Chapter LXVI: The trials of the Coliseum part II

Down below in the cold dark depths of the underworld Hades had now settled back into his surroundings as he was now sat back upon his throne after a well-deserved wash and rest.

Now that he had recovered from the horrific three-month swirling torture he had his right hand under his chin as he listened to the deal that the old hag (Maleficent) was proposing from her still stead fast as ever henchman Pete. "And that's basically what Maleficent got planned," Pete finished as he had now explained the whole plan to the lord of death with a smile on his lips.

His hand to his chin Hades expression was deep in consideration as Pete looked up at the dark fiery lord, he couldn't read what he was feeling at all. But then before he could ask him anything it was then Hades spoke, "Hmmm I see…"

With that he then he reached his left sharp pointed fingered hand to one side over his throne as he reached into a bowl of slithering green worms that Pain held while Panic was at Hades other side ready with a drink just in case both serving together at last again.

Holding the worm in his hand as it slithered to and throw helplessly Hades spoke summing up what it was Pete had said, "so let me put a rewind on this so called little proposition… that miss twin horns has planned…"

With that he looked over at Pete who looked at him hesitantly while the girl who had saved him watched on unchanging in the back slightly her arms folded with a serious expression upon her face.

He then began, "I basically help you guy's out to get this… girl who has this hidden whatever is, and you will help me get Olympus and take care of the old sunspot upstairs?... Is that it?"

Pete was silent as he looked at Hades but then before he could say another word it was then Hari walked forwards as she confirmed, "that is correct… my powers as well as my accomplice will both be at your disposal." With that she kneeled before Hades showing her ease in being a subordinate.

Seeing her do this Pete paused for a moment but then he decided to also play along since Hari had managed to sway over people before as he added, "uh yeah, that's right Hades we're all but your's fer the oderin'!"

Hades watching this act was unaltered as he continued to ponder over this proposed deal… he wasn't one to bite onto a hook that easily for he was the master of deal making and he had to make sure that were no loose ends that would turn against him.

First of all the presumed help was something to consider, Pete himself was really not worth considering, for the big lummox couldn't fight really on his own and the only thing he really did have at his advantage were the swarms of heartless and without them he knew he wouldn't pay him a second glance.

But the girl on the other hand… here was something that had some real considerable worth, for she had already proven her ferocious power against the vortex of the underworld and he could still sense further hidden potential in her as well…

So on the battle front he'd certainly be earning some points there… however he himself was not ready for this little transaction, for now his underworld at that moment was practically in tatters with rampant ghosts littering left and right and even escaping to the surface which would cause a big enough headache as it was… and he had no longer any available good enough fighters to put to use.

With that he then made his reply, "well that's all a very nice and dandy deal you've got there going… but right now I'm at a stand still." With that he got up out of his throne and turned his back to them.

Pete lifted his head up then as he heard their deal seemingly being turned down as he then asked, "huh? But why do ya say that Hades? I mean yer the lord of the dead and-"

Suddenly it was then Hades smashed his hand his down into his throne his fire flickering madly revealing tinges of red still holding the wriggling worm making Pete, Pain and Panic jump while Hari still had her head bowed.

Hades holding his inward frustration back continued to look on ahead into the distance as he answered, "because… though you two promise to put your own necks out there on the line for this, I would prefer and like it more if I had my own guys out there so I can have more of a guarantee…"

Everyone was silent as they waited for Hades to go on, and then he did just that as he turned and then said with a sarcastic smile, "but as you can see right now, my own place is practically in the slums… which I really need to get sorted… and then onto big phenomenal number two, " he then pointed up with two of the digits of his right hand as he spelled it out for the two kneeling lackeys, "I have got zip lock and zero, no more fighters to keep that little guarantee which means I'm out for the count."

Listening to the lord of death's reasoning Pete could think of nothing and he knew then that he and Hari were now in a huge heap of trouble for now Maleficent was going to chew the heck out of them if they came back empty handed.

