Chapter LXXIV: The trials of the Coliseum part X

Watching on with a sinister glee in his eyes, Hades saw at last that the final amount of souls had all been gathered as the enormous darkened spirit blob throbbed with haunting life, like a heart.

Looking at it for a moment he then turned his attentions to Hari who still stood beside him looking on as silently and serious as ever while Pete stood behind still looking dumbstruck.

He then spoke to her, "well looks like it's time for you to keep your end of our little deal huh?"

At his question Hari turned her cold eyes to his luminous yellow ones, as she was quiet for a moment before replying, "indeed it is… lord Hades."

Hearing this note of approval it made the dark underworld fiend smile more, while Pete though still beside Hari's side regained himself as he looked still with concern, he was then about to voice himself when suddenly-

"Boss! Boss! Hey boss!" Came the anxious voices of Hades' two minions Pain and Panic as they came in all rushed and flustered.

Turning his gaze to them Hades looked at the two of them with almost bored eyes, "oh look who it is, the target practise... what is it boys?" He asked seeing their over worried looks as they stared up at him.

Replying at once Pain spoke up first, "it's this weird guy! He's arrived at the entrance carryin something and sayin he's here to see ya!"

At this announcement Hades looked at the two of them with almost curious eyes as he asked, "a guy?"

Nodding fast Panic then continued on, "yeah that's right he's got a bundle of some kind, with a mask and-" However at this point Hades had had enough as he then lifted his right hand up halting them from speaking another erratic word, lest they dare to evoke his flaring wrath.

Turning then from the two of them he then voiced his thoughts aloud, "oh boy… and just when I'm getting to the good part," but then at once turning his gaze his eyesight then fell onto Pete who looked back at him blankly, it was then the idea came to his mind as he said, "hey uh, Pete was it?"

Hearing his name being spoken by the lord of death for the first time Pete looked at him with slight hesitation as though he could foretell what was going to come from his mouth as he replied, "eh uh yeah Hades?"

Smiling as he heard the reply he spoke, "why don't you go with Pain and Panic… and see what this other guy is here for?"

It was just as Pete had dreaded was going to happen, but he tried to find some way out of it at least as he spoke up rather nervously, "uh do you think that's gonna be a good idea for me to go and do this?... I mean I should be around at least fer-"

However he was interrupted as Hades then spoke with chilling calmness as he asked, "now Pete, what is that you and little miss Hari promised me?"

At this Pete looked at him scared as he knew now he was treading on thin ice as he replied, "that me and her were… at yer services?" He finished with a gulp.

Seemingly delighted that he'd got it Hades then replied, "good, good and so… you know what that means? Right?" He spoke as he smiled holding both of his long sharp nailed hands together.

Seeing that it meant he had no choice Pete however was still against it, he then looked to Hari who looked back at him with still cold as ever eyes as she made no attempt to help him.

His ears falling he then gave in with a sigh as he started to walk with Pain and Panic to meet this stranger, slamming the doors behind them all Hades was now left on his own with Hari.

Pleased then to see he was alone with the emotionless female Hades then smiled as he spoke, "well then since that fatso is now out of the way…" he then turned his gaze to her fully.

Hearing him indicate to her Hari looked at him coldly as Hades then approached her with a sinister look in his eyes, arriving in front of her he then took one of her long locks of flowing hair in his left hand as he held it in his fingertips as he stroked it gently.

Hari was quiet as he then spoke to her, "you know babe… I've been thinking…"

Looking at him she replied, "yes lord Hades?"

The dark lord smiling at her usual nature then spoke again, "you've got an awful lot of power… for someone like you and I think you should be put to better use."

She was further silent as Hades then moved in closer as he was now inches from her face, her hair was still being played with in his left hand as he then made his proposition to her, "so why don't you turn your services to me…?"

Meanwhile back within the front entranceway to the coliseum Phil was now talking excitedly to Mickey Nozomi and Riku who had now all made up with each other finally.

They had since then fought and won in five more matches and now they were onto the final sixteenth one against Vincent Valentine and Phil had decided to give them his owns words of advice and encouragement.

Cait sith was once again nested on his favourite spot in Nozomi's hair as he lay down and wagged his tail to and throw as he and the others listened on to Phil's little speech.

