Chapter CLXXXI: The Beckoning Cold, The Raiding Missile Assault And The Call Of The Son
Return To The Radiant Gardens Part XXIII

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

Racing through the air, Juan was busy trying to strike his target as she raced through the watery terrain at an incredibly high speed, with the aid of black fin wings!

Laughing as she dodged his pathetic attempts of trying to strike her, Irma then told the gun totting 'ARC' with a sinister grin, "that's a good try!" However clenching her lance tightly, she declared, "but it's not good enough!" With that she sent a barrage of icicle missiles his way!

Seeing them coming Juan gritted his teeth as he shot each one that came flying through the air! However as he blasted one after the other, there was one that he missed! Seeing it coming flying his way, the panicked gunner cried out, "oh! Aie! Aie! Aie!"

"Firaga!"

Quickly intercepting this deadly attack, Riku cast his powerful fire spell making the ice dissolve away and evaporate in moments!

Seeing Riku had come to his aid, the gunner 'ARC' then told him pleased, "whoa! Thanks there amigo! That was a total close call there!"

Hearing him the white haired keyblader then informed him, "it's not over yet! We gotta keep going and hurry!"

Cait sith then spoke too as he added as he continued to sit upon Riku's shoulder, "yeah mate! Cause we got our pal that's on the rope's here!"

Juan listening to these words then remembered what was at stake! Then looking to Irma again he saw the blue stone on her choker again. As he saw it, he immediately thought of Sazh who he knew was growing weaker and weaker by the moment! As he thought of his friend it made his determination burn stronger inside!

With that aiming his pistols he replied to Riku, "okay! Camarada! Let's go full pelt!"

Seeing that he was getting serious, the white haired keyblader agreed in moments as he replied, "right!"

Irma herself seeing them pulling together then grinned all the more as she told them both, "oh how cute! You think you can beat me?" Then seeing them get ready for another attack as they tightened their grips, she told them, "well have a taste of this!"

With that twirling in the waters with a spin, immediately more of her goldfish heartless emerged! There seemed to be almost hundreds of them! Both keyblader and 'ARC' looked on with widened eyes!

However Cait sith seeing all the fish just yelled out mad, "that pathetic slippery lot can't take me and my blokes down! Just come and try and get us ya scalely hag!"

As she heard this comment, Irma was far from impressed! However she continued to maintain her smile as she then told them, "all right I will!" Then turning to her heartless she ordered them instantly, "get them!" With that the heartless all rushed forwards as they charged in for an attack, with their ice beams all brimming and ready to fire!

As they all came storming forwards, Riku moving his keyblade forwards then spoke his thoughts as he told his feline companion, "you know I really wish at times you wouldn't be so provoking, Cait sith!"

Juan seeing the monsters all coming then shouted out, "here they come muchacho's!"

With that all the ice beam's were fired! In turn both keyblader and gunner started evading and attacking as they went to destroy this treacherous school!

Looking on at the battle as he continued to ride his own dark goldfish, Peekaboo had now got a bag of popcorn out and was munching down as he chucked a load into his beak. This was definitely one fight he wasn't going to miss for the world!

Seeing his lady go at it with the struggling heroes, the plump bird then said getting excited, "wow! Thing's are totally heating up down there!"

Then as he said those words, he noticed the light that he'd been given to hold onto was steadily losing more and more of it's glow. Observing this he said casually, "and it looks like it's nearly over for you, huh?" With that said the light continued to flicker in and out... it's power nearly spent...

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Outside within the safety of the Fountain Courtyards, Oralee and Merlin continued to watch the events of the ensuing battle that was taking place. Watching on worried, the two of them could tell that Juan, Riku and Cait sith were struggling against the monster.

The princess seeing her friend's go through such difficulty couldn't help but speak her thoughts, "oh everyone! This is terrible..."

As he heard her say this, the master wizard then couldn't help but admit, "I know lass! Our lads are goin' through a real hard time in there."

Listening to Merlin as he said this, Oralee then had to ask worriedly, "isn't there anything we can do for them!?"

