Chapter CLXXXII: Information, The Growing Spell And The Arrival Of The Samurai Yojimbo
Return To The Radiant Gardens Part XXIV
"YAY!"
Hearing this cry of happiness, immediately the remaining male members of the 'ARCS' Musashi and Snow were alerted!
Looking to his friend, the commander asked him, "did you hear that?"
Quickly in reply Musashi nodded and without another word the two of them ran forwards to see what was going on ahead of them. Following closely behind riding upon his pal and steed Coco, it was none other than Bonkers who cried out, "hey fella's! Wait up!"
Not giving him a reply, Snow and Musashi continued to run. Ahead they could see Dajh hugging Serah with a smile of pure happiness on his face as she looked back to him showing the same expression.
Arriving before his fiancee almost breathless, Snow asked her quickly, "hey! Serah!"
Turning as she heard her beloved, the pink haired girl surprised for a moment then told Snow as she couldn't contain her relief, "it's Sazh! Snow! Riku, Juan and Cait sith got together and managed to rescue him from Irma!"
Hearing this news, Snow looked on with amazement and as he did, Musashi then asked becoming just as in awe, "really! They saved Sazh dude!?"
Nodding quickly Serah confirmed this as she continued to smile brightly. As the news sunk in, finally some positivity began to shine upon them all and as it did, immediately Snow and Musashi turned to each other and quickly they cried out, "yeah!" Then with that they high fived each other with pure enthusiasm!
Dajh laughed as he saw the two 'ARCS' do this and as he did, it was then that Bonkers ran on over and asked looking perplexed as Coco was, "hey! Where's the fire?! What's the emergency?! What-"
"They found my Dad Bonkers!" Dajh told the small bobcat happily with a smile!
Hearing this information, it was then that the quiet cop brightened up too! Quickly he cried out too, "wow! Awesome news!" Then smiling he told his young pal, "I'm glad to hear that for ya buddy!"
In reply Dajh simply smiled happily, then finishing their little celebration Snow turned to Serah as he asked her, "have they found anyone else yet Serah? Have they made anymore contacts?"
Hearing this question, Serah shook her head losing her smile for a moment as she answered, "no I don't think so..." then looking in the direction where Oralee and Merlin were she said further, "but they're still trying to find the others..."
Losing his smile too Snow replied becoming sombre, "I see..." then looking in the direction himself where the princess and wizard were standing, he decided, "I'll go and see if they've made any progress."
Then hearing his commander say this, Musashi decided, "yeah, let's do that! I wanna find out anything too!"
Nodding as he heard his second in command wanting to join him, he said, "okay! Let's do that!"
Answering then with a nod too, quickly Musashi and Snow walked forwards towards Oralee and Merlin who were still crouching over the darkened crystal.
Bonkers in the meantime seeing them go decided, "well we better go and spread the good news around!" Then turning to his steed and pal, he told him, "let's go Coco!"
With that the small bird agreed quickly happily, "Kweh!" With that both cop and chocobo went to inform anyone they could about the good news!
Meanwhile in the distance watching her quietly as she continued to hold her hands over the darkened crystal, Oralee was concentrating her mysterious powers to locate the others who were still lost in that terrible domain. As he looked at her kneeling figure and saw her glowing pink aura, he couldn't help but wonder again. What was that power? How did she-
"Merlin!" Quickly though his thoughts were interrupted as he turned and saw both Snow along with Musashi approach.
Looking at them quietly he heard the commander of the group ask, "Merlin! Have you found anyone else yet!? Have you-"
Hearing him ask this question, the master wizard interrupted him simply with a shake of the head as he informed the leader of the 'ARCS,' "I'm afraid not yet lad no," then turning to look back at the determined princess, he continued, "but Oralee lass is trying her best... she's concentrating everything she's got into doing this."
With that both Musashi and Snow turned to look in her direction too. The two of them saw her focusing her power and as they did, their respect for their blonde haired friend was increased inside of them.
Merlin seeing them look, then put a hand to his spectacles as he pushed them up the bridge of his nose as he voiced his thoughts, "though there's been something very alarming I've discovered within the confines of that crystal."
