Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue

[] [Prologue---(PRO)] []

(In a barren wasteland several discarded Keyblades lay scattered across the ground. Nearby stands a stone mountain, a storm raging above. The clouds part to reveal the shining, heart-shaped moon known as Kingdom Hearts, which proceeds to absorb countless particles of light into its depths. In the distance a figure bears witness to this event, their black coat billowing in the wind. Holding a Keyblade, the figure rests it on the ground, the eye embedded in the tip of the blade facing the moon. A large black box lies next to the figure)

[---] [Opening---(OPN)] [---]

(In the Mysterious Tower, Yen Sid addresses Riku, Kairi, and Mickey in his study)

Yen Sid: The great battle with Xehanort is almost upon us. As you know, we must take action to keep the seven pure lights safe, and thus we must hasten to assemble the seven guardians of light. It is time to return to our world the three Keyblade wielders we lost over a decade ago. Ventus, Terra, and Aqua must be saved from their sad end, for they have more to achieve. Following their first battle with Xehanort, Ventus's heart refused to awaken, and so Aqua found a safe location to conceal him. But when she set off in search of her other missing friend Terra, she fell to a place from which there is no return without outside help.

(Yen Sid switches his gaze over to Mickey, who nods in return. Mickey faces Riku and Kairi)

Mickey: I saw her. In the realm of darkness.

[] [Dark World: Castle of Dreams---(COD)] []

(In the Dark World, Aqua walks through a dark forest path lined with flowers on both sides. She gasps as something in front of her catches her eye)

Aqua: Could it be?

(The Castle of Dreams stands in the distance. Aqua begins heading toward it)

Aqua: Why is Cinderella's world...here in the darkness?

(A group of Shadows appears in front of Aqua. She summons her Master's Defender Keyblade she inherited from Eraqus and defeats the Shadows)

Aqua (narrating): There's no "time" in the realm of darkness.

(She sees two more Shadows attempting to blindside her from the right and dispatches them)

Aqua (narrating): I walk...on and on without end.

(The battle finished, Aqua makes her Keyblade vanish)

Aqua (narrating): In the realm of light, do days or years pass with each step? I know something has started to go wrong.

Aqua: I must hurry.

(Aqua continues advancing toward the castle. As she breaks out into a run, the stone path in front of her begins to quake and crumble. Aqua stops at the edge of the path before it collapses, and sighs while looking at the small stone pillars that remain)

Aqua: I guess I know which way I'm going.

(Aqua hops on the pillars to cross the gap and slides along the trail of ice at the end. She reaches the outskirts of the town at the base of the castle and looks around)

Aqua (narrating): I haven't felt my heart stir in a long time. Something about this place...

(More Shadows block Aqua's passage into the town. She summons her Keyblade)

Aqua: It looks like worse things are stirring!

(She defeats the Shadows and makes her way to the heart of the town. She stops at a narrow street lit by street lamps)

Aqua: I took it for granted. I thought I had nothing in life to lose.

(She closes her eyes and woefully reminisces about her past adventures as a Keyblade wielder, including the time she spent with Terra and Ventus. She glances in the direction of the nearby Castle of Dreams)

Aqua (narrating): Here, too. Everyone in this world thought that they were safe. Not just the people...but the dog waiting for his owner...the cat curled up in her nook... So much life. Trees and flowers... There's no deeper sadness than discovering all that you knew is gone.

Aqua: The grief in this place is too much to fathom.

(Aqua sighs and looks down despairingly, but picks her head back up and continues walking)

Aqua: That's enough. I can't keep on wishing for the past.

(Aqua passes through a courtyard and walks down the road leading to the castle. She notices the castle's clock tower, its hands signifying midnight. As Aqua approaches her destination, tremors erupt and the road ahead of her collapses. A bell tolls as the clock begins to quickly advance several hours. Aqua turns around and starts running back to the courtyard. She lets out a shriek as the ground beneath her begins to sink, but she jumps to safety just in time. She looks back at the chasm now separating her and the castle. The clock's hands have stopped moving, and now read five o'clock)

Aqua (narrating): The road collapsed when the clock advanced.

(Aqua turns and sees a pile of large golden gears floating behind her. She sighs and strokes a lock of her bangs)

Aqua: If only I'd made it in time...

(She ponders to herself)

Aqua (narrating): But there is no time in this place, only...the clock.

