Chapter CCLVIII: The Weapon Known As Lachesis Part XIII
"Ughhh...!"
Bored and annoyed, Jona was getting very tired of trailing behind her quarry. She wasn't really one for reconnasance missions like this, not unless there was someone worth doing it for. Which there wasn't then.
Irritated as she remembered this one sore point, she continued to follow after Lightining, Hope, Sazh his son Dajh and finally Vincent with a sour grumpy look on her face uttering mad, "This is so annoying!" Then as they ran down another route and she followed behind them, having to leap repeatedly and quickly hide away from Vincent's piercing glances, she couldn't help but add as she continued this bothersome job, "I hate this...!"
But still, she couldn't refuse to do this. If she wanted to be in good graces with Maleficent and ultimately Uriax. She had to go through with this! So determined, she kept up her vigilance and tailed the heroes as they got closer and closer to their comrades location...
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Everyone remained silent as the effects of the sad memories continued to haunt them all. For no-one there could have imagined the terror that Hari and Kagi had to have gone through... it was all so terrible!
No-one could think of anything to do or say, for what could anyone then do? Nozomi struggling with these thoughts shook with the chill of the memories haunting her, but giving her comfort was Riku who held her in his arms. Her mind could barely process the pain that Hari had gone through. For as she thought and thought about it, she remembered the various times she'd faced against her. Imbittered with hate against her for her cold cruel nature and actions against others, she couldn't help but wonder. Had she been in silent agony all that time too? Serving someone that she didn't want to. Being ripped away from someone she deemed so precious, in torment forever haunted by the cruel actions of her mother. How could she not be in pain from all that?
Her eyes rested on Kagi as she thought of all this, then seeing his sorrowful gaze as he looked down to the floor with Mickey holding the hem of his shirt. She couldn't hear what words the king was saying to the young boy, but she knew she had something she needed to tell him too.
As Riku held her thinking over everything too, he felt gradually that Nozomi's shaking cease. As it did, he asked her, "How are you doing now, are you feeling a bit better?"
Nozomi then replied, "I guess I am," however as she looked up to him she had to ask, "Are you alright Riku?"
Hearing her ask this, he replied, "Just about," then seeing the concern in her eyes he continued, "I can't say I'm too surprised that Hari had such a tough past," then looking to Kagi he added, "I just never expected he'd be involved with her to that degree."
"Yeah same," then looking at everyone else who were all being comforted by each other or beginning their own small discussions abut the past events. She couldn't help but then say, "I think it's been a shock to everyone, discovering all this..."
"True," Riku then said in reply. With that he continued on to say, "But now we have to think and consider what do we all do next? What's the best way to proceed with things?"
"Yeah, that's something that does need to be considered," however tightening her hand against Riku's chest, she decided there was something else she needed to do.
Feeling her do this, he looked to her puzzled and asked, "Nozomi?"
The young girl then looked up and told him, "I just wanted to say thank you Riku," with that she hugged him gently back and added, "Thanks for comforting me, I hope I can do the same for you in the future if anything happens..."
Hearing her say this he was quiet. However revealing a gentle small smile, he stroked her head and said, "Thanks Nozomi."
The young dark haired girl nodded quietly happy to feel his soft touch.
As they shared this sweet moment-!
"AAAAWWWW!"
Freezing as he heard this, Riku turned to look behind himself. He saw that Timbre and Zidane, along with Ori were looking at him with teasing wide toothed grins.
"Getting all hot and heavy in public! You ain't got no shame at all there have ya!?"
Embarrassment crashing down on him as he heard Ori's words, the white haired boy turned redder than a tomato!
Timbre than added, "Looks who's turnin' red they've definitley been up to somethin'!"
Hearing this herself, Nozomi saw that Riku was frustrated and was even trying to hide his face away.
Annoyed at them for this, Nozomi then releasing Riku told them shouting, "Knock it off you guys! We don't need this!"
"Yeah what you both need is a locked room and-!" However quickly Zidane was cut off as-!
"Alright!"
