Chapter LXXVII: The trials of the Coliseum part XIII

Quiet in utter shock seeing the lord of death emerge from his fog of smoke and dark blue flames he walked on over towards Hercules, Riku, Nozomi and Cait sith.

The others could all feel a horrible tenseness developing; Saria and Ori were tensing up the most out of everyone in the arena for what he was going to do. Watching as the lord of the underworld approached Nozomi had no idea of what was going to happen, but she never imagined she'd be meeting he lord of the death, not here of all places!

As he came nearer to them all she gripped her hands tightly ready to move or do something no matter what happened, Cait sith now beside her was on guard himself as his fur bristled angrily as he clenched his white gloved hands himself standing on his feet. Then Hades finally arrived in front of them as he stood over them quietly the smile still on his face as everyone stood on edge.

Hades then greeted them in his usual manner, "hey there Hades lord of the dead how're you all doin?" His said with his sharp tooth grin as he made a slight wave with his hand.

At this everyone went blank… Nozomi looked up at him confused as she thought to herself, 'what the heck is this!?'

However Hercules now recovered from the initial shock looked at the lord of death with harsh eyes as he then asked him angrily, "what're you doing here Hades! How did you come back!?"

Hearing this angry out cry Hades turned his head to look at Hercules as his smile remained as he replied, "oh well if it isn't wonder boy? Still truckin' along with the whole hero package are we?"

Only annoyed more at his question not being answered Hercules once again asked, "answer me now Hades!"

Nozomi looking at Hercules' angry reaction which she had never seen the Greek hero do before and looking at Hades she wondered what this guy would do next? However Hades himself only shrugged the question off as he shook his right hand up and down as though fanning away dust as he replied, "well now look who's hot and bothered over nothing! I just thought I'd pop back upstairs for a while… and make a little suggestion." As he then began to move away as though to leave.

Hearing this last part Nozomi's curiosity was aroused as she then asked uncertain, "a suggestion?"

Smiling seeing that he'd got their attention Hades immediately turned around "exactly there… and I think it's something you new guys… might like to have."

Listening to this Riku though was far from believing the lord of the dead after hearing about his previous shady dealings as he responded rhetorically, "oh yeah sure it is…"

Nozomi and Mickey watching Riku as he said this then looked back to Hades who only smiled more at this response as he then brought his right hand out his fingers together ready to be snapped as he said, "oh I can assure you… it most definitely is." Then suddenly he snapped his fingers, as he did another puff of smoke appeared in the distance, as a person emerged looking around confused and bewildered.

There was a gasp of shock from Nozomi Riku Mickey and especially Cait sith, as there in the same attire when they had seen her being carried off into the darkness, her blonde hair that covered the right side of her face and the single violet eye that was shown, was revealed to be Oralee.

Looking at her unable to tell if he was dreaming or awake Cait sith then cried out, "yer majesty!"

Turning around at once hearing his voice Oralee looked on just as shocked as she then spoke out, "Cait sith?"

Nozomi unable to comprehend her friends appearance then suddenly called out, "Oralee!"
But then as she did this Oralee looked at her as she paused and had a sudden look of realisation as she looked on with concerned eyes as she began to call out, "please! You mustn't-" But suddenly a smog of smoke emerged as it entwined around her, binding her arms and legs together as it firmly fixed itself on her mouth stopping her from speaking as she then began to fall to the ground.

Seeing this occur with widened eyes of horror Nozomi and Cait sith began to run towards her in aid as Nozomi cried out, "no Oralee!"

But then the moment they arrived near enough to catch or even touch her she vanished once again in another puff of smoke. Riku, Mickey, Hercules and everyone watched on utterly stunned.

Shivering as Oralee vanished Nozomi didn't know what to do but suddenly Cait sith next to her suddenly turned around and started to run towards Hades as he cried out, "give me back my princess!" As he then pounced to scratch him to death.

