View source for The Stars That Shine In The Dark

{{Cutscene Header
|Date of Scene=2012/12/16
|Location=The Realm of Darkness
|Synopsis=A week has passed since the incident that consumed the city of Manhattan, since the world heart fell to the Shadow Lords. What has come of the city of Manhattan, its heroes, and those who did not manage to escape before the darkness consumed it? Each has their own story to tell and this one just so happens to be about a mouse and the stars. 
|Cast of Characters=King Mickey, 
}}
A week has passed since the incident that consumed the city of Manhattan, since the world heart fell to the Shadow Lords. What has come of the city of Manhattan, its heroes, and those who did not manage to escape before the darkness consumed it? 

Each of those who fell with the city has a unique story to tell. Some will foretell accounts of anger, confusion, and grief. Meanwhile, others will have tales of determination and a desire to grow from the travesty that consumed the metropolitan city.  

One such tale begins with a mouse that appears to be both tired and worn from his travels. King Mickey has been traversing within the realm of the darkness by himself with only his thoughts to keep him company. His injuries have mostly healed save for one, a deep piercing wound that fell him. The wound is lightly bandaged and appears to been thoroughly cared for through use of various healing magics. Nevertheless, the wound remains sore, aching on occasion and serving as a reminder of the events that have occurred. 

The king is not easily discouraged though the events that took place in Manhattan were some that took a toll on even his own pure heart. It is never easy to experience the bitter taste of defeat, particularly after fighting as hard as everyone did to save that world. However, even as Manhattan fell, it is the reminder of how hard everyone fought and the people who were saved because of their effort that counters the sorrow he feels in his heart.

As he wanders down a long and desolate road, Mickey looks up at the continuous blackened skies. Ominous dark clouds attempt to shield the stars from The King’s sight though he knows the lights are there and they do continue to shine brightly. The thought of those bright shining stars remind him of each of the individuals he had met during the event and those he had met before, which brings a smile to his face. 

The forces of restoration had lost the battle though the war was far from over.

An emerald shimmer emits from one of his pockets. The bright glow breaks Mickey from his trance and causes him to gaze down curiously at his pocket. He reaches in and pulls out The Star Shard he had taken from Yen Sid years before. The relic’s glow pulses softly in his hands, almost as if it was reacting to something, causing the mouse to wonder about the strange reaction. His brow and eyes narrow, as he looks closer at the device, “What are you trying to tell me?” 

Just then, The Star Shard pulses brightly if for but a moment, as if it were acknowledging the King’s inquiry and responds with some vivid images of various individuals. Initially confused by the visions, Mickey begins to feel the varying emotions that emit from each of the individuals in the pictures. Then a feminine voice emits in his mind, “They are hurting.”

The voice’s message stays with The King for a moment before replying, “I can see this though who are they?”

The voice simply replies with the same message, “They are hurting.”, and then the images begin to come clearer. Each of the images begin to show individuals involved in the Manhattan event. Some appear lost and scattered. Others appear to be still working through the pain of the event, while a select few appear to be gathering, working at a determined pace to grow stronger.

The mysterious feminine voice speaks once again: “They need you…”

The voice shifts a child’s voice, “They need the light…”

Then, the voice finally shifts to a young male, ”The light of the keyblade to show them the way…” 

The mysterious voices begin to take shape before him, forming shadows of each of the aforementioned individuals, as they speaking in unison, “Bring forth the light in people’s hearts.”

King Mickey glances back briefly at the images and then returns with a nod to the shadows before him. He understands the role expected of him during these troubled times. 

Once that acknowledgement is made and accepted within The King’s own heart, The Star Shard reacts and suddenly, Mickey is enveloped by the relic’s magic! Before long, The King becomes a star and flies off towards the night’s sky!

Just like old times!