Chapter LXX: The trials of the Coliseum part VI
Once again inside the darkness of the underworld Ori and Saria stood ready as Pain and Panic stood before them as they all watched an enormous smoky swirling green glowing orb showing a match that the keybladers were fighting in against a pack of heartless.
Hades sitting in his throne watched as well with calm eyes as he watched the trio smash batter and slam into their adversaries… the battle ended in less than two minutes.
Striking away the last on the field they all got into their victory poses as then a happy cry came from their target, "all right!" She cried happily as she jumped and punched the air with a wide happy grin.
Looking at this Hades then bored of this little show then waved his right hand back and forth making the orb diminish in seconds as it faded away in a puff of smoke.
It was then quiet in the room for a few moments before the lord of the dead then spoke, "so… with that little show done… when is it now that you guys are gonna go at it?" He asked as he looked at his two silent nobody co-workers.
Hearing the question being asked it was Ori who took the initiative in answering, "we're in the tenth match… so it's us next up boss."
Listening to this Hades then revealed a small evil toothed smile as he replied, "good, good… well then you both know the drill, distract those bozo's and everyone out there… until I gather all the trash."
With that told to them Ori then nodded seriously confirming the order, he was about to turn and leave when he saw Saria looking hesitant as she looked at the ground her swirled eyes looking on with worry.
Ori thinking this as strange was then about to ask what she was doing when she spoke up though nervous, "um… uh, Mr Hades…?"
Watching the nobody girl and her odd behaviour Hades then asked, "yessss…"
Saria clenching her hands hesitating… asked with as much courage as she could muster, "um… do we… do we really have to do this?"
At this Ori looked at her with surprise in his eyes while Hades was not exactly pleased by this question as he asked, "excuse me?"
Knowing that she was getting in deep trouble for asking against him, Saria didn't want to have to hurt Nozomi or the others, since she'd been so friendly to her so she tried asking again, "I mean… do me and Ori really have to go into battle against them? I mean can't we find some other way to-"
Suddenly then leaping from his throne quicker than the eyes could see he'd made in front of Saria making her Ori, Pain and Panic jump looking at him wide eyed as he then said with strong sarcasm in his voice, "are you saying you're not going to do what I want you to?"
Ori now horribly worried for Saria's safety didn't have time to reply as She began to say, "uh um I, I just-"
However interrupting Hades then moved over as he then said in the most nice but sinister way making both the nobodies go on edge, "now let me just remind what the two of you… nobodies are to me shall I?"
With that in a wave of his hands two small smoky little silhouette images of the two of them appeared looking around confused and lost as he narrated to them their scenario, "I found the two of you guys wandering around lost with no sense of purpose… so then, " with that he then created another Smokey image of himself as he towered over the two of them, "I come along and propose a little deal to the both of ya, you two come into my service and then you guys can go and have a purpose in serving me, free room and board yadda yadda … and thus one day rid yourselves of the sins that you both carry."
At this Saria's eyes became widened with sadness as then Hades narrated her little story, "so what was yours then babe?... oh yeah, you betrayed your home by using your powers to force open your world's door… for some guy… and then how does he repay the favour? He sets the heartless on ya turning you into the soppy mess you are now… right?"
Seeing the little show that was displayed by the smoke figures Saria looked on with deeply tormented eyes as she hid her face away in her hair remembering the horrible moment it had occurred… as she was betrayed and abandoned hearing the cries and screams of her faraway and forgotten world.
Hades looking at this reaction smiled with satisfaction as he then turned to his other little co-worker, Ori looked at what was displayed with a bitter look as he turned his face away not liking the torture his partner was being put through.
Seeing this Hades then began, "and little arrow boy's was…" however before he could say another word Ori turned and looked at Hades hatefully with a scowl warning him not to say another word, however he was only further amused as he simply brushed away the smoke apparitions as he then finished with a bored mocking tone, "a better story to tell later."
Saria meanwhile her face still down as she re –experienced her prolonging sadness was suddenly pulled up by Hades's sharp tipped fingers as he made her look up at him, "now that we've got that little reminder out of the way…" he then suddenly released her as he flared up mad and hotly red like a volcano shouted, "GET TO WORK!!!"
