Last time the battle for Alfea came to a shattering conclusion. To make a long chapter short, Bloom confronted and defeated Icy, while Darcy and Stormy were also defeated, resulting in the end of Heartless incursions into The Realm of Magix. With the battle finally over, Sora, Riku and Kairi witnessed Bloom and Sky kissing for the first time. After The Trix were arrested and taken away, Sora, Riku and Kairi sealed the Keyhole for Magix, then returned to their universe with Donald and Goofy. 'Nuff said, on with the show!

Chapter 10: Just Getting Started

Barely two seconds after Sora exited the portal and stepped into the throne room of Disney Castle, he was once again 'attacked' by Pluto.

"Looks like someone's glad to see you," said Kairi after Pluto tackled Sora and showered him with affection. As if in irony, Pluto then turned his attention on Kairi and Riku.

"You're back!" said Queen Minnie as she and King Mickey hurried over to them.

"So how did it go?" King Mickey asked, "Yen Sid sensed that no more Heartless were being summoned to Magix, so I'm guessing you were successful."

"Well, we did all that you asked us to do," said Riku, "We delivered the letters to the heads of the three schools."

"While Riku and I protected Bloom and Sky," said Kairi.

"We helped rescue the witches of Cloud Tower," said Sora, while Donald and Goofy nodded in agreement.

"We also helped Bloom recover her powers," said Kairi.

"And defeated The Trix," said Sora.

"And destroyed more Heartless than I'd like to count," said Riku.

"Oh," said Kairi, "I almost forgot; we helped Bloom and Sky get back together."

"I think we did more than get them back together," said Riku, "But that's just me talking."

"Well I think what all of you have done was incredible," said King Mickey, "Going to another universe and battling the forces of darkness is nothing to sneeze at."

"True," said Queen Minnie, "The King and I couldn't be more proud of you brave, young ones. However," her expression then grew slightly solemn, "I'm afraid your journey is far from complete."

"It isn't?" Sora asked in an exasperated manner, while Donald, Goofy, Kairi and Riku sighed in equally exasperated tones.

"There are hundreds of worlds in The Magical Dimension," said King Mickey, "The Heartless can threaten any one of them at any time. And there are still many universes that are in danger of being consumed by the darkness."

"So what you're saying is that it will never really be over," sighed Sora.

"As long as there's darkness in peoples' hearts," said Queen Minnie, "Then yes, it will never truly end."

"Just our luck," Donald muttered.

"But as long as there's brave souls whose hearts are filled with light," said King Mickey, "as long as there are those willing to fight for the sake of goodness and innocence, then the darkness can never truly win."

"In that case," said Riku, "you can count on us to stand against the darkness."

"No matter where darkness threatens," said Kairi, "No matter what world or universe, we'll be there to help."

"Heartless, Nobodies, psycho witches or whatever," said Sora, "We'll stop them."

"You betcha'!" said Goofy.

"Yeah!" said Donald.

"Oh really!" there, stomping her way across the throne room was Daisy, looking madder than a wet hen, I mean, a wet duck, well, you know what I mean.

"Oh…um…I…err…" sputtered Donald nervously, "hi, Daisy."

"Don't you 'hi Daisy' me, mister! You went on an adventure without telling me, didn't you!"

"It was kind of an emergency," Goofy said in Donald's defense.

"You stay out of this!" snapped Daisy, then returned her wrath to Donald who was trying to tiptoe out of the room, "And just where do you think you're going!? If you think you can just leave me to go on a whirlwind adventure whenever you feel like it, you've got another thing coming, Donald Duck, you've got another thing coming!"

"What can we do?" Kairi whispered.

"I don't know if there's anything we can do," whispered Sora.

"Well?!" Daisy asked accusingly, "what have you got to say for yourself!?"

All Donald could do was pull the box Flora gave him back at Alfea and presented it to Daisy, "Happy anniversary!"

"Oh," said Daisy in a slightly distant tone, her anger evaporating rapidly as she took the box from Donald, "it is our anniversary, I almost forgot." She opened the box and gasped in surprise and awe as she cupped its content.

It was a flower; its petals were rainbow hued, giving the plant a radiant glow.

"It's a very special flower," said Donald, "I was told, when I got it, that it's enchanted so it will never wilt."

"Oh Donald!" said Daisy happily as she put the flower in her hair. She then ran over to Donald, embraced him and began smothering him with kisses.

"Well there's another disaster averted," said Riku.

"We're really on a roll," said Kairi. "Oh, I nearly forgot. King Mickey, while I was with Bloom on Domino, something really weird happened to me. I think I can use Healing magic."

"If you think that's weird," said Sora to The King, "Somehow I was able to sense when Kairi and Riku were in trouble."

"You to?!" a surprised Riku asked, "Same thing happened to Kairi and myself. What's happening to us?"

