Chapter CXLIV: The Emergence Of The Syphinx And The Time Lock

Return To The Radiant Gardens Part IV

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" Pete shouted out loudly as he tumbled and fell through the colourful portal inside the door of time! Rolling over and over out of it in a rushed higgledy piggledy, he suddenly came to a stop landing in front of Hari who gazed down at him with her ever as cold eyes.

After a moment Pete lifted himself up as he shook his head and said, " Ow! My achin' back! I'm getting too old fer this!" Then looking up he saw Hari gazing over him quietly. Seeing her do this he was simply quiet too as he stared up at her.

"Ah so I see you've returned!" Surprising him, Pete immediately turned and saw Maleficent approaching them both with her long staff in her left hand.

At her entrance, immediately Hari acted as she got down and knelt upon her knees, "greetings my lady, we have returned!"

Seeing her do this Pete instantly snapped to attention as well as he quickly got himself back on his feet! Immediately he spoke as he told her with a salute, "ah yeah! Hi there Maleficent! We made it back and all in one piece here!"

Hearing the obvious as she stopped before both of her servants, the mistress of darkness replied, "so I see..."

Smiling and feeling really awkward Pete had no idea of what to say to her, when suddenly,-

SLAM!

"Ooooh! That feels good!"

Turning at once at this sudden noise and voice, it was then that all three present turned to the newcomer who too had finally emerged from the now closed door of time! She was on all fours kneeling down, but then she got up and stretched her arms and back as she spoke aloud pleased, "being able to stand on two legs again is great!"

Looking at her Pete blinked and then again as he quickly rubbed his eyes, for he could never of imagined the sight that was before him! Surprised he asked, "Jona?"

For the person who was standing there, she was a humanoid being but she was clearly not human! For her hands were big and furry and were coloured a deep yellow. They also had claws coming out of the fingertips, they shook and ruffled her long full thick silky mane of orange hair that cascaded down past her shoulders. On either side of her head were a pair of golden yellow cat ears which held her emerald and gold earrings as they jingled.

The rest of her though was clearly human as she had soft warm tanned skin, and the rest of her attire that she was wearing consisted of a rich coloured tunic wrapped around her with a yellow vest underneath it. She also wore a pair of black slinky shorts that reached to her knees, on her feet she wore leather sandals that revealed her sharp clawed feet.

Finally feeling comfortable, the exotic female removed her hands from her hair as she turned her attentions to her new friends. Her long orange furred tip tail waved left and right behind her as she moved forwards with a smile on her face.

Looking at her Pete asked absolutely astounded, "Jona yer!? Yer!?"

Seeing him look startled Jona giggled as she replied, "I'm what? Beautiful? Stunning? Gorgeous darling?" She finished with a wink.

Pete still amazed then blurted out, "yer not human!?"

Hearing this Jona answered him casually still smiling, "I never said that I was!"

"Then what're-"

"I'm a Sphynx! To answer your question before you ask it, I do admit we're a rare breed, but hey? All the more pleasant to gaze at huh?" She answered Pete amused at his reaction.

Hearing this Pete asked, "Sphynx, huh?..hmmm..." For he'd never heard of that one before! With that he put a hand to his chin as he contemplated about this.

Seeing this newcomer and hearing of her species had made Maleficent surprised too but after a moment a smile appeared on her face as she asked, "and just who is this may I ask?"

Hearing the question being asked, Hari having got up gave her mistress the answer she wanted, "it is Jona my lady, she wishes to lend us her powers in our endeavours."

Hearing this the sorceress of darkness asked, "oh she does, does she?"

Jona made her reply seeing she was being introduced to the brains of the whole operation, "oh yeah! I totally do! … " then looking into Maleficent's eyes she could feel a familiar hunger in them that Zira possessed as she told her, "especially if I'm gonna be working with a wondrous beauty with glitterin' Topaz eyes like yourself!"

Listening to this Maleficent was quiet for a moment, however she couldn't help then but let a chuckle slip as she replied, "oh what charmer this one is, if I do say..." silent again she looked at her for a further moment. For she could already guess from the aura of power emanating from her, what this girl really was and seeing that she wanted to be on her side anyway gave the mistress of darkness the only answer that was suitable to say, " how can I possibly say no to someone offering extra assistance so enthusiastically?"

