Chapter CXLVII: The Three Paths And The Sorceress's Game

Return To The Radiant Gardens Part VII

The open green park was silent as the scattered chairs and tables were littered everywhere and the once colourful Merry Go Round, now stood quietly utterly desaturated with it's key playful steeds ripped from their playful domain. In front of the once joyful ride, looking over the lifeless dark crystal that was lying on the paved floor. Merlin had a hand to his mouth in deep thought as he asked aloud, "how very riveting..."

All of them standing to one side watching as the magician made his investigations, Bonkers upon his steed Coco, Sazh with Dajh on his shoulders and finally Mr McScrooge beside them both. The whole party looked on with anxious eyes, worried for those who were trapped inside of it.

After a moment of looking at the crystal... Merlin spoke up as he turned and asked them all, "so lads you're sure that you've told me everything you saw?"

Immediately Bonkers spoke up as he told him, "that's right Captain Merlin sir! We all just came around the corner and saw that devious tome swallow up Mickey and then leave that crystal there behind!" Finishing he turned to his pal and steed as he asked him, "right Coco?"

At once the small chocobo nodded as he agreed with a, "kweh!"

Looking at them all further for a moment he then closed his eyes as he finished saying, "I see..." with his hand on his beard he stroked it slowly as he continued his thinking.

Seeing him do this, Sazh then felt he should speak up as he asked, "so what does this mean? Are those guys in there doomed Merlin? Can we rescue any of them at all?"

Hearing him ask this question the business enterprising duck responded sounding outraged, "well we better be able to! Otherwise this means I've lost my staff and me star attraction!" Then growling with anger he complained, "why if I get my chance I'll be havin' that Irma scrubbin dishes and-"

"Please be quiet!" Merlin barked out loudly making the older spectacled duck shut his beak in moments as he quickly held it with both his feathery hands! The magician then continued, "I need to concentrate!"

Knowing how serious the situation was right there and then, everyone became silent to give Merlin that moment he needed to think of something... after a little time it seemed he'd come up with something as he spoke up once again, "right... yes, that might work!"

Hearing that he'd thought of something, Sazh asked him, "what've ya cooked up Merlin?"

At this question immediately the powerful wizard looked up as he told him, "well I know for one thing! I can't risk anyone else falling into Bebuzzu's power, so there's only one thing for it!"

Seeing that he was leading onto something Bonkers asked him curious, "what's that captain Merlin?"

Immediately the magician told his small magical summoned cop,"initiate contact!" With that leaving the band of baffled on lookers with now stunned expressions. The master magician turned back to the dark lifeless crystal as he began to utter incantations with a glowing light emerging from within his hands.

Watching quietly as he did this, suddenly there was a shout from behind them all, "hey! Where's that dark evil book!"

Quickly turning everyone then saw coming around the corner fast was Leon, Aerith and Yuffie brandishing her long sharp and large shuriken! They all had urgent serious expressions on their faces! Stopping quickly Leon spoke aloud as he asked, "what's happening here! Where's-"

Then stopping him quickly Scrooge ran up as he told him, "hush lad! Merlin there's in the middle of something!"

Seeing her comrade being silenced the powerful white magic user asked curious, "the middle of something?" With that looking up she saw Merlin over the crystal as he continued to utter his spells, as he did this she turned back to Scrooge as she asked, "what's he up to?"

With that quickly seeing that she wanted answers, Bonkers quickly ran up as he told her, "Captain Merlin's busy tryin' ta make contact with them guys who've got caught up in that crystal!"

Curious as she overheard this Yuffie walked over as she asked, "why's he doing that? How've-"

Quickly Bonkers filled her in, "cause that devious demonic tome Bebuzzu's sucked in all the 'Arcs' and the other guys in with him and Irma is at the head of this thing pullin' the strings!"

Hearing this information Yuffie asked stunned, "what really?!"

To which in reply Bonkers simply nodded.

This angered Yuffie immediately as she punched her right hand into the palm of her left as she said mad, "man! Those cowards!"

Again Bonkers nodded, while Leon hearing all the information looked back to Merlin who continued to kneel over the crystal, as he watched the magician he said aloud, "I just hope he can make contact with those guys!"

