Chapter LXXV: The trials of the Coliseum part XI

Facing Hades as he held her hair still firmly and gently in his hand, his expectant sharp tooth smile there, Hari was silent as she looked into the lord of death's glowing golden eyes.

It was quiet between them for a few moments… but then Hari turned her face away from him as she answered coldly, "That is not possible."

At this reply Hades lifted an eyebrow as he felt a little negative reaction but still holding onto his composure he asked, " not possible? Now come on now babe, surely you can say a little something better than that can't you?"

Looking at him from the side with her green eyes, Hari's expression had not changed as she continued to see the still present smile on Hades' face. However she did not reply as she instead took her left arm and gently brushed the lord of death's hand away from her making him release her hair in moments as she then went onto say, "it is all that I can say, I am to have one master and one alone."

Hades lifting himself up to look down at her was now getting even more irritated as he then tried to reason with her more, "one master? Oh come on now, you wouldn't have to tell the old hag anything and besides who's says that you only need one master? I'm sure I can come up with a suitable deal that would be good for us both so why don't we-"

Once more though Hari turned away from Hades as she answered him again, "my servitude is not brought through deals or so called business, it is a life binding contract." She then turned around and faced Hades as she then gave him the truth, "if you wanted to be in the position to control my power there are only two options that you could be in possession of it, if either my lady grows tired of me and relinquishes her hold to you or if she is somehow disposed of…"

Being lectured like this Hades could feel his flames brimming angrily around him as he was fuming with rage as he gazed at her as she finished saying turning from him once more, "and that is all… lord Hades."

Clenching his hands angrily Hades felt his flames beginning to envelop around him angrily as he was then about to erupt when suddenly, "hey there Hades!"

Turning around at once at the sound his flames died down however he was still quietly irritated to see that it was only the fatso and his two as ever helpful underlings as he then replied, "oh so it's you guys…"

Pete who had opened the two enormous doors now entered through looking at Hades, as he approached though he could feel something was a bit wrong in the atmosphere but then looking to Hari he saw that she seemed to be no different to how he'd left her, was he imaging it? But then before he could ponder anymore about it suddenly the lord of death asked him, "So who was this so called masked guy who's here to see me?"

Hearing him ask Pete was quiet for a moment but then he quickly answered, "oh yeah! That's right that guy! No need to worry Hari and me know him! He's come to give us somethin that'll give us an edge over those punks up there!" He finished laughing as he pointed his gigantic fist right up to the rocky craggy ceiling.

Hades hearing this felt his irritation lessen slightly as he looked on calmly curious as he asked, "oh really is that right?"

Pete then nodded smugly, "that's right, oi why don't cha get yerself in here!" He called back as he turned his head to look into the darkened doorway. There was then silence as everyone listened to footsteps echo upon the stone floor as they came closer, Pain and Panic shivered as they heard the guy coming for they could feel a chilling atmosphere echoing from him, Hari herself sensing him turned her head and eyes to gaze at the familiar acquaintance as he finally arrived bathed in the green glow of the vortex.

What Hades saw far from impressed him for there standing in the doorway was a cloaked guy in shrouds of white cloth concealing his head and mouth wrapping around his shoulders and chest and reaching down past his back like a cape, it only revealed a partial amount of his face which however was concealed by a dark black mask making his eyes also impossible to see, then finishing he wore dark coloured trousers.

In the guy's arms he could see that there was a big bundle in his arms wrapped in a lilac coloured cloth, from the way it moved to and throw, it was clearly human.

Hades was then quiet as he heard the figure finally speak, "greetings to you lord of the dead… I bring you a useful gift from lady Maleficent."

However Hades was still sceptical as he then asked calmly, "oh really? And just what… or who might it be may I ask?"

There was then a murmur of a small sinister laugh, as then he took his right hand letting the cargo be held loosely in his remaining arm as he then pulled away the cloth revealing the slumbering beauty in his arms.