"In this match you guys have got keep yourselves on yer toes! Vincent is a cut above the rest and…" as he continued on and on the others looked on getting a bit tired of this so-called lecture as he'd repeated nearly the same topic five or maybe ten times already.

Keeping herself from yawning as best as she could Nozomi and the others listened on, though Riku seemed in his own way to be ignoring Phil as he looked elsewhere nodding now and again. Mickey on the other hand with his ever-lasting patience smiled calmly as he listened intently to every word.

Bored Nozomi could no longer hold it in as she heard Phil say, "and ya've gotta be on guard for this guy is able to-"

But not listening she said aloud, "yeah, yeah…" then looking up at Cait sith who was on her head she whispered to him, "when is he going to finish…"

Cait sith hearing her quiet question then replied just as quietly, "yer askin the wrong cat lass…"

Nozomi then only huffed more disappointed but then suddenly she heard Phil conclude, "So if ya do that you should all have a good chance."

Glad that he was finishing Nozomi then at least paid a decent amount of attention to this part, "for rule number fifty two has three words expect the unexpected!" He finished with a serious tone.

At last finishing Nozomi then smiled happy and glad as she replied, "yeah, yeah okay we will."

Mickey then too replied as he spoke happy as though learning something valuable, "yup and thanks there Phil you taught me a lot there."

Feeling his pride rising Phil then stroked underneath his nose onto his upper lip with his right hand as he replied, "no prob besides that's what we trainers are here to do."

Riku getting tired of talking himself then spoke, "well I think it's time we get into action… there's only so much talking we can do." With that he walked away and made his way out to the arena.

Phil watching Riku go looked on still with a smile as he said, "spoken like a real hero." With that he trotted off on his goat legs and followed him out.

Mickey then decided to follow suit but before he left he called to Nozomi, "c'mon we gotta move!"

Hearing him Nozomi then felt Cait sith jump off of her hair as he then landed on the ground and looked on, Nozomi then was about to agree with the king and run but then suddenly she felt Cait sith pull on her right trouser leg.

Looking down at him she then saw him pointing and there arriving through the other door behind them was Saria and Ori. Seeing them Nozomi's eyes widened… they both seemed depressed but then Saria turning saw Nozomi the king and Cait sith. She froze up as she then looked down shy and sad, while Ori puzzled by her reactions for a moment turned around and saw them all too. There was silence all around until finally braking out of his unhappy moment he looked on mad as he then dragged Saria back out the doors.

The doors slammed as the silence returned… Nozomi seeing them leave, she instantly made a decision as she looked at the king and told him, "I'll see you in there in a sec your majesty... there's something I have to do…"

Curious at what it was she was going to do the king knew without asking and he knew he would only make things worse if he came so then he decided to leave it to her, "all right then do what you gotta, we'll see you on the coliseum arena, just don't be long all right?"

Hearing him say this Nozomi nodded firmly but then before she could reply Cait sith did so instead, "don't you worry yer highness, I'll make sure this banshee gets back there in no time." He finished with his fist in the air.

Nozomi though became extremely annoyed at this comment as she looked down at him, the king only shook his head at this with a smile as he then ran off quickly.

Seeing him leave Nozomi then looked to the door and then spoke, "I hope they haven't left yet."

Hearing her Cait sith then once again jumped up onto her head as he then said, "well ya better hurry then lass, and say what ya wanna say."

Nodding at this Nozomi then quickly went to the other doors and closed them quick behind her.

Outside Saria was being dragged by Ori as he led her to the doors of the underworld looking at him saddened though she spoke cringing, "Ori! You're holding my hand too tight it hurts!"

Growling as he heard her complain he quickly let go of her hand as he practically flung it away making Saria hold it dearly to her chest.

Ori was in a state of confusion and irritation… he didn't want to be anywhere near this place or those keybladers!... Yet Hades had ordered them to stay there for the aftermath to keep an eye on things… but yet there was this curiosity inside himself, what did Hades want with these guys anyway? And why did that girl-

But then interrupting his thoughts Saria spoke again, "Ori…?"

Replying harshly Ori spoke, "what!?"

Retracting back as she heard this tone Saria looked on nervously… but remembering what Nozomi had said to her before she spoke up, "do you think… do you think that I can talk to her?"

