Chapter CXCVI: The Loot Of A Thousand Worlds, The Quest For Treasure Planet Part VIII

"Uurgh..." Aching like mad, Nozomi groaned as she turned herself over. The headache she was suffering with was awful! Cringing as she opened one of her eyes, she couldn't help but ask, "Man! Why do I hurt so much! Why-?"

However suddenly as she went to move one of her hands, she halted in shock and then struggling. She found she couldn't move! Her eyes widening, her awareness immediately returned as she became high on alert! Trying to move herself again, she found out something else. Her feet were also tied!

Seeing this as she turned herself over, Nozomi then asked perplexed, "Why am I?" Then quickly looking around herself to see where she now was. Immediately she saw that she'd been placed upon a wooden floor boarded room, it was dark inside but she could see from a short distance there was a slight gap from an opened door which was allowing light to leak into the room.

As she saw this, she also quickly remembered everything that happened before! The disappearance of the crew, the sudden attack in the corridor from that cat guy and then nothing but darkness! As the memories all flooded back, Nozomi shaking was quiet for a moment before she said aloud her immediate first question, "Am I still on the RLS Legacy?"

However there was no-one there to audibly confirm this for her, realising this. She became worried and anxious as she said further, "...If I am, then what's happened to Cait sith and Jim!?" For looking around, she could see that they weren't with her at all! Had they been taken somewhere or had they-?

"Mmm...!"

Hearing this voice, Nozomi turned around to where she heard this utter of a moan. She suddenly saw with widened eyes, "King Mickey!?"

For there lying on the floor just some distance away from her on the floor was the mouse king. Tied up in practically the same way she was! Worried, she quickly moved as fast as she could, dragging herself across.

As she moved herself, she was pained and uttered annoyed, "Now I know how a caterpillar feels!" Though she was cringing every time she dug her chin into the floor, she finally made it over to her keyblader comrade.

Getting as close as she could to him, she asked him urgently, "King Mickey! Are you okay!? Please wake up! King Mickey!"

The mouse keyblader hearing her summonings, wincing slightly from the aches and pains that were making his body shudder. Was able to pry himself away from the depths of unconsciousness and opening one of his eyes, he asked aloud, "Mmm...Nozomi?"

Seeing him awaken, Nozomi was relieved as she said with a smile, "Your majesty! You're awake! Thank goodness!"

Confused as he heard this, the king had to ask as he tried to move himself around, "What's going on here? What's-?"

"There was an attack your majesty!" Nozomi said urgently as she hurriedly began to explain, "When I arrived back with the others, we couldn't find you! There was no-one on deck and when I started to investigate with Jim along with Cait sith, we were all snuck up on!"

Still quite blurry as he tried to understand what Nozomi was saying, he found not everything she said was quite registering inside. However the mouse king managed to repeat almost sleepily, "Snuck up on?"

It was then that as those words came forth, Mickey's head ached and as it did he shuddered as he gasped "Agh!"

Seeing this, Nozomi worried more, called for him again, "Mickey!?"

As he cringed from the sudden pain, quickly the mouse keyblader's mind flashed with images inside! As it did, his memories then snapped into focus and he remembered-!

The female keyblader seeing his eyes widen, then saw the mouse king turn his attentions to her. As he did, he told her, "Nozomi! I remember now!"

Hearing him say this, Nozomi had to ask him anxious, "What do you remember?"

As the question came, looking at her with a now serious gaze on his face. The King then told her, "It's this!"

Seeing the expression on the king's face, Nozomi became quiet as he began to explain what had happened to him. To lead up to this situation...

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After saying goodbye to Nozomi and the others, who'd gone to do their work with John Silver. The two keybladers, walking together for a while were a little listless now as they didn't know what to do with themselves.