Seeing this person everyone was equally amazed (except Hari) even Hades was impressed by who he saw, his face turned into a sinister smile as he said, "I see… well this is definitely gonna get interesting…"

Meanwhile on the battlefield that was the arena of the coliseum it'd been intense right from the start. As the three keybladers had charged in headfirst at Vincent as he had charged in just as fast with his gun at the ready.

The lot of them had managed to dodge most of his fast shots as he aimed fast and shot quickly at lightning speed making them all have to separate out and try to get out of range of his oncoming attacks.

However they had managed to get in quite a few strong blows in quickly, but Vincent had suddenly changed tactics as he had now became a red swirl hiding within his cape as he darted left and right dealing out rains of bullets left and right making it impossible to dodge as Nozomi had now been sent flying back as she landed hard against the invisible barrier, "ow that hurt!" She cried as she lay against it cringing in pain as she opened her eyes to look up as Riku and Mickey continued to try and land their own blows upon the elusive adversary.

It was clear though that the two of them were struggling just as badly as she had, however picking up her keyblade and pulling herself together she got back on her feet as she clenched it tightly in both hands as she spoke, "I'm not quitting now!" With that she took off forwards charging in.

Watching on from outside the arena Cait sith looked on as his friends continued to struggle on against Vincent, he shouted out his encouragement to them," C'mon ya dafts! Give that bloke one for! Aim to the left! No not there-" and so he continued on. Phil beside the loud feline only looked on with serious eyes as he had his arms folded to watch if these guys really could defeat Vincent.

Watching from the audience seats Meg still sat next to Hercules as she saw the lot of them struggle on, looking at it she then spoke, "wow it's really intense down there, do you think those guys can do it?" As she turned to Herc for some answers.

Gazing down at the battle Hercules looked down seriously at it all as he answered her, "I don't know… Vincent still hasn't used his finishing move yet."

Looking at him Meg looked puzzled as she asked him, "finishing move?"

At this question though Hercules remained silent as he concentrated hard only thinking inside, 'stay strong you guys.'

Saria and Ori watching the battle themselves were both silent, Ori himself looked at the battle annoyed as he couldn't believe he was being forced to watch this, just looking at those guys was irritating enough! However Saria looked on with concern in her eyes as she held her hands together tightly as she whispered worriedly, "everyone…"

Back inside on the arena floor Mickey and Riku continued to chase after Vincent as he still sped away from them sending waves of bullets behind him as they both did their best to dodge and weave past it all.

"Let's go Riku!" The king called out.

Hearing him Riku then responded, "Right your majesty!" With that the two of them brought out their keyblades together simultaneously together as they both called out loudly, "Hastera!" With that the speed-enhancing spell enveloped the two of them as it made them charge faster after Vincent. Catching up to the swirling red mass that was their opponent the two of them then charged into him hitting him simultaneously landing massive damage.

The cape that he was shrouded in quickly ceased as then they both moved lighting fast as the king jumped above him as Vincent was sent hurtling towards him, taking the keyblade he struck him hard once more sending Vincent to Riku as he then landed a massive sideline blow then they both called out together, "now!"

With that as Vincent was sent flying now backwards from Riku further up into the air, he and the king then charged upon Vincent to give him the final blow as the king called, "it's over!"

However suddenly Vincent who had had his eyes closed seemingly unconscious then opened them revealing scarlet red as he quickly brought his gun out as Riku looked on with shock as he was shot by a single blow to the chest sending him flying backwards into the floor sending dust everywhere.

Mickey seeing this halted in his attack, as he looked on shocked crying out, "Riku!" But then suddenly Vincent had now turned and projected himself forwards quickly as he then struck the king in the stomach with his golden-clawed right arm winding him.

The king gasped loudly in pain as then Vincent turned and sent him too flying to the ground and once again he pulled his gun out as he told them both coldly, "you assumed too quickly." With that he began to pull the trigger back to fire when suddenly-

"No you don't!!"

