Chapter CCXXXV: The Fragmented Revelations Part II

"Hey! Let me go!"

Struggling ferociously, Timbre was resisting with all his might against the cold and rough ropes that were binding him tightly to a pillar. Agitated beyond reason, he couldn't believe the mess he had got himself stuck into! His strength having now returned to him, was of little use for he couldn't get himself loose from his bindings. Dwelling on this thought, he couldn't help but utter to himself, "If only I had a knife I could-!"

"Well you don't!"

Looking up as he heard this utterance, he saw that the person who was telling him this was none other than his sister. Dangling the single tool he could use in this situation to free himself, she told him, "Besides little boys shouldn't be playing with sharp toys!"

Gritting his teeth as he heard this, Timbre soured tremendously looking at Jona. He couldn't believe that this was happening! Him being held hostage by his own sister no less! But thinking again after a brief moment... this wasn't entirely unusual, for there had been some instances where this had happened before in the past. Annoyed at these memories he couldn't help but add to himself, "It's never been as bad as this time! Honestly this is beyond bad taste and bad luck!"

Pete having stood behind Jona all this time, then decided to say, "I got no clue, what yer both talkin' about, but..." with that he looked towards Timbre's feet. There continuing to slumber away within his endless dreams, it was none other than Kagi. Looking at who they'd managed to acquire and thinking of who they would be presenting them to...he could only say one thing, "This ain't gonna be good for us!"

"What're you talkin' about, Pete?" Jona asked her partner in crime as she looked at him with her golden coloured eyes, clearly curious.

As this was put to him, Pete then told her almost appalled by her ignorance, "What do ya mean, 'What do I mean!?' Maleficent's gonna be furious! We ain't got all of them numbers!" With that pointing back to the dark portal that was some distance away from them, he added, "We left that kitty cat and that blondie locks behind! When she discovers that she'll-!"

"Are you speaking of me now, Pete?"

Feeling a shiver going down his back, Pete hearing his name being called turned slowly and there he saw much to his horror. It was none other than Maleficent herself who was behind him! Seeing her, as she stood with her tall golden staff in one hand and draped in her long black ragged robes... he didn't know what to say or do!

Jona on the other hand, decided to quickly play the casual card with her, "Oh lady Maleficent! Fancy seeing you here!" With that, the orange maned Sphynx walked up to the ruler of darkness and then extending her hand out she gestured to the captives that they had captured and doing so she asked further, "Do you like our catches of the day?"

Seeing this gesture being made, Maleficent was quiet. However after her brief observation of seeing the two captives that were there, her eyes narrowed as she then commented, "You are missing the seventh, sixth and fifth in number!"

Timbre hearing these numbers being mentioned was quiet, unimpressed at first at the appearance of the ugly witch. However after a moment he couldn't help but comment about the statement that had been made, "Seventh, sixth and fifth? Of what?"
However ignoring his question, Jona then informed her leader, "Oh the seventh, huh? You don't have to worry about her!"

As this was said to her, Maleficent then questioned Jona, "And why is that?"

To which Jona informed her, "Cause our dear Uriax has already taken good custody of her!"

Silent as she heard this, Maleficent then asked the female Sphynx, "Oh, has he?"

Nodding Jona then replied, "Yeah!" With that she also added on a brighter note, "So we're only missing the two of them!"

"Two you say?" Maleficent asked, with that she put one of her sharp nailed hands to her chin. In thought for a moment, she then decided to say as an idea came to her with a small smirk coming to her face too, "Well... this should turn out to be rather interesting."

As this was said, Pete was surprised that Maleficent was looking so...pleased? He was expecting at least some shouting, maybe even him getting smacked at most. But a smile? He was so curious that he had to ask, "...How's that gonna be interesting?"

Smiling still, Maleficent already knew the answer but she decided to say, "It's because of one reason," with that turning behind her, she asked, "Hari? You know the answer already do you not?"

Pete hearing his accomplice's name saw the spoken girl appear behind her mistress. As she did so, she looked on with her cold green eyes towards Pete. As she did so, she answered him in her logical monotone voice, "It is because our vessels will make their own way here," then with those words said, Hari looked behind herself towards the portal of darkness and as she did so, she added, "And we can make our own preparations for their arrival."