Mickey quiet himself as he looked up to his fellow keyblader, could sense there was something that was bringing him down. For since Nozomi had gone with Cait sith, he hadn't said a word to him. He knew though that he couldn't allow him to remain so melancholy like this, so he asked him, "Hey, Riku? Do you wanna go and have a chat with Captain Amelia? She might need help with somethin'?"

Riku hearing this question being asked, looking to the King simply replied with a sigh, "Sure...why not?"

As he heard this response, it wasn't the positive response he'd been hoping for. However at least he hadn't declined the idea, so they had somewhere now to go. So with a small smile on his face, the two of them walked forwards to approach the captain's quarters that were just up the stairs.

Making it to the door of the captain's room, Riku then knocked on the door. As he did so, a voice called out from within, "Who's out there?"

Recognising it, the white haired keyblader replied to the call, "It's me, Riku I've come with Mickey."

Hearing his comrade pause for a moment, Mickey then added himself, "Yeah, we'd like to have a word with the Captain. Could we come in and talk with her, Mr Arrow?"

There was then silence for a few moments...however finally the door was opened up by the rock skinned man and as it was, he stood by it with a serious expression on his face as he replied, "The Captain has granted you permission, you may have an audience with her."

Quiet as he heard this, Riku made no reply as he went to walk through the gap that the First Mate was holding open for him. Mickey then himself went to do the same, still with a smile on his face. When-!

"AAAWWWHHHOOO!"

Suddenly spooked, Mickey turned around! As he did, he saw coming towards him was, "A wolf!?" He cried out!

For there the savage dark grey furred, red eyed beast was! It was clearly a monster and it was aggressive, with dark mist like smoke escaping from it's clenched teeth, it was clear it was ready to attack! Rushing straight towards him, it's fangs were bare! Seeing it coming, the king acted immediately and-!

CLANG!

His keyblade collided with the creature's teeth as it bit into his blade! Agitated, the king pushed himself with all his strength to keep the savage beast away from him. Quickly he was able to and he threw the beast away!

The creature bouncing back landed on the floorboards of the ship some distance away from him, it's claws digging into the floor. As it did, the King had to take care of that monster there and then! So quickly he rushed forwards to take it down!

Riku hearing the clang and howl rushed to the door! Immediately looking out along with Mr Arrow who was just as startled, he saw the king rushing forwards! As he did, he saw the wolf there and he cried out, "Your majesty!?"

However running forwards, the king raised his blade and was about to take it down! When-!

FWOOSH!

Suddenly in moments, the creature vanished! It turned into something almost like mist as his blade sliced straight through. Making contact with nothing! Quickly Mickey was shocked! For what was-?!

BANG!

Immediately something struck into Mickey from behind! As it did, quickly the king gasped out. As he did the world around him began to dim but despite the pain and the darkness that was beginning to take over, one voice rang out clearly in his ears.

"YOUR MAJESTY!?"

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Hearing this information Nozomi was shaken! Looking at the king she asked him, "So you were snuck up on too, Mickey?"

Nodding as she said this, the mouse keyblader was quiet. However Nozomi had to ask him, "And you didn't see your attackers?"

"No I didn't," Mickey answered however after absorbing all the information that the female keyblader had given him. He knew one thing, "But I gotta say, if you were knocked out in nearly the same way I was... then it's clear that pink kitty fella mentioned is a part of the group that's infiltrated the ship."

As she heard him say this, Nozomi replied as she agreed, "Yeah... I think that is clear." However there one thing she had to ask, "But how could just him and a few other guys take out everyone on the ship?"

Listening to this question, Mickey replied, "Stealth and organisation!" With that as he saw Nozomi's surprised expression, he explained more to her, "I guess these fella's have been studying us for a real long while... and they've acted now, because they knew we'd be at our weakest."

"Our weakest?" She asked, however she quickly realised, "Is it because of that trip I took with Silver and the others? Is that why they've struck now?"

