Chapter CXC: The Loot Of A Thousand Worlds, The Quest For Treasure Planet Part II

Looking on with widened eyes, Irma's gang along with the sorceress herself were shocked at the appearance of the dark witch, Maleficent. None of them said a word...

However after recovering from her moment of shock, Irma then quickly regained her rage as she demanded, "what is this!? Who the heck are you!? Who're-"

Seeing that the red pigtailed haired young girl was outraged. The dark witch was simply amused, so as a grin came to her face she simply bowed to the sorceress with one hand across her chest, as she told her, "oh please excuse my trespasses, my young Irma... I am the witch who controls the heartless, I am Maleficent."

Gandrake hearing this title became curious as he asked, "Maleficent?"

Hearing the young samurai say her name, Maleficent looked to him as she replied, "correct." Then turning to look at her apprentice who continued to stand back with his arms folded and Jona at his side at a further distance, she smiled for a moment before turning back and asking them, "and you have all acquainted yourselves with my dear Uriax, haven't you?"

Repeating this word, Irma said angered in a dismissive tone, "acquainted?" Then seeing that infuriating smile on Maleficent's face, the enraged sorceress decided to let her have it, "he's done more than that!" Saying that she pointed her finger at Uriax as she spat out, "it's all his fault I've lost my beloved Bebuzzu! I have no more magical strength!"

Hearing her say this, it was then that Gandrake added himself as he folded his arms with annoyance, "also that I can no longer wield the legendary blade Muramasa..."

Then seeing that their human partners were venting their annoyances, Peekaboo and Greeble decided to join in! Nodding the pink coloured chubby chocobo said, "yeah and we can't get our hands on any more tasty munchies!"

As his accomplice said this, the peppermint green chocobo added, "and I can't calculate any winning schemes anymore! We're at absolute zero!" With that he revealed a whole series of zeroes upon his calculator. Showing their dire situation!

Volg though didn't say a word, as he stood back from the others and looked at Maleficent. There was something inside of him that was making him very wary of this ominous visitor...

Irma then finished her rage as she said loudly and angrily, "because of him! We're now trapped in this filthy dungeon! IT'S ALL HIS FAULT!"

Uriax himself though hearing this, looked at the group of losers with cold eyes. Turning his face away from them, he then commented, "as if!"

Jona though by his side simply giggled, getting close to him she stroked his cheek with one of her clawed hands as she asked him, "aww what's wrong honey? You gonna blush?"
There came no reply from him, while Maleficent seeing this little dispute was only amused more. Looking to Irma and her gang she told them with a coy expression,"oh I'm so sorry my darlings... that you've all had such a dreadful time!"

Staring at her, Irma and the others were all silent with irritation. For none of them were in the mood to be patronised!

Seeing this herself, Maleficent simply continued to smile as she told them, "but do not fret, as my dear Jona has already told you... I will provide you with aid... and power!"

Hearing these words, Irma and the others at last had some interest in what she had to say. As they did, the sorceress asked the dark witch, "power?"

Grinning a little more, Maleficent confirmed her question, "yes..." then suddenly the green orb upon her long staff began to glow brightly!

As it did, Volg quickly saw there was something really wrong here! Immediately he started to cry out, "my lady! Everyone! Don't-"

However it was too late! As Maleficent cried out loudly, "the power to control the heartless and the darkness!" Immediately the terrible shine of power bathed all who were present within that confined space!

Bonkers and Coco, feeling this radiance awoke from their nap. Trying to wipe some sleepy dust from his eyes, the bobcat cop asked, "hey what is-?"

"Kweh!" Coco cried out in alarm! For he saw quickly what was happening! As he did, immediately Bonkers snapped back to his senses too!

Getting up he started running over, chased by his pal and partner he cried out, "hey what's goin on here!? What's-!?" However it was too late for him to say anything more, for the entire space became engulfed as Maleficent's terrible powers flooded forth...

SHINE!

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KABOOM!

