Chapter CCXXXXVII: The Weapon Known As Lachesis Part II
Displeasure, that was the one clear emotion that Maleficent was experiencing at that moment. For finally after being forced to wait what felt like an eternity, she saw that making it down to their level, was her bumbling imbecile of a lackey and her one powerful weapon, Hari.
However the way they had arrived was far from appeasing to her as she asked, "You dare use my own servant as your personal mode of transportation?"
Pete had his ears lowered, he was flinching under her critical gaze. For Hari had her hands on his blue braces and was hovering with him in the air, using her wings to keep them both aloft. He felt embarrassed himself by this situation but could only answer honestly, "It's not that I wanted this option..." with that looking above himself to Hari, he continued on to say, "It was Hari's idea that I be dropped off like this and-!"
DROP!
"Agh!"
THUD!
Suddenly Hari released Pete from her grip! In seconds he fell straight down onto the floor making the floor tremble from his tremendous hefty weight! Quiet watching this, Maleficent didn't react in the slightest, nor did her still form shake with the floor.
"Ow, ow, ow!" Pete uttered aching from the pain he was experiencing.
Hari though descending onto the floor with total grace, looked to Maleficent with her cold green eyes and said, "I apologise for our tardiness, my Lady," with those words she put a hand across her chest making a small bow.
Seeing her do this, Maleficent was not completely appeased. She was curious and asked, "What were you two doing all this time? Did you believe that you were allowed to indulge in leisurely activities when I have suffered such needless defeats?"
Pete hearing her practically spit these words with venom was shivering inside! For he did not want to have another horrible bolt of lightning struck at him! For he knew the stinging in his skin and smell of singed fur wouldn't leave him for days! However he had no idea what to say or-!
"No my Lady," Pete then saw Hari begin to answer for them as she continued on to explain stepping forwards, "In our time of absence, both Pete and myself have been recuperating and training, so we will be ready for our next conquest in acquiring the next Fragments."
"Training?" Maleficent repeated, for looking to Pete who stared on totally dumbfounded at Hari and then turning to her, found this hard to believe. So she decided to ask, "You were preparing my servant for battle, Pete?"
Hearing her ask him this question, Pete was silent. However, quickly understanding that Hari had given him a way out of this precarious situation. He played along and responded, "Uh, yeah that's right there, Maleficent!" With that dusting himself off as he stood back up, he continued on to say, "Hari and me were gutted that we kept losing our chances to get the rest of them Fragments and that one little winged runt, that we decided together to work our butts off so ya can have a better, no perfect result next time!"
Still looking terribly sceptical as she gazed upon Pete, she then uttered, "Oh, really?"
Seeing him look uneasy at her show of disbelief, the mistress of darkness decided it wasn't worth her time in getting answers from him. So instead, she decided to say, "Well I do hope your enthused efforts for this, will not be in vain," with that she turned away and went to go down a particular darkened corridor. As she did so, she then informed them, "For in this next battle, I will have it that we finally take what is rightfully mine!" With that she began to walk ahead of them.
Hearing her declare this, Pete could feel that Maleficent was different somehow. It felt like she was seething, not just with her usual burning rage. But something else, he could sense it was greed and-!
Hari seeing her master step further into the darkness then said, "So? My Lady has become impatient it seems."
Seeing that his accomplice had already noticed this change before he could fully realise the thought. Pete stared at her, he was about to also ask her what she had guessed when-!
"So...?"
He turned with slight surprise to see Jona there behind them both, as he did he remained quiet. The exotic Sphynx though paid no heed to his surprise, instead yawning and scratching some of her long manes of orange, she asked them both, "What took you two stragglers so long to get down to us."
As Jona asked this of them, Hari answered, "Recuperation and training."
With this one three worded line answer given to her, Jona was far from surprised. For she was used to Hari's cool responses and lack of adjectives. So she uttered simply, "Right..." then walking further a little more, she noticed, "Oh? So where's our emerald green mistress gone to?"
As this question was asked, Hari answered, "Our Lady has gone on ahead of us," with that looking in the darkened direction she had disappeared to, Hari added, "I can only hazard a guess now that she means for us to finish off our adversaries."
Surprised to hear this, Jona uttered, "Oh has she?" Then becoming quiet for a moment in thought, she grinned and said casually, "Well it's about time! I thought we'd been taking it too slow for these last lot of days!" With that she went to walk on after Maleficent and soon following after her, were Hari and Pete.
As the three accomplices to the mistress of darkness entered into the shadows, Jona couldn't help but muse on, "We'll take out those fools real quick this time! We'll make it that there'll never see what hit 'em!"
Pete hearing her in the old days would have probably had the same enthusiasm, but for some reason inside himself. He felt a terrible sense of foreboding, why though he couldn't understand for-?
"By the way, Pete?"
Distracted out of his own thoughts again, the tall villain saw that Jona had fixed her golden eyes on up at him. In the darkness they seemed to glow almost eerily. As he stared back down at her, he heard the exotic Sphynx ask, "You know Uriax?"