But then Hades not even bothering to turn around simply took his right arm out and as Cait sith was coming near enough in the air to strike him, he was suddenly sent flying backwards into Mickey and Saria's direction.

"Cait sith!" Mickey cried out in worry as he quickly caught the small cat before he hit the ground, Cait sith gasped painfully as he was winded.

Saria looked at this with grief and shock as it happened as she had no idea what was going on, they'd never been told about this girl or even seen her! What was Hades planning to do?!

Nozomi hearing the king call out looked back and saw what had happened as she looked now more distressed than she already was as she began then to try and run over to them.

But then suddenly disappearing and reappearing in another puff of smoke Hades appeared as he then smiled saying, "well I'm glad to see I've got your attention."

Looking at the lord of death as he looked down at her Nozomi then herself became angered as she realised he was taunting them all as she then asked him, "what have you done with Oralee!?"

At this Hades only smiled more at her as he then replied, "oh I've got her driftin' around but I'm afraid that if you fella's want yer little princess back… " with that he then suddenly reached his hand forwards and took a lock of Nozomi's hair as he then said, "we're gonna have to come to a little arrangement." He smiled sinisterly.

Looking at him with widened eyes Nozomi then repeated, "an agreement?"

Riku standing now from where he was looked at Hades with bitter eyes as did everyone else as they wondered what he would do or say next.

Hades looking around with his eyes was glad to see that everyone's attention was fixed on him entirely, he then returned his gaze back to Nozomi who continued to look back at him with a negative uncertainty. He then spoke to her again, "and it involves all of you guys here."

With that he then released Nozomi's hair as he then turned and looked at everyone as he then made his little announcement, "now all of you heroes, rookies and so on and so forth, I'll be offering you this: you guys," he then pointed to everyone who was gathered there though missing Ori and Saria, "are to not move from this coliseum floor for the next forty eight hours, that means to put it in English, none of you guys will be able to leave this place in way like flyng etc. etc. "

As he made this announcement everyone was puzzled, why on earth did he want them all to remain in the coliseum? What was he going to do? But more importantly Mickey concluded as Cait sith finally recovered from his little winded episode, where was it that he wanted to go?

Then after the slight pause Hades then continued on, "and then if you guys are all okay with that then little princess pie, "with that he once more clicked his fingers and Oralee re-emerged this time though she was quickly caught in Hades arms as she squirmed madly trying to get out of his clutches. " here will be free as a bird and returned to you guys with no strings whatsoever attached."

Looking at Oralee as she was handled in such a rough manner just like that fatso Pete did made Nozomi look at Hades angrily as she hated him now entirely, Cait sith as well was just as agitated as it was taking all Mickey had to stop him from trying to make another random attack as he tried to wriggle out of his arms.

Riku looked at Hades with bitter distrust and discomfort as he saw Oralee was fearful herself as he then asked, "and what exactly do you want to confirm this little deal?"

Hearing the snow top say this Hades' smile remained as he continued to hold Oralee with an iron grip as he replied, "well, to make these little agreements solid I usually go through the same old confirmation routine of a good old handshake… but seein that my hands are tied up right now I'm gonna have to ask an associate of mine to do the honours."

Hearing this being said Hercules, Meg and Phil were puzzled then themselves, 'associate?' Hades usually worked all on his own! Who could-

But their silent question was answered for them as suddenly he called out, "hey babe time for your entrance."

Then suddenly at these words came a sound of something strange? For it sounded like wing beats, but yet with the sound of stretching metal like steel and wire… confused for a moment as she heard these sounds Nozomi turned around as she then quickly realised who it was!

Everyone watched with widened eyes as a certain adversary reappeared with those ever haunting green cold eyes, the wings at her back that stretched out wide as they beat to and throw until she then landed on the ground with silent elegance as they refolded back into her. Nozomi couldn't believe she was suffering such two big shocks in one day!

"Hari!" She called out to her in disbelief.

