“Fireworks…” Chris murmured against Darren's lips.  “There really are fireworks when we kiss.”

Darren hummed his agreement.

“Not to burst your romantic bubble, or anything,” Unique interjected, “but I saw that, too.  And it wasn't fireworks.  It was the Enchantress.  The moment your lips touched, she exploded into a million sparks of colored light, and then disappeared.” 

Chris looked around, still somewhat dazed by the intensity of the kiss he'd just shared with Darren.  The Enchantress had, indeed, vanished.  The walls of vines were gone, as well, allowing sunlight to stream into the Warbler Palace.  On the platform in the center of the room, the glass jar stood empty.  And on the floor at their feet, the Fairy Godfather and the other victims of the Enchantress's spell were beginning to stir.

A confused babble of voices began to fill the air, as those who'd fallen asleep before being aware of the curse tried to figure out what had happened, while those who knew more about it attempted to explain the situation.  The din grew louder and louder until a dramatic chord from the magic harp cut them all off.

“Everybody listen up!” Unique demanded.  “Since Roary and I were the only two beings in our right minds the entire time, and since he's too young to talk, why don't you all let me tell the story.”

Everyone gathered ‘round as Unique, reveling in the opportunity to be the center of attention, recounted all of the events that had transpired since the Enchantress's return.  As her tale reached its dramatic conclusion — with the Enchantress being defeated and her curse broken by Chris and Darren's kiss — the audience erupted into gleeful cheers.

Unique played the opening bars to a mash-up of two familiar tunes, and everyone began to sing:

Forget your troubles

     Gleeful days

Come on, get gleeful

     Are here again

You better chase all your cares away

     The skies above are clear again

Shout hallelujah

     So lets sing a song

Come on, get gleeful 

     Of cheer again

Get ready for the judgement day 

     Gleeful days are here again

The sun is shining

     Come on get gleeful

Shout it now

     The lord is waiting to take your hand 

There is no one who can doubt it now

     Shout hallelujah 

So lets tell the world

     And just get gleeful

About it now

     We are going to the promise land

Gleeful days are here again

Were heading across the river

Soon your cares will all be gone

Therell be no more from now on

From now on

Forget your troubles

     Oh, gleeful days

And just get gleeful

     Are here again

You better chase all your blues away

     The skies above are clear again

Shout hallelujah 

     So lets sing a song

And just get gleeful

    Of cheer again

Gleeful times

     Gleeful times

Gleeful nights

     Gleeful nights

Gleeful days are here again

“I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade,” Ryan began.

“And yet, something tells me he's gonna do it anyway,” Darren muttered in Chris's ear.

“But as the Fairy Godfather, it is my duty to protect both this world and the other one.  I can't bear to think of the devastation the Enchantress would have caused if she'd managed to reach the other world.  And if anyone ever brought weapons from the other world here, who knows what could happen?  This has been a wake up call for me, and I know what has to be done.  The gateway between the worlds must be closed forever.”

“Uh huh,” Darren grumbled.  “Sure sounds like rain to me.”

“You can't mean to trap us here,” Chris said, alarmed.

“Of course not.  Mother Goose and I will open one final portal, so that you, Darren, and Zach can go home.”

“But what about you?” Zach asked.  “Aren't you coming with us?”

“I'm needed here.”

“But we need you, too.  What about the show?”

“I've already mapped out the remaining seasons of Glee on my computer.  I trust Brad and Ian to write the scripts.  Hell, Chris could even write a few if he wants.”

“So you're saying we're never going to see you again?”

“Not in person, no.  But you will be able to see me, and communicate with me, if you need to.”

The Fairy Godfather waved his magic wand, and two small oval mirrors appeared.  He handed one to Zach.

“Here — tap this mirror.”

At the touch of Zach's finger, both mirrors began to shimmer.  Ryan tapped his own mirror, causing his face to appear in Zach's mirror, and Zach's face in his.

“See,” he said, voice coming in stereo from both Zach's mirror and his own vocal chords.  “You'll still be able to contact me.”   

Zach gave him a wistful half-smile.  “But I'll miss you.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Ryan said gruffly.  “Me too.  Come here.”

He set down the mirror and hugged first Zach, then Darren, and finally Chris.  “Be good,” he told them.

Kurt spoke up.  “So that's what the Snow Queen's prophecy meant.  Of the four travelers, one will not return.”

“Right,” Ryan said brusquely.  “Well, I've never been one for long goodbyes.  Let's get this over with.  Mother Goose, come and join with me in opening the portal.”

The Fairy Godfather swished his wand through the air, and Mother Goose stood next to him, waving her flask.  A swirling vortex of rainbow light appeared before them. 

“As soon as the third person passes through this portal, the gateway between the worlds will be permanently sealed.”

Zach waved as he stepped into the vortex and disappeared.  Darren went next, saying a quick round of goodbyes before following Zach.  Chris hesitated for a moment, looking around at all of the familiar faces.   

“I hate to see you go,” Mother Goose slurred, taking a swig from her flask.  “Just thought you ought to know.”

She reached out and pinched the Fairy Godfather's ass.  Startled, Ryan jumped reflexively — directly into the vortex.  The moment he disappeared through the portal, it snapped shut with a POP. 

“Wait!” Chris cried, lunging forward.  

But it was too late.  

The gateway between the worlds had closed forever, leaving him trapped in the Land of Stories.

THE END 

(or is it…)