Chapter CCLXI: The Palace of Alexandra Part III
CLASH!
"Urgh!" Nozomi was just barely keeping the monster they were facing from landing any devastating blows on her!
It was horribly strong and threatening, looking up at it as it's eerie alien glowing yellow eyes peaked down at her. She saw the seemingly hundreds of antenna it had, swaying with life that whipped rapidly behind it!
Nozomi felt her soul shudder inside as she stared at this enormous monster that towered over her, but before she could think-!
"Nozomi!"
Looking she saw that coming in her direction was, "Riku!"
Her beloved with his own Keyblade raised was racing forwards! Ready to strike into the monster with his own power when suddenly-!
SLASH!
"AAAGGGHHH!"
"Riku!"
Nozomi saw with shock that the strongest Keyblader amongst them, was thrown back by some of the Heartless's long whip like antenna! He was sent flying back with so much force that-!
"Riku!" When Mickey went to catch him. He was-!
"Oomph!"
SMASH!
They were both sent flying back and in seconds smashed into the side wall! Seeing this, Nozomi was horrified!
The group of heroes had been attacking this creature for probably ten minutes or more and none of them had been able to land hardly damage at all against it! It was immensely strong and even worse-!
"URGH!"
In her moment of brief distraction, Nozomi was struck from her right side by the another branch of the whipping antenna! Then as she was unbalanced from this blow, it made her lose her grip upon her Keyblade and in this moment of weakness-!
FLASH!
"AAAGGGHHH!"
She was struck by powerful red electricity all over her body and as she became entangled in it's trap! The agony felt like it would last forever but-!
"There!"
Mercifully the agony stopped! It was stopped immediately by a surge of glowing yellow power! She saw it surround her body and she knew it to be the shining shield that Cait Sith would sometimes summon, she saw though that it was Reeve who instead brought it out!
It just in time though, for then-!
SMASH!
The Heartless struck into it, with it's horrific strength! However with her body in this shining spectacle, she wasn't thrown as fast as Riku and Mickey were. Which fortunately allowed-!
"Okay!" She was stopped quickly and then as the shield vanished from around her. She found herself within the arms of, "Zid...ane?"
Smiling, the monkey tailed young man told her, "Looks like I've finally reclaimed my role as the hero, yeah?"
Nozomi released a small chuckled and then told him, "I guess?" But this wasn't the time to joke though for-!
"RRROOOAAARRRR!"
The monster behind them was rapidly moving it's long lengths of antenna, it was whipping them everywhere and the heroes saw that it was glowing menacingly with it's terrible red electricity!
Gritting his teeth, Zidane after letting Nozomi get back up onto her own two feet. He brought out his daggers in front of himself in a defensive stance. As he did this, he uttered, "This guy just doesn't let up, does he!?"
"No," However looking back behind herself. Looking to the cratered hole, where Riku and Mickey were. She was worried for them and quickly she asked, "Zidane, can you hold that thing back for a little?"
Hearing her question and looking in the direction, Nozomi was standing towards. He could see where she wanted to go, smiling he then told her, "Who would I be to refuse the request of a girl feeling distress?"
Nozomi couldn't think of reply to say to this. Instead she again made a simple smile to him. But-!
STOMP! STOMP! STOMP!
Hearing these chilling steps, they both saw that the monster was coming straight towards them both! Seeing it coming their way, quickly Zidane rushed forwards with his daggers ready and told Nozomi, "Get going!"
Seeing him going to engage the monster, the female Keyblader went to do that. But before going, she told him, "Just don't get knocked out before I get back to you!"
Smirking, Zidane then told her, "Who do you think I am!?" With that as the monster went strike him, with it's long winding antennas, the monkey tailed young man evaded almost expertly and before plunging in for an attack, he boasted, "I'm the king of agility!" With that he commenced his attack, giving his friend the time they would need to re-group and think!
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"Keep up the march! Ya little mutt!" Pete told their guide, who had again come to a stand still.
Irritated, Cait sith turned around and pointing at him mad told him, "Oi! I ain't no mutt ya lard! I'm a cat!" Then looking at Pete up and down for a moment, he retorted turning his head away, "And you're way more of a sorry mutt than I'll ever be!"