At this Ori replied looking at her heavily irritated, "talk to who!?"

Nervous still Saria replied, "to, to Nozomi…"

At this Ori couldn't believe his ears as he looked at her with disbelief as he replied, "What!? You wanna talk to her! After what they did to us! They nearly killed you! How can you want to-"

But then suddenly Saria interrupted him as she spoke up louder than usual, "BECAUSE SHE HELPED US!"

Ori stopped in mid track as her heard Saria shout at him, she'd never done this once before in all the time he'd known her, even Saria herself was shocked at the level her voice had reached as she put her hands over her mouth. But then she didn't want to give up as she felt that spurring feeling still as she looked on with fierce determination as she told Ori further, "she protected us… and I want to thank her and apologise… for doing so much damage…"

Ori still in his moment of bewilderment was silent as he then absorbed all the information that had just had been spoken as he asked, "apologise?"

At this Saria nodded firmly her eyes closed… there was then silence between them for a couple of moments but suddenly Saria opened her eyes as she heard Ori laughing.

Looking at him Saria was confused, as he had to cover his mouth as she began to ask, "Ori Why are you-"

But then suddenly Ori snapped as he looked at her further furious for her naïve and too soft a nature as he spoke, "you idiot!"

She flinched at his tone, as she looked on alarmed as he went on, "apologise How the heck are you supposed to apologise! You think that it's gonna be all A-okay and she'll forgive you like that! And just say oh whoopise I'm sorry I caused a huge icy tornado and nearly killed the audience, oh yeah and nearly drowned you! Do you think we can kiss and make up?"

Saria was shying really away now as Ori had turned something so simple into something so complicated… she tried though again to reason herself as she said, "but maybe if I… if I explain why then-"

However once more Ori was further irritated as he interrupted closing his eyes, "explain! You can't even do that! If you do then the boss will suck us back up in a matter of-"

"Uh excuse me?" Came a rather calm voice.

"What?!" Ori asked as he opened his eyes and then saw with much to his shock as well as Saria's that Nozomi had emerged from nowhere as she looked on with a rather awkward look as she waved slightly.

…

Ori immediately backed up as he cried, "what're you doing here!"

Cait sith hearing the small nobody boy speak to him then replied, "ain't it obvious lad the lass came to talk to ya both."

However Ori was still heavily on guard as he then asked, "How much did ya hear there?!"

At this Nozomi blinked as she then replied, "uh… bits?"

Ori though wasn't satisfied at this as he asked mad, "what bits?"

However not liking his tone Nozomi then replied moving her head to the side, "not telling."

He was then about to let out more complaints through his gritted teeth when suddenly Cait sith came in as the referee as he then called out, "will ya just shut up!"

At this everyone was quiet in moments Cait sith glad to see that he'd gotten the attention of everyone then talked to Nozomi who looked at him perplexed as he looked at her upside down holding from her hair, "now lass just say what ya came to say and get goin! Them lot are all waitin' for ya!"

Hearing him Nozomi blinked but then glad that he'd settled things down quickly replied to him, "all right I know, I'll say it now and go kay?"

With that Cait sith nodded as he then went back to the top of her head once more and watched as she told Ori and Saria what it was she had to say.

Looking at Ori and then to Saria who stared at her puzzled then watched as Nozomi took a deep breath as she then said to the both of them together, "I only heard snippets before in your argument and my friends already know that you probably are serving someone but I want you to know this! When me and my friends win against Vincent, we're gonna ask for the truth from the both of you!"

Saria and Ori looked at her both now really confused as then Saria voiced their confusion as she asked, "the truth?"

At this Nozomi then nodded firmly as she then said, "yeah that's right! And if what I'm guessing is right… then snowball and the king will apologize to both of you."

Saria hearing this was amazed while Ori was confused for a moment but then again for the second time that day he repeated, "apologize?"

With this Nozomi replied instantly, "yeah… that's all I wanted to say to the two of you… though I'm not sure if it'll mend things between us, but I just want to show them that you aren't bad… and we can be friends, okay?"

There was then silence between everyone until Nozomi then suddenly bowed her head in courtesy as she finished saying, okay? Bye?" Then quickly turned and headed straight back into the coliseum to join her friends in the match that would soon be commencing.