Making her back away with a cry of fright Saria looked terrified as she almost tripped on herself as she then turn and ran out the door, Ori staring after her as she ran away was quiet for a moment still having a terrible feeling until finally he chased after her.
Pain and Panic watching the whole show occur then turned back to their boss as he had now shaken off the little rage fit as he combed back his flaming hair relaxed again, "great I'm cool… and now… time to get the show started…" He smiled to himself as he then he began the process that Hari had explained to him.
"Bravo! Bravo Excellente!" Phil spoke as he applauded everyone on their ninth win.
Mickey hearing the praise was bashful himself as he then smiled closing his eyes, scratching the back of his head as replied, "aw shucks it was nothing."
Seeing the king and his usual reaction both Nozomi and Riku smiled happily at him, then suddenly doing his usual routine Cait sith ran up, climbed and made himself comfortable in Nozomi's hair as he then boasted, "well ya shouldn't expected no less from these blokes and lass! Them heartless are nothin but steps in the road!"
Nozomi hearing him say this only rolled her eyes at this comment saying, "yeah yeah," as this was his usual reaction but then mentioning this she then asked something that had been on her mind since the first match, "but I'm surprised it's heartless we're fighting… I mean I thought we'd be fighting other human opponents."
At this question it was then Phil answered her, "yeah well the coliseum let's in anything and everything that can battle in the arena… as long as they pass my standards." He spoke with a strong sense of pride as he stroked his brown beard.
However everyone wasn't really impressed by this at all but skipping that it was then Nozomi spoke again, "I see… but then… if the heartless are here, does that mean Pete's here too?"
It was then Riku decided to finally voice himself, as he replied, "not necessarily."
At this Nozomi was confused and asked him, "but, wait aren't the heartless controlled by Pete and uh, what was that name again, Male… pheasant? Um Male…" She spoke trying to remember whom it was Pete was working for.
"Maleficent," Riku answered as he saw her struggle with a sigh.
Hearing him say it Nozomi immediately clicked as she replied quick, "yeah that's it!"
Riku shook his head at her usual behaviour but then the king decided then to explain to her, "Well, it's true there Nozomi that Pete and Maleficent control a big amount of the heartless… but the heartless are a rule unto themselves, they go around at will to any world they can get their claws on with or without a boss."
Listening to this information Nozomi's understanding was then broadened more as she nodded her head in acknowledgement, "I see…"
However Phil not really getting any of the conversation then decided to speak his mind, "well if you guys are done with yer little convo, I say it's time ya get onto big match number ten!"
Hearing the small satyr say this it was the king who then replied, "oh right, okay there then Phil! Uh who is it we're gonna be facin next?" He asked curiously.
At this it was then Phil brightened, "ah! That's right! Well ya'll be probably glad to hear this, it's gonna be a girl and a guy, both newcomers to the tournament here… um what were their names?… ah yeah! Saria and Ori!"
Listening to these names Nozomi's face brightened as she exclaimed, "oh great! I'll get to see Saria again! This'll be fun!"
However Riku hearing this immediately became suspicious as he asked, "again? What do you mean again?"
Hearing this odd tone Nozomi turned and looked at him as she replied, "um well I met her during my break, just girl chat you know, she was really nice though kinda shy and stuff."
At this Riku replied though still with suspicion, "I see…"
However Nozomi still didn't know what this was about as she blinked puzzled but then before anymore words could be exchanged it was then Phil said, "all right all right! Let's get this show on the road and get the audience's applause!"
Everyone turning and hearing this looked at him but then also encouraging everyone to go on it was then Cait sith also cried out, "yeah I'm agreeing with goat boy here! I want ta see what you guys are gonna do next!"
Listening to all this hurried talk it was then the king replied, "okay, okay, fella's let's go then."
At this both Nozomi and Riku nodded at his words with small smiles as they all went together to the arena.
Meanwhile outside on the arena floor already waiting for their opponents Saria and Ori stood together waiting for the keybladers to emerge.
Saria still though hadn't said a word since they'd left the underworld as she looked down her hair still hiding her face away as she felt her sadness echoing in her being from her memories… and also the pangs of what it was she was now being ordered to carry out.