As this was name was said to him, Pete was quiet. For...no? He didn't know that name. He was about to say so, when he remembered Hari's warning! Watching the back of her head as she walked on without them both, he remembered her telling him not to say anything about that particular person, so he answered a little uneasy, "Uh? Yeah...?"
Sensing this interaction occurring behind her, Hari stopped and looked behind herself. As she did so, she heard Jona ask, "Where's he been all this time? I can't find no pretty lilac hair or even a twinkle of his blue eyes anywhere in the palace! Has he gone on some reconnaissance or something?"
Hearing this question of hers, Pete was quiet. However feeling Hari's cold eyes on him, he knew he had to say something! So quickly he laughed awkwardly, "Ha? Ha... uh yeah? I guess so? I mean, you know that guy! He's always runnin' off from us when we least suspect it y'know?"
Jona was quiet as she heard this, she then studied him for a moment more with suspicion... then before Pete could feel anymore uncomfortable, "Figures," Jona sighed. With that, she walked away from the overweight accomplice and went to Hari's side. Doing so she said clearly depressed, "I really wish he wouldn't leave me behind like this... it's just been so long since I've last seen that gorgeous face of his, that I'm frightened I'm gonna forget it."
Hari hearing this then responded, "That would be most problematic, to forget our comrades distinctive features would put us at a great disadvantage."
As she said this so robotically, Jona couldn't help but release a small laugh as she looked to Hari and asked, "Is that your attempt a joke there, honey?"
To which the cold green eyed girl responded, "I have no need to give petty amusements, they are not my function."
Laughing at this aloof response, Jona then answered, "I can see that." There came no response to this comment and seeing this, the exotic Sphynx decided to ask something she hadn't enquired of Hari in a long time, "Anyway, you know the promise you made me a while ago right?"
"The one where you enquired whether it would be possible to extend mercy to a member of our prey we are hunting?" Hari asked. Her eyes fixed on ahead.
Nodding glad to see she hadn't forgotten, Jona asked, "Yeah that's right!" The exotic Spynx then decided to explain, "Well you see, it looks like my little brother has become enthralled with those losers we're after so, I'd like to take him out of the fire and join our crew!"
As this was said to her, Hari looked to her coldly and asked, "Do you believe it would be so simple for your brother to have a change a heart as you in joining our ventures?"
Jona then smiled and responded, "We are siblings y'know?" Hari said nothing in response to this, but it was clear she wasn't convinced by this simple biological fact. Recognising this herself, Jona dropped her amused facade and said with a serious tone, "Look, I'll get him to listen, he'll have to..." with that looking into the darkness ahead of them as she thought of days gone past, "Because you can only survive being on the side that's strongest," then clenching her right clawed fist tightly she went on to say, "I'll make him come over to our side, whether he's willing to or not."
Hari was silent hearing this, however as she stared on at Jona she saw her turn to her again as she asked, "Also you can help make that happen anyway can't you? Cause you can alter memories and stuff right?"
The winged servant to Maleficent then responded simply, "If the opportunity presents itself."
As she heard these words, Jona seemingly at that moment was satisfied for she didn't say anything else. Probably so she wouldn't perhaps invite disaster upon herself or her brother for asking too much more.
Pete meanwhile behind them both, having heard all of this conversation was quiet. However what had been said had unsettled him. He understood fully now why he was so uncomfortable about all of this. For who was this Uriax? Also would Hari really alter someone's memory to just have them serve them? How far was she willing to go, to serve Maleficent...?
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"WWWOOO!"
Hearing this loud exclamation, it was then turning around that a band of hardworking and weary townsfolk of the Radiant Gardens, saw that a single individual go running past them! His wide excited grin spreading from ear to ear, he cried out, "Amigo's! Señorita amigo's!"
"Juan! Hold it there!" Bonkers cried out, for riding his trusty steed he added, "Coco can't keep up with ya!"
Working in the far distance, repairing the brickwork of a certain building. Hearing him loudly come over, Alania was annoyed. For she'd been attending to the mess the Heartless had left them along with her adopted sister Shirma and Hana, she sighed saying, "Let me guess, he's already 'Cleared' another zone." For ever since that horrible attack that had ravaged the entire town, ruining the happiness that should have been their time of celebration of the town's rebirth, the Restoration Committee along with their group, the 'ARCS' had all pinched in to help clean up the devastation that was left, along with reassuring the terrified town's folk who'd been panicked senseless by the monstrosities that had attacked them.
Seeing Juan still making his way coming over, he'd been designated with the job of getting rid of any stray amounts of Heartless with Bonkers and Coco. Though whenever he'd proclaimed he'd 'Cleared,' a zone of the wretched creatures with Bonkers. There were always stragglers left, leaving one of the weary numbers having to clear up the mess that was left.
Shirma who'd remained silent as she placed another box of debris to one side then said, "He does look overly happy for it to be just that?"
Alania though was far from enthusiastic about his approach and replied, "Well if he asks for me to go take look, tell him I'm not interested." With that the summoner hurriedly started to walk away from them.