Surprising him suddenly he started to turn however it was too late as he was struck quickly by a fierce powerful roundhouse kick making his finger stop as he turned in the air and then suddenly was hit hard with more kicks as he saw cringing between blows that it was Nozomi as she looked at him angrily. Hitting him again and again Nozomi was propelled with strength and suddenly she felt her climax as her wings revealed themselves on her feet, with her left foot she kicked upwards making a loop in the air as she descended hard with her right striking him downward sending him into the ground. However she was not finished as then she chased after him running through the air and calling the keyblade into her right hand she gave him her finishing move, "Astral Aerial Smash!!!"

With that she sent Vincent flying backwards into the barrier as he then collapsed against it appearing to be on his last legs, he looked up at her painfully as he saw that Nozomi was gasping hard breaths of air as it had taken a lot of energy out of her as she held the keyblade tightly.

Outside around the arena floor everyone was impressed beyond words as they were all silent in awe at the spectacle… then suddenly there was a huge round of applause as though the ending blow had come.

Cait sith then could be heard shouting out loudly, "well done there! Ya banshee! That's sockin it to him!" As he went into a series of woots and clapping as he jumped high in the air.

Saria grasped her hands softly as she looked on gladly as she whispered happily, "Nozomi…"

Looking on even Ori's expression had changed slightly to show some signs of interest on his face, though once again he turned away again saying, "it was just a piece of luck on their side."

However despite the cheering both Phil standing on the sidelines and Hercules sitting in the audience seats knew that this was far from over as they remained silent with serious eyes, even Meg could see it herself in Herc and then looked back down to the arena floor with concern thinking, "just be careful you guys…"

Back down on the arena floor Riku had now got up from the ground he'd been struck back into as he ached in pain saying, "man that smarts!" But then looking ahead of him he could see Mickey on the floor unconscious. Seeing this Riku immediately reacted as he ran to the mouse king's side in moments in worry as he then pulled him up asking, "Your majesty are you all right? Get a hold of yourself!"

The king hearing his name being called ached in pain slightly as he clenched his teeth but then opening his eyes slowly he saw Riku there, looking at him he smiled saying, "Riku."

Glad to see that he was all right Riku let out a sigh of relief as well as revealing a small smile but then he looked ahead of himself to see Nozomi in front of Vincent as she had her keyblade pointed at him as he lay back against the invisible barrier.

Mickey seeing Riku's expression as he looked then turned himself to see what was happening he watched with serious eyes at what was going to occur.

Vincent against the wall then felt painful aches in his body something that he hadn't felt in a long time, opening his eyes he looked to see that girl from before now had her keyblade aimed at him with the crowd making huge rounds of applause as she gazed him with fierce determined concentration as she told him, "we've won now! You have to keep your promise to see the guys in Hollow Bastion, I hope this is proof enough for you of what I meant before."

Listening to her quietly Vincent stared at her still and her determined resolve, it was clear though she was now lacking energy from the attack before and her colleagues too were just as drained. Looking at her he then couldn't help but let out a small laugh as he smiled underneath his tattered cloak.

Hearing him laugh Nozomi was confused as then suddenly she heard Vincent say, "so you believe that you are victorious are you?"

She didn't reply though as Vincent had now stood up making the crowd drop to silence in moments as he then continued onto say, "you have done well in succeeding into damaging me as much as you have… however it is not the end of this battle yet…"

Hearing him say this Nozomi was now truly baffled as she then asked him, "what? What do you mean the battle isn't done? What're you-"

But suddenly there was a strange reaction as Vincent lifted both his arms and clenched his fists hard and then all at once a huge darkened atmosphere surrounded him as red electrical energy enveloped him as it created a menacing aura.

Looking at this both Mickey and Riku were immediately were on alert as they gazed at Vincent both on their feet and calling their keyblades out in seconds once more, Nozomi shocked herself at what was happening stared on as she asked, "what is-"

Suddenly then Vincent's eyes started to glow madly red as well as he raised his head and shouted out loudly, as he did Nozomi then watched on speechless as Vincent's teeth then suddenly became long and jagged as his cry turned a horrible howling.

Staring on outside the arena floor Cait sith watched on shocked too at what was happening as a horrible dark clouds now floated over the coliseum creating a dark atmosphere, he then cried, "oi what's goin on here! What's that bloke-"

Interrupting him Phil then finally spoke, "he's reached it."

