Chapter CXXII: The Three Fairies and Inspector
Return To The Radiant Gardens Part I
Gazing down upon the darkness of the skies outside of her castle Maleficent looked on with pleased eyes as she saw more hearts started to rain down from the skies above... she watched on quietly as they all floated towards the top most part of her domain.
Looking at them she spoke aloud, "so it seems she was successful yet again?" Then at these words suddenly in the sky there was a flash of red light and from within it a small shape raced forwards and entered one of the high towers as the sound of metallic wings beat and faded away.
Quiet still the smile on her face there was nothing that could rob Maleficent of the sinister glee that was spreading throughout her, but suddenly then a sound occurred that disturbed her.
Hearing it her smile dropped as she became annoyed, turning around she looked to see what the source of the sound was. Looking she then saw a portal of darkness emerge and as it did there was a sound of roaring and claws that made her eyebrows prick upwards.
Then suddenly, "oh quit yer fussin' and hollerin'!" At once from within the darkened portal Pete emerged as he dragged in with him Uriax still in his beast form as he continued to act aggressively trying to free himself from the binding net trap he had been placed within.
Annoyed still at this supposed excellent apprentice Pete spoke out, "honestly! Ya're more trouble than yer worth! Why when Maleficent learns what ya-"
It was then he turned his head as he saw he was in his mistresses presence and quickly felt his nervousness return as he said, "uh? Well hiya there Maleficent! I didn't see ya there!"
The mistress of darkness seeing the imbecile had returned irritation entered into her eyes as she replied, "as I can see..." then turning to the beast that was still twisting and turning in the trap, she looked back to Pete again as she asked, "and just what is that beast you are carrying with you?"
Hearing the question Pete replied "ya mean this?" With that he then tossed Uriax onto the floor like a sack, as the beast hit the floor he roared madly wanting to carve his long claws into the bumbling moron. However Pete used to this by now turned away from him as he turned to reply back to Maleficent,"this is that apprentice guy ya've been trainin' up."
At these words Maleficent unexpectedly became surprised as she asked,"this young man is?"
Pete nodded as he proceeded to go on with his complaints,"yep that's right! Let me tell ya he's been givin' me nothin' but headache since I brought him back here! He ain't even bothered to transform back! I'm tellin' ya! Yer gonna have ta give him a real talkin' to 'fore he-"
However the big lumbering villain stopped as he saw the mistress of darkness walk on over and bend over the netted sack, quietly he saw her smile which shocked him inside as he was expecting her to be as annoyed he was but instead he heard her say, "he's even progressed to these extremes! What wondrous power!"
Silent as he heard her say this he watched as she looked upon Uriax for a moment longer before she finally got up and turned to him again as she then asked him, "so tell me? Why has he been imprisoned like this?"
At the question Pete gave his reply after a moment of hesitation, "well uh, ya see uh?..." Looking to the angry beast then again he knew that this would be one of his only chances to accomplish his little goal, "this big bozo lost control o' himself! He charged straight into this big fight with Mickey and them others and he just couldn't keep a lid on himself or even keep to the plan so I had to step in 'fore he could be turned to dust!"
Listening to this little explanation Maleficent was quiet for a moment as she took in the information before replying, "so... you're saying you intervened?"
Pete nodded as he spoke on, "yeah that's right I did and he was-"
However once again he was surprised as Maleficent started to laugh out loud making him stop in moments, after this little moment of sudden hysteria the evil witch spoke, "how amusing! You were never one to act this way in the past!"
As he heard this within inside of him Pete became annoyed however he didn't reveal this as finally Maleficent spoke, "it seems you have changed... maybe you're not as incompetent as you once were."
Glad to get this small amount of acknowledgement Pete replied acting bashful, "well ya know Maleficent someone had ta put on the breaks... otherwise all that trainin' ya been doin on this guy would be all made into a real lousy zero!"
