Chapter LXXXI: The trials of the Coliseum part XVII

High up in the now darkened clouds of Olympus the gods and goddesses of the sacred realm were all being led down a dark walkway of solid rock, all connected by heavy iron shackles as they shared the same gloomy expression of doom upon their faces.

Leading them downwards was two small henchmen of Hades', Pain and Panic who had got a hold of some of the Gods belongings as they commanded them, "up two three four! C'mon everybody!" Pain shouted out holding onto an enormous sword and wearing a big helmet.

Panic then contributed as he cried out too," yeah we can't hear you!" Wearing the purple glasses of Hermes.

Meanwhile back upon the peak of the rocky walkway, the enormous monstrous creation of Hades continued to spray forth fire and ice making a solid encasing around the king of the Gods, Zeus as it held him bound like an enormous straight jacket as it continued to build over his form.

Hades stared on with sweet satisfaction at seeing his little brother getting his just deserts, while Saria and Ori only stared on with a mixture of serious grimness as neither of them were really pleased at this result. Then further behind the three of them was Hari as she stared on her arms crossed with her forever ice-cold expression.

Staring at them all with eyes of burning hatred Zeus spoke out, "I swear Hades when I get out of-" But it was too late as his rock solid cocoon was complete stopping his speech in moments.

Hades though satisfied now spoke casually with a flick of his wrist as a throne of smoke emerged from behind him forming a sharp spiked black sinister throne, the dark lord then casually sat back as he spoke, "now I'm the one giving the orders bolt boy," with that he then held his right hand out and with another flick emerged a cocktail drink with a worm dangling inside as he finished now truly satisfied, "and I think I'm gonna like it here…"

Hari staring on at Hades as he had finally reached the pedestal he'd been forever pursuing was silent, but then suddenly she sensed something as she turned her head sharply behind herself…

Hades took an enormous sip from his cocktail as he finished remarking with a smile, "ah… victory sure is sweet, now," with that he looked to Ori and Saria who looked up at him with uncertainty in their eyes as he then told them, "why don't you both go and make yourselves useful?"

Silent as she gazed up at her master Saria was now nervous horribly as she wondered what it was he wanted now as she dreaded one possibility, however Ori though still on guard managed to put on an air of coolness as he replied, "and doin exactly what boss?"

Looking at them both quietly Hades was in too good of a mood to lose his temper as he remarked, "well how about simply escorting our entourage to the underworld? Think you can both handle somethin as simple as that?"

Saria hearing this didn't much like this idea either as she bowed her head down showing her reluctance, however Ori knowing what face she was putting on quickly replied, "sure we can! C'mon Saria!" With that he dragged her down the rocky trail to assist Pain and Panic.

His smile present Hades was silent once more as he relaxed into his throne, however suddenly a voice spoke up, "lord Hades."

Opening his eyes then to look at his partner in crime Hari he asked, "yeah what is it babe?"

Kneeling down to show her allegiance to him Hari spoke, "I have sensed something from below at the coliseum… there is a need to investigate it I believe, do I have your permission to do so?"

Hearing her formal request Hades lifted a single eyebrow curious, but then he was quite comfortable with the state of things so replied, "sure whatever you want babe, I think I can handle operations quite nicely here." As he then closed his eyes again relaxing as he folded his arms behind his back ready to have a short comfortable nap.

With the God of death's authorisation Hari stood up from her kneeling position as she replied, "thank you my lord." With that she quickly took her exit as her wings unfolded in moments as she then raced through the darkened clouds vanishing in moments.

Racing through the clouds fast and furiously, Pegasus carried Hercules, Riku and Mickey with Nozomi following closely beside them using her own wings to run through the air, with Cait sith holding on tightly to her shoulder as they all ascended in the dark clouds.

Riku and Mickey had to close their eyes against the harsh rushing wind and hold on tightly to each other (and Hercules) as to not be pulled back by the thrust of the speed they were travelling at. Riku opening one of his eyes shouted out over the wind pressure, "how far do we have left to go!"

Hercules hearing him shouted straight back, "we're almost there! Just a few more minutes and we'll break through the cloud cover!"

Hearing him say this Nozomi shouted out herself, "great! Then we can-"

Suddenly then she turned her head to the left as something caught her eye, however in doing so it made her knock Cait sith slightly as he cried out, "oi watch where you're turnin' ya daft banshee!"

Hearing him Nozomi automatically turned her head back to look on straight ahead as she responded shouting, " sorry Cait sith!" But as she did concentrate on the path ahead she pondered on what it was she saw that had gone past them all, for she had sworn she'd seen a shadow of some giant bird or something… but it was too quick for her to pinpoint any details.

Whispering she asked, "what was-" but then as the question was being voiced from her lips they finally broke the dark cloud cover as they emerged at the heights of Olympus.

