Chapter LXXXVII: Goin' onto the Groovin Empire Part I

Resting in a bed that was ready made, Hari laid under the dark black covers her armour gone as her head rested on a white pillow her eyes closed in rest. Standing beside her was Pete as he had his head looking down along with his ears as Maleficent stood before him clearly infuriated.

"You're telling me that you made my servant, carry out such a ridiculous plan!" She shouted at him.

Flinching at her tone Pete couldn't look at her in the face at first as he continued to look away, but then gathering what little courage he had he darted his eyes to her now and again, "well no uh!...Ya see Maleficent, it seemed like a good idea at the time and well… " He then looked to Hari as she continued to slumber on, "Hari was dead certain that she could win there and-"

However, "Be silent!" She spat angrily.

Pete hushed up in moments as he felt himself shiver more at her rage as he stared at her; Maleficent still enraged spoke on, "you have been an absolute and total failure again! Not only have you let Hari be damaged to this point! You have even lost one of the very keys to our success! I should never have entrusted you to-"

But then she was interrupted by a calm though weakened voice, as she spoke, "it is not Pete's fault."

At once Maleficent stopped in her tracks as she looked on with surprise, just as much as Pete was as he turned and stared down at Hari. Looking up at the two of them with her green eyes clearly exhausted Hari spoke on, "it is mine my lady Maleficent… I was rash and overestimated my capabilities to handle that situation… and so, I am the one solely responsible for the losses you have suffered… so please do not take your rage out needlessly." Pete listened on quietly as Hari said these words, he couldn't believe it! She was sticking up for him even now?

Maleficent looking at Hari and then watching Pete's reaction narrowed her eyes disapprovingly, after a moment she spoke up, "is that so?" Pete then looked back to Maleficent as he waited for what it was she would say next. Finishing her thoughts Maleficent had reached her decision, "well then seeing as how the two of you are so incompatible together to gain adequate results… I will not have the two of you together as from now."

At this Pete couldn't believe what he was hearing! Separated from Hari now? He then began to speak, "not together? Uh but just wait there a minute Maleficent who's gonna be there to-"

However he was interrupted as she spoke up again, "I said as from now! You are too incompetent to manage or handle her powers and the results from your escapades together have been far from satisfactory, so I will be the one to control her for now, while you will be under the supervision of my new apprentice, until I see you are fit to be near her again."

Hearing this as he listened on he didn't know how to respond, from what was said he didn't like it at all, though it didn't sound like a permanent separation there was something inside still that made him dislike it. But then before he could say anything else Hari spoke up as she closed her eyes once more, "as you wish my lady."

Turning around as she said these words Pete turned to stare down at Hari again, Maleficent listening as she watched Pete's reaction smiled satisfied as she then said, "good, I'm glad to see that you are still as subservient to me Hari… I shall go and fetch my apprentice at once… be prepared to leave immediately Pete." With that she departed through the darkened corridor her long back cape trailing behind her.

His gaze still over her Pete looked saddened terribly his ears still down, Hari herself sensing his gaze opened her green eyes again as she looked up to him and asked," why do you look so sad Pete?"

Hearing her question Pete shook his head as he then sunk down and kneeled down before her, "sad is it? I dunno… I mean its real dumb of me to even be reactin' this way… but I guess it's just not gonna be the same without ya."

Hari looking at him listened quietly… she then spoke, "I see…"

Pete hearing her say this looked at her more depressed as his head went down once more, but then he supposed it was to be expected with the way she was, Hari seeing him react this way stared at him blankly for a moment before turning her face away, she then spoke once again, "I apologise… I do not have the emotional requirements to relieve you of your grief."

Hearing her say this Pete shook his head; looking up at her again still pained he smiled as he said, "well why don't ya just smile or say like take care or somethin?"

Turning around as she heard Pete say this Hari asked him almost curiously, "smile?" Pete nodded at once, Hari was quiet for another moment as she then told him," I can if you order me to."

Blinking at this Pete paused for a moment feeling his grief fade for a moment he suddenly became angered as he told her, "I ain't orderin ya to do that!"

Hari hearing this stared at him as she then turned away and said, "well then I cannot-"

But she was interrupted as Pete told her, "I'm askin ya to! Just do it if ya want to, if not then don't bother to, cause I don't want it then otherwise." With that Pete turned in a huff refusing to look at her despite his sad mood.

Hearing him say these words Hari's eyes widened ever so slightly, she was being asked? Looking down for a moment she was silent as she lay in the bed.

Pete his back still turned had his arms folded, he knew what he was asking for was impossible and with her condition of not being able to feel or move on her own accord, how could he not be annoyed at her for this? But then suddenly he felt his back being tugged, feeling it he looked behind him slightly, Hari had her face down her expression unreadable as he had her hand on the helm of his trousers as she was now kneeling on her bed in her white nightdress.

Looking at her wondering what she was doing, he then watched as she turned her face up to him as she asked, "is this satisfactory to you?" With that her expression changed as her lips lifted up and a beautiful smile was revealed as her eyes lit up with warmth.