Then as soon as he said those words, everyone heard Merlin as he called out loudly, "lads! Can ya hear me!? Lads!"

Seeing him as he did this, Dajh who'd been entirely quiet up to this point couldn't help but ask, "dad... do you think Snow, Serah, Juan and the others are gonna be okay?"

Hearing his son ask him this question as he held onto his shoulders tightly... Sazh gave him his honest gentle reply, "I dunno Dajh... all we can do now is just hope for the best... and pray lucks on their side!"

At his father's words the small boy simply nodded, as he looked to Merlin and wondered how the others were all doing within the realms of that dark foreboding crystal?

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"Mmmmm...urgh!" Nozomi moaned her eyes currently closed. She felt uncomfortable and a little achy all over as she moved herself, making it so she was now on her back as she finally decided to open her eyes. As she did this she asked becoming confused, "black...?" For that was the colour that was above her, then turning she saw some high grey walls surrounding her... but how-? Then suddenly everything snapped into sharp focus in her mind! As she remembered the others being sucked away into the monstrous hungry book and-

"Guys!" Immediately getting up she looked around herself for them! Quickly she saw them all lying on the floor around her unconscious! Getting up she went to each of them as she asked gently nudging each of them, "Riku!? Mickey!? Cait sith!? Are you guys okay!? Can you hear me!?"

Immediately there was sounds from everyone, as they all started to move and then stirring out of his own unconsciousness as he heard her calling to them all, Riku asked a little disorientated, "Nozomi...?"

Relieved she smiled as she spoke, "oh thank goodness! You're all okay!"

Hearing her as he got up Mickey responded, "just about there Nozomi! Though that was one hard landing we all had back there!" Then remembering his last memory of Bebuzzu and his bookish jaws... it made him shiver! So quickly he changed the subject as he continued on, "and I gotta say that..." With that he looked around himself as he commented becoming curious, "this is definitely somewhere I've never been before!"

With that as he saw the king get up, Riku quickly did the same and with that finally the three keybladers looked around to see exactly where they all were. The first details Nozomi had noticed before when she'd first awakened were there, the darkness in the skies above them and the high grey walls. However looking on it was clear now that these walls actually divided into three long corridors around them, making the central area they were in triangular. The stone laden floor underneath their feet was grey with desaturated stones making the whole place, haunting and utterly foreboding with isolation!

Looking around themselves as she saw what they were all in, Nozomi spoke aloud feeling very wary, "I don't like the feel of this place guys!"

Finally Cait sith then began to move and as he did he said aloud feeling his head throbbing, "oh me achin' head! What was-"

"HA HA HA HA HA HA!"

This shook the small cat awake in moments making him come to his senses , as the keybladers all immediately became high on alert! They looked around everywhere to see where this maniacal laughter was coming from! Hearing it Nozomi with the 'Starseeker' in her hand asked aloud confused, "who-"

Then suddenly all at once, the person revealed themselves as they came riding in from the air on their nightmare living Merry Go Round stallion. It was coloured darkly blue like a menacing shadow with red burning eyes peering out at them all, while on the dark creature's back a figure gazed at them all with a sinister and confident grin on her face as she greeted them all with a single wave, "well greetings to you fools!"

At once recognising her Cait sith's fur bristled along his back and tail as he called out mad, "you!"

Seeing that she'd been recognised the girl replied, "yes!" Then she laughed loudly as she lay on her steed declaring to them all, "it is I! The great and powerful dark sorceress Irma! And let me welcome you all to my wonderful nightmare!"

However Cait sith was not in the mood for such mocking dramatics! So running up quickly he got up upon Nozomi's head as he demanded loudly pointing at her, "don't ya be givin' me yer amateur dramatics ya show off of a drama queen! Where's me royal highness!?"

At once at the mention of Oralee it was then Nozomi also thought about the members of the 'Arcs' and as she did, she too called out, "and the 'Arcs!' What have ya done with everyone!?"

Expecting as much from her trapped quarry Irma replied, "oh you wanna know what happened to your friends do you?" With that looking into the dark skies above she smiled a little more as she moved her right hand up into the air. As she did she looked back down to everyone she told them all, "I'll show you!" With that she clicked her fingers making a loud snap!

