Chapter CLXXIII: The Coming Light, Fury And The Emerging Awareness
Return To The Radiant Gardens Part XV

"Mmmm..." mumbling in his sleep, Pete stretched himself out as his consciousness awoke itself. Rolling his neck as he yawned loudly, he asked tiredly, "ohh... what time is it now?"

Confused at first as he looked around himself, there he saw that he was still within the tower room of the castle that was stationed within the world that never was. Outside in the darkness of the sky, he could spy heartless floating around aimlessly... with a sinister hunger.

"Huh?" Seeing this he shook his head trying to get his focus back, then looking down it was finally he saw her. Hari...

His eyes widened as he saw that she was still asleep, resting her head upon his knee with her right hand holding on gently to the fabric of his trouser legs. Seeing her like this sleeping so peacefully, the cohort to the witch Maleficent then smiled gently as he remembered what had led to the two of them resting together in this room.

Looking down at her as she continued to slumber away, Pete then couldn't help but joke softly, "Ha! Ha! Looks like ya're still catchin' forty weeks there, ain't ya?" Finishing with his laugh, the bulky villain then saw that his accomplice had a few strands of her long brown hair resting upon her face. Seeing this he moved his big gloved hand across and removed these strands, as he did this he asked her gently, "I bet ya compensatin' for the lack ya haven't had... aren't ya?"

For thinking back again, as he remembered times he'd been with her in various worlds. She had barely no time to rest, but also when she just been left with Maleficent... had she rested at all during any of that time?

As this curious thought came to him, he decided to ask her quietly, "ya never get to have no peace do ya Hari?...Even though ya've done so much..." with that he went to stroke more of her hair away.

But-
"AGH!" Hearing this sudden burst from his accomplice startled Pete, as he looked down at her his eyes became widened as he heard her say in a distressed tone, "no! Mother! I don't want to! I..."

Listening to her say these words in such a pained tone horrified Pete, as he had never seen her do this before! Never once! Puzzled with widened eyes he repeated, "mother?"

Hari immediately twitched seemingly in pain as she cried out again with a gasp, "I don't want to! Please... Mother I! Agghh!"

Hearing her cry out again immediately distressed Pete all the more, quickly he grabbed the crying girl's shoulders, moving her up by them as he cried out worried shaking her, "Hari! Hari! Snap out of it! Hari!"

Gasping as she heard his voice, the girl suddenly moved as she bowed her head down... then after a moment, the look of pain and distress that had once been there was gone. Moving her head back up she opened her eyes revealing her cold green irises, immediately she asked in her usual reserved tone, "do you require something of me...Pete?"

Baffled as she asked this with such a cold tone, the overweight villain repeated, "require?" Then he demanded out of her, "just what are ya talkin' about! Yer were hollerin' and cryin' in ya sleep!"

Hearing this Hari's expression didn't change as she stared up at him. But as she was released from Pete's hands and left to sit on the couch, he asked her further, "just what was that before there! Why were ya-"

"It appears I had a lapse from my systems during my state of deep sleep, thus I must have re-enacted a part of an event from my memory... as for your enquiry I cannot answer that," Hari told him simply, her eyes averted away from his angry probing.

Silent as he heard these words, Pete was dumbstruck as this all sank in. However he was not going to let this one go! So he demanded out of her, "what do ya mean ya can't answer?! Why won't ya!? I want ya ta-"

Hari then informed him of the reason, "I was instructed long ago to not divulge any information regarding to my creator nor how-"

"How ya've come to be what ya are now?" Pete asked as he quickly caught onto what she was going to say.

Hearing his realisation, all Hari could do was simply make a single nod as she continued to not look at him.

Pete seeing that she was refusing to look at him, he could have ordered her to. However at that time, he knew inside that it would be wrong to command that, so sighing he moaned, "I knew it...I reckon I've sussed out a few things out now about ya Hari..."

