Chapter CCLXXIII: The Palace of Alexandra Part XVI

Flying fast through the corridors, Rosso was busy as she was looking for the remaining two Fragments. But most specifically the Seventh! As she flew around burning with a need for vengeance, her irritation was quickly growing to match it as she uttered, "Where are you! I'm going to make you-!"

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

Suddenly coming to fly at her seemingly out of nowhere, were three long and sharp spears! However seeing them, she moved and in seconds-!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

She sliced them making them harmless as they all clattered onto the marble floor. Seeing this, she already knew who'd tried to attack her and asked as she heard footsteps approaching, "I should have known you would try again, Third Fragment."

For then approaching her, out of the darkness of some pillars. It was the pink haired Sphynx, who looking at her replied, "And I knew you were going to do that you old hag!"
Feeling an angry twitch come, Rosso again began to burn with power as she told him angrily, "You shouldn't call a lady, a hag..."

"I do as I wish!" Timbre replied, then lifting up his which again glowed with his purple he added, "Like this!"

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

Suddenly from out of nowhere countless spears came out from around the corner and as they did, in seconds they began their furious assault against Rosso like a swarm of angry hornets!

Rosso though looking at this barrage as it came for her, uttered, "How pointless!" Then as the blades of her wings came apart from the frames-!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

She slashed away at each of the sharp spears that came her way! As she continued to cut away at this pathetic barrage, she had to ask the cat boy, "Is this all you have?"

"Of course not!" Came his reply, then-!

SMASH!

Then suddenly some of the spears that had been slashed away, but not cut to pieces raced to the roof where quickly they smashed a huge window pane and this occurred-!

FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!

FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!

FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!

Immediately the sharp broken shards that had been created started to race towards her too! However, these could not be easily blocked by her blade wings and quickly-!

"Tch!"

They began to make her mark on her! As she felt a cut come to her cheek, she saw the cheeky cat boy and heard him ask, "What's wrong? Gettin' slow in yer old age?"

She had enough, "I'll kill you!" With that she brought forth her Keyblade and-!

BLAST!

In seconds she eradicated the attacking barrage he had sent at her and as she did, she immediately set her aim straight on him!

Timbre seeing that his ploy was working then turned and called back, "Come and get me hag!" With that using his speed, he started to race forwards as quickly the evil possessor started her pursuit!

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BLAST! BLAST! BLAST! BLAST!

As she continued to fire away at him, Timbre though darting about in his evasions couldn't help but think, 'Good thing I'm a little faster as a Sphynx!' Continuing this violent chase it was then finally as they turned a corner that he thought, 'Here we go!'

It was then he and Rosso raced into the healing chamber of the Myrrh tree as he made it inside, he shouted, "Nozomi! Now Nozomi!"

Hearing this name, Rosso thought and then remembered, "The Seventh!" But she had no time to say anything else as-!

"Protectzeo! Lockdrazeo!"

In seconds the two combined spells sped forwards and just as Timbre had made it through to the other side of the doorway-!

GLOW!

The doorway lit up with transparent shining light! Then-!

SLAM!

"Agh!"

Rosso knocked straight into it! As she did, she fell to the floor! Getting up hurriedly, she went to the doorway and knocking into the transparent wall that appeared with her Keyblade, she saw it bounced straight off! Baffled she couldn't understand and demanded, "What is this!? What's-!"

"I've blocked off your exit!"

It was then she heard the one who cast the spells. Turning around, it was then she saw the girl who held the Seventh Fragment. Still donned in her light blue Chaser armour, she stood within the waters of the Myrrh tree. As she did, she looked at her with a fierce determination as she declared, "You're not exiting this place!"

Hearing this, Rosso was quiet. She couldn't see Nozomi's thoughts, not with her eyes blocked away by her helmet's visor. But looking to the the other doorway she had entered from, she saw that it too glowed with that same transparent light. As she saw this and thought upon the magic she'd used... she looked through her daughter's memories and realised, "Ah... so you're using the Power of the Second Fragment, the Mage correct?"

Nozomi didn't respond to this, she stayed stone still.

Seeing this, her chilling grin gracing her features as she knew she was correct. Rosso walked back in her direction, as she did she had to ask, "Didn't you find it most distressing, having to use the powers of the friend you took for yourself."

