Chapter CCLXIV: The Palace of Alexandra Part VI

Looking ahead, Pete just couldn't believe how bad his luck was being that day! For not only had he learned that his treasured accomplice had been ordered to eradicate him and his new allies, the person who had given that sentence was right before him!

His body was hurting all over, from the attack that Maleficent had unleashed on him and Kagi. However despite the pain he was in, he couldn't let himself be whipped then, otherwise-!
"So that punishment was not enough for you?" Maleficent questioned him.

Hearing this, still cringing in pain. Pete however wasn't going to let his pride be blasted to pieces as he sat himself up and told her, "Ha! I've had way worse from ya!" With that he wiped his cheek with his aching glove hand.

Kagi wincing himself, then added, "I can't see how it can be any worse!"
"Oh believe me my dear, I can make it much, much worse for you both!" With that the green skinned witch raised her staff into the air, immediately more lightning began to crackle and spark from its end, then as it gathered in power making both Pete and Kagi, shiver with anxiety. As it reached its peak, the power flew over all their heads and started spiralling, creating a swirling dark cloud of purple and darkness across all lengths of the ceiling.

That horrible power was emanating from all over it, it was clear that one wrong move from any of them then, would result in a worse shocking experience than they already had.

Sweating with terror, annoyed Pete looked to Kagi and uttered quietly mad, "You just had to open your big dumb mouth didn't you!?"

Kagi regretting his choice of words than replied quietly in reply, "I'm sorry!"

Smirking seeing that she had them cowering at the sight of her power, Maleficent then told them, "You both seemed to have become so close in such a short amount of time, haven't you?"

Pete and Kagi turning to look at Maleficent were scared witless, neither knew what to do! For if she moved that staff even a little, they both would be-!

"Pete? I'm intrigued why you feel the need to change allegiances because of this one young man?" Maleficent asked him.

Feeling Maleficent's eyes settle onto him in particular Kagi felt a terrible chill go down his back. Then as he looked to Pete, he had no idea what it was he would say in response to the witch of the darkness.

The overweight villain gulped clearly nervous, however he knew there was no avoiding this situation. So he responded, "...Because of what I've learnt along the way Maleficent, being with Hari and seeing images of the past that this little tyke went through with her...it's given me my realisation."

"Oh, really? What might that be?" Maleficent asked.

Pete looking on could feel that her displeasure was beginning to brim, threateningly. However he couldn't falter then and he knew this would probably be his last chance to do so. Opening his mouth he then declared loudly, "I've realised now, I don't like working with ya! Yer crabby! Dangerous to everyone even when they do work for ya!" Then taking in an even deeper breath he added truly mad, "Ya never can never be bothered to do yer own dirty work! Always makin' others doin everythin! I've had enough!"

It was clear that Maleficent hadn't been expecting this as a response. She was so shocked that she at first didn't respond, however as it settled into her mind about what he had informed her of, she became irked and asked, "So... you think of me as a sloth do you!"

"No way! Sloth's are way cuter than you!" Pete retorted.

Jona still stuck within the prison of her glowing yellow shield cage hearing this couldn't help but release a giggle. Pete truly was the one who could say that to Maleficent to her face when irritated enough!
"But anyway! I've had enough of you! I'm gonna be takin' Hari from ya and then someday, somehow me and Kagi here will remove what it is that's turned her into the slave she is!" Then with an accusing finger, he told her, "And not even yerself can stop that now!"

Looking up to him, Kagi couldn't help but feel a little bit proud for Pete standing up for him and Hari like this. However looking back to the witch of darkness, he felt a very threatening and deadly aura coming from her. As he did, he realised there had to be something that he could do to help them then. With that he reached one of his hand's into his pockets.

Maleficent's expression was hidden away, as her fury grew and grew inside herself she uttered, "Is that so..."

FLASH!

"Agh!"

