Chapter LXV: The trials of the Coliseum part I

Sitting upon her dark shrouded throne Maleficent listened as Hari informed her of what had transpired in the world she had returned from, then after many moments of patient listening Hari finished her report.

Quiet for a few moments fitting all the events together she then voiced her thoughts, "So I see… that fool Rattiagan was an incompetent fool after all."

Bowing her head down in agreement Hari replied her eyes closed, "correct my lady."

Pete in the meantime standing a little further away watched on with unsure eyes, as he had been sent back while Hari terminated the contract with Rattigan and had not seen the aftermath between the two. On a personal note though he was glad not to have gone lest he receive another enraged onslaught from the former genius.

But then he wondered what on earth it was they should do next, for Maleficent still had something to tell them which once again he hadn't been informed about.

Then at that moment their commanding lady once again spoke, "and the group that you have been pursuing? What has become of them at this moment?"

Pete then watched as Hari then lifted her head and opened her green eyes once more as she then reported, "from what I witnessed the three of them were in combat with our former contractor… and once again the seeker's power activated and they are now in a different world."

This information peeking her interest raised one of her eyebrows as Maleficent then inquired, "and which world are they in now?"

Hearing her question Hari was silent for a moment but then quietly she closed her eyes once more and lifted a hand to her chest as she held it over her heart, Pete continuing to watch on from a distance then saw her glowing around Hari was a red aura that made her hair waver too and throw from it' power. He was fascinated by it once more for he could not help but be transfixed every time she used that mysterious power.

Watching her servant's glow quietly for a few moments the aura then dissipated around her as she dropped her hand from her chest as she opened her eyes reaching a conclusion, "it is a world with white columns and pillars, with torches of fire and the sounds of swords striking swords… in a grand arena."

Hearing this description Maleficent and Pete both recognised it in seconds, smiling then as she heard this information it was then she decided the course of action to take, "I see then… so they have reached the coliseum, this will prove to be of some valuable interest…"

Pete hearing this then decided to speak as he stepped forward cautiously as he asked, "so uh? What would ya have us do then Maleficent?"

Seeing her bumbling accomplice come forwards she smiled more in humour as she then replied, "I think it t'would be best if you paid an old ally of ours a visit… I have heard of late that he is still struggling… I would like you both to propose a little arrangement to him…"

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"Owww…." Moaned a painful voice, for once again she landed uncomfortably with a slight headache, lying face down her head in the sandy ground.

"Man… why do we always have to have such bad landings?" Nozomi groaned as she then manoeuvred herself rolling over onto her back as she now stared up into a blue serene sky, the light was almost blinding as she hadn't seen a bright day like this for quite a long while.

"Blame the one who launches us in the first place," came a familiar irritated voice, as Riku had landed as well not too comfortably.

Nozomi hearing him though wasn't in the mood as she simply planted her right hand over her eyes trying to protect her eyes from the sunlight still not completely prepared for it, then looking at it she saw that she had at last returned to human form which was at least something to celebrate as a smile came to her lips.

"Well at least we've made it all here together right?" Came the more calm happy awkward voice of king Mickey.

Smiling a little more as she heard this voice suddenly another voice sounded whom they hadn't heard in a long long time, "ya got that right mouse cheeks!"

Hearing this voice her eyes widened Nozomi quickly turned over and looked still lying on the floor while Mickey and Riku looked on with surprise as well to see that their travelling magical cocky comrade Cait sith was awake once more.

He looked up at everyone his arms folded as his tail wagged slowly behind him back and forth, looking at him Nozomi almost couldn't believe it as she began to say, " Cait sith you're-" but then suddenly she felt that all too familiar touch of his gloved hand as he pressed into her nose as he then told her, "banshee for the life of ya! Ya've got to learn to land on both ya feet!"

Listening to this lecture Nozomi then just got disgruntled as she replied annoyed, "well nice to see you again as well! And it might be easy for you to say that but I'm not a cat!"

Seeing that they were beginning to get into their usual antics Mickey quickly intervened, "yeah well anyway it's great to see that yer back with us Cait sith! It was kinda a bit quiet without ya."

Turning away from an angered Nozomi his fists up ready for another banter between them he then replied to the king, "Well it's great to be back! Sides I bet ya rolly lot we're struggling with out me eh?"