Immediately with one last powerful slice, the heartless sinking through the air was destroyed! As it exploded in the air, the long haired glittering girl flipped back. Holding her long scythe like weapon, she stood guard looking around in case if more monsters came to attack!

On the ground, Mickey had handed a Hi-potion to their female comrade. As he did, he asked her worriedly, "are ya okay there Nozomi?"

Taking a sip of the potion, as she sat on the floor the female keyblader quickly felt her strength return to her. As it did, she smiled reassuringly to the king as she told him, " yeah thanks Mickey...that was nearly a close call back there!"

Nodding Cait sith had to agree with her as he said, "ya got that right it was lass! Ya were almost blasted to oblivion!"

As she said this, Riku then decided to say something a sigh he had to tell Nozomi, "indeed you were!' Saying that he then continued, "you shouldn't rush away from us like that! If you'd waited, then you wouldn't have got so hurt like this!"

Hearing him Nozomi flinched at his words, however she knew them to be true. So apologetic she replied, "yeah... I'm sorry," though she felt she needed to explain, "but I felt that I couldn't wait! Otherwise..."

Seeing that at least she was paying heed to his words. Riku was glad, so he began to tell her, "... alright, as long as you understand but next time just-"

"WOO!"

Spooked the keyblader's turned around. As they did, quickly they saw the attacking girl suddenly swing her weapon around! Then quickly making it stand to one side beside her, she said, "that's great! Those monsters are always such a pain!"

Saying that, she was then quiet for a moment as she put a hand to her chest. Doing this, she could be heard breathing in out deeply, seemingly in hard concentration...

Looking at her as she did this, suddenly the glowing transparency of her blue skin faded away... to be replaced by warm normal skin. Then as though emerging from a mist. Clothes appeared on her body, looking at them everyone could see she was wearing a long bishop sleeved shirt, over it she was also wearing a black leather waistcoat over it which was openly zipped with penguin tails trailing out from behind, with silver chained beads over it's slim sleeves. It was also laced with white silk threads along the bottom.

She was also wearing black leather leggings and around her middle was a light blue shawl tied with a series of little golden bells around it's hem. Then on her feet she was wearing brown leather boots.

Seeing her attire, it was then the girl turned around to face them. As she did, everyone saw she had long locks of flowing dark blue hair which reached down to her back, though her fringe with it's curled strands, were a pale white. Making her an exotic sight to be hold!
Then as she opened her eyes, she was revealed to have a shade of dark blue however in her irises were golden crescent moon shapes. Seeing this with amazement, Nozomi then also noticed that on her left cheek was a tattoo of a sun and on her other cheek was one of a moon.

The girl seeing them all gazing at her smiled and then swinging her revealed weapon with her black gloved fingerless hands, was a long double edged scythe with a yellow and blue blade on each end. As it faded away, she asked calmly, "you guys doing okay there?"

Hearing her ask, Mickey then quickly recovering his senses told the girl, "oh uh? Yeah! Um... we're all fine!"

Nodding Riku then also had to add looking at the woman, "thanks for helping our friend there! She'd have been in real trouble if you hadn't have stepped in!"

As he said those words the girl turned to the young man and said,"oh no, it's no problem! I'm just glad-" however as her crescent moon eyes rested on him, she stopped for a moment. As her eyes widened looking at her, she seemed to be shaken up somehow!

Seeing her looking at Riku like this, Nozomi was confused as she asked, "hey are you okay? Are you-"

"Alex...?" The girl asked aloud in shock.

Puzzled as she said this name to him, Riku asked her, "Alex?"
Then suddenly all at once, the girl's eyes welled up and in another moment tears began to fall!

As this happened, immediately Mickey running over to her asked, "hey? Are ya alright there? Are ya?"

However the girl still weeping a little replied, "oh no! Um... sorry, I just-!" However burying her face in her hands, she couldn't continue as her tears made her choke up and shudder.

Riku not understanding why this was happening, could only look on with odd eyes as he asked, "huh? Why is she-?"

Suddenly though Riku felt something come up and land on his head! Then-

"Why ya dumb slush head!" At once recognising this accent and voice as he heard it's outrage, Riku winced in pain as immediately his white hair was being pulled hard and back!