(Aqua stands before the gears, summons her Keyblade, and strikes them. They start to emit a glow, turn, and rise into the air, dispersing into several shimmering particles that merge to form a single sparkle of light. The light shoots toward the clock tower and hits the clock, causing it to turn back one hour to four o'clock and the bell to toll again. Aqua faces the chasm and witnesses a portion of the road return to how it was prior to its collapse)

Aqua: I knew it. I won't get too far without those gears.

(Determined to reach the castle, Aqua searches the town for the remaining four gears. Along the way, she battles many enemies and traverses the warped and fragmented architecture of the realm of darkness. While in the town square, she takes notices of a gear's location)

Aqua: Is that one on the bridge?

(Aqua climbs up to the bridge and strikes the gear, restoring another portion of the road. A memory of herself with Terra and Ventus springs into her mind. Returning to the square, she sees another gear)

Aqua: I think that might be a gear up on that roof.

(She reaches the gear and activates it, recalling another memory in the process. She locates another gear at street-level and activates that one as well, recalling yet another memory after doing so. Aqua proceeds deeper into the town)

Aqua: There's an underground path? Interesting...

(She travels down the path and activates the final gear, recalling one last memory and restoring the road to the castle completely. While making her way back, Aqua encounters a horde of Shadows at the courtyard. They congregate, forming a swirling, snake-like swarm known as the Demon Tower, and attack Aqua. She defeats the Demon Tower and approaches the gates to the road, taking one final glance at the town before departing)

Aqua: Not even memories...are safe from the darkness.

(Aqua enters the Castle of Dreams and stops in front of the foyer staircase. She looks up at the clock, whose hands rest at midnight once again)

Aqua: What I wouldn't give to really turn back time...

(She looks up at the star-filled night sky)

Aqua: To spend one more night beneath the stars with my best friends.

(She reaches her hand out to the sky longingly, and with a shocked expression, brings it back. She looks down sullenly and sighs)

Aqua: I'm doing it again.

?????: Aqua.

(Startled, Aqua turns around and sees someone walking down the staircase)

Aqua: It can't be. What are you doing here?

(The person approaching her is Terra)

Aqua: You should be in the realm of light. Oh no! Did you not make it out? Don't tell me. Has the realm of light--

(Terra, smiling, doesn't respond. Aqua approaches him warily)

Aqua: Why won't you say anything to me?

(She attempts to take his hand, which glows and becomes incorporeal, her own hand phasing through it. Gasping, she takes her hand back and sighs, disappointed)

Aqua: So what are you, a memory among these shadows? Are you here to...try and tell me not to lose heart?

(Terra's entire body shines and disappears. Sullen once again, Aqua continues up the staircase and looks back toward the town she came from)

Aqua (narrating): The world keeps our thoughts alive. But where did the people who lived here go, once their world was taken away?

(Aqua closes her eyes and lays her fist on her chest)

Aqua: At least they're not here. So, they haven't fallen to darkness. I'll take what solace I can from that.

(Aqua walks up the stairs, her hope renewed)

[---] [Dark World: Dwarf Woodlands---(DWL)] [---]

(Aqua reaches a grassy clearing with a small hut nearby)

Aqua: Another world that was lost to the darkness? Hmm?

(She notices a glass coffin close to her right)

Aqua: Is that...?

(She walks over to the coffin and gasps as she sees the person inside)

Aqua: Ven!?

(Aqua places her hands on the coffin and looks at Ventus's unconscious body inside, but a moment later he vanishes. She recalls him sleeping in a room within Castle Oblivion)

Aqua (narrating): Ven. What did you come here to tell me? I know I promised to wake you up. I'm sorry. But I have to find a way home before I can help you. I just want you to know that it's been you that keeps my heart strong. Keeps the dark away.

(Aqua gently caresses the surface of the glass. She gasps and turns around, seeing a large, ornate mirror floating in mid-air. She walks over to it)

Aqua: It's a mirror...

(She places a hand on the mirror, causing it to start shining. Aqua recoils her hand in surprise, but her reflection comes to life and sticks its hand through the other side of the mirror to grab Aqua's)

Aqua: What!?

(Aqua is dragged into the mirror, and emerges through another mirror inside a large chamber. She catches her breath and begins examining her new surroundings. Many spiral-shaped columns and altars containing runes on their walls populate the room. Aqua walks toward the center of the room and sighs. She turns around and is shocked to see that three mirrors surround her, each one showing blue fire instead of a reflection. They spin around her and proceed to affix themselves to the walls inside three of the altars, firmly placed within the perimeter of the runes)

Aqua: What just happened?