Jumping immediately out of the way, Pete and his passengers missed an awful lightning bolt that came from the ceiling above them. As they all did, looking to Maleficent in absolute terror, they then saw the witch look at them with absolute malice as she herself declared, "Well, you can say goodbye to your own life!" With that the horrible electricity came raining down all around them!
"Kagi we gotta amscray!" With that panicked shout, they both began avoiding the lightning attacks that were threatening to incinerate to a crisp! As they both ran like crazy, they came to another corridor. The ceiling was clear! They'd be safe! But-!

FLASH!

"Agh!"

More lightning crashed down! As it did, in sunk into the floor itself. However it didn't simply just burn and char the red carpeting, instead it cracked the marble floor apart and in seconds-!

TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!

Horrible dark vines of sharp thorns emerged and in seconds created an impenetrable wall, that none there would ever be able to get past.

Sweating with pure terror now, Pete echoed out, "This is bad, this is bad! This is real, real bad!"

"Pete!"

"Whoa!"

FLASH!

Having quickly pulled him out of the way, Kagi had made sure that the two of them had avoided another strike of lightning! Getting up fast, the young green haired boy told him, "C'mon let's got his way!" With that he pulled on Pete's arm and together the two of them started running again. However before they could get too far-!

FLASH!

Another bolt thundered down and in seconds-!

TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!

More horrible dark and sharp thorns appeared, completely blocking another passageway! Looking around themselves, it was clear that there was no way for Kagi and Pete to get away from Maleficent any more they were boxed in, the only direction that they could go to now was-!

"You can no longer escape!"

Hearing her voice, Pete and Kagi turned and there standing with a wrathful and sinister smile on her face. It was clear that she believed that she had won!

Both the escapees were sweating with true terror now, but as Kagi tried to find something. Anything that would be of help, his hand grasped onto something!
Maleficent looking at her prey, then told them, "Now! Relinquish those Vessels, I want my sword to be the most powerful so that all worlds will come under my rule!"

Clenching his teeth, Pete knew that he could never let that happen! Not to Hari or anyone else now! But before he could respond-!

"We can still try!"

"What-!?"

SHINE!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

Shocked himself, it was then that Maleficent was the one screaming in pain! For at that moment, Kagi had brought out a single device and had shined a light from it that had blinded the witch of darkness!

Looking at him, Pete demanded, "Hey! What was that!?"

Hearing him and quickly turning the device off, Kagi responded, "It's a Stun Light! Merlin gave it to me, for a little self protection so-!"
"And you think of only now to use it!?" Pete demanded, both shocked and amazed beyond belief!
"Well I didn't have time to think through all this properly and-!"

"You insufferable fools!"

With terror, turning back. They both saw that Maleficent had turned in their direction but her eyes were closed away as the light had blinded her badly. Her hand upon her staff she told them, "You will pay for this insult!"
More lightning began to crackle and flash! As it did, Kagi knew it was time to go, "Pete this way!" With that he ran, pulling the overweight villain with him.

Hearing their hurried footsteps, Maleficent in rage used more of her power! As she did, in seconds portals of darkness appeared around her and as they did so, immediately many Heartless began to emerge from the sinister depths as they all did she quickly gave her command, "After them! Rip them all to pieces!"

The Heartless needed to give no response, instead they all scurried forwards in their droves to devour the hearts of the one's who were fleeing from them!

Hearing them all coming behind them, Pete's anxiety was reaching peak levels and as they were he cried out, "Aww! This is the worst day ever!" For the direction they were both head back to, was the terrible fire they were trying to escape from in the first place!

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"Kali de dola Maelstrom!"

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

"AAAGGGHHHH!"

Struck all over their bodies, Nozomi and her allies were struck by Hari's destructive attack! Her red burning wings had all detached from back and formed into countless powerful swords which had all sliced into them in seconds!

Then as their defences were made none existent-!

"Diablos's Guillotine!"

They were struck again by the next of her arsenal of horrible powers, this had rendered them all now into an absolutely helpless state!

"Urgh!"