Hearing him say this, the green eyed girl was silent still as she continued to look away. Seeing that she was still doing this, Pete however made his summary as he told her, "the way ya are now... how ya can't feel nothin'... it's cause of your mom? Ain't it...?"

Hari quiet still as she heard Pete ask this question, she simply turned her head to look at him silently. The overweight cohort seeing her simply looking up to him with those green eyes of hers could only assume that it was a yes... seeing this he felt bad inside for her. Whatever she'd gone through to not be able to feel emotion anymore, or feel any pain... what could have done that? Looking at her Pete decided to ask at least one question that she might be able to answer him, "is there any way for ya to be released?"

Hearing this question, Hari looked to him as she repeated almost curiously, "released?"

Pete then decided to make his question more precise,"is there any way for ya to get rid of what ya mom did to ya? Is there a way to make ya feel again?"

At this question Hari was silent again, turning down for a moment it looked like she was deep in thought as she considered something. Then it seemed she'd reached a conclusion as she told him, "there is only one way... when the light will come."

Hearing this Pete was confused as he repeated, "when the light will come?" To which all Hari did again was nod, but this answer didn't feel satisfying in the slightest! So Pete had to ask again, "but what does that mean? What does-"

Hari then told him simply, "I cannot answer that because I do not have any data that would give you a proper answer."

As she said these words, Pete was quiet again... however he simply concluded this himself, "ya mean ya don't know?"

At this question Hari gave him a one word reply, "correct."

Pete stared at the silent cold girl further for a moment... what could such an ambiguous answer like that mean? As he puzzled over this further, he decided to ask, "Hari... do ya-"

Suddenly though the girl stopped him from speaking, as she looked up sensing something. As she moved, Pete was a little startled again as he asked her, "Hari? Wait! What're ya-?"

The quiet girl then got up and as she did, she turned to him and informed Pete, "it is time for us to be on our way... our other accomplices are returning..."

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Floating through the door of time, with Jona still contained in his arms. Uriax was silent, now he was returned fully back to his human form, with him he carried the exotic lady Sphynx as she continued to hug onto him tightly as the two of them floated onwards.

Jona herself was enjoying this ride and Uriax's warmth as it was wrapped around her. As the two of them travelled weightless through the colourful and swirling portal, she couldn't help but gaze around in wonder at the phenomenon around them... it was almost like a dream!

Smiling at her luck and privilege at being able to experiencing this, she decided she'd indulge Uriax with some sweet words! However as she turned her eyes up to look at him, the expression on his face stilled her in moments! For his eyes were dark, focused and clearly aggressive! Once again she felt that terrible chill spread down her spine again! What was-?

It was then finally the two of them came to the other side and all at once, the two of them exited the door and were back in the realm of Maleficent's castle! Quickly in seconds as they came through, Uriax dropped Jona from his hands. As he did this, the lady Sphynx quickly landed back on her feet and stared at him with uncertainty and worry in her eyes. However before she could say anything-

"Welcome my dears!"

At once the two of them turned and there standing some distance away in front of them, were both Pete with Hari at his side. But more importantly the mistress of their group, the powerful but darkly sinister witch, Maleficent.

Seeing that she'd got their attention, the ruler of this realm and master of the heartless smiled all the more as she asked them both, "am I to assume the two of you enjoyed your journey?"

SLAM!

Startled by this sound, it was then that Jona turned to see the door of time had slammed shut behind both her and Uriax. Quickly relaxing as she saw it was only that, the exotic Sphynx sighed with relief as she turned again and as she did. She saw that her handsome carrier, was walking away from the door towards Maleficent, Pete and Hari.

Seeing her apprentice approaching, the dark witch smiled as she had to congratulate him, "you know I will have to say, you did very well my dear! Though I didn't expect much from that world you managed to surpass the quota of hearts you were to collect! Also your magical power has reached such astounding-"

However quickly Uriax walked past her, he was ignoring these words of praise! Turning around as he did this, looking a little surprised Maleficent though kept her composure as she went to ask him, "oh? What is wrong my dear... is something troubling you?"

