Chapter LXXXVI: The trials of the Coliseum Final part III
The fight over Hari was silent as she stood in the middle of the platform, her blades still hovering over her as her armor still fixed upon her body glowing with red light as her long ponytail blew gently around her. Looking down at her Pete was relieved that the battle was over as he spoke glad at the outcome, "whoa there… ya certainly know how to put on a show there Hari." He then let a small smile show revealing that he was proud of her victory.
However everyone else's reaction within the chamber was far from ecstatic as Meg cried out loud, "Nozomi no!" As she held her face in her hands horrified at the loss that had occurred as Pegasus looked horribly depressed just as both Phil and Hercules were.
Oralee was just as horribly grieved as she held onto Cait sith tightly hiding her own tears away as they were absorbed by his fur coat as he hugged her shoulder tightly upset himself, while Mickey was in deep silence a look of horrible remorse on his face as he looked down at the ground.
Riku was on his hands and knees in utter silence… Saria was horribly distressed as she cried into Vincent's shoulders losing one of the most precious friends that she had, a single tear then at that moment slid from her eyes as it fell upon Vincent's cheek which made him groan slightly groggily as he finally then opened his eyes painfully, Ori meanwhile not noticing slid onto his knees. It was over… they were never going to be free again.
Hades all the more ecstatic at this little turn of events cried out punching his fist into the air, "wooooo! Now that's what I call a match! Well done there babe! Now we both get-" But suddenly the lord of death was suddenly interrupted as from below the platform and within the green depths of the vortex!
"Blossoming Prism of Light!"
A great shining diamond of white light appeared covering the whole of the platform, distracted he looked down at it shocked as he cried, "what the! What is this!"
Feeling and then seeing this flood of light themselves everyone looked below then to see the light as it flooded the entire vortex, looking at it Riku spoke baffled, "what is this? What's-"
Suddenly there was a great ringing in the air and suddenly the platform that Hari stood upon was suddenly destroyed as the lights heated radiation splintered it in moments as it shattered and turned to dust.
Pete seeing this occur cried out, "Hari, look out there! Ya gonna-"
However unphased by this sudden destruction Hari simply floated in the air using a float spell upon herself as the light continued to shine from within the vortex, looking down she then spoke, "I see so it's now that you choose to awaken?"
At these words emerging from the white flood of light Nozomi's form came, she was bent forwards her head down as her wings lifted her up. Looking down at her and her sudden appearance the king asked shocked as everyone else looked on just the same, "Nozomi?"
Arriving at the same height she was at Hari gazed at her quietly as Nozomi's form shifted again almost puppet like as her face looked up and at her, her eyes somehow were darkened and empty, her mouth was slightly parted as though she was drowsy.
Gazing at her Hari was silent for a moment as she then corrected herself as she saw that Nozomi was unconscious, "no… it seems not quite, it's the need to survive that has been awakened within you, hasn't it?"
At these words all Nozomi did was raise her keyblade in a dueler's stance and as she did so the same familiar circle emerged beneath her shining with its strong rays of light blue as a sound of ringing filled the air. As it did suddenly shards of blue glass emerged and then covered Nozomi's entire body as she continued in her quiet trance, then at once in a flash the shards and circle had gone.
Now she stood in nearly the same type of armor as it was covered in translucent light blue and silver lines as a dark grey leather cape fell from her back and shoulders. The only thing that wasn't covered was her face and head as she stood still in the same stance.
Looking at her as her transformation was complete Hari spoke again, "I see, you wish to engage… well let us then." With that her visor and helm slid back into place as the two of them clashed together again.
Watching from above Riku couldn't believe it, Nozomi had the armor too now? As he watched her fight he could see that now she was clearly on the same fighting level as Hari as the two of them smashed into one another over and over again. But then as he watched her he noticed that something seemed to be wrong with her…
Hari clashing against Nozomi saw that now she had now become a more worthy opponent, as she looked into her darkened eyes she told her, "you are indeed determined… however," with that she flew back as she then aimed her swords at Nozomi as they came rushing in fast.