As this was said, Maleficent smiled as she then replied, "Indeed, I could not have conveyed that any better!" Then looking ahead to the prey that was already in their hands she decided to also add, "And what glorious preparations they will be!"

Timbre listening on to this was silent, however... it was clear that whatever preparations that this lady of darkness was planning. They weren't going to be good for any of his friends! As these thoughts occurred to him, he looked down to Kagi who continued to slumber away. As he did so, he couldn't help but say quietly to himself, 'I'm so jealous of you, sleeping your way through this peppermint boy!' For if he had any choice, he would rather this all be one long bad dream!

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"Urgh...!" Feeling a horrible headache, Riku reached a hand to his forehead. As he did so, he couldn't help but cringe and say, "What? Why am I-?"

"Riku!"

"Riku lad!"

Hearing the voices of his friends, the white haired keyblader turned in the direction he could hear their voices. As he did so, he saw them looking down to him worriedly, confused by this he asked, "Your majesty? Cait sith why're you both-?"

Turning to the mouse king, Cait sith then told him, "Looks like he's still out of it Mickey mate! Ya better give him another dose of yer healing power!"

As this was said to him, Mickey nodded and replied, "Yeah I better!" With that he lifted his golden keyblade into the air and called out, "Curaga!" With that the green light of the healing spell descended upon his comrade.

Feeling it's effects, in moments the terrible ache that Riku was suffering from lifted and as it did so, he was able then to finally lift himself up properly. As he did so, he looked to his friends again and asked them, "Why was I on the floor like this? What's-?"

"I'm afraid this is my fault..."

Surprised, turning to his left. It was then that Riku saw that speaking it was none other than Oralee. Her hands upon her legs as she knelt down, she told the confused keyblader, "I was used... I was used to attack you all."

"Attack us all?" Riku asked, then as this word settled into his mind-!

"Agh!"

His head ached terribly again. As it did so, immediately worried Mickey looked to his friend and called his name placing a worried hand on his shoulder, "Riku!"

However feeling his touch, it didn't stop the images that came through his mind! There he saw Oralee, attacking him and his comrades with blasts of lilac power. Though he tried to stop her, he'd been stopped by another force who's voice he remembered speaking in a mocking amused tone over him, 'You're too slow darling!' It was none other than Jona who made him fall into the darkness of unconsciousness...

As he remembered this, he looked up and asked Mickey quickly, "Your majesty! The others! What happened to everyone! Are they-!"

"Oh for goodness sake!"

Looking behind himself, it was then that Riku saw that there conscious and clearly alright being aided by Kairi, was Sora. Then before them both, Donald was in the process of trying to heal their pal Goofy, who was snoring away. Oddly peacefully, as he did this it was clear that Donald was irritated by this behaviour considering the awful attack that they had all been through.

However knowing that fuming about the situation wasn't going to improve things, he decided again to call out to his friend, "Goofy c'mon get up! This is serious! We've got a really bad situation here!"

But again, the snoozing doggy didn't respond and continued to snooze away, like he'd never been knocked out in the first place!

This further irritated him, while Kairi holding Sora up, looking to the rest of the scene of devastation that was around them, couldn't believe what had happened. For Balthier and his group were still knocked out along with the Nobody group and they were all only now being tended to by Alania and Shirma, while in another direction she saw Serah and Snow being treated by Lightning and Hope.

The sad tormented scene resembled nothing of the happiness they had been experiencing only maybe an hour ago. It just didn't feel right, so she had to ask, "How could this have happened?"

Hearing this question being asked, while he ached a little still, Sora then answered, "I don't know..." but looking in another direction he saw again the portal of darkness of which, Merlin and Leon were standing in front of they discussed things together. As he gazed on the swirling terrible door that led into the realm of the ruler of the Heartless, Sora could only determine one thing, "But I'm sure Maleficent's behind this! As she nearly always is!"

Listening to this himself, sitting from the position he was at. Riku too looked to the portal and he gazing on could feel Maleficent's power leaking through it. There was no-one else that could be responsible then for the devastation they had incurred upon themselves.

Oralee knowing this herself too, shivered in guilt knowing what she had done. As she did so, she couldn't help but utter, "This is all my fault... if I'd only remembered, I would have been able to warn everyone and-!"

