Chapter LXVIII: The trials of the Coliseum part IV
On the arena floor Nozomi breathed in and out quickly regaining herself as she landed on the floor once again in front of the back left hand pillar. Her keyblade out and ready as she gazed at Nessus who was grinning sinisterly as he drove one of his hooves into the hard floor excitedly.
It had been a lot more difficult then she had first assumed that it would be, for Nessus though he was big he was also agile, she had only managed to land a few hits and barely avoided his enormous fists and hooves.
Looking at him with determination she whispered, "I've got to do better then this!"
Suddenly then without warning Nessus suddenly had a change of tactics as he then started to charge straight towards her at full pelt with a sharp toothed grin, his fists back.
Nozomi's eyes widened in shock as she suddenly realised, "oh no!!"
Quickly then she ran out of the way before he crashed into the side of the pillar making large cracks in the architecture.
In the midst of running and landing Nozomi turned to see what had happened but then suddenly from the dust Nessus emerged once again as he tried the same onslaught of pursuing her. Nozomi seeing this was far from pleased as she then quickly started to flee again as she whispered to herself, "this is so not fair!"
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Meanwhile watching from the audience seats the newcomer and his companion were watching the ensuing battle between the enormous centaur and the small keyblade girl.
Seeing her being chased around making dust left and right the smaller of the two laughed out loud as he pointed at her, "Ha ha look at that! Is that what we've gotta deal with! She's like a stupid scared little rabbit!"
The other with him looked at the battle with worry in her eyes as she had a hand to her mouth in anxious concern.
Her partner not seeing this turned and spoke to her as he asked, "well I doubt those guys are gonna cause us any trouble right?"
Then seeing her as she was doing the same old worrywart act once again he looked at her curiously and then away as he grinned widely again as he said, "you and me are gonna wipe the floor with them!"
The girl seemingly not hearing him spoke finally as she said worriedly, "I hope she doesn't get hurt too badly…"
At these words her partner looked at her in disbelief and then annoyance as he then moved over and smacked her on the head lightly as he said, "what are you doing!"
Having felt the impact from the blow the girl looked at him surprised and worried as she asked timidly holding her head, "huh?"
Her partner then looked at her with really annoyed eyes as he then said, "I have told you before! Over and over you cannot feel sorry for the enemy! Softness ain't gonna get you nowhere fast!"
Hearing these negative words the girl blinked for a moment and then became more saddened as she then tapped her fingers timidly together as she replied apologetically, "well… I can't help it… I mean I just feel bad for her having to face someone that big… and all on her own too… I just-"
However not having any of it her partner looked at her more annoyed then before as he told her, "just nothing! I ain't gonna let ya get soft on this! Sides do you wanna get locked up again! I don't! We gotta enjoy this freedom so long as we've got it, we can't afford that kinda stuff."
The girl hearing this looked at him sadly, for though she acknowledged it and knew it to be true… she just wished she didn't have to hurt anyone…
Her partner seeing see her do the same usual timid kid act then spoke, "honestly if you keep this up, I'm gonna nick your desert tonight!"
Hearing this the girl jolted at this thought and then became more depressed as she bowed her head away hiding her expression behind her long hair, seeing the reaction of his partner the boy got even more annoyed as he then thought to himself looking away, 'man… can't even rise up against that one… such a turn off… even if she is cute…'With that his hand under his chin he turned back to watch the battle unfold.
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Watching from the battle on the sidelines as Nozomi was struggling against Nessus, Phil Mickey Cait sith and Riku watched on with fixed eyes of concentrated agitation and worry.
Phil watching on was far from pleased at Nozomi's initial action plan and he was annoyed at Nessus for damaging his beloved pillar's so badly! He then muttered angry, "oh that twinkle toes is gonna have a lot to answer for before this day ends!"
However this was not on the other's minds as Cait sith then voiced out, "aw that daft banshee! She's gotta do better than this…"
Mickey though gazing at the battle tried to think of any possible ways he could think to voice out a winning strategy for Nozomi, but so far he wasn't coming up with anything.