Getting more mad hearing this insult, Pete went to open his mouth to give him a piece of his mind again when-!
"Enough!"
STRIKE!
Turning around, both felines were on high alert. For Maleficent was clearly getting impatient...again.
For this was the third time that they had come to a standstill. Which Cait sith would then spend minutes and minutes deciding where it was they should all go. This had continued on for twenty minutes or maybe more since they had left the heroes behind to fight the monstrous Heartless.
It was a basic and obviously not that smart of a delay tactic, but it was all that Cait sith had. For he couldn't do anything rash or-!
"Now, Cait stih!" As Maleficent said this with true menace in her voice, she informed the crowned cat, "You had better stop these moments of mischief, otherwise..." With that she turned her gaze towards Hari.
In seconds, the obedient weapon again took her keyblade and placed it against her captive's neck. Kagi who shivered in fear seeing this, the guiding feline at that moment felt the same way as his comrade. Helpless.
Grudgingly gripping his gloved fists, he knew then he had no choice. Sighing, he pointed his free hand in one direction and said, "That way..."
Pleased to see he was being obedient, Maleficent told him, "Good boy." Then with that she turned around and looking to Hari with a triumphant grin. Her servant released her dangerous hold upon the boy.
As she did this, Pete then saw the boy take in a deep breath. Clearly filled with relief. But it was short lived as Maleficent then commanded, "Now my dears let us be off."
With that everyone was walking again, to make it over to this so-called treasure that was hidden within the walls of the Alexandra palace...
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Making it over quickly to where Riku and Mickey were, she cried out, "Guys!"
However obviously they were in a tremendous amount of pain and were unable to answer her. Seeing this worried she told them, finally making it over, "Hang on! I'll heal you both up now!"
With that she brought out her Keyblade, raising it above her head she cried out, "Curaga!"
Immediately the glittering green and yellow spell came and quickly began to heal them both. As it did, Mickey was the first to stir and as he did, he uttered, "No...Zo...mi?"
Smiling, she then told him, "In the flesh!"
"Guys!"
Then stopping her from saying a word more, she saw that approaching their group it was none other than, "Reeve! Shirma!" There quickly approaching them, it was the protector knight and their only still conscious white mage.
Finally making their way over to them, the concerned pink haired girl looking over the Keybladers asked Nozomi, "How is their condition?"
The female Keyblader answered, "Honestly they could be better, but at least they're alive."
"But most importantly conscious," Reeve commented. Then looking towards the rest of their fallen comrades, he continued on to say, "With what remedies we have on hand, none of them can wake our friends."
In disbelief, Nozomi cried out, "You're kidding!"
Shaking her head sadly, Shirma helping to lift Mickey up said, "No we're not," Her hand then gripped her staff tightly, "I've tried every spell I can think of, any of the potions we have on hand... nothing's working!"
Horrified, Nozomi feeling desperate said with terrible anxiety, "Then how can we help them! Also Kagi, Timbre and Cait sith we got to help them too otherwise-!"
"There's only... one way... to help our pals," Surprised for a moment to hear Mickey speak again. Nozomi though remained silent as she and the others listened to what he had to say, "We have to...defeat her, Maleficent." With that looking to the door they had left through, the mouse King continued, "She's the core of it...the spell and it will... it will only stop when her power is depleted."
"Okay," However as Nozomi looked back to Zidane and saw him continue his struggles against the monstrous Heartless that was blocking their way, she then said, "But we still have to deal with that Heartless! It's so fast and if we're not careful it could take and smash our hearts into pieces like it did to-!"
"That...won't-!" Shocked Nozomi saw that it was Riku who had finally regained his consciousness. As he did, it was clear he was in great pain as he was breathing heavily, with his hand over his chest. However this didn't stop him from continuing on to say, "...I won't...let that...happen!"
"Riku!" Going over to him, Nozomi held him as best she could and told him, "Please, don't push yourself! It won't do you any good to-!"
"We can stop...them!" With that he told her, trying to put on a brave face for her, "We can't let...any more Unlocking take place!"