Musashi turning his attention away from Oralee immediately then asked as he became concerned, "somethin' alarmin' Merlin dude?"
The master wizard nodded silently as he heard this question. It was then Snow who next asked, "like what? What have you found?"
Hearing this question, it was then that the master wizard gave the commander an answer, "I have discovered that Irma has somehow mastered the art of Magi Metamorphosis."
Repeating this word puzzled, Musashi couldn't even say the word as he tried, "Meh? Magi Meta?Metamori? What?"
Merlin saw he wasn't going to be able to say the word, so he repeated it as well as give the explanation which he knew the two young men wanted, "Magi Metamorphosis... the art of merging one's body with a summoned spirit."
Snow hearing this didn't even know that such a thing was possible as he asked astounded, "a merging like that! Is that even possible!?"
Merlin then solemnly nodded as he said, "yes, though it is a dangerous art with terrible consequences for the user if they make a mistake in the magical process... or if they do it for too long."
Snow and Musashi were both silent with serious eyes as they listened closely to the magician's words as he continued, "they will become an abomination of magic and will lose their mind and humanity... becoming nothing more than a monster."
Hearing this, Musashi did not like what he heard, "that doesn't sound good Merlin dude!"
Shaking his head, Merlin then informed him, "it isn't! If Irma's managed to do that... she might be close to unlocking Bebuzzu's most terrifying power."
Snow hearing this felt dread inside as to what this power might be, but he decided to ask, "what's that Merlin?"
It was then that the master magician went to answer, "it's-"
"Merlin!"
Quickly distracted, the magician and 'ARCS' turned and there quickly approaching them came the pink haired white mage Shirma, the white business entrepreneur duck Scrooge then finally the rest of the 'Restoration Committee.' Leon, Yuffie and Aerith.
Seeing them all arrive, the master wizard then heard Shirma ask hurriedly, "Merlin!? Is it true!? Have you had news!? Have you found anyone!"
Seeing her look so anxious and desperate for answers, Merlin was quiet as Scrooge then wanted to know too, "yeah! Have you found our Alania or any of the other lads and lasses!" Then seeing his magical business partner being so silent, he got irritated as he wagged his walking cane around and demanded, "c'mon! Don't keep us all in suspense here, ya daft bloke! Give us the layout of the situation!"
The arriving committee members and the 'ARCS' who were there looked at the white spectacled duck with awkward eyes, for though they understood his feelings he didn't need to give out insults and get antsy over it.
Merlin himself knew seeing Scrooge behave like this that if he didn't say anything he'd get more of a ruckus. Which nobody needed, so sighing it was then he said, "very well, though you rudely interrupted I'll update you on the current state of affairs that are now taking place."
With that Scrooge nodded strongly and everyone listened in, to what Merlin had to say. However Snow looking to Oralee again, thought of his missing companions and as he did. He wondered to himself, 'how are they all doing in that dark place?' For he only hoped that they were okay... plus that Oralee would find them soon within that crystal...
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Nozomi yawned loudly as another boring lesson by Mr Tseng had finished. Packing he book bag she then said, "man! That was a drag... I could have had a nap in that lesson!"
However as she said that, it was then she turned her attentions to Wairu. Next to her he was busy studying a brown leather-bound book which he'd pulled out of his mother's book shelf. Looking at him she could see he was concentrating hard and trying to absorb all the information he could from it.
Seeing him do this, Nozomi herself didn't know what it was exactly he was looking at. Then her curiosity getting the better of her, she decided to go and ask him, getting up out of her seat she approached him as she began to say, "hey? Wai-"
"Keep trying to learn yer spell's useless!" It was then that Reno walked over and disturbing the young man he ruffled his hair lilac coloured hair, this made him look at him annoyed. The red haired young boy though only smirked at his angry look as he told him, "even if you learned from the most powerful magical book in the world, I'd still whip you stupid!"
Hearing this immediately Nozomi got angry as she told Reno batting him away from her friend with her book bag, "get lost you jerk! He doesn't need to hear that kind of thing from you!"
This only made Reno grin had her as he stuck his tongue out at her like a brat! This made Nozomi grit her teeth mad at him as he then went to make his getaway and to catch up with Rude who would be waiting outside the class for him.
