Chapter CLXXX: Memories Of The Past, The Icy Death Blow And The Arriving Cavalry
Return To The Radiant Gardens Part XXII

Walking down the dirt path, exiting the walkway of the empty Dojo which she called home. Nozomi sighed deeply as she was then on her way to class as she held her backpack over her shoulders. She didn't like having to go to class like this, especially when she knew on her way home that all that was there to greet her was an empty house...

Looking back at it for a moment as she proceeded forwards she turned her head forwards again as she wondered inside, how long would it be until she saw her master again?

He'd been gone so long now... it'd been four years and she'd now turned twelve. Also she'd entered the next stage of her schooling life. But he wasn't there to see it. What battles could he possibly be fighting that would take him away from her for this long? Where could he-

"Hey dummy!"

Then suddenly her thoughts were interrupted as there standing further ahead was a familiar face. With a rather arrogant smirk on his face with his own bag down by his side, standing near an old tree. It was none other than her childhood friend Wairu.

She was almost startled for a moment, however this expression went as the dark rich coloured skinned boy asked her, "what took you so long? Were you missing your striped socks again?"

Hearing this comment immediately Nozomi was irritated as she told him mad, "of course I wasn't!" Then she went on to say feeling a bit embarrassed about it, "I just couldn't find my hairbrush..."

Wairu hearing this comment then told her with a laugh on his face, "why do you need one? You're always a mess everyday anyway!"

Angered as she heard this Nozomi then cried out, "hey!"

Laughter though once again greeted her as he then told her, "anyway c'mon! We'd gotta get moving, otherwise we'll be late! You don't wanna be at the bottom of the class do you?"

Nozomi hearing this didn't need to be reminded and so told him with a pout, "of course I don't!"
Wairu seeing her do this then simply smiled more as he said, "good!" Then as he turned to walk on his way, he added to her,"because I don't wanna see you down in the dumps..."

As he said these words Nozomi was surprised, had he noticed the sadness she'd been in when-

Wairu however didn't give her anytime to finish her thoughts as he told her, "now c'mon let's hurry up!" With that he started running forwards.

Seeing him go Nozomi paused for a moment, but then a smile came to her face too. For if nothing else, she was glad to have Wairu be the one constant support in her life. Thinking this she then started running herself to catch up to him as she cried out, "hey c'mon! Wait for me!"

It was these kinds of mornings that she enjoyed and as the sun started to dawn more over Bamboo Town, she hoped with a smile that she and Wairu would always be able to laugh and play together like this.

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Holding his hand over her and seeing into the realms of her memories as he rested his head against her forehead. Uriax revealed a small smile of his own and as he did this, Peter watching over them both tilted his head in curiosity as he wondered what this young man was doing?

Then removing himself as he looked over her, Uriax then spoke gently, "that's right... just think of the past... just think only of that... and me."

The small pegasus still couldn't figure out was going on as he stared on, but suddenly-

"RRRRROOOOOOOAAAAARRRR!"

Immediately the young creature quivered in fear and raced quickly to Uriax! Burying himself into the young man's hood he shivered from fear as the terrible noise came forth.

Feeling him do this, Uriax was surprised. However with a sigh he tried to calm the frightened creature down as he told him with his free hand, "hush now... there's nothing for you to be scared of."

Peter hearing this though was clearly still terrified as he peaked out from the folds of cloth. Uriax could see there was no helping the small pegasus, also he wasn't really the best when it came to soothing anyway. So he gave an explanation instead to the small creature, "it's those fools who have got themselves stuck in this realm who've got to be frightened... Bebuzzu's gaining in strength and quite soon now, I'm sure his digestion will be complete."

As he confessed this he then turned back to Nozomi again and as he did he continued, "and when that happens everyone here will be drawn into his jaws of doom, however we'll all be long gone before that occurs!"