Her heart warming feeling the deep care in his voice for her and the other Vessels, Nozomi though had to be realistic and say, "Yeah of course but still...what can we do? To stop that monster we'll need more time that the others are rapidly running out of!"
Reeve hearing this had had his hand to chin in thought. As Nozomi finished her thoughts, he began his, "What might be a better tactic, I would propose is that we entrap the creature, while others of our number go in pursuit of Maleficent."
Surprised to hear him say this, Shirma then asked him, "Entrap and pursuit?"
With a single nod, Reeve then said, "Or as Cait sith would label it, 'Divide and Conquer.'"
"That sounds like a solid plan!" Nozomi said with some enthusiasm blossoming inside her heart again." Then thinking of her own skills she said, "I've got my Shimmering Sewing and another technique that could keep it in place!"
"Those would be useful," Reeve agreed, but he had to admit, "But it would be good if we could inflict damage through the spell, so that the remaining attackers will have an easier time with it. Can your spell do that?"
As this question came, Nozomi though had to admit, "No... it can't on it's own."
"That's a shame," Reeve said, with that he went to begin thinking again saying, "We'll have to combine it with something else to get the effect we want."
All Shirma had been able to do all this time was nod. However looking to Zidane and seeing the struggles he was going through wanted to do something to contribute. But what could she do? A mere White Mage who hadn't even reached the highest levels of her training? All she could do was-!
"Shirma!" Distracted from her depressed thoughts, the pink haired girl looked in the direction of the one who had spoken to her.
It was Mickey, seeing him look to her she asked, "Your majesty?"
Seeing he'd got her attention, the King then told her, "I think you can be the one to help us!"
Surprised to hear this, the White mage asked after a brief pause, "What? I can?"
With a nod the King told her, "Yes, because I believe you should know this one spell."
With that as the discussions began, the plan for attack was initiated. As they did this the only thing all the heroes could pray for at this moment is that they would not be too late in their rescue.
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As the group continued on with their journey within the halls of the Alexandra palace, they hadn't been delayed that much since Cait sith had his telling off from Maleficent. Together they had seen quite a lot of splendours and true signs of lavish livings and as they did, Pete couldn't help but whistle and say, "Talk about some sweet digs! If I was a thief, I would have taken a bunch of this stuff into a sack already!"
No one said anything to this comment, instead everyone was solemn and quiet. Clearly a couple were dreading what their fate would be, a few were following orders while one was feeling none of this. Instead they were striding forwards in quiet triumphant awaiting the rewards that were rightfully hers.
Pete was quiet, then sighing he really didn't like the atmosphere that was surrounding him. There was no way that this situation could be uplifting, considering what their end goals were.
But thinking of it, Pete looking over to Hari who was walking close to him with Kagi still in tow. He couldn't help but remember what he learned from the young boy, concerning the Lachesis experiment but more importantly Rosso.
Remembering what that woman had done, it made his blood boil! If he could get back to the past he would-!
Then an idea occurred to him! Thinking about Kagi's power... he made a decision. Walking over to his accomplice, he told her, "Hari!"
Hearing him come over, she turned to him and responded, "Yes, Pete?"
"I want ya to let me handle the little chump ya got in yer hands." The overweight cat told her.
Quiet hearing this, Hari looked down to her hostage. He was staring up towards Pete with puzzlement. Noting this, the cold young woman looking back to Pete and asked him, "May I enquire as to why?"
To which silent for a moment, Pete hadn't thought of a good reason at all! But as his mind raced, his eyes darted over to Maleficent. As they did, he quickly then came up with one! "It's uh, Maleficent she's gonna need ya protectin' her ya know!"
"Protecting is your reason?" Hari asked him again.
Seeing he needed to elaborate more before she would believe him, Pete then gave his fast thought of reasons, "Well yeah! I mean think of what those dumb mutts have done in the past! They could come swinging by this way any second! We gotta be ready for them anytime, don't we?"
Hari didn't reply immediately and this silence made him feel terribly uncomfortable. However after a little bit she finally told him, "Your observations are most sound concerning what our mission is at this moment."
Surprised, Pete then asked her, "You mean you'll-!"
GRAB!