Hades then finished with this discussion then went back to his throne as he then sat himself down again as he then looked at the two nuisances with boredom as he then said, "so say thanks to the old hag for me." With that he then began to lift the now deceased worm to his mouth to devour.

Pete his head down in furious anxiety didn't know what to do at all but then suddenly came the voice of reason, "what if I made a suggestion to solve both of your dilemma's with ease?"

The worm now in his mouth Hades turned to the girl who still had her head lowered as she continued to kneel unmoving from the spot as Pete gazed at her just as equally puzzled, looking at her he then finished the worm slurping it in as he asked, "excuse me?"

Looking at his accomplice with worried eyes he was wondering if she knew what the heck she was doing when she spoke again, "I am saying that I have a way for you to solve this problem with the way things are at this moment."

Hearing this girl say this Hades almost felt like laughing, however he was not going to give her the luxury of seeing her stir his humour so he then he spoke showing his annoyance, "I think you didn't hear me the first time… I said that-"

She interrupted, "I am quite well aware what it is you alliterated to before lord Hades… but I do recall my lady saying that you commanded great behemoth's of power… the titans…"

Pete was quiet as he listened to her continue on and he was worried that she was going to press the wrong button at any minute and wanted to stop her from carrying on but once again Hades spoke once more, "all of 'em smashed battered baked… and destroyed… no use to anyone now." He finished not wanting to be reminded of this one bitter sore spot.

Hearing these words Hari then replied once more, "yes indeed… now… however if you hear of my idea will you heed to it?" She asked as she then lifted her head to look up at him with her serious cold expression.

Pain and Panic watching from the sides of the throne didn't know if this girl was stupid or insane but then suddenly Hades then spoke, "all right then… try out your little number doll…" For now he was interested… for it was rare for anyone to speak up against the lord of the dead.

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"C'mon c'mon! I want to see ya lift those legs up!" Phil bellowed as he put his newest trainee through the ropes.

Huffing and puffing as she jumped over hurdle after hurdle Nozomi was pushing herself as best as she could, though Phil's voice continued to annoy her bitterly as he went on at her.

Finally making a fifth round she suddenly heard him call out once more, "all right! Now time to see ya put on a good show of magical concentration!"

Nozomi still in the midst of running didn't catch a word that he said as she cried, "What!"

Then suddenly around her to her sides appeared magically Greek ceramic jars like the one she had broken awhile earlier, looking at them as she was in the midst of running around then suddenly heard Phil call out once again, "now I want ya to show me yer magic prowess! Destroy those ceramic pots for five rounds while ya jump!"

Nozomi hearing this command looked on absolutey appalled as she shouted, "what?! Why! I mean what's the point of-"

Interrupted once more Phil called out, "you've already missed three! If you don't give me a good show you can forget about bein' in the tournament!"

Listening to this news flash changed Nozomi's tune as she went to do just that as she prepared a barrage of fire spells, though she still felt miffed thinking it was completely unfair.

Meanwhile watching from the sides already completing their training session Riku and Mickey were having a discussion together.

Watching Nozomi go at it the king spoke, "wow, Phil sure knows how to make things tough on a person huh?"

Hearing him ask his question also staring at Nozomi's training Riku made his response, "I guess so…" for him it'd been almost a cake walk as he had geared himself like that in his own training.

Staring at her for a further few moments Riku then turned to the king once more, "anyway your highness, you were telling me that you've discovered something about Pete right?"

Turning hearing him being asked Mickey replied, "oh yeah that's right…" with that Mickey's face became serious as he then folded his arms and lowered his head in thought as he replied, "when I was kidnapped by Pete and Rattigan, there was definitely someone else there… who I think was really pulling their strings and doing the controllin."

Hearing this didn't surprise Riku too much for Pete had been always been a subordinate type, for it had been bothering him for a while that Pete could seemingly plan what had happened for he was definitely not a mastermind. But then thinking on this Riku then asked, "Did you see who they were Mickey?"

This question asked the king looked up at him and then down again as he shook his head, "regretfully I gotta say no to that, for whoever it was was careful not to be mentioned or seen by me… and if they're hidden away that puts us at a greater disadvantage."