At these words Riku then replied to their small friend, "well… can't really argue with you there," for though he didn't want to admit it, but he would really be in trouble if not for Cait sith's magic.

Grinning as he heard this reply he then spoke out proudly once more, "ya see I know all!"

At this still disgruntled Nozomi looked annoyed as she then spoke, "well your ego is still as is big as ever!"

His ears pricking at this comment he then turned and looked at her again annoyed as he then pointed at her provokingly again as he spoke to her once more, "don't ya go and upset me again lass! Otherwise I'm gonna go and take another long nap!"

At this info this was something that had not been mentioned when they were both told Cait sith had taken his long nap, Riku looking at her suspiciously asked, "Upset again?"

Feeling everyone's eyes on her making her uncomfortable and unfairly pressured for a few very long moments Nozomi complained loudly, "all right! All right! I'm sorry! I don't want you having a nap again okay!"

Grinning immensely at his victory Cait sith spoke again, "as ya should be! Now then… where might we be this time?"

At this question it was then everyone took a proper look around themselves for the first time, as they saw then that they were in the middle of a bare sandy area, looking to their right they saw two huge golden statues their swords raised as they pointed towards one another heroically over a pillared doorway, then turning to their left they saw another huge door with lightning bolts decorated over it's white timbres. On the walls opposite the doors there were huge purple boards with scrolls of writing over them as well as torches lit left and right.

Looking at everything it was then Nozomi spoke her first thoughts, "well this has got to be one of the barest worlds I've ever seen." For there wasn't really much there that could be talked about.

However as the king and Riku looked around they all had speechless expressions, Nozomi seeing them with these faces asked deeply puzzled, "hey? Is there something up?"

Riku turning and looking at her with an amazed face spoke his thoughts, "this is the coliseum!"

Hearing the name Nozomi looked confused as she repeated puzzled, "Coli… seum?"

Cait sith looking at her asked, "oh c'mon lass don't tell me ya've never heard of a coliseum before?"

Listening to this response Nozomi answered, "well… I mean, yeah I am sure I have heard that name… um…" with that she put a hand to her head as she tapped her forehead trying to remember.

Riku however was still amazed that they'd made it to here of all worlds! Because if they were lucky perhaps! He turned to the king and asked him, "your majesty! Do you think he might be here?"

Mickey hearing him still recovering from the amazement spoke, "uh well… perhaps maybe, if we're real lucky."

Riku smiled at this, as he couldn't contain his excitement that maybe he would be here! With that he moved getting himself up as the king did the same.

Nozomi in the meantime still on the floor thinking hard still being gazed upon by Cait sith then suddenly caught onto something as she then removed her hand and balled it into a fist and smacked her open palm saying, "oh I remember! It's an ancient place right! Where they used to have jousts and fights and stuff! Like an arena."

Hearing her say this Cait sith was glad to see that she wasn't a complete and total loss as he replied, "well… I don't think they had jousts lass, but yer right on the dot for it bein a place to battle, it's one of them places where great warriors gather and prove themselves in battle."

Listening intently to this info Nozomi's eyes lit up at this thought of being able to prove her worth in battle as she responded, "wow cool!" With that she turned to talk to Mickey and Riku as she said, "Hey guys! Do you think we could-"

However she stopped as she saw that they'd vanished! Looking around quick puzzled and confused she then saw that the two of them disappear into the front doors of the coliseum leaving her behind!

Seeing this she blinked for a moment but then she got angered as she got up and complained angrily, "hey don't leave me behind here! You guys are all heartless!" With that she jumped up on her feet to chase after them.

Cait sith in the mean time watching as she ran on looked on into the sky with a saddened serious expression on his face as he whispered quietly, "your majesty… please be safe."

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Meanwhile in the darkest and dreariest places of all the earth, deep in the saddened skull shaped castle of the underworld two voices spoke in absolute anxiousness. The room was dark thorny and had pointed decorations all over the place some pillars forming into sharp smiled evil grins.

"Oh man! Oh man! Oh man! This is so no good…" a small pint sized green mint coloured demon spoke, his sharpened claws in his mouth showing his desperateness as his yellow eyes darted left and right.

Then next to him another small raspberry purple demon echoed his thoughts though he was plumper and round in shape, "I know! I know but what're we gonna do! Without the boss here to manage everythin' we can't do zip all!"