"...I won't deny it hurt." Nozomi replied, then feeling her guilt rise. She knew though this wasn't the time to give into weakness as she continued on to say, "But I know he wouldn't want you running around, taking more of us than you have!"
Rosso giggled at this, she replied, "It is true, I currently hold more than you at this moment." With that she counted them in order, "The Sight, The Wish-Time Maker, The Gauntlet..." Then she added, "I also even hold my own Daughter in my hands."

Feeling disgusted at her words, Nozomi asked, "You have the nerve to think of yourself as a parent still?"

"But I am..." Rosso replied, with that she continued on to say, "Without me she would never have lived, she is mine by blood itself...what greater ownership can there be?"

Nozomi hated every word that came out of this woman's mouth! Feeling bitter, she then admitted, "You know... throughout all this time, I hated Hari and Maleficent the most out of any person I've met on my journey." However as everything came to mind of what she'd been through, she revealed said, "But that's changed, it's now you I hate the most and Xehanort too!" With those words, she brought forth her Keyblade. This stopped Rosso in her tracks, before she could step into it's healing waters. Nozomi then declared, "We will stop you here and now! Xehanort too, so neither of you can hurt anyone else in all the worlds!"

Rosso only laughed at this childish decree, for with the water now she would be able to heal and then-!

GLOW!

Immediately the waters of the Myrrh tree retreated and quickly they completely dissipated! As though it had all never been there in the first place! Rosso's eyes widened, not understanding what had just happened... she then said, "So, you won't even let me heal and be at the same fighting strength as you!"

Nozomi then quickly went into a battle stance as she told her, "You're already powered up enough! As far as I'm concerned this makes us more than equal!"

Rosso said nothing to this, instead she simply glowed brightly all over with her red power. As she did she stated, "It doesn't matter anyway..." With that she entered her own fighting position and told her target, "I only need to secure your power and the rest will fall into place." With that as her own Keyblade burned with power she told her target, "You have lived long enough, you will soon be my slave like the rest!"

"You just try!" Nozomi told her mad. With that there were no more words as-!

CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!

They engaged in battle! It was fierce and ferocious, as Rosso charged at her over and over, propelled by her daughter's steel and wired wings. While Nozomi herself was propelled by the magical power of the wings upon her feet! Their speed was evenly matched.

As they came apart, landing upon the floor. Nozomi went to cast another spell. However, Rosso was faster! With her right hand drawn she cried out, "Fire Blaster!"

BLAST!

"AGH!"

Nozomi fell back, hurting from the burning pain! Then as she looked up, she saw that Rosso had quickly crossed the distance and she was leaping towards her, to stab her with a deranged smile painting her features!

Seeing this, Nozomi's eyes widened! However she told the evil woman, "You haven't got me yet!" With that she rolled out of the way and cried out, "Goliath! Come forth, I need now!"

FLASH!

In seconds, the blue/grey Summon Gem was activated and immediately coming forth to her aid, was the tall and strong guardian Gargoyle, Goliath! He moved grabbing the sharp Keyblade in his strong claws, swinging her away from his Summoner!

"Tch!" Seeing the strong Gargoyle standing next to Nozomi she asked amused, "So? You believe the aid of magical slaves will save you all do you?"
Nozomi saw that Goliath tensed, he was angered by this statement. She was just as much too as she declared, "Goliath's not a slave! He's my friend, as are all my summons!" With that she drew her Keyblade again, then doing this she added, "We're all going to take you down!"

"Adorable!" Rosso laughed, then burning with power to attack again she said, "Let's see you try!" With that she charged forwards! But-!

BLAST! BLAST! BLAST!

Suddenly out of nowhere, blasts of blue laser light came forth! Dodging them fast with surprise, she demanded, "Just what is-!?"
It was then again, summoned to the field, it was none other than Eve, with Wall-e right beside her! Seeing the new allies that surrounded her target, Rosso then couldn't help but smile, "So you have another Summoner in this space...!"

Nozomi looking to her summoned friends, she was so glad they were all there with her. She smiled and looking behind herself she whispered a silent thank you, However-!

"This is going to be interesting!" Rosso's power intensified!

