Chapter CXVIX: Into the depths of Atlantis final part I

Standing in the centre of the darkened and barren cavern Uriax was silent as he slowly raised his right arm up, as he did a glowing dark purple orb of power emerged as it throbbed rapidly within his fingertips.

Watching in the distance Rourke stood with Pete and Helga silently as his heartless all stood behind them, wavering to and throw patiently and quietly. Bored though as ever he watched as Uriax he turned to Pete as he asked him, "so what's this fancy little light show supposed to do?"

Pete told him feeling a little wary of Uriax's power as confidently as he could, "well uh... lets just say it's gonna be an eye opener!"

Quiet as he heard this Rourke raised his eyebrow but then he turned to watch Uriax again and as he did he saw the orb within the mysterious young man's hand had grown slightly bigger which remarkably caused a little surprise within him.

Helga who had been quiet the entire time was feeling wary like she had when she had been in the crystal chamber. As she watched Uriax she didn't like the flow of power that was resonating within him and as she continued to stare on suddenly the charging youth turned his head and looked in her direction.

She jumped as she felt herself completely shudder inside and as he smiled the orb in his raised right arm suddenly flew from his hand as it shot upwards like a rocket. As it did there was a huge explosion as the rocky ceiling above shuddered terribly from the blast that had been created.

Feeling the shudder themselves everyone was now on edge as they continued to watch Uriax who was now watching the destruction from above, smiling he lowered his right hand again as he saw what his spell had caused.

However feeling the tremors still completely made Helga go on edge as she looked above again and saw that the spell had now dislodged the enormous rocks from the ceiling and as they did they began to fall downwards heading straight towards the one who had caused its destruction.

Seeing the objects coming towards him Helga shouted out, "look out there!"

Hearing this voice though Uriax simply continued to smile as he lifted up his hand again and as he did a huge gust of wind emerged turning into a powerful twister quickly making the rocks fly away left and right, none of them even partially touching him.

As the strewn rocks fell missing the small gang of villains as they cowered from the shuddering impacts that were caused they all quietly waited until they ceased. Then recovering cautiously they all got up and were stunned with amazement at the power that had been displayed.

Uriax though continued to look upwards as he saw the result that he'd achieved, pleased he turned to his contractee as he told him jokingly with a sarcastic smile, "I believe it's exit stage up for you now."

Hearing this Rourke who had now fully recovered was quiet but then quickly walking up to the magical demolisher he looked upwards himself as he stood next to him as he saw a light shining down from above leaking through a hole that had been caused by Uriax's spell. Seeing his exit the commander grinned with a wide smile.

Pete who had been completely silent up to this point had now recovered fully and properly, he trembled inside as he thought about the power Uriax had just displayed. Quiet he then thought back to when they had been waiting for Helga and Rourke to return, during that time his partner had been silent mostly letting him and the heartless do most of the hard labour for the plan he'd concockted to assist with the taking of the crystal. But even then when he'd been calm and silent Pete had sensed a quiet burning. seething rage which he had not wanted to provoke at any point for fear he'd be zapped, blasted, frozen or who knows what by one of his powerful spells.

He then thought to himself, 'Maleficent really picked a big one here...' but then he stopped as he watched on quietly again to see what would occur next.

Rourke was definitely impressed as he then told Uriax patting him on his shoulder, "nice work, couldn't have done it better myself."

Seeing the hand on his shoulder Uriax wasn't amused and so brushed it away as though it were a pesky fly as he told Rourke, "I'm sure... but I've got something else that even you wouldn't have thought of!"

Baffled as he heard this Rourke was quiet but suddenly before he could say a word Uriax had smacked his hands together and as he did huge bolts of lightning raced between his fingers with little volts dancing away left and right.

Scaring him one of them almost hit Rourke as he jumped back and called out angered, "hey what do you think yer-"

However he was halted in moments as Uriax put his hands to the ground and as he did an enormous portal of darkness emerged beneath him as something quickly began to rise up and carry him upwards into the air.

Rourke watching as he saw the enormous creature that was emerging from the darkness saw it was definitely a force to be reckoned with and would in no doubt gain the rich results he was after and as the creature roared loudly making the whole place shake he said aloud grinning from ear to ear, "I love it when I win!"