Riku hearing this also too felt disappointed at being left in the dark, for he'd always been used to knowing all that was going on in the shadows, but sadly it seemed as though fate wasn't going to have it this time. But then thinking about hidden things… this then set off another question in his mind.

Looking again at Nozomi as she was making her third round he saw her struggling and then couldn't help but wonder…" your majesty?"

Mickey seeing where Riku was looking had an idea of what it was he was going to say as he asked, "yes Riku?"

Staring at Nozomi for another few moments with that same saddened pained face that appeared every so often he then turned and asked, "do you think… do you think it would be all right if I told her?"

This question asked Mickey repeated questioningly, "Told her…?"

Feeling uncomfortable Riku then said, "you know…about that…"

Silent for a moment still puzzled suddenly Mickey's eyes lit up as he caught on to what Riku was saying as he then had a similar look himself, "oh? Well… I don't know… I mean it's really serious… I think ya'd have ta-"

"Oy lads! What're ya up to?"

Snapping Riku and Mickey out of their serious moment was Cait sith as he came wandering over to the two of them as he had gotten bored of observing Nozomi's hi jinks.

Seeing him approach Mickey was the first to speak, "oh hey ya! Cait sith!"

Riku looked at the annoying small cat irritated as he turned his face away, Cait sith seeing this though thought old snow ball boy was just acting the same as ever as he then said, "howdy! What're ya both goin' on about here?"

Mickey seeing that Riku wasn't going to say another word then decided to be the news caster as he said, "uh well not much here, just ya know the weather and uh… so on!" He then let out a small awkward laugh trying to disperse the serious cloud that had swept over.

Seeing this Cait sith suspected something but decided to play along and see if he could sniff something out later, "oh I see then."

Riku only sighed as he continued to look away but then Mickey continued, "uh yeah… oh! That's right!" With that he then rummaged in his pockets as he then brought out what he'd been meaning to show Cait sith since they got there, "here ya go Cait sith, this is another Lachesis report Nozomi and Riku found in the last world we were in, I've been meanin to give it to ya for a while now."

Seeing the report in his white-gloved hands Cait sith snatched them up and looked them over as he then said, "well I'll be! You blokes have been busy lootin haven't ya?" He joked as he looked at the messes of writing and Ody's note.

Hearing him it was then Riku added his own word in finally, "we weren't looting we were searching, now can you send it to Odyeux already?"

Cait sith hearing old slush boy finally talking then remarked, "all right, all right, don't get yer knicker's in a twist lad! I'll have it done in a jiff!" With that he then took the report and then glowed with his ever-familiar yellow magic light.

Shining for a few moments the report then disappeared… but then after about ten seconds suddenly they reappeared! Everyone looked at this startled as Cait sith was but then as he looked through them he saw that they all really had been translated!

"Wow! That lad really can do fast work now!" He spoke highly impressed by the clear written translation with Ody's ever-familiar writing.

Seeing this Mickey as well was dead impressed as he looked it over himself while Riku on the hand looked to Nozomi again as he thought to himself, 'how should I tell her about it?'

Meanwhile back on the track Nozomi was now finally nearing the end of her fifth round! She was now deadbeat and tired and had had enough of running around in circles.

Once again Phil's annoying voice sounded, "rule number ninety five kid! Concentrate!"
Hearing this she growled annoyed as she was not gonna get beaten by this track! So quickly doing the same as she'd done so many times earlier taking her keyblade up she prepared her fire spell as she came up to the hurdle.

Again Phil's voice came directing, "rule number ninety six! Aim!"

Gritting her teeth Nozomi did just that and then quickly as she came to the hurdle she jumped over and then with a flash to her right she aimed and fired her spell, with that the pot was destroyed in seconds!
Smiling glee at her achievement at finally finishing suddenly she turned to face in front of her again and then saw a pale white blue see through face coming into direct contact with hers!

