Chapter LV: In the case of Baker Street part VII

Continuing to fall in the air Nozomi watched as the toy store quickly faded from sight, to be replaced by an endless sea of black emptiness, her gaze was in shock as she realised what was happening.

"Don't tell me that right now I'm going to-"

Then suddenly she fell into a hard surface upon her back, "ow! That hurt!" She cried painfully.

Then looking down as she got up gradually she saw an all too familiar stained glass pattern on the floor, "Oh no…"

"PROGRAM ACTIVATED"

Then at once in the distance she saw digital squares gather together forming once more. Looking all around she then knew what was going to occur, "oh, great of all the stuff that could happen right now! First Olivia and the king and now-"

Suddenly she stopped in mid sentence as she looked down at her right hand and saw-

"INITIATING SEQUENCE 4-1… BEGIN STAGE"

Suddenly then the pillar she was on began to move but it wasn't this that had surprised her, for looking now at her whole being, she had been restored to her human form! This was really startling! As she hadn't even noticed the change! But before she could question why this had occurred suddenly in her right hand the Starseeker emerged once more, as well as her light blue leg armour.

Then knowing that this was not the time to be asking questions she took the keyblade with both hands as she then said with her focused determination, "this day's full of surprises… well I'm gonna give this guy who's coming a surprise or two as well!"

Then at once the mechanized voice sounded once more.

"KEY SET AND READY ENTER COMBATANT"

The digital ring then sounded and she watched as the mist once again emerged with the digital blocks once more, and from within their swirling depths a knight appeared.

This one now was dyed in crimson red armour, it's cape ripped and shredded as though it had faced a many great battles and this one was a male knight, strong and imposing as he stood with his grand sharp keyblade.

Watching him Nozomi watched as he readied himself into the dueller's stance, acting out of past manners she did the same, as she was ready.

"CHASER PROGRAM BEGIN"

With that the battle commenced.

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At once Cait sith ran to assist his princess, however before he even took a few steps forwards, despite her pain she cried, "No don't!"

He stopped in his tracks anxious and curious why she wouldn't let him help, but then before he could speak Oralee spoke once more, "I can't let you get caught in this spell, the one's who's doing this is-"

Suddenly she gasped once more as the pain was becoming worse within her mind, Oralee felt the effects of the spell taking place, Cait sith at that moment called out to her, "yer highness! Who's doin this to ya!? What is it that ya have ta say to me?!"

Clenching her sides Oralee opened a single pained eye to look at her beloved friend as she then tried to say it, "it's another one of us… you got to stop them before any more of us are taken otherwise…!"

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Nozomi rushed forwards towards the knight as he too sped at her, both of them had their keyblades raised ready to strike each other. With that they clashed together as their blades struck one another a sea of sparks flying and rushing from the power they both contained.

With that they rebounded off one another, Nozomi taking the energy from the blast landed on the stained glass floor and once again leaped forwards, the red knight did the same as he too quickly leapt off the floor and came at her again.

Once more their blades struck and again they rebounded coming at each other faster and faster each time the momentum growing. Nozomi though slightly nervous was pumped in this battle, as for the first time she found a knight that could keep up with her speed.

Looking at him she smiled as she spoke, "wow, you can keep up well! What other tricks do you have up your sleeve I wonder?" With that she licked her lips showing her hunger for a challenge.

The knight though said no words to her question but instead struck against her blade once more causing a rebound, Nozomi again got on the floor ready to leap.

As she did though suddenly she felt something from behind, looking then she saw the red knight, he had changed his battle tactics! Nozomi was in shock as she quickly moved to turn around, however as she did the knight jumped back. As he did his keyblade glowed with red light that quickly began to burn upon its tip.

Nozomi as she saw this suddenly felt a jolt inside as she recognised that power! "That's the same light that Hari has!" She spoke surprised as she saw the blade glow with the same energy she had battled however before she could question how these two were related the knight made his move.

His power reaching his limit he then suddenly sent red waves of scorching light fly everywhere in huge floods as he swung his keyblade back and forth a wrathful aura burning all around him.

Nozomi seeing the dreadful attack coming went immediately to defend herself as she brought her keyblade up defensively to endure the blows, as the first wave came at her it struck fast and viscously as it passed right through her keyblade and struck her body!
"AAAgggghhhhhh!!!" She cried as the attack was heavy and burning as she felt it pierce her very centre.

Clenching from the blow and it's horrible power she looked up as she then saw the other waves coming straight at her, seeing them she quickly tried to dodge back and forth through the hellish storm.