In moments suddenly there appeared eight portals of darkness in the air! Then from all of them emerged the remaining Merry Go Round horses which too had been transformed resembling the nightmare steed Irma was upon and on each of the monstrosity's were all-

"Guys!" "Fella's!" "Everyone!" Yer Highness!"

Came everybody's calls! For on all of the backs of the transformed steeds were the members of the 'Arcs' as well as Cait sith's special princess.

The person in question awakening from her unconsciousness was confused for a moment, but then looking down she saw them all! "Everyone! Cait sith!" She cried out alarmed.

"Oralee!" Nozomi called out to her worried as she ran a little distance to get nearer, however she was stopped from jumping into the air as Irma with her steed arrived in front of her wagging a finger to her. A silent no, no from her! This immediately angered the maid clad keyblader!

Seeing her immediately the princess of Alexandra wanted to go to them all quickly! However-

"Hey! What's goin' on here!" Looking behind her she saw upon his orange steed was Juan, he was struggling as he was pulling back hard against something as he complained loudly, "I can't move off of this thing!"

Then hearing this with alarm Oralee looked down at her own ride and as she did she saw that her arms were being held tightly to the pole of the horse with something that looked like shadowy spider webs! Trying to move she pulled against the threads, however her arms felt heavy and glued to something like stoned cement! She couldn't budge at all! As she looked down, she even saw her legs had been stuck fast to the horse!

Waking up Alania too became alarmed as she cried out, "hey! Let me off this thing! What is this! Hey!" As she desperately tried to to release herself.

Seeing her childhood friend struggle with strife and being unable to help her, Shirma called out to her with desperate worry, " Alania!"

At once seeing what going on with everyone awakening and seeing they were literally stuck to their rides and hearing their cries of distress and outrage. Immediately the king sensed there was something more to what going on, so quickly he demanded of the sorceress his grip tight on his keyblade, "what's the big idea there Irma!? What're you playin' at?"

Seeing that the small mouse had caught on to the fact that she was planning something, Irma smiled more as she told him, "aww, how cute... so you've already realised you're in a game now huh?"

Hearing this from her, Riku asked her suspiciously as he was becoming even more high on alert, "a game?"

"Correct!... a little one of catch and chase!" With that she snapped her fingers again and as she did, quickly the now demonic Merry Go Round steeds descended as they all began to spin all around the surprised keybladers in a fast eerie rhythmic circle as they bobbed up and down!

Seeing what was going on Nozomi called out, "what the heck!?"

Clearly just as alarmed Musashi cried out, "hey what's happenin' here dudes!? What's with the lightnin' fast ring around!?"

Hana just as nervous looked around and around alarmed as her long honey blonde hair tailed after her. Ruby her small robin companion was busy trying hard to keep up with her as he flapped his wings hard flying away as he cried out next to her desperately with worry, "Hanahime!"

Everyone was startled as they all watched their friends being used this way, then suddenly they saw them all being scattered about as they were all sent divided by two each down each of the three long corridors of stone!

Going down the first one Musashi was on his green steed with Serah following closely behind him on her pink horse! Quickly seeing where they were both going the fiancee of Snow cried out, "what's happening here!?"

Musashi then cried out alarmed too, "hey whoa!"

With that as they vanished a barrier emerged as it shone with sheen of light!

Then down the second corridor, quickly Shirma on her white steed was sent flying followed by Hana on her yellow steed who called out, "where is this going to!" Then turning back she called out, "Ruby! Ruby-!"

Seeing the distress his princess was in the bird was trying to follow after her as he called out loudly distressed too, "Hanahime!" With that he too disappeared through the corridor!

However as they both vanished away quickly! A single shout could be heard from the pink haired girl as she cried out again desperately, "Alania! Help me!" But it was too late as the barrier emerged with a sheen of light!

Seeing this happen a worried cry came out as she too called out "Shirma!?" However upon her own turquoise beast she too was quickly being led away, followed by Juan on his orange steed!

Seeing where they were both going to the unusual world traveller cried out alarmed, "oh this is not good muchachos!" With that in moments as the last barrier emerged with a sheen of light! All of the members of the 'Arcs' had been split up and scattered away!

Looking at what had happened with horror in her eyes Nozomi then immediately reacted as she called out angered, "hey! Give them back!?" With that she jumped into the air, with her wings taking flight she went to try and strike down Irma!