Pleased at this answer Jona simply smiled smugly, Pete though quickly removing his hand his thoughts broken was surprised that Maleficent had accepted her so easily! For he felt for sure that she would have been suspicious, or maybe she knew-

"Maleficent!"

Turning at once everyone saw another person who they hadn't see in a while, walking across with his arms folded, his long ponytail trailing behind him and still in his robes of darkness was none other then Uriax.

Seeing him Pete couldn't help but speak as a smile appeared on his face as he remembered, "ah! So ya finally snapped back ta ya senses huh? Glad to see yer not foamin' at that mouth now!"

Uriax hearing this comment stopped as he looked at the overweight villain with bitter irritation in his eyes, this made Pete feel a little awkward as he quickly dropped his smile. With that seeing the effect he'd given him, the apprentice turned back to Maleficent as he told her, "I'm fine now! There's no reason for you to hold me back here! For I know I can-"

Then suddenly he noticed as he looked beyond her that, that doll had also returned. Looking at her he still found her displeasing as she stared at him with her cold empty eyes. Then looking beside her he saw a new arrival who seemed surprised at his appearance, curious he asked "who's this?"

Silent for a moment the female Sphynx snapped out of her astonishment as she'd got this guy's attention, "Jona!" She answered and with that she walked a little closer to him as she put her clawed hand out to him as she told him, "nice to meet you honey!"

Hearing this and seeing the handshake that was being offered to him, Uriax wasn't one to instantly warm up to people as he simply stared at her before he made his reply, "sure." Then turning again he told his master, " Maleficent! I'm fully in control again! I want to prove myself! I want to do something on my own this time! Completely alone!"

Quiet for a moment as she heard this childish outburst, Maleficent looked to her apprentice before she asked calmly, "oh do you?"

To which Uriax only looked at her fiercely silently proving his intentions with the solid resolve that burned in his eyes. Then after a moment of consideration she smiled again as she moved over and placed her long nailed hands on his shoulders as she told him, "all right my dear... if that is what you wish to do." With that she also added amused, "for I agree with you, just because of one mishap, doesn't mean you should coddled..." smiling she also decided on something else, "You may consider the next door of time to be your testing ground, to prove your power and worth!"

Uriax at these words though at first was surprised quickly became pleased as he smiled and said," I'm sure I'll pass with flying colours!"

Maleficent smiled at this herself as she began to lead him back to the darkened corridors as she told him, "I'm sure you will my dear, now come let us prepare you!"

Seeing them both start to leave Pete had to ask as it occurred to him, "hey! Wait!" This made both Maleficent and Uriax stop in their tracks. Then as the mistress of darkness turned her head Pete asked her, "what do you wanna us ta bein' doin' Maleficent?"

Looking at him, then to Hari and Jona she told them all, "you may relax for awhile, I was quite impressed with the amount of hearts you managed to gain from that door of time, so for that I would say you have all deserved a time for good rest."

Pete was shocked! Maleficent was giving them all a break!

Jona at this info shrugged her shoulders as she simply smiled more and replied, "that sounds good to me! I could use a little R and R!" Then walking over to Uriax she playfully traced her finger and claw over his chest as she told him smiling, "though it's sad we're not going to get to know each other better yet, hey honey?"

Uriax however wasn't one for this type of behaviour and so he brushed her hand away saying, "I'm sure, "with that he walked away to prepare himself for the next world as Maleficent followed behind him.

Watching him as he left, Jona was silent for a moment before she simply smiled more feeling exhilarated inside and said, "aww... hard to get I see!"

Pete seeing and hearing her say this looked at the two oddly as he asked, "well that mutt's just as bafflin' as ever!" As he finished it with a laugh. Then looking back he turned his gaze to Hari, for he was glad she could rest too, he knew she deserved it the most!

Hari was quiet and unaware of Pete's gaze, but suddenly from behind them all came a shining of immense red light! Hearing a ringing in the air they all turned and watched on in shock and they were practically blinded by this force as Pete asked shocked, "hey what's that light there! What's happenin'!"

