Chapter CCLX: The Palace of Alexandra Part II
Shocked seeing Hari before him, Riku couldn't think for a moment. But in his moment of hesitation-!
SSWWIISSHH!
The weapon took off, using her metallic wings to speed straight towards him! He wouldn't be able to act in time! But-!
CLASH!
In seconds coming to his aid, he saw, "Nozomi!"
His female comrade had taken the blow with her newly formed Keyblade and was protecting him!
Nozomi was gritting her teeth as she stood against Hari's power! Her enemy was strong, she knew this! With no pain to bar her, there were no limits to her physical ability and she knew that she had never-!
"Yes, that is correct."
Shocked Nozomi's eyes widened and as she looked into Hari's eyes, she saw the pink iris that had once belonged to Oralee in her right eye. As she did, she heard her chillingly say, "You have never won against me with your own power, Seventh Fragment."
Horrified it was clear that Hari could read her mind! But-!
"Firaga!"
Quickly then coming to her aid, it was Riku! The fiery spell came straight at Hari! But in seconds she moved and-!
SSWWOOSSHH!
She flipped backwards high into the air, making Nozomi fall back startled and-!
BLAST!
The attack quickly missed! Exploding some distance behind them, as it did and Hari landed. Riku walked up to stand beside Nozomi. As he did he told their adversary, "She doesn't have to face you alone! We're going to take you down together!"
"Yeah! Right on Riku mate!" Cait sith cried out loudly, truly proud of the spirit of comradely that was amongst his friends.
However Hari didn't pay any attention to this, simply standing up straight she stared at Nozomi who stared back at her. The female Keyblader couldn't read Hari at all, but she was finding it unnerving having her stare at her like this, she was about to speak when-!
"Your keyhole," With that she saw Hari point to her, indicating to the mark that revealed Nozomi's identity. The Vessel for a Fragment of the ultimate Keyblade, an empty black keyhole upon her abdomen.
Chilled as she heard her enemy point to it, she almost felt like hiding it away. But she didn't, for she heard Hari continue on to say, "You've chosen not hide from your doomed fate, haven't you?"
Silent for a moment as she heard this, Nozomi then became angered. Her determination brimming she stood fast and told her, "No, I'm not going to hide!" Then pointing her own Keyblade her, she declared, "Especially not from you! I'm going to restore everyone who's been lost!"
Quiet as this was said, Hari then after a moment asked almost with an air of curiosity, "So you're hopeful?"
Uncertain of how to respond to this, Nozomi said nothing. However she was quickly infuriated more as Hari then told her, "Well, I suppose I will have to break that hope into pieces once more."
Immediately Nozomi was about to respond back when-!
"Hari!"
Suddenly Nozomi saw her rival stop, it was first time in her life that she was sure that Hari had shown an emotion that she could read. It was shock.
As the metallic winged girl looked to the green haired boy, that brief moment of silence and the widening of the eyes. It was enough to prove, that Kagi was a strong presence to her, to make her emote even in a silent way like this.
Nozomi looking towards Hari, then heard her echo almost in a quiet awe. But no-one had time to process anything for then-!
"I am glad you have all become well acquainted!"
All the heroes there then saw it was Maleficent who was now speaking, she again showed that awful prideful and sinister grin, as though this was nothing more than a grand celebration for her. Her hand was to her chin and as she looked to the fallen as well as few remaining standing of her adversaries, she then said, "Now, I am told there are great secrets and powers to be found in this castle." With that as she continued to look at them all and then she asked them thoughtfully still smiling away, "Would one of you amongst you be willing to show us the way?"
Timbre hearing this, then told her mad, "As if! You expect us to listen to you, when you've knocked out shipmates and the rest our friends! You're crazy!"
"Totally! An old hag like you knocking out beauties like these! You're going to get it for that!" Zidane said as he continued to help out Shirma to rid the effects of the mist.
The pink haired girl hearing this embarrassed then told the monkey tailed boy, "Please...don't say things like that now!"
Ignoring this, though , losing her smile momentarily at the term 'Old hag,' Maleficent restored her calm demeanour and said, "So? You all refuse to co-operate..." With that coming up with a simple plan, she said, "Then we'll have to make you all compliant."
SNAP!
With that single snap of her fingers, Jona and Pete came to stand side of her and then-!
SWOOSH!
Hari flew to her Master's side and as she did so, she stood and in a matter of seconds portals of darkness emerged everywhere! Then-!
HISS! HISS! HISS! HISS!
Hundreds of shadows began to emerge and it was clear who they were all going for! Wide eyed, Nozomi cried out, "Guys!" With that the remaining conscious heroes went to assist their fallen friends!