However Nozomi looking at the swords as they came rushing towards her aimed her right hand forwards and suddenly as she did huge beams of light emerged from her palms as they smashed into the swords scattering them left and right with huge explosions of power.
Hari seeing this continued to try and strike her with them, but to no avail as the swords were merely scattered and thrown back, seeing that it was pointless to continue with this method she summoned her swords and at once they came apart and formed into her wings as they rejoined her once more.
Then looking at Nozomi with her cold gaze she rushed straight into her once more and began a series of stabbing moves, however Nozomi dodged left and right with ease as her trance remained.
Swinging her keyblade to the right Hari made a single swift strike, however Nozomi bent backwards and then twisting her body she struck Hari's legs with her own feet making her falter, then she struck her right side and then twisting her downwards she fired more beams of white light from her hand as they sent Hari plummeting. As she did Nozomi then took off into the air as her wings beat strongly as she flew and climbed to a certain distance in the air.
Hari turning in the air used her wings to lessen the force of the fall as she turned to stabilize herself in the air, but then as she did suddenly there was a new sound in the air, turning to see what it was she was suddenly struck by something else, it pierced her between her shoulder blades in the one place that was her one and only weakness. Her eyes widened as she gasped feeling her very core being violated, everyone watched on with widened eyes as Nozomi had aimed and pierced Hari's back with a beam of light, the same one that was used upon the keyholes of the worlds.
Looking at her as she did this Hercules questioned, "why is she doing that? What is she-"
But then finishing her attack she dived down again as she struck into Hari's now weakened form severely, watching as she did this Pete was horrified as he realized what could possibly happen to his accomplice, then as he thought this suddenly Nozomi emerged from the bottom again as she had Hari gripped around her neck as she held her by her right hand, seeing this Pete called out alarmed, "what're ya doin! Leave her alone!" He cried out loudly.
Everyone looking at what Nozomi was doing were all terrified too, for she had never gone this far before, what was she doing?
Hari gripped by Nozomi's strong unwavering right hand could sense her neck was being gripped tightly and this rate… well it was simply to be expected, Hari looked at her with her cold eyes as she stared into Nozomi's trance and empty ones as she told her, "well go on then… if you wish to assimilate me then do it…"
At these words the grip became tighter stopping her breath as she was near to her end, Cait sith staring at her as she did this spoke out, "What's she doin! That banshee! She's goin too far she's already won now! She can't-"
Riku staring at what was happening was horrified himself as he then shouted out loudly, "NOZOMI STOP!"
At these very words Nozomi suddenly gasped as she finally snapped out of her trance, she released Hari from her grip in moments as she started to fall in the air, Nozomi in the meantime not noticing gripped her head as it hurt terribly as she spoke, "what the? What happened to me, I?" Then suddenly she noticed her hand and then her body, she had armor now too? Where did it-
But then suddenly there was a huge shaking and rumbling in the ground as the attack that she had launched subconsciously before had now reacted violently against the vortex and was now causing an allergic reaction making the whole place unstable.
Feeling the rumbling and shaking himself Hades was alarmed as he asked, "What the hell is going on? What is-"
But then suddenly a huge spray of green and white light flooded everywhere as the vortex was now in utter turmoil, this sudden explosion of energy then caused Hades to stumble and fall downwards as it momentarily lose a hold on his power which made Ori, Saria's and Vincent's globe go flying onto the edge of the vortex landing amongst everyone.
The fall caused Hades to also lose his hold on the barrier making it vanish in moments, Pete quickly seeing this acted as he launched himself into vortex making Pain and Panic cry out, "Pete!"
In the midst of the storm that was going inside it Nozomi was absolutely confused to no degree, just what the heck had happened? What was going on now! But then suddenly she heard from above, "Nozomi!"
Looking up she then saw the king calling to her, "your majesty!" She cried out.
Seeing that she could hear him the king told her quickly, "Nozomi we gotta go now! This whole place is gonna blow!"
Hearing this realizing this was not good she shouted back, "right okay!" With that she began to make her way back up, but then she heard suddenly, "Ah no not again!"