Shaking his head as he heard this question, Merlin told the princess of Alexandra, "I'm afraid not lass, if I tried to use my powers to intervene I might damage the fabric of that world and I wouldn't be able to make any guarantees that I'd be able to do anything for Sazh."

As she heard this, Oralee became depressed further. For she knew with terrible anxiety if something wasn't done soon then Dajh would-

"What did you say about my Dad?"

Hearing these words, it was then that Oralee and Merlin both turned. There they saw approaching was both the princess's pink haired friend Serah and the son of the captive gunner, Dajh. The young afro haired boy looked at the two observer's with worried eyes as Serah held onto his hand gently. As he gazed at them both... the magician and blonde haired girl were conflicted of what to tell him...

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It was cold... horribly cold. All around him was nothing but darkness, it was all that the once smart talking and confident green clothed gunner could see...

Steadily he could feel more and more of his strength was leaving him. As it was he was struggling to stand up right and at this point all he could do was kneel...

But what was he fighting so hard for? Why was he clinging on so much? Even the memory of that wouldn't dawn into his mind...then as he tried to think more. A huge amount of his power was taken and as it was...he collapsed fully onto his legs..

Looking above himself as the darkness continued to dwell all around,he felt so tired... all he wanted to sleep. Yes... sleep... sleep and let this terrible sensation of weakness leave him altogether... he was sure, it would be so comfortable...

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Running forwards his keyblade out, Riku raised it high as he shouted loudly for all the world to hear, "Thundaga!" With that instantly the powerful lightning spell stormed forth!

As it did immediately a huge swarm of the attacking heartless were annihilated in moments! As the water sizzled and their hearts faded into the darkness, another battalion came forth and went in to freeze the keyblader!

However quickly stepping in, Juan came and as he did he quickly brought out both his pistols and aimed them forwards!

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

Quickly in moments his shots rang forth and he destroyed more heartless! However there were still stray ones and instantly they shot forth their rays!

Just barely the keyblader and gunner avoided the attacks! Making it to a safe distance, Riku then breathed mad, "damn! This is endless! There's gonna be no end to this!"

Irritated as well, Cait sith then spoke up too, "I know lad!" Then looking to Irma who continued to grin as she looked down upon them all said, "that hag's just waitin' for ya both to putt out of power!"

Agreeing as he struck another heartless away, Riku then agreed as he told him, "I know! But how are we supposed to-"

"I think we should just do a full on charge amigo's!" Juan spoke as he rushed in and annihilated more enemies that came their way!

Hearing him as he said this, Cait sith then repeated, "a full on charge?"

Landing before them both with his guns at the ready, Juan then confirmed this as he replied, " that's right amigo!" Then winking with his treasured weapon's he added with a grin, "with gun's a blazin!"

Annoyed as he saw him playing around, Cait sith then demanded, "and just when do ya think that's gonna come around!? That banshee ain't gonna-"

"HA HA HA HA HA!"

Startled immediately everyone looked on up above and as they did, they heard Irma cry out, "aww! Looks like you guys are all struggling so badly! I doubt any of you can keep playing this game for much longer can you!?"

Angered as he heard this mocking tone, Cait sith demanded,"who're ya callin' down fer the count! We're all alive and kickin' down here and we're gonna slam dunk ya where it hurts, ya hag!"

Hearing this pathetic outburst from that cat again, Irma though only grinned all the more as she asked, "oh will you?" As she said this, she only grinned all the more as she then declared loudly,"well I'll just have to give the final strike first!" As she cried this out immediately she raised her blue lance into the air! Doing this quickly it began to glow with that same menacingly destructive power!

Recognising what she was about to do, Riku then said agitated, "so she's preparing another blast of her Death Strike is she?"

As he said this, Juan asked the keyblader the most obvious question he could, "that ain't good is it amigo?!"

Shaking his head, the white haired keyblader replied quickly, "no it's not!" Then suddenly as he admitted that, an idea came to his mind as he remembered the stages of the attack! "That's it!" Immediately turning to the others he told them, "guys!"