"Yer highness stop!" With those words said, Cait sith quickly moved and getting his princess's attention he stood on her shoulder and told her immediately patting her left cheek, "What happened ain't yer fault! Yer a victim here just like the rest of this lot here... and me and me mates," he finished saying looking to Riku and Mickey.

Hearing this, Oralee looked to her beloved companion and then Riku along with Mickey who nodded to her, with the same sentiment as their feline comrade.

However the princess of Alexandra feeling hesitation to accept this fact then began to say, "But I still-!"

"But nothin' yer highness!" With that, he then tapped her hard on her forehead. As she came to an abrupt stop, she looked on with amazement to Cait sith as she heard him say, "What's happened has happened! There's no use dwellin' on the past now! Ya gotta make up for it in the time that's now approachin'!" With that he added sounding a little softer in tone as he reminded her, "Like I said to ya once a long time before now, right?"

As this was put to her, Oralee was quiet further as she remembered her past and Cait sith with her in that time. As she did so, she realised that now wasn't the time to be depressed and guilt ridden, they had to save their friends who'd been taken from them! So nodding feeling her determination slowly come back she responded, "Yes of course!" With that, she then moved her right hand and stroked Cait sith's head gently and told him further, "Thank you for reminding me about what's truly important right now, Cait sith."

As this was said to him and feeling the touch of his beloved princess, the small cat became a little bashful as he looked away and replied embarrassed, "Just don't be forgettin' again anytime soon!"

To which Riku and Mickey chuckled a little at this act being done. However feeling their own determination rise within inside of themselves, they both stood up as Oralee did the same too. As they all stood on their feet again, it was clear what they needed to do!

While Leon and Merlin were in the midst of their conversation, the leader of the Restoration Committee told the aged magician, "Well, we've managed to shelter most of the people from the Heartless attacks, but we're sure that there are still more happening in the town as we speak."

Nodding, Merlin then replied, "Aye lad there are! I can sense them with my magic..." however looking to the portal of darkness, he went on to say, "And what's more pressing is the kidnapping of the boy Kagi and from what I heard from Vincent, Timbre has also been taken."

"Not just them!"

It was then walking over and making it to their position, it was Oralee who had spoken and she finished by declaring, "It's also Nozomi who's been taken too!"

Surprised to see they were up on their feet again and hearing this information, Leon then asked, "Even Nozomi?"

Nodding, it was then that Mickey said, "She was taken while we were distracted, sadly..." he uttered turning his head revealing his sorrow at his blind sightedness.

"While you were distracted, your majesty?" Merlin asked.

"Someone entered this area, looking like me apparently," Riku answered and with a solemn expression of his own, then he went on to add, "He came here and whisked her away."

Hearing this being answered to him, Merlin was silent. However he then knew, "Well, the person who did that must have some tremendous magical potential." With those words said, he also realised, "And if someone like that is on the side of the Heartless and Maleficent... this will not end bode well for any of us."

With those words said, Mickey answered, "That's right and that's why we need to go straight through that portal and get our pals back!"

"Go through the portal!?" Leon cried out and as he said those words, it was at that moment that Alania and Shirma had managed to revive one of Balthier's fallen group. It was none other than Zidane who'd awakened and hearing this sentence, his attention was immediately drawn to the group of keybladers who were discussing this point of action.

At that moment too, Sora and Kairi along with Donald heard this too. They were all silent as they listened on to what it was that Riku and the others had to say.

Leon still shocked by what the group of keybladers had decided on, he then declared mad, "You were all attacked! All of your group are nearly unconscious! You really think you can just waltz in now and-!"

"Of course we do!" Riku answered, then as he said those words he went on to say, "We've done it before and we can easily do it again!" Then reaching his right hand up and clenching it tightly as he remembered the other occasion where Nozomi was nearly taken away from him. Not wanting that to ever happen again, he declared with strong determination, "And I'm not losing anyone! Especially not Nozomi... not again!"

Sora hearing this from the distance he was at, he couldn't believe that his friend was being impulsive and hasty like this! He would usually be so calm, so logical more like Leon... he could see it, his friend really had changed! Smiling realising this, he then said, "Well looks like someone's being impulsive now!"

Seeing that he had realised this change himself, Kairi had to smile and reply, "And you're noticing this only now?" With that she added with a small chuckle, "Wow! I wonder if I'll see a winged frog fly in the sky somewhere!"

Hearing his beloved say this, immediately Sora cried out in complaint, "Hey! I'm not dense!"