For the one who they referred to as their boss the volcanic tempered lord of the underworld, Hades had now been trapped in the sea of souls for nearly three months! And during that time with no lord of the dead to manage everything the whole place was in chaos with ghosts littering left and right! Some even escaping to the surface which neither imp could do much about.

Panic the green imp spoke, "well we could uh? Um… maybe we oughta make a long rope like a ladder or somethin and lower it in! Then the boss could climb out!"

Hearing this plan the raspberry coloured imp Pain replied with his answer ecstatic with happiness, "yeah! Yeah that's it we'll make a rope and-"

However then the reality came forth in his mind as he replied in despair "oh no! That plan'll never work! That whole place is made of a sea of fire! Even if we put the rope in it'll just get burned to a crisp! And even if did survive it'll just get aged and withered before it even reaches tha bottom!"

This idea a flop Panic was utterly deflated as he then said, "oh… right…"

Quiet for a few moments trying to think of another way they could save their beloved boss, it was then Pain replied, "hey! Why don't we get somebody to help the boss out!"

At this idea Panic became extremely dismissive, "and who on earth would wanna do that?! I mean we're talking about the lord of the dead! There ain't gonna be nobody who'll just say 'oh yeah I'll just go in and dive in and save the lord of death and in the meantime age into an old bag of bones'!!!"

Hearing this angry out cry from his partner Pain cowered from him as his rage could nearly match their master, but then before more of a debate could occur between them, "did I hear there that old Hades be in need of a rescue!"

At this both the imps turned around startled and speechless as Pete appeared and walked towards them and next to him was a strange girl they hadn't met before who looked on with cold eyes.

Seeing the bosses old accomplice they both cried out, "Pete!"

Proud they recognised him he spoke triumphantly, "in the flesh!" He then laughed loudly as he put his hands on his hips.

Hari quietly watched on beside him as the two imps came running up to them as they both got on their knees as they started to plead, "oh Pete! Pete! You don't know miserable we've been! Everythin's a mess and oh!"

Seeing them doing this he couldn't help but be pleased that he was being worshipped in some way as he then said, "that's right! That's right! That be who I am! I'm the one who'll help fix all yer problems!"

Hari watching on at this pointless behaviour from the two imps then turned her gaze to Pete as she said quietly yet decisive, "Pete… if you would please."

Hearing his partner talking to him he looked at her and saw her cold gaze and realised fun time was over as he then said, "oh uh? Yeah that's right!" With that he coughed into his big right hand loudly making Pain and Panic both stop in seconds as then he spoke once more, "now you guys were sayin that old Hades is trapped right?"

The question asked Pain was the one who answered, "yeah! That's right he's-"

Panic interrupted, "in the vortex of souls in the underworld coliseum we used before! And he's-"

Pain then annoyed butted in too, "been trapped down there for three months nearly and he can't get himself out! And we can't do anything either and-"

However then Hari was the one who interrupted making the two imps look up at her finally acknowledging her presence, "where is this vortex that you speak of?"

Blinking at the girl as she asked them neither imp knew how to respond to her as they saw her cold gaze but then it was Pete who spoke not liking them gawking at her weirdly, "so c'mon where's this vortex thing?"

Snapping their attention back to Pete the both of them stuttered for a few moments feeling stupid but then quickly together they both responded, "follow us!"

With that the two of them scampered forwards as they led both Hari and Pete into the deepest and darkest pit of the underworld.

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Making it through the doors Nozomi looked inside the small room that Mickey and Riku had run into, quickly shutting the door behind her she stomped in angrily as she then said, "how dare you leave me behind like that! Do you want us to get separated again is that-!" But then as she walked in she suddenly looked around and saw her surrounding and saw around the room dotted left and right were trophies piled up on the many shelves, looking at them all wondering who had won them she was snapped back to attention by Mickey who spoke apologising, "oh sorry there Nozomi, ya see Riku and me are a bit excited about being here."

Hearing him say this Nozomi was puzzled as she asked, "excited? Why? Are you guys wanting to enter a tournament or something?"

Listening to her question the king laughed a little awkwardly, "Uh well uh, not quite ya see… we think it might be a possibility that Sora might be here."