Surprised the trio of boys saw that there approaching them cracking his white gloved knuckles. It was none other than the annoyed crowned cat who said, "I ain't in the mood for these shenainigans! I ain't toleratin' no bullyin' after all that misery I just saw!"
The trio could practically see his malice emanating from his small form and... it didn't take them too much to get running as the ferocious feline followed them in pursuit.
Seeing this occur, the couple were quiet. However after a little bit, Nozomi couldn't help but ask, "Does this count at all to what I said a second ago?"
Still feeling awkward with a slight red blush still there the white haired boy simply replied, "Uhh... we'll decide on that later."
"Okay," Feeling a little of the same thing Riku was, she then asked, "Um should we just go and discuss things with the King and Kagi?"
"Yeah let's do that," then with that the two of them walked towards the two k's as the yells of fear and pain came from the terrified trio as they all felt Cait sith's wrath.
Mickey looking on couldn't help but comment feeling a little awkwardly amused, "Well... looks like everyone's beginning to feel a little lively again."
Feeling this was odd himself, Kagi then replied simply, "I guess that's one way of putting it."
"Your majesty!" It was then that Riku had come over followed immediatley by Nozomi.
"Oh, hey fella's!" Mickey said with a smile glad to see them.
Nozomi nodded to him, then looking to the one who had revealed the truth she said, "Hi Kagi!"
"Hi," He responded simply with a small smile of his own.
Now near them, Nozomi then decided to ask, "So um...? How are you doing?"
The green haired boy replied a little sadly, "Alright mostly but... well, you all know now so here we are."
"Yeah..." Nozomi was uncertain about how she should proceed next.
But Riku now just about recovered from his little episode from some moments ago said, "Yeah we do, so we have to ask the question, what do we do from here on?"
As the question was put forwards, it was then-
"What a coincidence, because I was just thinking about the same thing,"
It was then that Nozomi saw coming over to them it was none other than, "Reeve!"
Surprised to see the man come over, everyone remained quiet as he then asked Kagi himself, "How should we go forwards, what can we do for our fellow Vessels." With that his eyes focused his eyes onto Kagi and he asked him, "So what are your thoughts about it?"
As this was put to him, the young boy was quiet. However after a little bit he replied, "Well honestly, I would like it if we all could be saved somehow..." however looking depressed he answered honestly, "But, I'm not sure if that can even be done."
For keeping his hands over his chest, where he knew his keyhole was he continued on to say, "I mean, there was no legend I heard of back then while they did the research that something like that could even happen." Everyone looked depressed hearing this, but then Reeve said, "Or she didn't bother to look into that possibility."
Turning to look at him, it was then Mickey realised, "Reeve, do you know something at all?"
His arms folded, the dark haired man then told them, "I remember a legend being mentioned, in the kingdom of Alexandra while I was hiding within Cait sith... I remember there was something that was mentioned in some passings."
Now really surprised, Riku asked him, "Wait! Are you saying that they know about the Fragments in Oralee's kingdom!?"
With a single nod, Reeve then replied, "They do, for she is a descendant of the legendary Warrior of Light."
Shocked hearing this, Nozomi then asked, "She's related to the guy who smashed that original ultimate keyblade!?"
"Correct," Reeve answered then with that he continued on to say, "If there's any information we can properly learn about these treasures, it would be found there."
Learning this, it was then another voice asked coming over,
"Is there any way for us to get there?"
It was then that walking over to them, it was none other than Sora and Kairi, who were being quickly followed after by Donald and Goofy.
Seeing them come over, Reeve was quiet for a moment. Then he sighed and said, "I don't think it will be that simple to get there."
"Oh well why's that?" Goofy asked curious.
Then just as Reeve began to open his mouth to answer it was then-!
"Cause it was swallowed by those darn Heartless and their wretched shadows!"
It was then Cait sith came over, dusting his gloved paws, clearly proud of his handy work as the bullying trio were left behind on the floor, dazed and seeing stars.
Seeing him come over, Reeve then asked his small compatriot, "So? Done with your fun are you?"
"Oh heck yes, Reeve mate!" With that hopping on up, he made it onto his shoulder and added, "Doin' all that really got a lot off me chest."