(Aqua returns to the mirror she entered from. It does not show her reflection. She lifts up her hand, puzzled, and begins to contemplate her next course of action)

Aqua: Those mirrors... Maybe they're a clue.

(Aqua enters one of the mirrors that surrounded her and investigates the world within it, all the while being taunted by a phantom-like version of Aqua's voice)

Phantom Aqua: Are you really worthy of being a Keyblade Master? Is there any point in continuing this fight? You'll never see the realm of light again. Your bonds of friendship only tie you down. Just let go of everything and fade into the darkness.

(In the mirror world, Aqua traverses across the floating remnants of a mine and discovers another mirror at the end. She walks through it and enters an empty room with a reflective floor and walls resembling green flames. A single mirror hovers in the room, and Aqua walks in front of it)

Aqua: Is this what it means to face your demons?

(The mirror starts glowing. Aqua summons her Keyblade and readies for battle. Her reflection, the phantom within the mirror, attempts to grab her, but she jumps backward to avoid it. The phantom reaches its hand through the mirror and summons a Keyblade of its own)

Phantom Aqua: Only your heart is hollow enough to be a demon's.

(The phantom walks into the room through the mirror and takes a fighting stance)

Aqua: That's not true! My heart is strong! I'll prove it!

(Aqua defeats the phantom and faces the mirror)

Aqua: Terra, Ven...and now my own phantom? What could it all mean?

(The mirror emits a blinding flash and Aqua emerges in the main mirror chamber through the mirror that brought her to the mirror world. The mirror cracks. Aqua ventures through the next mirror world, consisting of a single staircase and a mirror at the top that seemingly transports her to the bottom. She is able to find the exit by turning around after being teleported. Aqua defeats another phantom of herself and returns to the main chamber, the mirror she entered the world from cracking. The last mirror world consists of a series of columns that flip the world when struck. Aqua is able to solve this maze and defeat the phantom of the world)

Aqua: That's all of them. Terra and Ven didn't have anything to say. But my shadow... She wanted to destroy me.

(After returning to the main chamber, the last mirror cracked, Aqua makes her way back to the mirror she initially entered the chamber from)

Aqua: Never would have thought I'd become my own worst enemy.

(She sighs and places a hand on the mirror)

Aqua: I've talked to myself a lot since falling into these shadows. But with the phantom, it's as though all of my doubts have gained a voice of their own. She's the weakness in my heart.

(Aqua turns away from the mirror)

Aqua (narrating): I know I'm alone here. Have the uncountable hours in the shadows whittled away the courage I never really had?

(Aqua clutches her chest)

Aqua: I'm losing this fight. The darkness has found the cracks in my heart.

(She looks into the mirror, seeing her reflection)

Aqua (narrating): Is this...the last apparition before it takes me over?

(Aqua leaves The World Within)

[--] [Dark World: Enchanted Dominion---(EDM)] [--]

(Aqua now finds herself in a forest)

Aqua: Another world I know.

(She sees Terra and Ventus walking side-by-side in front of her)

Aqua: Terra. Ven.

(Aqua chases after the two, but their forms turn into particles of light)

Aqua (narrating): Are they...phantoms...?

(Terra and Ventus fade away)

Aqua (narrating): I don't care if they are, or if I fall into the darkness.

(Aqua stops to look around, and sets her sights on the path ahead of her)

Aqua (narrating): I miss them!

(She attempts to proceed deeper into the forest, but a giant mass of thorns sprouts from the ground and blocks her way)

Aqua: Get out of my way!

(Aqua hits the thorns with her Keyblade, causing them to retract. She traverses the forest of the Enchanted Dominion, encountering more thorns and phantoms of Terra and Ventus along the way. She arrives at a clearing and comes face-to-face with a Darkside)

Aqua: You really think you can keep me away from my friends?

(Aqua defeats the Darkside and continues her trek through the forest. She dispatches more Darksides as well as other creatures that block her path. She eventually reaches the exit and enters an area consisting of a single road surrounded by droves of Darksides on either side. A massive sphere of dark energy floats in the nearby sky. Aqua looks ahead determined)

Aqua: Okay then...

(The Darksides conjure small spheres of dark energy that rise up and enter the massive sphere, increasing its size. This shocks Aqua, but she runs down the path regardless, dodging the small dark spheres raining down. She battles the Darkside standing directly below the massive sphere, and emerges victorious despite the Darkside harnessing the sphere's power. Aqua strikes the sphere, causing it to shrink and absorb everything nearby. Aqua struggles to stay grounded against the pressure being exerted, and the sphere explodes, with the Darksides disappearing soon afterwards. Aqua slumps onto the ground and catches her breath. She gets up and sees more phantoms of Terra and Ventus standing past a stone archway along the path. She runs up to greet them, both of them looking away from her and appearing motionless)

Aqua: Terra, Ven.