Falling onto the floor, Nozomi was hurting horribly all over her body. As she was, gritting her teeth she uttered, "That...was-!"

"Lass!"

Hearing this voice, Nozomi turning her head she saw that crawling over to her. Barely able to move himself, it was none other than, "Cait...sith?"
The small black and white crowned cat was clearly struggling himself, as he was he told her, "Hang on! I'll...get ya up and at 'em!"
Despite the terrible situation they were in, she couldn't help but reveal a small smile. For still even with the stacks against them, he still had the determination to keep going. But as she saw him coming her way, her eyes widened in terror, "Look out!"
"Huh?" But before he could react-!

SMASH!

"Agh!"

Spooked the small cat turned over immediately and there he saw standing over him now it was none other than Hari herself! She had barred his way by penetrating her Keyblade into the space beside him. Seeing this, the small cat didn't know what to do or say! His power had been practically spent and without Reeve near him, he couldn't-!
"Since you are the smallest, I will begin by disposing you first!" With that Hari's hand began to glow brightly with furious red power, as she prepared Cait Sith's ending blow!

Panicked, Nozomi cried out, "Cait sith!"
The small cat was shivering in fear now! There was nothing he could do! He couldn't-!

"BLIZZAGA!"

Suddenly a shining ice spell came blasting Hari's way, but in another moment-!

SLASH!

The sharp winged weapon turned and cut the spell away making it splinter apart and strike other points in the room making bright icicles reach up! But before she had time to move again-!

"HAAA!"

Suddenly charging in all of a sudden out of seemingly nowhere it was none other than-!

"Mickey mate!"

It was the King who had come to Cait Sith's aid! As he did, the Mouse King then clashing against Hari again told him, "Hurry! Heal Nozomi and Zidane as quick as you can!"

Nodding hurriedly, the crowned cat told him, "Right, yeah you got it!" With that moving as quick as his pained body would allow him he went to go and reach his female pal.

Hearing his words he'd given to his feline comrade, Hari questioned coldly, "You still persist despite the hopelessness you are now in?"

As he heard her words, the Mouse King then told her with a determined smile, "Hope never disappears, after all it's just like the light in the darkness!"

Hari hearing this had no reaction, instead she only responded, "Your sentimentality will be the end of you!" With that the two engaged each other in furious combat!

Glad to see him make it over to her, despite the horror that had almost been unleashed on him, Nozomi smiled and said, "Cait sith..."

"Lass! I'm here with ya now, hang on!" With that smacking his gloved hands together he lay his hands over her body and quickly a bright yellow glowing light began to radiate from them.

Feeling this light, Nozomi felt her strength begin to return. As she did, she decided to ask him, "How much of your power have you got left Cait sith?"

"Not that much lass," with those words he looked in the direction where Zidane was and said, "I've only got enough in me to heal you and that lad up, afterwards if I'm not careful without Reeve here, I could fall into one of me long slumbers, which I know is somethin' that none of us need right now!"

"True!" Nozomi couldn't help but agree with a laugh. However in this moment she decided to tell him, "Cait sith...?"
"What?" He asked.

"I wanna say to you, I'm sorry..." Nozomi told him. Then as he looked at her perplexed, she explained, "Back then when I couldn't save Oralee...I let her down and you especially... even now, having to rely on you like this... I've always been such a pain to you haven't I?"

Quiet hearing this as he continued to heal her, Cait sith at first couldn't think of what to say in reply to her. But after a little bit, he found his voice and told her, "Aye lass, ya have a pain."

"Ha! I knew it!" Nozomi replied sadly. Then her depressing thoughts increasing, she went on to say, "We might not even be able to get Oralee out of Hari or even-!"
"Oh! For the love of Mike this ain't the time to get so soppy and depressing here!" With that finishing his healing he continued on to tell her, "Ya've been tryin' hard here and that's enough! Besides, there's nothin' wrong with ya relyin' on me!" With that as Nozomi sat up, he jumped up onto her legs and then added putting a hand to her cheek, "Yer one of me best mates now! There's way I could detest ya."