Hearing the satyr trainer say these words Cait sith looked at him puzzled as he asked, "what? What're ya talking about there goat legs?"

"He's reached his limit break," for then at that moment Hercules too explained now to Meg what was happening as she saw the transformation that was taking place.

Listening to these words Meg repeated puzzled, "his limit break?"

Hercules nodded as he then went on further to say, "that's right, it's the limit he reaches when he's taken enough damage, it's a last resort you could say to win… right now he's transforming into a beast of darkness… and it's extremely powerful, other than myself no-one else has defeated it as of yet." Now Meg was really in concern as she watched Vincent and his monstrous transformation and the darkness that had now come with it.

Nozomi, Riku and Mickey gazed at Vincent as suddenly he hunched over as his back muscles grew huge and broadened as his arms and leg grew out longer as long claws erupted from his feet and hands. Then suddenly dark blue fur covered all of him as the hair on his head turned long and silver white with horns erupting out and his face then became wolf-like revealing a ray of sharp teeth and glistening yellow glowing eyes. Then finally finishing his transformation silver rings now surrounded his ankles and arms as well as upper chest armour that was razor sharp as a long tail swayed from behind him. The only thing that revealed him to be the Vincent that they had been facing now was his red cape that was now wrapped around his legs like a loincloth as it swayed to and throw around him.

Nozomi was in absolute shock and could even feel a tingle of terror inside herself as she gazed at Vincent in this new form as well as the dread that the darkness brought with it, even Riku and Mickey felt anxious as they gazed at him, looking at them with his golden glowing yellow eyes Vincent then told them all in a rumbling beast voice, "now let's see if you can defeat me… as the Galian beast!"

Watching as well at what happened Saria looked on shocked herself, as she was speechless with fright at the sight of Vincent. Ori himself now gazed with amazement at what had now happened, to think this guy could change form! "Well looks like those guys are gonna have difficulty…"

Back on the arena floor Nozomi felt her terror pulsing in her veins as she could feel a hostile energy radiating from Vincent that she couldn't feel before, it almost made her want to step back and run, but she couldn't though! She and everyone had to all stand their ground! "Guys!" She called as she looked at them both. Hearing her Riku and Mickey were quiet but then they heard her go on, "let's do this all together!" She finished as she mustered a smile.

Riku hearing and seeing her say this could see there was fear in her eyes, but there was also determination that almost helped to get rid of his own as well but then smirking himself not being surprised he then told her, "you never change." With that he and the king quickly joined her as he finished, "besides without me and Mickey you'd be finished in seconds."

Hearing him say this Nozomi looked at him for a moment but then she let out a small laugh as she looked at Vincent once more and replied to Riku, "you should give me more credit then that! I'll wipe this guy with the floor before you two can!"

Mickey hearing this little bet brightened himself as he replied smiling, "well we'll have to see, now let's get this guy!"

With that everyone nodded together fiercely as they were now ready to face Vincent as Riku then called out to him, "come at us Vincent!"

With that said he let out a mighty howl signalling the start as the two forces once again went to collide into each. Rushing forwards with his claws raised Vincent immediately lunged forward to get at the three of them but then suddenly the small group of them divided instantly as they all ran around him.

Seeing them all do this though he acted quickly as he then swung his enormous tail to get at the three of them simultaneously as they all tried to get at him from different angles. However he missed the lot of them as they all leaped together into the air higher, as they did they all looked on with fierce determination as they all together pointed their keyblades at their monstrous adversary as they all each called out, "Blizzara! Thundera! Fira!"

With that the three spells flew fast and quickly and all landed on target upon Vincent, he howled in pain, seeing this Nozomi looked on happily crying out, "we did it!"

However it was too early to speak as then suddenly Vincent had recovered in moments and then quickly seeing them all in the air leaped up himself shocking everyone as they all thought he wouldn't be able to get airborne with his bulky weight.