Hearing this question, the king explained to her, "It would have maybe have been their signal, yeah..." However looking to his fellow keyblader he saw her look saddened with worry. As he did, he then explained, "But it ain't your fault Nozomi! So don't blame yerself for it!"

As he said this, Nozomi though shook her head and explained, "I'm not blaming myself, your majesty, " with that looking to him she explained, "I'm just so worried about the crew, Raiyana, Silver and Jim." Then she also added finally, "And Cait sith... and Riku."

Seeing the worry that was on her face, Mickey then couldn't help but be touched by her concern for the others. For he couldn't deny his own feelings as he said, "Yeah... I'm worried about the fella's too." However he also decided to add, "But we know those fella's are tough! They'll probably be complainin' what took us so long to get to 'em when we see them next!"

Hearing this sentence from Mickey, Nozomi then brightened a little herself and revealed a small smile. As a simple silent reply...

Mickey was glad that he'd been able to make her feel better. But now they had a more important problem to deal with, which he then pointed to as he said, "And I'd say we better work on getting ourselves out of this situation and help our pals!"

Nodding immediately Nozomi agreed as she said, "Yeah!" However struggling against her ropes she had to say, "But how are we going to get through these ropes! I can't untie them on my own and-?"
"I can handle that!" The king explained.

Surprised as she heard this, Nozomi asked, "You can?"

To which Mickey simply nodded and quickly he explained to the baffled female keyblader what he needed her to do...

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RUSTLE! RUSTLE! RUSTLE!

Quiet Nozomi had turned on over and had her back facing the king. As she'd done this, she'd got closer to her comrade and doing this she'd reached her tied hands out to him. Having done this, the king using his teeth was biting his way through the ropes, as fast as he was able to.

As Nozomi felt him chewing through, it was times like this that reminded her that he really was a mouse! Something that she'd never even thought about until this point, she couldn't help but admit aloud, "I'd never thought that would actually be useful."

"Huh?" Curious Mickey ceased his cutting for a moment and asked her, "What did ya say Nozomi?"

Hearing him ask, the female keyblader replied, "Oh? Nothing don't worry!" With that she was silent again. As she became that way once more, Mickey proceeded with biting through the ropes again.

Feeling him do this as he continued for a little longer, Nozomi could feel the ropes were getting weaker. As they were she decided to ask him, "Have you nearly finished your majesty?"

Getting rid of a few stringy strands that were in his mouth, Mickey then replied, "Nearly! Just a little more!" With that he went back to chewing and suddenly in moments, "There!"

With those words, Nozomi felt her hands become free! Delighted instantly as she brought them up before her she said, "This is great!" Then turning to the king she told him, "Thanks your majesty!"

To which the mouse keyblader replied pleased, "Gosh! It's no problem!"

Nodding pleased still though, Nozomi quickly summoned her keyblade into her open hands in a sparkle of light and doing so, she immediately used it to cut through the bindings that were tying down her legs! Now she was completely free!
Feeling pumped about it, she turned to the king and told him, "Now it's my turn to repay the favour!"

Mickey hearing this was glad to hear it, so reaching up his tied hands he told her, "Please would ya?"

Smiling again, Nozomi then moved her keyblade to free him when-!

Suddenly from behind, there came the sounds of footsteps! Hearing them immediately, Nozomi turned around looking startled.

The king hearing the footsteps acted immediately as he told her, "Nozomi! Get down!"

At his command she looked back to him and asked, "What?"

Mickey then told her quickly, "There might be a group of them! We gotta lay low for a little before they move! Otherwise they'll take us out again!"

Acknowledging these words in moments, Nozomi then nodded and with that she lay back down again. Though quickly facing Mickey, she looped the loose ropes around her hands. Doing this in time, she heard the door behind them creak open. As it was, she clenched her eyes shut as the king did the same, pretending to be unconscious.

With that lying as still as she could, she listened intently. As she did so, the footsteps that she could hear approach seemed to be only one pair... one person was in there with them?

