Chapter CCLV: The Weapon Known As Lachesis Part X
"Yawn..."
Having opened her mouth wide, Jona's eyes were teary from tiredness. Wiping them away, she uttered, "Ah, that was a nice nap..." It'd been some hours now since she had gone to find her beloved Uriax, but sadly it had been to no avail.
Depressed Jona moved and got herself up. Standing within the hidden space that she and him had used as a makeshift headquarters for the attack they had enacted with Irma and her cronies, she looked back at the set of cushions she used as a bed.
She was quiet, but sighing she looked to the corner where Uriax would have watched events unfold from his viewing orb. Imagining his focused expression, she sighed again and uttered, "Oh, how I miss you honey..."
But this was no time to dwell on the past, she had to get back to looking. So she exited the room, now back upon the rooftops of the town. She could now see that the sun was lower in the sky creating rich oranges and red hues. Seeing this she then asked, "It's this late now?" With that she stretched herself out, getting some cricks out in her back and neck. "Urgh... wow, I guess I better-!"
"You just both had to be out in the furtherest part of the whole town didn't ya!?"
Jumping as she became startled hearing this loud voice, she was at first confused. But quickly she realised, "Hey? I think I recognise that voice!" Then she carefully made her way to the edge of the rooftops to see what was going on.
There she saw running along the bricked roads of the Radiant Gardens, she saw Sazh now running with Dajh still on his shoulders. However now accompanying them, there was now a tough looking young woman with pink locks and a young man with white hair carrying a boomerrang.
Seeing them all, she overheard the fast paced conversation they were having.
"Well we had to be somewhere far off to practise summoning!" The young man shouted out at Sazh.
"Though that still needs alot to be improved on," the young woman replied.
"I don't care about that! You two just need to learn to pick a better place and leave some trace for us to find you better next time!"
However Vincent leading them forwards, then looked back to them and said, "You can have discussions about this inconvenience later!" Then seeing his companions look at him he added, "We must get back to the others to learn more information."
With those words no one tried to make any more arguments, but as they continued forwards and Dajh held onto his fathers shoulders, he could only utter, "I hope we haven't missed too much."
With that they all pressed on to get to where they were needed...
Seeing them all go like this, Jona sighed and realised simply, "Well, now it looks like I need to go and meet up with Pete..." though it was clear she was not too enthusiastic about this. However, she had to stick to her orders.
But looking back to her hideaway sadly one last time, the only thing she could say then was, "I hope I see you again soon..." with that she leaped from the rooftops and went to catch up with the heroes so that she could spring the trap that Maleficent had planned for them all...
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In shock seeing the device that was now in his hands. Kagi realised that as Hari stared back at him with surprise on her face too, that like this he wouldn't be able to have her create a door of time... he wouldn't be able to escape with her.
Seeing the defeated expression that was on his face from her own monitor, Hari became concerned and asked him, "Kagi...?"
But he didn't respond still, then Sidolfus gazing at this scene realised that he wouldn't have much enjoyment watching this conversation, so he told them, "I'll leave you two alone for a little while." With those words he quietly exited the cell and-!
CLICK!
Locked the door behind himself, leaving Kagi alone in his cell.
The young boy though still said nothing, he just couldn't think of what to do. What to say. For he had nothing now, again he was useless. Nothing but a helpless-!
"Kagi!"
Finally though, he noticed Hari's voice. Focusing upon her properly he saw her worried gaze and heard her ask, "Can you hear me? Are you alright?"
As she asked this of him, he was still for a moment more before he revealed a saddened troubled smile. Doing this he spoke at last, "...Yeah, I'm alright, Hari."
Seeing the expression that was on his face, the young girl though wasn't convinced as she asked him, "What's happened to you all this time?"
"Lots...Lots of things," with that the young boy went into the details of what had occurred to him since the two of them had last seen each other...
Quiet as he told her all the information about the experiments and then his meeting with Merlin. As she absorbed all this information, Hari then said after some moments, "I see, so that is everything that has occurred."
Confirming this with a nod, Kagi was quiet for a little bit before he asked, "Hari... what have you been through all this time?"
This time the young girl became quiet, she was searching for the right words and after a few moments she was ready to speak, "Much like you, I have been through vigorous experimentation too."