Hearing her name being called, she turned and looked at her silently with that same as ever-cold blank look she always gave.

Looking at her Nozomi just couldn't understand what was going on! As she then spoke out again, "you're working with Hades!"

Her gaze still on her Hari replied, "for a time yes…" as she then closed her eyes for a moment before turning away as she simply walked over towards Hades.

Nozomi couldn't understand what was going on at all! But there was no more time to think at all as Hades continued, "great, good and now seein that you guys know each other so well, this is what's gonna happen: if you agree to my little terms then I want wonder boy to shake hands with Hari here…

They were caught in a complete dilemma, what could they do? Nozomi clenched her hands tightly with frustration at being tugged at two angles, and if they couldn't let her stay in Hades' clutches with the way he was treating her, but also there was the possibility the king thought that she would have valuable information to give in regarding Pete and Maleficent… and also what she possessed inside herself.

Hercules though standing from where he was could see Nozomi, Mickey, Riku and Cait sith's tormented faces. He could tell easily that this girl was important to them and seeing that they weren't going to make a decision he made it himself whatever the consequences were, "all right then, Hades we have a deal."

At once everyone in the coliseum looked on with shocked eyes and then suddenly the king spoke up, "what! You're gonna go along with what he wants?"

Hercules nodded to the king silently as he then began to make his way over to Hari who continued to look on with her cold green eyes.

Meg hearing Hercules say this ran up to him as did Phil as they both got in his path as then Meg spoke out with worry first, "Hercules are you sure you really want to do this?!" She asked worried beyond words for him.

Hercules smiled as he put his hands on her shoulders and nodded quietly, however Phil spoke up, "hey Herc! You better know what you're doin!" Once more Hercules nodded as he replied, "Yeah don't worry Phil I do." With that he then walked on.

Riku looking on couldn't believe what he was seeing as he then asked, "you can't be serious!"

However Hercules ignored him as he continued to walk on forwards to make the deal, but then suddenly Nozomi ran over to him as she came between him and Hari as she put her hands out as though shielding him as she said, "Hercules you can't do this!"

Seeing her facial expression Hercules could see the frustration in her eyes but also worry, seeing her like this he then smiled gently to soothe her unease, "I have to, that girl's a friend of yours isn't she?" He asked as he looked to Oralee who looked at him with worried eyes herself.

At this Nozomi look saddened for a moment but regaining herself she spoke, "yeah she is! But I can't let you! Something really bad will happen if you-"

However Hercules interrupted her as he continued on in his calm manner, "it's all right, besides it would be good if I could at least retrieve one friend of yours, and you deserve a reward since the trophy was smashed right?"

At this Nozomi faltered again slightly but then she tried again as she spoke, "well yeah but! I can't let you shake hands with Hari! I mean she's done some really horrible things! I know that! I mean Riku's been in pain ever since she did what she did to him! And loads of other things too I don't know of! I'm frightened she'll do something that we won't be able to fix!"

However Hercules smiled once more gently as he then put a hand to her shoulder and said as he walked past, "don't worry, I'm the son of a god, if it's anything physical then I can take it all right?"

With that he began to proceed towards Hari, however as he did this Nozomi became further annoyed, as he didn't understand at all as she then turned around and cried out, "you idiot I don't care if you're the son of a god! This hasn't-"

However Hades was getting fed up with this melodrama as he replied, "I think we've had enough of the little boo hoo's sootball, so why don't we clench the deal huh?"

Being called a sootball distracted Nozomi as she looked at Hades dumbstruck for a moment and then she forgot herself as she was about to complain madly at being called such a name when suddenly she heard that familiar sound again.

Everyone then looked on and saw that Hari now held her right hand out to Hercules. Looking at her he could see an icy coldness in her eyes that was almost like a robot… but yet there was something else wrong which he couldn't put a finger on.

