Chapter XXXIII: In the Radiant gardens final part

Looking down into the hole and hearing what Nozomi had said, Riku squinted his eyes to try and get better details, and then suddenly he saw the person that Nozomi was talking about.

The person was wearing a white long sleeved nightgown of some kind and from what he could see from the persons other features, they had light green hair, long and tied back in a ponytail. The person from what he could see also looked quite young maybe around Nozomi's age.

The person was underneath Nozomi and it looked like they were in pain, as it was no surprise since she was on top, looking just as uncomfortable though it was a surprise at seeing them in this desolate place.

He watched then as Nozomi got up as best she could as she took the person in her arms, holding them as best she could. Surprisingly she found that the person was light as she picked them up.

Looking up at Riku she then called upon her wings once more as she then quickly jumped out and arrived at the top beside him. Looking at the person still Nozomi saw that it still looked like they were in pain, and there was even a hint of sadness there too as a gasp escaped from their mouth.

Looking at the person Nozomi spoke once more, "this doesn't look good at all! We gotta get back fast! I hope I wasn't that heavy!"

She had a terrible thought then the person might have got badly damaged from her weight or something.

Riku looking at the person then back to her said, "I agree he doesn't look too good but I doubt it was because of you… besides you're light like a twig."

Nozomi looking at him baffled didn't know whether she had been insulted or complimented.

But there was no time to discuss or argue as she headed straight for the exit, Riku watching her leave then rushed after her taking the Lachesis report they had discovered with him.

Looking out towards Hollow Bastion, Nozomi prayed that her power would be enough to get there with three people, looking at the person again she saw that they were still suffering as there was a terrible shiver now echoing from them. Nozomi seeing this pain decided to at least try!

Riku finally making it over to her looked at the distance himself but was then suddenly hit with realisation, "how are the three of us, supposed to make it back over in one piece!"

Nozomi looking at him then had an idea as she then stepped in front of him, her wings still a flutter. Looking back at him as she continued to hold on to the person as she told him, "Grab the back of my waistcoat, and hold on tight kay?" She asked with a smile.

Looking and hearing this idea, Riku then complained, "your waistcoat! Do you really think that'll honestly be enough to carry two people back! You're just a girl you can't-"

At this he was startled as he saw Nozomi's smile vanish to look at him with heavy irritation as she told him, "well for your information! You were light when I travelled here, and this person too! So when my powers are active like this weight doesn't matter!"

Riku was quiet as he heard this and couldn't think of a response back when suddenly he noticed Nozomi had started to step away. Looking at her he then heard her, "c'mon hurry up! If you don't, I'll leave you behind!"

Seeing that she meant business she started to jump off the ledge, but before she could fully start to fly away, Riku ran in a panic as he grabbed onto the back of her waistcoat quickly.

Once again he was given one hell of a flying trip.

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A long while later Nozomi was back in the committee's base room, they had made a bed for the person as they lay there under a series of quilts and blankets. Merlin had given the person a Cura spell and various other remedies. This had calmed the person down and now at least they slept peacefully and calmly.

Nozomi continued to look down at the person as Riku talked with Merlin in the background.

"And that's the summary of everything," Riku finished as he told the old magician what had occurred up to the point they brought the person in.

"Ah I see then! It seems that you and that lass have certainly been up to a lot! And now this big discovery, who would have thought that there was someone being hidden in that dreary haunted place."

"I know… I mean a girl like that being in a horrible place…" Riku spoke as he thought how awful it must be for someone.

Nozomi's ears pricked up as she heard this, turning around she looked at them as she then voiced her thoughts, "what're you talking about? This is a guy."

At this Riku and Merlin looked at her baffled, it was Riku who responded, "what?!"

Nozomi indicating to the boy repeated herself, "this is a boy! It's not a girl."

Riku looked at her queerly as he walked over as he looked at this supposed 'boy.' But when Riku looked at him he still thought that he seemed quite feminine, so asking Nozomi "what exact evidence do you have for that?"

Looking at him Nozomi wondered if Riku was blind, "easy answer, he's flat."

With that she patted the boy's chest lightly proving the point that Riku finally saw. He was then embarrassed, as he couldn't believe he'd missed something so obvious, and he was even irritated at himself thinking that this unknown boy had even looked a little pretty!

Seeing Riku's embarrassed face as he hid it away with one of his hands, Nozomi's face lit up with a smile of amusement, "so I guess even old snowball can get stuff like this wrong huh?" She ended with a little laugh.

Riku annoyed slightly seeing her smile only looked away embarrassed even more than before as he turned away not wanting to be ridiculed.

