful for the longest time, but we've
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: all been trying to cheer her up. We're trying to let her know that
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: none of us blame her for what happened. I probably would've done the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: same thing if something had happened to Quisty! I think that catgirl
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Yuna and I found, Rikku, has been helping Yuna a lot. Only she's not
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: a cat anymore. How sad! She made such a cute kitty! But she's been
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: there with Yuna the whole time. Yuna smiles a lot around her, so that
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: makes me happy. Rikku asked Yuna to come travel the different worlds
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: with her. Isn't that romantic? I wonder what Yuna will say. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: No one knows what happened to Kairi, Riku, and Sora. We haven't seen
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: any of them since Kairi ran off to the Heart of the Universe. I hope
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: they're okay. They have to be, right? They are. I know they are.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: They've made it through all sorts of things. A little thing like the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: collapse of the universe wouldn't stop them. They're out there,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: somewhere. And we'll all be here waiting for when they come
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: back.Well, I better get back to distracting Quisty. Good luck out
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: there, everybody. Booyaka!Selphie
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Leaning back against her blonde lover, Selphie gazed up at the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: clouds. They floated lazily above their islands, enjoying the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: beautiful weather. They were reassuring, almost like whispers that
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: everything was finally all right. That feeling was reinforced by the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: sensation of Quistis's pink dress rustling against her back. Knowing
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: the blonde was nearby always lifted Selphie's already high spirits.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “It's so pretty... Quisty! Look! It looks just like a paopu fruit!”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The brunette pointed up at the heavens, gazing at a cloud that
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: resembled her favorite romantic fruit.Turning, Quistis adjusted her
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: glasses. She smiled faintly, nodding. The vaguely star shaped cloud
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: wouldn't have immediately made her think of a fruit from the island,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: but she found it cute the way Selphie's mind worked. The other girl
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: was such a romantic. “It is, isn't it?” “And I believe you lose
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: again, Miss Trepe,” Seifer interrupted, smirking. No matter how often
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Quistis told him to stop calling her that, he insisted upon it. She
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: was the most mature person he knew on the Islands and he liked the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: way it ruffled her feathers. Quistis was probably his best friend.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Where was the fun in that if he couldn't tease her now and again?
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Quistis turned quickly, blonde hair swishing over Selphie's head.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “What?” Quistis frowned. “Seifer, let me see those cards. You're
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: cheating, aren't you?” That was the third time he'd beaten her today.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: It was usually more give and take. Laughing, Seifer gathered up his
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: cards. “I'm wounded, Miss Trepe. You know cheating isn't my style.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: But I do always cherish the chance to mop the floor with my favorite
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: tutor.”He raised a blond eyebrow. “Another game, perhaps.”Sighing,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Quistis nodded. “Of course.” This was their ritual, wasn't it?
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Playing this game for hours, winning by such slim margins. But always
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: just so they could all play together. And of course, she had a
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: constant disadvantage. “But it isn't fair with Selphie trying to
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: distract me.” Selphie's fingers were currently in the bottom of her
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: sandals, tickling the undersides of her feet.Seifer simply grinned.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “That's why she's your girlfriend and not mine.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “But you're so much fun to distract!” Selphie squealed, turning to
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: hug Quistis tightly from behind.Quistis sighed overdramatically as
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Selphie began kissing her cheeks, but Seifer could see her smiling.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Waves crashed inches away from a small brunette girl gazing out to
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: sea. Her thoughts were muddled. She still felt guilty about the part
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: she had played in the recent chaos. She had let her fear of life
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: compell her into sending everything into the world of death. They had
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: every reason to hate her for that. But they didn't. And the one girl
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: she had betrayed the most had even followed her into that world of
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: death. “And now she wants me to go with her,” Yuna whispered to
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: herself. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Should she go? Should she travel that infinitely vast universe by
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Rikku's side? It was exciting, but it was also terrifying. She had
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: never been away from the Destiny Islands before. What might be out
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: there? Boundless possibilities. Her stomach rolled in anxiety. Rikku
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: would be leaving soon. What would she say? It would be a fresh start,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: a chance to see all the many worlds untold secrets. And by the side
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: of the girl she loved no less, a girl who had sacrificed her life for
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: her. It would be a chance to get away from her pain and fears, to try
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: to discover the joys of living. Was it worth the risk?