Looking at her the king then spoke with worry in his voice, "I can't see any way for her to get anything at all at this rate…" For watching he saw that straight on attacks weren't completely a safe bet since Nessus would either throw her back with his fists or turn and strike with his strong hind legs. Also with all the chasing he was doing to her it didn't give her the chance to prepare any special attacks or use magic.
Riku looking on himself gripped his right hand fiercely for though he knew that she wouldn't be killed in the tournament, he like the others too wanted Nozomi to fight in the future tournament matches he then spoke himself, "don't you dare mess this up you idiot!"
Unlike the rest of them though besides everyone standing tall in his red cloak the mysterious man Vincent continued to watch on quietly, he was interested to see if this girl had any potential at all.
However Phil had had enough of being silent and so voiced his angry thoughts, "hey twinkle toes!"
Nozomi distracted by Phil's voice as he called out to her as she continued to run replied back agitated, "what!"
Glad to see that he'd gotten her attention Phil then called out to her once again, "c'mon kid concentrate! Remember yer trainin!"
Hearing him Nozomi was far from ecstatic as she called out mad, "like I have time right now to-"
Suddenly then as she turned to look where she was going she was confronted by a gloomy saddened distorted see through face, freaked out she cried out, "eeeekkk!"
Backing away with a start and shock she quickly saw that it was another one of the random ghosts, looking at it she then watched as it looked at her sadly and then faded away once again.
Looking at this dumbfounded as she watched it vanish she then spoke aloud with a sigh a hand to her startled heart, "man those things have got to stop poppin' up like all of a-"
Unfortunately due to her distraction and stationary position an enormous shadow leaned in over blocking the light that made Nozomi stop as suddenly before she could blink there was a sudden tightness around her middle as she was lifted into the air.
Feeling the awful grip on her middle Nozomi struggled to move as she tried to turn left and right writhing mad at being caught like this, she then cried out loud, "let me go! Let go!"
However suddenly she was then confronted by an unpleasant sight as she saw that Nessus had grabbed her as he looked at her with a sinister satisfied smile as he said, "got ya!"
Looking at his ugly mug she was immediately more put off as she continued to struggle as she then shouted out mad "put me down right now! You hear me!"
Hearing her childish outbursts Nessus only laughed loudly making Nozomi shudder at his loud voice as it hurt her ears as once again she heard him speak, "me letting you go now! What a joke! I ain't letting you go till I get an apology out of ya!"
At this proposal Nozomi just looked on dismissively but then suddenly before she could say another word there was an outburst, "put her down!"
Surprised at this call Nozomi then turned her head then to see Riku look on angrily as he smacked his fists against the invisible barrier that was in place.
Nessus surprised himself at this then only smiled more as he then asked mockingly, "aw what's wrong don't like me holdin onto ya little girlfriend here?"
Nozomi hearing this asked confused, "girlfriend?"
But then suddenly Cait sith landed on Riku's head as he then complained out loud himself, "Ya can shut yer face there ponytails! Playin dirty like that is a disgrace!"
"Me playin dirty! You should be sayin that about tiny here!" He spoke mad as he pointed then to Nozomi who then was insulted being referred to as short.
"Well at least she weren't holdin ya back! Ya didn't have the darned sense to even acknowledge her!"
"And why should I when-" And the angry banter between horseman and midget cat continued making everyone look on with extreme boredom and annoyance as the arguments went on for ages and ages.
Even Nozomi had stopped writhing in his hand as his grip had lessened and instead now she had a hand under her chin as she was now bored out of her head as she then muttered silently to herself, "this is gonna last all day at this rate…"
Silent like that looking around for a moment as she watched Nessus and Cait sith argue along with Riku who looked up at the small cat with irritation who was sat on his head, while the king looked on hesitantly as he wanted to stop this angry entourage but couldn't think of the right way to settle it.
While Phil looked on with the same expression of annoyance as he now had a ruined match and now an annoying debate, while Vincent was as silent and still as ever like a statue.
Looking at everything Nozomi then began to think herself, 'if only I could win this somehow… I haven't been able to prove myself at all… what can I do to impress Phil?"