"It would for you, wouldn't it?" Nozomi uttered. However she knew the question remained and so asked, "So if the kingdom doesn't exist anymore then-"
"It can still exist!" It was then that everyone turned to see Kagi had spoken up. As he did so with determination, he said, "Even if it doesn't exist right here in this moment, I can create a door of time that can lead us to a time it did!"
Silent as he heard this, Reeve then asked, "Are you sure you'd be able to?"
Nodding earnestly Kagi said, "Yes I'm sure I can," then with that he declared, "If there's any information that I can get that can save Hari and all of us, I'll do it!"
Unaware of his presecnce as he listened to their discussions while still underneath his invisibility cloak was Pete. As he listened to the young boy say this, he repeated, "Save Hari." Moving himself back a bit as they all began to discuss about doing this plan, he decided to go over back towards the monitor room.
For he had to wonder, looking at his opened giant gloved hand, was there anything he could do like that for her? As he walked away pondering this, he remembered her various moments he had shared with the seemingly cold girl. For though she was seemingly unapproachable at first, in the times that she had saved him and the few he had her, along with their many small quiet tender moments they'd shared. She had clearly become someone dear to him. Deep in his heart he knew he wanted to save her too!
But as he re-entered the computer facility, continuing to ponder about this possibility. He had to wonder could he do anything at all for her...?
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"Urgh...!" Annoyed Jona had just about enough of following after these morons! She demanded quietly to herself, "How long am I going to have to-!"
"Hey look!"
Quickly on guard, Jona freaked out and hid behind a damaged stone. For had they spotted her?! However she then heard,
"Lighting look there they are!"
"They?" Jona asked, then looking cautiously from behind her hiding place. She saw that there in the distance was what she'd been look for. The rest of the heroes!
Breathing out a sigh of annoyed relief, she uttered, "Finally! It took forever to find those dolts!"
Then looking at them all as they met up and began to discuss things together. She looked around herself and said, "Now! Where's tubby got to!" With that she looked about to see if she could see any signs of Pete, she couldn't. Then smelling the air she got a small whiff of his scent. So she could guess that he was around, but she had no idea where he would be exactly, "Typical, he never has been that useful though."
However reaching for a certain something she kept on herself, she said, "But I'm gonna make myself real useful now!" With that she brought out a dark sphere and she knew exactly then what she was going to do with it!
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Back within the palace that was filled to the brim with her Heartless, Maleficent it was clear was fed up of waiting as well. Tapping her staff with her as she walked, she asked with irritation in her tone, "What is keeping them so long!"
Hari didn't respond to these words. For she had not been asked her thoughts.
As Maleficent continued her walk of her impatience, suddenly-!
WHOOSH!
Turning feeling this pulse of new power, Maleficent then saw with surprise along with Hari. A viewing cloud of darkness appear! As it did so, the mistress of all evil then asked, "Just would-!"
"Hey ya! Honeys!"
There peering through the pulsating sinister orb, it was none other than the exotic female Sphynx. Seeing her gazing on at them, Maleficent asked, "So, you brings news now?"
"That's right!"
They both heard from Jona's grinning form, but before either of them could say a word. Their cohort manuevered the orb for them all to see the heroes who had gathered. As she did so, she went on to say with a smug tone,
"And look what we have! A full house, just waiting to be sent flying into many pieces!"
Hearing these words, Maleficent was quiet. However quickly her irritation was forgotten and instead a sinister smile came to her face. She knew now was the time to act and said, "Ah, very good..." Then stroking the image with her long nailed right hand, she said, "This indeed is going to be a most glorious event!"
Hari having been silent throughout this interaction and gazing at the scene displayed to her, then asked noticing a small detail, "Where is Pete, Jona?"
"What old fatso?"
As this question was put to her, Hari simply made a small nod with her head. Seeing her do this, the exotic Sphynx then shrugged her shoulders and said with disinterest, "Who knows, probably moping around somewhere in the dark," then with that she added, "I wouldn't be surprised if he's sprouting mushrooms by now."
Hari was silent hearing this, her expression unchanged. However she put a hand to her chin as she thought about something.