Looking down she then saw Hades had fallen into the sea of the vortex as it was now trying to drag him under into its abyssal depths once more, seeing this Nozomi paused… closing her eyes she then shook her head as she moved not liking what she had to do.
On the surface on the edges of the vortex Meg, Pegasus, Phil, and Oralee had all escaped through the cave entrance, away from the chaotic chamber having to also wheel Saria, Ori and Vincent out since the globe had not dispersed. However Hercules, Riku, Mickey, Cait sith had stayed behind as they waited for Nozomi.
Quiet as the thrashing of the vortex got worse and worse they were running out of time, Hercules spoke up, "she's gotta hurry up! This place isn't going to be safe too much longer!"
Mickey hearing him replied, "We know that Herc, but we gotta wait and be patient for her, I'm sure she-"
Suddenly he was interrupted as Riku spoke, "there she is!"
At once both the mouse king and Greek hero turned around and sure enough there was Nozomi, Cait sith seeing her called out to her," ya daft Banshee what took ya so long! Don't ya know the meaning of the word-"
But then he stopped in mid sentence as he saw that Nozomi was carrying someone with her, Hades! He was drenched over her shoulders covered in green goo from the vortex that had put his flaming hair out.
As they all looked at her the armor that covered her now dispersed in moments revealing her in her original clothes, seeing this everyone was silent at the transformation and what she was doing, as they all wondered what had gotten into her she called out, "guys help me out! This guy is too heavy for me to just carry out!"
At this call though they were all still confused this was not the time to be asking questions so quickly Hercules rushed over as he propped Hades over himself, as he said, "right okay! Let's get out of here quickly!" Nodding at his words Nozomi and then the others without another word quickly exited the chamber.
Pain and Panic running over called out together, "hey don't leave us behind here!" With that the chamber door collapsed as rocks blocked the way.
In the vortex Pete was quickly carried out by his bat heartless as they held onto his back, he himself held Hari in his arms, she was clearly drained and badly wounded, opening her eyes to look at him though just barely conscious she asked, "Pete… why are you?"
Shaking his head he told her, "Ya just don't know when ta stop yaself do ya? Ya can't be dyin on me now, we've still got work to do as accomplices don't we?"
Hearing this Hari was quiet before she replied putting her head against his chest, "indeed… my apologies," with that she fell under completely breathing gently in and out.
Pete seeing this was terribly saddened as he held her a little more closely and tightly as then a dark portal emerged and took them out of the chaotic vortex as it fully exploded behind them.
Waking up uncomfortably Hades finally awoke from the realms of his unconsciousness as he lay on the floor of his throne room as he asked himself, "geez Louise what a mess, what did I-"
Then suddenly he looked alarmed as he saw that his enemies had all gathered around him, with Hercules and Riku standing over him with Nozomi and Oralee holding Cait sith in the slight distance next to the globe that still had Ori, Saria and Vincent trapped inside, Meg and Phil stood nearby too along with Pegasus. Looking at him with a mixture of dislike and concern. Immediately he rose up and looked up at them bewildered with apprehension as he asked, "what is this! Why have you guys-"
But then suddenly Pain and Panic rushed forwards as they cried shouting, "boss! Boss! We thought ya were done for!"
At this Hades asked, "Done for?' At this both Pain and Panic nodded madly as then Pain explained, "yeah that one girl with the wings went in and scooped you out of there."
"Scooped me out?" With that he then looked to Nozomi who looked back at him with dislike in her eyes.
Looking at him she then told him with a slight sigh, "well don't get me wrong, I didn't do it because I like you or anything like that, but we need you to release Ori, Saria and Vincent and I guess… well even the lord of death doesn't deserve to go in a place like that twice."
At these words Hades then remembered his two former servants as he looked at them both with instant dislike, which in turn made them both look at him with the same sentiment.
Looking away then he didn't feel like co-operating with anyone at all, he was so annoyed, nothing had gone his way at all once again, if Hari and that imbecile Pete ever came again he'd!
But then Hercules spoke up, "Hades, you've got to keep your deal!"
Turning his head around he looked at wonder boy with fury in his eyes," oh I'm sorry were you talking to me?" his flames upon his head turned red for a moment making everyone stand on guard and on edge.