Hearing this Maleficent was impressed that he was clearly thinking more now replied, "indeed..." then after a moment she made a suggestion, "I suppose I should reward you for your little intervention?"
At these words Pete couldn't believe that they had come past Maleficent's lips but he knew better and so keeping his excitement bottled he simply nodded and replied, "well I certainly would like that there Maleficent."
Seeing this it was clear to the witch of darkness what Pete wanted and feeling good at that time she decided to do something which was rare for her... she decided to be generous, "very well then... let us go meet her."
With that surprising Pete she started to walk away approaching the staircase and as the lumbering villain watched her take those steps he hauled the net / sack containing Uriax over his shoulder as he followed the witch of darkness to the room where he would be given his reward.
Arriving quickly upon the palace grounds after the two of them had delivered the unconscious refugee girl to another safe world, Aqua and Vez quickly both heard the sounds of combat and shouts of rage from within the sacred grounds.
Hearing them the female knight spoke up as her eyes widened at the sounds of violence, "these sounds? The king has-"
"He's lost control!" Ventus spoke as he realised just as Aqua had that the king had lost control of the courts!
Immediately Aqua acted as she said urgently," come on Ventus! We've got to assist his highness!"
Nodding at these words quickly Ventus quickly followed her into the palace! As they entered the grand wooden doors the sight of a knight striking another down was the first thing that met their eyes as the heart of the poor victim faded away into nothingness.
This horrified them both as they saw that this scene was being repeated across the hallway! It was total carnage, they couldn't believe it!
Acting quickly Ventus spoke up, "We've got to stop them!" With that he ran forwards as he proceeded to try and stop another fatal blow upon a fellow knight.
Seeing him run forwards immediately Aqua chased after him as she called out, "Ventus wait!" However in her path another knight came attacking as he aimed for her making her have to strike back.
However quickly taking out his keyblade Ventus defended the victim as he spoke out, "you' must cease this now!" He told the attacker.
Dealing away with the knight who stood in her way Aqua quickly came upon the situation Ventus was in and as she quickly approached she saw that the victim he had so bravely protected brought out something from under his cape, seeing this she cried out, "Ventus!"
Quickly shocked the youngest knight turned and as he did suddenly-
Opening her eyes Nozomi spoke softly, "Ventus...?" As she closed her eyes again she felt strange all over as a feeling of weightlessness wrapped around her as a strong white light shone around her too.
As she felt this radiance she also felt herself descending and as it increased so did her awareness and as it grew she moved herself as she rolled in the air making her stand back on her two feet once again.
Standing fully she felt she was once again on solid ground and as she did the white light around her vanished and as it did her wings folded back into her quickly once more as she had finally arrived at their destination.
Surprised at her elegant landing she looked around herself as she saw the world around her, looking at it she whispered, "this is-?"
"Urgh..."
Drawing her away from her observations she quickly turned as she saw on the ground lying around her were, Mickey with Cait sith behind him and finally Riku looking at them she became alarmed immediately as she ran to them all and spoke, "guys!"
Getting down on her knees she turned to Mickey and Cait sith as she asked them both quickly, "Mickey! Cait sith! Are you guys okay?"
Hearing her stirring out of the realms of unconsciousness Mickey awakened as he said feeling tired, "Nozomi?"
Smiling relief coming over her she spoke, "oh thank goodness you're okay!"
"Good to know some people are!" Cait sith spoke as he shook his head trying to regain himself.
At these words Nozomi replied asking, "what aren't you all right?"
Scratching his fur Cait sith replied, "well I'm definitely better than some landin's we've had so far! But still..." then clicking his bones back into place the small black continued, "this way of havin' to travel is a real pain!"
Nozomi was quiet at this remark but then Mickey finally getting his senses back together as he spoke up, "don't worry Nozomi, I'm not that bad besides I think we landed quite softly and...,"
Hearing these words the female keyblader could see that he was trying to reassure her which made her smile as she told him, "don't worry your majesty I'm not mad."