Getting past most as best she could she was still hit with a barrage of them, she tried to find some way to avert them as she even made an attempt to strike a couple back towards the knight. But the idea was fruitless as it continued to only pass through her weapon, and merely defending was not enough to stop it either.

"Damn it! What am I supposed to do! What can I-"

Once more though she was cut off guard as the knight suddenly came straight in front of her, Nozomi looked on with shocked eyes as suddenly she was struck multiple times with his keyblade as he struck into her legs, chest and stomach and then suddenly before she could blink he came up from behind. With that almost like a well-armed batsman he smashed a crushing blow into her back.

She gasped shocked in pain from the horrible blow as it sent her flying forwards high.

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Looking at his princess desperately Cait sith didn't know what on earth he could do to help her, but hearing her words he understood immediately what she meant for-

Suddenly then he heard a painful cry that penetrated the inner realms of his subconscious looking startled and around himself he knew that cry anywhere, "what has that daft banshee got herself into this time?!"

As he thought this suddenly he got fast glimpses himself of what was going on, a red burning knight, burning strikes of power… she was not doing well.

Seeing these images he then knew of the threat and what it was she had to do, looking at her highness and then thinking of that banshee… Cait sith knew reluctantly that she was the only one that he could help right there and then… so now was the time to assist!

Clenching his gloved hand hard he then said with a note of annoyance, "you better be grateful for what I'm gonna do for ya lass!"

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In the meantime flying in the air, Nozomi despite her agony opened her eyes in time to see herself nearly about to fall off the ledge, seeing this she then became immediately alarmed.

"Whoa!!!" She cried, quickly acting she called the Starseeker out and struck it quickly into the side of the pillar.

"I'm not beaten yet!!" She cried angered, she was not going to be weak!

Some coloured fragments of glass quickly flew left and right as she did so, she breathed hard from the rush as she had barely made it in time, looking at the darkness again she watched as a few of the fragments disappear into it.

She gulped at the awful idea of that nearly becoming her fate… but then looking back up to the battle at hand she quickly spun and then jumped over the pillar's edge landing quickly.

Holding her side as she grasped the keyblade tightly in her right she looked at the knight hatefully as he stood there completely unscathed waiting for her inevitable return.

Nozomi was quite badly damaged from that attack… she needed to get her strength back quickly, and she knew that the only way was to cast the cure spell upon herself… but just as the thought had appeared in her mind the knight then began his attack once more.

Looking at him Nozomi saw once again he was preparing his attack as his keyblade quickly became alight with power and then faster than even before he launched his assault as the raging waves rushed forwards once more.

Nozomi looked alarmed as she was too off guard and weak to even attack back so she clenched her eyes as the energy sped forwards fast and furiously towards her, but then suddenly as the energy was within one metre of attacking her there was suddenly a flash of light.

Feeling it suddenly Nozomi opened her eyes quickly to see an enormous glowing yellow shield around herself, the energy stopped the attacks in seconds as they were reduced to nothing!

Astounded at this new show of power Nozomi was silent for a moment or two but then quickly acting as she was given this chance she then cried, "cure!" With that the spell activated and her withered energy was restored in moments.

The red knight was also taken off guard by this sudden power, however undeterred he began his assault once more as he sent more barrels of energy in Nozomi's direction.

Seeing the power coming quickly Nozomi acted as she looked on fiercely, she quickly called out her wings as she then ran forwards dodging the waves left and right as best she could.

Holding her keyblade ready in her hand she prepared her attack and as she did she then noticed as she ran even though she managed to dodge a few of the waves had struck the shield. It was still around her but yet invisible!

Looking at it she began to think to herself, 'where have I seen this power!?"

She then had her attack ready as the knight then came running forwards with his keyblade burning with red light. With that she gritted her teeth ready.

She then thought once again,' I know I've seen it before… it was-'

"Swift star rays!" She shouted and then all at once the stars upon her keyblade turned into lighting fast glittering comets as they flew towards her enemy.

The knight seeing the oncoming attack acted accordingly as he struck the stars back and forth as he charged at them slicing through, however he had missed a few that then struck a part of his armour.

Then taking the time he was distracted Nozomi quickly bounded forwards and then swiftly she turned around facing his behind, with that she then began an onslaught of strong kicks.

As she continued on her mind was busy thinking as well as she was on the edge of remembering, "it was earlier on, in one of the first few places I visited, it was-"

However her thoughts had distracted her and the knight then had taken his chance as he had spun around enraged his keyblade struck Nozomi quickly back stopping her attack.

Crying out from the pain Nozomi flew into the floor, she then began to sit up from the blow aching as she said. "that really hurt"

But then she looked up to see knight was now on top of her as he quickly aimed the keyblade down burning with power, ready to cut her to pieces.