Jona watching on as the Keybladers all began to intercept the monsters, seeing them go for the people who were her shipmates. She disliked this deep down, but what mattered to her was that her brother was alive... if only he made it. Then that's all that mattered.
However as he continued to battle on with the Keybladers her heart hurt deep down and as her fellow Sphynx kept the Heartless from touching Balthier and Fran along with Noel and Yeul, she heard him cry out, "Jona stop this now!" Then swatting more of the monsters away, he shouted out again, "How can you do this to everyone! Are you crazy!?"
The female Sphynx forgetting her triumphant glee from moments ago, she almost felt compelled to assist. However she was quickly stopped by a hand on her shoulder, it was Hari who then whispered to her, "Don't weaken...Uriax won't want you otherwise."
Hearing the name of the person who had seized her heart at that time, she steeled herself. However she said quietly back, "Fine, but you leave my brother to me..." Then paying him a secondary glance, she turned her golden coloured eyes back to her and added, "And leave my old crew be."
Hari quiet, then looked to the other Sphynx and Vessel... she stared for a little bit and seeming to come to a decision, looking back to Jona she told her, "Very well..." Then...
HHHIIISSSSSS...
Timbre saw that the Heartless around him and his group all started to back away from him. He was confused and surprised, but before he could think more about this-!
"Timbre!" Turning he saw that Zidane was still struggling, trying to defend Shirma from the hordes. As he did, he cried out, "Help us here!"
The Sphynx was uncertain about doing this thinking of his teammates, but then-!
"Timbre!"
Quickly arriving by his side, it was none other than the knight, "Reeve!" Seeing him come over, the young Sphynx then saw what weapon the long black haired young man, had a sword in his right hand that had been removed from his scabbard. Then in his other was a giant gleaming golden shield and as each Heartless tried to come after him-!
BLAST!
They were immediately disintegrated by the shining yellow light it glowed with! The sight of it was almost memorising, but quickly he was shaken out of his awe as Reeve told him, "We'll take care of your friends here, you go and help out Zidane!"
Hearing these words, the pink haired Sphynx hating his weakness then told him, "Okay I'll go!" But before he left to assist he cried out, "But I owe you nothing! I'm still going to claim Oralee's heart!"
Quiet again as he heard this with surprise, Reeve though told him with a chuckle, "That I'd like to see!"
Timbre grinned hearing this himself and with that he ran to go and help Zidane and Shirma who continued to struggle against the Heartless.
Pleased that he was going to be able to help, Reeve smiled for a little more but then-!
SLASH!
He destroyed another approaching monster! Then as he looked about keeping watch, he saw someone else who was struggling! Quickly he cried out, "Kagi! Come over to this side, hurry!"
Hearing him call out to him like this, the green haired boy dodging all and every Heartless that he could see. He called out, "Yeah I will, hang on!" With that, he ducked in and out weaving his way through the waves of monsters trying to make sure he wasn't struck by the monsters!
Keeping an eye on the proceeding battle, Maleficent couldn't help but notice the young boy. He was clearly the weakest out of the entire group for she saw that he wasn't even holding a staff like the female white mage amongst them.
Spying him as he began to make his way towards Reeve, she whispered to her cohort, "Pete, the green haired boy amongst them."
Surprised that she was even talking to him, the overweight villain replied, "Uh yeah? What about him?"
"Have you encountered him before? What threat does he pose?"Maleficent enquired.
As he was asked this, Pete remembered before as he glanced to Hari the memories of the past he had seen with her and him. He also noticed that her green eyes were centred on him, he wasn't sure how to answer, but he knew if he didn't he'd really get it from his Master! So his mind raced as he whispered back, "Uh? Well he's. No he ain't no threat that I've ever seen and he's not got a weapon on him but-!"
"So he'll be a useful persuading tool!" Maleficent summarised.
Curious by what she meant by this, Pete stared at her puzzled but before he could move to ask her what she meant-!
"Hari!"
WHOOSH!
Shocked he saw Hari come straight to her side, as she did she then asked, "Yes, my Lady?"
Pete quickly knew what it was she was going to ask, sweat down his back he had to hurry, to think of something-!
"I want you to go and fetch-"
"Uh! Wait there!" Interrupting them, Pete was trying to think of something so that the order wouldn't come, "Just a minute Maleficent! I haven't told ya all ya need to know yet! I mean that runt is-!"
"Necessary to us!" Maleficent said, stopping him quickly in his tracks. Doing this with a look of fierce displeasure on her face, she then told him, "Now be silent!"