Seeing her do that, Hana cried out, "Alania wait! You can't just leave us to just-!"
"AMIGO'S!"
It was then Juan shouted out loudly to them again, as he did so. Alania fed up turned around to shout out at him when-!
"Look who's here for a visit!"
"Kweh!"
WHOOSH!
Suddenly becoming startled as did all the rest of the people there in the centre of the radiant town, there swooping down above them all was a flying vessel, a Gummi Ship! Seeing it there, no-one on the ground knew what to do or say as they looked up at it but-!
"Hey guys! Did ya miss us!?"
It was then appearing out of one of the window of the Gummi ship, it was none other than Sora! Then in another second-!
"Is everyone alright!?"
It was Nozomi who poked her head out from the same window. As she did so, Shirma, Alania and Hana were too surprised to say anything. However Juan who was excited above everything else cried out, "Welcome back! Did you guys beat our enemigos!?"
"Did ya arrest 'em!?" Bonkers asked out eagerly, thinking of the spare cells they had available in the jail, where Irma and her gang were currently located, under suspicion.
Mickey then poking his head out of a window, called out to them all, "We'll tell you everything when we get down there!"
"Exactly!" Donald cried out, with that he added, "We've gotta find somewhere to park!"
Micky smiled at this, but then he decided to say, "Yeah while we do that, could we ask you fellas to gather everyone together at Merlin's house? We got a lot stuff we need to be tellin' you all!"
Juan hearing this request cried out, "Consider it hecho, Mickey!" With that he turned and said, "Let's go Bonkers! We gotta spread the good noticias!"
"That we go!" Bonkers decreed, with that looking down to his pal he told him, "Let's get moving Coco!"
"Kweh!" Came the happy reply, then with that the cop and chocobo took off to search!
Juan pleased then looked to his right and said, "C'mon Pacho! We gotta alert everyone too!" With that using his ostrich fast speed, both him and his pink Axolotl friend went to complete the task!
Shirma, Alania and Hana though, still dumbfounded for a moment though quickly snapped out of it. As they did, the pink haired white mage said, "Alania! Hana! C'mon let's go! We've got to tell everyone too!"
Nodding quickly to her words, quickly both girls took off and followed after her. Immediately the three ARCS went to inform all their comrades!
Then as they did, Ruby who'd flown away to get a particular pain brush saw what was happening! As he saw his princess run, he cried out, "Hanahime! Wait where are you going!?" With that he chased after her, while Donald went to find a suitable parking space...
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It was sometime later and finally, after finding a suitable parking space and the word had spread about. People who were curious and who was close to the Keybladers and the Vessels of the Fragments, were gathered in Merlin's house.
Timbre was smiling pleased as he made it over and cried out looking to all his crew, "Captain! Everyone I'm so glad you guys have all made it!" For looking to them all, no-one was worse for wear at all. In fact, it looked like none of them had even had a scratch marked on them!
"Of course we're all well, did you really think that the star of this production would be forced to exit in such a minor scuffle?" Balthier asked with a smile to his shipmate.
Zidane though still couldn't help but be in disbelief as he told him, "But Captain the last time I saw you, you were completely down for the count! Even Fran was and-!"
"I didn't wake up too much longer after you," Fran explained. Then as she did so, she explained a little more, "I was able to revive our Captain after a little difficulty, but we were able to survive, miraculously."
"Miraculously being the key word!" Noel couldn't help but add. For looking to Yeul who was by his side along with Raiyana, he added, "If Yeul hadn't woken up in the nick of time when she did and healed us, Balthier and Fran would have been overwhelmed by those monsters."
"Very true," Raiyana said. Then looking down to her favourite little adopted sister she told her, "And it just shows how you've improved with your healing spells and potion making."
Yeul only blushed red in response and smiled with a small nod as she looked awkwardly down to the floor, holding her deer teddy.
As she did this, it was then that Timbre said, "Well I'm just glad you guys are all okay and..." with that he remembered what they'd been through and quickly became depressed.
Seeing him become this way, Fran asked, "And what? Did something cause you great upset when you were forcibly parted from us?"
Hearing this question Timbre responded, "A couple of things..." with that looking to everyone grimly, he had to tell them all, "But I've found Jona, she's working with the enemy."
Shocked to hear her name, Noel asked him, "Jona?!"
Timbre then only responded only with a single nod, his eyes fixed on the floor in shame and guilt.
Zidane next to his pal could see the pain he was in. As he did, he then had to add, "Yeah, I saw her there too... I think she's trying to be 'intelligent' in dealing with things again."
Hearing him say this, Balthier remembering certain events in the past the exotic Sphynx had done before much like this sighed. As he did so, he uttered with his hand to his temple, "Oh, our dear wily Jona... will you ever cease your need to undermine others?" No-one in the group could answer that... but more importantly, Timbre had to explain something else about himself and his sister to them...
"I'm so glad you're okay! I'm so glad you're alright Nozomi!" Hugging her friend with tears in her eyes, Saria was so pleased and relieved that she had come back to them all safely.