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Yunie?” Rikku broke into the brunette's thoughts. She wrung her
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: hands as she stood in front of her. Would Yuna agree? Her heart was
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: all over the place. She didn't want to leave without the beautiful
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: brunette. What if she wanted to stay? What if she was too afraid to
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: leave? Yuna looked up at her, her blue and green eyes almost flashing
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: in the sunlight. “Please, Yunie, come with me. I don't want to go
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: without you. I... I love you!” The blonde dropped down next to Yuna
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: on the sand, gazing deeply into her eyes. “I finally found you, the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: treasure I've been looking for all my life. I want to show you
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: everything. I want to see everything with you.” She clasps Yuna's
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: hand tightly to her chest, pleading with her swirling emerald eyes.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “All the beautiful things the worlds hold, we can see them all.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Please, Yunie. I just want to be with you for it all.” Yuna smiled,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: blinking back tears as she gazed back at Rikku. Her hand cupped
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Rikku's cheek. “Rikku... Of course I'll go with you. I... I want that
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: to. To see everything... with you.” Leaning forward, the brunette
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: lightly kissed the blonde. It was strange now that Rikku wasn't a
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: catgirl. She was used to the scratchy tongue against hers. But this,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: she admitted, was very, very nice as well. Rikku nearly pounced on
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: the petite girl in her joy. Her arms wrapped tightly around Yuna as
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: they fell back onto the sand, kissing. She kissed Yuna as deeply as
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: she could, her heart aching for the girl in her arms. Each kiss was a
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: tiny 'thank you' to the brunette. She was coming with! They would be
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: together. All across the universe.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The tears rolling down Yuna's cheeks felt wonderfully freeing. She
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: was happy. She was going to be with Rikku. No matter what. From now
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: on. Her heart soared. Her hands stroked up and down Rikku's back as
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: they kissed. Though she was a bit embarrassed about the way Rikku was
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: kissing her so deeply right out in the open, she wouldn't trade it
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: for anything in the world. Let her embarrassment come. She could deal
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: with it. She kissed back as best she could. 'Oh, Rikku...' she
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: thought dreamily. Though still anxious about where this journey may
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: lead, she knew her blonde ex-catgirl would be there to see it through
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: with her. And that was all that mattered to her. “Yunie...” Rikku
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: said between kisses, trying to calm herself down enough to finally
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: pull away. But for once, Yuna's hands would let her go. Yuna held her
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: close, kissing back again and again. Rikku giggled, kissing deeply
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: again. “Yunie, they're here,” she got out at last. The sound of the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: gummi ship landing finally caught the brunette's attention. Yuna
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: blushed cutely and slowly let go of Rikku's waist. The thief helped
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Yuna to her feet, watching the gummi ship come to a halt.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: As the doors slid open, a brunette ninja came into view. Yuffie
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: gazed out onto the beach, her heart stopping for a moment. Her little
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: sister smiled at her on the beach, vibrant and alive. Alive. Kairi
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: had done it. She'd fixed things, after all. “Thank you, Kairi,”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Yuffie whispered. Tears burned at her eyes, but she tried desperately
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: to force them back. She was the greatest ninja ever, damnit. Ninja's
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: don't cry. Seeing the indecision in Yuffie's eyes, Relm, brushed her
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: knuckles over the ninja's cheek soothingly. “Go see her, Yuffie.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: She's missed you.”Yuffie didn't need anymore prodding. She ran out to
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: meet her sister, gripping her tightly in a hug. “Rikku!” When Yuffie
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: had seen Ansem cut her sister down, she had thought she'd never see
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Rikku again. Now, Rikku was in her arms and she was afraid of letting
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: her go. What if she disappeared? What if it was just a dream? No...