(Terra turns around and begins to speak, much to Aqua's surprise)

Terra: Aqua, you're--

Aqua: Terra. You spoke?

(Terra, too, is surprised upon seeing Aqua's reaction)

Terra: Can you see me?

Aqua: Of course! I see Ven too.

Terra: Ven? He's here?

Aqua: Terra, what's wrong? Don't you see him?

Terra: Where are we?

Aqua: A world the darkness has consumed. It's Enchanted Dominion.

Terra: Consumed? The worlds fell?

Aqua: What's gotten into you? How do I know that you're Terra? And not the weakness that's in my heart playing more tricks? Ven! Please say something.

(Ventus still doesn't respond, to Aqua's dismay)

Terra: Aqua, listen. I promise this is me. But I'm not myself.

(Aqua gives a small gasp)

Aqua: What do you mean?

Terra: You're using the name "Terra." That means you're seeing me the way that you remember me. But your heart is just painting the picture that it so wants to see. The real me is lost in shadow.

Aqua: Then you're here, trapped in the realm of darkness.

Terra: No. My heart has ties to the dark. That must be why we can talk. But I can't see anything, Aqua. If you say Ven is there, then he's like me--an illusion created by your heart.

Aqua: I understand. Then, you and Ven are safe in the outside world?

Terra: I think.

Aqua: That's good. But, how did you find me?

Terra: I looked here. (He places his hand on his chest) And heard you in the darkness.

Aqua: Right, but why does your heart have...ties to the darkness now? What did you mean "lost in shadow"?

Terra: Forget about me. Aqua, Xehanort is trying to locate Ven.

Aqua: He'll never find him. I hid Ven well. I think the reason he's not talking to me here, is because he's still there sleeping.

(As Aqua speaks, Terra begins to groan and clutch his face in pain. His brown hair turns white)

Terra: No, I can't control--

(Darkness surrounds Terra and subsides soon after. He starts talking, his voice completely different)

????????: This "place." Is it the Chamber of Waking?

Aqua: Yes--

(Aqua notices Terra's change in appearance and places her arm in front of Ventus to shield him)

Aqua: Who are you? Really.

????????: You don't know? My name--

(An illusion of Terra as his original self appears behind the white-haired man and grabs him. The man attempts to break free)

Terra: Aqua! Get back!

Aqua: Terra!

Terra: I messed up. Xehanort is part of me. Now he's using me so you'll tell him where you hid Ven!

Xehanort: Silence!

(Air and darkness begin to rise around everyone as Xehanort tries to escape Terra's grasp)

Terra: I won't give in! Aqua! You have to--

(Xehanort grabs Terra's face, pushes him off, and lifts him up by his neck)

Xehanort: Still you struggle!

Aqua: Terra!

(A portal appears behind Aqua and a Darkside grabs Ventus from inside. Aqua turns around, only to be grabbed herself)

Terra: Aqua!

Xehanort: Now you can be one with the darkness!

(Aqua struggles within the grip of the Darkside and looks at the still comatose Ventus)

Aqua: Ven...

(Terra, still within Xehanort's grasp, opens his eyes and unleashes his rage)

Terra: That is enough!

(He starts glowing and releases a large amount of energy that forms a dome around everything in sight. Chains of light appear and swirl around the dome. Aqua begins to lose consciousness as she sees Terra break free and his chains bind Xehanort)

Aqua: Terra...

[---] [Dark World: Destiny Islands---(DIL)] [---]

(Aqua emerges in a new area devoid of light save for the Wayfinder shining in her hand. She has her eyes closed as she falls down the abyss)

Aqua (narrating): Now I can be...one with darkness...

(She drops her Wayfinder, which immediately gets picked up by a gloved hand with four fingers)

??????: Aqua, are you okay?

(Mickey appears floating in the air and places the Wayfinder back in Aqua's hand. Aqua opens her eyes and notices Mickey, who proceeds to take her hand and guide her safely down to the ground)

Aqua: Mickey, how did-- (She gasps and looks around) Terra! Ven!

(Mickey sees something behind Aqua)

Mickey: No time to talk.