Seeing this she was then terrified as she then braced herself for the impact as she held her arms over herself… with that the knight descended his blade upon her.

CLANG!!

Hearing the sound Nozomi opened her eyes hesitantly from her defensive position and then saw with shock that the yellow shield had returned… glowing angrily against the red light of the knight's keyblade as it was struggling against it's defensive power.

Nozomi watched shocked as she then saw the knight's keyblade then begin to crack and splinter against the shield's power, as she saw this she suddenly had a sudden realisation.

That shield was in Notre Dame! She remembered how it had saved Quasimodo herself and-

Stopping in mid thought she then saw her chance to attack as the knight's keyblade was splintered badly and then a couple of it's key points were broken off.

Seeing this a new technique immediately appeared in her mind as she quickly got on her hands and spun kicking swiftly upwards shouting, "SPIRAL KICK!!!"

With that she struck the remains of the red knight's keyblade out of his hands and with that she began her final strike as a whirlwind of light bounded all around as her wing's ignited powerfully as she cried, "ASTRAL AERIAL SMASH!!!"

With that the knight was struck with heavy damaging kicks and then finally the Starseeker as it was given the finishing blow. The knight's body shivered and shook from the impact of power and then all at once it ceased as then it collapsed in on itself… it's role finished.

Breathing hard from the heavy onslaught Nozomi had given to the knight she wiped her forehead slightly getting rid of a bead of sweat, "man that was a close one… that had to be-"

Suddenly then as she turned and looked back as she saw a sight that really surprised her, Cait sith was on her back still! She couldn't believe it! He'd made it in with her! But then she thought back to Notre Dame and how he'd been there as well when the shield had first appeared…. Could he have been?
But it was too late to think anymore about it as then a white light engulfed everything.

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CHASER PROGRAM COMPLETE

…

SIGNATURE RECOGNIZED NOW RELAYING, PROGRAM X-M 1

Sunlight shone all around as the pillar's of the grand hall glowed golden in the light sending warmth everywhere, filling all the heart's of those who entered it with peace and happiness.

On that one morning his royal highness came through the pillar ways, dressed in his embrodied cloths of red yellow and white, his rich light brown hair and beard covering flowing downwards, and his royal violet coloured eyes smiled with content for it was today that the grand council would be held by all.

Walking inwards and making it to the very centre of the room he suddenly heard new footsteps, they sounded hurried thinking this unusual he watched then as suddenly he came into focus.

Wearing his uniform of black and grey his long white long gloves on his hands he looked extremely worried with his yellow burning eyes looking back and forth. Seeing his old colleague he called out to him, "Xehanort? What is troubling you my friend?"

Hearing his majesties beckon Xehanort ran forwards as he then collapsed on his one knee as he told him, "Your majesty I have some terrible news to report!"

Listening to these words his highness then became extremely worried as he asked, "What is it?! What's happened?!"

He looked at him then terribly as he made his report kneeling on the floor his right arm across his chest, "I must tell you! Someone has snuck into the inner core of the palace… and they have been taken!"

Hearing this the king was then horribly alarmed at this as he asked, "you don't mean-!"

Looking at him with true despair in his eyes he said, "Yes my liege… the fragments have been taken!"

At once the king was then horrified as he then said quickly, "we must do something at once! Call all our knights and all the members of the court! This must be see to immediately!"

"At once your highness!" Xehanort replied quickly.

With that the king hurried out of the chambers this new calamity now on his hands.

As he left through the corridor though, Xehanort got up and then smiled sinisterly as he put his hand to his chest and from within a couple of shining glowing pieces of crystal light glass appeared, one a vibrant shade of purple and the other in his hands a crimson red.

Looking at them as they beat with power he looked at the corridor and said with an air of amusement…"and now it all begins…."

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Opening her eyes then from the vision Nozomi felt slightly breathless from the whole experience as one word came from her lips as she awoke, "fragments?"

Then just as she did that she got up and with that she then saw in her hands on her lap was a red cube with the Roman numeral IV upon it, as she looked at it in her hands she couldn't believe it.

"Wow a Lachesis report, and of all places!" She thought with a hint of humour in her voice.

As she looked her hands she then noticed she had her dark grey fur once more, she was back to being a mouse girl once more, seeing this she was slightly deflated as she said aloud, "oh well… it was good while it lasted…"

Suddenly then the cube folded in upon itself and there once more were the faded written reports, as she stared at the papers she spoke aloud, "that last one… I felt something really important in that one… what were those fragments, that king… and that Xehanort what were they talking about?"