As he got their attention, Riku then told them both, "I've got an idea! I know it's rushed but I think it can finish this battle in an instant!"

Hearing him as he said this, Cait sith wasn't going to be the one to question the experienced keyblader and so told him impatiently,"well come on then lad! Lay it on us!"

Nodding quickly Juan agreed as he said, "yeah come on amigo! What've ya cooked up for us?"

With that glad to hear that they were all eager for his idea, Riku quickly told them all what his plan was, as fast as he could!

Irma though continuing to float on high, felt her power peaking! As it was beginning to she aimed her blue lance down and quickly that same complex shining white pattern that she had conjured up before! She was ready to fire as she grinned manically saying, "get ready to die!"

Peekaboo in the distance still munching away couldn't help but clap his wings together as he cried out sending pieces of popcorn flying everywhere, "yeah lady Irma! Get 'em! Knock them dead!"

It was at that moment though that Riku had finished explaining his plan and as he did he asked everyone quickly, "okay! You got that guy's?"

At his question, Juan replied with a keen grin as he told him with a flick on one of his pistols, "absolutamente amigo! We can do it no problem!" Then turning to his faithful old pink friend, he asked him, "right Poncho?" However once again as usual there came no response as the creature just stared on blankly... as per usual.

Cait sith feeling pumped up then told his white haired pal, "yeah lad! Now let's clean that banshee's clock!"

Seeing them become enthusiastic immediately invigorated Riku and then turning up to the evil sorceress, he told them,"okay! Let's do this!" With that they were all ready!

It was then at that moment that Irma's power fully peaked and as it did, her hand that was holding the blue lance burned brightly with that fierce and deadly turquoise light! Then delighting in it's ice cold radiance, Irma declared for all the world to hear, "now freeze and burn!" With that she launched her lance down!

As it came thundering towards them all, Riku then shouted, "scatter!" With that instantly both him and Juan did so! The lance then striking into the ground ignited with power as the surface trembled and shook!

SHINE!

Again quickly as this occurred, another huge column of ice emerged and reached into the darkened heights of the watery terrain! Quickly as this occurred the floor began to freeze as the cold effects of the lance spread everywhere!

Smiling as this occurred, Irma then said aloud, "with that you guys haven't got a chance!" With that she brought her fingers forward to make the explosive finale come about!

At this point, Peekaboo munched and munched away! This was getting real tense!

However-

"HHHAAA!"

Suddenly rushing at her in the air came Riku as he had his keyblade drawn and at the ready! He was poised to attack her!
Seeing him coming though didn't unnerve Irma in the slightest, as she told him smirking still, "so you're trying to take me down while I'm weaponless huh?"

However Riku didn't answer her as he continued to come straight at her with a fierce determination burning in his eyes! Irma though seeing his absolute resolution, decided to make his life more difficult as with her free hand she summoned more of her dark goldfish heartless again.

As they emerged from more portals of darkness she then told him, "now you can dance!"

With that all heartless swarmed towards the keyblader creating a storm of black that he quickly became ensnared in!

Seeing this happen, Irma grinned all the more as she cried out, "while I give you the Arpeggio!"

CLICK!

With that quickly Irma's destructive power was unleashed as she performed her Death blow! The whole terrain below her became a blinding blizzard of ice! With this she knew it was over! They were finished! But-

"Thundaga!"

With that shout suddenly the heartless she'd sent to take out Riku were quickly incinerated as a great number of them were annihilated! As their hearts flew away into the darkness, the keyblader came rushing at her again!

Shocked as she saw him still coming, the sorceress cried out, "how the?! You should be-"

Then suddenly she saw a glowing yellow shining shield over the keyblader and as she saw it, her eyes widened! For this magic was preventing any of her ice from striking him and it stopped the cold from freezing his flesh!

Riding on his shoulder, Cait sith ridiculed the sorceress as he maintained the shield telling her, "NYA! Yer fish food ya dumbbell!"

Seeing quickly who was the source of the spell, angered Irma as she went to aim her black nailed hands at them both as she cried out, "you!"

Then with that another blast of ice came rushing forwards! However quickly Riku avoided this and as he did, he immediately spun as he dived forwards in a completely different direction!