(Mickey summons his Star Seeker Keyblade, and Aqua follows suit with her Master's Defender. A Demon Tower swarm rises up to greet them)

Aqua: Dwellers of darkness...

Mickey: They're called Heartless!

(Aqua and Mickey battle the Demon Tower and cause it to retreat)

Mickey: Better not push our luck.

(The duo gets rid of their Keyblades)

Mickey: Gosh. I never thought I'd find ya in the realm of darkness, that's for sure. So, um, what happened?

Aqua: Have you seen Terra or Ven?

Mickey: No, just you.

(She sighs)

Aqua: I'm sorry. The darkness in this place, it's getting to me.

Mickey: Oh. But, you'll be okay.

(Aqua looks down despondently)

Aqua: Right.

Mickey: Say, we've been looking for ya a long time. How come you're in this place?

Aqua: First tell me: how long's it been in the realm of light?

Mickey: About...ten years.

Aqua: Interesting. After we last spoke, I took Ven somewhere safe, and then I went after Terra.

(Aqua takes out her Wayfinder and holds it up in front of her)

Aqua: But Terra was about to fall to darkness, so I had one choice. I stayed here in hopes of giving him a chance.

Mickey: I...didn't know.

Aqua: How 'bout you? What could've brought you here? Has something happened? In the realm of light?

Mickey: It's the Heartless. They've been attacking worlds and taking their hearts. And worlds with no hearts vanish into darkness. But if we can lock the door between the two realms--light and dark--from both sides, we can protect the other worlds. So ya see, I came here to find the key on this side. Turns out, it's not so easy getting into the realm of darkness. The points you can cross have become unstable. It's only when a world gets consumed, that an entrance appears in the realm between. So, I waited for my chance...to sneak in.

(Mickey holds up Aqua's hand, her Wayfinder in its clutches)

Mickey: But hey, when I got here, I felt a warm, familiar light. I followed it to find my way...to you.

Aqua: The charm. So they were helping. Terra and Ven brought you and I back together again.

Mickey: Yeah!

Aqua: But, the worlds are still in danger. Terra--did he make it back to the realm of light?

Mickey: We still haven't found him.

Aqua: I see. Well, wherever he is, he's fighting. He'll beat his darkness. And I know he wants me to fight too.

Mickey: I think you're right. He'll be just fine.

Aqua: Yes. But what about Ven? He won't wake up unless I'm there with him. I have to go. I have to find a way back to the realm of light.

Mickey: Good. Then let's locate that key and go home together!

Aqua: Does that mean you know an exit?

(There's a slight pause, and Mickey's expression changes)

Mickey: Well, uh, I was so busy finding a way in, that I didn't give a lot of thought to where there'd be a way out. But, together we're sure to find one!

(Aqua chuckles)

Aqua: You haven't changed at all.

(The two laugh. Mickey turns around and stares into the distance)

Mickey: May our hearts be our guiding key.

Aqua: There's a phrase no one's used in ages.

Mickey: Keyblade wielders used to say those words to each other.

(Mickey rises his hand into the air and clenches it into a fist)

Mickey: And now, it's something I like to try and remember.

(He holds out a hand to Aqua)

Mickey: So. Ready?

(Aqua takes his hand)

Aqua: Ready!

(The two Keyblade wielders fight through the Depths of Darkness and reach a great light at the end. They walk through it and find themselves on the Destiny Islands, fragmented from its stay in the realm of darkness)

Aqua: This is...where I met those children.

Mickey: So many worlds have been lost. And now they're trapped here in the dark. Wait--you know this place, Aqua?

Aqua: Yes. I visited once, and I met two boys I considered passing the Keyblade on to. But because Terra had already given one of them the power, I didn't.

(Mickey gasps)

Mickey: Aqua. What were the boys' names?

Aqua: They were...Sora and Riku.

Mickey (thinking): I see. We're getting warm.

Aqua: Huh?

Mickey: Welp, it's Sora and Riku who've been helpin' me. We're tryin' to get that door shut for good.

Aqua: Oh-- The same boys?

Mickey: Aqua, if this is where my friends first got the Keyblade, it also must be where we'll find its counterpart. The Keyblade of darkness has gotta be here on the dark side of their world.

(Mickey looks in the direction of the secret place, the island cave Sora and Riku visited as children. The ground rumbles, surprising Aqua)

Mickey: We'll have to hurry. C'mon!

(Mickey and Aqua run toward the secret place, but a swarm of Shadows known as the Demon Tide flies out from the entrance. It attempts to ram into the two Keyblade wielders, but they jump out of the way. They battle the Demon Tide and defeat it. Mickey points toward the secret place)

Mickey: Let's keep goin'.