As she did this Riku knew this wasn't a good idea as he cried out, "Nozomi don't!"

The evil sorceress simply smiled at this reaction as she quickly summoned with her still upon her lilac coloured steed, Oralee who was brought to stand right in front of her! The princess of Alexandra looked on with alarmed and frightened eyes as her friend came at her with her keyblade!

Seeing what was going on Cait sith immediately cried out, "oh lass!"

"Agh!" Immediately Nozomi stopped horrified as she backed away immediately! Descending back onto the ground in moments she looked at the sorceress with furious eyes as she told her, "you cheating witch! How dare you!"

Cait sith concurred as quickly he berated the evil sorceress, "yeah! Nobody uses me highness as a shield!"

To which in reply Irma laughed as she asked, "oh really?" With that she made the lilac ride come on over closer to her and as she did, she quickly took the struggling Oralee's face in her hands making the poor princess wince uncomfortably at the sharpness of her long black varnished nails!

Seeing her do this with widened eyes, Irma told the powerless keybladers enjoying herself immensely, "cause I think I just did!"

Gripping her keyblade tighter Nozomi was outraged as she cried out, "why you!?"

However stopping her from taking another step, Riku had his hand on her shoulder as he told her, "don't fall for her ploy!" Then looking up to Irma just as angered about what was happening he said, "for we all know, only a coward uses a defenceless person as a shield!"

Hearing these words from this pretentious wise guy, one of Irma's eyebrows raised themselves but not letting herself be riled up by these pathetic losers she released Oralee's face with almost a smack as she retorted, "whatever!"

"RRRROOOOOOAAAARRRGGGGHHHH!"

Hearing this large sudden outburst everyone felt the stone slabbed floor underneath them shake! As this happened, Nozomi cried out, "hey what's going on here!? Whoa!" As she almost tripped from the tremors!

Looking into the distance of one of the dark corridors, Irma enlightened them with a smile still on her face, "Bebuzzu... he's digesting that wonderful source of light he had for his appetizer, but..." then turning to Oralee again who looked at her confused and on edge, the evil sorceress finished, "I'd say he's still hungry for the main six dishes... and the final desert!"

Oralee at these words seeing the deadly intention that was in her eyes, shivered inside as she realised what this meant! As did the others as they looked on alarmed! Quickly Cait sith cried out angered, "don't ya dare be lookin' at me highness like a meal deal!"

To which in reply Irma looked at the small outspoken cat as she told him, "too late for that!"

With that suddenly she took off and as she did the lilac steed Oralee was on quickly followed after her! As it did the distressed hostage looked back at everyone as she called out, "everyone! Cait sith!?"

"Yer highness!?" Cait sith cried out! Quickly with that the small black and white cat went to chase after the sinister kidnapper and his poor helpless princess!

Seeing him go, immediately everyone went to give chase too! However quickly Irma vanished down the corridor where Alania and Juan had been both taken through! Seeing them both go the small cat cried out mad, "hey! Get back here!"

"Not so fast there kitty!" Came a shout!

"Huh?!" Then suddenly a new face emerged that quickly sent Cait sith flying backwards with a kick as he fell in the air!

"Cait sith!?" With that quickly running forwards Nozomi caught him in her arms and as she did, she looked up to see that chubby chocobo Peekaboo upon another nightmare steed shaking his feathery wing in a tut tut! As he had a lollipop in his other wing sucking away at it.

It was practically an insult as Cait sith quickly recovered and getting up upon Nozomi's shoulder he cried out, "why ya fat lummox!? What do ya think yer-"

Peekaboo then told them all removing his lollipop from his mouth for a brief moment, "ya're breakin' the rules!"

Mickey having been quiet up to this point asked confused, "rules?"

Then there was a clap, distracting everyone they looked back to see the mint green chocobo Greeble upon another demonic steed as he continued, "yep! It's all part of the game!"

Getting irritated at all this talk, Nozomi demanded, "game!? What game!?"

Finally another voice sounded as he said, "a catch and chase game!"

Immediately everyone turned again to the last corridor and as they did, they saw the final red and black coloured chocobo upon his own steed. It was Volg who peered at them all with serious intentions in his eyes, as they saw him Mickey asked curious, "catch and chase?"