However this wasn't the time to be observant, so reaching his own right hand forwards silently Hercules grasped Hari's hand, everything was still for many long moments. It didn't seem as though anything had happened.

Seeing this Hercules almost breathed a sigh of relief, this wasn't anything to be worried about it all, but then suddenly Hari drew her wings out once more as he gasped as his other hand quickly reached to his chest as he clenched it tightly.

Saria and Ori along with everyone else watched with shocked eyes as a scarlet red energy covered Hercules's body as it encircled every inch of him as his own golden aura coursed against it.

Saria watched on then suddenly as Hercules collapsed onto his knees as his aura began to fade more and more as he was unable to let go of Hari's hand as her power piercingly overwhelmed him, he gasped horribly as though his heart was being torn to shreds inside himself, he looked at Hari painfully as she only looked back at him with empty eyes. Then suddenly at the peak of his pain he cried out loudly as finally she released his hand as his golden aura fully vanished letting him fall to the ground while her own hand simply fell to her side idly.

Oralee's eyes as she saw this widened with horror as this was exactly the thing she was trying to avoid, everyone seeing what had happened all immediately ran to Hercules's side crying out for him while Ori and Saria stayed where they were unnoticed.

On the ground Hercules continued to breathe hard in pain as he continued to clench his chest, everyone arriving around him all looked over him all worried for his well being.

Meg was the first to speak up, "Hercules! Hercules! What's wrong!"

Phil was silent as he looked at what had happened to his champ with deep anxiety, Mickey looking at Hercules all over found out that it was just as he had feared! It was exactly almost the same as what happened to Riku! But seemingly a touch worse.

Nozomi seeing what had happened was hurt inside as she couldn't stop what had happened at all, but then Riku enraged turned and looked at Hari as he demanded angrily, "what have you done to him!"

Gazing at him and these others Hari gave her reply, "I have cut off the link to his divine abilities within his heart, he no longer possesses the godly strength he once held."

Hearing this Nozomi's eyes widened as she turned and then said, "cut! You cut it off!"

Seeing her reaction Hari replied, "exactly."

Gritting her teeth Nozomi then shouted at her in hatred, "how could you do such a thing! Why do you-"

However she was interrupted as Hari spoke once more, "I have told you before, I do not care for the well being of others, I am here to fulfil my own wishes, even if that means I have to resort to such methods as this."

Nozomi hearing this couldn't believe how cold she was! This was horrible how could she possibly be-

But then at once Hari drew out her keyblade once more as she then pointed it straight at Nozomi's face as she then said, "you would be best to remember this… since you and I-"

Suddenly though cutting Hari off as a gunshot sounded she dodged a near bullet as she flipped flapping her wings as she then landed quickly withdrawing them once more as there everyone saw that Vincent had stepped out and was now pointing his gun at her silently as now as he could see this girl was a threat.

Hari regarded him still as cold as ever however she did nothing as instead Hades spoke up, "well I'd say that's about enough then." With that he turned to Oralee who was still in his arms as she looked up at him with dire worry and fear.

Seeing her expression Hades smiled as he then said to her, "well then babe… you're off the hook." With that the smoke bindings around her quickly dissipated as she gasped finally able to breathe. Then suddenly Hades pushed her out of his clutches as she was sent stumbling forwards.

Cait sith seeing what had happened then despite the situation ran up past everyone quickly as he was scooped up into Oralee's arms in moments as she fell to her knees, as he was overjoyed that his highness was finally returned to him as he cried, "your highness! I missed ya! I missed ya so much!"
Feeling his familiar warm fur and the touch of whiskers Oralee was over relieved as she hugged him tightly to herself speaking, "Cait sith! I'm so glad to see you! I'm glad…"

Seeing the sugary sweet reunion Hades only laughed at it as he then spoke, "oh how the sweetness runs, almost enough to decay the teeth huh?" He finished with a sinister laugh.