"Oww! What the heck!" He cried out in agony! As he did, quickly he tried to get his attacker off of him!

However holding on tight, Cait sith was relentless as he told him, "heck no lad! Ya're upsettin' too many lasses already! Ya even upset our own lassie here!"

Seeing him do this as she sat on the floor still, Nozomi though immediately started to speak up as she told him, "hey! Cait sith! Stop doing that to Riku! He didn't upset me! He just-"

"Ahoy! There!"

Interrupted, it was suddenly then that everyone stopped. Even the blue haired girl had ceased weeping as she turned to look, for there approaching them was the doggy man, that Nozomi had rescued, still dressed in his odd yellow astronaut/diver like costume.

Seeing him everyone was quiet, however he undeterred simply smiled as he said, "greetings! I am Dr. Delbert Doppler!" As he said this he then reached his gloved hand out to Mickey as he told him, "I just want to say thank you for intercepting those terrible beasts before! We were in a real dilemma back there!"

Looking at the hand that was being offered to him, Mickey at first silent with surprise then quickly smiled and recovered as he told him, "oh uh? It's no problem there fella! We're just happy that we could help out here!"

Nodding, Delbert was pleased to see this mouse creature was very positive as he took his hand and shook it gently.

Cait sith stopping his hair pulling and seeing this new individual couldn't help but ask, "huh? Well looks like he's friendly ain't he?"

Hearing this Riku was just glad that he'd stopped tugging his hair painfully, sighing he then couldn't help but utter, "I just wish that you could be the same at times!"

Partially hearing this, Cait sith then turned back to his ride as he asked him, beginning to get mad, "what was that?"

Immediately hearing this Riku hushed up in seconds! Nozomi hearing this could only look on with an awkward smile. For experiencing Cait sith's wrath was something that sadly she was all too familiar with...

"Hey? Need a hand?"

Surprised, it was then Nozomi looked up. There she saw before her, the brown haired ponytailed young man she'd helped saved too. Looking at him as he gazed down at her with a soft smile, she didn't know what to say or do at all at first. However seeing the hand that was being offered to her, she wasn't going to refuse it,"sure!"

With that smiling she was pulled up onto her feet, as she was she then told him brightly, "thanks! That was a real help!"

Releasing her hand, the young man then told her with a relaxed smile himself, "that's what I should be saying to you! You really saved us back there!"

Hearing this herself, Nozomi simply smiled, "it's no trouble! I'm just glad that you guys are all okay!"
Seeing that she was so positive, the young man was amused to see this, "glad to see you care!" However he decided then it would be a good time to make some introductions, "well..." with that reaching his hand out again he told her, "my name's Jim, Jim Hawkins!"

Seeing his hand was being offered to her again, the female keyblader wasn't going to refuse it and so smiling still she told him,"I'm Nozomi!" With that she shook his hand happily.

Riku though noticing and watching this happen was silent. However looking at him it was clear he was not happy!

Both Jim and Nozomi though unaware of this gaze released each other's hands. As they did, it was then the brown haired young man turned around and saw Riku looking. As he did, he asked him a little cautiously as he saw his angered gaze, "and...you are?"

The white haired young man, then gave his reply simply with an air of annoyance, "Riku."

Then as he said his name, it was finally that a certain feline made his intro's too, "the name here is Cait sith!"

His mouse ear's catching the sounds of all these intro's, the King decided to speak too, "and my name's Mickey!"

Jim, Delbert and the girl hearing this were all quiet. However it was clear they were all happy to meet them, but before any of them could say a word-

"making your pleasantries I see!"

It was then turning around, that everyone saw that it was the tall and honourable looking female captain of the ship approaching with her rock hard and sturdy first mate. As Nozomi and the others all looked to her, they were all utterly silent.

Seeing that she'd got their attention, it was then the sharp female spoke, "now, before you start with your questions, my name is Amelia and I am the captain aboard this ship!"