Helga and Pete both watching in the distance still watched the enormous colossi monster with widened and shocked eyes. The lieutenant was quiet as she turned to him and asked disbelieving, "are you seeing this?"

Pete nodded slowly as he told her, "just as much as you are toots!" Then as he thought about Maleficent again and remembering this guy was her apprentice he finished his first thought as he wondered, 'I'm wonderin'... has she chosen one that's way too big to handle?

Continuing to ride upon the sting ray vehicle that she was on Nozomi held onto Riku tightly as they turned left and right through the caverns quickly making their way to where the kidnappers were currently preparing their get away.

As they rode on forwards Nozomi spoke her thoughts as she called out, "hey Milo!"

Hearing her as he looked in her direction from his hammerhead shark Mickey and Meixeng continued to ride on it with him the linguist asked, "yeah!"

Nozomi then replied back, "do you have a plan for us? What're we gonna do for an attack?" For she was not specialised in battling upon machines like this and so it was better to go in prepared even if it was just a little.

Quiet for a moment this was something that the linguist up to this point hadn't thought about but now asked the question he began to quickly hatch something within his mind, "a plan?A Plan... a plan..." Then after deliberating for a few moments he'd come up with something so quickly he spoke out, "okay this is the plan! We're gonna come in low and take 'em by surprise!"

Hearing this idea Mickey behind him replied liking this idea, "right! Nice thinking Milo that should work!"

Glad to hear this he replied to him, "thanks!"

Nozomi nodded as well thinking that this was a good and simple idea said, "yeah sounds easy enough, I bet that arrogant jerk won't suspect anything like this anyway!"

However Riku being as logical as he was replied to her, "don't be so sure of that."

Hearing this Nozomi was surprised as her smile dropped for a moment as she asked, "what do you mean?"

With that he enlightened her, "Rourke is definitely a jerk and cold hearted beyond any measure but he works for the military and in that kind of environment you are disciplined never to be unprepared... " Nozomi was quiet as she heard this and then Riku finished as he told her, "this guy is never someone I'd say who'd be taken by surprise by anything."

Nozomi then asked aloud, "does that mean we'd have no advantage at all?"

Audrey on her own fish beside Sweet rode up close to as she told them, "definitely not with all those guns and heartless he's got!"

Cait sith annoyed spoke up aggravated by all this pessimistic chatter, "great then! Well what do ya lot even got that might help!"

To which Vinny spoke up as he replied back riding his tuna "yeah don't get shot or mawed!"

Unworried though Meixeng wasn't going to let guns or heartless get in the way of rescuing her dear friend as she called out, "no need to worry about! They've gotta be more terrified of the pummelling I'm gonna be dishin' out!"

With that turning the corner Nozomi still felt unsure though... how were they properly supposed to fight back against Rourke and all those heartless? More importantly how could they could rescue Kida safely? As these thoughts raced within her mind when suddenly there was a shout from Milo as he called out, "there they are!"

At once Nozomi looked up to see what Rourke and the rest of the kidnapping members were doing. But as she looked on her eyes widened as she saw what it was that was now carrying the metallic box that contained Kida, she then asked aloud, "what the heck is that thing?"

It was an enormous creature tall and completely imposing, it held Kida's box by four long claws which were all tightly locked onto the four corners of its metallic lid. The rest of it could only be described as resembling something along the lines of a squid perhaps or maybe even an octopus?

But this creature was not soft in any spot, for it was metallic all over as its armour covered it, its long tentacles were writhing back and forth all over as it was ready and waiting for any prey that dared stray near it. The creature had lifted off of the ground and was being held aloft by pulsating red jelly like orbs at its top which were guarded fiercely by angelic bat like wings as they beat strongly around them.

Everyone was astonished for no-one had prepared themselves for the likes of this, but upon a golden metallic ring that surrounded the creature's middle which was connected by chains Rourke was standing alongside Helga and the both of them saw the oncoming rescue team.

Looking at them all approaching on their marine orientated crafts Rourke just as predicted was prepared as he spoke out annoyed, "we've got company!" With that he turned back down to the ground as he called out, "Pete! Give me reinforcements now!"