As he diverted away from, Irma was baffled! "What is he-?"

Riku looking down then shouted out, "now Juan! NOW!"

Hearing his cry, quickly the expert gunner cried out, "LEVANTA ESO!" Then suddenly from down below came a huge sound of thundering and-!

BLAST!

Suddenly charging up from the ground at a blinding fast speed came Juan! However unbelievably he was riding on a huge white missile and he was thundering fast and furiously up to his target while glowing with that same yellow protective power of Cait sith! With Poncho on it's nose the two of them were dead on target!

Seeing him coming, Irma couldn't believe her eyes! This was too-

However it was too late for her to do anything as suddenly Juan shouted out mad, "TEDDIE CHARGE!"

KABOOM!

Suddenly a huge explosion filled the air as a huge burning charring ball of fire engulfed the dark sorceress! As this occurred, quickly the tall column of ice that had been created vanished into snowy dust! Then with it, so did the blue lance as it faded away into the shadows...

Seeing this happen, Peekaboo dropped his popcorn bag as he cried out panicked, "LADY IRMA!?"

However before he could move to do anything-

"STRIKE RAID!"

In seconds Peekaboo's dark goldfish was destroyed in seconds by the spinning 'Way To Dawn!' As this happened the plump pink chocobo fell from it as it's embers fizzled away into the air and it's heart drifted away into the darkness.

"AAGGHH!"

However suddenly before he could hit the ground, his leg was caught! Startled he then turned and saw with fright from his upside down position, Riku who had caught him with his left hand as he stared at him with serious eyes. Peekaboo was chilled from the inside out, however he was even more unnerved as Cait sith then told the small pink bird, "well...? Long time no see huh? Chubby."

The pink chocobo then knew that with lady Irma out of commission. He knew he didn't stand a chance! He simply continued to shiver on in pure terror.

Riku though was quiet, but then looking to his right hand he saw the light that he and the other's had worked so hard to get back. He relaxed a little as he saw it's glow and said, "finally..."

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Making it back down onto the surface of the watery terrain, with the light now in his hand. The keyblader and cat went to find their other ally. Looking around for him as they walked on, Riku couldn't help but ask as he continued onto the shivering Peekaboo. "Do you think he made it out okay, Cait sith?" For he was a little worried.

Hearing him ask this question the black and white cat told him relaxed, "what that lad, mate? Sure he is! I mean I reckon not even the worst natural disaster could take him out!"

As this was said suddenly a voice cried out, "why! Thanks for the compliment there amigo!"

It was then turning that quickly both keyblader and cat saw,"Juan!" For there approaching them both with Irma struggling madly against his strong grip was their gun totting pal. Though it was clear he'd been through a rough patch as he looked a bit charred and smokey, Irma too was the same as her blue skin was coated in charcoal. Plus her lacy frills had been singed badly, making her look a total mess.

Seeing that they'd seen him, the upbeat 'ARC' replied not paying any mind to their sooty appearance, "hey!"

Then seeing her enemies begin to approach them, Irmadesperately tried to pull her hand out of his strong grip! For this was the worst of the worse that could happen to her! Angered she turned to Juan mad as she told him, "let go of me you fool!"

Hearing her as she grumbled, Juan told her with a calm smile, "oh don't struggle there senorita! You should be a good girl and be quiet for a while."

Bitting her lower lip though, Irma was not in the mood to be patronized! However before she could say anything else, she felt something land on her head. Looking up she then saw the pink Axolotl Poncho staring down at her with it's blank eyes.

As he saw his pal land on Irma's head, Juan had to let her know, "because if you don't, my little amigo there will give you the worst quema infierno, you'll ever have!" To which he looked horribly menacing as he grinned cunningly at her! This threat made her go pale in seconds! She didn't stand a chance!

Making it over to them, Riku was confused as he asked, "what're you telling her there Juan?"

However quickly breaking out of his dark mood, the ace gunner was all smiles again as he told him, "oh nothin' there amigo! Nothin' you don't have to worry about!"