Maleficent though smiling then announced, "Now then! I believe we shall summon our newest deadly discovery and unleash it upon them!" With that she started to head in a certain direction, however before she could move away a great distance-!
"My lady?"
Hearing her sword's words, Maleficent turned back to look at Hari. As she did so, she heard her say, "I have a suggestion for our next encounter."
"Oh?" The witch of all darkness uttered, then her curiosity peaked she asked, "And what might that be?"
Looking towards her mistress, Hari was quiet for a moment. But then with clear cool logic in her voice, she explained what she had thought of...
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After been filled in on about what they had discovered. Vincent, Sazh, Dajh, Lighting and Hope were shocked. They were utterly speechless, however after a moment the apprentice to the skilled soldier had to ask, "So... they performed such horrible experiments like that on-!"
With a single nod, Merlin then replied, "Yes on two innocents children... and animals sadly too were involved," then turning his old eyes towards the warm sun he said, "It was most heart wrenching to witness."
"I can only imagine..." Sazh replied, holding his son close in his arms.
Vincent remaining silent in contemplation then said, "So now the matter at hand is..." with that he turned his red eyes in another direction. There he saw with his hands raised forwards and with his eyes closed, was Kagi. He was concentrating his power around one person, Reeve.
The man had his eyes closed in concentration with Cait sith on his shoulder who had the same serious expression as his master. As the two did this, together bathed in a vibrant green light it was clear a new door of time was in the midst of being created.
As it was, he then said, "Us going to this new domain, the Kingdom of Alexandra."
"That's correct lad," with that Merlin looking at the magic being concoted himself there, he said, "Once that's done, we may be able to find the answers to regain those that have been lost as well as get some more answers about the Fragments powers and what the ultimate keyblade will entail for the worlds."
Vincent remained silent hearing this, but then speaking up Lighting had to ask, "Do you suppose the enemies we will find there will be a cause of concern for us?"
Mickey hearing this along with Riku and Nozomi, seeing all the allies that were around them, all primed and ready, he replied, "I don't think that will a problem with the numbers we have right now."
"Numbers?" Lighting repeated puzzled.
It was then that Nozomi stepped forwards and said, "Yeah we have so many friends here now!" With that smiling seeing all the allies they had gained on their journey, the female keyblader said, "With everyone here with us! There's no way we can lose!"
"You're gonna jinx things by saying that y'know!" Riku piped in.
Feeling her bubble burst a little, Nozomi turned and then said with annoyance, "Oh c'mon! How can I jinx it now! We've had some good luck haven't we!?"
"Yeah some," Riku replied, however he had to add, "But that doesn't mean it will always last."
Hearing this, Nozomi looked saddened remembering everything that had happened lately and including what she had seen in the Lachesis reports. She admitted, "I know it doesn't but still..." with that she had to ask him, "Is it really wrong to try and be optimistic right now? Considering everything?"
As she said this, looking disheartened Riku felt himself become a bit awkward. He then tried to say, "No it's wrong it's just-!"
"He's just worried for everyone!"
It was then walking on over, Sora caught Riku by the shoulders with one arm and then told Nozomi, "Riku doesn't mean to make you sad there Nozomi! He just doesn't do well at communicating about how he cares!"
Annoyed remembering various memories of the past, trying to shrug him off. Riku then told him, "Look who's talking! Now get off!"
Laughing as he did this, the chosen keyblader then told Nozomi as they continued to struggle, "Cause I know he doesn't wanna lose you or anyone else here, so he's just trying to keep everyone on the alert about all this stuff, okay?"
As this was said, Nozomi was quiet. But seeing them interact in their best buddy way she smiled and laughed saying, "Okay, I'll keep that in mind, thanks guys!"
With that their tussle match continued on. As it did, Kairi smiling and walking over, then had to comment, "Ah typical! Guys will be guys, no matter what the situation, huh?"
"Yeah they will!" Nozomi replied, with that the two girl's watched as the two boys continued their typical boisterous interactions.
Lighting watching all this occur, then after a little bit couldn't help but reveal a small smile herself and say, "Well, we certainly do have good numbers on our side." However she couldn't help but admit, "I just we'll all be enough when the time comes." To which Mickey and Merlin nodded to her, with that they watched quietly as Kagi and Reeve together continued their work, to create a new door of time...