With that popping out from behind some rocks Pete saluted him from fu;;y recuperated from his episode of terror as he called out to him, "ya've got it! One heartless air force strike comin' right up!"With that and a click of his fingers portals of darkness swirled upon the ground and in the air. Then in seconds battalions and battalions of heartless emerged.

Some were sky pirate types, others were almost like fast like gliders as they started to dive straight in for the attack and the others there were mainly aeroplane riding ones and as they aimed they began to fire their bullets and begin the battle against the heroes.

On the ground enormous tank like heartless emerged, looking at them proudly as they appeared Pete watched as they aimed and as they got into position he shouted out,"fire!" With that they began to fire as barrages of fiery missiles rained forwards!

Seeing Pete emerge Nozomi and the others were shocked but then Mickey called out to his age old adversary, "Pete!"

Hearing him grinning widely from ear to ear the confident villain saluted to him as the tanks continued to fire he called back, "long time no see yer royal pip squeakiness!"

This angered Mickey in seconds but before he could say another word another huge cannonball of fire raced straight in their direction and as it did Milo steered the craft as he called out, "holy smokes!"

Then in seconds just as the projectile missed them it exploded and as it did Milo turned to Mickey as he asked him, "you know that guy!"

Nozomi though called out still riding behind Riku as she called back, "its a long story!"

Riku nodded as he also replied back, "exactly and we don't have time to talk about it! We've got to stop them all escaping through that shaft!"

Hearing that info Milo looked at the giant heartless squid/octopus and looked above and saw the shining hole in the rock and then turning to them both again he replied, "you're right! Okay! Everyone fight the heartless as best as you can! We've got to stop that thing!"

With that everyone nodded in agreement and with that they all proceeded forwards, however the heartless had them all clearly out numbered by miles and as they darted in and out between them all dodging bullets and oncoming attacks Nozomi noticed something. For as she continued to ride on the string ray holding onto Riku tightly she saw that they had no way to fight back! For the heartless had their claws and those cannons and bullets being fired from below and all around knowing what she could do in the air to help she spoke aloud, "right!"

Riku hearing her was puzzled at why she said this but then suddenly he felt her grip leave his middle and as he did he turned around and saw Nozomi jump off the sting ray and as she did he called out to her, "Nozomi!"

In moments though the female keyblader called out her wings and as they emerged beside her heels she flew in the air and as she did she told him as she made her way back up to him, "its all right! You go on forwards! I'm gonna give these guys a piece of my mind!" With that she called out 'The Starseeker.'

As she did Riku looked at her wide eyed as he asked, "but you'll-"

However Cait sith spoke up himself now riding on Nozomi's head once again, "don't you worry lad! I'm the one in control of these reins!" With that he pulled on Nozomi's hair which caused her to wince slightly as she looked up at him annoyed as he then reassured the white haired youth, "I'll make sure she ain't blown out of the sky! Ya just ride on and do some damage!"

Listening to this Riku was silent but knowing how formidable Nozomi was in the air and also with Cait sith on her side this gave him reassurance and so he told them both, "okay! Do your best out here! And be careful!" With that he rode on forwards.

Nozomi smiled and then turning to the heartless that were quickly approaching she spoke aloud, "don't worry!" Then as they were on top of her she pointed her keyblade out to them as she said, "these guys are the ones that need to be careful of me!"

With that she raced on towards them! She then called out, "Swift Star Rays!" In moments the shining stars raced out and struck the heartless coming at her in seconds stopping them in their tracks.

As they were stopped Nozomi went straight in with a series of her powerful kicks as she struck them all down and then circling in the air she called out her keyblade as she cut and sliced them all through in a wide circle as they all faded away into dust.

Smiling at her work she felt her confidence growing but then Cait sith on her head noticed something from below coming fast and as it did he called out, "lass six o'clock!"

Surprising her Nozomi called out, "what!" But then noticing something red hot and flaming she quickly back tracked hurriedly and as she did the cannonball that was fired exploded in seconds.

Blinding her in moments she covered her eyes, then as it passed Cait sith was the first to see something alarming as he called out, "lass!"

Looking up hearing him Nozomi then saw to her shock and horror a heartless now ready to strike her with its long red claws and there was no time for her to move but all at once a shout came out, "take this!"