Hearing this, Pete then saw that her awful painful lightning was beginning to spark about her staff and he did not want to be hit with. So his ears lowered quickly as he shut his mouth and Maleficent finally gave her order to Hari...
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Nozomi in the midst of battle had cleared away the Heartless that had tried to come after her friends within the ARCS, she was concerned for the others. Looking about herself, she saw that Riku and Mickey were doing their best to keep the Heartless away that were trying to come after Sora, Kairi, Donald and Goofy. Pleased she uttered, "I'm so glad Riku and Mickey are doing okay!" Then she asked quickly, "Cait sith how are the rest doing?"
Hearing her question, the crowned cat sitting aloft upon her head then informed her, "Timbre and Zidane mates! They're defending Ori and our other Nobody mates with Shirma there and me other self along with Kagi, they're protecting the rest of them Restoration Committee guys!"
"Are they in danger?" Nozomi asked him as she charged forwards to engage with more Heartless!
"Not any more than the usual darn shadows can muster lass!" Cait sith told her.
Nozomi then nodded and with that, she lifted her Keyblade and-!
SLASH!
She cut straight into the Heartless! Then as she got rid of a lot of the monsters she turned and saw that more of them were coming to slice into her with their sharp claws! However her Keyblade glowed brightly and in another moment-!
"Spiral Kick!"
With that Nozomi used her second most powerful weapons she had, her legs! Striking into the Heartless with her glowing power, she struck over and over! Dealing more and more damage! Then as her power began to peak, she felt her power flow out through her Keyblade and as it did, she performed her finishing move which upgraded simultaneously,
"Shining Star Rays!"
With that the comets of light that came from her Keyblade shot straight out! However they were not the same as the ones that she shot out before. These ones were larger, shining with a much stronger colourful light that when impacting the Heartless-!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
They were blasted away by explosions that resembled fireworks, sending sparkling colourful stars flying into the air!
Nozomi seeing the attack that she had performed was wide eyed with amazement! However before she could say anything-!
"Whoa!" It was Cait sith who sounded his thoughts, as he did he told her amazed himself, "Look at you lass! Ya've really levelled up!"
"I know!" She responded then as she went to engage in another attack again, she said, "I mean it's been a while since I've battled like this! I don't know what-!"
"AAAGGGHHH!"
Spooked, her amazed thoughts quickly turned into shock as she turned. There she saw with terror, "Kagi!" For there in the distance she saw their new comrade being caught by the arm, it was by none other than Hari!
The others hearing his cry, were all horrified too and Mickey remembering the tragedy that was their past, cried out to her, "Hari! Don't listen Maleficent's order! You-!"
But he didn't have time to talk, for then more Heartless came straight at him and Riku! Angered the white haired Keyblader uttered mad, "Damn! This couldn't have happened at a worse time!"
Reeve slicing away more Heartless went to immediately to intervene saying, "Hari! Let him go now! You can't-!"
"Fire Blaster!"
In seconds, Hari unleashed her power upon her fellow Vessel! Then as this barrage of fierce fire sent Reeve flying backwards away from them, she pulled on Kagi's arm telling him, "Come! You are wanted immediately!"
"Hari no!" Kagi knew deep down that she didn't want to be doing this, so he tried to reason with her, "There must be another way around that order! You can't-!"
"Agh!"
But the young boy was stopped from speaking, as horrible pain came in the form of him being tugged by his ponytail of hair and Hari holding him in a fierce grip with her other arm. As he grimaced in pain and looked to her with wincing eyes, he heard her say coldly, "There are to be no delays!" With that they vanished in a fog of darkness!
In that time running to assist them both, it was then that Timbre had come running with his spear in hand. Seeing both Hari and Kagi suddenly vanish he cried out, "Kagi!" But he was unable to say anything else, for then-!
PUNCH!
"Urgh!"
He was punched really hard into his abdomen! His eyes widened as he was winded, then as he felt his consciousness beginning to fade from the shock, his green eye saw who had done this. He uttered aching, "Sis...ter."
Ignoring the pain in his voice, Jona picked up Timbre and manoeuvred her little brother to hand on over her shoulder. Doing this, she looked conflicted but it was clear her resolve was strong and she wasn't going to change her mind about what she was doing.
Zidane in horror seeing his pal being caught by the enemy cried out, "Jona! Let him go now! You can't do this!"
However as she looked at her fellow animal comrade, she told him with a serious tone, "I can," but then revealing a sad smile she told him, "Just take care of the rest of our mates, Zidi!" With that she left in a portal of darkness too.
"Jona!" Nozomi cried out! However before she could do anything else-!
"Well now..."