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Making it back into the computer room where the monitor was located, Pete was quiet as he continued to think. Then looking up at the now blank and dark screen, the servant to Maleficent remembering his interactions with his accomplice re-called some words Hari had mentioned, "When the light will come for me." He remembered her mentioning that, that would be the time she would be free.
However he could have no idea what that would mean. What kind of light was it she needed? If she was free from the mechanism, would she be whole again or-!
In his mind's eye, he saw an image of her looking at him sadly. Then in the next second-!
CRACK!
Her eyes widened as her body began to splinter and crack, then in another second-!
SHATTER!
She had completely fallen and broken into pieces! Leaving nothing! The very image of this made him tremble, holding a massive glove hand over his gasping mouth in horror, he couldn't bear it if such a thing happened to her, it would-!
"Pete?"
"Aagghh!"
Scared witless, the overweight minion saw suddenly appearing before him from within a viewing orb of darkness, it was none other than, "Hari!?"
The expression he saw on her face was as calm and as blank as ever, as he stared at her perplexed, he heard her say,
"You don't appear to be worse for wear, do you?"
As she said this, with no greeting and her usual calm appearance. Pete couldn't say he was surprised. However as he gazed at her, he gulped and said, "Uh, yeah I'm fine over here but..." then remembering what he had seen, he began to say, "Hari listen I-!"
"Where are you now!"
Then suddenly spooking him and coming into view, was the person he least wanted to see at that moment. Maleficent, who stared at him with bitter irritation in her eyes.
Feeling uneasy, Pete wondered what he could have wrong then!? Sweating he told her, "Uh, well ya see there Maleficent, I'm just, um-!"
"In an Information Technology room?"
Hearing Hari say this, Pete was confused. He then repeated curious, "Information... what?"
"You're in a room that contains advanced machinery, yes?"
As words he recognised were spoken, Pete then having a brief look around himself responded, "Oh yeah! Yeah I am in a place like that Hari!"
"I see,"
Hearing this he really wanted to speak to her, but before he could say anything again-!
"Where exactly are you, in position to our enemies?"
Listening to this question, Pete then scratching his head answered, "Um? I guess, I'm behind them...?" For he didn't understand why this was so important to know.
Maleficent hearing this was quiet, but after a little bit she smiled sinisterly and said,
"Well this shall prove to be very advantageous for us."
Puzzled still Pete asked her, "It is?"
"Yes, now listen Pete, this is what you will do..."
With that the overweight villain did just that and heard what it was, that the mistress of the Heartless wanted to have occur...
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SHINE!
Looking on, it seemed that the creation of the door was gaining momentum. For now Reeve and Kagi's seemed to be shining with power. However as this continued amongst the group of heroes, Timbre couldn't help but utter to his pal Zidane, "This sure is taking a while, ain't it?"
"You're tellin' me!" The monkey tailed young man replied.
"Well it would," it was then that Aeris stepped forwards. As she did, she explained to them, "Reeve has to search through his memories and think of time that would be safe for us all to enter, one that will not interfere with the fabric of time and hopefully won't have hordes of Heartless in the vicinity that would impede our quest."
Surprised by this Timbre asked, "They've been thinking about this that deeply."
"They have to," Aeris replied, then looking on with concern in her eyes, she proceeded on to say, "We can't allow anymore harm to occur, not just to the Vessels like you, but to others that might get caught in the crossfire."
Quiet as he heard this, Timbre purpthen simply responded after thinking of all that had happened so far, "...That definitely makes sense." For if that was one thing he didn't want, it was more loss of life.
SHINE!
Then catching their attention, everyone looking on saw with amazement the creation of a new Door of Time! A glowing light emerged and grew between the space that separated Kagi and Reeve, it had no definite shape at first. But quickly this changed as a tall strong white straight structure was formed, as it did so it pulsed with life and then in another second-!
FLASH!