Suddenly a spray of water at high pressure rained out and as it did it struck the heartless away in moments sending it flying, Nozomi looking down then saw where it had come from. Meixeng standing on Milo's hammerhead shark looked on angered as Mickey was pointing upwards showing he was the one directing her where to fire, agitated as her summoning circle vanished along with the giant dusk fist she spoke out, "damn pests!"

Seeing her Nozomi smiled gladly as she called out, "guys!"

Hearing her Mickey waved to her as he called out, "hey!"

However still in the seriousness of the moment Milo told her, "Nozomi help cover us! We gotta get closer to them!"

At this request there was no hesitation from her as Nozomi answered,"right!" With that she flew around them as she did her best to assist everyone as they proceeded forwards towards the colossi heartless.

Watching from the ground below Pete was pleased at the damage and destruction his heartless were creating as he grinned from ear to ear as another tank heartless fired another blast knocking another fish out of the air, "ha! This is even greater then bobbin' fer apples!"

Looking to his cohort who was behind a rock his back to it he asked him, "so what do ya think of the light show? Those chumps ain't got no chance against our arsenal!"

However Uriax beside him said nothing as he continued to watch the battle above, the warriors of Atlantis along with the rebels were all clearly struggling against the heartless that had been sent after them and as Rourke joined in the fray along with Helga both firing their own firearms it seemed that they had no chance at all.

But as he stood their contemplating Pete was clearly unworried as he thought victory was definitely assured as he boasted, "why don't we bring out grill! They're all gonna be fried kippers at the end of this! We'll-"

Uriax stopped him in his tracks as he interrupted him, "don't be so sure."

At this Pete stared at him quietly baffled and as he did another cannon fired before he recovered himself and asked, "what? What do ya mean by that! They're gonna be Frick a shay out there! Why would ya-"

However Uriax told him, "well don't you think its weird that a powerful and ancient race like Atlantis would just make something simple like flying fish to ride on? It's a ludicorous notion especially when you consider creations like the behemoth Leviathan they've created."

Hearing this Pete paused for a moment as he remembered the giant and terrifying crustacean like monster they had encountered not so long ago, it gave him the shudders just thinking about it and doing so he asked, "so yer sayin' they've got-"

Suddenly from above there was a huge bang and as that rang out Uriax looked to Nozomi fighting in the air and as he watched on quietly as she spun and sliced through the air he wondered where the battle would lead to next?

Up above as another blast echoed out one more of the fish carrying a warrior of Atlantis fell and as Vinny tried to shield his eyes from the flurry of debris that was raining down his other hand fell down upon the pad. As he did this something occurred as the ancient techology glowed with that bright blue light again and as it did suddenly from the fishes mouth a huge bolt of blue lightning flooded out creating a devastating and destructive path upon the rocky ground. As it went forwards it struck one of the tank heartless on the ground making it conduct all over furiously before suddenly in a flash and bang it was destroyed in moments!

Seeing this and the other warriors around him they smiled as he did as he said, "okay now things are getting good!"

With that the warriors all began their onslaught of the heartless as the tide of battle had changed and things were now beginning to be in their favour once again.

Nozomi racing forwards now still flying in and around saw what Vinny had done as she blasted another air pirate out of the way with her 'Swift Stars Rays' smiled up as she called out, "nice work Vinny!" To which the bomb expert smiled as he saluted to her before continuing his electrified barrage of the heartless and the tanks down below.

In the distance Riku who had been proceeding forwards looked back and saw what Vinny had discovered and then looking to his own sting ray he immediately took action as heartless were once again upon him. However instead of using his agility to evade he pressed his own hand down on the panel and at once bombs of lightning launched forwards wiping out the heartless in moments as they disintegrated into black dust.

Seeing this he smiled to himself as he said, "great now let's get to our target!" With that he launched himself and the sting ray forwards gaining further and further coverage, as he did he then started flying around the creature avoiding its tentacles as they moved all over trying to grab him as he went.

However he proved to be too fast and as he went he smiled as he couldn't but help feel a little cocky as he said, "this'll be easy!"

