Chapter CLXX: Searching For Harmony, Onwards To Atlantica! Final Part I

Hidden amongst the sharpened shards of a nearby floating glacier, Jona with Uriax in front of her were watching quietly as Riku had carefully lifted Nozomi's head and then had bent his own down, activating Cait sith's revival magic through a kiss.

Watching it's glowing effects as it spread throughout Nozomi's body making her glow too. Jona grinned in amusement, then as the awakening keyblader had reached her hand up and had put her fingers through Riku's hair, she couldn't help but comment, "ohh? Looks like that little sweetie's enjoying that juicy moment huh?"

However as Uriax heard this comment, there was a shudder from him as an angered sound escaped his lips, "tch!"

Jona hearing this sound and feeling this anger from him, she looked to him curiously and lost her smile for a moment. For looking to his right hand she saw that it was clenched tightly amongst a slab of ice that was next to them, however the exotic Sphynx then saw that underneath it the shard was cracking and smouldering from dark flames that were leaking forth from his fingers. The very sight of this chilled Jona to the core...

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Still staring in shock as Riku's lips continued to rest softly on her own, Nozomi's mind couldn't process at all what was going on?! How did she end up like this!? Why was she in this position and why was he-?!

It was then finally after what seemed like forever, that Riku removed his lips from hers and quietly he stared down at her with an almost drowsy like expression on his face with a red blush spreading across his cheeks. Looking down at her he whispered her name breathlessly, "Nozomi..."

Wide eyed, it was at that moment that everything started to settle into Nozomi's mind what had happened! Then looking as she saw his light blue eyes looking into her own, his wet snow white hair dripping water droplets onto her face and feeling his toned muscled chest against her own soaked one, her face burst in a huge blush of her own as she became wide eyed and cried out, "NNNNOOOO!"

With that she immediately backed away and out of Riku's arms leaving him baffled with perplexed eyes as everyone else did the same, Nozomi herself was blushing red like a tomato as her left hand covered her aghast mouth as she started to stutter out, "you! You just!?"

No-one said a word as she did this mainly due to awkwardness that was caused form the dazzling scene from before, while Nozomi it was clear was still trying to process what had happened! However it seemed she'd recovered enough of her thoughts to start her complaints, "just what did you think you were doing!? Do you realise what you've just done to me here?!"

Riku hearing this was surprised with her reaction, however he himself didn't know exactly how to act at this time so he asked her curiously, "done to you?"

At once Nozomi let her emotions pour forth as she cried out," you stole my first kiss from me you dumb Snowball!?" Then as this news hit her, she blushed madly red again as she became wide eyed and looked more upset as she complained loudly again pointing at him accusingly, "don't you know how precious that is to a girl!? You clod! You slush head! You-"

Hearing these rains of insults coming his way and seeing Nozomi's blushing tomato red face as she continued to point at him shaking with embarrassment, the white haired keyblader then couldn't but smile at her reaction and then laugh amused by this show.

Nozomi herself hearing this coming from Riku then paused in shock and quickly she demanded from him, "what're you laughing at!? What're you-"

Then she stopped as Riku looked at her with a truly happy smile on his face as he told her honestly, "it's good to have you back Nozomi!... I missed you!"

Hearing this and seeing him smile so happily like that, knocked Nozomi over inside and she couldn't think of a single thing more to say as she simply dropped her pointing hand and looked down embarrassed to no degree! For what was she supposed to do now!? How was she supposed to face him!? How-

Then suddenly something jumped onto her head and as it did an old familiar Scottish accent told her in his usual irritated sighing tone, "honestly ya never change! Do ya lass!?"

Feeling him on her head as he tugged on her hair, though not too painfully Nozomi asked, "Cait sith! You-"
"Nozomi!" Then quickly the distracted female keyblader was hugged tightly around her middle! As she felt this happen, she also heard a relieved cry say, "I'm so glad you're okay! I'm so glad!" Turning to look down she saw that it was none other than Melody who like her was returned to her human form in the same white pyjama's she'd met her in before!

Looking at her Nozomi asked her perplexed, "Melody you-?"

"Hey!" Then quickly she was distracted again as she saw fast approaching now upon the head of his trusty sidekick, it was none other than the leader of the Adventurer/Explorer duo, Tip! He called out further, "welcome back to the land of the living!"

Confused as she heard this Nozomi asked puzzled, "land of the living?"

Nodding as he finally made it over to her, Dash told her, "yeah! You were in a really bad way earlier! If we all hadn't made it to you when you did, you wouldn't be talking right now!"

Nozomi was still confused as she heard this statement from Dash, then curious she had to ask, "I was...?"