Smiling feeling a little bashful at her warm touch, Nozomi then told her returning the hug herself, "Yeah, thanks Saria." Then as her shy long brunette haired friend detached herself from her, the dark haired keyblader looked to her friends from Twilight town and told them, "I'm also glad to see you guys have made it out fine of that catastrophe too!"
"Yes, we did manage quite well if I do say so," Ody told them pleasantly pleased.
Ori irritated then uttered mad, "Speak for yourself!" With that looking to Heyner, Pence and Olette who looked at him perplexed, he commented, "I was the one left behind to practically babysit these three weaklings!"
Heyner immediately took offence as he said mad, "Hey! Who're you calling a weakling!"
Riku then had to interject and say, "Alright, enough of that! This isn't the time for fighting!"
Araxne looking to the arguing duo then said, "I have to agree," with that looking to Riku and the other keybladers she said, "The thing that truly matters now, is gaining some information from you all."
Nodding, Meixeng who again had a hand on Ody's shoulder had to say, "Exactly! What have you guys been up to?" For looking to Nozomi, she couldn't help but point to her newest unmissable feature, "Cause I gather that keyhole on that body of yours isn't exactly just a choice of fashion."
As she pointed this fact out, it was then the others all noticed this newest feature upon her body. None of them could quite understand nor believe what they were all seeing as they stared on.
Nozomi though quickly became uncomfortable at the staring and stepped closer to Riku. He felt worried for her and held her left hand to comfort her.
Seeing this happen himself, Cait sith who'd been silent up to this point moved, jumping off of Nozomi's head he cried out, "Alright! C'mon lads! Break it up! Break it up! The lass here is no zoo exhibit!"
Hearing this, immediately Ody felt terrible and said quickly, "Oh! Sorry Cait sith!" Then to the female keyblader he told her, "And Nozomi! We didn't mean to-!"
"I'm sure it's quite alright,"
Turning then, everyone saw approaching them it was none other than Reeve. Behind him, were now also Merlin, Kagi, Sora, Kairi Donald and Goofy. As they all walked over with him, he then told Ody, "I was with them for a long time, I'm sure they hold no ill will towards you," with that looking to Nozomi he asked, "Isn't that right?"
Hearing him put this question to her, Nozomi nodded to him. Then looking to Ody, she told him and the others, "Yeah, Reeve's right, don't worry everyone I'm okay really...this marking doesn't hurt at all so..."
It was clear that the group were all relieved to hear this but still uncertain and curious about Nozomi had been left this way. But Ori looking to this new person who'd come along couldn't help but ask, "Who's this beardy guy?"
Annoyed by his rudeness, Saria complained, "Ori!"
However the black bearded man replied with a chuckle, "That is a fair question for you to ask, I'm-"
"A freeloader that's who!" Cait sith said annoyed, with that pointing to Reeve he told everyone, "I was holding onto that guy in me soul, he basically protected himself disguised as me!" With annoyance he couldn't help but add, "He's utterly useless at points! Ya can't count on him in any dire straights! He's a total coward most of the time!"
Everyone was surprised to hear Cait sith say this, however again Reeve simply chuckled. As he did he couldn't help but say, "You really are the opposite to me in all ways aren't you, Cait sith?"
"Someone's gotta be!" The crowned cat replied, then as he said this he added putting his gloved hands on his sides, "Otherwise if only you were about, you'd be too busy cowering in a corner to be of help to anyone!"
Merlin could see these complaints weren't going to end anytime soon. So stepping in, he said, "Alright, alright I think that's enough of this banter," with that looking to one particular uncertain individual who stood by his side. He then told them all, "I've been told by Master Kagi, that he wishes to reveal some history to you all, regarding the Fragments and about who he is personally."
As this was said, Mickey had to ask, "Really Kagi, you want to reveal that to us now?"
Kagi responded with a nod and said, "Yes, I do."
"Don't you want to rest though?" Riku asked him.
To this Kagi chuckled and replied, "I've rested long enough, this is something I have to show you all now... cause I know there won't be much time left for us soon."
Not understanding why he said that, Nozomi was about to voice her worries. But before she could, Kagi ran forwards towards the door and said, "Everyone please follow me!" With that he opened and exited the door.
Seeing him leave like this suddenly, Nozomi cried out, "Kagi wait!" With that she followed quickly after him as did all the other heroes in the house, all of whom were curious about where it was he was going to be taking them all.
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Walking behind the green haired boy, who was being guided by Mickey and Merlin. Kagi seemed to be discussing certain things with them both at great length. Nozomi watching this interaction couldn't hear them so remained silent, as they all walked through the Bailey. They were journeying towards the inner sanctums of the town, to parts that she and the rest had probably never seen before.
As they all journeyed on together, everyone was quiet for the most part. But some people had the odd comment to say now and again. (Mainly annoyed complaints from Ori.)
Nozomi though couldn't help but feel uneasy somehow about the revelations she was going to receive, even as she continued to hold onto Riku's hand. She wished she understood why she felt so unsettled, but as she racked her brain she couldn't find an answer as to what was wrong?