Then moving his hand back over her once more, the dark blue magic was then increased and as it was the female keyblader winced again! As she did Uriax revealed his intentions, "and by that time... all the memories from that trash and his filthy corruptions will be removed and the only thoughts you'll have will be of me and me alone... Nozomi."

Hearing these words the small pegasus didn't understand what was happening, however looking on as the young man continued to use his power on the defenceless keyblader and with the trembling of that roar still shaking within the ground around them... he was left quaking in fear. For who there was the real monster in the darkness?

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"HHHHAAAA!"

Riku shouted loudly as he rushed forwards with his keyblade in tow as he went to strike the blue skinned sorceress Irma!

However-

SMASH!

Instead of striking his intended target, Riku had struck one of the dark swirly eyed goldfish that were following the transformed witch!

Seeing this he became agitated as he spoke, "tch! Damn it!" She was truly an elusive target to hit! He couldn't get one clear shot at her! With all those heartless swimming in and around her as a dark swarming cloud. She in turn had taken moments to strike him with her lance but for the most part she had used her heartless to do all the work. If he could just get her then-

"HA HA HA HA HA!"

Irma though was laughing at this pathetic attempt of an attack as she quickly manoeuvred herself into the water domain's heights using her black fin like wings! As her white lacy skirts danced about her as she floated, she grinned manically as she taunted him saying, "too slippery for you am I?"

Riku though only stared at her angrily as he gripped his keyblade all the more tightly! Then suddenly-

"Yeah!"

Turning again he saw in the distance the plump pink chocobo, Peekaboo. He was shaking his fist into the air as he cried out, "yeah lady Irma go! You rule! You teach that snowy clod who's the real boss!"

Seeing him the white haired keyblader was quiet, however as he looked on he noticed again the blue pulsating light that was being carried within his wings. Again he immediately remembered Sazh's pained ghostlike form and then Irma's deadly words!

'The longer time goes on... the more his life drains away and when it comes to an end... his power will be mine, permanently!'

As the memory returned to him, he noticed then that the light within the lackey bird's wings seemed to have lost some of it's radiant glow! Seeing this he realised he had to hurry! But he knew if he tried any physical assaults of some kind, Irma would intervene with her heartless, so if that wouldn't work... then!

Quickly he reacted before either of the villains could think! Aiming his right hand forwards he then cried out, "Thundaga!"

With that the fierce and ferocious thunder spell shot forward instantly! Seeing the attack coming, Peekaboo panicked as he cried out, "hey! Wha!?" However quickly it missed him as he rolled himself out of the way hurriedly!

Seeing him trying to strike her plump henchmen, Irma then asked as a smile continued to grace her face, "oh? So you're tryin' to play rough huh?"

Ignoring her though Riku moved fast as he ran after Peekaboo quickly and immediately he unleashed more spells, "Thundaga!" However quickly again he missed! Once again he tried, "Thundaga!" Another miss!

Peekaboo in the meantime jumping here there and everywhere was trying to dodge the blasts as best as he could as he cried out, "Hey watch it! Cut it out! I don't wanna be crispy fried! I-"

"THUNDAGA!"

"GGAAGGHH!"

It was then finally that this blast had struck it's target and immediately the plump pink chocobo was left charred and burned from the static as he coughed out a puff of smoke! Then as this happened the small chocobo fell onto the stoney floor and as he did, the small light that he was carrying within his pink wings fell and like a marble it rolled across the watery terrained floor.

Seeing this happen, Riku then knew this was his chance! Running forward he immediately went to grab the light as it came rolling toward him! But just as when it was within his grasp-

"Yoink!"

Suddenly the light was scooped up by one of Irma's heartless! Seeing it being taken, Riku cried out in dismay, "no!"

In that same moment another of the heartless came and scooped up Peekaboo who was still charring from the thunderous attack. Then following the other heartless who'd taken the light, it swam up and floated beside it as they both came to their master's side.