Hearing her puzzled tone, Melody looked up to the confused keyblader as she asked her, "don't you remember what happened to you Nozomi?" As this question was asked to her the black haired keyblader was blank and it was clear as she stared at her that she didn't remember! So the white pyjama wearing girl told her, "you sacrificed your last bit of magic to save me from drowning! Then afterwards... it looked like you'd gone, that you'd drowned!"

As this was relayed to her, Nozomi's eyes widened as she asked, "I had?" Then quickly as she asked this single question, her memories flashed back into her mind! She remembered quickly putting Melody into the air bubble, then that horrible pressure she'd been put through and after that, nothing but darkness... as this all settled into her mind, she asked, "so I nearly?"

Glad to see she was finally sorting out the marbles in her head, Cait sith told her,"that's right lass! Ya were nearly swimmin' permanently with Davey Jones's locker! If I hadn't made old slush ball there give ya a good dose of me power, ya wouldn't be yappin' right now!"

Hearing this Nozomi asked puzzled, "dose of your power?" Then as his words settled into her mind, it suddenly dawned on her, "wait! So you're the one who put Snowball up to this Cait sith!? You-"

However quickly the small black and white cat put an immediate pause on Nozomi's rants as he told her, "it was a matter of life and death lass! I had Riku there do what needed to be done! You should give him a word of thanks for what he's just done for ya!"

As Nozomi heard this she was quiet and then looking down from Cait sith, she turned back to look in Riku's direction again. He continued to smile away gently at the scene that was going on, however quickly the female keyblader turned her face away once more as she blushed madly red again with embarrassment!

Seeing her do this, Melody told her softly, "it's okay Nozomi! Don't be embarrassed! Just say thank you!"

Hearing her friend say this so simply, for Nozomi though she just found it so hard to do now! Because of that embarrassing scene before! The names that she'd called him and the-

Just remembering the intimate moment again filled her with absolute fluttering and a hot sweet sensation that she'd never experienced before! How could she face him? Quiet... she tried again to look at him and this time, despite the blush on her face she was able to say just a little something, "Ri... Riku I!..." However she struggled again as nerves were getting the best of her, but she tried again to be strong and speak again, "I just wanna say-"

"Nozomi!" Quickly though she was cut off and instantly it was then that everyone turned and saw that across the floating sheet of ice, with Ariel holding Eric just behind him. It was none other than King Mickey!

Seeing him instantly the keybladers were amazed to see their fellow royal keyblader and instantly they all cried out, "your majesty!" The king himself was smiling in reply too and he was so relieved to see everyone safe and sound!

Melody herself seeing her Father and Mother across the ice was amazed too! But instantly she became worried for them as she saw Eric's weakened state! What could have happened to him to make-

"FOOLS!"

It was then quickly everyone turned and there they saw upon her throne of spiky white ice, it was none other than Morgana! She was leering down now upon all those who were below her and as she gazed at them, there was a dangerous look in her eyes as she turned with her fearsome weapon and said, "I have the Trident now! And all the creature's of the sea are in my power!"

Instantly as she said these words she then swung the Trident upwards and all around her as she did, the sky darkened menacingly as green clouds surged and swirled everywhere in the sky! As this occurred everyone stared on in shock! Melody then asked horrified, "what is-!?"

Then the young girl was cut off as suddenly all around spikes of ice emerged from the sea! They spiked upwards ferociously creating powerful torrents of waves disturbing the battle that was occurring between the heartless, the mermen and the sailors who were all there!

As these terrible spikes continued to peak and rip out of the ocean and surrounding ice, more and more of them spiralled and entwined together forming a huge castle like structure! It was just as ominous or even more so than the glacier dwelling Morgana had inhabited before!

Gazing upon this structure as it continued to grow massively, Nozomi had to ask as the terrible winds continued to blow and bluster with the lightning crashing down everywhere, "what's she doing! What's she making that thing for!? What-"

Cait sith on Nozomi's head, held onto her hair for dear life as the wind ripped through the whole area! He then answered honestly, "bein' a show off lass! She thinks the bigger the castle she's got! The bigger lot of power she's got!"

As the small cat's shout came, it was then instantly Morgana initiated the next part of her attack! Pointing the Trident forwards and all around more bolts of green bolts of lightning escaped and started to strike all those who were upon the ice and in the water!

Morgana then shouted out loudly again, "I'm the queen of the seas! And you will all bow before me!" With that as this single command came forth, instantly all those who'd been struck by those lightning blasts all started to move their arms forwards and bent their backs and heads down in the posture of a bow! Though it was clear no-one wanted to surrender themselves to this witch!