Everyone looking around themselves as they settled from the thrust and tribulations of the racing wind were all horrified at the transformation that had occurred to the once white and shining pristine realm of the gods. For though Mickey, Nozomi, Cait sith and Riku had never once been there it was clear to all that this was not how things were supposed to be.

For the fallen gates before them were now all ruined and in horrible scrapped shards littered across the stone floor with pillars all decimated in ruins everywhere and beyond them the clouds were beginning to look like horrible essences of smog as they slithered through the open entry way.

They were all silent for a moment as they looked at the destroyed place until finally king Mickey spoke up, "we gotta get goin and stop Hades Fella's… otherwise things are only gonna get worse."

At these words everyone all nodded together at this as they all spoke in unison, "right!" Then without another word quickly, Riku Mickey and Hercules upon Pegasus rode together inside with Nozomi following them quickly as they all made their way further into the realm of the Gods.

Meanwhile upon the stone walkway the Gods were being made to continue to walk down the path, until finally they all arrived upon the very bottom and as they all gathered together on the stone floor clearing it was then Pain and Panic spoke again in joyous glee, "now then! Ladies and gentle God's time for a one way trip to…" with that they both made a fast encirclement as then suddenly a huge green summoning circle emerged with rune symbols all over, until all at once in a huge eerie flash of green light and spectre images of ghosts and ghoulish faces, a huge cave entrance opened up with evil eyes and a sharp mouthed expression as though ready to devour whatever would come into its gaping jaws.

The Gods and Goddesses there looked at the horrible thing with uncomfortable eyes as then Pain and Panic finished saying enthusiastically," The Underworld!"

At this huge happy shout though there was no sound made whatsoever as the wind simply brushed by, as the Gods all only looked on with anxious eyes, so seeing they weren't going to get their applause Panic turned around and said to Pain shaking his head his arms raised, "looks like there's no one who appreciates a good welcome party."

Nodding Pain agreed as he nodded his head saying, "yep sure looks like it, anyway," he then turned and looked at all of the uncomfortable immortals as he commanded shouting, "all right now parties over!" With that he pointed his finger at the entryway, "now get in there!"

At this none of the Gods or Goddesses dared to move a muscle, for there was nothing worse in all of existence to go into that despairing pit… however Pain was becoming quickly annoyed at this air of disobedience as he shouted out, "are you all deaf! I told all you guys to-"

However suddenly he was interrupted as then an angry cry filled the air shouting, "no-ones going anywhere!"

At this the Gods, Pain and Panic all gasped with surprise as then suddenly from the wreck of ruins emerged a well-known hero of theirs and some others. Seeing the one who had called out to them all they all cried out, "Hercules!" With huge essences of relief.

At the sight of the son of Zeus Pain and Panic did just as one of them was named that, they panicked! As they both cried out, "Hercules! Hercules! What's he doin? He can't be-"

But then the band of heroes all landed on the stone floor of Olympus as they all began to charge forwards chasing after Hades' two minions, Cait sith suddenly jumping off of Nozomi's shoulder then had his teeth and claws bared and ready as he cried out," I'm gonna be teachin you midgets some manners!"

Seeing the sight of the ferocious cat coming straight towards them both they immediately screamed running away in terror, "AAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHH!"

Stopping in moments seeing the cowardly pair run throwing away the trophies they'd stolen Cait sith then finished shouted swinging his gloved fists, "and don't let me catch ye daffs around ere again!"

Seeing this strange display the gods were all confused by this small cat but then suddenly another voice spoke up as she cried, "hang on we'll get you all free!"

At once they all turned and watched as a young girl, a silvered hair boy, a small mouse and Hercules rush at different groups of them as then they all together smashed into their bonds with their weapons.

Nozomi on her own section as she struck the chain gritted her teeth hard trying to force the metal apart, however suddenly as they all struck the chains there was suddenly a huge dark purple electrical charge from nowhere that sent them all flying back.

Landing hard and painfully Nozomi gasped as she cried, "Ow man! What the!"

The gods seeing their brave attempt as the electrical energy faded away they all looked depressed as then one of them spoke up, the pink shining goddess Aphrodite, "it's no use, these chains won't break by normal means… not even our powers combined can get rid of them."

Hearing this King Mickey was shocked as he then spoke out, "huh? But why? Why is it you guys can't-"

It was then the god of the sun chariot Apollo informed them all, "these chains were created from Hades' creation, it is literally connected to it, and its combined powers of the titans are too much for us to overcome in this state."

Hearing this info it was clear that this was bad news for them but especially the Gods themselves, everyone beginning to feel discouraged at this point began to look down depressed, but then Riku spoke up refusing to give in, "so what do we do to get you all free from this!"