Watching her as she sped back into the coliseum, Saria couldn't believe it! Nozomi still wanted to be her friend! And she even wanted to-

Suddenly though, "what the heck!"
She turned as she looked to Ori who had now turned around and was looking away mad as he asked aloud frustrated, "Man what is it with all these girls wanting to apologise… all this friendship mush is gonna make my teeth rot and fall out!"

Riku and Mickey were waiting patiently for Nozomi to arrive as well as Cait sith who would be watching from the sidelines. Riku had a hand to his hip, as he looked on annoyed at Nozomi's tardiness while Mickey waited on with his ever-lasting patience.

The audience was packed as this would now be the final match to decide the winner of the Cubix cup… the newcomers had so far given great performances every time, so this one would be ultra special.

Their opponent Vincent Valentine stood on the other side of the battlefield as he was waiting just as patiently as his head was bent down hiding his expression and face with his red tattered cloak and long dark hair while his arms were folded over.

Phil in the meantime was on the sidelines himself as he paced back and forth with his patience winding down, as he was becoming more and more irritated by the twinkle toes' lateness.

At last though he'd had enough as he then cried out, "oh Zeus's Laurel! Why ain't she here!"

But then suddenly came the sound of fast paced steps as then at last she arrived on the scene, Nozomi looking at everyone and everything with an awkward smile as she laughed, "Sorry I'm late!"

With that everyone turned and watched her as she then quickly ran up and entered onto the arena as then Cait sith jumped off her head to take up his usual spot at the sidelines.

Looking at her as she entered Phil then let out his complaints as he cried, "What the heck took ya so long!"

Hearing this tone Nozomi looked at him disgruntled as she then stuck her tongue out and replied, "not telling!"

Cait sith nodded as he then added, "exactly there goat legs, private business." Which caused Phil to look at him annoyed.

Mickey seeing that she'd arrived spoke out happy, "glad to see ya made it Nozomi."

"Same here," she replied with a smile.

But then Riku looking at her then spoke as he asked annoyed, "what was keeping you anyway?"

Looking at him Nozomi was silent with annoyance for a moment but bit back her argumentative tongue as she then stated out, "I just said what I had to… that's all."

Hearing her say this Riku thought it instantly strange for this was not in her usual manner but then before he could ask another word suddenly, "and now ladies and gents the match can begin!"

It was then they all turned to see it was Phil who was now announcing the beginning of the final match, everyone watched as he walked and then shouted out once more, "now as you all know this is the final sixteenth match! And the winner will come out of this with the Cubix cup and be the champion of the tournament! Now for our contestants! In the left we have our newcomers the keyblade trio, Mickey Nozomi and Riku!!!"

At once the applause rung out from all sides of the audience as they saluted the brave newcomers, seeing and hearing the audience Mickey and Nozomi both waved and smiled to them all, while Riku in his usual fashion made no move to do so.

Waiting until they were finished Phil then indicated to the other famous combatant as he then called out, "and here is our ever present and famous mysterious competitor Vincent! This guy has been around with us for some time and he has knocked out every big name he's come against! Is he gonna wipe the floor with the newcomers or is fate gonna deal out a different card today!"

With that the audience rang out their praises for the mysterious character as he then unfolded his arms and then raised his head as he revealed his crimson red eyes as he gazed upon his opponents.

It was then everybody got ready as they readied their battle stances; Hercules and Meg sat in the audience as they wished for the best for all of them in the match. Hercules then whispered silently to himself, "do your best out there guys!"

Everyone was on guard and ready… but then suddenly rung out high above the crowd, "do your best everyone!!!"

Turning fast Nozomi and the others looked on with deep surprise that it was Saria who had called out loudly wishing them luck arriving in mere hurried moments while beside her grudgingly was Ori who'd been dragged in by her.

Seeing her do this Nozomi felt truly pleased inside as she whispered," thank you Saria…" but then like everyone else did she re-focused herself on Vincent as then Phil called out, "let the match begin!"

Instantly then the invisible fields appeared all around the battle floor pillars encaging the fight to prevent any harm that might befall the audience. After that with fast sparkles of light everybody drew out their keyblades and then Vincent from the depths of his red cloak brought out a black and lethal long gun and then quickly they all took off… both launching into lethal battle.