"I think I know what's happening to you," said King Mickey, "Kairi, you're developing a special, unique power. Just as Sora can use magic through his Keyblade, and Riku has power over his inner darkness, you can use your inner light to help those around you."

"This power to heal," said Queen Minnie, "it comes from the kindness and compassion in your heart, Kairi. Your feelings towards your friends and those in need will allow you to mend nearly any wound. It is only natural that with time, your ability will grow in strength, so you will be able to employ it whenever you wish."

"Cool," said Kairi.

"But what about us being to tell when we're in trouble?" Riku asked.

"Didn't Elise and Tecna say that it's an empathy bond?" Goofy asked.

"That's empathic, ya big galoot!" said Donald. By now Dais was finished kissing and was content to latch herself onto Donald's arm lovingly.

"That's what I'm thinking," said King Mickey, "Sora, Riku, Kairi, the three of you are connected in more ways than one. This empathic link is just one level of that connection. Who knows; maybe in time, not only will you be able to sense each other's emotions at will, but you'll be able to speak with each other over long distances."

"Telepathy," said Kairi, "You really think we'll be able to do that someday?"

"Maybe," said King Mickey, "And who knows, perhaps other abilities may surface."

"Who knows indeed," said Riku.

"Ahem," said Queen Minnie to King Mickey, "Isn't there something you should be saying to Sora? Something you forgot to tell him before?"

"That's right!" said King Mickey, "Sora, Yen Sid's visions said that there was one more person who needed protection against The Trix and The Heartless; someone who's survival is of the utmost importance to the future."

"I think I know who you're talking about, your majesty," said Sora, "you can relax, Carmen is alright."

"Oh," said a relieved King Mickey.

"You see?" Queen Minnie asked, "Sora handled the mission without even knowing what he had to do, and you worried about it for nothing."

"What's so important about Carmen?" Kairi asked, "Sure, she's a really strong magic user, and a nice person, for a witch. But why was it so important that Sora protected her?"

"That we're still not completely sure of," said King Mickey, "Yen Sid said that his visions of Carmen were a bit cloudy. But one thing he's sure of; at some point in the future, Carmen will play a vital role that will change the course of fate for the better."

"But who's fate?" Kairi asked while glaring at Sora in an accusing manner.

"No one individual fate, I'm sure," said King Mickey, "Perhaps she'll affect the destiny of many, perhaps the entire Magical Dimension."

"Oh," said Kairi, realizing that she was about to make a fool of herself.

"There's still one more question," said Riku, "That really big Keyhole at Alfea."

"Yeah," said Sora, "That one took all three of us to seal. Are there any more like that one?"

"Perhaps," said King Mickey, "The Realm of Magix is a kind of world that exists in more than one universe. Such worlds are more easily accessed through time and space. It is only natural that such a world that has a larger existence, possesses a large heart, and therefore a large Keyhole.

"Even more so, there's bound to be many worlds that exist in multiple universes, all of them having large Keyholes."

"Well if that's the case," said Kairi, "Then it'll be up to the three of us to seal them before The Heartless corrupt the hearts of all those worlds."

"It's only a matter of time until The Heartless attack another world," said King Mickey, "The only thing we can do is wait and keep our eyes open for them. You three have done more than I can ask for, and I hate to ask for more."

"Hey! What about us!?" Donald asked.

"We've done a lot to, ya'know," said Goofy.

"That you have," said Queen Minnie, "You've all been terrific help."

"And we'll be there to help again," said Sora, "for as long as we're needed."

"Darn right," said Kairi as Riku nodded in agreement. It was then that Riku, Kairi and Sora all yawned at the same time, revealing just how tiered they were.

"Well it looks like you won't be battling any Heartless any time soon," said King Mickey, "I suggest you three should go home and get some rest."

"We'll send for you should any emergency arise," said Queen Minnie.

"We'll be ready," said Riku.

"You'd better believe it," said Kairi.

"Donald, Goofy," said Sora, "It's been great traveling with you again."

"We'll be a travelin' again soon, Sora," said Goofy.

"Just you wait!" said Donald.

Sora, Riku and Kairi then shook hands with King Mickey, with Sora the last. They saluted then exited through a portal that The King and Queen created to send them back to Destiny Islands.

********

"Good riddens to bad rubbish," said Pete as he and Maleficent watched The Trix being escorted off to their punishment, "Those three pipsqueak witches are nuthin' but trouble. Serves 'em right for messing around with The Heartless."

"Oh?" said Maleficent, "And what of us?"

"Well…I…um…err…that is…the thing is…" sputtered Pete, "well, you know what you're doing, oh great and terrible Maleficent. Them three wet-behind-the-ears witches had no right fooling with matters they couldn't handle."

"True," said the self-claimed Mistress of all Evil, "The Trix committed several fatal errors, not the least of them underestimating Sora and his companions, not to mention allowing that miserable fairy Bloom to live when there was ample opportunities to destroy her. Now the little waif is in the path of achieving her full powers and restoring Domino to its former glory. Unfortunately, I am unable to prevent this at such time.