Looking to the mouse king Volg continued, "correct... now come for your friends individually on your own set paths... or they shall each be the next main course for the demon tome, Bebuzzu!"

At this information Nozomi was shocked with horror as she cried out, "what!?"

However paying no heed to this tone of outrage the boss of the chocobo's there shouted out, "now let's begin!" With that suddenly all of the chocobo's departed as they each went through their respective corridor to begin this hideous idea of a game!

Seeing them all go immediately Nozomi cried out, "hey! Wait!"

"Stop!" Riku demanded out as he too ran!

"Hold it!"Mickey demanded as each of them all ran to a different corridor to try and stop them! But it was too late as each of them had all disappeared into their decided paths! Seeing them all go, everyone knew this was really, really bad news!

Feeling pressured with stress Nozomi asked turning to the others, "guys!? What're we gonna do?! What can we-"

Interrupting her immediately Riku spoke, "I don't know!? But we gotta do something and fast! We-"

"Dang straight ya all gotta do somehin'! Me highness is in danger and we've got to-"

"Lads!"

Hearing this voice shocked everyone into silence as Nozomi asked to the air, "huh? Who is-"

"Lads! Can ya hear me!? Lads!"

After a moment Mickey thought he recognised the voice as he called out, "Merlin is that you!?"

"Oh thank goodness! I've made contact with you all!? What's happened to you all!? What is-"

Immediately Nozomi called out, "Mr Merlin sir it's horrible! Oralee and everyone's been taken by Irma and she's gonna feed them all to Bebuzzu!"

"Fed to Bebuzzu!?"

Nozomi nodded as she shouted out, "yeah!"

"That's terrible lass!"

Riku then continued the explanation as he told the master magician, "and that's not all! She's forced us to play this sick game to win them back!"

"How typical of her! That's just like her to set up something like this!"

Mickey though knew time was of the essence and so quickly he asked him, "Merlin! We haven't got time to talk! Do you have a way for us to escape out of here with everyone!?"

"Oh right yes!? Of course! I've figured out one way! From my observations and knowledge of this crystal there must be four sealing points in there! These were used originally to keep my magic there in check to maintain the existence of the Merry Go Round and cafe! If you can all find those points and have them unlocked you should be able to get yourselves out of that mess!"

Hearing this Nozomi thought to herself, 'four points...' Then taking it to heart she called out, "right got it! Mr Merlin sir!"

"Okay lads! I'll keep a track of your progress from here! Good luck and be careful!"

"Right!" Mickey called out and in moments the voice of the master magician faded away!

With this info given to them it was obvious what they all had to do now! Looking to the others Riku called out to them, "okay guys you heard Merlin!... And the rules of this supposed game!"

"Yeah! We know that lad! We know! Now let's get this whole thing started! I got me highness ta rescue!" Cait sith cried out irritated with impatience as he shook his fist on top of Nozomi's shoulder!

Knowing that they shouldn't delay any longer Nozomi then called out to the others as she told them, "well you heard him guys! Let's get moving!"

Mickey then called out, "okay! You fella's be careful where ya go!" With that the king quickly disappeared down the corridor where Greeble had gone down. It was also the path Shirma, Hana and Robin had been taken down too.

Riku nodding as he heard this called out, "don't worry your majesty!" Then hearing his footsteps fade he turned to Nozomi as he made a simple single hard nod to her.

In reply she quickly did the same with the same expression of fierce determination. As she did this Riku ran and vanished down into the corridor where Volg had disappeared into along with his captives Musashi and Serah!

Then looking to her path where Peekaboo had gone down with Juan and Alania. Along with Irma who'd stolen Oralee... she turned to her feline companion as she told him, "well here we go again Cait sith! Think you can handle this!?"

"Naturally lass!" Then looking to her he asked her, "are you ready for this?!"

Nozomi then nodded determined as she told him, "totally!" With that she quickly summoned her keyblade to her hand as she told him, "now let's save our friends! Oralee and find that seal point and get outta this place!"

Nodding as she said this Cait sith then pointed ahead as he ordered, "charge lass!" With that the two of them disappeared down the corridor, it was now time for action!