Still smiling at his reaction, it was then Merlin laughed a little himself as he came over, "well regardless we have finally managed to complete the device, and also from what this lad has told me, you two have managed to enlist the help of those troublesome fairies."

Hearing Merlin, Nozomi replied, "yeah… and we managed to find another Lachesis report which'll-"

"Lachesis…"

Suddenly it was then that the three of them turned to look at the new arrival who began to twist and turn in his bed, as he then started to gasp once more painfully in panic. He then cried out again, "Lachesis! Lachesis no! Don't do it please, no!"

The others then saw that the person was in pain as they gazed at him distressed, however Nozomi voiced herself once more, "Lachesis? Wait he knows Lachesis… then that means Lachesis is a person?" She asked aloud truly puzzled.

As she spoke this though suddenly the boy reached his hand out desperately as though trying to stop something, but then he gasped as his hand then fell down and landed on Nozomi's right hand that was still upon the bedside.

They continued to look at him concerned as they heard him speak once more, "please… someone stop it please… I can't…I."

Truly saddened by what she was hearing and seeing Nozomi decided to comfort the boy, taking his hand she squeezed it gently as she told him softly, "don't worry… we'll find your Lachesis for you…"

Riku stared at her as she said this, seeing for the first time a look of gentleness upon her face. As she spoke these words the boy calmed down as he unconsciously heard these words and there was even a hint of smile there too.

Seeing him comforted Nozomi was relieved as she smiled a little more as she continued, "I promise…kay?"

Riku stared at Nozomi as she comforted the boy, he didn't know at first how to react to this but then shaking his head he voiced his thoughts, "how can you promise that… you don't even know if Lachesis is a person… and even if they are how would you ever find them?"

Nozomi hearing this was quiet as she thought it over in her mind… she then turned around and looked at Riku as she told him a look of doubt on her face, "I don't know… I know that there is a possibility that we won't find them…. And maybe they don't even exist now… but the Lachesis reports should tell us maybe… when we gather them all, then I'm sure we can do something." She finished with a strong sense of determination.

Riku looking at her saw this determination and was in awe of her at showing this determination, then to finish it off to uplift the atmosphere Nozomi smiled brightly as she finished saying, "besides we've managed to gather a few together so I'm sure there must be something in them to tell us."

Seeing this he was silent as he then shook his head with a sigh, "well that's true and if you're just as determined as you are naïve then I'm sure you as an idiot can bring a miracle." He added with a slight laugh, he then walked to the door to join the others who were waiting with the device.

Hearing this Nozomi then got annoyed bitterly as she immediately let go of the boy's hand as she rushed after him shouting out, "HEY!"

Merlin stared down at the boy for a further few moments as he felt something familiar about him, it was clawing on the edges of his mind, "strange lad… why is it that I seem to recognise your voice from somewhere?"

Though he knew that asking was pointless at this moment, for the boy's comatose state wouldn't leave for a long while, so taking his thoughts he continued to stroke his beard as went outside to join the others for the machines activation.

A few moments later after the old man had left a dark portal appeared within the base room and from within it appeared Pete and Hari as they both strode inside.

"Well looks like this place is sure used, huh?" He asked her.

Hari however didn't answer him as her gaze was upon something, looking in the direction she was looking at he saw then too the boy as he slept onwards.

Quiet for a few further moments, Hari proceeded forwards as she stop and continued to gaze upon the boy in quiet contemplation. Pete followed her over and was confused at the amount Hari was staring at the boy.

Curiosity then getting the best of him he asked, "So, what's with this little tike hm? Is he one of them pieces we're tryin ta find?"

Hari closed her eyes as she then replied to him, "yes he is…"

Pete in glee then smacked his grand fists together as he then rubbed them in pure satisfaction as he spoke, "well, then finders keepers!"

With that he then began to lift the boy out of the bed finding him light but then it was Hari who interjected, "wait."

Pete halted as he did this and looked baffled wondering what was wrong, Hari then continued to speak, " there is no point of taking this one."

Surprised Pete then complained, "wait what do ya mean there's no point in taking this one? If we don't ya know what Maleficent will do to us!? She'll-"

"My master will find this piece a disappointment… he is the weakest out of all of us and he will only become useful when the others have been located… so until then… it t'would be best to leave him here," Hari interrupted as she explained it all to Pete.

But he was still not in agreement as he was terrified at the thought of Maleficent as he continued, "but if she-"

Interrupted once more Hari spoke, "if my lady has any complaints… then I will be the one to take responsibility… since it is my advice that I have relayed to you."

Hearing this logic Pete still couldn't understand her entirely, but then shaking his head himself confused and frustrated slightly he put the boy back down upon the bed once more, making sure to put the blankets back as to not house any suspicions when the committee members returned.