Stopping in his tracks, Uriax turned around angrily as he told Maleficent and the others who were all standing there, "I don't have time for you and your words! Nor the rest of you! I have something that needs to be taken care of and it needs to be dealt with now!"

Hearing this aggressive tone, surprised Maleficent yet again especially Pete, though Hari only stared on with indifference. As he answered back with this tone, the bumbling associate whispered to the cold girl, "what's crawled up his trousers?"

However Hari did not answer as Maleficent instead spoke to the young man as she continued to smile calmly as she simply tried to enquire again, "really? And just what that might be may I ask?"

Seeing the cunning and sinister smile that was on her face, Uriax was utterly not in the mood for her! So turning his face away he simply continued to walk away as he informed her with one sentence, "none of your business!" With that said immediately a swirling portal of darkness emerged and quickly he entered through it and disappeared in moments!

There was then silence amongst all those who were present in the room, finally though there came some sound as Jona sighed and said, "wow... my honey bunny is in an even worse mood than I thought!"

With that said she walked forwards scratching her claws into her long glossy mane of orange hair, looking a little troubled. Seeing her do this, Maleficent was now keenly interested to see what had occurred inside the realms of that door. So looking to the exotic Sphynx she asked, "as I can see... I can assume Jona that you'll certainly be kind enough to inform us of what's transpired?"

Hearing this question, Jona knew the time for explanation would be coming, so sighing again tiredly she wished inside that her sweet little dream could have lasted longer... so looking to her fellow curious cohorts, she began, "it's a long story..."

With that as she went to begin her explanations, Maleficent listened intently as did Pete who was really eager for the details. Hari though was quiet as she could take a guess of what had happened and then as she turned her face to look at the door of time again.

Suddenly as she did this behind everyone, distracting them all immediately. A shining source of blue light emerged! Feeling this light, it blinded everyone as Pete cried out loudly, "hey! What is this!? It's-"

Then all at once again several chains of gold emerged and stared to entwine themselves around the door tightly! As this magical effect continued on, Hari unaffected by this light spoke softly once more, "the change is still commencing..."

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Staring on with amazement as Merlin once again activated the power of the Time Lock. Everyone watched as the blue gem floated away from the powerful magician's hands, as it did immediately the stone took on it's true form. A golden lock, this time it was encrusted with sapphires glowing with powerful glittering light!

As it became this quickly the lock flew forwards and attached itself to the door, making golden chains emerge and binding it tightly shut! Then quickly this door like the one before, started to twist and turn as it became smaller and smaller! With that quickly the transformation was complete as the door had vanished leaving only the golden lock on the ground.

Seeing this happen again, Cait sith on Nozomi's head couldn't help but cry out, "Whoo hoo! Wow! I reckon no matter how many times I'll see that! That sight will always be amazin'!"

Nodding as he said this, Nozomi replied smiling, "you got that right!"

Merlin seeing the transformation himself, smiled too and then walking over as he picked up the lock. As he did, he turned around and told them all, "indeed! Magic's always a wondrous phenomenon to see!"

Mickey hearing this smiling too chipped in, "yeah it is!" Then suddenly this reminded him! "Oh yeah!" With that quickly he took out the dark blue stone that Nozomi and Cait sith had discovered in Ariel's world.

With that looking at it he went over to the master magician and as he did, he brought the stone to his attention as he asked, "Merlin? Could you look at this stone for me?"

Surprised at his question, the magician asked him taking the object into his hands, "this stone your majesty?"

The king nodded as he told him, "yeah! There's something I wanna make certain about."

Hearing this the aged wizard nodded as he replied, "very well then! I'll appraise this stone for you, your majesty!" With that as the king nodded to him, Merlin began to study the stone intensely through his spectacles.

As he did this, Cait sith along with Nozomi and Riku were quiet. As they watched the wisest of them looking at the stone, the female keyblader held her hands to her chest. Then stroking the golden bracelet that was around her left wrist, she decided to ask quietly, "do you think that's stone's dangerous?"