Rolling her eyes though, Kairi corrected him saying, "Sometimes!" Then finishing with her joking, she got up and extending her hand down to Sora she asked him, "Now, why don't we lend those guys a hand?"

As this question was asked, Sora wasn't going to refuse this offer! So quickly taking her hand he was immediately pulled up onto his feet and with that done he responded, "Yeah let's!" With that the two of them walked over to join Riku and his group.

Seeing his long time pal go, quickly Donald realised he had to hurry up and so he declared mad, "Goofy you wake up right now or let ya have it!"

To this threat came nothing but a relaxed sound of continued snoring.. as it did so, Donald had had enough! With a vein twitching on his forehead he raised his wand into the air!

Meanwhile, Merlin listening to Riku say this though understanding his determination, he had to be the voice of reason along with Leon as he then said, "Riku lad, I understand your wishes to save the lass and the others... but Leon is right! It would be better you went with more allies by your side! The three of you-!"

"Four Merlin mate!" Cait sith cried out mad. For he hated being counted out of these events and went on to say, "Honestly! Just cause I'm small doesn't mean I can be left out of discussions like these!"

As this was said, Merlin coughed and with that he corrected himself saying, "Four, I do beg your pardon," then with that, he continued on to say, "Will not do well in your current state against the Heartless and Maleficent!" With that he also had to quickly add, "Also, she has more allies now this time including that mysterious magician user and others we may not know of!"

Hearing him say this, Mickey understood the wizards reasoning and he would normally agree and try to persuade Riku away from this course of action along with Oralee and Cait sith. However he knew what was at stake, if they did nothing now then a horrible event might unfold that would-!

"And that's why we're gonna help out!"

It was then walking over, that finally Sora and Kairi came to his side. Seeing them come over together surprised, Merlin couldn't help but exclaim, "Sora lad! Kairi lass!"

Getting the wizards attention, Sora grinned and replied, "Yep it's us!"

Kairi smiling as well then said, "And we've made our decision! We're going to help out Riku, the King, Oralee and Cait sith!" With that she finished saying, "We will help them to save those who are becoming our friends!"

Hearing these words, Merlin nor Leon could be that surprised for they had all been friends and allies for so long and-!

"Don't forget about those who are already friends with those guys!"

It was then in surprise, that he turned and quickly saw approaching that it was none other than Zidane! Seeing the monkey tailed young man come forward though with a little difficulty he then proclaimed, "I gotta go with them too! I gotta get my pal Timbre back! Otherwise my captain will never forgive me!"

Surprised to hear this and even more amazed he could now move again, Leon had to ask him, "Zidane! You're moving already and-!"

"He just won't take no for an answer!"

It was then walking their way it was none other than Alania and Shirma. The two of them had worked to heal Zidane and the blue haired summoner then shook her head and said with her hands in the air, "We've tried to persuade him but he just won't budge from his decision!"

Nodding, Shirma then had to say, "I'm sorry Merlin... we really did try to."

The aged Magician could see one thing could be done to cure this situation, "Well I must say that this stubbornness is rather contagious...I suppose there is no helping it." With that he drew out his wand and told them all, "I will have to put you all into a healthy deterrent sleep, until we acquire h the suitable numbers to pursue Maleficent and her brood, I will not have you all engage in a battle you cannot win!"

Immediately all of them becoming shocked, Mickey cried out standing defensively before his friends, "Merlin you can't do that to us now! I know we've been weakened but-!"

"QQQUUUAAACCCKKK!"

ZZZAAAPPP!

"YA HA HA HOI!"

Distracted everyone turned around and there they saw that quickly zapping, Goofy back into the waking world it was none other than Donald, using a particularly strong thunder spell.

Becoming slightly crispy from the spell, Goofy coughed out some smoke and then looking around he asked, "Oh boy! That sure smarted there Donald!" Then after a little bit he had to ask, "What were we doin?"

"You dummy!" Donald cried out to him mad, with that he declared to him, "The king and Sora need us and yer here just takin' a nap! Don't ya know we-!"

"RRROOOAAARRRGGGHHH!"

Suddenly from behind everyone, a whole battalion of Heartless came! Streaming by the hundreds through the darkened streets and were all storming straight in their direction!

