(To Lacan…for happiness found.)
Epilogue: Dreams of Peace
"To laugh often and much,
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded."
...Ralph Waldo Emerson
"…You've got to be joking."
"I'm afraid not, Kaiba," Yami replied with a decent amount of smug satisfaction, which he felt was justified. It was only a couple of weeks later and, already, the teenage billionaire was back to his old habits, which mainly consisted of challenging Yami to duels that he thought he could win. The keyword being thought. "I believe I just took the rest of your lifepoints."
Astonishingly, Kaiba said nothing, just continuing to stare—with all the reserved disbelief he was capable of showing—at the 'monster' that had been holographically recreated from Yami's cards. Yami had to admit he had been a little uncertain as to whether or not that particular card was compatible with the technologies of his world. Apparently, it was, as the glowing avatar in the shape of his dear friend Ranma was hovering triumphantly in front of the wisps of pseudo-smoke that had been Kaiba's Blue Eyes Shining Dragon. At Kaiba's words, the figure even grinned in the martial artist's signature way, muscled arms crossed over his chest.
"That was still a very good Duel, Kaiba. I'm grateful for the practice," Yami continued with a smile, to which Kaiba responded with a murderous glare. "Come, Kaiba, shouldn't you know by now? You can't compete with the heart of the cards, especially if it comes from people like them."
Kaiba actually quirked a brow, his severe face loosening, however slightly. "You mean you have one for him, too?"
"But of course," Yami replied and looked up at the image of his friend, Yugi looking as well and with just as much affection and tender memories. "They'll never leave me, even if we are worlds apart."
Surprising Yami once again, Kaiba stood still a moment or two, then spun around and began walking away, a few words muttered disgustedly as he did so. "Like I would even want to have anything to do with that."
And Yami laughed, his deep, knowing voice dancing happily through the air.
It's good to hear you laugh, Yami.
"…I suppose it is," the spirit replied to his light's inner smile. "I miss them already. That journey took nearly four months; their presence had become a constant in my life. However, I know I am never without them."
Seeming to hear his words, the image of Ranma turned, grinned, and disappeared, blurring the lines between Kaiba's hologram-producing technology and Yami's own magic. The former Pharaoh wasn't much interested in forming theories at the moment, though, and contented himself with putting his dueling deck back into order.
"And besides…," Yami began with a smile, switching places with Yugi as he did so, making the rest of his sentence echo in both their hearts.
…I know they're never without me, either.
"Has anyone seen Ranma?" Akane asked as she walked into the main room of her home, spotting the majority of her family but no black-haired idiot. "Is he gone?"
"I don't think so," Nabiki answered as she lounged over the table, a magazine held carelessly in one hand as she read it. "I saw him go outside about an hour ago. Haven't seen 'em since."
"Are you worried about him?" Kasumi innocently asked, looking back over her shoulder as she dusted the television.
At her politely spoken question, both their own father Soun and Ranma's father Genma looked over at Akane with pointedly interested faces. Before they could say anything, she shot them a glare that promised terrible retribution and did an abrupt about face, making her way into their small garden. Slamming the patio door shut behind her, she breathed in the crisp night air, feeling more at peace. And, really, as annoying as they could be, she was glad to have them back again. To be home.
Strangely enough, she thought she could hear music and, brows flicking together in confusion, she stepped out onto the cool grass and turned around, her head tilting back in the starlight.
"…Ranma?"
"Oh, hey Akane," he replied from his vantage point on the roof, lowering the golden guitar he held in his hands. "You need anything?"
"Er, no…," she answered, feeling foolish now that she had found him. He'd obviously gone off to find some time by himself, though she hadn't known he had learned to play. "Were you…practicing?"
"Yeah…sorry if it bothered ya."
"It doesn't bother me!" She exclaimed, then blushed and looked away. "You sound a lot better than I thought you would."
"Gee, thanks," he said with a wry grin. "Nice to know I don't totally suck."
She looked back and made a face at him, then relaxed at what she saw in his eyes. "Why don't you…keep practicing? It might help."
"Sounds good," he replied and his supple hands returned to the glittering strings, the strong, soft music drifting off into the night as she stood and listened to him play.
Akane was silent for a long time, her eyes gradually falling shut as she lost herself in the fine, sharply resonating notes. Then, looking again to Ranma, she asked in a very different voice:
"…do you miss them?"
Ranma did not stop playing, but he spoke just loudly enough for her to hear. "…yeah. But I'm okay with it; ya don't have ta worry about me."
"Who says I'm worried?" She grumbled, but she caught just a hint of a telltale grin on Ranma's face. Her words softened, though she didn't seem to be aware of it. "Fine, think whatever you want. I'm just…glad you're happy."
Ranma had to stop at that, staring down at Akane with some surprise. After a moment, however, he only smiled, the expression both old and new at the same time.
"Happy? I've been happy a long time, Akane. Me and you just didn't notice it."