As she listened on, she wondered who this person was? Was it the cat boy she'd met earlier? Or was it-?

However she didn't get more time to ask this, for the figure stopped before them. As they did, Nozomi had no idea what this person was going to do, or what they wanted. But bracing herself, she knew she was going to have to act fast!

As she thought that, it was then that Mickey himself decided to take a chance. Opening one of his eyes, a little he looked to see who was in the room with them. Who he saw surprised him, for it was not a figure he would have expected at all!

The figure though unaware of his gaze that was shadowed in the darkness, reached their hand down towards Nozomi's back and said with sadness in their voice, "...This is so sad."

However before they had the chance to touch her, Nozomi quickly moved, "It is for you!" With that she immediately startled the figure as she pulled out her keyblade, pointing it straight at them!

Quickly though in surprise, she saw along with the king who lifted himself up. That there before them, was instead of a vicious and ferocious attacker. It was a young girl!

She looked at them both with widened green coloured eyes, as she hugged a deer animal teddy she had in her hands close to her. As the keybladers gazed on at her, they both saw that she had long dark blue, that reached down past her back with a couple of white flower hair accessories on either side.

She appeared to be quite young, she couldn't have been no more than eleven or maybe thirteen years of age. Observing her there also seemed to be something quite delicate about her too, with her white halter-top and her white wrap around pleated skirt which had pastel purple mixed in along the bottom of it. Around her neck she was wearing a necklace that a had a single clear crystal and around her middle was a brown beaded strung belt.

She also wore a pair of yellow coloured moccasin like boots, her hands were shaking with the many bracelets she was wearing and it was clear she was anxious as she held her red and blue deer teddy close to herself. Looking at her, neither Nozomi nor Mickey knew at first what to do as they stared at her.

However the young girl, immediately reacted as she turned around and tried to run! Nozomi though couldn't let that happen!

Running quickly fast, she barred the girl's only way out as she took out her keyblade and told the young girl, "Not so fast!"

It was clear the girl was shaken, hearing these words as she looked to Nozomi with widened eyes. However the female keyblader knew she couldn't afford to be soft there, so she told her with a serious tone, "You're not going anywhere!"

The girl hearing Nozomi say that, then saw her point her keyblade to the door. As she did so, a small beam of light escaped from it's end and instantly the door was shut and locked. She couldn't escape anymore.

Seeing this being done, the king could relax a little. Though he wasn't one for taking hostages, he knew that this girl may know something about the group that was attacking them and at that moment with the ship having being taken over. Neither him or Nozomi had a choice, especially if they wanted to regain control once more...

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After finally being untied, both keybladers stood looking at the young girl. They were quiet as she nervously looked up to them with her green eyes.

Seeing her look this way, Nozomi felt bad and she couldn't help but admit to her fellow keyblader, "You know your majesty... I really don't like this situation."

Hearing her words, the mouse king acknowledged her words and replied, "Yeah I know, I don't either...but we need to get answers, otherwise we can't help our pals can we?"
As she heard this Nozomi couldn't disagree and said, "Yeah..." Then looking to the girl again, she saw her look up to her and Mickey anxiously again.

The mouse king seeing this, knew he had to start talking now otherwise they never would. So approaching the girl he tried to be friendly and so greeted her saying, "So...Hiya!"

However seeing the mouse keyblader approach, the girl retreated back scared still. Seeing her do this, Mickey wondered if he'd been a bit too familiar for a greeting? But this wasn't the time to doubt himself, so he decided maybe some introductions were in order, "Sorry we snuck up on ya back there, we didn't know ya and..." knowing though he was dawdling he told her, "Well, my name is Mickey."

The girl hearing this name was quiet, as she looked to him. Seeing her being this way, Nozomi could understand her reaction. But she thought too like Mickey that being positive was the way forward with this, so she told her with a smile of her own, "And my name's Nozomi."

