[i]"That was... almost a little [b]too[/b] convincing."[/i]

[i]"It had to be done. It's the only way."[/i]

[i]"Wait. Let me give you something before you go."[/i]

[i]"What are you-?"[/i]

[i]"In your hand, take this Key. So long as you have the makings, then through this simple act of taking, its wielder you shall one day be. And you will find me, friend - no ocean will contain you then. No more borders around, or below, or above, so long as you champion the ones you love."[/i]

[i]"Why did you do that?"[/i]

[i]"It'll keep you from losing your way..."[/i]

...

Oswald breathed a sigh of relief. They'd won. His mission was finally over. He still remembered the night he first received the mission from the King. Back then he was ready and willing to go any and all lengths to help his friend, and protect his home. He still was, even today, of course. Even so, having to spend so long playing the traitor was an experience he'd rather not repeat. Besides, he doubted any dark forces still out there would trust his word anymore after what happened to Maleficent. His and the King's plan was indeed a brilliant one at the time, but unfortunately it was also the kind of gambit that would only work once. After that their enemies would forever be more cautious about falling for such a ruse ever again.

But the rabbit noticed something. Despite their apparent victory, the King still seemed saddened by the something, "Your Majesty... what are you not telling me?" he didn't have to say anything more. Mickey explained the whole story. The wounds Maleficent inflicted were cursed by her dark magic, and so Oswald needed an alternate form of healing. Then the King really dropped a bomb shell, revealing that the healing process took a couple hundred years at least. So, Oswald had effectively been in a two-century long coma, recuperating from his last mission. The rabbit wiped a hand on his forehead, this news was quite a doozy to take in. Still, he managed to keep at least some of his composure.

"So, what happens now?" asked Oswald in a surprisingly accepting tone. Ever the loyal subject, he was. Even after all of this, he was still ready to get back on the horse, as it were. He took a breath and then remembered something, "Hold on, I remember a Keyblade, do I still-?" he cut himself off, holding out a hand to see for himself. Sure enough, a Keyblade of steel color and a bronze-like handlebar appeared in a small flash of light. That Keyblade, it's very existence in his hand owed to when The King performed an impromptu Inheritance Ceremony on Oswald in secret before he left on his previous mission, had finally appeared to Oswald during the battle against Maleficent, its appearance being one of the key things that saved his life in fact.

"If you have another mission for me, then I'm ready to accept it, Your Majesty." Oswald said with a salute-like posture. His own Keyblade's name was Unwavering Resolve, and he intended to do that name justice.