Seeing him do this, it was then that Elena came forward and quickly she apologised to Nozomi and Wairu as she bowed her head over and over and said, "please excuse him for that! Sorry! I'll go and give him a talking to!" With that she ran after the red haired young man, "Reno!"
As she watched her go, Nozomi then couldn't' help but sigh as she said, "same as always..." though she couldn't help but comment, "but you know the only reason he does what he does is because he know's he'll get some attention from Elena."
Closing his book as he heard her comment this, Wairu then sighed as he confirmed it, "obviously."
Nodding Nozomi then smiled as she couldn't help but admit, "I guess that's the problem with naïve people huh? They just don't get it until you tell them."
As she said this one line, Wairu then looked at Nozomi with sceptical eyes... this only made her look at him with puzzled eyes as she noticed him looking at her, she asked him, "what?"
Wairu then only sighed as he put his book away in his bag and told her now annoyed, "nothing!"
With that he walked forwards and out of the class door and as he did, Nozomi didn't know what had bit him now? But she didn't let it get to her as she simply smiled and followed him out through the door and as she did, she asked him, "so? Are you gonna practise some more spells today?"
Hearing her ask this question, Wairu looked to her and told her, "yeah... they're quiet complex ones so I can't guarantee if I'll get any results."
This though didn't bother Nozomi as she told him, "well that doesn't matter does it? I mean as long as we get to hang out then that's what matters right?"
Wairu hearing this then turned and saw her smiling face. As he saw her looking like this at him, he felt his frown leave him and as it did, he smiled too as he confirmed this, "I guess?"
Nozomi then nodded and as she did, she followed Wairu out through the school doorway as they both headed to their hangout where the young would be wizard could practise his new spells.
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His hand over her forehead again, Uriax looked and saw into Nozomi's memories again. He could remember that time too... the procedure was going just as he'd hoped. As his other right hand hovered over her chest, he was maintaining the dark blue spell over her.
Peter still nestled in Uriax's hood watched the dark skinned young man remove his hand from Nozomi's forehead. As he did, he gazed upon the spell he was continuing to cast over her. Looking he could see the dark blue spell was continuing to pulse over her body and was growing darker and darker as it continued to dwell.
Looking at this spell, Peter shivered as he didn't like the feel of what that was! Uriax though clearly was pleased as he then commented, "yes... soon! Just a little more and the spell will be ready!" Then thinking of it's soon approaching completion, he proclaimed, "and when that happens... the cleansing will be done and you will be mine... forever!"
Peter the little pegasus didn't know what this young man was talking about. However the creature could feel it wasn't good, then-
"So I find you here do I?"
The little black and white pegasus screeched in fright as it suddenly heard this new soft velvet, yet sinister female tone. Flying into the air, Peter saw where the voice had sounded from and there he saw a glowing green burning portal.
Uriax sensing this power immediately lost his smile and became irritated as he turned and said with narrowing eyes, "so...you finally found me, my lady?"
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Walking forwards together as they journeyed through the bleak pure black environment they were trapped within, it was finally after many silent minutes that she had had enough! "Urgh! Man! This just goes on forever!" Looking around herself again, she demanded mad, "just where the heck are we!? And where the heck is everybody else!" Gritting her teeth as they both strode forwards, Alania then declared infuriated, "this is getting on my nerves!"
Her summoned beast Carbuncle was doing his best to try and calm his lady down as he sat on her shoulder and tried nuzzling into her cheek to distract her.
Hearing her complain like this himself, Mickey turned to her as he gently tried to calm her down too as he fanned his gloved hands as though he could cool her rage, "Alania calm down! Ya don't have get so upset like this."
The blue haired summoner turning to the mouse King then demanded out of him, "how can I not!? I mean ever since the two of us got up, there hasn't been any sign of anybody! What if they've been eaten by Bebuzzu!? What if we're trapped here until we die!? What if-"
Quickly though she was stopped from going on, as the King went to reason with her, "I don't think the others would have that happen to them, ya know how strong everybody is right?"