Taking the light out of her heartless's mouth as it offered it to her, placing it into her long nailed hand again. As she held it, she looked down to the white haired keyblader and told him, "that was a nice try there! You were really trying to put your all into that little act weren't you?"

Not in the mood though for more of her taunting, Riku pointed 'The Way To Dawn,' at her as he demanded, "give me that light and release Sazh now!"

Grinning as she heard him say this with her heartless swimming hauntingly around her, Irma asked as she looked down upon him, "cute! You think you have the right to be giving me demands?"

"Firaga!" With that Riku fired another spell at her! Instantly though the sorceress though blocked the powerful attack with a wave of her hand as she used her lance.

As he did this she was beginning to get irritated, but then she became more so as Riku told her, "I don't have to listen to you!"

One of her eyebrows peaked and as it did, her expression became darker somehow as her anger was stoked inside. As it was, she decided on something, "okay then... why don't we up our little game huh?" With that as she said this she then gripped her lance more tightly as she was now really getting ready to engage with him! The heartless around her sensing their master's fury, then got themselves into position too as their long fluttering tails fanned out and quivered madly in agitation!

Riku sensing the hell bent fury that was going to be coming his way, gripped his own weapon tightly.

"Urgghhh..." waking up painfully, Peekaboo then moaned as he ached horribly all over, "I'm well done... I'm totally roasted here!"

SNAP!

Then suddenly all at once a cool feeling washed all over him and amazingly the burns and charring vanished in seconds! Blinking awake he asked, "huh? Hey? Ah, what the-!?"

Quickly he heard some angered words that really woke him up, "Peekaboo?"

Instantly then he saw where he was, riding upon the back of a dark goldfish heartless. As he saw this he also instantly noticed Irma was looking deadly serious as she was staring down at her quarry. Not wanting her to turn and look his way, he then spoke quickly feeling terribly on edge, "uh? Um yes lady Irma?"

With that hearing that she'd got his attention, Irma then informed him, "I'm giving you your own personal ride," then throwing the light and quickly catching it in his opened wings, she informed him, "now you hang onto that and just do one thing, " with that she turned to look at him with a very, very deadly gaze, "stay... out of the way!"

With that hearing that one simple instruction and seeing that deadly soul freezing look, Peekaboo instantly complied as he said finishing with a nervous laugh, "oh yeah! Yeah! Of course lady Irma! No problem!"

As he said this Irma turned away as she then said, "good! Now get moving!"

Hearing this order, Peekaboo agreed instantly as he replied, "uh right yeah!Yup! Um, Off I go!" With that he manoeuvred his heartless away and made it swim away into the distance!

Then seeing him go, Irma's grin returned as her dark eyes turned back to Riku. As she did her body started to glow with a haunting dark aura that seemed to storm all around her and as it did, she became manic looking as she told Riku sinisterly, "now then...let's play!" With that she dove forwards with her lance writhing with the power of darkness and her heartless trailing quickly behind her!

Riku then just as in turn braced himself as he brought his keyblade forth as the evil sorceress and her monster's came at him!

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Still running on forwards at full speed with Cait sith riding on his shoulder and Poncho following closely behind as he floated after them, Juan was desperate to reach Riku and help out his amigo! Looking around though all that he could see around him, was nothing but pitch black darkness! He couldn't even tell if he'd made any distance in this whole terrain!

As he ran on, Cait sith on his shoulder patted him urgently as he told him, "c'mon lad ya got to hurry! Ya gotta really put the pedal to the metal here!"

Hearing him Juan furiously nodded as he said, "I know! I know! I know Cait sith amigo! I am puttin' on my velocidad más rápida!"

Then as he turned back and concentrated on running straight ahead, the ace gunner turned his gaze back up as he asked quickly, "Oralee senorita! Merlin amigo viejo! Are we close to our camarada?"

As he called out, quickly a reply came as the princess of Alexandra called back to him, "yes! You're getting closer! Just keep going and you'll all be there soon!"