That name said Nozomi's ears pricked up, "Sora? You mean Riku's friend?!"

Nodding glad she knew him he then said, "yeah that's right he often fought here and entered matches and you see the trophies?'

Listening to this question Nozomi looked around at them again as she saw the lot on the shelves under the glow of the many torches as she then turned and replied, "yeah?"

The king then responded smiling cheerfully, "well Sora won all of these."

Her eyes widened at this as she looked at one of the trophies and saw sure enough the name carved into the nameplate as she then echoed amazed, "he won all of these!"

Riku in the meantime having been listening and watching getting impatient as he stood against the wall his foot tapping then responded, "that's right… he often competed here."

Hearing this from him as she looked over the king she gazed at his impatient mood and then turned back to Mickey as she aimed the question at them both, "how do two know about all of this? Did you guys ever compete in the matches?"

The question asked the king looked at her as did Riku for a few quiet moments, Nozomi unsure why they did looked behind her for a moment and then back ahead as then finally Riku responded, "no… neither of us ever did."

Blinking at this reply Nozomi then turned to Mickey again who looked up at her as he answered, "uh well you see… the two of us would sometimes come here to check up on things to see how they were doing from time to time."

Hearing this explanation Nozomi then replied, "oh I see!... Well why don't we go in and enter a tournament?"

Listening to this proposal Riku then responded dismissively, "us enter? Why should we bother to do that?"

Nozomi hearing this looked at Riku surprised at this change as he'd been so hyped up only a few short moments ago but recovering from this attitude change she responded, "well… I mean why not? We might meet Sora in a match right? And also…"

With that she went quiet as she thought about something seriously, the king seeing this quiet mood come over then nudged her to continue as he asked gently, "and also?"

Nozomi was deep in thought as she remembered back to when Rattigan had stabbed her with his sharp-clawed nails, she then put a hand to her stomach feeling a dull pain as she felt the memory. She didn't want to be caught out like that again and be a nuisance to everyone as she then responded looking up, "well… I think it would be good training… cause I want to become someone reliable and strong… and I've yet got to do that."

Listening to her deep thinking reply the others were quiet for a moment but then Mickey replied before Riku got a chance, "all right… I'd say that's a good enough reason if any, right?" The king spoke as he turned and looked at Riku.

Hearing the king speak Riku looked at him for a moment, as he paused then he turned and looked at Nozomi's determined expression as he knew gazing at her that once she had her mind set on something there was no way to argue as he replied with a sigh, "all right… it's better than do nothing."

Smiling as she heard this reply Nozomi happily nodded as she spoke cheerfully, "yeah!"

With that she then walked forwards slightly as she looked around herself and then spoke, "so who do we have to speak to get in the tournament?"

At this question it was then Riku responded, "that's the problem… he's not here and-" but then he quickly stopped as Nozomi was now looking at the entrance of the arena as she saw a rope barring the way with a small sign saying, 'arena closed for training.'

Seeing this Nozomi looked at it curiously as she then turned and asked, "well why don't we just go in and see if someone's there?"

Riku gazing at her for a moment then looked on with a dismissive and annoyed look as he replied, "because it's says it's closed that means we-"

However not listening Nozomi pulled the rope down ignoring the sign as she waltzed on in, Riku and the king looking at her as she walked on began to speak, "hey Nozomi you can't-" "Nozomi it's not good to-"

But then suddenly another voice started to call out from the other closed door loudly as he pounded with his white-gloved hands, "will ya Dafts let me in!!! I've been stuck out here for ten minutes already!"

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Finally at their destination the group of villains stared into the bottomless swirling pit of the vortex of souls as it flowed angrily with it's green inferno with the many suffering souls within.

Cowering at the angry glow of it Pain and Panic hugged each other for dear life at the size of the horrible thing as it roared as it turned, it was then that nervously that Panic replied pointing, "and… that's it…"

Pete looking into the bottomless pit himself gulped uncomfortably from the sight of it as he spoke a little nervous his pride quickly evaporating as he turned to the two imps, "so uh? Down there is he?"

Pain and Panic both nodded hurriedly, Pete looked at the pit again and felt his knees go weak from the sight of it… the idea of going down there made him tremble but then he decided to speak, "well I guess we gotta go dive in and scoop him out huh?"