Staring at her Pete was spellbound as he stared at her silent, he couldn't believe it! Hari was smiling! She was showing warmth! Something that she'd never done once… not knowing how to react, all that Pete could do was stare at her wonderful change.

But then suddenly from behind him Maleficent arrived back as she said, "Pete!"

Making him jump he turned around and saw her standing in the doorway her face with that same grimness she always wore, he then listened as she spoke once more, "he's waiting for you, you leave now."

As he heard Maleficent's words he turned around to look back at Hari who still held that same enchanting smile, looking at her he was silent but then she spoke to him again, "take care Pete, I hope you are successful."

Listening as she said these words Pete then felt himself smile moments as his spirits brightened as he replied to her with a slight nod his ears turning up again, "thanks Hari, ya take care of yerself too."

With that he then primed himself ready as he smacked his belly making it bobble slightly as he spoke, "all right then! Let's meet that guy who's gonna be in cahoots with me!"

With that he then strolled out of the room without a second glance, however Maleficent watching as he walked past her and away down the corridor murmured, "just what was that fool doing?" With that she proceeded to walk inside the room, but then looking on she saw Hari kneeling on the bed with the smile still there.

Looking at her she asked, "Hari? What are you doing?"

The smile still there she replied, "I was asked to do this by Pete."

Hearing this she asked herself, "oh did he?" Which in turn Hari nodded at, annoyed at this answer she then ordered her, "Well get rid of that ridiculous expression! Honestly that imbecile, its no wonder you were failing so terribly."

At this command Hari dropped the smile in moments as she returned to the same blank and cold expression she had before as she submitted, "yes my lady, Maleficent."

An orb in his hand, he watched Hari's expression change as she then got back under the covers again as Maleficent watched over her quietly as her servant was placed into a deep sleep.

Smiling at these little turn of events he looked up as he then heard Pete come on over, looking at him he saw him smile as he said, "well there ya are then! Well I'd say we'll be gettin along well! So why don't we-"

But then he was interrupted as the apprentice spoke, "I know where we're going, and before you start I'm not planning on being buddy buddy with you, so quit before you start."

Stopping in his tracks Pete stared at him as he then lifted himself off of the side of the wall and walked up to him, looking at him he was draped in that same white cloak over his face and shoulders with the mask still making him as impossible as ever to read as before.

But he already knew so far he didn't like him, so replied, "well fine then suit yerself chump, let's just go shall we."

With that he walked past him, but as he did he spoke again, "you know I never would expect you'd try and treat that thing like a living being."

Pete stopped in his tracks as he turned around and asked, "what did ya say?"

A smile could be seen on his face as he continued on, "you asking her to smile for you, that was real cute."

Looking at him shocked Pete couldn't believe it! How could he have seen that? What kind of power did he have compared to Hari? But then he was silent as he listened on, "its sad the way you treat her, expecting her to return your affections to you? Its no better than fathering a doll."

Hearing him say this Pete then became angered as he told him, "Hari ain't no doll! She's-"

But then he was interrupted as he asked, "she's what?"

Pete then paused, what was Hari to him? He couldn't think of anything, but then one word came to him as he remembered, looking at the apprentice he told him, "she's my accomplice and that's it."

With that he walked on forwards as he summoned a portal of darkness in moments as it slithered to and throw, with that he strolled right on through it, he wasn't going to have any horrible words said about Hari and he definitely knew now he was sure, he was not going to like him.

Watching as he walked away into the portal the apprentice smiled quietly as he mused, "well this'll be fun won't it?" With that he disappeared into the portal himself as it then vanished in moments.

Walking up a steep hill in the dark of night, the stars were all shining far in the sky as Nozomi moaned annoyed walking past a series of huts that were all dark inside, obviously all asleep as the crickets all chattered together. Continuing on she complained, "oh man this is so irritating!"

For once again by some weird force or another Riku and Mickey had gotten separated from her, "how could this have happened! Those idiots! How could they have-"

But them she was interrupted as she gasped in sharp pain as Cait sith came and pulled her hair back painfully, "lass will ya stop complainin and just keep lookin!"

This making her more annoyed Nozomi swatted her arms as she spoke out, "I know! I know! Cait sith! Will you just let go!"

At once he released her hair making her bow her head down in seconds, sitting now on her head he spoke, "ya really are a daft! How can you lose those lads not once but twice!"

Hearing him say this did not improve her mood in the slightest as she replied, "how would I know! Besides I didn't mean for that to happen! It just happened before I even knew what was going on, and that's not the thing I'm mad about!"

For she was thinking about the important information that Riku was about to tell her, which was what was plaguing her the most right now more than anything else. Cait sith looking at her and reading the expression that was on her face knew it in seconds.

Quiet as they continued to walk up Nozomi then asked, "just what was it Riku wanted to tell me? And that armour before, what was that?" She asked as she looked down at her open palm as she remembered the feel of the metal upon her skin.

Cait sith was quiet still as he listened but then when she mentioned the armour he told her, "I ain't got no clue lass, none whatsoever." He spoke as he folded his arms behind his head.

Sighing as he said this Nozomi spoke again, "well I hope I can get an answer from them when I see them, and also…"

Hearing her pause as she said this Cait sith asked, "also what?"