Ori seeing her continued response to the situation had been quiet himself during the whole time… but then he felt it was right for him to say something right there and then, "ya know… you shouldn't let what the boss said get to ya."
At this Saria was silent as she said nothing and instead only clenched her hands tighter upon her skirt as she held it down.
Seeing her like this Ori saw she was still being plagued and so then spoke with a sigh, "I know… that what happened back there in yer past was bad, and that ain't ever gonna change, but the one thing I can guarantee is this."
At this point Saria lifted her head as Ori paused and looked at him questioningly, seeing then she was looking at him at least now Ori then said, "You're not alone."
Saria then blinked surprised that these gentle words were coming from his mouth, but then curious she asked, "I'm not?"
Ori hearing her ask looked at her as he nodded his face with a serious expression as he then told her, "yeah, cause ya remember when we first met? When you and me were still rogues with no-one or nothing I found ya surrounded and almost destroyed by them gangsters that time?"
Listening to this Saria did remember as she nodded quiet still as she let Ori continue, "I found ya shiverin and all not bein able to do nothin at all, yet I could see some kinda potential in ya when ya did some damage, so bang and boom I saved ya."
Remembering this one act of heroism he'd done for her in the past Saria had never been told by him once that she had potential or anything like that at all and so said with surprise, " So the reason you saved me then was-"
Interrupting her he finished, "cause ya've got potential and also we both have the same goal," then turning he looked at her he then gave her a big toothed grin as he finished saying, "and so you're never gonna be alone, cause I'll always have ya back."
In awe at this response Saria felt her sadness quickly fading as she smiled grateful saying, "Ori…"
But then suddenly moving a little closer to her he then smiled cheekily, "but also," with that he moved his left arm behind giving her bum a hard smack making her squawk in surprise and embarrassment, "I'd never let this piece of cuteness get spoilt!" Finishing with a loud laugh.
Saria hearing this was mad at being tricked and begun to cry out, "Ori how could you do that to me! I was-"
Suddenly then the three keybladers arrived from the doorway, the two nobodies seeing them coming then stood ready, however Ori looking at Saria as she had her back turned then thought to himself, 'and I like a girl who tries to voice herself.'
Nozomi, Riku and the king quickly walked up to the arena and saw their two adversaries waiting for them on the field. However looking at them and seeing Saria Nozomi smiled again as she cried and waved, "hey Saria!"
Saria seeing her do this from where she was standing blinked unsure for a moment but then decided to play along as she waved hello quietly with an awkward smile.
However seeing this Riku turned and spoke to her mad, "Nozomi will you cut this out! This is a match not a social gathering."
Hearing him say this Nozomi got annoyed as she replied pouting turning away, "well excuse me Mr party pooper…"
Seeing the two of them once again starting their little dispute match the king looked up at the two of them as he said with his usual calm reasoning, "ya know you two, ya gonna have to save that stuff for later, okay?"
Looking at the king as he said this the two quarrelling keybladers both made their replies, "right…" "Okay your majesty."
The king then nodded once as he then said, "all right…" with that he called his keyblade in a glitter of light, and then following his cue Riku and Nozomi did the same as they stood fast and ready behind him.
Watching from the sidelines Cait sith stood next to Phil as he then called out to them, "you lads give it yer all out there!"
Then there sat in the audience to watch how the battle would go and just for the sheer fun of it sat Meg and Hercules together as they looked down expectantly, then deciding to do the same as the fur ball Meg cried out as well, "that's right! All of you give it your best down there!"
"Yeah you can do it!" Hercules chimed in shaking his fist.
Nozomi back on the arena floor hearing her friends rooting for them all smiled as she gripped the keyblade tighter as she then whispered to herself "will do…"
With that done it was then Phil got the stage set up as once again as then the indivisible walls emerged around the edges of the arena and then suddenly signalling the start the audience screamed and shouted loudly.
Hearing this Ori then grinned, "Well let's get this started then hey?" He smiled as he turned to Saria.
Her insecurity still there Saria though knew they had no choice, but with Ori there she did feel more secure in that sense so then nodding she replied, "hmm, okay."