Feeling warmed and so grateful, Nozomi then said softly, "Cait Sith..."
"Though you still have your annoyin' moments at times!" Cait Sith added quick.

Feeling a little deflated hearing this, Nozomi simply uttered, "Oh of course..."
Grinning Cait sith though decided to finish, "But that stop me in havin faith in ya lass!" With that hopping off her legs, he went to go and assist Zidane however before fully going he told her, "Now go on! Show that dumb controlled doll who's boss!"

Hearing this last boost, Nozomi silent in momentary surprise, she though quickly smiled and said, "You got it!" With that Cait sith ran off, she immediately summoned her Keyblade and in another second she cried out, "Okay next round here we go!" With that she went to go and assist Mickey to hopefully bring some of that hope back again!

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Continuing to chase their foe who was still out of their sight, Shirma couldn't help but ask with anxiety as she continued her healing of Riku, "Where is it!? Where could that Heartless have gone too!?"

Hearing her question, Reeve then answered, "There's no way to know now! We won't know anything unless-!"

"RRRAARRGGGHHH!"

Shaken, both knight and white mage came to a sudden halt. Shivering as she looked around themselves for the horrible monster, she had to ask, "Where did it sound from?! Is it-!"

"No it's no where near us right now! That roar it must be-!"

RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

Then suddenly the floor underneath them continued to rumble and shake nearly knocking them both off their feet again! As they both felt this, Shirma again horribly nervous cried out, "What! What is this!? What's happening!?"
"It must be...!" Then suddenly he realised those rumblings it must have meant! "This is bad! We have to hurry up!" With that he proceeded running forwards again and quickly though still shaking with horrible anxiety Shirma ran after him.

The two of them could only hope that they wouldn't be too late in assisting their friends!

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FLASH!

"AGH!"

Barely missing another horrible lightning bolt that was coming their way, Kagi jumping and quickly running again cried out, "There's just no end to this!" For to both his and Pete's dismay, the horrible swirling black clouds of darkness on the ceiling were following their path precisely!

No matter what direction they took, they couldn't get away from Maleficent's attack! Nor-!

SLASH!

"Whoa!"

Jumping just barely out of the way of this sharp clawed attack, Kagi saw to his horror s Heartless coming straight for him! But before the monstrosity could make another move on him-!

"HHHOOO YAAAHHHH!"

PUNCH!

Suddenly surprising Kagi, Pete had turned around and had sent the monster flying back! Doing this he cried out mad, "Take that ya blasted nitwit!"

"Thanks Pete!" Kagi said pleased.

"It's Captain Pete to you geez!" Then adjusting his hold on Jona's bubble and making sure Timbre was in a safe position, he said, "Now c'mon! We gotta go!"

Nodding fast! Kagi agreed and with that they started running again, but-!

RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

Becoming unbalanced, everyone there stopped and as they did, Pete annoyed by all this stress shouted out mad, "Oh for the love of! Now what is-!"

"GGGGRRRR!"

Hearing this very familiar but horrible growl, what quickly terrified now the small group of fleeing heroes was that it was horribly near. In fact so near, that when they turned their head to look down a certain corner-!

"Oh no!"

It was then that Kagi saw with just as much terror as Pete was the horrible, countless antenna red armoured Heartless that Nozomi and co had been fighting just a little while ago! It towered over them and as it stared down at them with it's horrible alien yellow soulless eyes. They both knew they were in serious trouble!

"What the heck is that nut doing here!?"

Then as soon as Pete cried out that one sentence-!

"RRROOOAAARRRR!"

The monster unleashed it's deadly roar again! As it did, neither of them needed to say a word! They ran for it! Even Jona was pounding the insides of her bubble in a panic at seeing the Heartless! For if that thing swallowed her while she was still in it-!

The monster seeing them flee, immediately began to charge after them! However as it did-!

FLASH!

Suddenly the lighting came raining down again and as it did-!

TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!

Maleficent's thorns came rising out of the floor again! As they did, they quickly barred the monster's path!

"RRROOOAAARRRR!"

Hearing it's terrible roar again, Kagi turned and seeing what had happened was surprised. Quickly he cried out, "Pete look back there!"

"What for!?" The overweight villain demanded, but doing it anyway. He saw that to his surprise that the monster had been stopped! Being caged in the mess of thorns that were supposed to have come for them both! As he saw this he couldn't believe their luck, "Wow! Maleficent's actually been a help here for once!" But he spoke too soon-!

RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

The monster plunged it's many antenna into the floor and as they did, Pete and Kagi saw quickly that the monster was slowly but surely beginning to uprooting each long thorny line one by one slowly! It was going to escape!

Pete then realised, "Okay and second thought no! Let's get out of here!"
With that they were both running again, but as they left Maleficent's original Heartless were after them again, walking after them still busy trying to recover her sight from the blinding attack that Kagi had done on her, she commanded, "After them! After them you fools!"

The Heartless seemed to rush on even fast after their quarry at this command, then as they did with irritation. Maleficent still struggling badly uttered infuriated, "That despicable light! It must have been enhanced by that irksome Merlin!"

But despite her slight impaired vision, she saw quickly the Heartless she had unleashed was struggling to get free of her thorns. Seeing this she spat mad, "So even you were no use against those fools!"

"RRROOOAAARRRR!"

Finding this roar only increasing her fury, Maleficent then declared, "If even you are useless to me, I have no more need of you!" With that swiftly moving her staff, she circled it above her head and directed a vast amount of her lightning to concentrate on the creature!

FLASH!

"RRROOOAAARRRR!"

As the monsters loud roars filled the air, Maleficent told it, "I would make you disperse in the traditional manner but since you are created by another's complex technology, you unfortunately will have to go through the grim method instead." With that as she walked on her way, she added before finally leaving, "Now hurry and vanish into ashes!"
The monster in the clutches of its thunderous torture, gazed upon Maleficent retreating form with enraged eyes and as it did this, it continued to pull away at the thorns that continued to bind it back...

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"Thanks Cait sith!" Zidane told his pal, as he finally sat up himself.

Making a small salute the small crowned cat told him, "No probs lad!" Then he had to ask the most important question, "Now lad, are you ready to take down that ironed winged mess?"
With that drawing out his daggers, the blonde haired pirate thief told him, "You really need to ask?"

With a single nod, Cait sith was pleased and without another word he and his comrade went to go and assist Nozomi and Mickey!

The Mouse King and female Keyblader continuing their onslaught moved into total perfect synchronisation together as they moved to strike Hari in the air! However on each and every turn-!

SLASH!

"From the left."

She dodged the blow seemingly with no effort whatsoever, then as Mickey and Nozomi changed tact, Hari reacted again saying-!

"Above!"

For Mickey was attacking her from a jump from on high! But before his Keyblade could touch her-!

CLASH!

She stopped it in seconds with her own, then as Mickey looked on in shock, Hari uttered-!

"Below!"

"HHHAAA!"

Nozomi at that moment came rushing up, to strike her from where her sight couldn't get to. But with Oralee's right eye, she already knew and quickly-!

THWACK!

"Agh!"

The dark haired Keyblader was struck straight in the face! Stopping any further attacks from her!

"You're both so pitiful!"

Mickey and Nozomi both hearing this both reacted on instinct and cried out their spells together-!

"FIRAGA!"

"THUNDAGA!"

As Mickey and Nozomi fell back through the air, they knew that there was no way for her to dodge either of those spells! But-!

SLICE!

Suddenly a long burning red line cut through the air and in seconds-!

KABOOM!

The spells were destroyed in seconds, in powerful fiery and thunderous blast!

Dismayed Nozomi cried out, "You're kidding!"
But that was all she could say, for then-!

"Fire Blaster!"

BLAST! BLAST!

"AGH!"