Looking at her as she said this, everyone was pleasantly surprised! Cait sith couldn't help but utter aloud, "awesomeness lass! Nice to see another leadin feline here!"

Hearing these words from this small crowned cat, Amelia simply raised one of her eyebrows as she replied, "quite..." then looking from him, to the three new individuals who were now on board her ship. She decided on something, "now that we are all so nicely acquainted with each other. I will have you accompany me to my State room."
Nozomi hearing this repeated curiously, "State room?"

Seeing that she'd heard her words, Amelia conveyed to her, "correct!"

Then suddenly she noticed a pair of dark blue, crescent coloured eyes looking at her. As she did, the feline captain looked to her with a serious gaze. As she did, she said, "Raiyana!"

Immediately seeing her captain looking at her with a serious gaze like this, the blue haired girl asked, "uh? Ye, yes? Captain Amelia?"

Seeing that she was focusing on her, the Captain then told her, "the battle efforts you put in before were quite impressive I must say!"

Amazed she was getting a compliment like this from her Captain, Raiyana then replied, "oh? Um... thank you! It was-"

"However!" Quickly the tone of the captain changed as she told her, "you were quite delayed in your return to us, if these young people had not intervened, I would have imagined the consequences would have been grave."

Hearing this being said to her, Raiyana immediately became saddened as she replied, "oh...? My apologies captain, the monster's were attacking the solar sails and..." it was clear though, that Amelia's mood was not going to be fixed with a mere apology. But Raiyana felt this was all she could do as she continued, "...I'm sorry."

Hearing this, the captain said with a serious gaze still upon her face, "very well then..." with that turning to her visitors she told them, "now, if you all will follow me, I will have you accompany myself and my first mate Mr. Arrow." With that the two of them started to walk away across the Bridge.

Looking her as she said this, it was clear nobody was really happy with the way Amelia referred to Raiyana. Nozomi though couldn't help but think to herself, 'strict too much!' For she didn't think that this girl did a bad job at all!

However seeing the captain refer to the tall stony man in the red coat beside her, Mickey decided to comply with her wishes as he said, "oh? Alright there!" Then looking to the others he told them all, "c'mon fella's!"

Seeing the King, quickly everyone went to chase after him as they cried out, "Mickey wait! "Hey! Mickey!" "Oi! Mousecheeks!" With that the keybladers went to chase after him, being followed swiftly after by Jim, Dilbert and Raiyana.

Quickly everyone climbed the stairs of the ship, as they did they all came to a certain door that the captain stood before. As she did, she proceeded forward through it as her first mate Arrow stood and allowed the others to proceed in.

As they all made it inside, one by one it was Nozomi's turn to enter. However as she went in and it came to be Raiyana's tun suddenly she was barred by a strong arm by Arrow.

Looking up to him confused she asked, "Mr Arrow?"

At once the stone skinned man, told her, "I will have you, Miss Raiyana to check upon the welfare of the rest of the crew, make sure to tend to any casualties that you see."

Hearing this instruction, the blue haired and silver fringed girl bowed her head under Mr. Arrow's strict gaze as she replied, "yes... very well I shall."

Nozomi looking back as she heard the stoned skinned man say this, was silent as she heard him then say, "and when you are done, report back to Mr. Silver and wait with him, you won't need to return here."

Bowing her head a little sadly to hear this, Raiyana replied simply, "very well." With that she turned to go on her way.

However as she did, Nozomi quickly felt that she should do something! So just as Mr. Arrow began to shut the door, she ran over and said, "hey wait! Hold it a second!"

Puzzling the red coated man, he stared down at her as she suddenly rushed by him and exited. As she did, Nozomi quickly ran behind Raiyana and as she did, she caught her by her arm!

Doing this the long blue haired girl turned around with surprised eyes, as she did she looked to Nozomi who then told her, "hi! Um... Raiyana yes?"

Hearing her ask, the blue haired girl simply nodded her head. As she did Nozomi then smiled up to her and said, "thanks for saving me before! You were amazing and..." however looking behind she could see Mr. Arrow staring at her with a rather impatient gaze in his eyes.