Chillingly, Maleficent spoke up again and there either side of her came her cohorts holding their captives in their hands, "Looks like we have two of precious comrades here..." then mockingly she taunted the shaken heroes saying, "Whatever shall I do now?"
Nozomi was shaking, remembering what had happened to Wairu and Oralee, she couldn't let the same happen again! But what was she to do! There was no telling what Maleficent would do now!
Kagi still in Hari's iron fast and painful grip, looking to everyone apologised quietly to them, "I'm...sorry!"
Unbeknownst to him having heard his quiet utter as he stood near to them both, Pete felt pained. Seeing Hari hold onto Kagi and knowing of their past, though he saw there was no expression on Hari's face he couldn't help but remember the image of the crying girl he had seen... was that how she was really feeling in her heart of hearts? There was no way for him to know though or to think more on it for then-!
"It seems I could acquire two more treasure simultaneously here..." with that eyeing Kagi and the unconscious Timbre with sinister intent, everyone tensed up!
Jona was confused though, looking at Maleficent she wondered quietly, "Treasures?"
Feeling great satisfaction in everyone's distress, Maleficent then looking back to them all then made another suggestion, "Unless you feel you can give me directions to an even greater treasure that is within these walls?"
Reeve hearing this tried then tried to negotiate, "Listen to me! This treasure that you're looking for in this place, it isn't what you're imaging it to be! It won't be-!"
"Agh!"
Horrified, everyone saw that at Maleficent's beckoning as she held a single hand out in a silent pointed command. Hari had placed her sharp blade against Kagi's neck, everyone then seeing the witch's deadly intentions all froze in place in seconds!
Seeing that she had full reign over this negotiation, Maleficent then told the anxious knight, "I am the one who will be the judge of that!" With that looking to all the heroes, she then requested with a sense of angered finality, "Now, which of you will be showing me the way to where this treasure lies?"
Hearing this demand, no-one amongst the group could think of anything to say at that moment. For none of them knew the way, other than Reeve and-!
"I'll show ya!"
Shocked everyone then saw the one that had made this declaration, it was none other than-!
"Cait sith!" Nozomi cried out, however before she could move to stop him or talk it over with him-!
JUMP!
The crowned cat had landed some distance away from her, having jumped off from her head. As he did, he turned back and looking to Nozomi quietly he smiled and told her, "Lass, don't take too long in comin' after me and the lads okay? We'll be countin' on you lot!"
Fearful for him, Nozomi cried out, "Cait sith!" But it was too late, the crowned cat ran from her and went straight to where Maleficent and her cohorts were.
Seeing the small cat come over their way, Maleficent was silent. However as he made it over to them, he said, "Alright! You want directions ya old crone! I'll give 'em to ya!"
Displeased with that insult, Maleficent though continued to contain herself and told him, "Oh how charitable of you!" With that sweeping her arm and hand aside that held her staff she told him, "Do lead the way for us."
"That I will!" Then as he went to walk forwards in his red boots, Cait sith looking to either side of himself, then told both the girls, "And you two look after me lads better than that!"
Jona though told Cait sith, "He's my brother, I can treat him how I want!"
Hari was quiet though, but as she looked to Maleficent she saw her Mistress made a single nod to her. At this silent act, Hari lowered her Keyblade away from Kagi's neck which simultaneously calmed everybody else.
However as they all moved to go down the hallway, Cait sith then also said, "And ya better promise ya won't do anythi to my mates here!"
Maleficent then simply responded with a smug smile, "Of course!"
Cait sith though didn't trust that smile, however knowing that Kagi and Timbre were at risk...he couldn't do anything else at that moment but lead the way. So he did so.
Everyone watching on, all saw Maleficent walk on with their friends hostage. She was practically beaming with triumph, seeing her walk away from them all like this. It angered Zidane deep down! Clenching his daggers watching them all go down that red carpet for what seemed like forever, when they all reached a certain distance... he made a decision!
Nozomi was paralysed with frustration, everyone was! She wanted to do something to save them but-!
"She's not getting away with this!"
"Zidane!" Hearing Shirma's cry, shocked Nozomi saw that Zidane gripping his daggers, had taken off at full speed! He was chasing down Maleficent and the others, however this hastiness undoubtedly would end terribly! She immediately chased after him crying out, "Zidane wait!"
"Tch!" Seeing what Cait sith had done, Reeve knew this could end really badly! But he couldn't leave their fallen comrades defenceless! So acting he called upon his powers as 'The Shield' he encapsulated them all ! Making it so any stray Heartless wouldn't be able to touch them.