Everyone was horrified as this occurred! Then suddenly-

ZAPP!

Instantly Tip and Dash were hit by a blast and quickly the leader of duo was forced magically to bow down to Morgana! As this occurred he cried out, "oh this can't be good for the little back!"

Then as the walrus sidekick was forced to bow down, quickly Nozomi cried out, "Tip! Dash!"

Morgana then continued to shout out loudly for all the world to hear, "PATHETIC FOOLS!"

ZAPP!

Then suddenly turning everyone saw that Ariel was struck by another blast of lightning! As the green electrical pulses spread throughout her body, it forced her to release Eric from her arms and he collapsed unconscious onto the floor! While the mermaid princess was forced against her will to bow down to the evil sea witch!

Seeing this happen to her mother, Melody immediately cried out in distress as she saw this horrible thing happen to her, "mom!"

Mickey was horrified to see what had happened to his comrade as he cried out too, "Ariel!"

Morgana though was pleased beyond degree as she cried out in absolute manic glee, " see how utterly powerful I can be!"

However quickly instantly it was then that Mickey shouted loudly as he pulled out his keyblade and demanded from the terrible sea witch, "stop this right now Morgana!"

The evil Trident wielder was unintimidated by this pathetic red sea horsed tail rodent! Looking at him she demanded, "you dare to speak out against me!?" With that she pointed the Trident towards the mouse keyblader!

Seeing this happen instantly Nozomi and Riku forgot their awkward situation and quickly they both moved to the king's aid as they all called their own keyblades forth! Quickly the white haired keyblader cried out, "don't you threaten the King!"

To which instantly the evil sea witch laughed manically as she cried out, "you all think you're a threat to me!?"

Angered Nozomi then cried out herself, "we'll be more than that! We'll knock you right off your icy pedestal!"

Nodding quickly Cait sith then cried out mad too from the top of her head, "that's right ya old hag! Ya're in real trouble now!"

Morgana hearing these last two statements and finally noticing that both Nozomi and Melody had survived then simply smiled more as she asked, "ha! So you both made it. huh!? How charming..." but then she simply pointed the Trident at them all and proclaimed, "I'll just have you all bow down to me too!"

Cait sith hearing this lost his cockiness for a moment as he knew instantly that this was bad news! "Oi lads! Quick we gotta-"

ZAPP!

It was too late though as suddenly everyone who was there upon the ice was struck by the terrible blasts of green lightning! It pulsed over everyone painfully as they all screamed out, "AAAAGGGGHHHH!" Then quickly in turn they all collapsed onto the icy floor!

Morgana grinned manically at the scene of pain that she had caused! Then continuing to grip the Trident she pointed it and aimed it another bigger target as she cried out, "that's it Trident! Bow down!" With that she unleashed another blast of powerful green lightning!

ZAPP!

This one hit the king of the sea's in moments! However he struggled badly against the pull of the spell that was trying to force him to bow! Morgana knew though that with the Trident her power was absolute, so she once again commanded him mockingly,"bow down before me!"

Sebastian who'd already been struck by the awful bow making spell as he stood upon a small plate of ice, he pleaded to the king, "no your majesty! You mustn't!"

However Triton was quickly overwhelmed by the powerful green spell and he apologised sadly as he was made to bow into the sea waters, "I'm sorry... Sebastian!" Then finally the spell overtook him and as it did he finished, "I have no choice!"

With the spell complete Morgana then held the Trident tenderly as she whispered ever so happily, "oh! Wishes do come true!" Then she proclaimed loudly to the storming and swirling clouds above her, "see that ma! Who's your favourite now!?"

In the meantime back on the ice where they'd all been struck, Nozomi ached horribly as she gasped picking herself back up as best as she could, "oww! Darn that really hurt! Just what was-?!"

However Nozomi came to a horrified stand still as she saw quickly that Mickey and Riku were now held down by the terrible bow enforcing spell! Seeing them she cried out immediately, "Guys!" This was terrible! Why were they-!?

"Agh!" Then quickly Nozomi was distracted as she heard this pained cry, she turned and saw that Melody was on the ground unconscious! Quickly she ran to her friend and hurriedly picking her up in her arms she asked, "Melody!? Melody! Can you hear me!? Are you alright?!"

Hearing this panicked call, the young white pyjama wearing girl opened her eyes blearily and asked, "Nozomi?"

Relieved the female keyblader asked her, "oh thank goodness! I was so worried you'd-"

"Urghh! Headache central! Just what in Pete dragon's name has gone on here!?" Quickly turning again, Nozomi and Melody saw that it was Cait sith who'd cried out and had finally broken out of his unconscious state!