Walking away then he started to walk towards the portal of darkness that formed once more as he spoke, "well, if that's the best advice that ya can give, then don't blame me if Maleficent gives ya the smack down cause-" however it was then as he looked back at Hari that he stopped dead in his tracks.

He saw her look different from all the other times he'd seen her, she gazed down at the boy with a sad lonely gentleness as she stroked a strand of his light green hair back into place.

Lingering for a few moments, then closing her eyes she then proceeded towards Pete as she headed into the darkened portal, staring after her feeling the echoes of loneliness once more he felt saddened again as he followed quickly after her.

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Nozomi now outside where the machine was waited alongside Riku and king Mickey who watched as Leon and Cid did the final tune ups.

The machine itself had a televised wide screen with numerous buttons on a keyboard and underneath there was a particular big red button that was still yet to be used.

Yuffie complained out loud, "C'mon you guys! Aren't you done?" She and Aerith stood to one side between Nozomi and her group.

"Keep yer hair on! This isn't the easiest thing to do!... Okay there we go! I say this big bad boy's ready to go!" With that Cid stepped away from the machine as it then buzzed into life.

Watching it glowing and purring with magical energy it was then that everyone knew the machine was ready to go.

Gazing at it Nozomi then asked, "so what now?"

"Easy answer, I'll be the one to do the honours!" It was then that Cait sith appeared out of nowhere as he suddenly jumped upon Nozomi's head making her head fall forward slightly, she watched annoyed as he landed on the machine's big red button.

The machine then reacted as it buzzed harder and suddenly as it trembled and vibrated all at once there was a huge flash upon the screen as an image appeared on it.

Everyone then ventured closer to see if it had really worked, if they had finally made contact with the outside world. Looking at it closely Nozomi, Riku and the king and everyone looked at the machine with eager anticipation.

Suddenly something spiky appeared on the screen, "Sora!" Riku spoke out in surprise.

"Who!" Suddenly the spiky thing turned around and then they saw that instead of Sora it was an old familiar face turned around.

With his blonde spiked hair and red surprised eyes behind his odd spectacles, it was none other than Odyeux.

Nozomi's face lit up with recognition and delight, "Ody!"

His surprised expression then turned too into a delighted smile as he then cried out, "Nozomi! Riku, King Mickey! What's going on here? How can you guys be talking through the mirror?"

"Mirror?" Nozomi asked puzzled.

However before she could speak it was King Mickey who interjected as he spoke, " I better explain a few things…."

***

After the king had explained all the details to Ody he looked at them all in understanding as he spoke, "wow… it sounds you guys have been up to a lot haven't you?" He asked.

The king nodded at this, while Riku was disappointed that they hadn't managed to get into contact with his best friend, it looked like he was still going to have to wait a while.

Nozomi though was really chuffed to see Ody again and started to speak to him eagerly, "Ody, what have you been up to? Where's this mirror by the way?"

Looking at Nozomi and brightening he smiled as he told her, "it's here in the old mansion, me, Olette and the others have been doing some spring cleaning to make the place better to live in and have fun."

Nozomi was happy to hear things were going well there, "that's great! How's it been coming along?"

Ody then replied, "well it's-"

"Aaagh! Ody!"

Ody then turned around and then found an odd sight before him and Nozomi and the others, there on the floor was Hayner as he was trying to keep Ody's weapon and living friend Scriptium away as she looked at him like a happy kitten trying to stroke herself against him.

Everyone looked at this oddly for a few moments until Ody laughed aloud, "I guess she's still at it huh?"

Hayner was annoyed and then more appalled and then surprised as he saw Nozomi and the others looking at him, quickly he tried to push Scriptium off but as he got on his feet and started to run she curled herself around his legs as she tripped him up and continued to rub lovingly into him.

Nozomi and the others were weirded out as Riku asked, "What's she doing?"

Ody shook his head as he turned his head back to them still smiling, "well it turns out Scritptium has taken a fancy to Hayner, though I don't know why? I think that would explain why she kidnapped him before, as she only takes things she likes."

Nozomi hearing this then couldn't help but smile at the idea as she said, "looks like she's a big softie huh?"

Ody nodded, "yeah you got that right! Oh yeah, I got these two reports ready for you by the way."

It was then king spoke, "really!? Can you send 'em over to us?"

Ody answered, "sure thing," with that holding the reports he'd deciphered he then touched the magic badge that Cait sith had given to him, then instantly the reports were taken to them instantly.

They appeared in Cait sith's gloved hands as he looked at them, "well this is some good work here lad! I'm impressed!"