Hearing her ask this question, Riku answered her honestly with three words, "hard to say."

Nodding as he said this, Cait sith added, "yeah lass... but one thing's for sure! Without that stone we would never have won that fight against Morgana... though I get it's good to be careful, cause ya never know what you might get from unknown objects!"

Nodding to this Nozomi replied, "true..." but then it occurred to her, "oh yeah!" With that quickly reaching into her waistcoat she brought out the Lachesis Report she'd acquired and as she did, she told the small cat, "I found this when I was separated from you guys!"

Hearing this quickly both Cait sith and Riku looked to it with amazement and as they both did, the small cat then said, "wow! So ya did find one lass! Well it was no wonder why Snow Drop there was sufferin' while we were huntin' for ya!"

Immediately hearing this quickly Nozomi asked, "hurting?" Then looking to her fellow keyblader she asked him with worry, "Riku? You were in pain again?"

Hearing the worry in her voice, the white haired keyblader felt bad as he simply nodded to her as he said, "yeah I was... but-"

"He was okay thanks to me services!" Cait sith spoke as he interrupted the two of them!

Surprised both Riku and Nozomi then heard the small cat tell them both with a pointing gloved hand, "now don't ya both be getting' depressed on me! Everyone here is all healthy and well so no sad faces, got it!"

Hearing him Riku replied casually with a sigh, "fine! Fine whatever you want Cait sith!"

Nodding rolling her eyes Nozomi added, "yeah ditto on that!"

"Good!" Cait sith spoke! With that he continued looking at the pages, as he did this Nozomi though couldn't help but turn to Riku and as she did, her expression was apologetic as she mouthed silently the words to him, "I'm sorry!"

Seeing her do this, the white haired keyblader simply smiled as he mouthed back to her, "it's okay!"

As he did this Nozomi smiled again as she was glad that Cait sith had been able to fix the damage and that it thankfully hadn't led to anything worse. But then remembering one of Ody's earlier letters to them, she realised that there was only one more report to get! What would happen when she got it? What would happen to Riku? Would he-?

"Right well I can't decipher this! Time for our old mate Ody to do his magic!" With that quickly the small cat lifted up the sheets of paper into the air and then in a glitter of yellow light they were teleported away!

As this occurred quickly in a matter of moments before anyone could even blink, the sheets of paper returned instantly in another burst of transportive yellow magic! As they did, quickly everyone looked at the restored sheets of paper with keen interest!

Cait sith then looking over the papers asked aloud, "now let's see what this report's got to say!" With that everyone was quiet as they read them...

After looking over the pages it was then that Cait sith had to admit aloud, "wow... that one's really dark and serious!"

Nodding Riku had to agree as he said,"yeah it is... but it's unbelievable, this woman fought Xemnas? Just how long ago did these events occur in the reports?"

Shaking her head Nozomi had to admit herself, "I don't know... but also what does she mean? A Lachesis Lock? Is Lachesis an object or a person? I felt for sure they were-" However the female keyblader quickly stopped her sentence in her tracks, for suddenly she noticed in moments that her and Riku's faces had gotten too close together! Looking deep into his intense turquoise blue eyes, immediately embarrassed the female keyblader as she drew away in moments, her face turning bright red!

Seeing Nozomi do this, Riku was confused as he blinked at this sudden movement with the pages left in his hands . While Cait sith himself was irritated to no degree as he cried out, "oi! I was still readin' that lass! Why did ya-"

"Yes! This is definitely what this is!" Distracted by this sudden announcement, everyone turned around to face Merlin and Mickey again.

The mouse King hearing the wizard's summary asked him, "you're sure that's what that is Merlin?"

The master Wizard hearing the king ask this question replied to him, "yes you're majesty! I can assure you with no doubt whatsoever! This stone was created by that woman!"

Forgetting her embarrassment for a brief moment, Nozomi asked confused, "that woman?"