"Whaaa!!!" Suddenly then she passed right through the face as she fell forwards onto the floor in a pile as she turned around and lay on her back, looking up she saw a shrouded pale white figure look down at her sadly. Looking back perplexed unsure of what was going on suddenly she watched the figure vanish without a trace! Blinking further wide eyed she had no clue what had just happened, "what the heck was-"

Then quickly walking over came Phil as he looked at her disappointed as he interrupted, "kid! Ya should have followed that other rule!"

Nozomi hearing him looked at him as she asked disbelieving," rule! What rule could possibly deal with that! And besides what the heck was-"

Interrupted once more Phil spoke, "rule number ninety seven! Be prepared for surprises!... and that thing you saw right there was a ghost."

Being lectured once more Nozomi was about to let out her complaints again when suddenly Phil told her what that thing was and so then became focused on that, "ghost?... That was a real ghost?"

Phil nodded, "that's right, straight out of the underworld from the rivers of death, we've been havin them come out loads these days, kinda adds a little surprise to the arena actually!" He laughed as though it was a joke.

Nozomi looked at him dismissively for she couldn't see for the life of her why this would be so funny but then hearing where they came from she asked, "underworld?... What's an underworld?"

Phil in the midst of laughing then stopped as he turned around and looked at her surprised himself, "what's an underworld? Oh come on! Don't tell me you've never heard of the underworld and Hades God of the dead!"

Hearing the disbelief in his voice Nozomi replied annoyed, "well how could I have? I come from a country town faraway! How would I know about the god's or places around here?"

Listening to this reply it was then Phil didn't seem so surprised as he then said shaking his head his hands raised, "the sticks huh? I should've known that'd be the reason, no wonder you're a clueless twinkle toes."

Getting further insulted Nozomi was getting more and more irritated as she replied, "Well excuse me! Anybody would get shocked seeing something like that all of a sudden with no warning! Not even the best of heroes could not be surprised!"

Looking at her hearing this Phil replied, "oh really?... Well just look at him there!" He then pointed as he noticed one of his old regulars quickly coming their way.

Still annoyed Nozomi had no idea what this irritating old goat man wanted her to look at but just for the sake of it she looked in the direction he was pointing in. Her eyes were then entranced as a man dressed in a scarlet red ragged cloak approached, a red bandanna wrapped around his long waves of messy black hair as it descended past his shoulders. His right hand and boots were decorated with golden armour, while the clothes she could make out underneath his cloak were pitch black.

Watching him she saw once again another ghost materialise in front of the strange man and as it did the red clothed man simply walked through it as though it were never there at all.

Nozomi's eyes widened at this sight as she then saw the ghost quickly disappear from sight in moments, looking from this she looked back to the man as he then walked past her and Phil, looking at him closely she then saw him look at her with scarlet red cold eyes as he then turned and walked away.

Watching as he walked on down the audience way Nozomi didn't know what to say about the man at all as she could see he was steeped in mystery.

Phil then proud to see the effect the guy performed then boasted, "and that's what ya call an ideal hero!"

Automatically snapped back to reality Nozomi looked at Phil annoyed as she then muttered under her breath, "well sue me…"

But then quickly before any more debates could occur between the two suddenly a new voice called out. "hey Phil!"

Both turning at the voice it was then that a new person was revealed as he approached, looking at him the atmosphere was completely different as Nozomi felt as though the guy shone with sunlight as he smiled warmly to the two of them.

His eyes were a warm shade of blue as his hair was a shade of soft light brown, looking at him Nozomi saw that he had a very well toned strong body and he wore a small blue cape, along with an ancient looking gladiator like armour with sandals on his feet. On his belt she noticed a golden medallion of a thunderbolt. Looking at him Nozomi didn't know how to react but then Phil cried out pleased, "Herc!"

Hearing the name Nozomi repeated puzzled, "Herc?" Thinking it was odd.

Walking over with a bright smile on his face Phil ran up and then suddenly gave him a hug around the legs as he then asked him, "what've ya been up to? Haven't seen ya for a while!"

Continuing with his sunlit smile Herc answered him, " just gone to talk with dad you know all that."