"URGH!"

Both Mickey and Nozomi were struck by the powerful fire spells! Neither of them had time to get out of the way! Then as they both hit the floor hurting all over, Hari floating over head aimed with her winged swords in their direction.

As she did so, her eyes narrowed she told them, "Perish!" With that she sent her swords straight towards their helpless forms!

SWOOSH!

Neither of them could move out of the way in time, all they could do was look on with terror! However before the blades could touch them-!

CLASH! CLASH!

It was then that finally entering into the fray himself, it was none other than-!

"Zidane!?"

Hearing Mickey call out his name, the monkey tailed young man grinned and told him and Nozomi, "Hey! Sorry I'm late guys!"

Hari flying on overhead seeing Zidane come to their aid uttered, "So? The monkey wants to play now does it?"

Hearing this Zidane then decided to tell her, "If that's your idea of an insult, it's rather stupidly cute!" However he added, "But unfortunately for you, I've got no attraction towards someone who hurts my pals! Especially if they're not doing by their own will!"
Hari listening to this then uttered, "I care nothing for your sentiments..." with that gripping her Keyblade, she told him, "You will simply need to be dispatched with the rest of them!" With that she directed her swords again!

SWOOSH!

But Zidane seeing these blades coming for them, drew up his daggers and quickly-!

CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!

He struck each and every blow Hari was sending them! As she continued to do this, he told her, "I guess I'm gonna have to demonstrate to you the nimbleness we monkeys have!" With that he continued his offensive defence!

Nozomi and Mickey both lifting themselves up, looked worn out, breathing in and out heavily from exhaustion. As they did, the female Keyblader asked, "Your majesty... are you holding up alright?"

"Just...barely!" He told her, for both of them knew one thing. Things couldn't continue this way for them all for much longer, otherwise-!

"Lads!" It was then that making his way over to them, it was none other than Cait sith. As they saw him, neither of his comrades said a word and with a little worry, the crowned cat asked, "Have ya still not been able to make a dent against Hari?"

Shaking her head Nozomi replied, "Not even a little!" With that looking up as she continued to direct more of her attacks against Zidane she continued on to say, "She's just too powerful!"

Nodding Mickey then went on to say, "Yeah and with her using Oralee's power, it's made her nearly-!"

"Aagghh!"

Suddenly even their valiant defender had finally been struck down by Hari's power and worried immediately for him, Nozomi got up and rushed over crying out, "Zidane!"

Quickly making her way over to him, with Mickey and Cait sith following hurriedly after her. She cried out, "Zidane! You okay?"

"Urgh, well I'm still intact!" Then as he lifted himself off the floor again he said, "She got faster and faster!" Then feeling bitterly frustrated thinking he was on the floor once more he cried out in frustration, "Darn it! She's just too powerful! She's practically-!"

"Indestructible?"

Gasping hearing this cold tone, everyone looked up and there they saw again Hari looking over them all and as she did with her cold green and single pink glowing eye she told them, "You are correct!"

No-one there knew what to do, or what to say then! They had no time to act! For-!

GLOW!

Hari's entire body began to glow with thunderous red power and as it did, she told them all, "Now it's time to finally commence, the reaping of your Fragments!"

Knowing this was being directed to Nozomi and Cait sith, Mickey knew had to do something! They had to hurry or-!

"FELLAS!"

Spooked everyone turned and there they saw returning it was none other than, "Kagi!? Pete!?"

Crying out seeing them there, Nozomi couldn't believe it!? What were they doing coming back to them!?

Zidane his shock quickly overcoming his pain shouted out, "What're you idiots doing here!? You were supposed to get away from Hari now come back!"
Kagi cried out, "We were trying to do that but-!"

"KAGI!"

"Whoa!"

Quickly pulling the green haired boy out of the way, Pete ran like crazy for then at that moment he had noticed Hari's aim! She had come to settle on them and when they had got maybe no more than some feet out of the way of her aim-!

BLAST!