At this question suddenly Pain and Panic both rushed their heads in a shake as then Pain quickly spoke, "ya can't just go divin in there! That's literally a sea of death in there! Anyone who goes in will age way rapidly and when ya reach the bottom… that's the end."

Pete hearing the reality of what this pool really was took several steps back now truly terrified as he said, "oh… I get ya…"

Hari in the meantime in her emotionless state then replied herself, "I see then…" with that she reached her arms into the pool of swirling green as it hissed angrily at her touch.

Panic and Pain stared at her terrified as suddenly Pete cried out, "HARI WHAT"RE YA DOIN!!!"

With that he ran forwards and pulled her away from the pool in seconds, he held her arms and saw with terror they'd become aged and wrinkled from moments from just being in the pool, seeing this he looked at her angrily as he told her off, "what do ya think yer doin! Didn't ya hear what them two said! This stuff is dangerous to-"

However Hari replied still as cold as ever as she gazed up at him, "there is no need for your concern."

Hearing her say this so calmly Pete complained once more, "what do ya mean no need! Look at yer-" but then as he looked down again at her arms and saw with amazed eyes her skin becoming smooth soft and vibrant once more in seconds.

Gazing at them speechless he then looked at her again and saw once more her expression was still as unchanged as she replied logically, "the water of this pool has only effects for some seconds, if I am quick about this there will be no cause for alarm."

Panic and Pain watched as Pete looked at the strange girl with troubled eyes as he began to say, "but what if ya can't do it in time… I mean what'll I? How can ya?-"

Hari once more then closed her eyes as she quickly withdrew her arms from his strong ones smacking them away strongly, she then turned around and in seconds in a flash of light her keyblade revealed itself in her right hand as she held it poised concentrating, 'the one winged angel.'

Pete then watched as did Pain and Panic as Hari lifted the keyblade into the air and with it suddenly her red aura glowed around her again but this time it began to glow brighter and brighter as it almost became blinding burning over her entire being, they all watched on awestruck as then all the energy gathered into the blade of her keyblade as it became a thundering and blinding entity and with that she called out her mechanical wings from her back as she jumped and flew high into the air.

With all of her energy and powered gathered she positioned herself high over the pool as she then did a gentle powerful gliding spin in the air as she opened her cold green eyes speaking unemotionally, "Diablo's guillotine…"

With that suddenly thundering like fire and lightning all melded into one her power struck out making a huge blade like shape in the air as it struck a clean slice into the swirling green vortex.

It was quiet for a few moments as there seemed to be no reaction what so ever… but then suddenly the water inside suddenly swirled angrily and chaotically as it then suddenly ceased to move as then suddenly a huge enormous line was sliced into the water as burning red energy swirled angrily inside.

Both awestruck at this awesome malicious power Pete, Panic and Pain then watched as Hari quickly flew into the stilled green pool… there was an eerie silence as the thundering and flowing of the water had ceased.

Pete still wide eyed wasn't sure or not if time had stopped… and so carefully and quietly gazed into the pool and saw that the water still wasn't moving… but then he couldn't see either Hari or Hades… quietly beyond nervous he then spoke, "uh… Hari?"

Nothing greeted him but silence… he wasn't sure what to do at all as his emotions were all a mess inside not wishing to be sorted at all as he collapsed onto his knees drained.

Panic and Pain gazing at him as he did this didn't know how to react themselves… but then suddenly there was splash sound of some kind, making them look up puzzled.

Pete not hearing the noise spoke quietly saddened, "Hari…"

But then suddenly with no warning in a flash quicker than the eye making Pete stumble back in utter shock emerged Hari as she continued to beat her metallic wings too and fro and there on her shoulder drenched in the green slimy liquid as she carried his slouching form was none other than Hades.

Gazing at her bewildered beyond reason for a fair few moments suddenly the pool once again proceeded to swirl and turn angrily once more, Panic and Pain seeing their master alive cried out, "Boss!!" With that they both ran forwards delighted.

Hades coughed as he felt horrible and groggy all over… his hair had been put out leaving him bald, he then opened his eyes tiredly as he said, "geez Louis… what trip that was."

Pete gazed at Hari still on the floor awestruck by her overwhelming power as he continued to sit upon the floor. But then a thought struck him… he was completely useless compared to her.