Staring on quietly as this mystical event was taking place, Hari was unaffected by the light as she saw several chains of gold begin to emerge and wrap around the door tightly, as this occurred she spoke, "so... they found it."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Watching once more in the grounds of the Radiant Gardens, everyone was astounded as they couldn't believe what was happening! Merlin had stepped forwards with the glowing red jewel they'd brought back and then as he uttered some magical incantations, a truly amazing thing occurred!

The jewel had quickly moved and floated out of Merlin's opened hands and as it did, it quickly morphed and suddenly changed into a golden lock! It was decorated encrusted with ruby like jewels that shone with light!

Then immediately it flew to the door attaching itself to it as it quickly covered it in gold chains and binding it shut. As it did this, the door twisted around and around as the chains moved it making it become smaller and smaller as it was absorbed into the mechanism and as it finished all that was left was the lock itself leaving the space it had been occupying now empty.

Watching what had happened Merlin was simply pleased as the lock floated back to him, as it did he spoke proudly, "oh my! Now that was definitely well done! If I do say!"

Seeing what had occurred, everyone was at first too dazzled to say anything, until finally Nozomi spoke up, "wow! I was never expecting that jewel to do something like that!"

Quickly Mickey had to agree with her as he added, "yeah! I've never seen anything like that before!"

Cait sith on Nozomi's head now recovered from his own surge of surprise spoke too, "well we definitely pick up some real interestin' nick nacks along our way! Don't we mates!"

Riku quiet watched as Merlin walked back towards them all and as he did he asked him, "Merlin?"

Hearing the question the master magician looked to the white haired keyblader and as he did he answered, "yes Riku lad?"

The keyblader then asked his question, "what just happened there? What is that stone?"

Hearing the question, the long bearded mage smiled as he replied, "ah god thing you asked! For I was just about to explain things to you!" With that he brought the gold item forwards in his open palm to show it while he explained, "this lads is something very special, it is known simply as a Time Lock."

Hearing this puzzled Nozomi repeated, "a Time Lock?"

Merlin nodded as he replied, "yes lass, a very rare treasure that is capable of holding and closing a door to time, though what makes this little item more special is that it has the ability to lock away all possible entrances to that time period it is guarding!"

At this little bout of information Nozomi blinked as she heard this and as it set itself into her mind she replied smiling, "wow! That's cool!"

Merlin happy at this response simply nodded while Riku wanting more definite answers had to ask him, "so you're saying that this lock can bar all other entry points to that time period now?"

The master magician nodded as he replied, "that's correct lad."

Riku then put his hand to his chin as he replied, "that gives me an idea that would explain a lot."

Nozomi didn't get it as Cait sith reflected as he asked, "explain what snowdrop?"

Mickey then had to ask too, "yeah what have you realised Riku?"

With that hearing the questions from his friends and seeing the puzzled look on Nozomi's face he removed his hand and told them all his thoughts, "didn't it ever puzzle you guys?"

Nozomi then asked, "what could have puzzled us?"

Riku seeing that she and others hadn't realised it sighed as he told them all, "think about it? How did Hari and Pete manage to make it to the future too, to the exact time we were all in? Didn't that ever puzzle you to how that could happen?"

Hearing this, it was then it clicked with everyone and as it did Nozomi was the first to reply, "uh... well yeah it did but... well we had a lot of stuff happening at the time so there wasn't much of an opportunity for us to really think about why, so..."

Mickey seeing her feel awkward and embarrassed pitched in for her as he added, "yeah that's certainly true there Nozomi! But Riku's got it right I think, the only reason they could have made it to the time we were in, is if they had the same door to time as us!"

Realising this startled Nozomi then asked, " so that means they have a copy! But how could that be!?"

To this question Riku responded, "I don't think anyone will have an answer to that... until that boy Kagi wakes up, I don't think we'll find out alone ourselves."

Nozomi then nodded as she replied sadly, "yeah..."

Hearing the depressing mood everyone was getting swept up in, Cait sith quickly pitched in as he told them, "oh lads c'mon! This ain't no time to be getting' depressed! Sides even if they do have copies of them doors, Merlin's said it! Once we lock 'em with that time gizmo no-one'll be able to enter from any other points!" With that he turned to the master magician as he asked him, "right Merlin mate?"

Hearing this question the master magician nodded, "oh yes! That's rest assured Cait sith."