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: It was over. Her sister was back. She slowly stepped back, putting a
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: goofy grin on to hide her tear stained eyes. “You aren't a cat
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: anymore.” A stupid thing to say, but the best she could get
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: out.Laughing, Rikku nodded. “Nope. Not anymore.” She smiled back at
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Yuffie. Her big sister had tried so hard for her. That was so sweet.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: It was so nice just knowing Yuffie cared. “It's good to see you, too,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Yuffie.”Shaking her head, Yuffie can only smile. The pieces were all
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: falling into place. They had done it. They'd saved the universe. And
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: these small things, being with her sister again, it all made it
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: worthwhile. 'Kairi, wherever you are, we did it. We won.' She was
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: glad for her journey with the Keyblade Mistress. It had led her to
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: the girl she loved. It helped her find her sister again. It had fixed
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: their wounded worlds. She only hoped she could see the princess again
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: someday. They were a team, Kairi, Relm, and herself. She felt that
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: something was missing without the princess. “Yunie's coming with us!”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Rikku said excitedly. Taking Yuna's hand, she pulled the brunette
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: closer, smiling brightly. Yuna blushed faintly and nodded. Laughing,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Yuffie nodded. “Is she joining the Radical Dreamers? Relm's coming
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: with us, too. She's going to paint the backgrounds for out
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: performances. People will be so dazzled that they'll practically be
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: asking to give us their gil.” The ninja winked smugly. “Yunie could
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: dance! That would be great! We could fit her into our performances!”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Rikku hopped from foot to foot. Having seen Yuna dance, she knew
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: plenty of other people would love to see her perform. And with their
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: travelling troupe of actors/thieves, it would work perfectly.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “They'll be enchanted!”“Wait!” Yuna blushed and shook her head.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Performing? In front of people? She didn't know they'd be doing that. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “It'll be great, Yunie!” Rikku assured her, squeezing the other
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: girl's hand, already picturing Yuna dancing in front of packed
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: crowds. “How cute!”Relm laughed, wrapping her arms around Yuffie's
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: right arm. “Looks like we'll be able to put on some interesting
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: performances.” She nuzzles the other girl's ear, whispering. “But my
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: favorite performances are the onces you give when we're alone.” She
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: delighted at the blush that crossed her sarcastic ninja's face.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Giggling, she kissed the other girl's cheek. She now had something to
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: focus her considerable painting skills on. And she got to travel with
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: her beautiful ninja. Granted, it was so they could steal from all
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: sorts of places, but she could live with that. It was pretty easy for
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: her to accept that Yuffie was a thief. As long as she was her thief.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Are ya'll comin' or not?” Cid called out, irritated. “Buncha kids.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: We got places to go.”“We're coming, old man!” Yuffie yelled back. “I
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: knew I should have taken the ship myself.” The ninja shrugged. “Well,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: we all ready?”“Yep!” Rikku smiled, turning to Yuna. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Yuna nodded slowly, smiling. “Let's go.” The group of girls made
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: their way to the gummi ship. Relm paused at the entrance. She thought
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: she heard something. She turned, looking out at the beach. It felt
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: familiar.“Relm? You okay?” Yuffie asked curiously. Relm looked deep
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: in concentration. “What's takin' ya'll so long?” Cid called
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: down.Yuffie slammed her hand into the wall near her, trying to get
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Cid's attention. “Hold on a minute!” She turned back to watch Relm.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: There it was again. Distant, but unmistakable. Relm stepped away from
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: the entrance, glancing around rapidly. Where was it coming from? It
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: had to be real, right? It couldn't just be her imagination. And
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: again. A bark. And this time she saw its owner racing towards her.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Interceptor!” she cried out, elation running throughout her as the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: dog her father had left to protect her pounced into her waiting arms.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: He was alive! Her best friend was alive. She'd known him since he was
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: a puppy. They'd always been together. And he was back again.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Interceptor licked at her cheek as she giggled, holding him close.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Their journey had been long and hard. But it had been worth it.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Resting her hand on Relm's shoulder, Yuffie smiled. “Come on. Cid's
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: getting cranky again. Let's get out of here.” Relm nodded, letting go
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: of Interceptor. Her dog, loyal as ever, stayed near her, afraid she
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: would be whisked away from him again. She followed Yuffie into the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: ship, taking the ninja's warm hand. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Yuffie shook her head, but smiled faintly. “Fine, but he's not
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: sleeping in our room.”Yuna hurried to the window with Rikku. Yelling
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: and cheering arose from the island below. The brunette smiled as she
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: saw all of her friends waving goodbye to her. Tidus and Wakka had
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: written 'Goodbye, Yuna' in the sand. Lulu was casting magic in the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: air like fireworks. The others waved as she lifted away. “See, Yunie?