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Meanwhile back in the grounds of the coliseum Nozomi emerged once more into the warm sunlight and had now arrived on the arena, looking all around to her left and then her right she saw rows and rows of audience seats and in the distance there was a barred cage where she assumed monsters came from.

Then she turned and gazed at the arena itself and saw curiously a lot of hurdles stacked around the whole place making an enormous circle like a makeshift racecourse on the white marble.

Getting up on the arena itself she then looked up and saw with happiness once more the warm sunlight as she smiled breathing everything in, she then spoke, "so this is a coliseum huh?"

"Hey!"

A voice quickly snapped her out of her thoughts as she looked around hurriedly saying, "huh? What?'

"Why don't you go and get me one of those big pots from over there?" Came the voice once again.

Nozomi looking around still confused at where the voice had come from then suddenly looked down and saw in front of one of the hurdles was a short man, he was plumped and round and had his back turned as he was fixing up one of the jump hurdles… but what puzzled Nozomi more than anything was the fact that his legs were that of a goats and were hairy all over.

Looking at him oddly Nozomi then saw that he was pointing in a certain direction; looking then to where he was pointing she saw suddenly a long row of huge brown ceramic pots with white and black Greek patterns all over them.

Staring at them Nozomi then turned back to the goat man as she asked, "you mean you want me to-?"

However she was interrupted as he repeated annoyed, "just go get one of 'em! Come on I ain't got all day!"

Nozomi not liking the tone he spoke in replied irritated herself, "fine… geez." With that she walked on over and bent her knees down to pick one of them up… lifting one though she found was more difficult then she imagined as she thought mad to herself, 'this is what one of these things weigh!' She then began to uncomfortably move the pot forwards gritting her teeth as she held on tight walking to the stage, she thought mad to herself 'you're kidding! I'm gonna get smooshed to death!"

However she was persistent as she cautiously walked up to the arena and took a step up on the sandy coloured floor, but then suddenly entering themselves after letting in an enraged Cait sith and having an earful of complaints Riku and Mickey arrived.

Seeing her Mickey cried out, "Nozomi!"

Distracted she turned around saying, "huh?" But then all at once her natural clumsiness kicked in as she tripped up on her feet and with that she fell forwards and then with an all mighty crash the pot was smashed to pieces.

The noise pricking the goat man's sensitive ears he turned around and saw with alarm that his beloved pot had been smashed and the munny and HP balls were spilt everywhere!

"Oh Zeus's halo no!!" With that he ran forwards to the destroyed remains of his apparatus, Nozomi in the meantime got up as she rubbed her aching nose crying, "Owww! That hurt!"
With that Mickey, Riku and Cait sith ran forwards as they rushed to her aid, meanwhile the goat man had arrived in front of Nozomi and now spoke, "look at this! Do you have any idea how much these pots are worth! What gave ya the idea to lift one of these up!"

Listening Nozomi was getting quietly irritated that he hadn't even bothered to think on the fact that she'd hurt herself as she replied angrily looking at his bearded face, "Well look who's talking! You're the one who told me to pick up the stupid thing!"

The angry goat man was then about to give her another angry batch of complaints when suddenly Riku Mickey and Cait sith arrived, quickly Mickey got on his knees as he helped her up with his hand, "are ya all right Nozomi?"

Rubbing her nose as she got up as she replied cringing, "well the only thing really badly hurt is my pride."

The goat man looking at the lot of weirdo's who turned up then spoke to them angrily, "and what are you lot supposed to be her groupies! I wrote on the sign for no one to come in here!"

Nozomi was getting more and more mad at this goat man but then Riku quickly spoke before she made any more dumb mistakes, "yeah we know… we tried to stop her but she wouldn't listen."

Hearing this the goat man then angrily replied, "well ya oughta learn to keep her on a leash we can't have girls running around Willy nilly! This a serious place here!"

With that he continued on with his lecture Nozomi in the meantime was even angrier and was about to set herself off when suddenly Mickey interjected, "wait there! Phil don't ya remember me!"

At these words Phil suddenly stopped his angry complaints as he turned and looked at Mickey… everyone was quiet for a few fair moments as Phil looked at the king with a puzzled expression but then he creased his eyebrows and now had a concentrated stare as he stroked his beard.