Cait sith aggravated spoke irritated, "don't you be talking to us in that tone ya livin match! Ya've done more damage and caused more trouble than I wanna know, now ya keep yer deal and keep it now!"
Silent as he heard that little cat he turned and looked away. There was silence then for a few moments… however finally with a sigh he accepted defeat, he reached his arm out quietly and as he did a white flame emerged from within his palm that quickly whisked out and wrapped itself around the globe in moments.
Seeing this happen Oralee, Cait sith and Nozomi all got out of the way immediately as then it glowed brightly for a few moments before finally fading away.
The globe finally gone the group of hostages stood bewildered and lost for a moment. Saria and Ori along with Vincent who had now fully awakened and had been restored by the magic of the white flame. Seeing that they were now all free Saria cried out joyfully, "Nozomi!"
Seeing her like this Nozomi cried back just as pleased, "Saria!" With that she ran up to her new friend as the two of them hugged gladly with relief at seeing each other again.
Oralee approached from behind as she smiled just as pleased and then Ori walked over himself sighing with annoyance, "man those two just have to act all bubbly right now don't they, makes my teeth ache!" He spoke as he looked into the distance.
Smiling at this comment she then looked up and over to Vincent who walked past Nozomi and Saria quietly, looking at him Oralee questioned, "Are you all right now Vincent?"
Hearing her ask after his well being Vincent answered her in his usual serious tone as he closed his eyes his arms folded, "yes, I have been fully recovered, it seems a lot has occurred since my incarceration."
Oralee nodded as she replied, "yes it has."
Vincent quiet again for a moment then looked at her as he asked, "and I trust you are in good health?"
At this question Oralee smiled more as she replied, "I'm just fine… I'm sorry that you got caught up in all of this because of me."
Hearing her say this Vincent was silent for a moment more as he saw that Oralee's expression had become saddened for a moment, he silently began to move his clawed arm forwards but before he could get within an inch of touching her Cait sith spoke up as he kicked his hand away, "ya're not touchin my highness! She's mine!" He spoke as he hugged her around her neck.
Seeing him do this Oralee was a little annoyed at this usual possessive behavior of his as she spoke to him, "Cait sith…"
Vincent seeing him do this then let a small smile emerge beneath his cloak unseen by anyone, however he quickly stopped it as he said, "well it matters not, as long as you are in good health then that's all that matters." With that he walked away from her.
Oralee looking after him as he made his way past her, Cait sith spoke up, "man I don't get that silent bloke! He's an unreadable book!" Staring after him too Oralee was silent as she nodded as she replied to Cait sith's comment with a sweet smile, "yes he is indeed."
Hades seeing now that everything was satisfied spoke up, "right now if you guys are all done here, I want you all to get out of my Underworld…right now!" He added with an aggravated tone.
Hearing him everyone was more than happy to leave as Riku spoke up as he began to walk, "fine then we will."
Nozomi then releasing her hug with Saria looked at Hades again as he slouched over on the floor, feeling a bit sorry for him she walked over as she said, "hey Mr. Hades?"
Turning to look at her annoyed he asked her annoyed, "What!"
Taken aback by this slight harsh tone Nozomi looked at him annoyed but then taking a deep breath keeping her patience in check she told him, "well you'll think me strange for saying this but… thanks… thanks for letting everyone go, okay? And… I hope you get the Underworld fixed soon." Hades then looked at her dumbfounded in silence, but then quickly Nozomi turned on her heels as she quickly sped away and caught up to Saria and Riku who stood behind waiting for her. Then with that the others all made their way out of the underworld as Hades was left alone in the cold darkness of his world.
On their trek out to the Coliseum as they climbed along the dark, rocky and watery paths, Saria turned and looked at Nozomi as she asked her, "Nozomi why did you thank Hades like that?"
Riku hearing her also joined in as he asked, "yeah I want to know too, why did you?"
Baffled at them wanting to know Nozomi asked, "huh why?"