Hearing that he'd got the attention of the others Mickey turned around with the stone in hand as he told them all, "this stone was created by magic... but it was done by one user in particular, one who knows dark magic... Maleficent."

Surprised to know this, Riku then quickly asked, "Maleficent!?"

To which Mickey nodded quietly in reply.

Nozomi hearing this was shocked as she tried to understand, "again!? But me and Melody saw no trace of her! There was no sign of Hari or Pete either! So how could..."

Cait sith nodded as he replied, "yep you're right there lass... but she must have got that stone in that world somehow, plus the heartless! But at least we know Riku lad's door copy theory was right... so there ain't no questionin' there..."

Mickey hearing this nodded, however he had another theory of his own, "that's true, but there might be the possibility that Hari and Pete aren't the only ones working with her!"

Riku hearing this didn't like this idea in the slightest, so he had to ask the king, "do you have any theories of who it could be your majesty?"

Shaking his head, the King replied, "well not a precise idea of who... except maybe Jona, but then again she doesn't know the crafts of magic... it would have to be someone who does... someone very powerful who can create transformation magic."

Hearing these words Nozomi asked, "powerful with magic...?" Then as she asked this one question an image of Wairu flashed into her mind. But quickly shaking her head vigorously she told herself, 'no! That's stupid! There's no way... it couldn't be!'

As she shook her head like this, Cait sith demanded holding on tightly to her head, "oi! Stop shaken and wavin' all about lass! Ya're gonna get me airsick!"

Realising what she was doing, quickly the female keyblader stopped and as she did, she apologised as she said, "oh? Right... sorry Cait sith..."

Getting his bearings back together again the crowned feline told her annoyed, "honestly lass! I don't know what's up with ya today! You've been a complete weirdo so far!"

Hearing this one word Nozomi repeated, "weirdo?" Then looking up she turned her gaze to Riku again who stared back at her with confused eyes again. As he did, Nozomi became red with embarrassment again as she turned her face away from him as her heart started beating rapidly once more. What was this?!

Seeing this occur Mickey and Merlin clearly didn't get it either, however deciding to change the subject, the wise wizard decided to finish his summary, "well anyway though this stone was made with Maleficent's power, it shouldn't have any adverse effects on any specific user so I'd say you can use it freely and safely."

Hearing this Mickey was glad to hear it as he said, "oh? Well that's great then there Merlin, thanks again for your ascertainment there."

Nodding Merlin replied, "you're welcome your majesty!" With that he gave the stone back to Mickey.

As he took the stone back into his hands, it was then Mickey walked back over to his female comrade and as he did he went to get her attention, "hey Nozomi?"

Hearing his voice the female keyblader snapped out of her embarrassed state once again and as she did, she looked to the King as she asked him,"Mickey?"

Smiling to her he said, "here! You can have this stone back! It's not dangerous and I think with it, you'll be able to safely swim!"

Confused Nozomi asked now surprised, "really?"

Nodding again the mouse keyblader told her, "yep! Though you won't be able to change into a mermaid anymore, this stone will let ya keep the skills ya learnt in Ariel's world, so you should be able to swim freely from now on!"

As this information sunk in, Nozomi brightened up as she said, "oh that's great!" Then as the stone was placed in her hands, another thought came, "but where should I put this?"

When this question came up, it was immediately that Cait sith decided to speak up, "I know where to lass! Plus I'm gonna make it so ya never lose another one of ya Summon gems ever again! Honestly! Ya gotta learn to be more careful with those treasures! Do you know how rare those things are!?"

Hearing this immediately Nozomi became annoyed as she told him, "hey! That was only one time! I don't lose things left and right! Besides I-"

However cutting her off, Cait sith shook his hands as he said, "Yeah! Yeah! Whatever! Whatever! Just give me that stone plus your summon gems and give me that golden bracelet you got!"

At these demands Nozomi was getting further irritated by his attitude, but not in the mood for an argument. She quickly did as he asked, though grudgingly.