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: They could never hate you,” Rikku said, hugging Yuna from behind.Yuna
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: watched her friends through her tears, still smiling. “Yes, I guess
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: you're right....” She placed her hand on the glass. She was happy to
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: know they still cared about her.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Arise, Queen Garnet.”Garnet stood up, cheers erupting around her.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Beatrix smiled at her, nodding. She gazed out at all the people. She
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: was now their queen. It wasn't something she had been expecting. But
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: her mother had insisted, stepping down from the position. All she
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: knew was that she would try her best for the people of Alexandria.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Thank you. Everyone.” A flash of purple brought a smile to her lips.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: At least she wouldn't be alone. She turned her attention to Eiko. The
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: younger girl smiled brightly at her, urging her on. The summoner girl
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: had declined going back home, choosing instead to stay in Alexandria
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: with Garnet. And Eiko's support bolstered Garnet. She could do it.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Alexandria needed her. She stepped forward to accept the throne.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: They stood side by side on the rooftop bridge spanning the ice-laden
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: cliffs above the town, watching the snow fall peacefully around.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “It’s so beautiful,” Terra said softly, looking out with wonder.  “I
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: don’t remember it ever being this beautiful here.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “It probably hasn’t,” the other Magitek Knight nodded.  “This is the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: first we’ve been without the Heartless.  Even the factions against
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: the Empire have died down for now.  Personally, I’m glad for a little
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: peace and quiet.  Might even have time to make a home here instead of
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: wandering.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: They fell silent for a moment, content with simply enjoying the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: natural splendor that presented itself.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: ‘I’m so glad Kairi could set things to rights,’ the green-haired
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: woman thought.  ‘Otherwise none of this…none of us would be here. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Even Kefka’s doing well, serving the Emperor again.  And we…we can
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: finally be free….’  She leaned closer to Celes and intertwined their
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: fingers.  “Can you ever forgive me?” 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “There’s nothing to forgive,” the blonde smiled softly, reaching
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: over and placing an arm around Terra’s waist.  “Nothing at all.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Terra smiled back gratefully and rested her head against Celes’
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: shoulder, the snow dancing light-heartedly through the skies.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Kid! Did you catch dinner yet?” Leena asked, stepping out onto the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: docks of Arni. She spotted the pretty blonde struggling with a
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: fishing line.“Dang blasted thing won't work! I'm a thief, not a
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: fisherman,” Kid growled. Taking the line from Kid's hands, Leena
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: reeled the fish in. Smiling, she kissed the other girl's cheek,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: handing the fish to her. “Go wash up. I'll start dinner.”Kid merely
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: blinked in stunned silence. Was there anything the redhead couldn't
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: do. “Err... Yes, dear.”~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “It seems like almost everyone has returned except the princess,”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Rinoa stated, sitting around the grand library of Hollow Bastion with
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Squall, Aerith, and the Turks. “And Cloud,” Squall added. Rinoa
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: nudged him hard in the side. She'd intentionally not mentioned him so
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: as not to worry Aerith. Aeirth smiled softly. “Cloud will come back
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: to me. He always does. It's only a matter of time.” And time was
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: something she had plenty of. She would wait as long as it took for
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: him to find his way back to her. Just as Kairi had Sora and Riku, she
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: had Cloud. And just as surely, she knew he would return to her.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “But what do we do without the Princess?” Reno asked leaning against
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: a bookshelf. “Should we just wait for her?” Elena nibbled on her
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: lower lip. “That's assuming she is coming back,” Vincent pointed out. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “But if she's not, what can we do?” Elena shot back.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “We do what we can. We rebuild. We try to make Hollow Bastion as
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: beautiful and as wonderful as we can make it. It's what Princess