Saria nodded while Riku kept quiet as they both waited for her to explain, Nozomi not too keen on this pressure of being stared at then spoke, "uh well you see um… well… I guess it… it had to do with something my Master taught me a long time ago."
At this Riku asked, "your master?"
Nozomi nodded as she was quiet again, but then Saria asked her, "What is it that your master taught you?"
Turning a corner then Nozomi told them as they all walked, "well… he taught me long ago that, " being able to claim victory without destroying your opponent there is great honor in that,' And I guess I just wanted to live up to that idea."
Riku hearing this looked at her oddly as he said, "but you didn't destroy him though if anything you should be saying that about-" however he stopped himself, he couldn't let her know what had nearly happened in the vortex!
Looking at him oddly as he cut himself off Nozomi turned her head to the side as she answered, "yeah I know that! But… I mean Hades looked so sad and defeated that… well I just couldn't leave him just like that."
Hearing this Saria was surprised but then she smiled gently as Nozomi spoke, "yeah I know it's stupid and I probably shouldn't have done that but-"
However Saria this time interrupted her as she said, "no I think that was a nice thing you did, it's as you said right? You have to do what you feel is the correct thing to do, isn't it?"
Nozomi hearing Saria's praise giggled awkwardly as she said scratching the back of her head, "yeah I guess so."
At this though Riku simply retorted, "you're just too soft for your own good."
Hearing this reply Nozomi complained instantly, "hey that was uncalled for! I was just doing what I was…"
As the little argument continued in the distance someone smiled behind the corner they had come from as he folded his arms over his red sleeves as his long robes blew in the wind.
Nozomi in the midst of her argument stopped for a moment as a certain scent caught her attention, she then turned and looked back curious she thought that she saw someone but there was nothing there, did she imagine it?
Looking back at her Riku spoke, "hey what're you stopping for?"
Not sure herself Nozomi turned as she said, "I don't know…" then shrugging her shoulders she proceeded with her friends to the surface.
Riku sighed as he finally finished his apology saying, "and finally once and for all I'm sorry." As he then bowed his head down formally.
Ori and Saria listening to it both had different reactions, Saria was amazed and curious while Ori just grinned at the snow top as he was squirming under Nozomi's serious and commanding stare.
Mickey watching himself fascinated at Riku's apology then watched him as he looked back up and turned around to look at Nozomi annoyed, "are you happy now."
Looking at him with her arms folded her serious expression there for a moment, it changed as she smiled and said, "Yep now I am!"
Sighing as he heard this Riku was just glad to have this over and done with as he turned his face away annoyed. He hated having to give in to her like this. Nozomi then turning looked over to Ori and Saria again, "well guys I guess this is it."
For now it was time for them both to meet up with Ody and Araxne in Twilight Town with Cait sith's power, knowing it was time to say farewell now Saria nodded sad yet happy, "yeah it is… I'll miss you Nozomi."
She nodded too, "yeah ditto, but it'll only be till we meet again right?"
Glad at this answer Saria spoke smiling, "yeah," then with that she gave Nozomi one last small hug, as she too gave her a small squeeze back.
Ori annoyed still at this over sentimentality spoke, "yeah all good sweet and sugary, can we go now?"
Breaking the hug finally Saria replied, "uh, oh yeah of course, let's go then Ori."
Glad to see this he then watched as Saria approached him then before they went to go and approach Oralee and Cait sith who were still in the midst of conversation, Ori decided to go and speak to Nozomi himself as he told Saria, "just wait here a sec kay?"
Hearing him say this Saria replied, "um sure okay."
With that he walked on over to Nozomi as he then spoke to her, "hey?"
Looking at him Nozomi replied, "yeah?"
Staring at her still Ori then said as he tapped on his folded arms, "well I don't say this very often to anyone but, thanks for savin our gooses there."
Nozomi now really was surprised, she was getting praise from Ori? But then this didn't last too long as he then said, "but yer still no where near to bein top-notch ta me, you gotta do a whole lot more trainin."
Hearing this Nozomi turned her face as she replied pouting, "well sue me!"
At this then Ori grinned with his big teeth as he replied, "don't mind if I do!"