Nodding as he heard this Cait sith then made their reply as he cried out,"okay yer highness! That we will!"

Then as he called out, it was then that Merlin called out to them too, "good lads! I know that Riku lad is gonna need all the help he can get! There's a really bad storm of black magic straight ahead!"

Hearing this from Juan knew this was serious and if there was anything that no amigo should face alone, it was that! So having learned this information, the ace gunner then became more determined as he then cried out, "estamos en nuestro camino!" With that his ostrich speed increased as he left dust behind in his wake!

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Breathing hard, Riku was struggling! With all the heartless coming at him at once along with Irma herself trying to strike into him using her deadly lance! He could barely find a moment to strike back!

However at that time he was swiftly trying to! Running hard and fast he brought out his keyblade and proceeded to smash into Irma's heartless! One by one he struck through many of her monster's making many heart's fly away into the darkness!

Seeing him do this, Irma was grinning ear to ear with battle lust as she swung her lance forwards and made huge blocks of ice come flying straight towards the keyblader! She laughed madly as though she was simply dancing within this watery realm!

Riku moved quickly though reacted as he jumped in and out of these icy missiles! Agitated he then moved in to try and strike at her again! However with a wave and twirl, Irma immediately caused more portals of darkness emerge which with them brought more heartless as they all instantly charged towards the keyblader! There were many more that came descending down towards him as he kept smashing on and on! Then as he cut through another that came swimming, he noticed-!

SHINE!

Immediately in moment rays of shining blue ice came racing straight towards him! His eyes widened quickly as he somersaulted backwards doing his best to miss each and every single blast that was coming his way!

"Tch!" He breathed as he jumped back and back! As the blasts came forth he could see the lines of sharp icicles that were springing up as they struck the ground. He thought to himself mad, 'I can't let myself get struck by any of those! If I do then-"

It was quickly then that he saw above him Peekaboo swimming on ahead upon his goldfish heartless. Seeing him, the white haired keyblader then saw him pull his tongue out at him as he continued to bounce the dimming blue light within his wings!

Seeing this angered Riku as he said mad, "darn you!" Suddenly then he spoke too soon as quickly in his moment distraction one of the ice beams struck his feet!

"AAAAGGGHHH!" He cried at the terrible ice freeze burned into him and froze him to the spot! He couldn't move! Then quickly he saw the heartless all coming in at once as they stormed straight towards him to finish him off!

He had to act fast! Though it was risky and would be painful, he knew that at that time there was no other choice! So concentrating once more he called forth his own powers that dwelled within him! As his aura grew and burned around him, he felt his power grow! He was ready!

In that moment all at once more ice beams rained forth towards him! However with the power of darkness on his side, the flames of that power melted all that ice in moments as each one came shining towards him and it even destroyed the ice which had ensnared him!

Then as the heartless themselves all came flying in, their swirling eyes all fixed on him. The white haired keyblader swung his weapon into the air as he shouted out for all the world to hear, "Dark Aura!"

With that shout he then plunged 'The Way To Dawn,' keyblade into the ground and instantly a pillar of blinding light came forth and blinded all the heartless there in seconds, making them all stop and hover around dizzyingly!

It was his chance to make the final strike came! Moving swiftly he cut and sliced away into all the heartless that were all gathered there! He made them vanish in moments... as their glittering hearts faded into the darkness, it was then it came!

"AGH!" He cried out as he collapsed to his knees, the pain in his heart struck once more making that horrible searing and tearing sensation return in full force!

"HA HA HA HA HA!"

As he struggled for breath from above came as expected the taunting and mocking laughter of Irma as she started to descend down using her black wings. Looking at Riku she couldn't help but say, "ha! A keyblader using the power of darkness, oh! What bitter irony here!"

Riku hated this sorceress with every fibre of his being at that moment, however he was unable to answer back as the pain was too severe within him to do so.