As she thought about it though she wasn't really drawing any conclusions from her own mind and so the sighed as she shook her head and then said, " I can't figure this out by myself… maybe if I had more information then I could-"

Suddenly then as she said these words something behind her glowed startled she turned her head around and asked, "what's that!?"

Looking then she saw that Cait sith was glowing and as he did suddenly in his folded arms appeared some sheets of clean paper.

Seeing them Nozomi took Cait sith off her back and then pulled him over to look at what he had, pulling the papers from his arms she then saw that it was the new translated report from Odyeux, seeing this she marvelled at the clean written language.

Smiling at this she spoke, "wow he's done a great job here!... Hang on what's this?"

For there amongst the papers was a piece of sticky yellow notepaper, a little message from Ody, "what's this about?" She asked.

With that Nozomi then began the read the words on the note, "hi guys! I just wanted to let you know I've perfected my translating skills and from now on I'll be able to deliver the new reports to you instantly when you find any new ones, me and the others are all doing well here and Araxne says hi! She's been a great help and friend here, hope to see you all again soon, Ody."

After reading the message Nozomi smiled, Ody was still a sweet heart as ever, but then looking at both the new reports she had in her hand she would have to deal with them later, so putting both in her pockets she looked to see where she was.

Suddenly there was a calling below, "Basil!" "Nozomi!"

Hearing the voice she quickly pulled Cait sith back onto her shoulders and back as she looked over to see downwards, to see Dawson and Riku looking around frantically for their two lost companions.

Seeing them Nozomi called out, "Riku! Mr Dawson!"

Hearing her they looked around themselves trying to find where she was, they couldn't see her as Dawson showed as he cried, "Where are you my dear!"

Nozomi then whistled to get their attention as she called, "up here!"

With that Dawson and Riku turned to see where she was calling from, they then found her sitting upon a big red and yellow-rimmed drum as she waved to them.

Seeing her unscathed Riku sighed with slight relief but then annoyance came over as he said to her, "what're you doing up there!"

Hearing this tone Nozomi got a bit annoyed as she replied, "how would I know! I just fell here! It's not my fault where I land!"

Riku looked on still with his usual gloomy gaze but then before another debate could occur between the two of them Dawson interrupted, "well never mind all this where has Basil got to!"

At this Nozomi was broken out of her angry state to be over come with a feeling of alarm as she remembered the great mouse detective too had fallen as well, she looked around herself trying to find something as she did suddenly one of her big mousey ears picked up something.

Looking in the direction it twitched Nozomi looked and listened, she could definitely hear something and in doing so she alerted the others, "I hear something over that way!"

Seeing Nozomi as she pointed in a certain direction Riku and Dawson began to ran where she had indicated, they both turned around the corner leaving Nozomi by herself, looking down to where they both should have been she then saw disgruntled that they'd left her behind!

Angered she cried out, "Oh fine just leave me behind like that!" Irritated she then began to make her careful descent down not wanting to cause a new avalanche.

Meanwhile Dawson and Riku had run around a corner, Dawson continued to call out, "Basil! Basil!" Suddenly then there was an automated child's voice crying out, "mama! Mama! Mama!"

Hearing this odd noise Riku asked aloud, "mama?" Thinking that this must be the sound Nozomi had picked up both Dawson and him made their way through a couple of toys as they both pushed them apart to reveal where Basil had been all that time.

What they found was the great mouse detective hanging from a pull string of a pink dressed blue eyed, brunette doll lying upon a pile of toys, Basil in the meantime was bouncing up and down like a bungee rope trying to loosen the string that had got tangled around his legs. He looked extremely agitated while trying to do so.

Seeing him Dawson cried relieved, "Oh Basil your safe thank goodness!"

Riku seeing as well that their ally wasn't in any greater peril spoke as well, "yeah that is thank goodness… but now-"

However Basil cut him off as he spoke showing his frustration, "yes! The girl and our comrade Mickey have been taken! Why couldn't you all keep on eye on her like I told you all to! Confound it!" Finally he got himself loose as he tumbled down and landed flat on the floor.

Nozomi then made her entrance as she appeared from behind the toys herself as she asked," hey what's all the hullabaloo?"

Looking at her as she said these ridiculous words Riku was about to say something when suddenly Basil spoke instead as he carried on fuming, "now those two have been spirited away by those two maniacal monsters! Soon to be in the clutches of the most depraved mind of all of London! I should have known better than to have let you all, let you all…. Chaps? Chaps?"