Feeling her uncertainty in her touch as she trembled slightly, Riku squeezed her hand slightly. As he did this, she turned her face to look at him in surprise. Seeing her expression, he smiled and made a single quiet nod, letting her know it was all going to be okay.
After a moment seeing this from him, she smiled herself. Then moving her head, she put it against his right shoulder relaxing just a little bit in his presence. Cait sith watching this from above only put his hands up in the air and shook his head at the sickeningly sweet scene.
While behind them, Kairi and Sora smiled with Goofy and Donald giggled. Riku could hear them and he could feel his ears were burning with embarrassment at this... he still had a lot to get used to.
…
After a little more time though, finally everyone made it to the Postern. From that position, they could see the tall mountains of blue rock that surrounded them all. It felt like these mountainous regions were trapping them in that opened space somehow, then making it past the various still remaining pieces of pipes and other machinery. They were coming close to a darkened doorway when-!
"So? This is where I find you all."
Surprised everyone looked up, there they saw above them that it was none other than-!
"Vincent!" Nozomi cried out quickly pleased, for there above them sitting upon one of the high ledges was their mysterious comrade.
"How'd ya find us!?" Mickey cried out curious.
The red clad warrior told them, "I was informed by a certain bird, Robin and his princess." Then with that said, he descended. Landing upon the floor with grace, he gazed upon them all. As he did so, he asked, "So? You have all lived and have been left unscathed by your captors it seems?"
Nozomi hearing him ask this question couldn't argue that. So she told him, "Yeah mostly but..." for looking up to Cait sith, she knew one thing. Vincent would now no longer have any memory of the princess... and this hurt, for she knew Oralee had been close to him. It was-!
Seeing the clear upset that was on Nozomi's face, then looking to her body where the keyhole was shining. He then remarked, "Your destinies have also all been altered, haven't they?"
Realising he had noticed her keyhole, Nozomi simply nodded.
Vincent seeing her melancholy was quiet for a moment as he considered something. However before he could utter another word-!
"Neigh!"
Surprised everyone looked above and there they saw, that descending from on high it was none other than-!
"Peter!" Riku cried out.
In seconds, the small black pegasus hearing his name being called. Raced to the keybladers, doing this he whinnied happily and started to greet each of them, by rubbing his head into them and licking all their faces. They all couldn't help but laugh with awkwardness and happiness at seeing the small friendly creature again.
Seeing him arrive on the scene, it was then that Mickey said with a chuckle after a lick, "I was thinkin' we hadn't seen you in a while! What's made ya come this way?"
As he asked this question, Vincent then answered, "I rescued him when we were attacked by the Heartless, he was almost destroyed by their numbers in the Summon Zone."
Hearing this, Nozomi who was watching Peter rub his face into Riku's free hand asked looking back to Vincent, "They attacked there too?"
Vincent nodded and replied, "Yes, we saved as many summon creatures as we coul but... sadly, not everyone could be rescued."
Feeling depressed hearing this, Nozomi then had to tell her small winged friend, "...You've really had it tough, haven't you Pete?"
As this was said to him, the small pegasus noticed her and quickly flew on over. It looked like he was about to lick her face again, but suddenly he became still...
Seeing him become like this, Nozomi was confused. Staring at him as he regarded her with curious wonder, she asked, "Peter?"
Then as she said his name, the small pegasus's ears drooped. As they did, he looked so sad in expression. Even his bright fluttery wings were less energetic as he stared on. Nozomi seeing this became worried and reached her right hand up to him, then as she touched his white mane...
"Goodbye, Nozomi..." doing this, Wairu looked to Peter and reaching his hand up he stroked him gently making the small beast look to him worryingly. With that done he turned away with a sad smile before vanishing away into a portal of darkness...
As this memory entered her mind, Nozomi felt a sting in her heart... Wairu. He remembered and Peter somehow he knew, he knew that her childhood friend was within her.
Riku looking on was quiet. However, quickly he saw Nozomi release a tear from her left eye. As she did this, he asked, "Nozomi are you-?"
Shaking her head quickly, she told him, "I'm fine... I just had a flashback... that's all." Then as she said this, focusing upon Peter again, she smiled to him sadly and said stroking him, "Peter... I know that he misses you too... he really does."
It wasn't clear or not if the small pegasus understood her words, but he bowed his head slightly and moving to Nozomi's tear stained cheek. He licked it, before fluttering away and going back to Vincent's side.
Watching this scene all the onlookers, didn't know what to think or say. For there was a great deal of sadness and mystery there that-!
"Okay! Enough with all this melancholy!"
Shocked, everyone saw that it was Ori who'd cried this out with irritation. As he did so, he continued on to say, "We've got some news to get here! And I don't know about you guys but I'm getting fed up of waiting!"
Irritated with him in seconds, Araxne was about to reprimand him when-!
"Yeah, you're right Ori," Nozomi told him. Then wiping away the tear properly off of her cheek, she looked to him and said, "Sorry for holding you all up, we really need to get going, huh?"