Cait sith in the meantime getting the stone, gems and bracelet in his hands then announced, "all right! Time for some more magic!" With that in moments he threw the items into the air and quickly with a wave of his right hand, a glitter cloud of white magic flowed into the air!

In moments suddenly the summon gems, along with the dark blue stone glittered with light and instantly they all became smaller as they attached themselves onto the golden bracelet! Nozomi was amazed as she quickly caught the descending item in her hands... she now had a magical charm bracelet!

Seeing that he'd left his audience awestruck, Cait sith was really proud of himself as he beamed and said, "see! Now fully attachable you've always got yer stones on hand! You'll never have to reach into yer pockets again!"

Still silent with amazement, Nozomi was quiet as she looked at all the gems that were along the edges of the bracelet, all of them shone with their own unique colours making it look truly breaking her out of her dazzled moment, Cait sith informed her while smacking her head hard, "ya know! Ya should be grateful I'm willin' ta help you out so much lass! I bet ya don't know how good you got it!"

A little annoyed at his tone and this hard smacking, she decided though to bite back her anger as she instead smiled and said, "well you're wrong about one thing... I am grateful for everything you've done and second I know I've got it good..." with that after slipping the bracelet onto her left wrist, she unexpectedly stroked her feline companion's head as she told him finally, "thanks Cait sith."

Mickey smiled at her as she did this, while Cait sith himself though he was stunned for a moment. He blushed as he turned his head and said, "well as long as you're grateful!"

As he said this everyone laughed, however suddenly Nozomi stopped as Riku came over and looking at the glittering bracelet he took her left hand into his. Looking at it he said smiling, "it's really pretty," then turning back to her, he told her further, "it suits you Nozomi."

With him suddenly doing that, Nozomi was frozen! Then as those words were repeated in her mind over and over she suddenly felt her heart leap and beat madly inside of her again! Blushing she retracted her hand away as she said laughing, "oh really? Uh Ha! Ha! Uh..." However she couldn't say anymore as she turned her face away from him and thought in her head, 'what the heck am I doing?!'

Merlin watching this curious scene, didn't know what to think exactly. However he decided to let them know with a cough, "well I think lads if we're finished here, we'd better go over to the 'Scrooge And Crumble,' I'd say the ARCS should be waiting for us and are probably ready for the next preparations for the carnival!"

Hearing this suggestion, immediately Nozomi latched onto it as she said, "oh!? Uh right Mr Merlin Sir! Okay um? Why don't you lead the way then!"

With that hearing her flustered voice, Merlin not understanding fully why she was behaving like this, decided to do just that as he said, "oh? Um, yes very well then lass! Let's be on our way!" With that the aged magician started to walk on ahead.

As he did so Nozomi quickly went to chase after him, watching her as she went. Mickey walked over to ask his fellow keyblader, "Riku? Somethin' feels different about Nozomi? Are the two of ya gettin' along okay?"

Hearing him ask this question, Riku turned to him as he said, "we've been fine for the most part Mickey... but...?"

At his pause the mouse king asked him, "but?"

With that question put to him, it was then that Riku paused as a blush came to his face as he also remembered that one particular intimate moment between them...However he couldn't talk about it with the king as he told him, "don't worry your majesty! It's nothing!" With that Riku followed after Nozomi too leaving Mickey to tail after them, though he was still very confused.

Meanwhile ahead still resting himself on her head, Cait sith then told her once again his honest thoughts, "yep lass! Ya're a total weirdo today!"

Hearing this again from Cait sith made Nozomi flush all the more inside as she felt embarrassed to no degree! For what was this rapid warm tingling sensation that was pacing in her heart? What was happening to her!?

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Meanwhile unbeknownst to anyone, in another part of the restored town. A portal of darkness emerged and as it did, a single individual stepped out and whispered angrily, "soon... soon! I'll remove you from all this corruption... Nozomi..." With that said, the young man walked forwards as he ventured forth into the gloriously decorated gardened and radiant town.