She then began to think about why she hadn't even began to win in the first place, 'if I'd been able to get a hit in while was running around, I know would have had an advantage! But because of his size, arms and legs I wasn't even able to get in three decent hits!... If only he would have stopped moving around I could have-"
Suddenly it came over her! He wasn't moving now! And the way that she could stop him from further manoeuvres like before would be-
"Well at least I ain't some barbaric screwball who's goes and-"
However
Cait sith was interrupted as Riku had now picked him up off his head
as he looked at him awfully irritated as he then said with an annoyed
bitter eyes, "will you just shut up already!"
On this cue
seeing that the white topped boy being annoyed again Nessus then let
out a loud laugh again as he joked, "oh yeah ya sure have a well
instructed team! Well time to show miss rebel a little discipline…"
With that he moved his hand with Nozomi still in towards himself as he missed her deep thinking face, Riku, Mickey and Cait sith watching on at this little display were now awfully anxious for her well being.
Nozomi then finished with her little rushed up plan felt the tightness around her middle again making her really uncomfortable as she was turned back to Nessus as she saw he had his other hand and fist ready to give her the smack down.
Looking at it she was silent as then she heard him say, "you know, ya could have been a real find there… if ya didn't have such an ugly mouth… after all I like 'em fiery!"
Hearing the word fiery Nozomi then got an idea of how to initiate her little plan off as she then repeated, "fiery?"
With that Nessus gripped his fist harder as he was gonna let her have it right after this line, Nozomi then smiled with fierce determination as she spoke with agitation, "I'll give you fiery!"
With that she quickly acted as she called on her keyblade in a flash of light as she quickly aimed and then let the one magical word spill from her lips, "Fira!"
Nessus too shocked to react then suddenly had the fast and fiery spell hit him square in the face; he reeled back in pain releasing Nozomi in seconds as he cried out, "aaaaghhhhhh!!!"
Everyone was shocked at this little show as they all looked on dumbfounded, but Nozomi wasn't finished yet as she then released another entourage of spells as she aimed them right at Nessus' s legs, "Blizzard!" She cried out.
Then quickly in place huge chunks of ice formed in seconds as they encased around Nessus's legs freezing him into place in moments.
Recovering partially from that fire spell his hair charred slightly Nessus looked on with irritation and rage as he was gonna give it to her, "why you little-!" However he stopped as he then realised he couldn't move his hooves at all!
Looking at this shocked he then turned to Nozomi who had now started to run around in a fast and furious circle as she surrounded him her feet alight with the spell of haste and her wings.
Concentrating as hard as he could though it was impossible as Nozomi was going at a too fast a pace for him or even anyone else to catch up with! In his confusion Nessus looked to his right for a moment. But then as he did suddenly as he did it was then Nozomi made her moved in and struck him square on in the torso with her keyblade. She then landed quickly back on the arena floor once more as she looked up at him mad.
Nessus burning with his own fury himself then got one of his enormous arms out as he then aimed a hard and powerful punch down at her as he shouted mad, "you brat!!!"
Suddenly as he sent his fist flying forwards at her as she continued to look up at him angered, suddenly dust was sent flying everywhere as he struck.
Everybody then looked on with widened eyes as they all wondered if she'd gotten hit, even Phil was getting into it as he questioned the guys who were with him, "hey! Hey can you guys see anything! I can't see nothin with all that dust!"
Mickey, Cait sith and Riku all looking on with concentrated eyes all tried to make anything out too but, "I, I can't there's just too much stuff in the way ta see anythin!" The king cried.
Cait sith now on Riku's shoulder then turned and asked him, "oi snow top! Can ya see that there banshee? Do ya think she's done it?"
Hearing him ask the question Riku looked at him for a moment as he then turned back to the battlefield as he peered into the dust… quiet for a few moments he then could see something… and as he saw it his face then turned into a smile as he replied, "yup… she's okay all right."
Cait sith hearing him say this then turned to the arena himself to see what it was that Riku was talking about… it was then he saw that as the dust cleared away Nozomi standing on the ground her keyblade out as she had blocked Nessus's fist with it as she looked on fiercely.
Nessus dumbstruck with shock at what he was seeing then asked baffled, "how could of you have, what could have-!? " Suddenly then as he asked this question around the keyblade there was a fierce glowing as then something fluttered out of it.