As he said this, Alania went quiet... she had to admit that one fact, "well... yeah but we-"
The King though interrupted her again as he told her, "but nothin'! I know it looks bad right now here Alania, but I'm sure somethin' will change." Then smiling further, he told her brightly, "for who know's there might be something just-"
SMASH!
Then before Mickey could even finish his sentence, immediately the ground around both the him and Summoner and summoned spirit cracked and fell apart like shattering glass! Quickly they all fell into what looked like an abyss as they screamed loudly!
"AAAGGGHHH!"
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Squeaking loudly, Carbuncle next to his beloved summoner was trying to coax her out of her unconscious slumber! He was desperate as he patted his small paws upon her face.
Becoming irritated, it was finally that the summoner started to come around as she first cried out, "owww!...That really hurt!" Her head was aching badly as she sat herself up. As Carbuncle continued to squeak she was busy trying to get rid of her pain as she shook her head. Rubbing her injured spot, she hoped badly that it would stop hurting soon.
As Carbuncle tried still desperately to get her attention she felt the pain lessen ever so slightly, then she finally opened one of her eyes as she she said feeling really hot all over and irritated by her summon spirits insistent squeaks, "Carbuncle...! Stop that! I just want this all to stop and just where the heck have we-"
It was then looking around herself that she saw where she him and Mickey had fallen to, plus what had got her summon spirit so wound up. All around them there was a sea of red hot lava boiling and brimming everywhere! Her eyes were startled as she saw that she and the mouse King were balanced only upon a single platform made of dark brown stone! It was then she understood why it was no wonder that the air around them was so hot! She was sweating from the unbearable heat that was emanating from the deadly burning liquid!
Then she saw that quickly that there was no escape from this terrible red inferno, as huge tall walls like those of a cratered black mountain had them boxed in. It was like they were in the mouth of a huge volcano! As the red liquid continued to brim and bubble furiously she realised with horror, there was nowhere for them to run!
Her eyes widened at the horrible sight, then suddenly she heard a groan beside her. Looking she saw that Mickey was next to her, immediately she went to him as she started shaking to rouse him awake! Carbuncle in the mean time took this chance to hop back on his lady's shoulder as the unstable world around them continued to burn!
"Mickey! King Mickey get up!" The mouse keyblader feeling her touch shifted uncomfortably as he groaned once more. Looking around them both, the female summoner though could see that the bubbling from the lava was getting more ferocious as it was boiling more than ever!
Carbuncle feeling this, shivered more as he tried desperately to nestle into his summoner for some kind of reassurance and comfort!
Immediately she spoke her thoughts, "this is bad! It's really, really bad!" Then suddenly a geyser of the molten substance erupted sending a burning spray everywhere! "Agh!" She cried out loudly trying to defend herself and her slumbering companion, this whole situation was making her panic more as the ground beneath them both was shaking terribly!
She shook the King more desperately and pleaded with him, "Please your majesty! You've got to wake up right now! Please!"
Then suddenly as she cried this out, another geyser erupted and quickly a huge flood of lava came raining in their direction! Seeing this coming burning wave Alania had no time to act and holding the King close to her she cried out in panic, "AAAHHH!"
"BLIZZAGA!"
Suddenly in moments this terrible rain of lava was stopped in it's tracks! For just at that moment, Mickey had finally awoken! Then aiming with his keyblade he froze the oncoming spray in seconds!
As it sizzled within the high temperatures, he gasped hard from the concentration he had to summon up so quickly! Then turning to Alania who was stunned, he smiled up to her a little awkwardly as he told her, "sorry for the late wake up!"
Seeing him joke like this despite the terrible environment they were in, Alania though told the mouse King mad, "this is no time to make lightness of this! We're trapped in an inferno here! Just what're we going to-"
"You're going to burn!"
Then suddenly distracting both keyblader and summoner the two of them looked to the distance where the voice had come from. There they saw a white hooded figure walking in their direction. However as he got nearer he removed his head garment and revealed himself as he told the two of them with a grin, "and I'll be the one stoking the fires tonight!"
Seeing him, immediately Alania was angered as she spat his name mad, "Gandrake!"
Looking at him too, Carbuncle on his lady's shoulder bristled with rage like a cat as he exposed his fangs!