(Aqua nods and the two enter the secret place. They find a wooden door without a knob inside)

Mickey: I bet it's in here.

(They push the door open and Aqua gasps. The Keyblade of darkness floats inside the room, radiating a golden glow)

Mickey: There!

Aqua: Is that what you're after?

Mickey: Yep, it's just the key I was looking for. A Keyblade from the dark realm!

Aqua: A Keyblade of darkness.

(Mickey grabs the Keyblade. Its glow fades, revealing its inverse color scheme to the Kingdom Key)

Mickey: "The door of darkness...tied by two keys. The door of darkness...to seal the light." Welp, we've got the keys. Now we find the ones to close the door.

Aqua: Sorry?

Mickey: The door between the two realms--it won't let a heart with light pass through. So only darkness keeps spilling out. We can lock the door by using the two Keyblades, but we need help on both sides to get the door shut.

Aqua: Well, then, since you'll be doing the locking, let me be the one to close the door.

Mickey: Sorry, but the job's taken...by somebody else.

Aqua: Huh?

(Another rumble occurs. Mickey turns around and a blinding light shines. Elsewhere, Riku walks down a dark, foggy path, hindered by the darkness surrounding him. The light fades and Mickey and Aqua observe that the room has been illuminated. Numerous pillars that have a bright blue substance peeking out from them can now be seen. The two look around and notice a pair of large white doors slightly cracked open)

Aqua: Is that the one?

Mickey: Yep, the door to Kingdom Hearts. Welp, it's not the Kingdom Hearts you know. Not exactly. But even though it's smaller, it's still the heart of many worlds. And even if it's not a complete Kingdom Hearts, we definitely can't leave it open like this, or darkness will escape and destroy the remaining worlds.

(Mickey raises the Keyblade of darkness)

Mickey: It's time. With this key and Sora's in the realm of light, we're gonna close this door. Now, all we need is Riku.

Aqua: Sora, Riku.

Mickey: There!

(They see Riku running toward the door to darkness)

Mickey: That's everybody! Come on, Aqua--

(A Demon Tide emerges from the ground near some pillars and flies over Mickey and Aqua. Mickey turns and gasps)

Mickey: Oh no!

(The Demon Tide sets its course for Riku, and Aqua and Mickey run after them. Aqua summons her Keyblade and conjures golden chains from it)

Aqua: Back off!

(Aqua restrains the Demon Tide with the chains. The Heartless swerves around in an attempt to escape, and Aqua struggles to keep it bound)

Mickey: Aqua!

Aqua: Go without me!

Mickey: No, I--!

(The Demon Tide breaks free from the chains and rams into Aqua and Mickey, trapping them within the mass of Shadows forming the Demon Tide's body. Mickey falls off from the Heartless, causing his shirt to disappear into sparkles of light upon impact with the ground. He watches Aqua get carried away by the Demon Tide)

Mickey: Aqua!

(Aqua is swept out of the room through the wooden door. It closes and vanishes with a flash of light. Back on the island, Aqua frees herself from the Demon Tide and lands safely on the ground. She catches her breath, picks herself up, and proceeds to fight the Heartless)

Aqua (narrating): The battle for the realm of light...is not won. Thanks to Terra and Mickey, I know what's at stake.

(The Demon Tide attempts to ram into Aqua again, but she dodges and casts a thunder spell, causing the Shadows to disperse)

Aqua (narrating): I'm not afraid. I will face the long darkness.

(The Shadows re-congregate and continue their assault. Aqua dodges the attacks)

Aqua (narrating): The next time someone wanders into the realm of darkness, I'll be here.

(She jumps onto the Demon Tide and begins striking down individual Shadows)

Aqua (narrating): A light to cut through all the shadows. I will be their wayfinder.

(Aqua jumps off)

Aqua (narrating): And one day, I'll return to Terra and Ven.

(The Demon Tide lunges toward Aqua once again, and she jumps toward it)

Aqua (narrating): I am Master Aqua. And that's a promise.

(She strikes the Demon Tide, releasing a great flash of light. In the room with the door to darkness, Mickey looks at the wall where the wooden door once stood)

Mickey: Aqua...

(He appears distraught, but he bolsters his resolve and heads for the door to darkness. As Riku begins to close it, assisted by Sora, Donald, and Goofy on the other side, the Darksides behind him disappear. Mickey jumps up, his back facing the door, and a bright light shines from his position. He takes out the Keyblade of darkness)

Mickey: Now, Sora! Let's close this door for good!