Suddenly his massive hands were placed on Kagi's shoulders. As they were in shock and disbelief, Pete then heard Hari say, "Keep a close attentive eye on him." With that she walked away to take up her role as security for Maleficent's safety.
Having this responsibility suddenly placed on him, Pete couldn't almost process that things had gone this smoothly for him. But as Jona walked on past him, she said, "You are so sad!"
Becoming quickly irritated though, Pete told her mad, "Oh shut up! Ya good for nothin' fake kitty cat!"
Seeing him become embarrassed and yelling out like this. Kagi couldn't help but release a small chuckle under his hand.
Hearing this, Pete looking down to him demanded, "What're you laughin' at pipsqueak!"
Trying to hide it Kagi then uttered, "Nothing! Nothing...!" Though it was clear that it was difficult for him to do.
Annoyed that even his own hostage wasn't finding him intimidating. Pete then told, pushing him with a hard shove, "C'mon let's get movin!"
"Ow! Yeah alright!" With that they were both on their way.
Trailing behind the rest of the villains, there was considerable distance between them all now. So much, that Pete decided that now it would be best for him to initiate his idea into action. So quietly he whispered, "Hey!"
Puzzled, Kagi turned to look up to Pete. Doing this, he asked, "What do-!"
"SSSHHH!"
Pressing his long gloved hand to Kagi's mouth he told him after managing to silence him, "I don't want any of them to hear us upfront! We're keepin this down to whisperin' ya hear me!"
"Um?" However quickly seeing Pete's annoyed eyes, the young boy then replied, "Oh! Okay alright, I'll just keep whispering to you." With that done, the young boy looking on ahead then seeing why Pete had asked to guard him asked, "So what is it that you want from me?"
Glad that he was getting straight to the point, Pete then told him, "I want ya to make one of your Doors of Time again."
Shocked hearing this, Kagi asked, "How do you know I can do that!?"
"Cause Hari's been copying yer power!" Pete informed him.
"Copying?" Kagi repeated. However as he thought about things, he then realised, "So Rosso even had it that Hari could duplicate my abilities... I should have known she would have tried to cover all the bases she could."
Hearing Rosso's name angered Pete, mad he told Kagi, "Don't say that name in front of me!"
Kagi stilling as he heard the anger in Pete's voice was quiet. Why would he be so upset to hear her name when he had never-! But quickly it dawned on him and as they walked on together he asked him, "...So you saw my memories didn't you? Of what happened to us?"
Pete didn't answer first, but squeezing Kagi's shoulder he told him, "...Yeah I did." Feeling his anger boil thinking of all the pain he had seen them go through he then asked him, "And that's why I wanted to ask you, can you make me another one of those doors so I can go back and give that woman what's comin' to her!"
Surprised Kagi wasn't expecting Pete to care so much, but as he looked at him and felt the Fragment that was in the depths of his broken heart. The pulse of it's power then revealed to him one thing, which he had to reveal sadly, "I'm afraid I can't..."
Pausing in shock for a moment, Pete then demanded, "What!? Why not!?
Kagi then revealed the reason, "I already granted you a door...a long while ago."
Not understanding for a moment, Pete was going to complain about it. When he had a flash in his memories as he remembered his own words, 'What I wouldn't give to go back in time! What I wouldn't give... It was then he realised, "My steamboat."
"A steamboat is what you wished for?" Kagi asked puzzled.
Pete didn't respond at first to this question but after a little bit he sighed and then said, "I should have known! It's just my luck... bein' unable to do anythin' again for her."
As he said this and they continued to walk forwards together, Kagi then asked as he made his guess, "You're talking about Hari aren't you?"
Spooked, Pete staring down at him then asked, "How the heck did you know that!?"
Kagi shrugged his shoulders underneath Pete's hands and replied, "I just figured, why else would you want to deal with Rosso? You don't know me and from what I can guess you've been with Hari for a long time."
Seeing he had seen right through him, Pete sighed again annoyed and depressed.
"I'm right aren't I?" Kagi asked him.
"Stop askin' about that!"Pete told him, for he didn't want any more salt added to his bruised ego.