Mickey too was quickly on guard! As he drew out his golden keyblade in a sparkle of light. As he did this, he looked to the dark samurai as he asked him, "so...? I guess you've come on Irma's command right?"
Hearing this Gandrake simply grinned as he told the Mouse King, "something like that..." then quickly taking his new deadly sword out in a flash of light. He informed the Summoner and keyblader, "but the real reality... is that I wanna have some fun!"
As Mickey heard this he then saw as another geyser of lava erupted, the sword that was now in Gandrake's hands. Looking at it as it glinted in the violent red light, the mouse King recognised it instantly, "Muramasa!"
Alania hearing this repeated puzzled, "Muramasa?" Then quickly she realised and remembered what the sword was! The most deadly one in history! Looking at the blade her eyes widened, "it can't be!? How could you get-"
Swinging his blade forth though, Gandrake didn't give her the time to finish as he told her, "it doesn't matter how I got it!" With that he raised it at them both as he proclaimed, "the thing you've got to worry about is how I'm going to use it!"
Quickly again Mickey and Alania were high on alert as they got themselves ready to engage. Looking at the young man, the keyblader quickly told his companion, "be on your guard Alania! One swipe from that sword and-"
"I know! I'll be sliced apart!" She said agitated as she gripped her fists tightly! As she did this, she felt Carbuncle tense up more. As he did, she decided to tell the King, "but don't worry! I don't plan on letting that happen!" Then looking to Mickey she informed him, "and I sure won't let you be turned into swiss cheese!"
Hearing this comment, Mickey couldn't help but giggle slightly at this comment. As he did this he told Alania too, "thanks! I'll make sure that you stay in one piece too!"
Alania simply nodded at this and as she did, quickly she brought forth her pink summoning wand as she was totally pumped and ready now for anything!
Gandrake seeing his foes were ready, he then grinned as he decided to get himself ready too! Moving his left hand forwards immediately underneath his feet a huge portal of darkness emerged and opened up! As it did, Mickey and Alania looked on with widened eyes! What was-
Seeing them startled, he grinned more and then looking to the side he spoke, "hey, Volg?"
It was quickly then that the black chocobo came forth from behind the samurai and as he did, it was clear that he was unamused at his behaviour as he had his wings folded with a serious gaze upon his face.
Ignoring his look of irritation, Gandrake then told him, "pass me the stone that guy gave us!"
Mickey hearing this then wondered quietly to himself, 'guy?'
However there was no more time for him to guess about it as Volg passed the red stone he possessed to Gandrake. As he did this, he informed him simply, "you just make sure you get the job done properly this time!"
Gandrake simply grinned at this comment as he told him, "don't you worry..." with that he turned to his foes again as he held the red stone up he finished saying, "I will!"
Volg hearing this only said one word to this, "tch!" With that he made himself scarce as he stepped aside to stay out of the way of the oncoming chaos that was soon to come!
Seeing this stone, Alania and Mickey wondered what it was and suddenly in moments they got an answer! For from within inside the stone that Gandrake continued to hold, a human figure came forth!
Ghostly and pale, his form was see through. However it was clear that he was just as shocked as the onlookers were. For looking at him, both Alania and Mickey recognised him in seconds!
"Vincent!" Instantly they both cried out in shock!
Hearing them both call out his name, Vincent reached his clawed hand out to them but quickly his form was dismissed quickly as he was absorbed back into the stone!
Seeing this happen, Alania was horrified as she cried out, "no! Vincent!"
But it was too late, for it was then that Gandrake began his own incantation for the merging spell!
"I Summon thee! I summon thee!
You who's blade instills fear to all!
Come and join me!
Yojimbo! Grant me my vengeance!"
Immediately as this uttering of magic ended, a huge dark shadow emerged! Quickly it wrapped itself around Gandrake who continued to grin widely along with the glowing red stone that continued to shine in his opened hand. As it continued to twist around them both, a manic light started to glow in Gandrake's eyes as he was consumed by darkness!
Shielding their eyes as the dark winds of the spell flowed forth, neither Mickey nor Irma could see clearly what was going on!