Seeing the female keyblader greet her like this, she was still uncertain, as she hugged her teddy close to her. However looking to Nozomi still with her green eyes, she heard her ask with a curious cheerful gaze, "Can we ask for your name?"

The blue haired girl looked hesitant at answering...however, hugging her teddy close to her. She could at least give them that one piece of information, so softly she spoke it, "Yeul."

Further curious as she heard this, Nozomi repeated, "Yeul?"

To which in turn, the long blue haired girl nodded. Her small teddy shaking with her as she did so.

Seeing her do this, Mickey then decided to say to her, "Well that's a real nice name ya've got there Yeul."

However there came no response to this flattery. For it was clear that she didn't trust Mickey and obviously Nozomi either.

Sensing this, the female keyblader tried to think of how they could get some answers from the girl. But at the same time not to antagonise her. So she decided to ask her, gently as she could, "Yeul?"

Hearing Nozomi ask for her again, Yeul stared up to her as she asked, "Why were you checking up on us like that? Did someone tell you to do that?"

At this question, the long blue haired girl silent for a moment. Then became uncomfortable as she hugged her teddy, it was clear to see that she was feeling bad as she said, "...No, I wasn't told to." As she said this, Mickey and Nozomi remained quiet as she continued on to say, "Noel told me to remain behind in another room...but I couldn't."

Curious as he heard this name, Mickey asked, "Noel?"

As she heard Mickey repeat his name, Yeul continued on, "My guardian... he told me to remain behind as the others went to go and take over the ship."

"Take over?" Mickey repeated, then he asked, "So you're with the group that's trying to take over the ship?"

As she heard this, Yeul hugged her deer teddy tightly. She was really nervous at what they'd do to her, knowing this information.

Nozomi herself, thought of one thing that could be the reason why, "Are you guys doing this to get Treasure Planet?"

Hearing this, Yeul repeated puzzled, "Treasure Planet?"

Nozomi hearing Yeul ask the name in that tone. She became confused as she asked her, "You guys aren't after treasure?"

At this question, Yeul then immediately answered, "No! We don't want anything like that..." quickly though she became saddened as she admitted, "We just...we just wanna go home."

Mickey hearing this asked, "You wanna go home?"

Nodding, Yeul then said, "Yeah..."

Curious himself hearing this, Mickey had to ask, "Why would you wanna rely on our ship to get you home?"

Yeul hearing this question, replied, "...Because Balthier thought it would be powerful enough to do it," then struggling to find the right words, she also admitted, "He said as a gentleman, it was elegant enough for us... and we should head back to our time in style."

"Time?" Nozomi repeated. Then she realised, "You guys are from another time too!?"

"Too?" Yeul asked in surprise. Then she had to ask looking to both Nozomi and Mickey, "You both are from different timelines too?"

Nodding quickly, the female keyblader replied, "Yeah we are!" She had to ask her, "How did you end up here? In this time?"

Yeul hearing this question replied, "...We were sailing one day amongst the stars... and suddenly a huge swirling hole appeared." Shivering as she remembered it happening she said, "It was terrible."

"Because you came to this timeline?" Mickey asked.

Yeul hearing this then replied, "Not just that...but we lost someone, someone very dear to us."

"One of the members of your crew?" Nozomi asked curious. Nodding, Yeul answered silently with sadness echoing out of her eyes as she hugged her teddy.

Nozomi then feeling bad for her replied, "I see...I'm sorry you guys suffered that."

Yeul hearing Nozomi say this was silent, however she then also admitted, "Yeah...though it's not the first time either."

"Not the first time?" The king asked as he repeated her words.

Hearing him say this, Yeul then explained a little more, "Yeah, we lost someone else a long time ago...me and Noel did anyway." Then hugging her teddy she said, "...She was like a big sister to us, when we lost her, we decided to join Balthier in the hopes that we may find her one day."