Kagi quiet hearing this, thought to himself quietly for some moments. Looking over to Hari who was proceeding to walk on quietly behind Maleficent, he couldn't imagine what his friend had been doing in his unconscious absence. But if he guessed correctly here... there might be a chance for them, so taking a deep breath he said to Pete, "You want to help Hari don't you?"
Quiet not understanding what he first heard, Pete then asked him, "What did you say?"
"You want to help her," Kagi then looking behind and up to Pete said, "You care about her, I can tell."
Getting annoyed by Kagi and his smart ways, Pete then retorted, "She's my accomplice! Of course I've gotta care! Otherwise if she's out and down for the count! Who am I gonna count on to bail my tail out when-!"
"This isn't the way you should be helping her!" Kagi told him, then as he did this he added, "Hari doesn't want this deep down!"
Hearing Kagi say this, Pete then told him, "...I know that," However gripping Kagi's shoulders. He revealed what Hari had told him long ago, "But she told me that she can't move without a Master to command her, without that she'll-!"
"If she continues down this path, it'll only lead to her ruin!" Kagi told him. For then looking up to Pete he told him, "Because there was something that Rosso discovered in her research that I learned when being alone in her company."
"What's that?" Pete asked him.
Then with that Kagi revealed to him what it was and when he was to learn the truth... it would change everything and lead to a turning point.
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Zidane in the meantime continuing his tough fight against the Heartless couldn't help but wince, as he barely missed again another blow from the monster's sharp claws! Then parrying away another of the monster's awful whip attacks he uttered, "Darn if those guys don't hurry up, I'll-!"
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
"Agh!"
Quickly moving, Zidane avoided of the horrible red whips that came down to rain down upon him. Jumping here there and everywhere but then-!
"RRROOOAAARRR!"
The monster was upon him! It's claws were aiming right for his chest! There was no time for him to evade! But then-!
"Blizzaga!"
Suddenly the monster was struck by the powerful ice spell! Making it pull back, as it was covered in painful ice burns! But before Zidane could register this-!
"Thanks for the assist Riku!"
Quickly racing past him and then striking into the monster with her Keyblade, it was Nozomi who told him with a keen battle hungry grin, "Time for round two!" The monster angered by this boast then began to try and strike at her, fast and furiously!
Seeing her do this, Zidane quickly fell onto his backside and as he did he heard, "Here! Take this Zidane we'll need you with us in a second!"
There landing in his lap was a High Potion bottle! Then as he registered this he saw running forwards it was none other than, "Mickey!"
However the King clearly didn't have time to chat, for he immediately joined Nozomi in efforts of cutting into the monster. Keeping it distracted from their other allies who were quickly arriving at Zidane's side.
Seeing Reeve, Riku and Shirma arrive to him, Zidane asked them, "Guys! What took you so long! What're-!"
"Listen there's not much time!" Reeve told him, with that watching Mickey and Nozomi continue their evasion tactics, he continued to tell their confused comrade, "You need to take that potion Zidane and help them."
"Yeah obviously! But what good is that going to do when-!"
"Because we have a plan!" Riku told him, with that he added, "And to make it work, the most agile of us need to be in the fray."
"Thanks for the compliment," Zidane joked. Then taking the potion in hand, he started to drink it. But as he finished taking one big swig, he needed to ask, "So what are you the muscle supposed to do here."
With that said, Riku smiled and told him, "This is the part we definitely think you're going to like to hear!" With that he told him what the plan was and how they were going to thwart the monster and save their friends!
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His eyes widening, Pete couldn't believe it. Looking down to Kagi who had a dead serious look in his eyes, looked over to Hari's unsuspecting turned back. As he did, he asked, "Ya mean? If she get's all them Fragments, she'll-!"
With a firm nod, Kagi told him, "Yes that will be her fate! In fact any of us who managed to gain them all... it won't end well!"
Hearing this, imagining the image that Kagi had described to him in his head. Pete couldn't stand it, for thinking of all the times they had spent together and the pain that she had gone through in the past. He knew for certain there was no way he could let Hari meet that fate!
However as he thought over everything, he realised, "But the whole Master thing! Hari will just become a lifeless doll without Maleficent she'll-!"
"No! There's a way to overcome this!" With that looking at Pete with fierce determination he told him, "If you become her new Master, then she won't become lifeless like that! She won't have to suffer any more!"