Nozomi staring up still from where she was sitting had no clue whatsoever about what their relationship to each other was, but then watching still she saw Phil let go of Herc's legs as he then said, "right now I gotta talk to them guys over there." With that he pointed to Riku, Mickey and Cait sith who were standing a distance away still talking as he then turned back to Herc, "and in the mean time why don't you have a word with miss twinkle toes here, tell her what it means to be a true hero!" As he then finally indicated to Nozomi.

Hearing those words curious Nozomi repeated, "true hero?"

With those words said Herc looking at Nozomi then turned to his instructor again as he replied, "got ya Phil!"

Smiling at this reply Phil then made his way over to Riku, Mickey and Cait sith as he then walked them back to the entrance to have their own little private discussion.

Seeing him and the others walk off Nozomi wondered what it was they were going to be all talking about together, but then before she could ponder any further suddenly a hand leaned down to her, seeing it she looked up startled to see Herc giving her aid as he smiled down to her saying, "hey need a lift?"

Hearing this Nozomi blinked but then smiled herself glad for the hand up as she replied, "thanks."

With that she was lifted back onto her legs again as she then dusted herself off slightly getting rid of any dust that might have caught onto her, then finally she turned to him again, "that was a good help thanks uh?"

Hearing her he then answered her question with a smile, "Hercules."

Glad he'd got it without asking Nozomi replied, "oh thanks… so um, Mr Hercules are you a friend of Phil's or something?"

Being called Mr, Hercules laughed slightly at this making Nozomi ponder what was so funny as he then answered, "well yeah I am, he's my personal trainer from years ago and still now."

Hearing this Nozomi then wasn't so surprised by this answer as she then went on, "oh I see… so what do you train for? Do you do it just to enter tournaments too?"

At this reply Hercules then shook his head slightly as he then said, "no… well it isn't just to enter tournaments or anything like that… it's so I can be a true hero and meet my father."

Nozomi listening to this then got confused as she asked, "but… didn't you just say that you'd met your papa just a bit ago?"

Hercules hearing her question then said, "well… it's a bit complicated, you see I'm originally a god that was taken from Olympus and then sent here to earth turned mortal."

Looking at Hercules as he told her this Nozomi then looked on really surprised, "a god?! Really?!"

Hearing the surprise in her voice Hercules then became quite bashful, as he laughed a little awkward as he replied, "uh… yeah, so that's why… basically though I've got different reasons now." He finished as he then looked into the warm blue sky.

Nozomi still in disbelief that she was in the presence of a god turned human was perplexed at what the heck to say next! But then hearing Hercules say these last words she repeated puzzled once more, "different?"

Hercules hearing though realised they were drawing off topic at what it was he was supposed to be doing that Phil had asked him to do, "yeah… but I'd say that's enough about that, what are you in here for? Why are you entering the tournament?"

Hearing him ask her Nozomi then spoke, "what me?" She asked as she pointed to herself, which then Hercules nodded, "uh… well um…"

Nozomi then had got all quiet as she then thought quickly in her head how to answer this question properly, Hercules watched her patiently as she drew the words together as she answered him looking up, "well… it's a for a few reasons actually, the first is well…"

With that Nozomi touched her stomach where she been stabbed before previously as the memory made her wince saying, "I was caught out in the last world me and my friends were in… and I was useless… I couldn't do anything… and I don't want to be caught out like that again, because everyone's stuck with me for so long helping me and so on… and I promised Riku I'd get him back to his friend Sora… which I still haven't so…"

Hercules seeing her and reasoning could see her good nature shining through as she thought of her friends as she then finished, "I just want to become someone reliable and strong so I can equally help them out and get them where they need to go… that's why."

Listening to her reasoning Herc could see that she was at least over a good margin of what it meant to be a hero as he then smiled saying, "well that's good to hear, you're aware of your weakness and wish to get better to help other's I'd say you're a hero for that sense."

Hearing herself being called a hero for these reasons Nozomi looked up surprised as she asked, "really?"

Hercules nodded smiling, "yeah definitely."

Nozomi was pleased herself and was really liking Hercules for his calm and patient listening but then her curiosity coming once more she then asked like a hyped up kid with stars in her eyes, "so am I near to being a true hero?"