Hearing this, Kagi though knew what this meant and had to ask, "...You mean they put you through that painful testing in that red experiment room again, right?"
Hari averted her eyes away from him and this was answer enough for him.
Hating this that she had been through worse than him, Kagi told her, "Hari...I'm sorry!"
Confused by this, the young girl looked to him and seeing the upset look that was on his face. She asked him, "Why are you apologising?"
Frustrated he told her with bitter self resentment, "Because... I failed, I lost it!"
"Lost what?" She asked him.
"Our chance!" With those words, Kagi frustrated was doing his best to hold himself together. But it was so hard for him as he told her, "When I came back through the door of time, I'd been given things by Merlin to help us escape! I could have you got you away from here! Oliver and the others too! But I, I got caught and am stuck in this stupid cell now, I-!"
With that dropping the tablet onto his lap, he covered his face and he just couldn't contain himself anymore. He just hated himself, why did he have to be trapped like this again! Why couldn't he make anything work out for them!
Hari watching Kagi collapse like this from her side of the monitor, was quiet. If she was there in person with him rather than trapped in her own room she may have been more to help him. However seeing him struggle so badly with his emotions like this, it stirred something within her. She didn't want him to be like this and acting on this emotion, she told him, "Kagi... you may not have lost your chance."
His tears still stinging his eyes, the young boy hadn't heard her properly. As he shuddered badly, he heard her ask, "Kagi, did you hear me?"
Gasping as she asked him again, the boy stopping for a breath uttered pitifully, "Huh?"
"I just said that... you may not have lost your chance," Hari told him again.
Surprised to hear this, Kagi then asked with his eyes still stained, "Huh? I haven't?"
Shaking her head, Hari then told him,"No, because I'm going to help you succeed."
Shocked hearing this, Kagi though couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had to ask her, "You really want to help me in this?"
"Yes, I don't want to see you suffer like this anymore," then she looked to the side in her room. As she did, she continued to say, "And I can't stop thinking of Oliver either, I don't want to think of him going through something horrible right now... nor the other animals who have been caught."
Hearing her say this, he'd never thought he'd hear her say words like these. Not that she couldn't care, but these words meant one thing, "Are you willing to go against your mother, Hari?"
She bowed her head, quiet as she thought quietly to herself. Then after a little bit, she looked back to Kagi and told him, "Yes, if I can help you I will..." but she did admit, "Though it will displease my mother greatly, I know."
Kagi though knew the word, 'displease' was saying it mildly. Based on how she had behaved towards him, he knew it would be horrible for them both if they got caught...
But as he thought of the terrible woman, he then remembered and had to ask, "Hari, you mentioned when I last saw you a man, called Xehanort... who was he exactly to your mother, why does she want revenge on him?"
The young girl became quiet... looking uncomfortable, Hari then told him what truth she knew, "She was once a researcher in a place called the Radiant Gardens, she told me that she was in the highest position one could be there... she had a shining future ahead of herself."
Kagi looking on at her could see that she looked terribly depressed, however he didn't move to interrupt her and listened on, "But one day, a man was brought in who was suffering greatly... this man she helped and she came to know him as Xehanort."
Puzzled by this, Kagi asked her, "Rosso helped him?"
With a nod, Hari then explained, "Yes, he had lost his memories and when she became friends with him... she researched into a way that would help him restore those memories."
"What did she come up with?" He asked her.
Hari quiet again, then answered simply, "She discovered after various medications and psycological means had failed, that another way to retrieve lost memories, or precisely in his case they found to be sealed ones... was to examine the Heart itself."
Shocked hearing this, he asked, "Examine the Heart..." Quickly though he realised with a terrible chill what that could mean, "Does that mean she experimented on-!"
"Yes... real people," looking down as she said this. Hari then revealed more, though it was clear that the past of her mother troubled her just as greatly as it did to Kagi, "She experimented with their hearts and broke them down, but in the process of doing that she discovered a great power could be exposed when a heart is broken."
Kagi said nothing to this, but it was clear that this was upsetting to him and he knew that he wouldn't like was going to be revealed to him next. However to know and understand the truth, he had to keep listening, "She couldn't work upon this discovery at the time, but eventually after sacrificing many lives working beside her fellow researchers, she perfected the memory retrieval process... and found Xehanort's lost sealed memories."
Quiet as he heard this, Kagi asked her then curious, "What happened when she found them?"