With these words said Mickey himself was relieved because the last thing he wanted was an argument the first thing they land but then Cait sith turned and asked, "ain't you got no headache lass?"
At this question Nozomi blinked as she responded, "uh no... I-"
"Uuhh..." Finally Riku had awoken as he started to sit up right.
Seeing and hearing him move Nozomi looked to him and in seconds she said, "Riku!" As she quickly went over to him.
The white haired keyblader holding his own head was busy trying to get bearings back when he felt a familiar presence next to him as he heard her ask, "Riku are you okay? Are you hurting?"
Turning his head he looked at her and seeing the concerned look on her face made him smile, after a moment he then replied, "I'm fine Nozomi, don't worry the landing was quite soft."
Feeling her final ounce of relief Nozomi smiled as she replied, "that's good!" Then getting up she reached her hand down to him as she asked, "need a hand up?"
Seeing her offer assistance Riku knew the answer he was going to give as he replied, "definitely!" With that he took her hand and was pulled back up onto his feet.
Watching the two of them from a distance both now on their own feet Cait sith and Mickey saw the warm smiles on the female and male keyblader's faces. The king smiled as he felt the warmth between the two of them while Cait sith simply shook his head as he said, "boy this sweetness his killin' me!"
Now walking together the group went into the town they had arrived in, as they looked around it was a strange feeling that dwelt over them for though this place was vastly different at the time it was overly familiar to them all.
The whole place had a clean and pristine feeling as the roads were now all laden with fresh bricks, there were even flowers in pots in nearly every angle they could they walked further in seeing and feeling the beauty of the place it was then Mickey noticed something as he looked up,"hey fella's? Are those decorations up there?"
Hearing him it was then that the others looked up too and indeed all over the place the buildings around them were decorated with various banners and colourful shapes all around as they even seemed to glow and glitter in the light. It was clear there was going to be a celebration of some kind and it clearly it was going to be happening soon.
Cait sith on his usual favourite spot (Nozomi's head) replied,"think they are Mickey mate! Though... what's the big celebration here?"
"Well you guys have been long and coming!"
Hearing this sudden voice come from nowhere Cait sith became just as surprised as everyone else as he said, "What!"
There was then a sound of laughter as another voice spoke up though it was in a serious monotone, "seems as though you guys haven't caught on yet have you?"
Riku hearing this asked trying to find where the voice was coming from,"caught on to what?"
At this question a more gentle voice spoke, "where you've all arrived! You've even forgotten who we are haven't you?"
At this sound of this voice though Nozomi's eyes widened in recognition as the other guys hadn't caught on yet, but then the more cheery voice spoke again as it said, "and after all that trouble we went through for you! Those gems were-"
That was enough, "Rikku! Paine! Yuna!" Nozomi called out as she made her way into the centre of the place they were in clearly excited.
Hearing her call out the name of these three fairies Riku and Mickey became surprised themselves as suddenly in a glitter and a flash they all emerged! Dressed in the same costumes they'd seen them in so long ago, there was the yellow and orange dressed blonde ponytailed haired fairy, Rikku with the same bright and happy green eyes.
Next to her who had spoken in the bored monotone voice was none other then Paine as she was dressed in her black and red leather costume with her grey hair stylised in its usual cool look as she looked on with her serious red eyes.
Then finally last but not least there was Yuna the leader of the small group that were dubbed the 'Gullwings', she was dressed in her long dark blue boots and her long pale blue skirt along with her white top as her long brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail too.
Nozomi seeing her three old magical friends was brimming with happiness as she looked at them, Yuna seeing the look on her face smiled too as she said, "well hey!"
Rikku then spoke up as she said, "well glad to see you recognised us all finally!"
Nozomi smiled still as she replied, "well when you guys spoke of those gems there it just clicked in my head!"
Paine then did a slight nod as she replied,"I suppose that's natural to recognise us by that after all that's our livelihood."