(They successfully shut the door)

[--] [Ending---(END)] [--]

(Aqua lays on her back on the beach of Destiny Islands, admiring the sunny sky. The world has returned to its original state)

Aqua: It's beautiful.

(She smiles. The clouds begin to race across the sky, signaling the rapid passage of time, until it becomes nighttime. Countless stars fill the sky)

Aqua: The stars are out. Terra, Ven... Just me again.

(Particles of light rain down)

Aqua: They did it. The worlds are being restored.

(The islands become enveloped in light and vanish, leaving a dark, empty void in their place. The sandy shores no longer beneath her, Aqua falls into this void, her smile unwavering)

Aqua: "May our hearts be our guiding key."

(She holds out her hand)

Aqua: You'll know...where I am.

(Some time later, Aqua makes her way to a beach in the realm of darkness known as the Dark Margin. She finds a figure wearing a black coat sitting on a pile of rocks, looking out to sea. A dull sun sits in the distance)

[] [Epilogue---(EPI)] []

(Back at Yen Sid's study, Mickey finishes recounting his meeting with Aqua in the realm of darkness to Riku and Kairi. He looks to his left suddenly, as though confused)

Mickey: I thought...I heard her voice in the distance. Riku: She sacrificed herself to save me? Why did you keep it from me for so long?

Mickey: I had to respect her choice.

Riku: What about us? You could've given us a choice. We could have gone and helped her.

Mickey: I know.

Yen Sid: Do not be rash, Riku. As Mickey told you clearly in his story, reaching the realm of darkness the first time was not a simple task. And even if we had found a way back in, regrettably none of us possessed the necessary means to get Aqua back out safely. So I forbade Mickey from telling you, let alone going after her.

Riku: Why keep it secret?

Yen Sid: That much is obvious. If not you, then certainly Sora would have staged a reckless attempt at rescue.

(Riku reluctantly stops arguing)

Mickey: But, now we can help Aqua. You and I--we're gonna go find her!

Riku: Yeah! Count me in!

Mickey: Yep!

Kairi: Who's this new Riku and where's the old one?

Riku: New me?

Kairi: Yeah. (she giggles) You're more like Sora.

(Mickey nods in agreement)

Riku: Should I be flattered?

(Kairi laughs)

Riku: I try too hard to be the role model. It's more fun to just listen to my heart. Which is Sora-esque. (he shrugs)

Kairi: Well, we still like you. Master, I came here because I wanted to help somehow. What can I do?

Yen Sid: I have entrusted the wizard Merlin to oversee the training for our new Keyblade wielders, yourself and Lea.

Kairi: Lea?

Mickey: He means Axel.

Kairi: What!?

Mickey: Aw. He's a regular person now. He even saved Sora for us. You can trust him!

(Kairi looks to Riku, who nods in an assuring way to her. Mickey begins to head out of the room)

Mickey: C'mon, Riku. It's time for us to go. First, we gotta find an entrance to the realm of darkness.

(Riku and Kairi follow Mickey, but Yen Sid stops them before they leave)

Yen Sid: Mickey, take these along with you. The three good fairies asked that you be presented with them.

(Yen Sid conjures two briefcases on the table, one big and one small)

Yen Sid: They are new vestments which will shield the both of you from the darkness.

(Riku takes the big briefcase and Mickey takes the small one. They both bow to Yen Sid)

Riku & Mickey: Thank you, Master.

(Riku slings his briefcase over his shoulder and nods to Mickey affirmatively)

Mickey: Okay, let's go!

(Mickey, Riku, and Kairi leave. Later, Donald's voice is heard outside of the study)

Donald: Okay, start talking!

(Sora runs up a flight of stairs. Goofy's voice is now heard)

Goofy: You were gone a long time. What were ya doin'?

(Sora makes it to the top of the stairs and reaches a closed door, Donald and Goofy awaiting his arrival in front of it)

Sora: Heh heh heh. Secret.

(Sora opens the door)

Sora: I'm back!

Goofy: A-hyuck!

(The trio enters Yen Sid's study. Sora looks around, but the only other person inside is Yen Sid)

Sora: Huh?

(Donald closes the door behind them)

Sora: Just us?

Yen Sid: The others all had important work to do. So I sent them on their way.

Sora: That's great. They coulda said good-bye.

Donald: It's your fault you missed them.