At this though Hercules laughed a little awkward, "uh, I'd say you're not that close… but I think Phil could get you there."

At this response Nozomi became disappointed and limp saying, "do I really have to rely on Mr Goat legs?"

Hearing Phil being called that Hercules couldn't help but smile but then he told her, "well you might not believe it but if it's anyone who can teach control it's Phil… because before I began my training I could never control my enormous strength."

Curious once more Nozomi repeated, "strength?"

Hercules hearing her question then responded nodding, "yeah… you see before I couldn't even lie my back against a pillar without it falling over."

Listening to this past show of strength Nozomi normally wouldn't believe a word of it but then from the way Hercules was acting and speaking so honestly… it just seemed completely realistic. This idea made her feel pale slightly…

But then thinking about control she then realised inside that it was definitely something that she needed herself to learn, for her rash mouth and impulsive nature had landed her and the others in hot water more than once.

So then she made her reply," I see control… yeah… that's definitely something I need to learn…right!"

With that she then ran past Hercules as she headed in the direction where Phil had taken Riku and the others, seeing her run off Herc called out, "hey what are you doing?"

Turning back for a moment as she stopped running Nozomi called back, "I'm gonna talk to Phil and ask him to train me a bit more in control and stuff! So I… thanks for giving me the talk Mr Hercules! You're a great listener!"

With that Nozomi ran on forwards again leaving Hercules silent for a moment as he stared after her but then smiling he shook his head as he then said quietly, "well I haven't seen a sunny exposition like that since Sora came."

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Walking through the archway quietly Nozomi made her way into the entrance where she could see Phil talking to Mickey, Riku and Cait sith. She was about to make herself known when Mickey asked, "so your gonna let us all into the tournament now huh Phil?"

As he held the papers that were all filled in from them both he replied with a smile, "yup that's right you'll all be competing for the Cubix cup!"

Nozomi smiled more happily for now they were really going to be in a real competition!

But then popping her bubble, "but I ain't gonna have that twinkle toes in!"

At this Nozomi became appalled as she hid in the shadow of the arch, looking on she then heard Cait sith speak as he sounded slightly out raged, "hey! Why ain't ya gonna let that old banshee in! That ain't no fair if this lot ain't together!"

At this Phil then spoke down to Cait sith as he replied, "well I'm afraid Mr puss in boots, that girl ain't got no proper control over herself… she's gonna need I'd say six to eight months more trainin before she's even worth a match!"

Nozomi was in an outrage! This was totally unfair! She could fight anything that came her way! This idiot hadn't even seen her in battle properly! She looked at Mickey and Riku for at least some defence on her part.

But Mickey listening spoke sadly, "oh… well I guess that's too bad ain't it… Nozomi was really lookin' forward to this."

Looking at the king's response she couldn't believe it! Was she really not worth defending for something like this!

Then looking at Riku she saw he had an odd expression on his face as he seemed reluctant about something as his head was turned away slightly but then she heard him, "I guess this might be better for her… I think she might need a break from all this."

Listening to these replies Nozomi was dumbstruck for a moment but then she became bitter and mad! She was not gonna sit around doing nothing! She'd had enough of that in the last world they were in for that!
However she listened quietly as then Mickey asked, "So when do we begin in the matches?"

At this Phil smiled, "oh you'll be starting after that new guy… what's his name, oh yeah Vincent's finished off this next guy who's coming on the field now."

Nozomi hearing the mention of this match then had the thought quicker than one could drink a cola as she then smiled a little devilishly, " the next one huh? Well we'll see if I can't show them all a thing or two in it!"

With that she quickly departed back outside to get onto the arena before this Vincent guy came.

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Meanwhile back in the darkened halls of the underworld after hearing Hari's proposition Hades looked at her wide-eyed his mouth agape as she looked on at him silently with her cold eyes.

Pete himself as well as Pain and Panic couldn't believe the incredibility of the idea, as it was horrific and yet chillingly awesome at the same time.