Nodding at this Nozomi replied, "yeah I know it is!" But then she suddenly remembered what she had asked them for in exchange for the gems she'd given to them! "Oh! Have you guys been in contact with Sora!"
At the mention of his old friend immediately Riku's eyes widened as he said, "Sora!" Immediately with that he than ran forwards.
Seeing him go immediately Mickey chased after him as he said, "Riku!"
Hearing the question the female fairy Rikku nodded brightly as she replied, "yep! We finally met up with those guys!"
At these words Nozomi became excited as she said, "That's great!" Then she asked, "so are they here now or-"
Suddenly Riku came over as he asked then urgently, "is Sora here!"
With that surprising the three fairies as they saw the small mouse finally come over too they all became quite amused at the urgency to see their spiky haired acquaintance and with that laughing a little Yuna shook her head as she replied, "sorry no, he hasn't arrived here yet! We caught him at the very far side at the edge of the worlds!"
Mickey hearing this asked surprised, "Sora was looking that faraway for us?"
Yuna nodded to the question as Paine then spoke up, "yeah, he said he was really worried sick! He's been on the hunt for you guys along with that Goofy and Donald... they were over the moon and back when they'd learnt we'd been with you guys."
Riku hearing this asked a particular question, "did Sora cry?"
Rikku then replied cheekily, "yeah! You could practically fill a bucket with the tears."
At this comment Riku smiled as he shook his head and said, "well that's just like him."
Nozomi smiling herself at this then turned to the fairies again as she asked, "but he's definitely on his way back to the Radiant Gardens now right?"
Hearing the question Rikku spoke again as she replied, "yep! We told him to get his keyster goin'! So he'll be-"
Nodding really excited Nozomi replied, "that's great then! That means all we got to do is get back to the Radiant Gardens ourselves and then we can-"
Suddenly then Yuna interrupted as she asked, "get back? Haven't you guys noticed?"
Losing her smile for a moment Nozomi went blank as she became puzzled, Cait sith then asked for her, "noticed what there pixie lass?"
Paine then told them all seeing they hadn't got it, "you're here, you're back in the Radiant Gardens."
Hearing this revelation it took a few moments for the pennies to drop but as they finally did it was then Mickey who asked really surprised, "what really? This place is the Radiant Gardens?"
Rikku nodded as she replied, "Yeah! They finished the work on this place a bit ago! Thanks to Merlin's magic and Cid's techno stuff and some new guys who have come along!"
Blinking as she heard this Nozomi couldn't believe it! Speaking she asked, "we're really back here! This really is-!"
Nodding again Rikku replied interrupting "Sure it is!" With that she flew forwards a little into the distance as she then beckoned them all, "come on! Look for yourselves!"
With that seeing her calling to them all quickly the gang all made their way over and as they did they made their way past a group of buildings and now in front of them reaching up high was the familiar castle of the Radiant Gardens but now it had been restored fully to its former glory and around them all they saw more houses as people talked amongst one another happily as more decorations were being put up and flowers decorated everywhere. It was a sight of glorious beauty and majesty.
Dazzled with amazement Nozomi couldn't believe it as she whispered, "it really is the Radiant Gardens! Wow!"
Seeing them all gobsmacked Rikku laughed as she replied, "well yeah! Like I told you guys already!"
Paine then retorted in her bored tone, "you guys are sure slow at picking up on stuff aren't you?"
Cait sith hearing this fairy became annoyed as he retorted back, "well excuse us ya moody lass! We've been off and travelin' and busy! Ya can't expect us to know all the details when we get back can ya?"
Yuna hearing this replied in her calm polite manner, "true," then turning she a flew a little distance as she turned again and said,"but anyway we better be going, we've got treasure we need to be hunting!'
Nodding as she said this Rikku went to her side as she then turned to the keybladers and said, "yeah! Those gems and gold coins aren't gonna come rollin' in by themselves!"