Glad for this the small cat looked to his chums as he told them, "see! So if we just get two more of them time locks, then we ain't got nothin' to worry about with them messing with the timeline or whatever!"

Hearing the small cat telling them all off, everyone was quiet but then slowly smiles appeared on everyone's faces and as they did, though Riku felt a little bit stupid for it, he replied to him, "... how correct you are Cait sith!"

"You know I am!" He decreed proudly!
Smiling Nozomi replied to him almost rolling her eyes, "don't let it go to your head you midget!"

Hearing this Cait sith cried out, "Oi!"

This immediately caused laughter to come from everyone and as they did someone approaching asked aloud curious, "just what might be causin' this little comedy here?"

Hearing this new voice everyone turned around to see a white coloured duck with a walking stick approach them all, he was dressed with a black top hat with a red band around it, he also had a blue coat upon him with a single gold button under his red lined neck collar. He also had red cuffs and a single red belt around his middle, then finally he even had red like sandals on his webbed feet.

Looking at him and seeing his glass spectacles on his duck bill, Nozomi recognised him immediately as she called out to him, "oh! Hi Mr Scrooge!"

Seeing this young girl greeting him and the young man standing near her Scrooge after a moment smiled too as he replied, "aww well if it isn't Nozomi and Riku! How've ya both been? What've ya been up to?"

Riku who saw him couldn't help but smile as he remembered when he and Nozomi had been ice cream delivery hands for him. Looking at his old boss he replied to him, "fine Scrooge, thanks for asking."

Hearing him Nozomi smiled as she told him, "yeah and I've been fine too thanks! We've just all been traversin' the worlds, making friends and um... oh yeah! We've just travelled through time!"

Surprised when he heard this, Scrooge asked, "time? You guys went through the door here?"

At this question Cait sith answered the old duck as he told him, "aye! Scroogie mate! Just been in and bang! Got it sorted!"

"You have!?" Scrooge asked completely surprised.

Hearing the surprise in his voice Mickey smiled as he told him, "yep we just sorted it!"

In moments at these words quickly the richly duck ran past them all and saw for himself that the door was really gone! It was now once more the same brightly bricked and flower encircled centre it once was. Silent for a tiny moment as he took it all in he then cried out loudly, "whoo hoo! It really is gone!" Then looking back to the surprised keybladers he told them excited, "this is great! You lads have all helped me now be opened for business!"

Recovering from this sudden positive outburst Cait sith asked from on top of Nozomi's head, "business?"

"Aye! Yeah lad! Me new business venture for the Carnival! I couldn't get it started with that door in the way!" Scrooge proclaimed happily.

Hearing this Nozomi asked, "business for the Carnival? What kind?"

Clapping his feathery hands as he heard her ask he spoke on, "oh just you wait till ya all see it! When I get-" then suddenly something occurred to him as he looked at the lot of confused keybladers.

Seeing that he was pausing from what he was going to say Mickey asked the silent duck, "is somethin' wrong there Scrooge?"

At this question a smile appeared on his face as he asked them, "oh no it just occurred to me... could I ask you all, though of course with all decency and politeness... do you wanna assist me at all?"

Riku hearing this asked a little cautiously as he caught a rather mischievous look in his eyes, "assist you?"

Scrooge nodded as he said, "yeah! Though of course it'll only be a fer a short wee time! It'll be a little tester for the carnival! What do you say? Would ya be up for helpin' yer old boss again?"

Riku hearing this was quiet, for working with Scrooge before was okay. They'd only just finished with the door of time and he for one wanted a bit of rest! So he began to make his reply, "Scrooge I think we would-"

"Love to!" Nozomi burst out happily before he could finish.

Hearing her say this the white keyblader looked at her shocked while Scrooge was beyond words of pleased as he replied, "oh good on ya! I knew ya was brimmin' with a good and generous spirit!"

Riku though quickly spoke up, "you idiot! Why are you agreeing to this so easily!"

At the tone of his voice Nozomi was confused as she told him, "what? I just thought it'd be fun to help out!"

Riku annoyed sighed as he told her almost exasperated, "don't you think we need a break! I mean c'mon we just sealed a door of time and stuff, don't just think you can go and just speak up for-"

Mickey then spoke up as he interrupted him, "I don't mind ya know Riku."