Irma seeing this then couldn't help but say further, "and your heart can't even handle it huh?" Then seeing him in his pained state filled her with even more delight, as a certain idea came to her mind. Swimming down she rested on the ground as she asked with a cruel smile appearing on her face, "hey? How about I give you even more agony?"

At this suggestion Riku raised his head in shock, for right now he was helpless! He couldn't get away from her now or-

That look however on his face was all that Irma needed for her to initiate her deadly spell! Moving swiftly upwards with a twirl the blue lance in her long nailed hands began to glow menacingly with destructive power! As it did she giggled as she then aimed it at the ground!

As she did this, all around him Riku quickly saw a huge complex shining pattern emerged upon the pebbled floor! Seeing it he knew immediately it was bad news, but what was-

Then suddenly he felt something else shining and looking above him, he quickly saw that the lance within Irma's hand was glowing brightly with a fierce turquoise blue light! It was horribly ominous as he stared up at it!

Looking below as she saw her helpless prey staring up at her, Irma then told him, "enjoy my present!" With that as those words came her power reached it's peak and immediately as it did she threw her lance down!

Quickly in moments like a bolt of lightning the lance struck into the floor! As it did instantly the ground all around it shook and trembled horribly and then-

SHINE!

In moments a tall column of ice grew forth and as it did, the floor all around it became frozen as it's power spread throughout the entire terrain!

Seeing it coming Riku tried desperately to get up and move! To do anything! However it was too late as the ice ensnared his feet and quickly the terrible freezing element climbed up his body! The ice burning was unbearable along with the pain that was already within his heart!

He gasped loudly as he felt like his very blood inside of him was beginning to freeze! Then just as the ice was getting closer and closer towards his face. It stopped!

Frozen in place he couldn't move a muscle! Irma seeing her new statue then laughed loudly and sadistically as she saw what her power had done!

"HA HA HA HA HA!"

Swimming on nearby, Peekaboo was amazed himself and then even too couldn't help but laugh as he cried out, "ha! A sappy popsicle! Who'd a thought it!" With that he then couldn't help but bring out a lolly of his own as he started to munch on it!

Irma pleased with this wonderful outcome then decided to ignite the spell's final stage, so moving her right hand forward, she made a simple movement.

CLICK!

Instantly then all the ice that had formed along the realm's watery floor exploded and blasted everywhere sending splinters and icicles everywhere in a glittering swirling storm!

As this happened Riku was battered by the furious and deadly spell as his piercing pained screams filled the air,

"AAAAGGGGGHHHHH!"

Giggling as she witnessed this occurring, it was then that her blue lance immediatley returned to her long nailed hands and as it did the bloodthirsty glow in Irma's eyes increased as she whispered, "indulge yourself in my freezing death blow..." with that she continued watching Riku's suffering...

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Running on harder and faster! Cait sith was shouting at the top of his lungs, "c'mon there Juan mate! Hurry on! C'mon!"

Hearing him Juan was beginning to get breathless as he turned his head to tell the small black and white cat mad, "I am! I am amigo! But my poor piernas can only take us so-"

"WWWHHHOOOAAA!"

Instantly and suddenly before he knew it, Juan was suddenly pulled back hard as Cait sith climbed upon the gunner 'ARC's head and like rider with a horse he used his long hair as reins!

For stopping them just in the nick of time, Cait sith had prevented the group of them from all falling into a blue broken long chasm that had appeared out of nowhere in the realm of black that surrounded them! The sudden surprise and shock caused the lot of them to tumble backwards onto the floor!

Breathing hard from the sudden shock and fall, Juan then said trying to desperately recover himself,"Ah Cha! Cha! Cha! Cha! That was too close for comfort there amigo's!"

Hearing this comment, Cait sith couldn't help but agree as he said, "yer tellin' me lad!" However quickly getting his act together, the small black and white cat got up and looked at the chasm and as he did he said, "could this be the spot where-"

"AAAAGGGGGHHHHH!"