"It was just as she finished this process, that the experiment was interrupted and she was placed under arrest, she was then put to trial, found solely guilty for the crimes of taking lives and finally... she was exiled from the Radiant Gardens."
"She was exiled?" Kagi repeated curious.
"Yes, she was betrayed by the people who she considered her friends... but especially by Xehanort himself, who ended up becoming her Master's closest assistant, robbing her of her treasured position and her future..." With that looking at Kagi again, she finished saying, "It was when that happened that she swore she would have revenge and make him suffer for what he and done along with the rest."
"Didn't she feel anything about the people who's lives she took?" Kagi asked, hoping for some resemblance of possible humanity.
Hari then shook her head and replied, "No, she always said they were just test subjects... who sacrifices helped the evolution of her science."
Quiet hearing this, Kagi now understanding Rosso better then couldn't blame her entirely for wanting revenge. But at the same time it just proved how wrong she was, if she was willing to make others lose their lives to simply retrieve memories and felt no remorse for that all this time...? Then there could never be any help that could be given to redeem that woman.
As silence came between them again, Kagi thought about what he had learnt from Merlin. So looking to his friend through the tablet, he told her, "Hari... I learned something from Merlin." The young girl looked to him and as she did, Kagi then told her, "He said that Xehanort is no longer alive but..." he thought of what he had learned from Rosso and had to ask, "Your Mother said he was coming to attack us, can you tell me what that means and what those white monsters are outside of here?"
Hari became quiet as she heard this, then looking down she thought for a little before she turned back to Kagi and began to explain, "They're Dusks, controlled by beings known as Nobodies."
"Nobodies?" He repeated curious.
"Beings who used to be human, but who now are nothing but empty shells... people with no hearts, who wish to be reunited with them to become whole once more." Hari explained as simply as she could.
"Become whole?" He asked then as he thought to himself about what she had said, he asked her, "And that's what Xehanort's become? A Nobody?" Hari simply nodded her response.
Seeing her do this, Kagi then thought a little more. There was no way that his heart was here... but! He realised quickly, "Hari! Does Rosso still have his memories?"
The young girl then told him, "Yes, she does."
"Have you ever seen them?" He asked her.
Shaking her head, Hari then replied, "No," with that she explained, "She's never allowed anyone to see them, not her researchers, my benefactor or me."
Puzzled by this word, Kagi repeated, "Benefactor?" But this wasn't the time to be puzzled by new words he hadn't heard. Instead he had to do something and Hari needed to as well. "Well anyway, we need to figure out how we're going to get out of this place and save Oliver along with the others."
"Correct," She replied simply.
"Do you have any ideas of what we could do?" The young boy asked his friend.
Quiet as she thought to herself of what could be done, Hari then decided to ask a question of her own, "What items was it that Merlin handed to you?"
Hearing this question, Kagi then explained what items had been given to him as well as adding a little bit of what he had planned for them, before he'd been captured by Rosso and her goons.
As she heard his explanations, Hari then thought to herself about what Kagi had said. Then after some considerations she told him, "I believe I can re-acquire your items for you."
Becoming amazed he asked her, "You can!?"
Hari simply nodded, but she had to explain, "However, we will need to be careful, I am sure my Mother will not allow us to interact face to face and will keep us busy considering the attack that will take place."
"Busy?" Kagi asked.
"With her experimentations on us," then she had to add, "Also now that she has come to learn how your power works, it will be a certainty that you will be exhausted a lot from now on."
"Exhausted?" He asked puzzled.
"My mother I am sure will be exploiting your power... creating many doors of time, to prepare for the counter attack against Xehanort and to give her time to create more with what results she gains from us." Hari explained as she thought of the present circumstances.
Hearing this, it depressed Kagi but then remembering what experiments he'd been put through so far... he sighed, really dreading the coming days ahead. He couldn't help but admit, "That'll be tough to deal with," but revealing a small hopeful smile he said, "But if we can succeed... we'll be better off eventually right?"
"I would hope so," Hari said. But as she looked to him she asked, "Kagi?"
"Yeah?" He asked her.
"I need to apologise to you," she told him.
Puzzled he asked her, "For what?"
"For putting you through all of this misery... and being unable to give aid when you needed me," then looking truly saddened, she told him, "I'm sorry."