"Maybe we should move."
"…Nah. The tides aren't coming in 'til this evening."
"That's several hours away."
"So?"
"We'll be fried to a crisp just laying here in the sun."
"It'll heal."
"Yeah," Kairi countered as she rolled over and poked Sora in the side. "After you look like a fool for two weeks."
"And that's a bad thing because…?"
"Nevermind," she sighed and smiled as she got into a sitting position, her arms wrapping around her knees. "You're already enough of a fool."
"Ain't it the truth," Sora replied with a grin and stretched, his face tilted just so to catch the brilliant rays of the sun. "It's so nice and warm, I could stay here forever."
"Forever is a long time, Sora," Riku told him as he walked up out of the surf, his now short silver hair plastered to his skull and bare chest slick with wet. The blindfold, astonishingly enough, was still in place. He swung his head back and forth, seawater flying in all directions. "I think now would be a good time to go in for lunch."
"Ooooh, Sora, a dilemma!" Kairi stage whispered melodramatically. "You must choose! Laziness or food?"
Sora gave an exaggerated moan and grimaced, curling into a fetal position. "No! Don't make me sacrifice any of my dearest loves! I would not survive it!"
Kairi and Riku laughed, Sora grinning at them through his fingers. Riku shook his head at the foolishness even as he chuckled, though his sea-colored eyes were twinkling brightly behind their dark sheath. He offered a hand to his friend, the gentle waves brushing against his ankles. "Come on, I'm sure you can be lazy and eat at the same time."
"Yeah, in bed maybe," Sora quipped, but took Riku's hand, one strong grip lifting the other. Then, he himself turned and grasped Kairi's hand in his to do the same. "Still, food sounds good. I haven't eaten since breakfast!"
"Me neither!" Kairi gasped, looking horrified, and pointed dramatically at the Seaside Shack, which currently contained a picnic table ready for use. "Hurry! To lunch!"
"Race you!" Riku suddenly shouted, breaking into a sprint in nothing but his swim trunks, hair growing wilder as it was combed by the wind. "Try to keep up, you two!"
"HAH!" Sora cried in challenge and took off, though his laughing eyes were aimed back, his hand still firmly around Kairi's as, together, they caught up with their friend. He went no faster than she, keeping constantly at her side, and felt once again the deepest love as her hand squeezed his in return. "Better look out, Riku! We're gonna pass you!"
"You wish!" He shot back with a laugh and gazed up at the sky, feeling a warmth that he almost could not believe. It may have just been his imagination, but the entire world seemed suddenly brighter, fuller, as if no darkness was left anywhere at all. He knew it wasn't true, but it was nice to feel it just the same.
As one, they ran beneath the slanting bars of sunlight, the seawind tugging at their hair and the sounds of the waves and winging seagulls weaving the melody of home and peace.
"I'm happy for them," spoke the man who could be called Deadon as he watched the trio of reunited, destined friends. Though he remained unseen to their eyes, the breeze still tugged at his sun-bleached hair and worn seaman's clothes. A strangely familiar smile on his face, he looked down at the companion that stood next to him. "They went through so much. I wish…that I could have done more."
"What you did was enough," the mouse king Mickey replied softly, eyes gentle and full of a knowledge and emotion that almost could not be comprehended. "It was enough…they're whole again and, even now…they still have time."
There was a brief moment of silence then, the pair pausing as the three companions sprinted down the beach and joyous laughter played in their ears as the children ran right through their insubstantial bodies. At least one of them felt the warmth of their presence, the aura of deeply connected beings felt by the newly-instated Keybearer of Hearts.
However, he did not speak of it, only smiled and remained at the side of those he loved.
Watching them go, Deadon's smile grew almost sad, the man's form blurring and shifting as he reached to place a hand on Mickey's shoulder. "They have their time, but what about you, old friend? What time do you have left?"
At first, Mickey did not answer, simply watching as Deadon phased into a different existence, a much more slender man with short, neat dark hair, a modest, well-kept moustache, and slender, supple hands solidifying before him. The rugged attire became a clean, well-cut suit, dark, joyful eyes watching him with all their quiet, deeply felt emotion. His face was still tanned, his features still charming in their brightness and friendship, but the weathered years were gone, replaced by a younger, so much more aged perception.
The king was not surprised, for he knew this man—had known him for lifetimes upon lifetimes, for every incarnation Mickey had ever experienced. Knew him, trusted him, depended on him, cared for him, aware that, very soon, they might never see each other again.
"I have a little time, enough to finish what needs to be done," the king answered, placing his gloved hand over his friend's. "I want them to be as ready as possible. Sora and Riku, and Kairi as well…they are the only ones we can depend on now."
The man who was and was not Deadon nodded his consent, taking Mickey's hand as they turned towards a door that did and did not exist, their forms now bathed in a brilliant white light no others could see. "I know, but I trust them. Even though I wasn't the one who dreamed them, I still believe in them completely. Just like I've always believed in you, Mickey."