Truly shocked to hear this, this was an idea that had never occurred to him to do! He, Pete, become Hari's master? Quiet as this idea settled into his mind...he thought at first it was too good to be true, or in a way too easy to have to solved. So he had to ask Kagi, "Can it really be done that way?"
Nodding Kagi then told him, "I'm absolutely certain! We can succeed if we're careful." Now taking a giant leap of faith he asked, "So what do you say Pete? Will you help me to save Hari?"
Quiet for a moment as he considered this, Pete looking to Hari again turned his eyes to Maleficent. As he did, thinking of the rage that she would unleash on him... there was no doubt it terrified him to his core! But...
Kagi then heard Pete gulp, "I'm gonna make one thing clear to ya right here, it's not me helpin' you!" With that he declared, "This is you helpin' me! You got that ya little runt?"
His eyes widening, immediately Kagi's eyes widened and then he smiled. Nodding he told him, "Alright you got it there, Pete!"
"Call me captain!" The overweight villain told him. With that he added, "Also if those goes well, I might have to make you my Steamboat apprentice, when I get you and Hari out!"
Kagi could find no reason to disagree to this and so told him, "Alright, you got it Captain Pete!"
With that finally feeling a moment of happiness at being called Captain again in a cheerful tone. Pete nodded proud, but then quickly the two newly formed allies began to formulate their own small plan that would hopefully get them all out of the terrible mess they were stuck in!
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Running fast, quickly avoiding another of the terrible red whip of the Heartless that had come at her. Looked back at the handiwork she had done, smiling she couldn't help but say to herself, "I can't believe I'm getting to use this attack again!" Then-!
WHOOSH!
"Agh!"
However it was clear that there was no time to talk. For the planned attack was about to be initiated! The only thing that she could then say as she continued to evade was, "Let's just hope this all works!"
At that moment some distance away, Shirma was holding her staff tightly in her hands. As she did so, a calm hand came to her shoulder saying, "It'll be alright, you're not alone in this!"
Hearing this reassurance, Shirma was quiet. Though she was scared and shaking, thinking of how she was going to face this monster. She remembered again though their friends that were all in jeopardy, for if they couldn't stop this monster and ultimately Maleficent. More lives would be lost!
Feeling her resolve grow, she gripped her staff and told him, "Thanks Reeve..." Then looking ahead she continued on to say, "I'll do my best for everyone, we can start now!"
"Alright," Reeve said in response. Then looking ahead, he got his own sword out and stepping forwards. He breathed in deeply and shouted out, "BEGIN!"
Hearing the signal call, it was then the planned attack was initiated! The monster at that moment had its eyes focused on Mickey. The Mouse King parried more of it's sharp blows with his Keyblade when-!
"Firaga!"
In seconds as this fiery spell was unleashed, the monster snarled in pain! Then quickly it's eerie glowing eyes moved to who had attacked it, again it saw the winged female Keyblader had its weapon aimed at it! Enraged it charged straight towards her, with it's claws raised to attack!
Nozomi seeing it come charging, gripped her Keyblade. She waited, the timing had to be right! She couldn't be off by even a beat, it had to be right! Precise, almost-!
"RRRROOOOAAAARRRR!"
It was then she smiled, it was perfect! She unleashed her attack, "Shining Steps!"
Then in seconds, multiple circles of glowing light emerged and quickly-!
BLAST! BLAST! BLAST! BLAST! BLAST!
The monster from each of these attacks was thrown off it's feet and sent flying higher, higher and higher into the air! It was stunned! Seeing this, she called out, "Zidane! Mickey!"
In seconds, the other two most agile of the comrades raced forwards! Then as the Mouse King took off into the air, Zidane smiling away said, "You were right I do like this!" With that they both proceeded with their attacks! Slashing and hacking away into the monster!
As they did this, Mickey seeing that they had the upper hand looked behind and said, "Nozomi go now!"
With a fast nod, the Female Keyblader took off into the air to begin the next stage!
Then Zidane in that moment, swinging up and around the Heartless struck the monster in the face! Flipping over in the air, he cried out, "Riku! Get going now!"