Looking at their fateful reunion it warmed everyone's heart for the breathiest of moments however it was short lived as suddenly in another of swirl of smoke emerged Hades' dark chariot with his black as midnight gryphon.

Seeing it emerge everyone then watched as he got on board and then said, "well then time to get the main show on the road, for up there, "he pointed to the heavens above with his right hand, "is a throne with my name on it!"

Hercules hearing this widened his eyes! Hades couldn't possibly be even think of-

But then suddenly, "all right, Saria! Ori! Time to go!"

At the mention of their names Nozomi, and everyone paused in shock, their names spoken Ori and Saria both flinched as now the cat was now finally out of the bag as they both felt everyone's gaze on them both. Ori knowing what was to come next himself felt bad about things, but this was the end result that was to be expected so he took it on himself to proceed. Seeing Nozomi look at her from where she was Saria looked saddened beyond words as she looked then down at her knees as she still sat upon the floor in utter misery.

Nozomi couldn't believe it Saria and Ori were working for Hades too! They were on Hari's side! But then suddenly as she and the others watched on Ori had now gotten over to where Saria was sitting and then without a word dragged her up onto her feet as he looked at her with serious eyes.

Dragging her behind him as she looked like a pathetic lifeless doll they made their way to Hades but then as they both passed everyone Nozomi then spoke, "Ori! Saria! You can't do this! You don't have to be on his side! We don't have to be enemies like this! Can't you-"

But then Ori interrupted her as he turned and then mocked, "oh and be what? Like friends all chummy wummy?! Don't be naïve! You're a total moron you know! It was so hilarious the way just opened up to Saria and me! And you know what!... it was all part of the plot! And now… we're gonna do what we're supposed to! And nothing you do or say will change it! We will never be allies!" With that he turned his face away angrily dragging Saria behind him as she only continued to be lifeless.

Nozomi was made silent once more in disbelief, it was all an act? But all she and the others could do was only watch as they both climbed aboard the chariot behind Hades.

Smiling then seeing that everything had gone his way Hades then bid his creature to fly into the air as it took off with no effort into the darkened skies. Hari seeing him leave stood for a moment as she looked at her adversaries as Nozomi looked at her enraged as the others did as well until finally she followed behind quickly beating her metallic wings to and throw powerfully.

Watching as they all ascended into the skies Phil then spoke up first, " I can't believe it! Hades' returned! And now all this! Hera's Tiara! This has turned to be one messed up tournament!"

No one replied to this as Meg was busy tending still to Hercules who was clearly suffering from the cut that Hari had laid upon his heart, Mickey also did the best at what he could too to soothe the Greek hero's pain.

While Nozomi was silent… for she couldn't believe everything now that had happened! Ori and Saria, Hercules and Hari but especially now looking at her Nozomi then decided to greet her long lost friend.

Oralee still holding Cait sith in her arms as she sat upon the ground still stroked his back as Cait sith held onto her tightly frightened as if she'd disappear again. Finally making her way over Nozomi spoke, "hey?" She asked.

Hearing her Oralee looked up as she then looked at Nozomi silently.

Seeing her like this despite everything Nozomi smiled and said, "Welcome back."

Seeing her Oralee's eyes were surprised but then she smiled sadly as she nodded and replied, "yes… thank you."

Nozomi smiling sadly herself then suddenly felt as everyone else did a huge shadow and rumble in the ground as they then all saw in the sky flying high quickly was a huge black mass with enormous wings that couldn't even be described anymore within the darkness of the clouds as it covered its features.

But it was clear that whatever it was… it was dangerous and a clear threat to all, and as everyone looked on they could only imagine the damage it would cause.

In the chariot as Hades saw his fearsome creation following after them he smiled sinisterly as he said aloud, "this'll be a day Olympus will never forget…"

Ori behind the lord of death still held Saria's hand as he looked at her as she still had her face hidden away, but despite her long hair hiding away her expression he could still see the drops of tears falling. Which only stabbed him all the more inside…