Riku though wasn't sure he believed him when he heard him say that, however he had to ask him, "did you manage to get the-"

Quickly Juan brought out what it was he asked for, the blue stone that had been on Irma's choker. As he did he told him, "yep! All safe and secure!"

Relieved Riku then told him, "great!" With that quickly he brought out the light he'd retrieved and with Juan holding the stone, he brought the light to it as the gunner and keyblader went to reunite the two pieces.

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Sleep... I just wanna sleep...Thought the man as he curled himself upon the cold and icy floor that was underneath him.

The cold numbness was soothing to him, he almost felt like it was a blanket coming to drape over him...soon, soon there would be nothing more and he could rest... forever...

"Sazh!"

"Oi Sazh lad!"

"Hey! Amigo!"

Hearing these cries only irritated the man, as he turned over. He wanted to shut them out, the sound of waking was only painful to him... the cold. The cold was far more soothing... it was all he wanted...

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As they all had cried out to him, Riku watched with horror as the light in his hand's was losing it's glow! It was quickly dying! Looking to Irma he demanded from the sorceress, "what have you done!? Get him to come back! Get-"

Seeing him so uneasy only filled Irma with satisfaction as she told him with a smirk, "there's nothing I can do here! The light of his life has been away from his body for quite some time, and I'm afraid if he loses his will to live... well what do you expect to happen?"

Hearing this info, Juan looked at the sorceress angrily! He almost felt like letting Poncho bring out another big missile to fry her with!

"Don't lose heart lads!" Quickly Cait sith's voice brought both Juan and Riku's focus back, as he did this he told them, "we just got keep tryin'! Don't let lose yer hope! We can get through to him! Now c'mon!"

With that hearing the small cat's words, both Riku, Juan along with their encouraging friend tried to call out to Sazh! They couldn't let him fade away!

Peekaboo looking on himself was quiet, but inside he couldn't help but feel slightly touched... for would anyone ever do something like that for him?

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"Sazh! Don't give up! Come back!"

"That's right mate! Ya've still got thing's ya gotta do haven't ya!?"

"Exactamente! Plus ya got Dajh who'll be sad without his papito! C'mon amigo!"

Hearing this one name, the man repeated, Dajh... that name was? However the cold was beckoning him... that name was nothing probably compared to it... the silence would be much better...

"Dad!"

Moving his head as he heard this cry he wondered, just what was that just then? That voice it was?

"Daddy! Daddy!"

At once hearing this voice again, it was then finally he remembered! That voice! It was that one that was-

"Daddy!"

Immediately the light of life inside of him burned brightly and quickly his strength returned! As he got up and looked around himself and saw all this darkness that surrounded him. It was no longer comforting to him! For there were those who were waiting for him and one more precious than any!

"DAJH!"

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At once startling both Riku and Juan, the light and stone both began to shine brightly! As they did, quickly both of them made a loud ringing sound in the air!

Seeing this happen neither of the young men could believe it! But most of all, Irma couldn't believe it, for immediately as this happened the powerful transformation that she'd been able to call upon. The summon Mateus's power was being dispelled and removed from her body! She was restored back to her original human form, seeing her pink complexion return as well as the faint weakness that came with her humanity. She became infuriated as she cried out, "wait! This shouldn't be happening! He should be-"

However before she could say another word, immediately the light flew to stone and at once the two were reunited! As this happened a bright light shone forth and grew bigger, and bigger!

Blinding everyone they all shielded their eyes against the brightness! However Cait sith peeking through his gloved paws quickly saw a shape emerge and as he did-

"DAJH!"

All at once suddenly in an instant the light faded away! Then there between the lot of them, in it's place now stood the one person who both keyblader and gunner had fought so hard to bring back. There stood before them in his green coat, with his own pistols in his hands. It was none other than Sazh.

Seeing him quickly both Juan and Riku reacted immediately as did Cait sith as they all cried out his name, "Sazh!"

Hearing them all, quickly Sazh turned around and looked at everyone. As he saw them all, he at first was confused, as he asked puzzled, "fella's?"