With that the two of them drew into their battle positions as they called upon their weapons of choice.
Ori calling his right arm back with a big grin on his face then reached into a swirl of darkness as then suddenly appearing as he pulled it back was an odd shaped bow white with red, orange and yellow decorations all over with a single silver bow string. Grasping it and then throwing it side to side in both arms he then grasped it tightly in his left as he looked at his opponents with usual sharp-toothed grin.
Saria closing her eyes calmly held both her arms out in front as suddenly around her feet swirls of water appeared as they the twirled and flowed over her arms then grasping as they made two small pillars they suddenly took the forms of a violin, with an odd blue twisted frame with a black base inserted with a pointed spiked top with silver strings grasped firmly in her left and suddenly there in her right hand appeared her silver metal spiked bow with it's white string. Taking them both she then leaned herself back as she then leaned the violin against her left shoulder moving her feet back gracefully and placing the bow above the strings ready to play at any moment.
Ready to go Ori looked across at his opponents as he then decided to have a little fun before starting off properly, "heh! Nice to meet ya chumps! Just ta let ya know yer lucky streak ends here!"
Seeing him speak like this it was then Riku decided to speak out, "and you're supposed to be?"
At this Ori smirked more as he then replied back grinning showing his sharp teeth, "the name is Ori! I'm the boss of this little ol troop and next to me as one of ya's already met is me second Saria, and as the eldest and leader I thought I'd let ya know about our awesomeness!"
At this Riku and the others looked at him very dismissively but then before they could say anything it was then Saria spoke up, "um, Ori you do realise I'm the older one here don't you? I mean I'm sixteen and you're-"
Instantly ticked off Ori replied mad, "you idiot! I was tryin to make an awesome entrance! You ain't supposed to be correctin me! Now ya've ruined it!"
Looking at him apologetically not liking being yelled at she replied, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry all right…"
Watching this odd couple and their little disagreement everyone look at them uneasily making the atmosphere awkward, Nozomi looking couldn't help though but feel a little bit sorry for Saria being yelled at.
Riku looking at them though was getting fed up and so turned to the king, "your majesty? Do you think we should just go now?"
Hearing him the king looked up at him and then back again as he watched Ori hound in on Saria and then decided it might be for the best so replied, "I think we might as well… otherwise this will never get started."
Nodding seriously at the agreement it was then that both him and the king set off, Nozomi seeing them doing this then called out off guard, "hey wait up!"
Suddenly hearing this call Ori stopped quarrelling with Saria and then suddenly saw that the three keybladers were coming their way, seeing this Ori looked annoyed and then quickly said to Saria, "split!"
Hearing him say this and seeing the oncoming onslaught nodded quickly, "uh right!" She said with that the two of them jumped out of the way before the king and Riku landed their attack together making a cloud of dust in the ground.
Nozomi however still a little bit behind stopped and watched as the dust cleared away, she then saw just the king and Riku and the other two had gone, "huh where'd they-" she began to say but then suddenly she heard an odd new sound, a violin.
Looking quick to where it was being sounded she then looked into the air to her left and saw falling gracefully in the air Saria had begun to play her violin as she sung aloud, " arise, arise as I fall into thine embrace, hear my voice as I dance with thee in the ocean's night wind…"
Hearing Saria singing and seeing what she doing in the air she was amazed but realising it wasn't the time for that she quickly called upon her wings and jumped into the air as she ran to meet her.
Saria her eyes still closed only continued to sing away, "spin and twirl, spin and twirl as you guide me… come and rise with me…" As the music continued to play on gently with a soothing rhythm.
Nozomi however now had made it over and held her keyblade tight ready to make the first blow however as she did she whispered in her mind, 'I'm sorry Saria!'
However then her friend opened her eyes harshly as she sung, "And smite those before me!" With that the music then became more fierce and heavy as she strung hard against the strings.
Suddenly before Nozomi could blink a huge whirlpool arose from nowhere forming a wall around Saria, as then it's high pressure struck Nozomi back.