Hari unleashed her scarlet red power! But as she did-!

HISS! HISS! HISS! HISS!

The Heartless that had come to slay both Pete and Kagi, along with Jona and Timbre who were still with them both. It was then the hordes of monsters were all destroyed in seconds turned into dark embers that faded into nothingness...

Seeing the giant smouldering hole where it was they would have have been struck if they'd even been a second later in running from. It sent horrible chills down their spines!
However before either of them could think to act or say anything-!

"So you have both returned..."

It was then that they saw Hari was now hovering over them both, her wings having now returned to her back once more. As they both saw this, neither of them knew what to say or do. For they knew still that she was still under orders to eliminate them both!

Knowing this they had no clue what to say, but in that moment of silence, "You will now have to suffer the consequences of that decision!" With those words she then charged towards them both!

Horrified Nozomi cried, "Hari no don't!"
But the deadly female Keyblade user didn't listen straight forwards to attack them both but then-!

"HOLY!"

Immediately Hari was struck in the back that slowed her down! But it didn't stop her attack as she continued to charge forwards!

Pete seeing this occur and looking between himself, Kagi and Hari herself... he made a fast choice!

SLASH!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

Horrified it was then that everyone saw at that moment that Pete was struck by a fast and serious blow from Hari herself!

"PETE!"

"CAPTAIN PETE!"

He grimaced from the blow and the shouts of terror, he felt like he would fall forwards any minute! But as it had made impact upon his body he took hold of it in both his hands!

Kagi watching on couldn't believe! Neither could Jona who'd rolled away in her shield ball with Timbre falling close beside her!

As he held it in his hands, he winced turning around and told him, "Hey runt! Get yerself out of the way of here! While ya can!"

"But-!"

"Just go! You ain't no use here!" Pete told him desperately. With that pulling drawing on what strength he could, he moved and punched Hari!

Nobody could believe these turns of events! But despite what they might thought of Pete in the past, his present self now outshone any of the misdeeds he might of caused then! Seeing him act so selflessly for him, Kagi was in awe... but he knew with sad reluctance that there really was nothing that he could do then! So quickly he ran, passing by the now fighting former accomplices!

Hari watching Kagi go, moved to try and pursue him! However-!

"Oh no ya don't!"

With that he fully grabbed her body! Doing this he pulled her close to him and held her tightly in his arms, doing this he told her desperately using all the strength he could, "I ain't let ya do it! I ain't let ya suffer no more!"

"Even though you continue to suffer?" Hari asked as she looked up to him with her cold green eyes.

"This ain't nothing!" He told her, then as he grimaced he told trying to still her struggling form, "If it means I can help ya in some way that's all that matters to me now!"
Hearing these words, it was then that Hari stopped for a moving. Looking up to Pete as he looked down to her, the overweight former villain was silent. Though her eyes were ice cold, seemingly unfeeling Pete though as he looked at her felt somehow... he could see something. Maybe?
Kagi making it over to the rest of the group asked, "Guys are you all-?"
"We've had better days! I'll tell ya that!" Zidane uttered still hurting. But as he looked over in the direction where Pete was still struggling to hold Hari down he said, "But we've really reached rock bottom if it's even taken a former bad guy to keep her fro attacking us!"
Never thinking she'd feel like this for him, Nozomi cried, "We gotta do something! For him! If we don't then-!"
"You lot barely have enough to keep yerselves lass! And I can't give ya more power without-!"

"I know that Cait sith! But we can't give up! We can't or-!"

FLASH!

"AAAGGGHHHH!"

Startled by this thunderous flash and scream of pain! It was then that to their horror that there now arriving on the scene. It was none than, "Oh no! Maleficent!"

For there came the terrifying mistress of darkness and as she arrived she had struck Pete with a powerful thunder spell! It was so strong that the villain collapsed, falling forwards which had caused him to lose his hold on Hari completely!