Suddenly then it dawned on him as he spoke hurriedly, "ah hey! You're not Mickey are ya? The king Mickey!"

Relieved that he'd been recognised Mickey sighed as he spoke, "Yup that's it!"

At once Phil's angered expression was dropped in seconds as he then gleamed happily as he then spoke, "wow hey! It's been a long time! What're ya doin here?"

Nozomi watching him suddenly change couldn't believe it! Was she that easy to cast aside! Watching on irritated she suddenly then felt Cait sith land on her head as he watched on quietly from high up.

The king in the meanwhile shook hands with Phil as he told him, "well ya see we've just arrived and we were wonderin' if Sora's come this way?"

At these news Phil's eyes brightened, "Sora? Oh yeah! That's right he came here lookin for you and uh what's his name…" with that he turned his gaze to Riku as he quietly sighed and then replied, "me… Riku?"

Nodding Phil continued to speak, "yeah that's right! He passed a while ago."

Hearing this info Nozomi quickly forgot her anger and was now very interested in meeting this infamous 'Sora' as she asked, "Is he here now?"

Riku quietly felt his excitement begin to build up inside himself as he prayed that maybe… but, "I'm afraid yer out of luck there, he passed here quite a long while ago, he seemed quite panicked about you two guys."

Nozomi quietly listening then was puzzled as to why Sora would be panicked but then again it made her wonder once more a question that she hadn't thought about in a long time, mainly about how Riku and Mickey had known about her already?

But before she could think any deeper about the subject it was then the king spoke, "oh… that's too bad ain't it?"

Riku his hopes dashed felt his shoulders droop as he gazed down sadly, Nozomi then noticed this change as she saw his pained face. Quiet she felt really sorry for him at missing the prospect at seeing his old friend again which then made her think of Wairu once more.

Cait sith watching from Nozomi's head then spied her hesitatingly moving closer over to him as she moved her hand over to touch his shoulder comfortingly but then suddenly stopping her in her tracks Phil spoke, "but hey! You know? Why don't you guys stay here for a while?"

Hearing this Riku looked up making Nozomi detract her hand quickly as he asked, "what us?"

Phil then replied, "Sure, besides from the look of you guys you all need trainin' anyways."

These words spoken Nozomi was surprised to see that he was letting them all off the hook easily and before she could speak it was then Mickey spoke once more, "wow thanks a lot there Phil and uh… sorry for messin yer pot up."

Phil looking at the broken remains that still were there on the floor he replied, "oh no prob! Sides they were gonna get smashed in the trainin' anyway!"

Nozomi then felt her rage return in full force as she held her hands tightly as she then cried out angry, "well if you were gonna have it smashed in the first place what did you yell at me for!"

Phil stopping in his tracks looked up at the angry girl as he spoke looking sceptic, "and who might this miss twinkle toes be?"

Angered still she made her reply, "my name is Nozomi! Thanks a lot! And I'm gonna train too!"

These words coming out of her mouth Phil paused for a moment looking dumbstruck as everyone looked at him oddly but then suddenly all at once he let out a huge burst of laughter making everyone jump as he collapsed onto the floor at the hilarity of the idea.

Not getting it Nozomi then watched as he wiped a tear away from his eyes as spoke getting up, "oh that's rich! You little miss twinkle toes able to fight."

Truly enraged at this comment Nozomi was about to reply when suddenly Cait sith voiced himself, "oi ya daft goat legs! Don't be diss'n this here banshee! Sure she's clumsy and a bit of a bubble and rude!( this making her more irritated.) But she's got fightin' spirit! She triumphed over more stuff than ya could count!"

Phil his happy laughing face dropping he looked up at Cait sith as he asked him, "and who the heck might you be?"

It was then that on his head he called out strongly, "the name's Cait sith! The greatest cat of 'em all!"
Phil hearing this then looked at Nozomi his gaze still suspicious though Nozomi did her best to look fierce and determined to show her strength (glad for the morale boost from Cait sith).

It was then a smile decorated Phil's features as he said, "so you can fight huh?... Well ya can prove it to me on the course!"

Happy that at least she had been accepted on this front Nozomi replied fiercely feeling herself burning for a challenge, "let me at it!" With that everyone hurried and got ready for some serious training from the legendary Philitities.