"Hari..." Kagi uttered softly. Then as he gazed at her, he told her, "Look I know you would have done something for me if you could have..." then putting his hand on one side of the monitor, he added with a sad smile, "And I'm the same, I'm sorry I haven't been able to do more for you either... I wish I could do more for you too."
As he said this to her and she saw the palm that was on the screen, Hari was quiet. But then after a few moments, she placed her hand where his was on the glass. As she looked to Kagi a similar smile was on her face too.
There was no more need for words then, the two of them knew what they had to do and despite the dark situation they were stuck in. It was a relief and reassuring to know that the two of them had each other to rely on...
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Pete still watching within the depths of his invisibility cloak, he saw then the strong bond that the young girl and boy held. Inside he wished he could have been there to help them too... but again he knew that there was nothing that he could do. For this was in the past, but looking to the current Kagi showing these memories, he could understand the frustration of being helpless and useless. He understood that pain all too well.
"Wow..." Serah uttered simply.
Kagi said nothing, instead he smiled sadly up to the monitor.
Seeing him look this way, the long pink haired girl decided to ask, "The bond you both had was so strong."
Kagi only nodded simply to this.
Snow though looking on at him, decided to ask, "So what were the preparations you guys made?"
The green haired boy answered, "Well, it turned out to be just as Hari predicted... I was used to make many doors of time." With that the monitor behind him showed the images of the many researchers using him to create those doors, but as everyone saw this they saw with each door that was created the young boy was getting more and more tired.
"Those doors drained a lot of my energy and I was practically exhausted... I had no strength most of the time from that point on," Kagi told them, looking on sadly towards his younger exhausted self.
"Man, that must of sucked badly dude..." then as Musashi said that he couldn't help but realise something, "But, I got a question about those doors."
"What is it?" Kagi asked him.
Scratching the back of his head, Musashi then said, "Well, it's just that Rosso lady, she wanted to take out that Xehanort dude right? Why didn't she just take herself back in time to get rid of him?"
Quiet as this question was put to him, the young man replied, "Well she didn't not try that..."
Really shocked, Ori cried out, "What she actually tried that!?"
Releasing a sad chuckle, Kagi then replied, "Yeah I think she did... but if that door was to be created it was going to be used for one thing."
"One thing?" Timbre asked.
"For her ultimate weapon, Lachesis..." then looking to everyone who was silent looking at him, he continued on to say, "She knew that he couldn't be defeated by normal means... he was horrifically powerful and that was a fact, with all those Dusks coming and the power of darkness he had." Kagi shook his head and said, "There was no way any of us there could destroy a monster like that."
Ori though couldn't help but utter, "Unless you went back in time and killed him when he was an infant."
"Ori!" Saria upset looked at him with a mixture of disgust and horror.
Shrugging his shoulders, Ori though replied, "What? That would sort out the problem wouldn't it?"
However Kagi then pointed out to him, "Probably, but then you're forgetting that this entire timeline would collapse..." Being struck into silence, Ori stared at the young boy as he proceeded on to explain, "If that were to happen, the gathering of all these people would no longer be, also the connections you've made in your life would become non existent... you yourself as an individual may even disappear." With that he couldn't help but ask him the most important question of all, "Are you willing to lose your place in history and the people you love, to annihilate someone who's had such a dramatic effect on all the worlds fates throughout time itself?"
As the true weight of the consequences to the simple proposal Ori brought up were made clear, the young pink haired boy was quiet. But after a little bit he looked annoyed and defeated he turned to the side and uttered simply, "No..."
Kagi seeing him become this way then said, "Very few people would be willing to go through with that and Rosso understood the consequences of messing with time too much," with that looking at an image he remembered of the sinister powerful woman, he went on to say, "She didn't want to lose the power she'd gained up to that point... or the possible loss of her own existence."
Mickey having heard this and looking again at the imagery, he couldn't help but ask him, "How many doors did she create using you, Kagi?"
As this was put to him, the young man was quiet as he thought for a few moments... then he replied finding an answer, "About fifteen or twenty I think, each of them were used for different purposes... some for research spaces, some for leisure and... I'm not completely sure about the rest."
"Wow, no wonder you were so worn out amigo," Juan couldn't help but say, for though he couldn't know what it would take to make a door like that. If it could travel through time, it would have to be a lot, more than eating twenty chilli burritos in a row.