"Thanks" Ody smiled as he scratched the back of his head, he then told them something else, "after looking at the documents, it appears as though that there's a series of eight of them… and in it well… I can't say that the author is extremely likeable."

Hearing this Nozomi was puzzled, "really why?"

Ody shook his head as he said, "you'll find out as you read them… have you found any others by the way?"

"Oh yeah! Riku, could you do the honours?" She asked.

Hearing this Riku closed his eyes as he reached his hands into his waistcoat and pulled out the report handing it to Cait sith. Cait sith holding them in his gloved paws then glittered with magic as the report was magically teleported to Ody.

Catching the papers in his hands he then told them, "great I'll get to work on these for you."

"Cool thanks Ody! By the way…" looking at Riku she could see that he'd gone back to being discouraged, so quiet for a moment she looked back in Ody's direction and finished, "could you be on the lookout for a guy called Sora… he's an old friend to Riku and Mickey."

Hearing this Riku looked at her again surprised as Ody responded, "of course! I'll be sure to tell the others too, you take care okay?"

Nozomi nodded, "yeah you too, good luck to you and the spring cleaning okay?"

Looking at Ody smile, Nozomi looked beyond him and saw Hayner still struggling smiling at him Nozomi then said, "bye Hayner, let's talk next time kay?"

Hayner hearing this looked annoyed as he was about to say something when the screen went black.

Turning away from the machine Nozomi and the others looked at Leon and his group, Nozomi spoke, "thanks for the hard work guys on the machine, at least we can make contact with the outside world."

Leon replied, "True… but we still haven't managed to contact Sora… I think it'll take a while before we can lock onto him."

Hearing this Nozomi got a little disheartened, but then she remembered the Gullwings, " wait those guys should help us!"

"Who do you mean?" Aerith asked.

Nozomi looking around for a moment decided to call out for them, "Hey! Gullwings! We've got your stuff here! Come out!"

Then suddenly from behind everyone in another flash and glitter there appeared the three fairies.

"Hi there."

"Hey ya!"

"Hey."

Nozomi turning around seeing them smiled at them, "hey guys! We got the gems for you! Here, " Nozomi then brought out the gems from her pocket.

"Wow coolio!" The yellow one echoed as she looked at the glittering gems, the other two joined in impressed by her and Riku's efforts.

"You guys really put in the work didn't you?" The blue one asked.

Nozomi smiled, " well we tried, now you guys can find Sora for us right?"

The black one replied, "well that was the deal we promised…. If we didn't then we wouldn't be able to keep our name."

'Name' it was then it clicked in Nozomi's mind, "that reminds me I don't know you guys names?"

They looked surprised and then the blue one spoke "oh? We haven't told you have we, well my name's Yuna."

Nozomi nodded as she looked at the other two.

"The name's Rikku," the yellow one spoke.

"Paine," The black one spoke finally.

Hearing the yellow one say this Nozomi looked at her Riku queerly as he shrugged his shoulders, Nozomi decided to dismiss it.

"Nice to know you all," with that they all shook hands together once more.

With that they took the jewels and then turning to look at everyone they all waved as they spoke, "well we'll see you again then after we get those guys."

Nozomi smiled, "thanks!"

With that the three fairies vanished in a flash of magic, Riku walked up to her as he said, "I hope those guys keep their promise."

"They will," Nozomi replied.

Looking at her he asked, "how can you be sure?"

Smiling Nozomi answered " because they're our friends, like you and the king and Cait sith are to me."

Hearing this Riku blinked as he looked at Cait sith who smiled as he nodded as he waved his tail too and throw. The king though looked at him a little sadly, and painfully and regrettably Riku remembered those words once more.

Nozomi saw Riku look sad again, but before she could enquire about it suddenly her wings appeared once more and then suddenly above the device that had been created a keyhole appeared in a beam of light.

Everybody was startled at the sight as they gazed wide-eyed, looking at it Nozomi automatically reacted as she then pointed her keyblade to it as it appeared in her outstretched right hand and then from it's end a beam of light appeared as it entered it.

There was a huge sound of something unlocking as it then faded away, Nozomi seeing this then knew it was tie to go, "right let's go guys!"

With that as the huge symbol "VII" appeared upon the floor, Riku the king and Cait sith ran over to her.

"Lass!"

Turning as she and the others began to vanish he spoke, "don't forget to control your power and the magic I've shown you! We'll be waiting for you to come back safely!"

Hearing this Nozomi nodded and smiled as she waved to Leon and the others who waved back to her as she went onto the next stage of her adventure.

There we go the end of the Hollow Bastion saga and now we are a quarter of a way into the story, hope you guys have all enjoyed the ride so far, I'd love to hear you guys thoughts laters! ^^