Sora: It is not. I just like to say good-bye to all my friends.

Donald: Then do it faster!

Sora: I'm here now, right?

(The two stare each other down)

Yen Sid: We have matters to discuss.

Sora: Hmm?

Donald: What?

(Sora, Donald, and Goofy stand up straight in attention)

Yen Sid: In order to defeat Xehanort, there are allies we must gather, acting now to rouse them from their slumber. We have discussed this before, Sora.

(The trio nods)

Yen Sid: Your Mark of Mastery exam was conducted in the hopes you would acquire the power to wake them.

(Sora crosses his arms and nods at Yen Sid's words, apparently lost in thought)

Yen Sid: However, the darkness nearly took control of you, and your grasp of your new abilities leaves much to be desired.

Sora: Oh--

(Sora lowers his head, worrying Donald and Goofy)

Yen Sid: Furthermore, Xehanort nearly made you his vessel, and in the process stripped you of most of the power you had gained by then. I suspect you have already noticed this, correct?

(Sora sighs)

Donald & Goofy: Sora...

(He immediately perks up)

Sora: Whatever! Happens all the time.

Yen Sid: Yes. Chip and Dale are currently analyzing data that Ansem the Wise provided to Riku and which could offer us a clue to retrieving our friends' lost hearts. I have very high hopes for this data. However, our greatest chance of stopping Xehanort's plan still lies with you, Sora. If you trust the guidance your heart gives, I know we will find all of the guardians of light. But first, you must regain all the strength you have lost. Perhaps it is foolish to expect a complete recovery, but it is absolutely vital you perfect one power--the power of waking, which you failed to master during your exam. There's someone who lost his strength and found it again, a true hero to whom you ought to pay a visit. Perhaps he can point you in the right direction.

(Sora smiles in excitement and performs two flexing poses, confusing Goofy and annoying Donald. Sora chuckles)

Sora (saluting): Got it.

(Yen Sid nods)

Donald: Master Yen Sid...

Goofy: You can count on us to take care of Sora!

Yen Sid: I would have it no other way. I put Sora in your hands.

(Sora joyfully laughs and huddles the three of them together)

Sora: Donald! Goofy!

Donald: You can't become a master without us!

Sora: Huh?

Goofy: I never woulda thought you'd fail that exam, Sora.

Sora: Hey!

Donald: Face it, you're just a half-pint.

Goofy: But the three of us together make a whole pint!

Sora: Pint an' a half.

Donald: And don't forget, we'll keep an eye on you.

(Donald holds out his hand)

Goofy: Oh, this is gonna be lots of fun!

(Goofy places his hand on Donald's)

Sora: It's not a vacation!

(Sora smiles and joins his hand with his friends')

Sora: Let's go!

(The three of them straighten out and face Yen Sid)

Sora, Donald, & Goofy: Count on us!

(Yen Sid nods. Sora, Donald, and Goofy enter their Gummi Ship and cruise in the space between worlds. Sitting in their seats, Sora crosses his arms and thinks to himself while Donald and Goofy watch him, Donald eyeing him with scrutiny)

Sora: How're we supposed to get there now?

Donald: What? I thought you knew!

Goofy: Looks like all the old highways are closed. Didn't Master Yen Sid say that Sora should trust the guidance his heart gives?

Donald: C'mon, Sora. Which way?

Sora: Ummm...

Donald: Hey, would you get serious?

Sora: Gimme a break, I'm trying. These things take time!

(Donald sighs)

Goofy: Well, since we've already been before, why don't you try picturing our friends like we're there?

(Sora stands up)

Sora: Hmmm...

(He flexes his arms)

Donald: Well?

Sora: Sorry, I got nothin'. What did you expect?

Donald (slumping back in his seat): Aw!

Goofy: "May your heart be your guiding key."

Sora: Huh? What's that?

Goofy: Master Yen Sid always said that, right before we went off on any of our real important adventures.

Sora: Really? (facing Donald) Ring a bell?

Donald (shaking his head): Uh uh.

Goofy: Maybe I just imagined it.

Sora: "May my heart be my guiding key."

(Sora realizes something and smiles. He stands in front of his seat)

Sora: I've got it!

(He summons his Keyblade and points it toward the space in front of the Gummi Ship. A light shines from the tip of the blade, and a portal to the Lanes Between appears)

Donald & Goofy: It's a gate!

(Sora sits down and takes the controls of the ship)

Sora: All right! Olympus Coliseum, here we come!

(The ship takes off and flies into the gate)