Trying to get a clear view, Alania was unable to! As Carbuncle snuggled into her in fear and she struggled to see what was going on, she cried out loudly, "what's going on!? What's happening!"
Mickey trying to see himself replied back, "I dunno! I can't-"
"HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!"
Suddenly then at that moment! The spell was complete and quickly the darkness fled away and as it did, both Alania and Mickey saw the transformation that had occurred to Gandrake with widened eyes!
For there they both saw Gandrake was now dressed in very fancy and rich coloured samurai robes. The colours were like that of the setting sun with a mixture of pinks, purples, reds and oranges! He was also wearing elaborate gold protective platings on his being. Along with that he had golden metallic gauntlets upon both of his hands that now held the Muramasa blade tightly!
It was clear he was a terribly dangerous figure as a golden mask was now upon his face and the eyes that were shown were a menacing green that seemed to dance with flames of sadistic delight as his smile revealed his clear intentions towards them both!
Seeing him in this form as his robes seemed to dance in the wind, Mickey recognised what he'd done! A Magi Metamorphosis! This was not good news!
Gandrake however was pleased with the end results as he told them both having a brief look at his new attire, "the power of the ultimate warrior?" Then looking to Muramasa he asked further, "and the deadliest sword known to all the worlds?"
With that he took his blade into both of his hands again and took his battle stance as his protective armour clicked, he then asked his now helpless foes, "I wonder how long you guys will last?"
Alania didn't like this one bit! First they were in this hellish inferno! Now they had this to deal with this! But now Vincent! What were they supposed to do? What could they-
"Hey! Alania!" Getting her attention quickly the female summoner was distracted from her worried thoughts and as she was, Mickey told her, "we gotta stay focused here! We gotta take out Gandrake faster rather than later!"
Alania hearing the mouse King say this told him as she gripped her pink wand tightly, "okay I know that! But, what about Vincent what has-"
Mickey then quickly explained, "he's using Vincent's power to maintain a Magi Metamorphosis! He's contained his body in that red stone!"
Hearing this Alania looked back to Gandrake and quickly she saw the red stone again and as she saw it, she watched as it floated and was connected to the transformed samurai's golden mask.
Seeing this happen she was quiet as she heard Mickey continue on with serious focused eyes, "we've got to acquire that stone... along with the light!"
As she heard him say this, Alania asked turning to him, "light? What light? What're you-"
Then she was distracted again as something bright shone, as it did she turned and saw that from the red stone on Gandrake's mask came forth a white light and as it did, it flew in another direction into Volg's wings who caught it as it continued to pulsate and glow.
Looking at this as it happened, Mickey filled her in more, "that light contain's Vincent's life force! If that goes out, he'll be gone... permanently and Gandrake will be fixed in that form!"
Hearing this Alania was horrified as her eyes widened! Gandrake in the mean time seeing they were having a little prep talk, turned to Volg as he told him, "you just make sure you don't become a sitting duck while I take care of business here!"
Volg hearing this himself then retorted back annoyed, "you just make sure you're not taken to the cleaner's yourself! You brat!"
Gandrake only smirked at this and with that he turned back to Mickey and Alania. As he did, he decided to inform them, "I hope you both enjoyed your little talk," with that he turned his eyes to either side of him.
Immediately in seconds from four portals of swirling darkness came forth heartless! These ones were huge T-Rex like monsters. They were black in colour and along their backs were red glowing flames that were like flickering spikes and they all stared on at their foes with glowing haunting yellow eyes.
Seeing them Alania was nervous, however knowing that Vincent's life was stake. She wasn't going to fail him! So she gripped her wand tightly with determination and as she did, Mickey then asked her as he lifted up his keyblade, "you ready for this Alania?"
Nodding the blue haired summoner told the mouse King, "as ready as I'll ever be!"
Mickey then responded with one word, "good!"
However it was Gandrake who had the last word as he declared loudly, "now let's get this party started!" With that the battle began as the dinosaur heartless raced forwards, along with the deadly samurai!
Then as they came both Alania and Mickey ran forwards too as the geysers of lava continued to spit out their deadly rains of fire, this battle was going to be fierce and intense!