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Hikari would have wanted.” Aerith stands up. “It's all we can do for
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: her. But I know it will make her happy.” 'We'll protect your dreams,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Kairi. Forever. It's the least we can do for your sacrifice. And if
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: you can ever find a way back, I'll make sure Hollow Bastion is
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: waiting for you.'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “You're sure you haven't seen her? She looks a lot like me, but with
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: shorter hair,” an auburn haired girl asked, standing beside a
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: brunette boy around the same age. The two waited eagerly for the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: reply.The blonde girl shook her head slowly. “I'm sorry. I don't
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: think I have.” Turning she looked over her shoulder. “Kumiko! Come
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: here.” 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: A girl with long, braided brunette hair came up to the small group.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Yes, Megumi-chan?”Megumi pointed back to the auburn haired girl.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Have you ever seen someone who looks like her? With shorter
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: hair?”Shaking her head apologetically, Kumiko looked at the girl.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “No, I haven't.”“That's okay. Thanks for your help,” the brunette boy
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: smiled before walking off with the auburn haired girl. “So she isn't
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: here, either.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “It's okay. I didn't think she would be,” the girl replied, brushing
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: some hair from her eyes. “But she's out there. I can feel it. She's
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: waiting for us.”“Then let's not keep her waiting.” The boy looked
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: down at the girl, grinning. “It's so weird not that you're smaller
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: than me, Riku.”“Don't start that, Sora. You know I can still send you
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: away limping just like always,” Riku said, a smile splaying across
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: her mouth. This body was Kairi's gift to Riku. With his body
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: destroyed, his soul would have returned to the Lifestream, but she
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: had left her body for him. It was taking a while to get used to it,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: though. He had let the hair grow out longer and wore a different
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: style from Kairi, but the fact that it was female still threw him for
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: a loop now and then. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The two had travelled across so many worlds since the universe had
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: been reborn. And they would continue travelling until they finally
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: found Kairi. That was their mission, to find the girl they both
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: loved. No matter where it took them. And they wouldn't stop until
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: they were with her again.“The next world?” Sora asked, pulling up his
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Keyblade.Riku nodded. “Maybe we'll have better luck on this one.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 'Just wait a little longer for us, Kairi. We're
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: coming.'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: My wrists ache. I tug weakly at the bandages that cover my wrists.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: They remind me of the wristbands I wore as part of my outfit back on
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: the Destiny Islands. But those weren't tinted red. Owwwww....“Hikari,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: don't play with those. You'll just make it worse,” mom says worriedly
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: as she sets down a tray with some noodles. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: I stop plucking at them and look better at her. I still feel guilty
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: about almost leaving her all alone. But she's been as sweet and
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: supportive as ever. “Thanks, mom,” I whisper. She smiles back and I
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: feel a little more at ease. She doesn't blame me, at least. That
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: makes it a little easier. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “If you need anything, I'll be in the other room, sweetie.” Mom
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: waves as she exits the room. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: I slump back in my bed, stuffed characters falling in every
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: direction. It try not to look, knowing Riku's doll is lying just at
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: the corner of my eye. Damn. I can't help it. My eyes shoot to it and
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: my heart plummets just like I knew it would. It's been a few weeks,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: but I still feel the pain of the night I had to say goodbye to them.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: I miss them so much. I finally found them and I was the one who had
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: to leave. Hugging the Riku doll tightly, I gaze at the wet, rainy
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: window. Are they happy? Did our sacrifices matter? I can only hope