As this was said to him, the pink haired Nobody was quiet. He almost felt bad about what he'd just gone and done, he was even near to making an apology but becoming grumpy, he turned his face away and uttered, "Tch, that's not something that you say, you just do it idiot!"
To which Nozomi only laughed. Then looking to Vincent, she told him, "Well we gotta get going Vincent, we'll see you a bit later if that's okay with you?"
As she told him this, the red clad warrior was quiet. However in another moment he bowed his head and replied, "That is fine," with that leaped away. But before completely disappearing he told them, "I will inform the Restoration Committee and the ARCS about your current whereabouts."
"Yeah, you do that Vincent," Merlin told him.
With that the red clad warrior quickly sped away and following after him was Peter, who couldn't help but glance back down at them sadly before vanishing out of sight with him.
Seeing them both go, everyone was quiet again. However instead of any of them uttering a word, they all left to go on their way to travel on down the darkened passage way that was before them.
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Walking on together, going into a darker and darker space that Pete was sure couldn't exist. He wondered quietly to himself, "When is this trip down gonna end?" But just as he asked this-!
FLASH!
Suddenly a green light lit up in the distant darkness! As it did so, startled he saw that there in that ominous space, Maleficent stood in the middle of that shadow brewing abyss. As she did so, he then saw standing on either side of her was Jona and Hari.
As they all stood still there, he approached them cautiously and as he made it over looking about himself, he couldn't help but ask, "So uh? What's this space here?"
Maleficent hearing him then told him, "Just a little something I discovered in recent ages..."
"Ya discovered?" Pete asked. However he was given no answer, seeing Maleficent was giving him the silent treatment, he simply became quiet himself. Then-!
"RRRROOOOOOAAAARRRRRRR!"
Spooked by this loud roar he turned, there in that horrible dark space... something was there with them! Shivering as he saw the swarming massive ambivalent form, he couldn't help but ask, "Wha, wha, what is that there?"
Seeing he had discovered the monstrosity that was there, Maleficent then told him, "My gift, to those incessant fools who have got in my way too often in the past!"
Pete didn't know what to say to this, but he knew that the creature that was before him in that darkness... was something even he didn't want to face! But before he could say another word-!
"Here!"
Suddenly he was thrown something! Catching it, he looked down at it and he saw it was a cloak. As he realised this, he heard Maleficent tell him, "Use that to make yourself scarce! I want you and Jona to investigate and find our prey!" Then as she said this, Jona sensing what was coming next walked over to Pete. As she did so, their mistress of darkness told them, "When they are all gathered into that one place, I will have you signal us... then I will unleash this monstrosity upon them!"
Hearing these words, Jona grinned and told Maleficent with a salute, "Aye, aye Male!"
This didn't make the witch smile though and seeing her unamused state, Jona shrugged her shoulders and told Pete, "Well, let's get this dirty deed underway Pete." With that she called upon a portal of darkness. With this done, both villains exited through it to venture to the world where their adversaries were located.
Seeing them vanish, Maleficent then commented, "They had best not keep us too long... I am in no more mood for further failures."
Hari hearing this said nothing to her master, however looking back into the darkness. She caught a glimpse of the monstrosity that was there... she knew the face of it all too well.
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"Whoo! Okay then!" With those words uttered as they exited out the portal of darkness, Jona noticed a point of the Radiant Gardens they hadn't come to before. As she did, she commented, "Well this is new?"
"What is?" Pete asked, then as he looked around himself, he recognised the scenery saying, "This place? It's just-?"
"A mess is what it is!" Jona complained, then looking to all the junk and machinery she commented further, "Seriously I thought they were supposed to have cleaned this all up! So much for a Restoration Committee!"
Pete was quiet hearing her say this, for he didn't care much for the aesthetics of the place around them. What was more important was-!
"Well I'll catch ya later tubby!" With that Jona started to sprint off!
Seeing her leave him, Pete cried out, "Hey! Where're ya goin'!"
Jona hearing him turned around and said, "What does it look like! I'm off to find my darling Uriax!" With an eager grin she told him, "After all, you did say he was on reconnaissance right?"
As she said this to him, Pete didn't have a clue about this 'Uriax,' but he knew at the same time that he couldn't let a word slip about this unknown person and answered, "Well, yeah but-!"
"Then I'm off! You take care of the mission on your own!" With that Jona didn't even give him a goodbye as she started to jump and leap, climbing up the tall walls of broken brick and machinery.
Seeing her vanish away like that, Pete was irritated. He hated being left behind like this! But sighing he decided to get on with what he needed to do. So walking forwards he donned on the cloak, which quickly made him go invisible! Surprised at this discovery he was quiet, however shaking his head thinking again it was nothing but one of Maleficent's magic trinkets, he simply walked forwards and began to say, "Okay, now where I'm I supposed to find those runts to-!"
"C'mon! Vincent said it was this way!"
Spooked again! Quickly Pete hid himself in a blocky corner, quickly he saw a small party of people approaching. Looking at them, he saw it was that so called Restoration Committee led by their leader Leon and those pesky ARCS led by Snow.