"But each time, I was simply thrown back into my room to sleep..." with that looking back to the screen, seeing his younger self being left in that room on the bed clearly exhausted. He then explained, "But what they didn't know, that each time they did... I was left with something."
"Left with something?" Nozomi asked puzzled.
"Messages," with that looking to the screen again, he saw his younger self getting up and there left glued to the underside of his door. Was a tiny little piece of paper that he took out and read, he remembered that the feeling he always got when he received them, "They were the smallest literal pieces of hope I gained at the time."
Noel seeing this then couldn't help but ask, "Were you not allowed to use the tablet anymore?"
Shaking his head, Kagi then explained, "Not that much... it was rare when it occurred, since they were more obsessed at the time with research and training so that they might have a chance against the Dusks, who were still trying to take over the city."
Unimpressed though, Ori again couldn't help but say, "You couldn't have been able to communicate that much with such small pieces of paper."
"Obviously of course," Kagi replied, with that he continued on to say, "We weren't having an in depth conversation, the notes that were made just had simple sentences written."
"What kind of sentences," Riku asked.
Kagi then gave a few examples, "Lost now found, Time made tomorrow, Hidden well..." Then as everyone saw more images transition on the screen and more time had passed, Kagi spoke aloud the note that caused drastic changes to come to their fates, "The Lost comes tomorrow."
With that message read aloud, everyone watched on to see what would happen on that long ago night...
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"Enjoy your nap, you brat!" With that Kagi was thrown onto the bed once more and with that the door was slammed shut, before the bullying researchers left him alone in his room...
Feeling exhausted, Kagi barely had any energy to move. But he knew he had to, so pushing himself up though painfully, he dropped to the side of his bed and looked underneath it. Because of the darkness in the room, he couldn't see anything at first. But concentrating as hard as he could, he saw something was there.
"Thank goodness, she did it..."A small weak smile came to his face and reaching his right hand forwards, he grasped one of these hidden items. It was a green bottle, looking he knew it was a healing potion. Taking it, he popped it open and carefully drank its contents.
Finishing his slow grateful gulps, he felt his energy slowly being restored. Breathing out a sigh of relief feeling this invigorating sensation, he felt his determination simultaneously grow with his returning strength.
Then as it at last reached it's peak, he felt his tiredness flee. To push himself forwards he said, "Okay! Let's do this!" With that he quickly went to grab the other items that Hari had left for him...
...
Dressed now properly and out of his experimental pyjamas, he said, "Okay this should be everything!" For now on his person again, were the tools that Merlin had prepared for him. Also with a backpack on him, that contained a few foods and drink, he determined, "Right! I'll get out with everyone tonight!"
With that declaration, he brought out one last note, "The contained are in this location, come for them, I will join you all when I can."
Reading this message Kagi looked over the map that was attached, he recognised the lab way and could guess what he would expect in his important endeavour. But he felt ready, "Alright! Time to get Oliver and company!" With that, going up to his door he brought out the lock picks and quickly began his work on them...it was fiddly and annoying, but-!
CLICK!
He undid it! Then as he slowly opened it up, he looked about himself to make sure the corridor was clear, before finally he raced on forwards to get to where he was needed.
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Everyone watching on as this escapade was being played all watched on with bated breath, as the young boy dodged and hid. Avoiding lab assistants and security cameras so that he wouldn't be caught by them, or more terrifyingly by Rosso herself.
No-one wanted anything bad to happen, watching on feeling terribly tense Shirma uttered with trembling hands, "Oh please let this end well!" Alania rested her hand on her sister's shoulder trying to calm her nerves quietly.
Pete watching on felt tense too, for surprisingly even he was rooting for the kids to win! Watching on with the rest, they all saw the events of the past continue to play out...
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His back to the wall Kagi was peaking around the corner, there he saw before the door that held Oliver and his friends, there were two researchers discussing something.
Annoyed, Kagi looking about himself knew he couldn't stay where he was for too long otherwise he would be discovered. Time was not on his side for him to just wait, he knew he would have to do something himself to make things turn in his favour.
"Alright...there's no choice!" With that, he got out a couple of items and as he did, he remembered that Merlin had told him not to do anything drastic unless he had to.
But he knew that as things as they were, there was no way he couldn't enact this plan! So he got to work!