It was completed! In moments the light died away and there revealed was the Door! It was white just like the others had been. However the stained glass image that decorated its head was purple in colour with gold too. It was a door with clear majesty in it's design, so much so one felt that a sovereign would walk out from within it, if any of them were to grasp the golden bar handles.
Opening his eyes as he felt the creation come into existence, Reeve then said as he gazed at it, "So it's finally here?"
"Aye it is Reeve mate!" Though looking to his master, he couldn't help but smack him in the head and say, "Though ya should keep a better track of the past there! I was scared me tail was gonna drop off from all the thinkin' yer were soaking in!"
Aching a little at this playful jab, Reeve then told his partner, "I'll try to keep that in mind."
Kagi feeling relief himself at the door's creation then uttered, "Thank goodness!" Then he felt himself stumble and-!
"Kagi!"
Rushing to his side and catching him before he could fall to the floor, Nozomi asked him worriedly, "What's wrong!? Are you hurt or-!"
"Nah!" Smiling slightly, he told her with a little labour in his voice, "I'm, I'm just a little worn out, creating new doors like this... really it takes it out of me nowadays."
Hearing this, then remembering the past, "Because of Rosso?"
The young green haired boy simply nodded in reply.
Having made their way over too, both Nozomi's fellow keybladers looked concerned. Though hearing it was simply tiredness made Riku feel some relief as he told him, "Well since we know that, I think we're not going to ask you to make any more if we can help it."
"Yeah that would be the best plan!" Mickey added, then looking behind himself he asked, "Merlin, Aeris! Could ya both give us a hand here?"
"But of course your majesty!" With that the aged Magician came over to help, Aeris nodding in reply quickly came over too and with that they both went to see what they could do to help their comrade.
As she let them care for him, Nozomi removed her hands from Kagi. Then looking over to Reeve who stared on quietly at the door. She thought of what he had wished for and gazing upon the door herself as everyone else did, she uttered, "The Kingdom of Alexandra, we're really going there now?"
For somehow, she felt looking at it, that was the beginning to the end of something. Though what that was she could have no idea of at that moment...
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FLASH!
Looking on with silent amusement as the same door was duplicated within her own caslte, Maleficent was quiet. But smiling she couldn't help but say, "So? A new door, with a new world for us to conquer as emerged has it?"
As the door's creation was finished and Hari stared on blankly at it with disinterest in green eyes, she simply looked over to mistress quietly.
Seeing her do this Maleficent said nothing, but continuing to smile she looked over to the viewing orb and said, "Now I believe it is as good a time as any to rid ourselves of some despicable pests." With that she lifted up her staff and-!
GLOW!
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Immediatey on his side of the viewing orb, Pete watched with widened eyes as a sinister green light between his giant hands. Looking on, something snaked and weaved into existence from the mists of darkness as it did, he felt a terrible chill go down his spine as he watched on. He was almost tempted to draw his hands away from this cold evil thing, but he had no time to do so for-!
FLASH!
It came into being! Looking on at the green pulsing object in his hands, Pete had no idea what it was or what it might do? But in another moment-!
"Pete, deliver your precious gift to the heroes that you are behind."
Puzzled by this order, the overweight accomplice repeated puzzled, "Deliver?"
"You will launch it out our foes, so the contents within will be spread about the area and inflict them with something most potent."
Hearing Hari explain the basics of the plan. Pete looking at the object was curious. What would it do the keybladers and-!
"Don't you dwadle now! I want this plan to be carried out immediately! Now go!"
Maleficent then commanded Pete with clear impatience echoing in her voice's tone.
Pete did not want incur her wrath at that moment and with great hurry told her, "Right! Right I'm on it, Maleficent!" With that he then took off running saying, "Here I go!" With that he disappeared down the corridor in a panicked run.
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Seeing him vanish like this, Maleficent then grinned and said, "Now it is time to make our way to this battle," with these words Hari stood up and went to stand beside her. But as she did-!
RRRROOOOAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!
The chilling roar of the new Heartless they acquired entered into the air as well. Hearing it, Maleficent smiled and said, "And of course, it will be time for you to bid your greetings too my dear..." With that the witch and her servant went to fetch the monstrosity from the dark depths of the castle...