Just before both of them faded from one existence into another, Mickey smiled an old, happy smile, the Keyblade Master finding solace in the one person who knew all that there was to know about him.
"You know…you're the only one who ever calls me that anymore, Walt."
Court of Souls…End
…We're done. Done. DONE. True, the chapters were technically finished more than three weeks ago, but the truth is, it hasn't really hit me that this fic is DONE until just now. And that is truly something. It's been over three years…and, for all I know, it may be three more years, seeing as yes, there is THE SEQUEL, Reign of Dreams, in which lingering mysteries will be solved; new foes will be faced; friends will leave and friends will return; and there will be the loss of something which can never be regained by those that lost it.
All this and so much more, soon to come.
But anyway! Some closure is needed, yes? First off, a little tidbit I've been keeping to myself, but always intended to reveal anyway!
Namely, the funky rooms in the Obsidian Depths. They seemed…familiar, didn't they? Well, here's the TRUTH, which no one seemed to figure out. Look at the first one, with all the columns and the braziers, never mind their dilapidated state. They were kinda like the stuff at Olympus Coliseum, weren't they? And the room with the many doors melted together was reminiscent of the entrance to Wonderland; the room with the stuff on the ceiling was Traverse Town turned upside down. The room where Ranma fought was like Atlantica, just…creepier. And Yami fought in a darker version of the deserts of Agrabah. Lastly—and it being the only one anyone recognized—Sora fought in another version of the Hollow Bastion front hall. These came about, of course, because of Aros' perverted memories; he could recall the places, but not what they meant to him, or how they were really supposed to appear. He made them anyway, and those rooms were the result.
Next, EVERY ANIME USED: Ranma ½, Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokémon, Lupin III, Zoids, Outlaw Star, Sohryuden: Legend of the Dragon Kings, Magic Knight Rayearth, Card Captor Sakura, Tenchi Muyo, Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon, Trigun, Digimon (01 and 03, I think), G Gundam, Ultimate Muscle, Rurouni Kenshin, Gundam Wing, Inuyasha, Hellsing, Spirited Away, Slayers: Try, RahXephon, Black Jack, Weiss Kruez, Excel Saga, Yami no Matsuei, Kiki's Delivery Service, Ushio & Tora, Wish, Yu Yu Hakusho, Shaman King, FCLC (Furi Kuri/Fooly Cooly), FAKE, Android Kikaider, Cowboy Bebop, Mirage of Blaze, Big O, Vampire Hunter D (with a guy named D in it), Porco Rosso, Fruits Basket, Saiyuki, Cyborg 009, Eerie Queerie, Argento Soma, Hikaru no Go, Suikoden III (kinda sorta…), Naruto, Interstella 5555, Usagi, Wolf's Rain, Night Walker, One Piece, Sonic X, D.N. Angel, Astro Boy, Blue Seed, Juvenile Orion, Samurai Deeper Kyo, Ronin Warriors, Witch Hunter Robin, Princess Mononoke, SD Gundam, X/1999, Bleach, DigiCharat (or however you spell that…), Mega Man (just barely mentioned, but yeah…), Angel Sanctuary, Full Metal Alchemist, Petshop of Horrors (with a guy named D in it), Earthian, and Escaflowne.
Animes intended to be added in the revision: The Cat Returns, Fushigi Yuugi, Peacemaker Kurogane, Demon Ororon, Gokusen, Great Teacher Onizuka, Read or Die, Crying Freeman, Full Metal Panic, and Millennium Actress.
Aaaaannndd…thanks! First, to Koorino Megumi, for listening to me rant about my stories, putting up with extra cliffhangers, and for the strange yet cool feeling of realizing after months of being friends that our fics were first posted on the same day. To Akai, 'cause her fics rock my socks and inspire me to no end, whether its for Kenshin or otherwise; also, for turning me into a Zack fangirl. To Squeak and Star, for also putting up with my rants, and forgiving me when I get them mixed up. To Bugamorph, 'cause she patiently listened to me blab on and on at school, even when she hadn't played Kingdom Hearts yet. To Lacan, for inspiration and a critical eye for detail that I usually lacked. To my mom, for encouraging me every step of the way, regardless of the sleep I lost, the homework I forgot about, and the numerous times I made her cry in public when telling her of how a particular scene or ending was going to go.
And lastly, many, many thanks to every single reviewer that has read and enjoyed this story. While I often write for the sake of writing, to be able to place the ideas and images in my head on a piece of paper (or in an electronic document), the added bonus of knowing that my work is appreciated and shared is enough to bring a smile to my face. So, despite the late nights, the worry, the sprained hands, and the crumbs of various food items all over my keyboard, I know in my heart that I wouldn't trade this for anything else in the world.
Rem-chan, 25th of April, 2005
"Somehow, I can't believe there are many heights that can't be scaled by one who knows the secret of making dreams come true."
…Walt Disney