Crying out from the sudden surprise Nozomi sputtered, "what the! How can she-"
But then suddenly from nowhere taking her again by surprise she was struck in the back by a yellow glowing fast energy arrow, she gasped in pain as she was thrown back into the whirlpool and then sent flying back landing hard in the arena floor wet.
Riku and Mickey trying to deal with Ori had watched in shock as he'd fired and saw his target, quickly they both ran to her side, "Nozomi!"
Ori grinning immensely from their successful first attack saw Saria's whirlpool descend to the ground, watching he then saw the water then turn into a halo around her as it all bubbled and churned. He knew what was coming next and so quickly ran to her side to prepare for the next stage.
Getting up as best she could Nozomi winced, "man that hurt!"
"Nozomi! Are ya all right?" Looking up she then saw the king and Riku quickly coming to her aid, looking at them she replied, "yeah I'm all right! I'm fine."
Seeing her like this the king sighed relieved, but then Riku quickly walking over reached his hand down to her, "c'mon, we haven't got time to sit around."
Seeing his helping hand Nozomi nodded and then quickly was pulled back up on her feet, but suddenly as she was rain started to fall around soaking them.
Looking at this Nozomi asked, "huh? What the? Why's it raining? What is-" But then looking ahead she got her answer as she watched Saria still playing her violin and from it the water she called on she'd sent it flying all over the coliseum floor making it a huge shallow pool.
Everyone was incredibly surprised at this power and what was happening but then looking at the two of them Riku then spoke, "what're they up to now?"
Suddenly then as he asked this question the rain then stopped… but as it did Saria then started to sing again as her music became rushed "Come I sing! Come I sing! From the depths beneath reveal and unsheathe!"
The king hearing her sing then asked, "what is she askin to come? I don't-"
But then shouting loudly Ori looked at them grinning immensely, "Are ya enjoyin the show ya drowned rats!?"
At this Nozomi then became angered as she shouted back, "who're you calling a drowned rat!"
Hearing her loud outburst Ori only grinned more as he replied, "oh you've got a sweet little loudmouth ain't ya?"
Nozomi then only gritted her teeth this guy really was irritating and the others too looked at him just as harshly, but then Riku enquired, "Just what're you playing at!"
They then listened to him as answered grinning, "Well that was just a little taste of what we gotta offer… but we decided it wouldn't be fun to just have us do all the work… so we're just callin some friends of ours!"
At this Mickey asked, "friends?"
Smiling Ori replied, "that's right… and I'm sure you guys know of our kind already right?'
Everyone then looked on puzzled but then suddenly Saria sounded once more as she sung, "come now! Aqua performance!"
With that suddenly the water swirled and turned as from the water strange creatures emerged, they were odd forms feminine looking in shape swaying to and fro, their arms were long and flat sharpened shaped fins and instead of legs they had fish tails.
Ori smiling then snapped his own fingers as then suddenly beside him appeared from swirls of darkness some more monsters small in size yet slightly bigger than the fish creatures, these ones were human in shape and masculine looking with crossed vests and long baggy zipped trousers with sharp toothed smiled mouths, at their sides they all each wielded glowing bows.
There were now nine creatures in total surrounding everyone, however it wasn't this that shocked them, it was the symbol that was embedded on each of their chests… the symbol of the nobody.
Looking at this with widened eyes shocked Nozomi asked, "you're… you're both."
Grinning at all of their shocked expressions Ori replied, "nobodies… right you are there honey… and since we are…"
With another click of his fingers the creatures then suddenly all hurried around together as then the fish dusk nobodies folded themselves over becoming something roughly like surf boards and with that the archer creatures all landed on top.
As they did so Saria then sung aloud, "Crash, crash, raining, raining all around… " And repeated the same rhythm over and over making it faster and faster. As she did the water then suddenly backed away becoming a huge tidal wave as the creatures all began to ride upon it.
Everyone then looked on terrified as they gazed up at this fearsome sight as they saw Saria rise up as well standing on a water gaiser as she continued to sing aloud playing her haunting music.
They and the audience all around looked up at the fearsome sight with wide eyes as Ori gazed down at them riding one of the surfing dusks as he then finished grinning menacingly, "we're gonna give you a crash course you'll never forget…"