Then with that he ran behind her as he quickly smacked her bum and made his way back to Saria as she looked on shocked, Nozomi not pleased cried out mad and embarrassed, "you perverted little brat!"
Hearing this he turned around and then pulled his tongue out as pulled on his cheek puling his left eye lid down showing its pink skin, this in turn made Nozomi madder as she had to hold herself from running over and decking him.
Saria annoyed started telling Ori off, however he wasn't listening as he had one little finger in his right ear bored from being lectured, it was then that Oralee and Cait sith ended their conversation as the small cat was ready to perform his teleportation magic as he cried, "all right lad and lass time to get this show on the road!"
With that they both nodded and with that they both held onto Cait sith's hands, then looking back to Nozomi, Riku, Hercules and the others, the two of them smiled as they were on their way to a new world with new friends in a glitter of yellow light.
Watching as the two of them as they left Nozomi was quiet as she said, "I hope those two will get along well with Ody and Araxne."
At this Mickey replied to her, "I'm sure those fella's will be fine, they'll have a whole lot of fun with everyone in Twilight Town."
Hearing him Nozomi replied smiling, "yeah, I'm sure they will thanks your majesty."
King Mickey smiled as she thanked him and then replied, "aww shucks it's nothing but now-"
However he was interrupted as then Phil spoke up, "now it's time to give you guys my evaluation!"
Hearing this Riku looked at Phil puzzled as he asked, "evaluation?"
At this Phil nodded, "That's right! Now…"
With that everyone was silent as they gathered around to heard Phil's evaluation as he read from a single piece of parchment, "after witnessing you guys over all performance in teamwork, speed, dexterity etc. etc. I have taken it upon myself to dub you guys as…"
Everyone was quiet waiting for the result, it was then finally Phil gave it as he pronounced, "you guys are Intermediate heroes!"
There was silence… Nozomi thought to herself, 'Intermediate hero? What does that mean?' But then before she could ask Mickey replied, "well thanks there Phil… uh that's a great privilege!"
Phil nodded proud, "it sure is! Now you guys gotta go and improve you hear!"
Hearing this Riku replied dryly, "Yeah sure we will Phil."
Hercules and Meg along with Pegasus hearing the dismissive tone in his voice were unsurprised, but then Hercules walking over to them all said, "well you guys did great! Thanks for saving Olympus and my dad as well as giving a great performance at the coliseum."
Hearing this Nozomi replied," oh it's no problem Hercules! It was fun! We gotta do that again sometime!"
Meg hearing this smiled in agreement as she then said, "yeah just make sure it's soon, we need more girl power around here." To which Pegasus neighed in agreement.
At this Nozomi giggled happily at this, then behind her suddenly came another call, "well its time we make another little goodbye!"
Then turning around Nozomi Riku and Mickey turned around to watch as Cait Sith, Oralee and Vincent came forwards, at this though Nozomi couldn't help but be depressed at a certain thought.
Cait sith… now that he had found his princess and rescued her, it was finally going to be good bye for him as well, though she hadn't gotten along with him at the best of times he did have his good moments when he was able to truly help and encourage her and the others. Also since he'd been with them for so long, it just wasn't going to be the same without him.
Arriving over finally Cait sith held his princesses hand as Vincent walked behind him, letting go of him Oralee walked on over as she smiled and spoke to everyone bowing politely, "well this goodbye then for now, I hope you all are prosperous in your future searches."
At this everyone nodded at her words then afterwards Oralee walked on over to Nozomi as she hugged her gently and whispered to her, "thank you for saving me, I'll be looking forward to seeing you again."
Nodding as she heard this glad to feel her warmth again Nozomi replied," yeah me too… have a good time in Hollow Bastion."
Nodding at her words Oralee then stopped her hug as then she walked on over to Vincent and Cait sith as she took her small friends hand again, at once the two of them began to glow with bright yellow light.
But then before they all vanished Nozomi called out, "good luck Vincent! I hope Leon and the others can help you find Lucretia!"
Hearing her say this Vincent nodded at her call as he replied," yes… I believe I will, farewell."