The calm words of the king quickly stopped his own words in moments, the white keyblader looked at him shocked as he asked, "you don't?"

The mouse king shook his head as he told him, "not at all, besides if its for the Carnival I'm sure it's just like Nozomi's thinkin', it'll be a huge ball of fun!"

Silent Riku couldn't believe it! But then Cait sith spoke up too, "yeah lad! I totally agree and if it's hard for ya lads, it'll just be more entertainin' fer me anyway to see ya all struggle!"

At these words he was not impressed (as was Nozomi) as he thought to himself sarcastically, 'still as humorous as ever!' Then after a moment he relented as he knew it was pointless to try and argue, so he said, "okay, all right then! I agree to it too... though I know I'll probably be tired out at the end of it!"

Quiet as he heard this Scrooge however quickly became pleased as he replied, "brilliant then!" With that he walked past them as he went to Merlin as he asked him, "Merlin me old friend! If ya would please do the honours!"

Having been quiet during this whole thing the master magician then couldn't help but speak his own mind, "you really have a good way with words there Scrooge!" With that in moments without another word there was click of fingers and a sparkle of magic! In seconds some clothing appeared in his outstretched hands and as they did he walked forwards to the keybladers as he told told them all, "here ya go lads! These are ya uniforms!"

Being given these cloths surprised Nozomi asked, "uniforms?"

Merlin nodded, "aye lass! Now if ya come with me and Scrooge we'll let ya all get changed and get things ready!"

"Ready?" Riku asked as he looked at his uniforms sceptically, then after a moment he finished asking, "ready for what?"

At this tapping his glasses Merlin told them all with a wink, "a little bit of magic!"

Everyone was unsure of what this magic was going to be, but there was no time to ask as Scrooge spoke up for them as he said, "there ya have it! Now c'mon lads! We gotta a little work to do!"

Quiet as these words were said, all the keybladers watched on as Scrooge walked on forwards with Merlin following behind. Seeing them go everyone knew that there was no point in just standing there and so quickly they all began to follow both of their leading elders.

Cait sith looking at the uniform Nozomi was holding spoke up as he said, "well this looks like it'll definitely be fun!"

Nozomi looking down too was pleased and so she couldn't help but reply happily, "yeah it does!" Then after a moment something occurred to her that made worry surge in her heart, quickly running forwards she asked, "Mr Merlin Sir!?"

Hearing her this stopped the ageing magician while Scrooge walked on, looking at her he asked, "yes Nozomi lass?"

Seeing that she'd got his attention Nozomi asked her question, "that Time Lock, has the door completely gone now? Are we never gonna be able to go through it again?"

At this question Merlin was puzzled as to why she would ask this, but seeing the worry he reassured her with a smile as he said," oh no lass, you'll be able to, I can re-conjure the door anytime and let you go through it again if you need to," with that he saw Nozomi smile happily but then he had to add, "but it'll be in the comfort of my study and not in anyone's way!"

Hearing this Nozomi was relieved and glad for it, it was good that she hadn't broken her promise to Kiara and so with that she put a hand to her heart as she thought to herself, 'thank goodness...' with that she continued on walking to where they would all be prepared together.

Watching from some bushes nearby though, the intelligent blue coloured Chocobo Greeble could sense something about this as he put a feathery wing to his chin and said, "hmmm, this looks like it'll be very interesting."

Peekaboo the hungry pink one beside him however was bored as he told him, "aww c'mon Greeble! I'm hungry! I haven't eaten anything in the last five minutes! Let's just go back to Irma and-"

"No!" Greeble told him determined, he then told his fat cohort, "something's going on down here! I just know it!... and if I'm right we might just find a way to feed Bebuzzu and make lady Irma really, really pleased!"

At this Peekaboo didn't know what he meant! For what could he have possibly have noticed or thought about what had just happened, but then his stomach growled loudly and as it did he just complained loudly, "ooohhh! Well I hope those guys just hurry up! The sooner they do! The sooner my tummy will be happy!"

Greeble however paid no heed to this as the two Chocobo's continued their visual from their hidden bush and waited to see what wondrous magic and events would soon play out.