However he spoke too soon as at once again something exploded near him and as it did he quickly made an evasive manoeuvre and as he looked up he saw Rourke and Helga who were now concentrating their shots at him as they both aimed their guns at him.

Seeing this he spoke to himself, "tch! Spoke too soon!" With that he began to dodge again as the rain of bullets continued to be fired at him.

In the distance though now making their way swiftly forwards Nozomi saw what Riku was doing as he evaded the shots of the evil commander and lieutenant, seeing him struggle she spoke out worried, "they've got guns there too! What should we do?"

Hearing her ask this question Mickey who had been quiet for the majority of this time when he'd not been firing away his magical spells had been observing the creature as he identified its weak points and just at that moment as the question came from Nozomi's lips he'd come up with something, "we've gotta get over there! We gotta stop that thing from escaping to the surface!"

Hearing the obvious being spelled out for them again didn't please Cait sith as he cried back holding onto Nozomi's head for dear life, "yeah! Like that's somethin' we didn't know already mate! But how are we-"

Mickey then did something rare, he interrupted him as he told him,"we need to stop it from being able to float upwards! We just gotta get over there and destroy its floating orbs we'll have a real good chance then to beat 'em!"

Hearing this Nozomi looked at the creature again as she saw its throbbing orbs as they continued to carry the creature ever upwards, then looking to her keyblade she knew that was the best thing to do, for if they couldn't ascend then no matter how long the battle took, they'd never escape anyway! So turning to the king again she said, "okay! So what do we do?"

At which point it was now Milo's turn to give an assessment as he said, "right! This! You and we are gonna be decoys! When we've drawn their fire long enough you take Mickey and get Riku up there and destroy those orbs!"

Listening to a well thought out plan like this Cait sith was pleased as he signalled for the keybladers as he saluted from Nozomi's head and replied, "aye! Aye! Lad!"

Milo then looking saw two more of his companions and seeing them he called out,"Audrey! Sweet!"

At once the medic and mechanic turned their heads in his direction as he told them both,"I want you both to fly underneath that thing and cut Kida loose! And-"

Meixeng then was the one to voice herself as she said, "I'll cover you both from any nasty little surprises that thing has!"

Sweet hearing this plan along with Audrey nodded as she did and replied, "right! We're on it!"

Then with that Meixeng quickly got up and listening to the advice of Uma and Fuma on her shoulders she jumped across and made her way onto their fishy vehicle in a hurry.

Looking ahead again Milo then spoke out as he held onto the hammerhead shark again tightly, "all right guys! Here we go!" With that they all raced forwards to assist Riku and defeat the ascending heartless!

Watching from below as another tank heartless exploded into pieces Pete barely managed to escape from being struck down by a comet of melting metal and debris, "hey whoa! Watch it there!"

He couldn't believe that the battle had changed so dramatically as now his heartless were proving not to be as much of a force to be reckoned with as he would have liked! Then looking above he quickly saw that things were not working out for Rourke and Helga either as now Riku who had been flying solo was now joined by Nozomi and Milo as they caught his attention.

He watched as they worded something to each other and with that after a moment of silence the lot of them dived down as Helga and Rourke continued to shoot after them . But as they descended Pete became shocked as suddenly Riku discarded the sting ray craft he'd been riding upon as Nozomi took him by his right hand and quickly lifting him along with Mickey who was being held by her left they flew up together making their way to the top of the creature where its throbbing orbs lay.

Seeing this with widened eyes the tall and big villain knew what they were going to do in seconds as he spoke to Uriax outraged, "do ya see what those chumps are doin! They're-"

However he was distracted once again as there was a sound of roaring and bashing, looking above he saw then that that monkey girl with the white hair was helping out two of the other crew members as one was using a saw to try and cut through the claws of the creature that continued to hold onto Kida's captive box.

But as they were attempting to rescue the princess of Atlantis the heartless was also trying to attack them as enormous sharp toothed mouths came out from underneath as more long tentacles as they were threatening to grab and take them into its ominous, sharp and painful jaws.

However the monkey mistress nobody was stopping its onslaught as every time it went to jab and grab she immediately acted as she summoned her ape dusk's enormous arm punching and smashing them back and striking them with jets of water if the tentacles dared touch any of them.