Seeing him coming Mickey then called out, "scatter!" But it was too late as he arrived upon all of them before even he could have guessed as suddenly he swung himself forwards all around sending his arms and legs and tail all over like a fast tornado as he voiced his attack, "Berserk dance!"

With that his rapid and erratic movements were impossible for everyone to dodge past as they were all struck by a flurry of fast and heavy blows of claws as they were all sent flying painfully to the ground.

Saria watching on from the distance at what was happening to her friend couldn't stand to see what was happening at all as she turned her head away from the sight. Ori watching on himself didn't like what was happening himself as he then said aloud, "well… I'd say it's better them then us, hey Saria?" He asked trying to make a joke but then turning he saw that she had left.

Looking around quickly he asked, "oi Saria! Where've ya got to-" but then suddenly he saw her as she was quickly running towards the arena floor of the coliseum as she looked on with a desperate expression.

Seeing her do this he then spoke, "what the heck has gotten into that girl lately!" As he then quickly annoyed chased after her.

Back on the arena floor Nozomi got up painfully as best as she could for she'd been hammered down by Vincent's monstrous tail and it really made her thunder with aches all over, opening her eyes as she got up she then looked into the distance then to see Riku and Mickey were on the floor once again in the same state she was in.

She looked at them both with horrible anxiety as she saw they weren't moving however before she could cry out suddenly Vincent had arrived back down onto the ground once again as he then unleashed another attack, "beast flare!" Then suddenly as he cried out these words huge fiery waves charged out of his claws as he swung them left and right like lightning as he thrust.

Seeing these pulses of energy Nozomi was shocked for there was no time for her to react as suddenly she was sent flying back screaming, "agggghhhh!!!" She then crashed into the invisible barrier as she slid down against it in further burning pain.

Gritting her teeth she opened her eyes again to see where Riku and the king had gone to, she then saw that they were all scattered in front of her as each of them were lying lifeless against the pillars at the far end of the arena. Looking at them Nozomi tried to get herself up despite the burns she could feel.

However suddenly then she felt a huge shadow loom over her, looking up startled she then saw that it was Vincent still in his Galian Beast form as he stared down at her still with those haunting yellow eyes.

Seeing him she was frozen in place as she then heard him talk in his beast voice, "now I would say is the end for you… it would be better for you to give in, after my levels are higher than you when it comes to combat."

Hearing him say this Nozomi gritted her teeth angrily, for he was right in this sense… he was higher than her in battle, for she couldn't beat him at all on her own and Riku and Mickey were clearly down and out for the count… there was nothing that could be done…

She bowed her head down seemingly in defeat that Vincent only stared quietly at, Nozomi bit her bottom lip pulsating with regret with the words she was about to release from her mouth, she then opened her lips to speak, "you-"

However suddenly she was interrupted, "no you can't!"

Turning her head suddenly she then saw much to her surprise that Saria had arrived as she leaned herself against the barrier as she looked at Nozomi desperately as she said, "you can't Nozomi! Please don't give up you mustn't!"

Seeing her do this Nozomi was really surprised for she never expected her to come over and tell her this herself as she whispered with amazement, "Saria…"

But then suddenly Ori came over as he then marched up and then suddenly pulled on Saria's shoulder as he told her, "now what the heck are you doing! Leaving me! Your partner behind like that! Honestly you really have gotten ahead of yerself lately!"

Looking at Ori as he said this to her Saria looked on apologetically as she looked on sadly as she began to say, "I'm sorry Ori… it's just that I-"

However suddenly he put a finger to her lips silencing her in moments, as he then looked at her hard as she only looked at him not knowing what to do, then turning his gaze finally having her be quiet he then turned to Nozomi who looked at him perplexed. He then began his lecture, "now you listen here! I ain't gonna let ya give in either right now! You gotta take responsibility and pay me compensation fer makin Saria change like this! Otherwise I ain't forgiven ya one bit if you darn well quit now!"

Hearing him say this Nozomi was now really truly shocked! The perverted devil was giving her encouragement? But then suddenly she noticed something from the corner of her eyes as she saw Riku move. Staying where she was not give away any signs to Vincent she then saw Riku look in her direction as he looked pained and just as tired as she was, however he nodded to her as he showed a small smile.