Then Paine finally joining them told the clueless heroes, "indeed and if you guys have sense I'd say you should go and talk to that old wizard Merlin, I'm sure he's got loads of info he needs to tell you guys."
Hearing them saying their goodbyes Nozomi quickly became saddened again but then putting her hand in her pocket she remembered something!
"Well later taters!"
"Seeya!"
"Farewell..."
But quickly Nozomi spoke up as she called out as they all started to glitter and glow again, "guys wait!"
Stopping in moments surprising them and even Mickey, Riku and Cait sith they looker to her and as they did the white haired keyblader asked her, "why did you ask them to stop? What're you-"
However Nozomi ran over to the Gullwings as she said to them," I just wanna thank you guys! Thanks for contacting Sora for us!"
Paine hearing Nozomi give her thanks was glad for the courtesy but she was getting impatient as she replied, "we told you guys it's no big deal! We just did what was requested besides treasure is-"
"What you live for right?" Nozomi finished for her surprising even the stoic fairy. The female keyblader then rummaged in her pockets as she brought out what she had got for them, "well please take this stuff then!"
Seeing what was in her both of hands the three fairies saw a small pile of gems and gold coins which shone brightly in the light! Dazzling now them with widened eyes the blonde fairy Rikku asked her, "what? You got stuff for us!"
Nozomi nodded as she replied, "yeah! Well in the last world we were in we were told we could take some treasure if we wanted and I thought of you guys so I brought this for you! I thought this'd be the kind of thing you'd like."
Yuna amazed picked up one of the gems and then shining it in the light it was clear to expert eye, it was the genuine article and quickly she told her, "wow thanks! This is really amazing! We would never expect anything like this!"
Nozomi nodded as she told them, "the least I could do! After all you did all that for us and so, yeah?" She finished with a laugh.
The three 'Gullwings' in awe of her all were silent then they all turned around and as they did they started to quickly gossip between each other, standing puzzled Nozomi couldn't hear exactly what was being said and so everyone stood quietly.
Riku standing next to the king asked him, "what do you think they're talking about your majesty?"
Mickey shook his head as he replied, "I dunno..."
Then suddenly the 'Gullwings' had concluded something as they turned to the group again as Yuna told them, "we've decided on something!"
Blinking Nozomi repeated, "decided on something?"
Paine nodded, "yeah, in exchange for all this stuff you've given to us..." with that she glided over and as she did he twirled over all the treasure in Nozomi's outstretched hands and in moments it all vanished!
Silent as she watched the black leather clad fairy move back to the group it was then Rikku who approached her as she told her, "we're gonna give you guys something!" With that she twirled and within Nozomi's hand emerged a glittering gem which gleamed with a shade of gentle blue, red and yellow.
Looking at it as she she held it in the light Nozomi asked, "this is?"
Paine then told her, "it'll be out little calling card, whenever you need us, just a give us a summon and we'll be there."
At this info Nozomi asked, "what really?"
Rikku nodded as she told in her usual chipper voice, "yep!
Yuna then told them, "it's just our way of a thank you!"
Smiling at this info amazed at all this Nozomi replied, "wow thanks guys! This is awesome! We'll call you whenever we're in need!"
Nodding at this it was finally then one by one they vanished with a smile on their faces as Yuna waved finally as she said, "seeya later!" With that the 'Gullwings' were gone.
Riku seeing this turn of events couldn't help but smile himself as he said, "well that was a certainly an event."
Mickey nodded smiling gently himself as he replied, "yeah it was," but then it struck him as he then took the lead as he ran forwards and said, "well fella's you heard the 'Gullwings' we better get over to Merlin's!" With that he ran on ahead.
Hearing him say this the female keyblader called out,"hey Mickey wait up!" With that quickly Nozomi and Riku started to run after him.
But then,"well I'm gonna part here for a bit!" Jumping off of Nozomi's head Cait sith started to run off.