Seeing this, Nozomi realised she had no time to continue so she told her new acquaintance simply, "I'll be looking forward to seeing you later, okay?"

Still surprised, Raiyana was quiet as she stared. However glad to have this thanks, she bowed her head with a small smile as she told her, "okay... I'll see you later then!"

Nodding Nozomi then said to her brightly, "yeah!" With that she ran back to the State room, however before Mr. Arrow shut the door Nozomi waved to the girl happily and in turn, Raiyana did the same.

Then with that, Mr. Arrow closed the door and locked it tightly with a mechanical lock on the other side. Seeing this happen, Raiyana then proceeded forwards and went to attend to the task that had been given to her, as she went to check the welfare of everybody aboard the ship.

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Inside of the Captain's State room, Mickey after some time had explained to Captain Amelia their circumstances of how they'd all come aboard the RLS Legacy without them knowing as Jim, Dilbert and Mr. Arrow listened on.

Quiet with her arms folded, Amelia was peering down upon them all with sharp serious eyes. Seeing her looking at them all like this, really put Nozomi on edge. It felt like as if she was in the same room as a volcano that may erupt at any moment!

However Mickey undaunted finished his summary as he said, "and... that's the whole story."

Amelia gazing down at this rodeginous being, had to ask, "so... you're telling me, the lot of you came here as last minute crew mates?"

Looking at her and seeing she was not quite believing his story, Mickey though tried not to act weak as he replied trying to feign certainty, "uh, yeah that's right? We were really last minute! Like literally!"

Mr. Arrow though had to ask as he looked at the lot of them, "if that is the case then... why have you not been seen above aboard upon deck until the emergency summons just now?"

Seeing that they were both really sharp, Cait sith now on Nozomi's shoulder couldn't help but whisper to her, "real sharp aren't they?"

Nozomi could only nod to his words quietly, however quickly she saw that Mickey was struggling for answers! She had to do something! So immediately she thought of something on impulse, "uh! Well you see..." it was then that everyone's attentions turned to her, as they did. Even the female keyblader was beginning to become unsettled! But she wasn't going to give up! So she proceeded, "we were all really tired when we got on this ship and... we all decided to have a long sleep before we started our duties and..."

It was clear though that this answer wasn't really that well thought through. So seeing all the dismissive looks on everyone's faces, Nozomi answered, "... that's why..."

Riku hearing this, couldn't help but put a hand to his forehead. She really wasn't thinking this one through properly at all!

As this awkward silence filled the air, Cait sith simply shook his head as he said, "lass you're hopeless!" With that he couldn't help but smack her head with his gloved paw!
Sighing herself it was clear Captain Amelia was not convinced in the slightest. However before she could say any words, it was then that Dr. Dilbert stepped in as he said, "well I believe that regardless of how you all came aboard! I think that was a valiant and noble rescue you did for our sakes! That I believe makes you more than trustworthy!"

Surprised to hear this himself, as he lowered his hand away from his forehead, Riku had to ask, "really? Just on that alone?"

Nodding optimistically, Dilbert continued, "absolutley!" Then smiling at them all he said, "for you seem to be far more trustworthy than the rest of the crew I hired for this ship!"

As they all heard this, though the keybladers were all relieved. They now perhaps had a bigger worry on their hands, for what kind of crew did this doggy doctor choose for this ship, that he deemed untrustworthy?

Captain Amelia herself, seeing the Doctor's trusting nature couldn't help but sigh herself... however she decided to concede as she said, "well it's not in my greatest of interests accepting stowaways, but if all of you show aptitude and dedication in your duties while you're here..." with that as they all looked to her nervously she revealed her decision, "I will allow you to remain on board this ship."

Hearing this, Nozomi felt relieved as she sighed and said, "well that's good!"

Mickey hearing her say these words smiled as he nodded glad with relief too, Cait sith then had to add pumping his fist into the air, "heck yeah it is lass!"

Riku couldn't help but feel happy too, however there was one thing that hadn't been explained and so turning to the Doctor and the others, he decided to ask, "...but? What is this voyage for exactly? What're we searching for?"