The others seeing this all happen, Riku uttered, "This is just getting worse!" With that the rest all went to catch up with them too, to stop whatever tragedy might come!
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It was at that moment that Maleficent's group had made it to a particular pair of tall wooden elegant doors. In the midst of opening them, it was Pete who was left to do this grunt work however looking at him it was clear that he was struggling as he sweated to get them open, "Urgh...!" Then smacking his fist together he pushed at the doors again and uttered, "These things are mighty darn heavy!"
Seeing him struggle like this, Cait sith sighed seeing him do this. He then couldn't help but utter, "I just wonder how you stay employed mate."
Maleficent though clearly didn't care for this and simply waited for the way to be opened up for them. However as she waited quietly, she heard...
STEP! STEP! STEP! STEP! STEP!
"My lady," Hearing Hari's voice, she saw behind them the heroes coming after them all.
Seeing them coming though, it was clear Maleficent wasn't disturbed in the slightest by this. Instead she only revealed another smile that showed she thought of the desperate approaching group as fools.
Hari looking to her Mistress enquired, "Shall I engage them?"
Turning her face away from them, the witch of darkness then told her servant, "No, there will be no need... IT will take care of them for us."
Hearing this was still in Hari's grasp, Kagi wondered what Maleficent was referring to? However he wasn't given the opportunity to question more for then, he saw the evil witch's staff begin to glow!
Kagi's eyes widened, the flow of power from it was menacing!
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As fast as she was and usually the most agile of the group, even Nozomi was finding it hard to catch up to Zidane. She could have used a Haste spell, but she didn't want to waste her magic, for it was too early and-!
CREAK!
It was at that moment, Nozomi saw in the distance that Pete had opened the giant doors! The group of villains were all leaving through it, they were going to lose them! Feeling this urgency, she knew that Zidane was feeling the same and she saw his infuriation flare as he took off from the ground and as Maleficent went to leave he cried out, "You old witch!"
THROW! THROW!
With that hethrew his daggers hoping to strike her there and then! But instead-!
BLAST!
He was struck back and hit with a blast of green fire!
"AGH!"
Shocked just making it over there just at that moment, Nozomi cried out, "Zidane!" With that rushing to him, her arms were outstretched and-!
"Oomph!"
She caught him! Holding him in her arms, she asked him hurriedly, "Hey! Are you okay? Are you-!"
"Urgh!" With that the blonde monkey tailed young man opening his eyes, saw who had caught him. As he did he was quiet for a moment before he released a depressed chuckle, "...This is supposed to be my job y'know!"
Momentarily Nozomi smiled then. But then-!
"Well my dears, you will have to excuse us all now!"
Looking up Nozomi then saw that Maleficent was about to fully leave as the doors again were about to be sealed shut! There wasn't enough time to chase after her, all she could do was cry out, "Wait!"
But Maleficent clearly wouldn't as she continued to reveal that awful and evil smile, as the doors closed on her but before they did-!
SHINE!
"Urgh!" She cried out just at the same time as Zidane did! As they shielded eyes, they couldn't see anything against the glare of that blinding light! As she tried to see past it, she asked "What is this?"
For the colour of it wasn't like the usual eerie green she had created before. This one was more sinister, it was red and the hue of it reminded her of-!
"CONTAINMENT LIFTED,
HEARTLESS SPECIMEN RELEASED!"
Hearing that chilling but horrible robotic voice, Nozomi remembered it from Kagi and Hari's memories! It was-!
"GUYS RUN!"
"YOU HAG!"
CREAK!
Hearing Kagi's desperate fearful cry for them as the doors shut him and the villains away. It was then that everyone saw the monster that had been unleashed!
There emerging from a huge dark mechanical cube, emerged a Heartless. However unlike the shadows before, it was gigantic!
It was a shadow that seemed to be bathed in red that one would think rage would look if it had a colour. It's eyes like other Heartless were an alien yellow that was haunting and seemed to peak into one's soul.
But unlike the others it was metallic and sharp all over, it was deadly and one could tell just from looking it was an agility type as it quickly swayed back and forth! Then as its long series of creeping antennas that went past its back whipped back and forth rapidly, it revealed its volatile nature. It quickly flexed it's razor sharp claws in and out! It was clear what its intent was, it wanted their hearts!
Placing Zidane down and taking her Keyblade out, Nozomi knew then it was time for them all to battle! Then as his comrade again brought out his daggers, the monster then-!
"RRROOOAAARRRGGGHHH!"
As it released it's chilling crying into the air, their other comrades arrived around them. Then as they all gathered to engage, Nozomi knew one thing. She did not want to have this thing's claws pierce her own chest and shatter her heart!