Immediately on guard seeing this, Leon cried out in agitation, "Hell! Not this again!" With that he ran forwards and pointing his gunblade forwards-!

KABOOM!

He unleashed a blast of power that immediately made the monsters scatter about here and there! But quickly in succession more and more poured out! It look like a tsunami of darkness was going to crash upon them!

Seeing her services were being called, Lightning saw she had to leave her healing for now and said with great reluctance, "Looks like there's no rest for the guard patrol! C'mon Hope!"

Hearing his instructor's words, the light haired boy responded, "Right!" With that he drew out his boomerang as Lightning drew out her own blade!

Looking at them proceed into battle, Alania and Shirma were silent. But then they heard a cry from Lightning who called out to them as she began her battle against the horrible monsters, "Alania! Shirma! If you can help us to do something then do it! We can't do this alone!"
As her command came, Alania was a bit annoyed with her commanding tone of voice. But knowing this wasn't the time or place to argue with the controller of Odin, she bit back her pride and called back, "Fine hold your horses will ya!" With that she turned to her adoptive sister and said, "C'mon Shirma! We gotta bring on the defence here!"

Nodding after a moment, the pink haired white mage replied, "Right, yeah!" With that she ran off to join the fray too along with Alania!

Seeing them go, Merlin appalled by the situation cried out in agitation, "Oh confound it all!" With that he proceeded forwards too and aiming his wand he cried out, "Must you beasts interfere when important matters are stake!" With those words-!

BLAST!

He wiped out a line of monsters! Seeing this the aged magician was satisfied but in another moment-!

"Let's move now fella's!"

In his distraction, Merlin quickly realised his fatal error! For there behind him and Leon as they were fighting the Heartless, quickly in succession the keybladers along with Zidane and the stragglers of the group Donald including Goofy who was being pulled by his white feathery pal were escaping into the depths of the dark portal!

Seeing them go, he called out to them, "Lads wait!" With that Merlin aimed with his want to stop them! However-!

SWOOSH!

Immediately a red shape descended from above! Amazed to see this, Oralee saw that standing before them protectively with his gun aimed upon the aged wizard... it was none other than Vincent! Seeing him there, Oralee couldn't believe it!

However before she could say a word to him, he turned and told them, "Be fast in rescue!"

All that the princess of Alexandra could do for him at that moment was nod her answer and with that they all entered the swirling darkness... to which, the portal quickly vanished with them. Leaving the members of the Restoration Committee and the ARCS, now including Vincent to take care of the Heartless that surrounded them all...

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"Mmm..."

Stirring, Nozomi could feel softness and warmth surrounding her. As she did so, she was confused. For when did she get into bed? Opening her eyes as she turned herself over, she looked down at herself and saw that she was still dressed in regular clothes and then looking up to the ceiling that was above herself. She saw that it was an unknown one to her...

Seeing this, she was further confused. Moving herself up to sit in the bed, she looked around herself and saw that the room was surrounded by shadows, yet she also saw light coming in from one of the opened windows. Becoming curious about it, she got herself up and out of the bed quietly and proceeded to walk over to it.

Arriving at the window, she peered outside of it and looked down to the landscape that was beneath her. It looked to her like an opened castle courtyard, it almost reminded her of ones she'd seen in picture books as a child. But then looking up to the sky that was above herself, she quickly saw to her shock that there shining down on her, wasn't an illuminating moon... instead it was a massive, "Heart?"

For there indeed shining down in the black abyss that was the sky was a gigantic moon like heart, it pulsated with power and glowed with a haunting blue light. It cast the entire world into a shade of pale blue, making it haunting and cold... it made her shiver inside just to gaze up at it.

Not understanding, she had to ask, "How can something like that be-!"

"It can shine in the sky like that because of one reason..."

Hearing this voice, Nozomi's eyes lit up in recognition. Turning quickly around she saw one figure, his back against the wall closest to the grand door to the room. His arms were folded as he continued to speak on, "It is the powerful force that draws all living beings to it, powerful and weak, it is a door to the grandest of all miraculous powers... it is Kingdom Hearts!"

Nozomi heard these words, yet she didn't for looking on. She couldn't believe who it was she was seeing for the first time in...forever! Almost trembling she asked as cautiously as she could, to make sure this wasn't some random dream, "You... you are-!"