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: the other princesses got to remake everything. That the Destiny
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Islands are bright and beautiful again. As long as it was worth it,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: then I'm glad about what I did. I'd love to go back, but mom needs
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: me. I didn't realize just how much until now. And now that I'm gone,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: the doorway is shut. The Heartless, the darkness of reality can't
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: filter in. All that I love there is finally safe. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: They said they were surprised I made it. They did everything they
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: could to revive me, but in the end, the doctors said it all depended
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: on me. If I hadn't stopped Hikari... No, that's not right. I am
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Hikari. I remember everything that happened from both of our sides.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: If the light in my heart hadn't changed my mind, then I would have
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: died. And all of those beautiful dreams would have died with me. And
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: mom would have been all alone. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Mom's been overprotective lately. I can understand why. And it's
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: really sweet of her to be spending so much time with me. We've been
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: playing games together every night. She said she's going to take me
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: to a videogame/anime convention in a month or two, so I need to pick
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: out what costume I want her to make for both of us. This is why I
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: couldn't have stayed there and closed the door. Because I love her
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: too much. I could never entirely give up on this world. I wonder what
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Aya and Aerith gave up in this world when they went to the other
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: one?But still... I miss them so much. Turning my head, I gaze at the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: picture I drew, framed by my bedstand now. There's the me from the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Destiny Islands kneeling with Riku sitting on my left and Sora
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: resting against me on the right. Yuffie and Relm are standing behind
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: us. My friends. The boys I love. And now all I can do are draw
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: pictures of them, or dream about being together again. My heart aches
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: everyday. I love them. I know that. I will always love them. I hold
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: the tiny trinket, all I still have from that world. A tiny key on a
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: chain that I wear around my neck. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: That world is safe now. I'm happy for my part in that. Sacrifices
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: had to be made, but I understand that. Now I am back in the darkness
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: of the world I sought so hard to escape. But... Even in darkness,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: there will always be light. I have my mother. And one day... One
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: day... I'll have you both again... I'll be waiting for you. I love
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: you. Always. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Author's notes: Well, this is the end of Prism Hearts for now. ^-^
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Kairi has completed her journey. She has shut the door between the
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: real world and the other world. The Heartless can't reach it anymore.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Riku and Sora will continue searching for her, no matter how long it
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: takes them. I'm happy with how it all turned out. ^-^ It took me a
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: year to write, and it went in all sorts of directions I hadn't
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: expected, but I'm happy with it. ^-^ There were times when I was
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: worried it wouldn't get finished, so it's with a bittersweet heart
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: that I put the finishing touches on my baby. It's so beautiful
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: watching stories grow up, letting them grow on their own, but trying
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: to help them here and there. ^-^ I'm sad to see it end, but I'm glad
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: that it all worked out. Maybe someday I'll return to Prism Hearts. ^-
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: ^ After all, Kairi's own daughter has a story to tell. Her own
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: journey to travel, sacrifices to make, and loves to find. I'd like to
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: thank my wonderful Lainebear for her help with the FF6 scene in this
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: story as well as for letting me force her to read all of the chapters
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: when I'd finish them. ^-^ And Chi for being eager enough to want to
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: see me finish this series. ^-^ And Jason, as always, for letting me
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: bounce ideas off of him. ^-^ And to all of you who accompanied Kairi
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: on her journey. ^-^ Thanks to all of you, from both of us. And always
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: remember, 'Even in Darkness, there will always be Light.'