Quiet Nozomi then tried to remember what had happened when she battled Hari, how did she win that? Why couldn't she remember? But then listening as Cait sith spoke up she replied, "oh it's nothing, that can wait till we find those guys again."

Her saying this Cait sith was quiet for a second but then taking her word for it he replied, "sure fine then lass."

With that the two of them turned a corner as they both began to walk up a hill past a series of green trees, but then as they did suddenly a strange animal began to walk in their direction. It was brown and black in colour with a long neck and trotters with pink skin where wool was vacant, it looked on with a smug annoyed expression as it came strolling down.

Looking at it Nozomi asked puzzled, "hey Cait sith what's that?"

Hearing her he was just as puzzled as he replied, "dunno lass, I ain't never seen one of them things before."

As he said this she replied in thought, "hmmm," looking at it, to her it reminded her of a camel, yet it had no hump and for some strange reason a sheep with its wool. But then not thinking much of it she shrugged her shoulders as she began to walk up the hill and go past it.

But then as she did she saw that there wasn't enough room between the two of them on the white chalky path, but then before she could move at all suddenly the animal talked to her, "hey you!"

Jumping at it not expecting it to talk Nozomi looked at it muddled as she asked, "huh what?"

Looking at her annoyed the animal told her, "you! Clear the path will ya! I'm in a hurry here!"

Not liking the tone he was speaking in Nozomi replied, "well fine jeez what's your problem!" With that she backed away slightly letting the thing get past her whatever it was.

But then as he made his way past her he spoke, " man you filthy peasant! You're all so useless!"

At this comment Nozomi was absolutely appalled as she looked at him in silence, but then Cait sith spoke up, "oi what was with that comment! You-"

But then Nozomi spoke up angered as she'd had enough for one night, "oh well stuff you! You… you, stupid Sheep-Camel!" With that she walked on with a huff more irritated than ever.

Walking up the hill as the animal walked away Nozomi spoke, " does it hurt for there to be one nice person here! Man when I find those guys I-"

But then as she walked suddenly she and Cait sith noticed someone coming down the hill in a panic, he bumped into the wooden fence that was on the hill and tripped landing on the ground painfully.

Seeing this Nozomi was immediately concerned as she ran up, "hey sir, are you all right?"

Gasping from the ache he got from it the man spoke, "yeah I'm fine, just not quite used to running that fast."

Looking at him as Nozomi helped him to get back on his feet she saw that he was a big man, tall in height and dressed with a huge green top of some kind, with a small brown hat on his head covering his black hair, finishing with brown shorts and sandals. Looking at him it was clear that he was a farmer of some sorts.

As he said this Nozomi replied, "well I'm glad you're not hurt or anything."

Cait sith joined in, "yeah lad! Ya gave us both the jumps there."

Smiling as he heard them he spoke, "yeah well I try not to but," then he stopped as his happy expression suddenly changed to a worried one again as he spoke, "oh no! I got to stop Kuzco!" He then began to run past them.

Hearing this wondering what the rush was about Nozomi asked, "Kuzco?"

Stopping in his tracks he turned around and spoke, "the emperor Kuzco! I've got to stop him! Did you see him come down this way?"

At this imagining an emperor as a grand and mighty person Nozomi spoke as she shook her head, "um, no the only thing we saw coming up here was this rude weird sheep-camel animal thing."

Hearing this he was puzzled at the description but then he spoke recognising it in seconds, "that's him! He's been turned into a llama!"

Blinking at that word Nozomi repeated, "llama?"

The man nodded as he replied, "that's right! I've got to stop him from going into the jungle, he doesn't know how dangerous it is in there!"

At this Nozomi knew that this wasn't good news, jungles were notorious for being dangerous places, however not liking what this was coming to, she sighed as she spoke, "do you want me to help you find him?"

"What?" The farmer and Cait sith said at the same time.

Shrugging her shoulders Nozomi said again, "well do you want me to help? I mean it'll be easier with three people right?"

Blinking at this offer the farmer couldn't believe her generosity despite not knowing her for that long, "you're willing to help me? But you don't know the forest and I couldn't possibly ask a girl to-"

Putting a hand up stopping his words in moments Nozomi spoke, "its fine besides I haven't got anything else to do right now and… well, I guess I just want to," with that she put a hand out to him, "how bout it?"

Seeing her extending her hand to him the farmer paused not feeling entirely comfortable with this, but he did admit though that he could really use the help so after a moment after thinking it through scratching the back of his head, he relented as he took her and shook it smiling and said, " thanks a lot and by the way I'm Pacha."

Hearing this Nozomi smiled glad for some politeness at last as she replied, "nice to meet you, I'm Nozomi."

Then on her head another voice spoke up, "and I'm Cait sith!"
Nodding at the two of them Pacha smiled and spoke, "great to know you both! Right then let's get moving!" With that they all began to make their way down the hill to search through the deepest recesses if the jungle.

On the way down though Cait sith whispered into her ear, "well lass I hope ya know what yer doin!"

Hearing him she replied quietly, "so do I!"