"Yeah...I'm a face you haven't seen in a long time," with that the figure walked forwards into the pale light and as he did so, he took away the white mask he always wore upon his face. There, Nozomi saw the one person who'd been in her memories and her worried dreams for so long, it was none other than her dear childhood friend, Wairu.

Her eyes widening seeing him, her eyes immediately started to water and as they did so, she couldn't control herself as she immediately rushed forwards crying out, "Wairu!" With that she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

Feeling her do this, suddenly coming and holding him closely. It was clear Wairu was surprised, but slowly he relaxed into feeling the embrace as he gently wrapped his own arms around her.

Feeling his warmth and catching a whiff of his nostalgic scent, it was then that Nozomi knew this wasn't a dream. It was all real and feeling this, she couldn't help but feel great relief... as it washed over she then couldn't help but say playfully smacking him playfully on the chest, "Honestly! How could you keep me waiting so long to see you again! I mean seriously, you dummy!" With that she gently detached from him and in turn he relaxed his hold on her too.

As he did this, Nozomi then fully looked up to Wairu in the eye. As she did so, she could feel something... something had changed about him. As this thought struck her, she took a step back to look him over up and down properly.

Seeing his childhood friend doing this, Wairu was quiet. However he couldn't help but joke, "See something that charms you?"

Nozomi hearing this looking to Wairu again properly, she had to admit to him in amazement, "You've changed your style!" For gazing at his appearance again, she admitted, "You've quit the whole clown look you had!"

Feeling annoyance as she said this, Wairu pouted and doing so he told the female keyblader, "I've told you before and I'll tell you again! That was part of making my magic more powerful through my performing arts!"

Laughing Nozomi then responded, "Yeah you sure used to say that a lot!" But looking over him again, the female keyblader couldn't help but comment further again saying, "But you've really improved now! You look great!" Then looking on, she couldn't help but notice something else. Doing so she moved closer to him and pointed out, "You've even grown out your hair! How did you manage to? I mean that would normally take years to-!"

"Magic again," to which gliding his hand down and along his long braided ponytail he now had. Wairu continued on to say, "Naturally, I am the master of the art you know!"

Smiling again, Nozomi then replied to him, "Oh, of course you are!" Then becoming nostalgic, she couldn't help but add, "That power of yours can sort out anything can't it? I remember how it used to help us when we were kids... you fixing my clothes, making fun stuff for us and everything else it was always amazing what you could do!"

As this was asked of him, Wairu was quiet in contemplation before he decided to say, "Well it can certainly sort out most problems and create wondrous results..." then saying that, he approached Nozomi and took her left hand into both of his own. As he did so, puzzling the female keyblader he finished then saying, "But still it can't solve the matters of the heart."

Quiet as she heard this, Nozomi tilted her head slightly as she asked him, "Wairu?"

Hearing her call his name, it was then the magical young man decided to ask the one question, that mattered the most to him, "Nozomi...do you love me?"

Surprised as this came, the female keyblader was left speechless.

Seeing her become like this again, Wairu then almost feeling nervous questioned her once more, "Tell me, do you hold that feeling for me?"

As this was put to her, Nozomi was quiet further for a moment. However not understanding why he was being so serious about this, she then told him honestly, "Well of course I do, I mean we're friends aren't we?"
Surprised as this was put to him, Wairu then repeated puzzled, "Friends?"

Nodding Nozomi brightly answered him saying, "Yeah! I mean I've known you since we were kids, so I've always loved you like a brother."

Hearing these words, it was clear that Wairu was soured bitterly hearing these words. However not noticing, Nozomi simply continued on as she remembered excitedly, "But you saying that's reminded me! Wairu I've met so many other wonderful people! I've made so many new friends while I travelled the worlds and back in the Radiant Gardens, you wouldn't believe how!" Then with further delight she also remembered something else, "Also I met this great wizard there and when I told him about you he said that he'd be interested in taking you in as an apprentice! If you come back with me, we can-!"

Squeeze...

Feeling her hand suddenly being tightened by both Wairu's hands, Nozomi felt a bit of pain from the sensation. Flinching a little confused by this, she looked to him and asked, "Wairu? Why're you-?"

"I've had enough of this!"

Shocked as she heard this, Nozomi baffled by this uttered out simply, "Huh?"

Wairu feeling indignant inside at being made into such a insignificant figure within Nozomi's heart, he then declared, "I'm not going to be reduced to something as petty as that! I will be more than that to you!"