As she left Pete's grasp, the cold female Keyblader seeing the agitated state that Maleficent was in was quiet. However she didn't have to wait long to hear what it was that she wanted, "Hari! You will take the one that's blinded me! That Kagi now! You will take his Fragment right this moment!"

Hearing this order! Everyone was terrified! In the state they were in they couldn't-!

"Understood..."

With that Hari turned and in another moment, she charged again straight at Nozomi and the rest! Immediately Zidane acted, not wanting anyone to fall victim to unlocking he cried, "Oh no you don't!" However as he moved, Hari using Oralee's eye to see his thoughts moved and-!

SLASH!

"AGH!"

Zidane was immediately dispatched and thrown to one side!

Then as she continued to charge, Nozomi then rushed forwards herself! As she did, she cried out, "Mickey! Get Kagi out of here now!" Then in seconds-!

CLASH!

Their Keyblades collided and seeing this, Mickey knew she couldn't last long and quickly said, "Kagi c'mon! We gotta leave!"

"Yeah!" With that he ran trying to get as far as his legs would carry him!

Nozomi gritting her teeth against Hari told her, "Y'know! I never liked you through all this! But knowing how you came to be! This just makes me hate the ones who made you like this!"
"What's your point?" Hari questioned with that-!

CLASH!

"My point is this! I've never truly known you throughout this whole journey or adventure or whatever this is! But I know this, I can't let you have a worse broken heart than you already have!" With that she charged straight at Hari and with a huge charge she began to recite, "Blizza-!"

"Futile, Fire Blazer!"

BLAST!

"AGH!"

Suddenly Nozomi was struck hard by her own spell and as she was-!

SLASH!

Quickly struck aside by Hari's tremendous and terrible power! As she was, she fell to the floor hurting all over! But as Hari raced past her, Nozomi cried out, "Wait!"

Even Cait sith now couldn't help as he lay beside her, knocked out from that same blast of power!

Hearing her cry, Mickey seeing his comrade fall cried out, "Nozomi!" He had to do something! So stopping he said, "Kagi ya keep going!"

"But you majesty!" But it was too late! Kagi watched the Mouse King charge forwards! To engage with Hari himself!

As Hari sped forward towards him, he pulled his blade forwards becoming her final obstacle! Acting fast he went to strike her himself but-!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

She sliced into him instead!

"AGH!"

Then quickly he fell too to the floor. He was in agony, just like Nozomi and Zidane now were too. He then heard her chilling words,"All obstacles have been dispatched..." With that she began walking past Mickey to make it to her final target...

Kagi was still running trying to get away from Hari as fast as he could, he was almost close to making it to the stairs but-!

"Kali de dola Maelstrom!"

SMASH! SMASH! SMASH! SMASH! SMASH!

Countless swords came and in seconds and completely barred Kagi's path! He couldn't go forwards any more. There was now no possible way for him to escape any more! In moments turning back around Kagi shivered as he saw Hari aiming her Keyblade straight at him from a few feet away, as she did this he then watched as the end of her weapon began to glow brightly with power as it was getting ready to unlock him!

Mickey seeing this, though weakened tried to halt her! Crawling his way over to her, he grabbed her by her ankle, telling her, "Please... don't do this!"
However she didn't listen to him, then as her Keyblade began to gather more in power, Nozomi getting up herself was running as fast as she could to stop him, pleading desperately, "Hari don't! Please don't!"

However it was no use, then Kagi watching on knew there was nothing could do for him anymore. He was scared, he shivered but more than that... he was sorrowful, looking to Hari feeling tears coming to his eyes he told her, "I guess this is goodbye, huh?"

Hari didn't respond to this and it was then at that moment that her power had reached its peak!

It was then before the unlocking Kagi told her one last thing, "Hari...I'm sorry!"
Then at that exact moment, he could have been imaging it but the green haired boy thought for a moment the girl, who had been corrupted so badly quietly uttered herself to him, "I am too..."

GLOW!

Then finally... the heart breaking Unlocking was performed upon the Vessel of the Eighth Fragment...