"However, there are greater forces at work within The Magical Dimension that not even that wretched King Mickey is aware of. For now we'll leave affairs in The Magical Dimension as they are."

Maleficent then commanded the water-viewer to replay the image of The Trix being lead into the portal.

"I don't see anything special about those three," said Pete.

"Your lack of imagination shall forever keep you in the position of a subordinate, my friend," said Maleficent, "as for The Trix, they did manage to maintain control over an extraordinarily large host of Heartless for a surprising amount of time. I may have use for them later. But for now we should focus our efforts elsewhere."

"Where do we start?" Pete asked.

"You shall start, Pete," said Maleficent, "By searching the many worlds of time and space for those worthy of serving me. Seek out those who possess hearts full of darkness, hearts who lust for power, and minds that have both intelligence and imagination."

"No problem!" said Pete. He saluted and headed for the door, but stopped, "Uh…how many worlds should I be looking in?"

"As many as possible," said Maleficent, "and more. I'm positive that, somewhere in the vast reaches of existence, there are those who are worthy of serving the forces of evil, worthy of joining me in plunging all of reality into darkness. Well? Why are you still here!?!"

Pete ran out of the room to carry out his mistress bidding, leaving Maleficent alone with her pet raven.

"I must take special care to find a replacement for that buffoon," said Maleficent to her pet, "It it fortunate, my pet, that patience is one of my stronger virtues." she commanded the water-viewer to show the image of Sora shaking hands with King Mickey.

"Enjoy your victory," she said to the image, "For you may not have many more like it."

********

"Well here we are again," said Sora as he, Kairi and Riku exited the portal onto the small island with the paopu tree, the main island just up the pier, "Home sweet home."

"Good thing we've already explained things to our parents when we first got home," said Riku as they headed up the pier, the portal closing behind them, "Otherwise, the very least they'll do is ground us."

"Well my mom and dad were very understanding," said Sora, "once The King explained it to them." After they had returned from Kingdom Hearts, King Mickey explained to Sora and Riku's parents, as well as Kairi's family, where the children had been and what they were doing. The adults, after the initial shock of everything, realized that their children were more special than they realized, so everything's cool.

"They may be upset with us for leaving without telling them," said Kairi as they reached the main island, "But I'm not worried about that. Now, I don't know about you boys, but the first thing I'm gonna do when I get to my house is take a long shower for like half an hour. Then I'm gonna sleep for like 10 hours straight."

"Same with me," said Riku, "except I'm gonna order a large pizza for breakfast, with sausage, black olives and mushrooms."

"Me to," said Sora, "Only I like mine deep-dish, and with green peppers."

"I also like green peppers," said Kairi, "But I like mine thin-crust."

"Why don't we all have a pizza party when we're all rested up?" Sora asked.

"Good idea," said Riku, "We're gonna need our strength. If what we've done before was just a prelude, if what happened at Magix was just the beginning, then we're in for the long run, believe it."

"Oh I believe it," said Kairi.

"Me to," said Sora, "But whatever the future holds for us, whatever worlds we go to and whatever evils we face, we'll face it together."

"Together," said Kairi.

"Together," said Riku.

It was as the three Keyblade wielders started towards their respective residencies, when Sora said, "Uh, Kairi?"

"What is it, Sora?" Kairi asked.

"I was wondering," said Sora hesitantly, as lacking confidence, "That maybe later we could hang out for a while? Just the two of us."

"Are you asking me on a date, Sora?" Kairi asked, her hands on her hips.

"Well…I…err…" sputtered Sora, "yeah, I guess I am."

"Cool," said Kairi, "Okay, we'll hang out, just you and me."

"Really?" a surprised Sora asked.

"Yes," said Kairi, "assuming Riku's okay with being left out."

"By all means," said Riku, "enjoy," he then muttered under his breath, "it's about time you did."

"You sure you won't mind?" Sora asked.

"Absolutely," said Riku, "besides, it's not like I'll have much time to hang out with you. Our parents maybe okay with us saving the worlds, but my mom and dad are gonna skin me alive for skipping out on my chores."

"Come to think of it," said Sora, "I also have chores to do."

"Me to," said Kairi, "Well, see you two around!" with that she ran to her house, while Riku and Sora hurried to their homes. They did not know what the future held for them, but for Sora, Riku and Kairi, come what may, they would face it together.

The End.

Alright! My first Kingdom Hearts fic is done! I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it. My thanks to the creators of both Winx Club and Kingdom Hearts, without whom this work of fiction would never even exist.

Anyway, if you've enjoyed this first volume of 'Beyond the Door to Light,' then you're sure to enjoy my next Kingdom Hearts fic.

Coming soon to Fanfiction . Net…

'Kingdom Hearts: Beyond The Door to Light

Volume 2: The Shinobi Path.'

That's right, next time, Sora and the gang will be going to the world of Naruto!

Until then!!