Then suddenly in a flash it all came back to him! How he was trapped! The battle and then-

He had to ask quickly as his thoughts raged inside of him,"Dajh! Where's Dajh? Is he-"

"Daddy!"

At once came his son's voice once more! As it did, the gunner turned and looked above himself and as he did he called out again, "Dajh! Is that you!"

Immediately a response came, "Daddy I found you! You're okay!" Then laughter came as he cried out, "I'm so happy!"

Relieved to hear his son's voice, Sazh then smiled himself but he had to ask, "just where are you? Where have-"

Quickly came a response as Merlin spoke, "you're trapped within the summon crystal due to Bebuzzu's power!" Becoming quiet Sazh absorbed this information...

Then thinking it was time, Juan decided to reveal too, "plus you got sucked into that stone cause of Irma here!" With that he wagged the angry sorceress by her hand, which made her look at him all the more angrily as Poncho continued to rest on her head.

Quiet as he saw her, Sazh though couldn't help but grin as he saw the gunner 'ARC' do this. Then he heard, "but we managed to get you out, before it was too late." With that he turned and saw Riku was talking to him as he looked on with a pleased smile. Peekaboo continued too to wriggle in his hand as he was uncomfortable being in this position.

Cait sith then though couldn't help but speak up too as he added, "and let me tell ya lad! It was totally a real close call there! Real close!"

As he heard this too Sazh then finally up to the mark of what had happened then smiled. Bowing his head for a moment, he told them all, "well thanks fella's! I mean it! Thanks for sticking it out and getting me out of that fix!"

Letting a laugh Juan then admitted to him, "hey no probs amigo! That's what pals do for each other!" then he asked him brightly, "right?"

Pleased with Juan's usual positivity, Sazh replied, "right you are!"

Riku was quiet but still very happy to have rescued their friend. However looking at both Juan and Sazh... he once again thought of Nozomi and her reaching out to him... he prayed inside she was safe. He also thought of Mickey too and the others who were trapped... he hoped too they were okay.

Then suddenly as these thoughts came to him, a ringing sound came! Then something began to shine! Looking up startled everyone saw in the darkness something glowing brightly!

Cait sith seeing this glow was surprised as he cried,"Whoa! That's a shocker! But is that-"

Riku was quiet, but suddenly his keyblade came to his hand and as it did. He realized what that light was and quickly with no hesitations he aimed his weapon into the air! Immediately a white beam of light came forth from it's tip and rushed to the glowing spectacle.

As the light entered the shape of a keyhole shone and in moments there was a reaction as something clicked inside of it, opening whatever was inside it. Then quickly in another moment the keyhole faded away as the first sealing point was unlocked...

Seeing this occur everyone was quiet as they took in what had just happened, however suddenly a huge circle of light emerged around everyone! They all looked at it wide eyed, however Cait sith realizing and knowing what was going to be coming next declared, "all right! Now onto the next stage!"

Clapping his own hands together, Juan then said enthused as he recognised what was gonna happen too, "yeah muchacho's! Let's go and meet the rest of our pals!"

Riku hearing this simply nodded, Sazh though was much the same. But quickly he heard from above a question being asked, "dad! Are you gonna be all right? Will I see you soon?"
At the sound of his son's voice, immediately Sazh replied to him as he called, "don't worry Dajh I'll be fine!" Then he added as he waved to where he thought the voice was coming from, "and I'll be seeing you real soon! You just hang tight young man!"

Immediately pleased the young boy then cried out, "great! Be seein' ya soon dad!" With that heard Sazh then nodded gladly.

"Goodspeed to you lads! We'll search for everyone else and we'll lead you all back together!" Merlin cried out as he informed them.

Riku then cried out to the master magician, "great Merlin! Tell them to be safe!"

Merlin then responded quickly, "don't you worry lad, I will!"

Irma was deeply irritated to hear this and she hated being held captive along with Peekaboo. However she knew it wouldn't be that easy! For she wasn't the only one who had the ability to perform a merge summoning...With these thoughts in her mind, it was then everyone vanished as the light carried them to where their next destination would be...