The Gods were then all silent for a moment as none of them were exactly sure themselves, but one was as he stepped forwards and then informed them all, the very God of machinery and weapons, Hephaestus " there's only one, you have to defeat the creature itself, only then will we be set free, and Zeus too… it's the only way to put a stop to all of this."

Receiving this information Hercules then responded, his determination quickly returning to him as it did for the others too, "you're sure of this?"

At once Hephaestus responded showing his belief, "yes! I am."

Nozomi hearing the final confirmation spoke up, "okay then! Let's go and get that thing guys!"

With that they all nodded together and at once started to run forwards again as Nozomi called back to the Gods, "don't worry all of you! We'll have you all freed soon!"

Hercules then turned as he called out to Pegasus still standing as he began to try and catch up to them, however he stopped him as he told his old friend, "Pegasus stay here and help everyone here! Don't let anyone go through that doorway!"

Hearing Hercules's command Pegasus bowed his head up and down as he then neighed showing his agreement as he watched his master and friend run further into the distance.

Then running on Cait sith still standing where he was heard Nozomi and the others approaching, turning around he then saw her hand reaching out to him as she waved it to him as she told him, "c'mon Cait sith!"

Seeing her do this he immediately ran up himself as he then jumped in the air and landed on her shoulder as he spoke, "all right then lass! Let's send 'em creeps back to the cleaners!"

Nodding at these words now smirking herself Nozomi replied, "Right lets!"

With that everyone proceeded up the rocky trail.

At the top of the peak of the walkway, Saria and Ori stood together having guided the last of the Gods down below as they'd left the rest for Pain and Panic to take care of, neither of them really fancied seeing anyone being swallowed into the underworld.

Ori bored and annoyed looked to his side as he saw that Saria was still looking down and depressed, seeing her like this he then cracked as he told her off, "will you stop it with the rotten attitude! I'm really getting fed up with it."

Saria didn't answer him as she only turned her face away not wanting to look at him or answer still feeling horrible.

Annoyed Ori sighed as he looked up into the dark skies himself as he told her," look I can get why yer actin like this and all, but bein a dope isn't gonna help no one out."

Saria pursed her lips as she then spoke, "you don't understand, do you?"

Ori then turned and looked at her with an appalled face as he asked, "what?"

It was then Saria looked at him angry with her grief as she told him, "I don't wanna do this anymore! I don't like doing things like this! Enslaving people and causing all this horrible damage! It's just-"

Now really angry himself Ori turned and then shouted himself, "what choice do you think we have!"

Saria was silenced in moments as she saw Ori's enraged face as he then carried on, "ya forget! We're bound to Mr smoke and flames! Through that bottle of his, as long as it exists he controls our fate! And you know that!" At this he turned his head as he looked away as he then finished saying, "it doesn't matter if both us don't like it, we don't have a choice… unless we wanna vanish or being sealed away forever."

Hearing Ori say this remembering the very anchor that was keeping her and him under Hades' thumb… Saria didn't know how to respond at all to this, but she felt there was something that she felt she had to do, Ori as well…

But then suddenly interrupting her and Ori was a cry of panic, turning at once they both looked to see quickly scrambling and flying up the stone stair way was Pain and Panic.

Seeing them Ori and Saria looked at them both strangely as Saria asked, "why are they-?"

She was interrupted then as Panic called out to them both, "they're comin! They're comin!"

At this still confused Ori asked, "Coming? Who's coming?"

However to Pain there was no time to talk about it as he replied, "we got no time to talk about it! The boss!"

"The boss! We gotta tell the boss!" Panic chimed in, with that before either of them could question any further the two small minions had run past them racing to tell Hades their emergency info.

Absolutely confused at this, Ori and Saria looked at each other for a moment silent both muddled, but then quickly they followed after them to learn what the big emergency was.

Hades still napping away on his throne was dreaming more happy dreams than he ever had in so long, his magnificent dragon creation was standing poised beside him as it gazed down silently. His nap was then suddenly and rudely interrupted, as there was a huge outburst and bang, "Boss Boss! Boss! Boss!"

Waking startled he then looked around shouting, "who! What! Where-" but then he stopped as he saw bowing at his feet were his two annoyances as they breathed in and out from the rush, "well look who it is," he spoke relaxing back into his usual calm manner as he then asked, "so what's the problem boys?"

Recovering finally from the frantic scamper that both Pain and Panic had made they began to speak, with Pain starting first, "it's bad boss real bad!"

Rolling his eyes at this comment he replied, "yeah I think I can see that, just what is the problem already?"

It was then Panic told him, "it's Hercules! Him and those other guys are comin up here and fast!"

It was then Saria and Ori walked on in as they heard this info themselves, Saria then asked with wide eyes, "Hercules and-?"

But then Hades hearing this info was shocked as he was still and silent for a moment until he shouted out, "WWWHHHHAAATTT!" His face becoming volcanic red in moments as his hair flashed angrily.