With that they vanished… but-
"Cait sith!" Nozomi spoke surprised, Riku and Mickey too were just as surprised while Phil and the others were puzzled, what was the huge reaction about?
Walking over to them he waved his hands out to them, "that's right mates I'm stayin with you lot!"
At this Mickey spoke first, "what! But why? Didn't you want to be with Oralee again? Why are you-"
Interrupting him Cait sith spoke up, "well that's what me and me highness talked about, cause well… she'll be all right in Hollow Bastion with Leon and them lads since I left one me magic badges with 'em so she can write to me and stuff, but… well ya need me around! Without me you guys don't know left nor right and who else is gonna deliver them Lachesis reports and stuff! I can't be abandoning my position."
Hearing him say this Riku was surprised but he couldn't help though but smile as he said, "oh you can't can you?"
Looking at him he replied, "nope I can't! So," with that he launched himself forwards as he then landed onto Nozomi's shoulder as he told them all, "yer all stuck with me."
Blinking as he said this Nozomi was silent for a moment but then she smiled as she replied, "well, we'll just have to put up with you then."
At this Cait sith only smiled more as he enjoyed the humor that was going on there. Then Meg spoke, "well I'd say after all those goodbyes and stuff you guys are gonna be wanting a drink huh?"
Turning around Nozomi replied, "a drink? Yeah that'd be great!" She spoke as she was indeed thirsty.
Hearing this Mickey added, "yeah I'd say I'm parched, add me to the list too."
"Right then, we'll go and get them, you guys wait here," with that Phil Hercules and Meg all went to get the drinks.
Finally alone Nozomi then decided to voice her thoughts, "well… I guess this is the time now to ask you guys."
Confused for a moment Mickey asked her, "Ask us?"
Nozomi nodded as she looked on with a serious expression, "yeah, you guys have been hiding something from me all this time haven't you? Hari kept talking about something being inside me and now and again you guys have acted weird too, also with that armor and stuff that's got something to do with it too doesn't it?"
At this Riku and Mickey were quickly becoming uncomfortable, this was not something easy for them to talk about, seeing them being this way only made Nozomi all the more stronger in her resolve as she asked, "and again now you're doing it, so… just tell me now what is it?"
Cait sith was quiet as he watched everyone's reactions, how would this draw out? However there was only silence, which in turn only caused him to be annoyed, "oh come on lads just spill it already! This ain't no time for an angst fest!"
However the silence still hung for a few more moments until finally Riku spoke as he sighed, "all right, I'll tell you."
Mickey hearing him say this though was against it as he spoke worried, "Riku you don't have to talk explain it! I'm the one who should-"
However Riku interrupted him, "no, I'm the one who promised that I would tell her so… just let me, okay?"
Quietly after a moment Mickey relinquished as he turned and faced Nozomi as he said, "all right I'll tell you."
Nozomi nodded, "okay."
However he continued to look away still unsure of himself of how to begin, annoyed Nozomi put hands to his face as she made him turn and look at her, this made Cait Sith and Mickey look at the both oddly.
Riku surprised himself spoke, "what're you-"
"Don't look away from me! When you're telling me something!" She spoke annoyed as she then went on," All right, I can take it, I'm stronger than you think I am, so don't be scared, okay?" At which she smiled up to him brightly.
Seeing her do this Riku was surprised as he even blushed slightly at her touch and smile… but then feeling this boost he began to speak, "Nozomi… you are-"
But suddenly all at once there was a shine from nowhere as Nozomi let go of Riku's face in moments and he plus Mickey and Cait sith looked on shocked as the circle emerged beneath their feet with the Roman numeral "VII" upon it as Nozomi's wings extended out.
"What's-" But before Nozomi could say another word a huge pillar of light emerged as they were all transported into the air and onto their next world.
Arriving out through the Coliseum doors as the light vanished Phil emerged as he cried, "well here you are there guys fresh drinks for…" however there was nothing but silence that greeted him as he saw only an empty sandy ground.
(Well there we go guys at last the end of the Hercules arc! Look forward to the next upcoming arc, kay? Hope to hear reviews from you all, okay laters!)