While this was occurring Milo was steering his hammerhead shark distracting Helga and Rourke's shots from his companions as they concentrated on trying to free Kida and stop the heartless.

Seeing what they were doing Pete couldn't believe it! "A double dipper! Those pesky little runts are more sneaky then I ever have-"

Uriax though interrupted him as he said, "yeah! Very strategic... which is what I enjoy!"

At this note Pete was shocked as he heard amusement in his tone, then looking in his direction he saw something else that scared him, Uriax was smiling almost madly and then he spoke once again, "I suppose now it's my turn to come out and play?"

Hearing these words Pete couldn't believe what he was saying as he then cried out, "but ya can't do that! Hari even said it! Maleficent don't want anyone knowin' bout ya helpin' her! She'll-"

However Pete stopped in his tracks as Uriax continued interrupting him again as he said, "I know very well how my lady operates and the words of that heartless doll are irrelevant... for there is something I have been taught that she could never do."

At these words Pete was angered as he didn't like anyone mocking Hari especially someone so arrogant as this little punk but before he could protest hundreds of wisps of darkness emerged all over Uriax and as he watched on he heard the apprentice speak on, "allow me to show you... the nightmare of darkness!"

Suddenly the wisps of darkness all around him turned into dark blue flames and as they did they covered his entire body, they were all quickly becoming a glowing fierce blue pillar as laughter echoed all around before turning into a horrible menacing roar.

Looking at him with wide eyes Pete asked, "what are ya-"

Up above Nozomi, Riku and Mickey had finally made it to the throbbing red orbs and as she let each of her friends go she called out, "all right guys let's do this!"

Hearing her the both of them replied, "right!"

With that all three ran to one orb each and began their attack as they all struck into each of the red throbbing menaces hard with their keyblades, the wings that turned around them tried each to hold the strikes back and even hit them but it was fruitless as they dodged and destroyed them too as more and more damage was being dealt to the monster.

As each keyblader struck and struck again the light within the orbs was becoming less and less, seeing this Cait sith still on Nozomi's head called out, "it's workin' lads! Keep it up!"

Hearing this the lot of them did just that and as he concentrated Mickey finally dealt the final blow as the orbs he was targeting ceased glowing and as it did there was an almighty screech as it vanished away in moments in a leak of dark light.

The heartless trembled as it wobbled slightly and leaned ever so slightly to the right unbalancing Rourke and Helga as they looked up shocked as the creature moaned in pain.

Seeing what he'd accomplished as the speed of the monster was slowly halting the king called out, "yes! One down!"

Up above Nozomi couldn't help but smile as she called down, "well done your majesty!"

Riku smiling as well was quiet as Cait sith called out, "yeah! Wait ago mousey cheeks now we-"

"RRRROOOOOOAAAARRRRRRR!"

Distracting them all in moments as they heard this blood curdling call everyone stopped in their tracks, even Rourke and Helga stopped. After a moment the commander shouted out, "just what the heck was-"

Audrey looking around quietly stopped her sawing was trying to see where the roar had come, looking to Sweet and Meixeng she asked them, "what do you think that was?"

Not being able to see Meixeng was quiet but she knew it was bad as she replied, "I don't know but-"

Suddenly from behind her something went past her stopping her talking in moments and as she did she turned around shocked. But then above Helga and Rourke jumped back as something climbed past them in a hurry and finally up above Riku who was holding onto the heartless tightly keeping his grip asked, "what's going on! What is-"

But suddenly shocking everyone again the roar came once more,

"RRRROOOOOOAAAARRRRRRR!"

Then suddenly on top of the hideous heartless emerged a new creature. It was a tall monster with long arms and long white sharp claws on the end of each one. Its legs too were long and a tail swayed to and throw to match as a yellow orb glowed on its end. It was almost rabbit like but far more threatening as sharp razor teeth grinned down at all of them. On its head there were two long ears, one though was slightly shorter then the other as a single tear shaped pearl earring was attached to it. It was dark blue mainly in colour with lilac fur surrounding its neck making a mane and this colour of fur trailed onto its belly, in places it was also decorated in purple diamonds and as it stared at the keyblade warriors with haunting pale blue eyes it was clear the battle was only going to become more fierce...