Nozomi hearing this, was becoming curious about who this person was, but quickly her eyes widened as Yeul then said, "I also had a vision we'd see each other again and-"

"A vision?" The female keyblader's voice suddenly sounded startled for she realised something, "Could it be?"

Mickey seeing his fellow keyblader react this way asked her, "What is it Nozomi?"

Not answering him for a moment, the female keyblader remembered some words that had been spoken to her, 'She said she foresaw that we'd meet again someday...' Nozomi then decided to ask to confirm her suspicions, "Yeul, what was the name of the person who followed you and Noel?"

Hearing her ask this, the long blue haired girl didn't know why the keyblader wanted to know. But she decided to say anyway, "Her name? Her name was Raiyana."

Surprised Mickey repeated, "Raiyana!?"

Seeing the surprise and the recognition that was on their faces, Yeul silent then realised herself, "Wait you know her?"

Practically smiling as she heard this, Nozomi repeated, "Know her? More than that! We've been working together! She's a friend of ours too!"

Immediately hearing this, Yeul couldn't believe what she was hearing and quickly she smiled herself in amazement as she asked, "Really!?"

Nodding Nozomi then answered brightly, "Yeah!" Then beaming as she felt her excitement brim she said, "Man is she gonna be so pleased to see you! She'll-!"

"It won't be that easy," Mickey spoke as he interrupted Nozomi's words.

Hearing him say this, the female keyblader looked to him confused for a moment as Yeul did as she asked him, "What do you mean your majesty?"

Mickey then explained, "With the way the current situation is right now, if we're not fast it might end up badly."

"Badly?" Yeul repeated losing her smile.

Nodding Mickey then pointed out, "Yeah, for you said it yourself there Yeul, only you and Noel know her and if the rest of your group don't..."

As she heard this, Yeul then quickly realised what the mouse king meant himself. She also knew that Balthier and the others would go all out if they had to and that meant-! Quickly looking anxious she said, "We have to stop them! I don't want them fighting each other!"

Hearing the urgency in her voice, Nozomi nodded and replied, "Yeah, I don't think any of us do!" With those words, she knew there was no time to lose! So quickly going to the door, she used the power of her keyblade and unlocking the door with a beam of light. She turned and told them, "Now c'mon! Let's hurry and stop them!"

Nodding as she heard this, Yeul went to the door too. Quickly followed by Mickey, making it into the corridor the keybladers and teddy holding girl found it silent dark and empty... with the only light there in the corridor. It showed all around that there wasn't a single other soul to be found there.

A little nervous, Yeul shivered as she held her teddy closely to herself. Nozomi herself then said, "Okay guys... we gotta be careful around here."

Quiet as he heard his fellow keyblader say this, Mickey nodded. However seeing the long blue haired girl near him scared as she held her teddy, he decided to at least comfort her a little, "Yeul?"

As she heard her name, the young girl looked to the mouse king and as she did. She saw him reaching an opened hand out to her. Seeing it she was at first confused, however she then heard him ask her, "You wanna take it? You won't feel so bad if you're not alone will ya?"

Hearing him ask this question, Yeul was quiet. For she hadn't been offered a gesture like this from a stranger before, however her instincts were telling her that she could trust him. So reaching her own hand out with a shy smile she replied, "Okay..." then as she felt Mickey's warmth wrap around her own, she told him, "Thank you."

To which, the mouse king nodded to her happily pleased. Nozomi looking on at this scene, couldn't help but smile too. But before she could do anything else-

"HHHAAAA!"

As this loud cry rang out, quickly the group were all on alert. As they were, it was clear that they couldn't remain idle! Looking to her friends, Nozomi told them, "C'mon guys! Let's go!"

"Okay!" Then looking up to the girl he'd locked hands with, Mickey told her, "Let's go Yeul!"

Nodding at his words, the young blue haired agreed and with that the lot of them ran forwards into the darkness. To stop the war and conflict that was happening upon the top of the deck...