Not understanding him and his sudden change in attitude, Nozomi was beginning to become frightened and tried to withdraw her hand away from him asking, "Wairu what-!"

"Mmph!?"

Suddenly, Nozomi was pulled forwards and holding her tightly in a rough embrace... Wairu had his lips pressed over hers, creating a desperate longing kiss!

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Arriving quickly through into the world that was beyond the portal. The group of heroes had emerged fully and looking on...Mickey knew in moments where they had appeared and so did the other keybladers. It was none other than, The World That Never was.

Seeing it's ominous dark skies above them all, it sent shivers down all their backs as they saw the blue haunting massive pulsing, Kingdom Hearts above them. As they saw it, Riku then spoke his anxious thoughts, "So, they managed to gather all the hearts they've gained from the worlds into that one centre point this time?"

"It looks like it!" Mickey responded, seeing though that they were alone with no enemies in sight. He knew this was not a time for any of them to relax. So quickly he told the group, "All right fella's we all need to steam straight ahead forwards! We gotta find our pals and get out of here as fast as we can!"

As this was told to them, immediately everyone responded with one word of approval one,

"Right!"

Then in seconds they all ran on forwards into the darkened pathways together that was the city of black abyss and night. As they all continued on, Riku couldn't help but think to himself desperately with worry, 'Nozomi please be safe!'

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"Agh!"

Falling hard onto the cold floor, Nozomi was struggling to get Wairu to let go of her! He was holding onto her fast, his lips still upon her and she didn't understand what was going on! Why was he-!

"Ha!"

Finally though, he released his lips from hers as he had to breathe as did she. However the thing that shocked her, gazing on up to him was the fact that on Wairu's face was a smile. A triumphant one as he hauntingly told her, "Nozomi, your lips are so sweet..." then licking his own almost hungrily, he had to also add, "No, they're even more sweet than I ever imagined!"

Horrified, Nozomi then breathlessly with terror asked, "Wairu why? Why did you do that?"

"Why?" He asked her, then with a dark light entering his eyes he told her the truth, "Can't you tell? Even now?" With that reaching his hand down he put a careful gentle hand upon her left cheek. As he did so, he then informed her stroking it with his thumb, "I've become a villain."

Struck by a swift jolt of shock, Nozomi then repeated not understanding what he just said, "A villain?"

"Correct," with that stroking her cheek a little more, he then continued on to say, "I've been working under the name Uriax, with the Heartless as my tools and Maleficent as my mistress!" Horrified Nozomi gasped taking in a sharp breath and as she did so, feeling her shiver he finished his words, "And since I am... that means now I've gained limitless power, which allows me do whatever I please!"

Not understanding him, Nozomi was terrified! This wasn't the friend she knew anymore. She had to understand, to know, "Wairu why!? Why would you join her!? I don't understand why you'd-!"

"Mmph!?"

Quickly again though Wairu laid his lips over Nozomi's, making her shiver in terror, hating this invasive sensation. She managed to dislodge her face from him and doing so, she cried out, "Wairu! I don't want this! Let go of me! Let go!" With that she pushed him off of her with a hard shove with both her hands!

Feeling her try to run from him, immediately Wairu acted! Moving his right hand he cried out, "Lockdra!" With that the door was bolted and locked tightly!

Seeing this, Nozomi reaching for the knob and seeing it wouldn't budge then reacted on instinct and brought out her keyblade! However... the light didn't shine upon it! Distressed immediately she cried out, "Why!? Why won't it-!"

"Because I sealed it!"

Shocked to hear this, Nozomi then saw it was Wairu who had spoken these words. As he did so, she was terrified for now there was no proper way out of the room and-!

"You're not getting away from me!" With that he then declared almost with a snarl, "And I'll hold you down in whatever way necessary!" With that he brought his right arm and hand out which started to glow brightly with pale icy white power.

Seeing this, Nozomi was in deep dread! She knew what Wairu was going to try and do! She couldn't let it happen and looking to the side of him, she saw that the window was her only means of escape! Though she wouldn't know if there were any orbs for her to use, she couldn't hesitate! With that she made her bid of freedom! Immediately Wairu began to fire immediately at her with his magic!

SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE!