What it was revealed to be was the ever reliable summon spirit of Maia that Nozomi had summoned quickly during her little distractive circle and had her enter the keyblade to reinforce it with a protect spell.
Her job finished she fluttered over Nozomi's shoulder as she smiled to her as Nozomi did the same to her as she gave a small nod as she faded away quickly. Nozomi then turned to Nessus as she then made to give him the finishing touch as she spoke to him, "I have only this to say… don't," with that she moved her keyblade back quickly making Nessus retract his arm and fist back in a hurry as he was still startled.
Then she said it, "Ever look down on me!!!" With that she performed her finishing move as she struck him then with radiating winged legs as she cried, "Astral Aerial Smash!!!" With that she finished with one final swift kick into his torso once more that then made Nessus go flying high into the air destroying the ice as he yelled loudly in alarm.
Watching him as he was sent flying everyone looked on with widened eyes as then suddenly he came tumbling down back to the earth as he struck into the arena floor making a cracked hole in the surface showing the force of the blow.
The dust clearing from the impact Nozomi ran forwards and looked over at him and saw he was dazed as tweeting birds and stars were flying around his head. Looking at this oddly there was then a huge cry and applause from the audience.
Looking around startled at this grand ovation Nozomi looked on baffled but then suddenly she realised what it meant… she'd done it… all on her own!
Smiling then she became ecstatic herself as she looked on brimming with happiness! She'd finally learned just a little bit of control!
Suddenly then from behind came a few calling voices, "Nozomi! Oi Banshee! Twinkle toes!"
Turning and looking behind her she then saw Phil, Mickey and Cait sith upon Riku's shoulder coming running over to her all of them too just as ecstatic, Vincent in the meantime walked off and out of the arena to wait for the next match he would play in.
Seeing them she waved to them, "guys!"
Finally they all gathered around her, Mickey was the first to speak to her "Nozomi! Well done! Congrats! Ya did it!"
Smiling glad to see this happy reaction from the king Nozomi replied, "thank you your majesty."
Cait sith then spoke, "banshee! Ya had us all worried there! I never thought ya'd have the spunk to do that!"
Nozomi then was a bit bashful slightly at this comment as she scratched her cheek slightly but then she spoke, "uh well… I just wanted to prove myself really that's all… I mean… well I just wanted you guys to see that I can stand on my own… cause well… I heard what you guys said before."
At this news it was then the atmosphere dimmed as they heard what caused Nozomi to do what she'd done.
Feeling the sudden depression in the atmosphere Nozomi was silent as she turned to look at Riku who looked at her for a moment and then away, she realised that once again her impulsive nature had caused trouble for everyone… she was working against what it was she was striving for.
Realising this she then looked down to him, "hey Phil?"
Hearing her and feeling the atmosphere around them he replied, "yeah what?"
Silent for a moment Nozomi then removed her hesitation as she then spoke, "listen… I'm sorry I caused all that trouble… I just wanted you all to believe in me, I just wanted to show that I can fight as well as anyone… so I wouldn't be a nuisance anymore."
Phil was quiet in serious thought as he listened to the motives that drove her, but then he heard the last of what she had to say, "… but I have been just a nuisance again… so I'll understand if you don't want me in the tournament okay?" With that she bowed her head down not looking at anyone.
There was then more silence as now it was up to Phil to decide if she was worth having in further matches. Stroking his beard as he gazed around at everyone and everything… he then decided his course of action.
Walking himself over to Nozomi he then quickly pulled on one of the veils on her trousers as he then gave it a hard and strong tug as he then made Nozomi topple backwards onto the floor.
Hitting her backside hard painfully she complained loudly, "hey! What was that for! Why'd you-"
Suddenly then Phil walked on over to her as he then pointed straight at her face making her look at him perplexed… silent she then heard him speak, "I've got three words for ya, You, Need, More, Training!"
Blinking as everyone else did the same Nozomi was silent as she then heard the rest of what Phil had to say, "I liked the little speech there, and I can see that yer able to realise yer mistakes and learn from 'em, and so… I'd say ya've managed to change my mind on that part…"
Hearing this explanation Nozomi was still silent but then the king spoke for her, "so ya mean that you'll?"