Seeing this she then knew somehow inside what was going to happen next by some weird feeling inside, acting she looked to Ori and Saria as she then bowed her head once again as she turned to face Vincent in his beast form.

She then spoke, "Yeah I forgot… I said I'd make those guys apologise to you no matter what… and also," with that she moved her face up to look at Vincent as she went onto say, "to prove my idea that the guys in Hollow Bastion can help you, to do that I can't lose now… I never want to break a promise." She then smiled with her fighting spirit renewed as she got back up on her feet as she called her keyblade once more.

Looking down at her Vincent was quiet as he considered her for a moment but then he spoke, "you are a foolish young girl… you should learn to stop when you know there is a battle you cannot win." With that he then raised one of his razor sharp-clawed hands to strike her down.

Hearing him say this Nozomi told him, "I'm afraid you're wrong there."

Vincent hearing this asked, "what?"
But then suddenly at once something occurred that he hadn't expected whatsoever as he felt a sudden couple of blows to his back of burning and electrical shocks.

Gasping from these sudden strikes he at once turned to see what had happened but then as he did this suddenly Nozomi launched herself into the air once more quickly and fiercely as Vincent turned to look at her in surprise as she struck his wolf face with a fierce kick and then quickly diving down she then cried out smashing her keyblade into his chest, "Blizzara!" As he was sent then flying backwards as he then landed on his clawed feet in the centre of the arena.

He'd been careless himself as he had assumed for Riku and the king to be down and out to which had revealed his back to them and then taking the time he was distracted to have Nozomi make her move. Calculating this in his mind it was now though too late for him to make any further movements as suddenly the group launched into their final attack as all three rushed together at their beast opponent as they all then shouted out together as they slashed through on all sides, "Trinity Slash!!!"

Feeling the powerful impacts from all three keybladers together as they sliced through him all over Vincent then felt his energy fully deplete as then in a matter of moments his red energy dispersed and vanished as it flooded away into the ground and with it his transformation was quickly undone as he then fell to his knees and then fully onto the ground. The darkness that also surrounded the arena disappeared in moments revealing warm strong sunlight.

…

The whole arena was silent as it set into everyone's minds at what had just occurred… but then suddenly the whole arena burst into a whole sea of applause for the keybladers as all of them together had defeated the legendary Vincent as Phil then cried out dispersing the invisible barrier, "and the winners are… the keybladers Mickey! Nozomi and Riku!"

Breathing hard all together everyone all looked at each other pleased, as they were victorious, the tournament was theirs!

Glad at their victory the king spoke, "well I'm glad we all won there together fella's!" He beamed to them.

Nozomi smiled at him herself but then Riku went onto say, "yeah it is, but I'd rather have beaten him on my own."

Hearing him say this Nozomi looked him with a sarcastic grin as she then punched him playfully in the arm as she said, "oh I'm so sure you would mister all high and mighty."

To which he only smiled more but before more words could be exchanged between the two of them suddenly, "oi lads!" Nozomi then turned and quickly as usual to be expected Cait sith had pounced and landed on her head once more making a nest in her hair as he then cried out, "ya lot all did it! Ya won that there Cubix cup!"

Hearing him Nozomi replied to him smiling, "I think we know that Cait sith geez!" She finished laughing.

Riku simply shook his head at Cait sith's usual behaviour as the king only as usual gently smiled, but then they turned to see approaching was Meg Phil and Hercules as they too had faces covered in smiles.

Meg spoke up first really impressed, "guys well done on your victory! You had the audience begging for more than Dionysus's cup!"

Mickey hearing this scratched the back of his head as he replied, "aw shucks it was nothing really."

At this Phil proudly boasted as he said, "well of course it ain't you guys got trained by the best in all of the worlds there is!"

However at this though everyone was in slight doubts but then Hercules went onto say, "yeah, I'm glad you guys did it! You have got real strength!" He smiled as he gave them all thumbs up.

Riku hearing him say this replied, "thanks Hercules."