As the groups walked past him, he heard one of the members called Yuffie say mad, "Honestly! How come it took so long for you guys to find us!"
Annoyed, Alania told her, "What do you expect! We've been spread about everywhere! You think it's easy to find a Ninja like you in a big city like this! You gotta be crazy!"
"Uh guys? This isn't the best time for a quarrel," Hana told them trying to defuse the anger between them with Ruby on her right shoulder.
Nodding, Shirma agreed as she said, "Yeah, besides what's more important is that we get to where the others are."
"Exactly, we have a lot to catch up on," Aerith added, for walking on she could see they were all getting closer to the Postern.
"That's very true, we've especially got to learn more about slumbering guest," Leon said. For he was awfully curious about what the now awake Kagi had to tell them all about himself.
"I'm just praying that Lightning and Hope will get to us in time and Sazh too with Dajh, those guys are harder to get in touch with all of us combined!" Musashi joked with his arms behind his head.
"Well if anyone can do it, I'm sure it's Vincent and Bonkers together!" Snow laughed, then as they all continued he looked to his right and saw Serah looking uneasy as she looked down at the floor. Seeing her like this he asked, "Serah? You doin' okay there?"
Hearing him, she was pulled out of her troubled thoughts for a moment and replied, "Oh? No don't worry, it's nothing... I just feel like I'm forgetting something, I just don't know what though."
As she said this, Snow was quiet. But then as he thought to himself, he couldn't help but reply, "Hmmm... y'know, I get what you mean... recently I've been getting the feeling something's been missing too, but-"
"C'mon amigo's!"
Surprised they saw Juan was sprinting forwards again, enthusiastic beyond all words. As he was, he told them all, "We gotta catch up to that lot! We don't wanna march on like tortuga's do we?"
Quiet as he said this, Alania sighed and said, "Well I don't know what you're going on about," but seeing Juan race off ahead without them again. She decided, "But I'm not gonna let you beat me there!" With that she took off to catch up to him!
Seeing her go, Ruby who was on Hana's shoulder cried out, "Hey wait for us!" With that he took off too! Flying fast after them, smiling seeing him go, Hana quickly went to catch up too!
Then in seconds seeing this, "Hey let me race too!" With that Musashi went into a sprint as well, then as he did, "Hey Shirma c'mon!"
"Whoa!" Suddenly caught by one of his gloved hands the pink haired girl was pulled along with him. As she was, she heard him say, "We can't let your big sister beat us right?"
Quiet hearing this, Shirma after a moment laughed and replied, "No! No way!" With that Musashi grinned and they went to catch up to their pals.
Sighing seeing them all go, Leon couldn't help but say, "Man watching them all run off so fast makes me feel old."
Aerith laughed to this, while Yuffie declared, "Hey! Well I'm no old lady!" Then running herself she cried, "Wait up guys!" With that she chased after the ARCS!
Snow laughed at this and with Serah beside him, now with a smile on her face too. He held her hand and with that they all walked together to join their friends who were travelling down to the lower depths of the castle.
Pete having watched all these events was quiet. However seeing that this group were all being led to the same space, he knew he couldn't hit a bigger jackpot if he smashed a slot machine with his bear hands!
Quietly, he took his time and started following the unwary group to the mysteries that were below them all...
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Now within the inner depths of the castle, Kagi had guided them all beyond the laboratory that had been owned by Xehanort and his accomplices. At that moment they were in the place he wanted them all to be in. The computer room.
He was busy typing into the keyboard before him and as he was doing this. Sora, Donald and Goofy were having a few words, with an old friend of theirs.
"Tron! It's so good to see you're doin' well here!" Sora laughed.
"Yes, thank you Sora! It's good to see you all as well!" The computer replied, with a happy tone to his voice.
Nozomi and the others looking on, gathered within the the confined space were all puzzled. The female keyblader looking to Riku asked, "They're all friends with a computer?"
Riku released a small sigh and replied, "It's a long story."
Unaware of the odd looks of puzzlement and confusion, Donald decided to ask, "So Tron? You haven't been bothered by any nasty old Heartless viruses or the lot have ya?"
"Gawrsh? If ya have, we'll have ta get ya some vitamins!" Goofy announced, with that he went to grab some medicinal herbs he had on him, as he did he said, "There we go!"
Looking to him in disbelief, Donald said, "Uh Goofy?"
Tron laughed and replied, "Thanks Goofy, but I'm fine! I haven't been troubled by any viruses at all! But I know you guys have faced some real bad Heartless lately haven't you?"
Shaking his head, Sora replied, "You don't know the half of it!"
Kagi though busy tying away said, "Okay... this should be just be about..." with that he typed a couple of other keys and said, "Done!" With that he pressed on big red button and-!
SHIING!
Suddenly spooked everyone saw that the green monitor before them somehow expanded and got bigger and bigger, unfolding itself over and over before-!
SLOT!
It finally fixed itself into one position and size. It looked like a giant cinema screen now. Everyone was amazed, while Kagi himself said, "There! That wasn't too hard! This machine is practically the same like the old ones that were in the lab!"