As it did and her terrible burning power began to spread everywhere. Nozomi then warned them, "Watch out guys! Here she comes!" With that the battle ensued again!

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Watching from around the corner, protected by the barrier spell Nozomi had cast. Timbre watched with tense eyes as Nozomi continued her ferocious battle with Rosso!

The two exchanged blow after blow, Nozomi whenever she struggled was aided quickly by Goliath who shielded her with his strength and body, while Eve and Wall-E provided long distance support, firing their barrage of lasers and foam bubbles. Creating just the right moments that were needed for Nozomi when she had the chance to make a swift strike or quick evasion.

Tensing his own sharp claws around his own spear, he willed Nozomi on quietly, "C'mon! You can do this! Beat her! C'mon you have to!"

Then as he continued to do this, he kept focused on what it was he had to do too. He had to wait for just the right moment, as he saw Nozomi incur another blow he flinched. He wanted to get in there! Rip apart Rosso who'd taken his sister from him, but no... remembering Reeve's loss and what he told him, he knew that wasn't the thing to do!

He tried to reassure himself uttering quietly, "Not yet, not yet...wait!"

"BLIZZAZEO!"

"BLAZING ARABLEST!"

With that the powerful forces of fire and ice came into violent collision against each other, as smouldering ashes and melting particles of ice filled the air! As this occurred, Nozomi was breathing hard clearly having used a lot of her magical power to unleash that much force.

Timbre was tense as Rosso charged at his friend again, but quickly Nozomi evaded and cried out, "Shimmering Sewing!" With that she took off into the air and as she did-!

SLASH!

Nozomi escaped another burning blow that was meant for her, as the shimmering line of light she made quickly pulled her out of the way! As it did, she aimed her weapon again and cried out, "Shining Star Rays!"

SHINE! SHINE! SHINE SHINE!

With that her power flew straight towards Rosso, however the sinister villain, simply moved her Keyblade and-!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

She swiped away all of her attacks in moments! It was clear this wasn't going to be strong enough!

Timbre stared on in shock and he was sure Nozomi was doing the same, as she stilled. Rosso was smiling as she told her prey, "Running out of little tricks are you?" With that she rushed forwards to attack her again, but-!

CLASH!

Again Goliath stopped her in her tracks! As he did, she uttered mad, "You certainly are persistent!" Then-!

BLAST! BLAST! BLAST!

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

Coming to their aid once more was Wall-e and Eve who unleashed both of their combined powers against the sinister woman!

However as their power came, it was clear Rosso was getting irritated further and further! She didn't hold back as she cried out, "Kali De Do La Maelstrom!"

SWOOSH!

BLAST!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

Immediately both Keyblader and her Summons were all caught in the horrible burning whirlwind attack! As they were all sent hurtling forth into the air in terrible pain!
Timbre was in terror seeing this! He wanted to race into that space right then! However tensing he shook his head, "No! We said to wait...wait, wait-!"

"Agh!"

With that in seconds Nozomi fell to the floor and as she did both Wall-e and Eve sadly faded away their time limit up, leaving only Goliath behind. However he was unmoving as he lay upon the floor.

Timbre shook seeing this and then he heard-!

Step...Step..Step...Step

Rosso was beginning to walk towards Nozomi! She was helpless! He had to do something! But no... he had to wait! A bit more! Just a little more...however as he tensed up he couldn't help but utter with worry, "Nozomi!"

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"Urgh...!"

Rolling herself over, hearing Rosso's coming steps. Nozomi was in terrible pain, the armour had taken most of the brunt of the damage. But still the stinging hadn't entirely been kept at bay. As she breathed in and out hard, she tried to recover what energy she could. For she knew things couldn't continue on like this for much longer.

"Struggling are you?"

Flinching hearing her, Nozomi looked up to Rosso in frustration as the horrible woman smirked in triumph over her. As she did, she then saw her point her Keyblade down to her and as she did, it began to glow brightly with that terrible light again. She was going to Unlock her! As this realisation came, she heard the villain say, "You're finished!"

However as Nozomi took in deep breaths, she then quickly said something that Rosso wasn't expecting, "No! You are!" With that she quickly moved and-!

"Luminous Sparkling Tornado!"