Each of the spells missed their mark, they didn't hit Nozomi at all! Instead they made icy crystals appear upon the floor, the bed everywhere she had once been placed! However, though they hadn't stopped her they had deterred her and stopped her from making any advance towards the window as she had to dart back and forth, desperately to not be hit!

Landing on the floor again quickly feeling the floor become icy, she knew she had to be faster than this! So clenching her left hand tightly she began to recite a spell of her own, "Hast-!"

SHINE!

However, Nozomi's left hand and arm was frozen to the floor! "Agh! No!" Feeling it's freezing cold temperatures burn into her Nozomi realised she had to get herself out of this situation quickly! So reaching her right hand into her summon stone pocket, she withdrew the one she knew to be Maia's but-!

"Nozomi..."

She felt Wairu's touch upon her left cheek again and as she did so, she saw him smiling down at her chillingly with affection in his eyes and a smile on his face. Seeing it, she wanted to run away, to get away from him! But she couldn't! Seeing the madness and darkness swirling in his pale blue eyes, she heard him then say, "You have no idea how long I've wanted this, just a night between you and I alone... where finally I can express my love and have you return my feelings," then he asked her gazing on with an an almost mesmerised look, "Don't you think this is so wonderful?"

Nozomi then recognised, that this really wasn't Wairu! There was something bewitching him! Distorting him! Something was horribly wrong! So she cried out to him trying to make him let go or break out of this trance it as he went to pin her other arm down, "No! Wairu stop! I don't want you to do this! Please snap out of it!" But he ignored her words and in seconds-!

SHINE!

"Agh!" Her other arm was frozen down with Maia's green summon gem clenched tightly in her fingertips! Feeling this numbing sensation, Nozomi was in so much disbelief at what was happening... so much so, that she had to ask almost pleadingly, "Did I do something wrong to you? Did I hurt you in some way to make you be overtaken by the darkness like this?" Then with tears coming to her lilac eyes, she asked him again, "Wairu please tell me! Why're you doing this?"

As this was asked of him, Wairu was quiet as he gazed down at her for a moment. Then continuing to smile, he asked her, "You really want to know why I'm doing this to you?"

Nozomi was quiet, she didn't know what to do in this situation! She didn't-!

Clench...

Shocked with her eyes widening, Nozomi felt Wairu tighten his grip around the lower part of her striped shirt with one hand. As he did so, she became rigid and still and as she did so, she heard him finally answer her, "Then I'll tell you!" With that-!

Flare...!

Immediately Nozomi felt the lower half of her her shirt being burned away, disintegrating into pieces! Feeling this sensation creep about all along her middle and back, she cried out, "No! Stop it!"

Smiling though, Wairu then exposing her bare pale soft skin that lay underneath the now non existent fabric. He saw the very thing he knew that would be revealed, placing his hand on her belly he stroked it gently with his powers and told her, "This is the truth about your existence, Nozomi..."

Shivering in absolute terror hating this feeling, Nozomi didn't know what to do! What to say! She squeezed her eyes shut turning her face away from him and was barely registering Wairu's words and dreaded what he would do next-!

SNAP!

As this simple snap of fingers occurred, Nozomi felt Wairu's touch leave her skin and feeling him move away slightly. She heard him then say, "Come, look above you!"

Shivering hearing this, she repeated puzzled, "Above?" With that she peeked one of her eyes open and looked to where Wairu had indicated. There she saw that somehow he'd created a mirror like surface upon the ceiling, which reflected her own terrified form down to her... however that wasn't the thing that made her freeze. Instead it was the sight of one alien thing that was in the middle of her lower abdomen, where her belly button should be. But instead it was one other thing, "That's a? A-?"

"A keyhole," Wairu answered for her. For there indeed resting within her middle was a darkened keyhole, empty and dark... it was a horrifying sight to see!
Nozomi realising this herself, had to ask chilled and terrified to her core, "A...keyhole?"

"That's right," Wairu answered. With that, he placed his left hand on the back of his head and uttering a simple spell... his own keyhole emerged amongst his lilac locks, seemingly like a mirage.

Seeing this occur, further horrified Nozomi and all she could do was gaze wide eyed at the keyholes that were reflected back to her in the surface of the mirror, until Wairu blocked her view of them as his face hovered over hers again and he informed her of the one simple truth that would forever change her entire world, as he held her face in his hands, "You and I... are the vessels of Fragments!"