This scream instantly sent everyone there on edge! Above listening on Oralee was immediately anxious as she cried out hearing the pain, "that's Riku! Oh no he's in trouble!"

Merlin hearing the pain too then agreed as he said quickly, "aye lass! It looks like it!" Then directing his voice he told the shocked cat, gunner and blank pink axolotl, "go on lad's get in there! Riku needs you all in there scat!"

Recovering from the shock, Cait sith quickly agreed as he said, "we're on it Merlin mate!" Then smacking Juan in the leg he told him urgently, "well go on Juan lad! Ya heard the old goat! We gotta move!"

At the sound of urgency in his voice, Juan replied getting up on his feet too, "yeah! Right on amigo!" With that drawing out his pistols he declared becoming hugely pumped, "let's get a flameante!"

Then as he said this Cait sith quickly hopped up on his shoulder and with his passenger Juan jumped forwards into the chasm being quickly followed by Poncho!

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Lying on the floor as the ice vanished away, all Riku could do was breathe heavily as the ice burn and searing pain from his heart made him immovable as he lay upon the floor...

Seeing he was practically down and out for the count, Irma smiled menacingly as she said to him, "aww... looks like you've taken all the beating you can have given to you huh?"

Riku looking at the blue skinned sorceress couldn't say a word as he simply stared up at her, his eyes were cringing as he was barely able to keep his focus as he looked up at her.

Irma though seeing this simply had a childish pout on her face as she told him honestly, "you know I was hoping we would get to play some more..."

Despite his weakened state, as he heard this Riku was angered as he gritted his teeth staring up at her with all the defiance he could muster within him.

Seeing this Irma simply only smiled on more, then looking above her she saw that as Peekaboo continued to ride on upon his dark goldfish she saw that the light he continued to carry within his wings was losing more and more of it's glow. As it was she smiled to herself as she decided to make a little check on something, tapping on the blue gem that was upon her neck it then shone brightly.

Continuing to breathe with a lot of effort, Riku then saw with shock the ghostlike figure of Sazh as he was projected from out of the blue stone. Looking at him the white keyblader could see he looked horribly weakened as he was on his knees and looked about to be in just as much pain as he was. The keyblader then realised that the absorption must be nearly complete!

Seeing the progress of what was happening to her 'energy source,' Irma smiled keenly and then tapping the stone away again she dissmissed his image as she said, "well looks like the ritals nearly complete... and your time is up!"

With that she took her blue lance out once more, then aiming it just above his neck Irma grinned all the more sinisterly as she told the helpless keyblader, "bye bye... loser!" With that she moved to end him as Riku braced himself closing his eyes fiercely!

"MANTENERLO!"

Hearing this sudden shout, Irma turned around as she cried out, "what the-?!"

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

Suddenly as these shots came forth, Irma immediately moved herself into the watery air making them miss her as a new face emerged!

Landing swiftly on the ground, his two pistols at the ready, a declaration was announced, "I am he who appears on the scene with nimble speed! I'm here to cancel your scheduled programming! I am-"

Then smacking him in the head Cait sith was not in the mood for speeches as he told him mad, "Juan lad this is not the time for this!"

Flinching as he did this, Juan then felt depressed and deflated as he whined, "oh... but amigo!" As he said this Poncho made his appearance as he sat himself on his master's shoulder staring on as blankly as ever.

However the small cat was fed up with this kind of chatter and so simply turned his head away sulking! But quickly as he moved he saw the bad state his pal was in as he cried out worried for him, "Riku lad!?" With that he quickly went to attend to his injuries!

Annoyed as she saw the interlopers, Irma then made her observations, "oh how pleasant... flies in the ointment!"