Nozomi seeing him go called out, "Cait sith where are you-"
The small cat then told her, "I'm off to see her highness! I'll catch up with ya later!' With that he disappeared around the corner, however Nozomi knowing him shook her head and smiled as she chased after Riku and Mickey.
After running down a few streets trying to remember their bearings and getting used to the new layout of the restored town at last the keyblade gang had made it to Merlin's house.
The building itself hadn't changed too much but surrounding it were various flowers and even more decorations showing that even the wizard himself was in a celebratory mood like the rest of the town.
Looking at the wizard's home Riku spoke, "well this place sure hasn't changed that much?"
Mickey then shook his head as he replied to him, "that'd be Merlin for ya! His magical studies have always taken a precedence over most things."
Nozomi nodded then too but looking she turned and saw the machine that they had all used some time ago to contact and communicate with Odyeux, seeing it she went over to have a look at it.
Seeing the device she saw that it continued to pulse and buzz with a mixture of Merlin's magic and Cid's technology and as she gazed at it she remembered Ody and the others... how were they doing now? Turning again she looked to Riku and Mickey as she asked them, "hey guys?"
Hearing Riku replied, "yeah? What is it?'
Nozomi then asked, "do you think it would be all right if I could just use this thing to talk to Ody and everyone?"
At this question Mickey told her, "I don't see why not Nozomi? Go ahead, give it a try."
Nodding at this Nozomi replied, "sure okay," with that she moved her hand to get the machine working.
Suddenly-
"Oh no ya don't!"
Surprising her Nozomi backtracked her hand as she said, "huh?"
Then suddenly there was another new voice, "kweh! Kweh! Kweh!" Immediately out the door came a small creature of some kind as it ran on forwards and suddenly before anyone could blink something landed on the keypad of the device.
Looking then startled everyone heard a voice from the figure riding on this new creature, "no one's touchin' this machine without old captain Merlin's permission!"
At this everyone was perplexed as Riku asked, "captain Merlin?"
For there standing on the key pad was a small yellow bird that looked like a chick of some kind with bright blue eyes and an orange beak. Then there on its back stood a small... cat?
For that was the best description that anyone could give, for it was a small creature orange in colour and the way they could tell it was a cat was by a black striped tail swaying to and throw behind it but the rest of its body was covered in black spots with a tuft of blonde hair on its head. He also had a red nose which was very un-cat like.
It was also dressed in a policeman's uniform, blue in colour with a gold badge on his chest and a black tie around his neck and a black belt around his middle. Though this was supposed to give a sense of authority it only made everyone stare at him oddly.
Nodding the small cat on his steed then remarked, "bingo and under the law!" With that he pulled his badge forwards as he told them, "you'll a need an inspectin' from him!"
Nozomi still a little weirded out asked him, "and who're you supposed to be exactly?"
With that the small cat then proudly told them, "I'm his assistant in patrollin' and organisin' his here domain of his as well as the main inspector of the whole town! My name is Bonkers!"
Hearing this name being so proudly said by this small creature Riku couldn't help but let out a small giggle.
However it was clear this small cat 'Bonkers' was serious as he told them, "now come on you all! Me and Coco here are gonna have to be leadin' you in for an inspection!"
At this name Mickey asked, "Coco?"
To which Bonkers nodded as he patted his loyal steed as he replied, "that's right! Coco here! My ride and Chocobo friend!"The creature hearing this chirped happily as it was clear the two of them were close buddies.
At these words everyone became amazed! Looking at the creature he was riding Nozomi asked, " a chocobo?...A real live chocobo!" For she couldn't believe it! She'd only heard about these things in stories! But here was one for real!
Bonkers nodded again as he said, "that's right! Now come on!" with that the small chocobo took off as it then landed in front of Merlin's door, with that Bonkers finished as he said, "now come on! Time to get goin!"
Still amazed everyone couldn't believe it still... so many surprises in one day! But quickly at the beckoning of this new arrival they all quickly went to the door and entered the home of Merlin the magician.