Jim hearing this question along with Captain Amelia, and Mr Arrow all immediately became uncomfortable! However it was then the Doctor answered quite happily, "ah good question! We are on a quest to seek out the treasure-!"

Suddenly though he was stopped in his tracks, as Captain Amelia grabbed his face with her long clawed hands! Doing this she whispered agitated, "Doctor!"

At once seeing them all act so tense like this, the keybladers were all silent and perplexed. Then Mickey asked blinking a little, "huh? A treasure?"

Seeing him say this, Amelia, Mr. Arrow and Jim were terribly tense. However Nozomi putting her arms behind her head didn't think anything of it as she asked relaxed, "treasure, huh? Well if that's all, then that'd make's sense for a ship to be out at sea like this, doesn't it?"

Looking at the three of them being so calm like this, Jim was confused as he repeated, "that's all?" As Nozomi and the others looked at him with perplexed eyes, he had to ask, "you guys...? You're not interested in treasure?"

Surprised to hear this herself, Nozomi though decided to tell him her thoughts, "well... no, not really! I mean not to say we don't like riches, but that's not our main priority."

Mr. Arrow hearing this from this rather relaxed girl, he had to ask, "if it is not, may I ask what it is then that you seek?"

Hearing this, Nozomi dropping her arms was about to answer him casually. When suddenly Riku marched over and gripping his hand on her shoulder, he spoke for her and said, "something else, but I can assure you it's not treasure!"

Surprised to see him do this, Nozomi stared at him silently as she felt his touch on her shoulder. While Amelia seeing the seriousness in his light blue eyes, she was quiet for a moment before she ultimately decided that based on that inner impulse, it was the truth as she replied, "I see..." then she decided on something else, "very well, we shall inform you all about the goal of this escapade!"

Hearing her say that, it was then everyone watched the Captain as she proceeded towards an elaborate decorated cabinet. Inserting a gold coloured key in the lock, she opened it and pulled something out of a small wooden chest inside. Turning it in her claws, she threw the object across as she said, "Mr Hawkins!"

With that quickly catching it in his hands, the young man was quiet with a serious gaze. Looking at the object as he caught it, Nozomi looking at it saw a golden sphere with intricate lines and circles decorated all over it.

Seeing it, she and the others didn't see anything about it that seemed too special. Jim was quiet though as he looked on with a serious gaze back to the Captain, as he did he heard her say to him, "please provide us our display!"

It was clear the young man was annoyed at having to be ordered, however he knew though that he had no choice against her orders. So tapping a few buttons here and there and making a few twists with it's many layers, the sphere suddenly came to life!

Suddenly in amazement the keybladers saw the sphere leak out with green light! As it did, Cait sith cried out holding onto Nozomi for dear life, "bloomin' heck!? What's-!?"

The small cat became silent as everyone gazed on and saw countless planets and stars appear! As they did, it seemed as though they were all sailing through them! Nozomi in amazement couldn't help but utter, "wow!" Then touching a few stars that passed by, they twinkled brightly and shone! Immediately she uttered in almost breathless voice, "it's so pretty!"

Riku hearing her say this, couldn't help but smile at her cute awestruck smile. Mickey standing around was amazed too! However quickly he noticed something, "fella's look!"

Turning at his call, they all saw where he was pointing to! As they did this, immediately one planet came up close into focus from amongst all the stars and cosmos's that came by. It was a big one, with two rings of rocks orbiting around it, looking at it they all could tell that there was something very special about it!

Seeing that they were all so awestruck, it was then that Captain Amelia revealed to them, "gentlemen, behold! Treasure Planet!"

Nozomi hearing this repeated this name with widened eyes, "Treasure Planet?"

Hearing her say this, Captain Amelia replied, "correct..." then saying that she decided to inform them, "and now I will tell you what lies within it!"

As those words were said, the keybladers were all silent as they listened on to what Captain Amelia had to say and the legend that surrounded the mysterious Treasure Planet...