…
With annoyance, correcting his lenses he had to ask his colleague, "Seriously! You just had to get us stuck with the animals didn't you!?"
"Well look I'm sorry man!" With that scratching the back of his head, his partner told him, "It's not my fault my wish door ended up near the beach! It's just been so long since I've seen the summer sun and-!"
FLAP! FLAP! FLAP! FLAP! FLAP!
"Huh?" Confused the apologetic man looked up and asked, "What's that?"
Hearing the sound too, his complaining colleague looked up and there he saw, "A plane?" There starting to fly over their heads was a small white toy plane. Looking on as it flapped its wings like a bird there was something that was glittering on from behind it, it had blue tinge to it and puzzled he asked, "Just what is-!"
His words were stilled as the blue dust fell over the heads, for in the next few moments. They were knocked out, falling to the floor.
As he heard their collapsing bodies, Kagi peaked out from behind his hiding place again. There he saw to his relief, that the magical sleep powder given to him by Merlin had worked, "Great!" With that he rushed over to the door and again, using his lock picks he worked on the door and with greater confidence on his side-!
CLICK!
He had opened it! Pleased he rushed straight in, "Guys!"
The animals inside the room all depressed lying still in their cages, hearing Kagi's voice they all immediately got up and started barking with a mixture of excitement and puzzlement.
Seeing they were all okay, quickly brought a smile to the young boy's face. Making it over to their cages, he told them, "I'm sorry I'm late! But I'm here to get you out now!" With that shaking with his adrenalin, he worked with his lock picks and began on Dodger's door saying, "Hang on!"
The Jack Russell looked on with disbelief in his eyes. Kagi catching a glimpse of this only smiled and continued his work until-!
CLICK!
He succeeded upon opening Dodger's door! Pulling it open he told him, "There you're free now!"
The dog at first didn't know how to respond to this, it seemed too good to be true... but moving one of his paws forward, he placed it on the spot where the gilded door used to be. This was reality, he really was free and feeling this, he jumped quickly down and walking behind Kagi, he saw the young boy smile at him.
He watched on quietly as Kagi then said, "Okay! I'll get everyone else out now!" With that he proceeded with his work while Dodger watched the courageous boy continue.
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Everyone watching at this point were all smiling, truly happy that things again were looking brighter for them all.
"Oh that's so lovely," Hanahime uttered happily.
Hearing his princess, Ruby snuggled up to her cheek. Showing he was really happy too for them too.
Then if anyone could see him then, they all would have seen underneath his invisibility cloak, Pete was smiling too...
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"Meow!"
"There you go, Oliver!" Kagi smiled, for finally he had lifted out his most cherished friend and happily the marmalade kitten started licking his face.
Giggling, Kagi couldn't help but say, "Hey! That tickles! Stop it!"
The other dogs there all just happy then couldn't help but nuzzle into Kagi and some like Einstein tried to jump up and get his front paws onto him to make a hug.
Feeling awkward yet happy, Kagi then cried out, "C'mon not you too guys!"
Then after a little bit of frolicking around, Kagi got back order with some help from Dodger. As he did, he then told them all, "Okay guys! I got us an exit, we're all gonna head there together now!"
Immediately the dogs all barked showing their approval.
Pleased to see this, Kagi then turned and asked, "Do I have your support too, Dodger?"
The dog did a simple nod and with that confirmation, the young boy then told everyone while still holding Oliver in his hands, "Great! C'mon everyone follow me!" With that, they all exited the room and went to where the Door of Time would be located, using the last map Hari had left for him.
…
After a little more time, dodging and hiding from more of Rosso's assistants. Kagi and the group of animals with him steadily made progress in the large complex of labs before finally, they reached their destination.
Peaking again to make sure there were no other obstacles in the way. The young boy then told his followers, "Alright the coast is clear guys, c'mon!" With that they were all on their way!
Making it over to the door, Kagi then brimming with determination said, "Right! Now for the last one!" Again, he got out his lock picking tools and went to interfere with the door. But as he grasped the knob of it-!
Creak!
He jumped back in surprise. As did the dogs around him, as he did he asked puzzled, "It's...open?"
For of all things not to be locked, the door that contained their precious exit?