Pain and Panic were silent both entirely petrified at their bosses' enraged change, as were Ori and Saria who looked on silently, gritting his teeth holding onto both arms of his throne, his nails digging into it, "how could this happen! She promised me that-"

But then suddenly there was no time for him to complain any further as Saria and Ori both turned as did Pain and Panic to see then arriving in moments, Hercules, Mickey, Nozomi and Riku all of them ready for battle.

Saria and Ori looked at them in complete shock and surprise as were Hades, while Pain and Panic only became more nervous, they were gonna get it! They just knew it.

All of them stood ready their weapons drawn as Cait sith stood in front of them as he then shouted out for them all pointing as Hades, "it's pay back time ya smoke bomb!"

Suddenly snapping out of his shock Hades looked at them enraged as he then turned and ordered his monstrous creation, "Get them!"

At once the giant creation roared with all four of it's heads as it's giant wind belly too echoed out, showing it was more than eager!

Nozomi and everyone gripped their blades ready to go themselves; Riku then spoke quickly, "you guys all ready?"

Mickey and Nozomi nodded in moments as she replied, "more than you know!"

With that smirking himself Mickey then spoke, "all right fella's then-"

It was Hercules who finished his sentence for him as he shouted, "let's go!" With the battle commenced as the dragon creature leaped forwards it's giant wings bared, it's roaring echoing everywhere.

Meanwhile back on the coliseum floor Vincent was at last in a good state of recovery as his pain was no longer bad letting Oralee, Meg and Phil relax considerably. Pete in the meantime was still gagged and tied up by the Coliseum entryway, though he was frustrated at this situation he was more in despair at the horrible mistake he'd made.

He knew there was then no hope for him whatsoever, he'd made a hideous mistake and he knew there was no way for him to get out of it, he also knew that there was no one going to come to his aid, Hades would hate his guts for life and probably torch him for it while Maleficent would never let him come back. Closing his eyes sadly he didn't want to think or do anything anymore… he was a total useless imbecile.

But then suddenly, "what is-"

There was suddenly a cry of shock as he then turned his face and opened his eyes to see landing on the coliseum floor was none other than Hari as she kneeled down for a moment her steel wings aloft until she finally stood up and had them fold back inside, as she looked on with her cold green eyes at them all.

Pete couldn't believe his eyes! Hari had come! But why did she come? Why would she-

Meg and Oralee seeing the deviant servant to Hades were petrified for neither of them could fight back against her devastating power.

Vincent looked on with harsh eyes at her as he spoke, "you!" Hari looking at him ignored his tone as she simply removed her gaze from him and looked on back to see Pete gagged and tied.

Seeing him there she slowly then began to proceed forwards towards her accomplice, staring at her Pete couldn't believe it! Hari had come for him! Despite not wanting to be known and-

It was then Phil seeing her coming towards their villainous captive came between them as he put his arms out barring her path, "oh no you don't! Yer not getting our prime suspect back! Ya hussy! He's-"

However he was interrupted as Hari commanded coldly, "Get out of my way…"

Hearing her say this in such a cold manner made a chill go down Phil's spine but he refused to give in, as he simply stood his ground.

Seeing that the small satyr wasn't going to relent Hari quietly called out her keyblade, "the one winged angel' as she then held it out at him. Now really nervous Phil was trembling and then before he knew it, he was struck aside by a burning red blow as he landed painfully against the wall of the coliseum making a huge dent and crack.

Oralee was silent and Meg cried out, "Phil!" as they were both shocked. At once though the Greek girl got up and ran immediately to his side.

Pete seeing her do this then watched as she walked to his side and asked him, "Pete are you all right?"

Hearing her ask this he couldn't reply with words so only nodded slightly, seeing this Hari then closed her eyes as she raised her blade once more and then with a series of fast swipes, his bonds were cut away in moments.

Feeling the ropes cut Pete then pulled the gag off his mouth as he asked, "Hari, Hades sent ya to-"

At this question she looked at him quietly as she then shook her head slowly as she told him, "no… I sensed something and came on my own."

Acquiring this information he couldn't believe it, Hari had come again to his rescue! Silent then in total surprise at what he'd learnt Hari turned around as she saw Oralee staring away at her scared out of her mind.

"Now then… to finish what was started," with that she began to walk forward towards the helpless princess who only looked at her with horror at what she was going to do to her.

She couldn't even move now as Hari continued to come towards her, but then suddenly getting up and off her despite his injuries Vincent pointed his gun at her ready to fire as he spoke, "I won't let you take this girl!"

Hari seeing Vincent again as she remembered him from her past encounter was quiet as she considered something for a moment… it was then she came to a decision as she said, "I believe this will be a better choice…" with that she raised her keyblade as it thundered once again with her tremendous scarlet red power as Vincent took aim and pulled he trigger back to fire...