Nozomi glad herself for all the praise and so forth however turned her head as she saw then that Vincent had now lifted himself and was now sitting on the arena floor as he held his head, seeing him like this Nozomi decided to walk on over.

Vincent in the midst of sitting still felt an ache in his head where he'd been kicked as he shook it slightly, but then suddenly as he opened his eyes in his line of view there was a hand extended down to him. Looking to see who it was from he then saw it was Nozomi who was smiling down to him as she said, "hey need a hand up?"

Seeing her do this though Vincent was confused as he asked, "why are you-?"

However Cait sith answered for her, "don't be daft ya dumb bloke! When a person's reaching a hand down it can only be for help! Now just take it!"

Nozomi a little annoyed at his usual rude attitude then heard Vincent say, "I see… all right then." With that he reached out his metallic golden-clawed hand as he put it into Nozomi right hand.

Turning suddenly feeling the cold metal Nozomi looked down at his gauntlet quietly thinking it was weird but then she heard Vincent go on, "what're you doing?"

Hearing him Nozomi blinked, "huh? Oh um sorry caught in my own world for a sec there, let me pull you up." Then with that she did just that as she pulled Vincent back onto his feet.

Looking at him as his clawed hand was still in her right Nozomi then said, "Thanks Vincent."

Listening to these words Vincent was surprised to hear these words being spoken as he asked, "why do you give your thanks to me?"

Nozomi smiled as she told him, "well I'm giving it to you cause you helped me, you pushed me forward by making me and the guys give it all we got so you helped me achieve my goal of getting a little stronger… so thanks for that, okay?"

Vincent hearing these words wasn't used to having thanks very often but it was good nonetheless and so decided to indulge her as he revealed a small smile as he replied, "well I'm glad that you were able to do that something."

Seeing his smile Nozomi was surprised but she was pleased further as she nodded, "yup and after all this you can go and see the guys in Hollow Bastion right?"

Vincent then put his smile away as he then replied, "I made an agreement… like you I make sure not to break them… so it will be done."

Cait sith then spoke, "good on ya lad! Now come on lass we gotta get goin to that trophy givin!" He told her as he smacked her head in his usual manner when he wanted to get her attention.

Irritating her Nozomi replied, "all right! All right, let's do it Cait sith."

With that she then turned from Vincent as she went to join Riku and Mickey while Vincent quietly followed suite behind her to watch the prize giving.

Standing on the pedestal everyone waved to the cheering crowds as their faces were all covered in smiles, at once Phil then walked in as he then spoke out loud and proud his hands behind his back, "now it is my sworn duty and honour to present you guys with this prized trophy given to the winner of the Cubix cup after beaten and makin yer way from zero to hero!"

With that he then brought out the cup from behind his back, everyone saw why it had been called the Cubix cup. It was a golden trophy that was quite tall with a cube in it's centre that was white with silver swirls painted all over it with diamonds embedded. The cube was held by a crescent moon like shape to round it out more nicely.

It seemed rather over glammed for a trophy but taking it from Phil Nozomi smiled, "uh thanks there Phil… it's great." She smiled as everyone looked at it with iffy eyes even Cait sith who was sat upon Nozomi's head.

Phil smiled as he replied, "thanks, made it there myself since we haven't had any new trophies made in a long time."

Nozomi then thought in the back of her head, 'oh no wonder.'

But not letting this get the best of her suddenly she heard Phil declare more, "and so with that I declare you guys the new champions!"

With that more applause rung out highly to them all, Mickey and Riku continued to wave out to the crowds while Nozomi holding the trophy still looked around and then saw to her left side Saria and Ori together, Ori was doing his usual reaction as he refused to look at her while Saria waved to her really happy.

Nozomi was then really pleased as everything had come together in the way she really wanted and she couldn't ask for more as she then cried out loudly, "we're the winners!!!" As she waved the trophy to and throw in her right hand jumping up and down like an excited child, then suddenly she reached her left hand to hold it with too but then she brushed it against the cube in the centre and then suddenly she felt that too overall familiar feeling as her eyes widened and the world was drowned into white light…