Kagi didn't understand this, why was it like this. He was uncertain and asked, "Did they really forget to just lock this door?" He couldn't be certain about this, but still he couldn't deny their only chance, so cautiously he peaked through the door again to see what was inside.
The dogs did the same and they saw that the room inside was dark. But there glowing with a pale glimmer in those ominous depths, was the very thing they needed. The door of time that would take them away from that place and keep out Rosso.
It was still bound by the time chains that Merlin had created and this was something that Kagi was grateful for, that his older friend wouldn't have been attacked in his absence. But he knew the way now to contact him from their side, so this wouldn't be a problem at all.
However he was still uncertain, could this still be a trap set by Rosso for them? He didn't want to think it could be. But how were they to check? He couldn't help but say, "I wish there was a way to check the safety of this place but-!"
BARK!
Surprised and before he could stop him, Kagi saw Dodger rush into the room. Worried, the young boy cried out, "Hey no! Wait!"
But it was too late and Dodger began to investigate the room, he put his nose to the floor and smelled everything and anything he came into contact with. Seeing if there was anything that they needed to be worried about.
Everyone outside the room were tense waiting to see what would be found...after a minute or perhaps an eternity in their minds, Dodger looked to them again and wagging his tail he opened his mouth and,
Bark! Bark! Bark!
Seeing his tail shake eagerly like this and with a look of calm on his face. Kagi felt himself relax, "All clear huh?"
Dodger nodded again. With that he walked in the room and quietly the rest of the gang did too. As they made it into the space, Kagi approached his brave friend and moving his hand he stroked his head telling him, "Thanks Dodger."
This time instead of looking hesitant the Jack Russell looked pleased and as Kagi moved his hand away, he gave him a quick lick on his palm.
Surprised at this act, the young boy though was quietly humbled. Looking to Dodger he smiled and nodded and Oliver in his arms was very happy too.
With that everyone proceeded to the door of time and as they did, the young boy said, "Alright, now to send the magical signal so we can make our exit from here." But before he could touch the door-!
"Too bad!"
Shocked everyone turned and immediately on guard everyone then saw that there in the room with them was now of all people, Sidlofus!
Horrified Kagi didn't know what to do or say, but quickly the dogs were onstarted to growl angrily all on the defence. Dodger stood protectively before the young boy as he hugged Oliver to him.
The sinister man then said, "I would have liked to have a seen a display of that magic, but my dear has other plans for you all."
"Dear?" Kagi asked. But before he could do anything else-!
FFFWWWOOOSSSHHH!
"Agh!" Suddenly throughout the room, a thick pink smoke flooded the room and as it did quickly a couple of the dogs ahead of him started to fall down.
Kagi realised as he coughed and unintentionally breathed in this substance, that it was knock out gas. He tried quickly to release his marmalade treasure and told him, "Ol..iver, get away...or-!" But it was no use, the young boy collapsed and he could feel his consciousness quickly leaving him.
Dodger in his last movements tried to help as he moved over, but he too succumbed to the gas. While Oliver now couldn't even move and fell himself, not even a few centimetre's out of Kagi's hands...
The young boy in his last fleeting moments of waking then heard the sinister voice of Sidolfus say to him through a haunting black gas mask, "Just keep being yourself and try your best...that's all you need to do and you will always find something that only you as an individual can accomplish."
Not understanding him as he said this with Kagi then finally heard, "Is what my father always used to tell me... though sadly, it was never going to work for you in this endeavour..."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Everyone couldn't believe it, everything had been going so well. They were horrified, but everyone wanted to know and the one who asked was, Zidane, "What happened to you guys after that...?"
Kagi was quiet and didn't say anything at first, but then after a little bit he did, "...You'll see." Everyone then watched on waiting for the darkness to fade away to see what would next occur.
However Pete looking on was horribly haunted for the words that man had said they were-!
"Tch!"
Spooked he wondered if he'd been found out, he looked and saw it was Balthier. As he did, he heard the pirate captain say quietly, "So, he was still saying that old phrase then huh?"
Looking at him, Pete didn't say a word. But then he heard the unimpressed and angered man say, "He always had such a horrible taste as a father."
Pete stared at him... he couldn't help but be troubled by that one word. Father? Then he realised, could that mean that man might be Hari's-!
But he didn't have time to think more on this, for the screen lit up again and with that everyone watched as the story began to play once more...