As he heard this voice, it was then looking up that Juan finally saw, "Irma senorita!?" For he was in shock! He couldn't believe the transformation as he saw her change in skin colour along with her new taste in dark frilly fashion... looking at her he couldn't help but comment, "when did you become a Eelly dama de pescado?"

Not knowing what Juan had said, Irma though could tell immediately that this was an insult and quickly she became irritated as she said, "heh? Looks like someone's gonna need to be taught some manners, in when speaking to a lady huh?"

As she said these words Juan immediately brought his pistols up again, he was ready for action as Irma herself lifted her blue lance once more!

Cait sith in the meantime had summoned up his old and useful brand of yellow healing magic as he set up about patching up his fallen comrade. Looking down at him as he concentrated his power upon him, the small black and white cat told him, "don't you be croakin' on me now lad! Ya've been through too much already to do that to us!"

Hearing him say this as he felt the pain he was in begin to ebb away, Riku was finally able to say something to his healer, "not planning on it!"

Then as he said those words, his strength was finally returned to him as he stood up on his leg's once more. Seeing he was back to health, Juan brightened as he told the white haired keyblader, "yo muchacho! It's good to see ya back in the game!"

Riku hearing this couldn't help but smile as he saw Juan's goofy grin, then he told him sarcastically, "yeah sorry I was sent to the benches!"

Clapping his gloved paws together Cait sith then declared collapsing onto his legs, "whoa! I'm just glad we got to ya in time lad! Who know's what might have happened if we hadn't got onto this scene!" Then looking up to him he had to declare to him, "ya know ya really are high maintenance to keep runnin'!"

As he said this Riku then told him, "yeah I do know," then with that he picked up the small cat and placed him on his shoulder and said, "thanks Cait sith!"

Hearing this the small cat then resting on his shoulder said, "no probs lad! Now, we got bigger fish to fry!"

With that said it was then cat, gunner and keyblader turned their attentions back to Irma who was looking down at them with a displeased look on her face. However seeing their attentions were centred on her again, she told them all, "finally caught your eye again huh?"

Seeing them become on guard as they all stared up at her, Irma then decided to inform them, "well it looks like it's time for round two!" Then remembering the blue stone on her collar, she decided to inform them all further, "but you better hurry! Otherwise Sazhy boy here isn't gonna make it!"

"Sazh amigo?" Juan asked as he became terribly concerned, then quickly pointing his sting pistols at the sorceress he demanded, "what have ya done with my camarada!?"

Riku though quickly answered instead, "she's got him trapped in that blue stone on her collar and his power is being carried around by Peekaboo!"

Repeating his name as he heard it, Cait sith asked, "Peekaboo?" Then looking up, he saw the plump pink bird looking down at them all as a spectator as he continued to nibble down on his lolly, the chocobo then waved mockingly as though he were watching nothing more than a baseball match. There the cat could see that light which must have been Sazh's power, it's clear that it's energy was waning!

The cat seeing this then said angered as he looked from the fatty lackey to the deadly sorceress, "so that's the set up huh?"

Nodding Riku then said, "yeah it is! What's more, if that light goes out. Then Sazh will go with it!"

With this information heard, Juan was now even more worried and as it all sorted itself in his mind what was happening. There was one thing that was deadly clear, "there's no time then huh?"

Riku agreed as he said,"yeah! There isn't!"

Then with no need for further spurring, Juan declared loudly, "well let's get slicing and blasting!"

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

With that Juan fired the first shots and as he did, Irma struck away the bullets as though they were nothing but pesky flies! Seeing that they were finally getting with the program she dived downwards herself as she cried out, "now that's more like it!"

Runnning forwards too as he followed after Juan, Riku was determined! With Juan and Cait sith by his side. THEY WERE going to rescue Sazh and give Irma the thrashing of her life!

Cait sith caught in the mood of battle then shouted for all the world to hear, "CHARGE!"

With that the fierce battle ensued between the monstrous sorceress and urgent warriors, as the life of the gunner Sazh hung in the balance.