"Lab?" Sora asked looking to the green haired boy confused.
Kagi looked to Sora and nodded simply in reply to him. Then turning back to the monitor again, he looked to the main computer and asked, "Tron was it?"
"Yes?" Replied the program, puzzled at what was happening in the world outside.
"I need you to run a certain program for me," with that he took something out of his pocket, a computer disk of some kind.
Looking at it, Riku asked him, "Where did you get that? It wasn't on you when we found you?"
Hearing him, Kagi looked in his direction and replied, "Oh no, Sir Merlin found it along with those documents that pertained to my name and the Lachesis project." With that turning to the aged Magician he asked him, "Isn't that right?"
With a nod, Merlin replied, "Aye it was," then correcting his spectacles he continued on to say, "I couldn't give it to you lads at the time back then because it wasn't much use to us at the time, even old Cid couldn't decrypt it and it wouldn't run on our machines or even on this one here... but it seems Kagi knows this technology well."
Smiling himself at these words, Kagi replied, "Yeah I do," then looking to the disk he continued on to say, "The magical data on this disk helped to create the cubes where you found the Lachesis Reports... it has the power, to record and replau memories of the person in question who wishes to use it."
"Memories?" Nozomi asked.
However she was given no answer to this question, for Kagi held the disk close to his heart in concentration. Doing so, the small object began to glow with a gentle green light. As it did this, everyone was quiet as Kagi continued with his preperations... then after a few more moments, he finished saying, "There." With that, he looked to the computer and said, "Tron, is it okay if I put this program in you now?"
There was a small pause before finally, the program replied, "Yes it's fine, please place it into the slot."
With that the disk slot opened up, revealing where the disk needed to be inserted.
Goofy seeing this then said, "Ah! So that's yer mouth is it Tron?" With that he went to put the leaves in the machine saying, "Here ya go! Ya can munch on-!"
BAM!
"Ow!"
Annoyed by his silliness, Donald told his pal annoyed, "Not now Goofy!"
This stopped him in seconds, as it did so Kagi smiled awkwardly at Goofy who was now seeing stars. Then gently he put the disk into the slot. In seconds, the disk was swallowed up... then the program started to play the memories upon the big screen.
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"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
Irritated, Pete was annoyed by the incessant laughter that was taking place ahead of him. He couldn't tell who'd won this dumb race, but he wished they'd shut up about it! If he didn't have to remain hidden he would have-!
"AGH! Let go of me!"
Pulled out of his annoyed thoughts, he looked up and heard Snow ask, "What was that?!"
"I don't know! But we better find out!" With those words, quickly Leon ran ahead of everyone and all of the group on guard, all raced forwards to see what was happening!
Hurriedly, Pete chased after them too! As he did so, he jotted around the corner and as he did so, he saw-!
A young boy, perhaps maybe only eight or nine years of age was being dragged forwards. As he was, he was pushed forward by one of the lugs who kidnapped him making him land painfully on the floor. "Quit yer yappin! Yer in front of our gracious leader!"
Aching the young boy asked, "Leader?"
"Indeed my young one..."
As the boy looked up, he saw that there upon a length of stairs. Was a woman, cloaked in a long white lab coat with a blue shirt underneath it and a long red layered skirt covering her black tight covered legs. She was dangerous, the boy could tell just from looking at her, her red eyes narrowed in sinister amusement as she made her way down to him with folded arms.
Continuing to look up to her, the woman looking to the boy then asked her cohorts, "So? Tell me what title this one was entrusted with?"
The lug answered her, "From what little convo we heard, Kagi apparently," then as he said this he added, "A weak name, for a weak container."
Annoyed the young boy had no idea they were talking about. But before he could say anything, the woman said, "We will see in the future, if he truly is weak..."then looking behind herself, she called out, "Lachesis, come down this way!"
"Lachesis?" Repeated Kagi puzzled.
"Yes, my lady Rosso."
Pete watching on with the absorbed audience was quiet. However, as he looked on. He almost was the same as the young boy in expression, for looking on at the scene... he was in total shock! For the person who walked down the stairs behind Rosso, was not an adult, but a child.
A child that he recognised! Those long brown rich locks of hair, those vibrant green eyes and those three diamond markings on her cheeks. Pete knew her so well, she was-!
"Hari!?" Nozomi cried out shocked, then the others couldn't believe their eyes either! For as the young girl walked down the stairs, dressed in a plain white long sleeved dress that had her shoulders exposed. Her eyes were empty, there was no smile there on her... she was utterly cold in spirit, everyone could feel it.
The young boy seeing the girl walk down and stand beside the woman, saw that she couldn't have been too much older than he was. Perhaps, only by a couple or few years... but there was something wrong with her. He could feel it! For no-one in the worlds had such empty eyes like that! They were-!
"Allow me to introduce you," with that Rosso with the girl by her side. Then placed a hand upon the top of her head and said, "This the pride and soul treasure of my life, the one who shall inherit unlimited powers, my daughter, Lachesis Crimson."