However before the two girls could call out to him suddenly, "Ha! Ha! You are now all within my power!" Once again they all saw Morgana was crying out manically again as she was beaming with her power! Looking down upon all those who were helpless underneath her, she then proclaimed, "the end now begins with all of you with fins!"

Hearing this Nozomi asked curiously, "fins? What does that-"

However quickly Cait sith smacked his gloved hands together as he realised what this meant! Looking to the girls he told them both, "I've got it lasses! This is the one thing that's gonna give us the advantage in this!"

At the small black and white cat's words, both Melody and Nozomi turned to him as he quickly ran over to them, looking to him the female keyblader asked, "advantage in what Cait sith?! Everyone's now at the mercy of that witch and we're-"

"Able to move!" Cait sith proclaimed as he pointed out the obvious to both the girls!

It was then finally that Nozomi and Melody saw for themselves what he meant! For it was true! They could both move! Even after being struck by Morgana's powerful blows of lightning, she couldn't make them both bow down to her! Just simply by the fact they were both human with legs and this included Cait sith!

Realising this for herself, Nozomi then spoke, "since we're humans...that means we can fight back!"

Giving her the thumbs up, Cait sith then replied glad to see she'd got the message, "aye lass! Ya got it!"

Struggling against the powerful spell that was holding him down, Mickey though had to complain, "no fella's! Ya won't have a chance against Morgana with the Trident! Ya can't-"

Hearing him though Nozomi quickly approached the king, she told him bending down to his level, "I've gotta try Mickey! I can't leave you and Riku and everyone else like this! If we don't stand up to Morgana now! There won't be another chance!"

Riku hearing her say this and being nearest to the king as he too was being held still by the terrible spell, he told Mickey, "she's right your majesty! There won't be another chance..."

Turning his head as best as he could to look at him, the king obviously didn't want to agree with him, "but Riku-!"

Quickly though Riku told him strongly, "just believe in her your majesty!" Then looking to Nozomi as best he could, he smiled despite the state he was in as he admitted, "because I know I do!"

Hearing such strong faith being placed in her, Nozomi blushed again as her heart pulsed with that same feeling again. But she felt bad once more that she hadn't apologised to him yet. However she knew this wasn't the time for that! So gripping her right hand instantly, her keyblade came to her again and as it did, she told them both, "thanks Riku... and don't worry your majesty! I'll make sure Morgana pays for this! Just you wait and see! We'll save you all!"

Then saying that Nozomi rushed straight over towards Melody and Cait sith! As she did, Riku thought to himself, 'good luck... Nozomi!'

Making it over to Melody and Cait sith, she told them quickly, "guys I'm gonna take on Morgana! I want you both to get to a safe position and stay hidden!"

Melody hearing again that her friend was going to put herself in danger once more had to immediately object, "but Nozomi we can't leave you to struggle against her alone like that! There's gotta be some way that Cait sith and I can-"

However quickly Nozomi put up a hand and stilled her as she said, "this is something I gotta do alone Melody!... I know that you want to help!" Then she added with a smile as she honestly told her, "and I'm glad you do! But I'll be able to battle her more easily if you're safe and away... okay?"

Hearing her say this, Melody though felt part of her wanting to resist, but she knew what she was saying was the truth... so reluctantly she nodded to her as she consented to her words.

Glad that she was listening to her, Nozomi nodded herself gratefully then turning to her old reliable ally she asked him, "Cait sith? Can I trust you to-"

"You don't have to ask twice lass! I'll keep Melody lass here safe and I'll do me best to do so with the others here!" The small cat told her confidently as he held up a thumbs up to her proudly!

Relieved and happy for this too, Nozomi told him, "thanks Cait sith!" Then turning around she told him, "I'll leave the rest to you now!" With that she felt her old familiar power return and instantly the wings on her feet came back! Quickly as they did, the female keyblader took off into the air to confront the evil sea witch!

Seeing her go, quickly Cait sith told his charge, "all right lassie! I'm gonna put the lot of us into protective bubbles! So get ready now!"

Then quickly before Melody could blink! She was magically placed in a protective bubble along with everyone else in their own ones! Cait sith then confident standing next to the girl told her from his own bubble, "now this'll grant us some cover lass, let's get to a safer distance!"

Hearing this, Melody did feel a little safer as she told him, "okay! Thank you Cait sith!" With that both her and the small black and white cat moved themselves to a safer distance and they watched on quietly to see what would happen next!

Morgana herself pleased beyond all measure, held the Trident tightly in her long nailed hands and as she continued to blast some stray Merpeople who she hadn't struck yet, she was suddenly distracted as a voice cried out, "MORGANA!"