Hades then was excited for the first time in so long, "and you're serious we can start this right now!"

At this Hari simply nodded as she then replied, "yes."

With that grinning practically unable to contain himself Hades pursed his lips with his sharp teeth as he clenched his sharpened fingers as he then spoke his fire flickering glowing rapidly all over him, "oh yeah…at last Hades will rule…"

Pete staring at Hades then turned to Hari as he was a little worried about the plan and what it was she was going to do… for wouldn't this affect her really badly, but then before he could question her anymore about it she then spoke, "however…"

At this Hades stopped as he asked his fire stopping it's dancing, "what? However?"

Hari then gave her reply, "it would best to have something to distract them away from what we're doing… something to draw time while we gather the ghosts together, so they won't notice them disappearing so quickly as well as your revival… lord Hades." She finished as she bowed her head once more.

Listening to this calm reasoning the lord of death was silent for a moment but then he was getting used to her way thinking and he liked the subtle sneakiness she spoke about as he then smiled, "ah I see… give the chumps a little show before the main course… hmmm what do I have that could be a good distraction…"

It was then silent in the room for many moments amongst everyone to let Hades think… but then suddenly there was a sound of fast gulping and gurgling, turning at this sound Hades looked down at Panic who had taken a liberty to have a drink from the bowl his hands which had been left untouched as he sat at the side of the throne.

As he gulped down he suddenly then felt eyes on him opening his own eyes he saw Hades looking down at him annoyed as Hari, Pete and Pain were all looking at him too with the same mixture of expressions.

Feeling this uncomfortable pressure he quickly then dropped the bowl on the floor frightened and nervous as he was alarmed Hades was going to blow a fuse once more.

But then instead as Hades had gazed at Panic as he had drank and then cowered hiding his pointed nose it was then the thought struck him as he remembered those two… who he hadn't called on for a questionable period of time as he smiled, "I got it… I know just the ones for this…"

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Together everyone arrived outside as they followed Phil to sit down amongst the audience as they were to watch the wondrous magic that was of Vincent in battle.

However as they walked up to their seats Cait sith was still going on at everyone for not defending Nozomi and he was especially beating snowball up about it as he pulled his white hair back saying, "why're ya bein a back stabber like this! That lass ain't gonna forgive any of ya for this! And ya call yerselves all mates!"

Feeling the horrible tug Riku winced as he felt the same punishment she had to go through with the insatiable creature as he whispered annoyed, "stop going on will you… besides it's not our decision…"

'And your not one to talk about it…' he thought angrily inside himself but truly inside though Riku was feeling bad that Nozomi couldn't fight with them… he only thought it would be better for her as did the king for the injury she suffered before and it might be good for her to take a rest from battle even for just a little bit.

Finally at their destined seats Phil sat them all down together as he then spoke, "now you guys are gonna watch a great match! The crowds been knocked down dead for the last couple of weeks with this guy!"

Hearing Phil go on and on about this so-called great star Vincent Riku was sick and tired of it as he then whispered to the king as Phil ranted on, "do you think this guy really will be that big of a deal?"

The king hearing him looked unsure as he whispered back trying to be polite as he could, "well we're just gonna have to see…"

Suddenly at these words the crowd started to cheer hyped up as someone emerged from the shadows into the light of day, everyone seeing the crowds reactions were all silent as then Phil went on again, "ya see this is what I'm talking about!"

Riku looked at Phil dismissively but then before he could say a word the crowd all went incredibly silent as there were then gasps and sudden whispers of curiosity.

Everyone hearing this all looked around confused as was Phil as he asked, "hey! Hey what's goin on here? Where's all the cheerin and hollerin gone to-"

But then suddenly he looked below and saw his answer as Riku, Mickey and Cait sith looked down equally shocked as there on the arena waving to them all with a big grin on her face was none other than Nozomi.

Though she was a little unsure about this crowd around her she was so gonna show her stuff… all on her own! As she then called her keyblade "the starseeker," out in a flash of light she geared herself up saying, "now time to get this match started! With that she waited for her opponent and the match to properly begin.