With that Phil made a firm nod as he said, "yup I'll let her in now too… after a hard ounce of trainin!"
Listening to this news Nozomi was silent but then hearing this fantastic news she was delighted as she cried, "yes! Oh thank you!" She then gave Phil a tight hug as she lifted him slightly.
Perplexed as he felt this happen Phil then cried getting bashful himself, "hey! Hey! Hey! C'mon don't go all girly on me now!"
At this everyone all around all began to laugh at this awkward display of affection, Nozomi smiling brightly herself then finally let Phil out of her arms as she saw he wasn't so bad after all.
Finally out of the embrace Phil then dusted himself off as he walked away slightly and took the king to one side as he planned out a suitable training session for them all, seeing them walk Cait sith then decided to walk on over too to see what they'd discuss.
Seeing the two walk away it was then Riku decided to act then himself, walking over to Nozomi who was still on the floor he then reached a hand down to her, "hey?" He spoke.
Turning as she heard him Nozomi looked up and then asked "huh?"
Seeing she hadn't got it Riku then said, "wanna a hand up?"
Getting it Nozomi then was silent and then grateful she smiled, "oh yeah thanks!"
With that she reached her own hand out and was then pulled up back onto her feet, doing so she released her hand from his as she then dusted herself off slightly getting rid of anything that was still attached.
Riku seeing her do this then spoke once again, "you know… you can also believe in us a little more."
Hearing him say this Nozomi asked, "huh? Believe?"
Riku then nodded, "yeah… cause I know at the time it might have seemed like we were against it… it's just that you've been through a lot lately, and we thought it would be good if you had a break, that's why we said what we did then."
Nozomi listening to this news then was surprised and then she felt bad slightly herself for doubting them but then thinking of it more positively she replied, "I see now… well thanks for thinking of me like that… but, I'm not good at sitting and doing nothing… and well… I gotta work just as hard as you guys too… so you can see Sora again… and stuff, I guess I… thanks."
She almost felt shy talking like this to him… it wasn't always that Riku was this nice to her, but he had become a lot nicer lately which she couldn't deny she was enjoying.
But then suddenly before any other words could be exchanged between the two of them she felt another tugging on her legs again making her being pulled forwards.
Feeling herself becoming unbalanced slightly Nozomi looked down then to see Phil pulling on her trouser veils as he then spoke, "well breaks over! We've got trainin! Trainin and more trainin to do!"
Hearing this news Nozomi wasn't surprised but then she complained lightly, "All right all right! Will you just let go before I trip up!"
With that she was led over to Mickey and Cait sith who were both waiting for them all. Riku seeing her being led off like this let out a small sight himself as he scratched his head slightly but then made his way over to everyone.
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Back in the audience stands the boy was now even more interested than he had been before at this turn of events, grinning once again he spoke, "well… looks like it won't be so boring after all."
His partner was just silent as she continued to look down at the arena and didn't know what to say at all but then he spoke again, "right time for us to get goin!"
Hearing him say this she asked, "going?"
Turning he then grinned saying, "that's right to the boss, we gotta report this to him!"
Listening to this she nodded slightly and with that the two of them vanished from sight into a swirl of darkness, as it emerged delivering to their awaiting master.
Hari and Pete in the meantime who had also been watching the unfolding events from the roof were both quiet as they sat…but then it was Pete who then spoke, "well whattya know that little runt's got stronger!"
Listening to him Hari then replied in her cold tone, "indeed… it is almost time then."
Hearing her say this Pete inquired, "Time? Time for what?"
At this though Hari did not answer as she instead got up and then walked a small distance as she too called upon a portal of darkness, "let us make our way back to the underworld… Hades awaits us."
Pete quiet then complied to this suggestion as he then got his enormous self up and then quickly made his way over to her, than making his way over he gazed at her as the two of them disappeared into the portal of darkness as he wondered once more about her mysterious past.
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"AAAAGGGHHHHH!!! That's it I'm gonna give it to ya! You little-" However Nessus stopped in mid sentence as he looked around utterly baffled to see the arena and audience seats empty as he'd been abandoned and left behind.
A quiet lonely wind blew in the distance.