However he stopped as he saw the group of his comrades all gather together, Nozomi and Dawson were the worst hit with his words as every single one had been true… they'd let down both their friends when they needed them most. Even Riku was feeling a little melancholy from the whole situation.

Basil stopped as he thought then he'd gone too far… he paused for a moment as Nozomi looked at him depressed saying, "sorry…I'm sorry about all that…"

Riku was silent as he had no words that would enlighten the moment. While Dawson still had his shoulders slumped his back turned truly depressed at the situation.

Seeing the depression that he had caused amongst everyone, he tried to speak to them all, "I say, my dear chaps?" He asked with a grin trying to make the situation better than it actually was.

Looking at his smile though it didn't really help as Nozomi turned her face away while Riku was in the same frame of mind as he did the same. However it was then that Dawson began to speak despite his depressed state, "oh those two, that poor girl and sir… I should have been more vigilant." With that he put a handkerchief to his moustached nose.

Hearing him say these words it was then finally that Riku said something as well, "doctor don't blame just yourself… we're all at fault for being distracted."

As he said these words, Nozomi then turned to the doctor as well as she added, "yeah… and also we just weren't fast enough or… powerful enough to deal with all the chaos." Hearing the two of them say these comforting words the doctor brightened though of course they all still felt depressed at the situation.

Seeing all of them together in this state Basil tried to brighten the atmosphere as he said, "don't worry chaps, it's not entirely hopeless…"

Looking at him Nozomi was surprised to see Basil showing this comforting side to his character, which was entirely new but even she was unsure if he really meant it.

But then he reached a hand to Dawson as he put it upon his shoulder saying, "We'll get them back…" and on his face was a genuine gentle comforting smile that he directed not just to Dawson but also to everyone.

Seeing this Nozomi quickly felt her depression leave as the others too were feeling it, she then asked him, "Do you really think we can do that?"

Hearing her ask the question Dawson also chipped in as he too asked, "yes I agree, do you believe we still have a chance?"

At this point proud to see that he had got a positive atmosphere inspired once again from the group Basil declared holding his smoking pipe in his hands, "there is always a chance my dear fellows!" With that he turned and struck a match against a toy jester's nose that grinned creepily as he then said, "as long as one can think!"

With that Basil got to doing just that as he lit his pipe and began smoking, his hands behind his back as he began his pondering, watching him do this Riku then voiced his mind, "well that's about the only thing we can do right now."

Nozomi and Dawson both nodded as they too began to try and think about the possibilities of where Olivia and Mickey could have been taken… Nozomi thought about how Pete and Fidget had left through the roof window… if they did that it would be impossible to trace… and she really couldn't think of anything back to their encounter that would help them out in any way.

So looking at the doctor and Basil as they were both distracted Nozomi turned to Riku and then shook him out of his own thoughts as she gestured to him to come and talk with her to the side.

Seeing her do this he was curious as to what she had to say as he followed her over a short distance away from their allies, out of earshot he asked, "what is it?"

Looking at him for a moment she then rummaged in her pockets and showed him the new Lachesis reports she'd found and received, Riku seeing the papers was puzzled for a moment but then seeing what they were as he read them he then said, "how did you find this new one!?"

Seeing his reaction Nozomi smiled as she said awkwardly scratching the back of her head, "uh well it kinda… just fell in my lap actually." She ended with a small laugh.

Not understanding her humour as he looked at her Riku turned back to the report as he read through it… it was strange how these reports would suddenly come out of nowhere… what could it all possibly mean?

Looking at him as she saw his reaction to the report Nozomi didn't know what to say for a moment but then she decided to just speak her mind anyway, "actually… there was something that was mentioned this time when I came into contact with the report this time."

Hearing her as she said this Riku asked, "Mentioned, what was mentioned?"

Nozomi was unsure herself if it would even mean anything to Riku if she said it… but she might as well say it anyway, "well there was a talk about some frag-"

"Dawson you've done it!!!" Basil cried suddenly interrupting Nozomi, turning around surprised she saw him holding the white paper that Dawson had found earlier.

Seeing this she quickly turned and walked over asking, "what's going on?"

However before Dawson could answer her question Basil spoke once more, "this list is precisely what we need!"

Hearing him say this she was now even more baffled, "list? What list?"

Unfortunately Basil left no time to talk as he hurried to the exit crying out, "Quickly back to Baker Street!" Jumping over a rubber duck that squeaked as touched it.

Seeing him run off Dawson gave chase as well as Nozomi as she cried out annoyed, "wait for us you nimrod!"

Meanwhile Riku having seen what had occurred then ran after them, however as he did he felt his heart aching in pain again… it was increasing…