"You got it!" However before going he turned behind himself and said, "You two get ready!"
"Of course!" Reeve said, answering both for himself and his partner.
Pleased with this confident response, Riku raced forwards! As Mickey and Zidane finished their fast attacks, they quickly darted and backed out of the way of the Heartless as it proceeded again to try and attack them!
However it missed and another second-!
"BLIZZAGA!"
It was struck with the powerful spell again! This caused it to become enraged once more! As it turned it's eerie eyes to look in Riku's direction!
Seeing it's awful eyes on him again, Riku felt that terrible pain in his heart again making him flinch inside. He grasped at his chest for a moment, however he couldn't falter! Aiming he proceeded with more icy blows!
"BLIZZAGA!" "BLIZZAGA!" "BLIZZAGA!"
The powerful spell was growing in intensity with each chant and the ice was growing more solid upon the Heartless's form! Literally it was beginning to be frozen to the spot!
However Riku knew this would only work for so long! But this was the plan and he had to have confidence it would work, so using up all the last of his remaining magical power he had available he cried out again,
"BLIZZAGA!"
With that the his magic was spent! However just he had hoped, the monster's lower extremities were frozen solid to the floor! He knew quickly who's turn it was next to act, looking in her direction he called out, "Nozomi go!"
"Okay!" She answered back! With that racing, up and above using her wings, she sprung up and above the monster! Then racing over it's long claws that tried to slash at her again, she launched forwards landing hard upon the red carpet at the base of the stairs!
The monster was forced somehow to blow as she did this! It didn't understand how this could be when-!
"Shimmering Sewing!"
Quickly in seconds silver shimmering lines of power were revealed that were tied tightly around the monster's limbs and neck! Forcing it to almost bow!
Nozomi gritting her teeth moved and quickly tied the threads together into the floor and at that moment, "Reeve I need you!"
With that the protective knight raced forwards and quickly created a shining shield around the sewing she had made! Doing this all the lines she had made began to glow with the same yellow light as his protective power!
As she did this, she asked him, "Can you hold him like this?"
"Yes this should be simple enough," With that looking ahead, he told her, "I'll try and reserve what energy I can for these lines," Then seeing the monster thrash and tear at it's new bindings, he revealed, "If needs must, I can summon a shield too."
"Okay," Nozomi said in response. Then looking to the side, she said, "Okay, Shirma you're up!"
"Alirght," stepping forwards, Shirma put her own magical power over the small shield and threads. Doing this, she recited her spell, "Aero!"
Immediately the spell was done and quickly along with the glow of the yellow threads there was a green glow that spread over it all too. Keeping her hands grasped over the shining shield of spells, she felt the effects of it come through.
The monster was struggling badly against all these bindings, it was trying to lift itself but-!
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
The monster was sliced into all over it's limbs! They were slicing cuts, that were coming from the Aero spell! Amazed, Shirma cried out, "It's working!"
Smiling Reeve then said, "Indeed, with Nozomi and my magic in support, it's strengthened the spell tremendously!" With that looking to the struggling creature, he said, "This monster won't have any freedom now!"
"Then that's our next cue!" With that looking ahead she called out, "Mickey! Zidane! Let's go!"
"Right!"
With that the Mouse King and Monkey Tailed Thief, raced forwards towards the door! Both of them began pulling it open and as they did Zidane cried out, "Nozomi hurry up!"
"Coming!" With that the Female Keyblader raced up to chase after her comrades! However as she left flying through the air she called out, "Guys! We'll be counting on you!" With that making it to Mickey and Zidane she quickly help them out to try and open the doors!
However it was clear the restrained monster was outraged, looking back against as it struggled against it's restraints it summoned it's massive red whip antenna to smash into it's prey! But-!
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
Quickly leaping into the fray and stopping the attacks from hitting the three, it was none other than Riku! Looking to the monster with fierce determination he told it, "Not so fast!"
Then as this occurred-!
CREAK...!
The door was opened and immediately Nozomi, Mickey and Zidane began to leave through it! As her two friends went through first, the Female Keyblader nodded to Riku as he did the same to her before she took off after them!
At last they had their exit and now their chance! They had to get to the others and fast before more tragedy befell them all...