Then quickly she saw that girl coming at her again! Seeing her, her eyes widened and instantly she swung the Trident forwards and called upon a powerful lightning blast that went immediately to strike her!

ZAPP!

Instantly though Nozomi acted and dodged out of the way as her wings quickly made her spin upon the orbs in the air! Then taking aim with her own blade she cried out loudly, "THUNDERGA!"

BLAST!

As her own thunderous attack came! Morgana though acted again as she blasted this pathetic blast with another strike from the Trident!

ZAPP!

This immediately cancelled it out and as she did this, she heard Nozomi again as she cried out, "I'm gonna put you in your place and set everyone free!" Then looking she saw the keyblader gripping her blade as she stood upon a spike of ice and as she spied her, she heard the female keyblader say, "prepare yourself you witch!"

Hearing this proclamation though only made Morgana all the more amused as she asked, "ha! You think you got the strength and guts to take me on!"

However undeterred Nozomi pointed her blade out to her as she told her mad, "you bet I do!"

Seeing her being so gallant in front of her, Morgana was far from pleased and so she decided to really test and see if this girl was really as cocky as she appeared to be, "let's see you speak so big after this!"

With that she moved the Trident up into the air and immediately bolts of green lightning charged across the stormy swirling sky! As they did, suddenly the thunderous web of bolts all struck down and instantly all the heartless that the evil sea witch had created were all struck! Then quickly swirling wisps of darkened dust emerged and the forms of these heartless all vanished!

Looking on Nozomi was shocked! Why would Morgana destroy her own heartless?! Why would-

Then suddenly before she could puzzle more about this, quickly in the sky a massive dark cloud emerged and instantly Nozomi saw this thing was created from the wisps of darkened dust from the heartless she'd destroyed and the cloud absorbing more and more of this dust. Was growing bigger and bigger and as it did she asked with widened eyes, "that is-?"

Suddenly the cloud in the sky swarmed! Then it took on a definite physical form with a pair of haunting yellow eyes and as it came together, Morgana smiled and then releasing her spell she let her creation fall and create a huge wave in the raging waters below!

As this happened Nozomi protected her eyes from the huge amount of spray that came forth from the ferocious beast! Then as this happened, Morgana added delightfully, "now let's set up the stage huh? Sweetheart!"

With that Morgana called upon the Trident again! Then instantly as she did this, her pedestal of ice was raised up higher along with all the surrounding ice that held all of Nozomi's friends, along with Ariel, Eric and Triton! This shocked and terrified Nozomi terribly!

Then suddenly a huge pool of dark cold water rose up with floating platforms of ice scattered here there and everywhere. The evil sea witch finishing her work enclosed this battlefield with a barrier making it impossible for her prey to escape! Nozomi though seeing all her friends being raised up to such a terrible height on those terrible platforms, cried out in worry for them, "guys!"

The evil sea witch seeing the concern she had for them then mocked her as she said, "you should show more concern for yourself honey! Cause things are about to get messy!" With that she called upon the Trident again as an electrical pulse charged into the water!

Seeing this happen, Nozomi then looked down and saw underneath the water's surface. Something was bubbling powerfully underneath! Then shocked she saw this thing come up and break through the surface!

It was an enormous creature and she was gonna be crushed under it's shadow! So quickly she backed out from underneath it as she jumped into the air! Then landing on another peaking icy spike she saw the monster that had been created!

Looking Nozomi saw a creature that looked like a huge whale! However it was clearly no ordinary monster, it was purple in colour with a white/yellow striped belly with the heartless symbol upon its chest, it also had huge haunting yellow eyes that stared eerily at the female keyblader! But the thing that chilled her the most was the three spiralling horns on the monster's head, they almost looked like unicorn horns! Each one was coloured palely blue, yellow and white!

Seeing this monster, Nozomi knew she had to be on guard and so calling on her keyblade she pointed it straight at the monster as she gazed at it with fierce determination! The monster in turn roared at her loudly revealing its white razor sharped teeth!

Morgana seeing that the girl wasn't deterred by her creation then had to give her credit as she told her, "ha! Would you look at that!? Seems like you do have guts!" Then she added morbidly, "let's just see if you can keep them inside of you, honey!"

Nozomi was angered as she heard this mockery, so she simply said straight back, "I'll be the one wiping the floor with you and your tentacles by the end! Bring it on Morgana!" With that she raced forwards as her wings appeared once more.

This in turn caused Morgana to laugh manically as she then sent the heartless forwards with a wave of the Trident and as she did that, the battle between the evil possessor the seas and the valiant winged keyblader began!