Quickly in seconds, a glittering tornado of light emerged sending the terrible Scientist flying backwards! The wind somehow seemed to have a life of its own as within it orbs of sparkling light were pulsing and the moment Rosso came into contact with one of them-!

BLAST!

"Tch!"

She was hit by a powerful force that incurred damage on her! However she didn't come into contact with just one-!

BLAST! BLAST! BLAST! BLAST! BLAST!

As she was tossed about in Nozomi's new powered up spell, she knew then it was time to enact the plan! Quickly looking to where her Summoned friend was as she got up achingly, she called out, "Goliath!"

Hearing her call, the tall Gargoyle moved and getting himself up. He saw her walk quickly over to him and as she did, he heard her ask, "It's time to do your finisher! Think you can do it?"

There was no doubt in the strong Gargoyle's eyes, he made a strong nod to her.

Pleased Nozomi said, "Good!" Then she looked up. She saw her attack was beginning to fade, they had to go! With that taking his arm, he took off with her to finish the evil woman!

BLAST!

As the last sparkling orb of light exploded, incurring more damage on her. Rosso finally felt the wind dissipate and as she did, she uttered mad, "That sneaky little-!"

"HHHAAA!"

There was no more time though for her to speak, as at that moment flying down from above her. Came her target along with her Summon, but they shone with power as she was then struck with the strong Gargoyle's finishing attack!

"Moon Night Claw!"

Nozomi and Goliath both struck hard into Rosso as they shone as though covered by the strong rays of the Moonlight, their combined powers of light and darkness pierced straight through the evil woman's body!

"Agh!"

She gasped as though she could feel the pain that their power brought forth together! As she was sent flying through the air, it was then Nozomi looked in a particular direction and cried out, "Timbre now! Get her now!"

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Hearing her call out to him, Timbre acted immediately, he shouted back, "You got it!" With that using all of his power he began to shine with purple light and in seconds, the forces he had gathered all together began to race straight through the barrier Nozomi created! For it would stop all living things, but not inanimate ones!

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

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As she tried to turn in the air, it was then Rosso saw them! Countless, countless, countless spears all coming straight for her! They looked all clustered together like one long enormous winding snake!
This spear created monstrosity was coming straight for her! She couldn't moved in time as-!

PIERCE! PIERCE! PIERCE! PIERCE!

PIERCE! PIERCE! PIERCE! PIERCE!

They all quickly pierced her parasitic wings, stopping their movement in seconds and all this damage made her unable to move! She was held aloft like some monstrous puppet upon some ugly pulsing strings...

Seeing her dangle like this helplessly as Nozomi descended back onto the floor, she looked to Goliath beside her. She saw that his limit had come and as it did, she nodded to him quietly with a smile.

The strong Gargoyle nodded in a reply, a small smile on his face too before he faded away in a twinkle of light returning to his true form as a Summon gem that came to rest again upon Nozomi's bracelet.

Then looking to Rosso who continued to be held up limply Nozomi walked over to her, as she too was lowered by the swaying spears that held her in place firmly by Timbre's power. As this was done and Nozomi reached what she thought was a safe enough distance away from her enemy, she pointed her Keyblade at her and then declared, "The game is over Rosso! We've won!"

"Heh!" Hearing this utter, Nozomi couldn't tell if it was a small chuckle or a small release of breath. But she did hear her clearly as the bitter woman asked, "So? What does the winning hero want then? Riches beyond your wildest dreams?"
Not understanding where this was coming from, Nozomi though ignored it and instead demanded out of her, "No! Tell me how to set Hari free from you! How do we get her back!?"
Surprised by these words, Rosso stared at her target and then she laughed manically as though she was insane.

Nozomi felt chilled hearing it, as did everyone else who could. She stayed quiet though and as her hysterics came to an end, the woman told her, "I thought you would be smarter than that!"

The blue clad knight said nothing to this, so Rosso simply continued her rant, "You can't is the answer!" Nozomi felt a chill at these words as the terrible Scientist revealed, "The Lock is her Heart and since I am the main driving force of it now, if you try to remove it from her, not only I but she too will cease to exist! Your wish can never be granted!"

As the horrible truth was revealed and Nozomi thought of Pete who must have heard this too...she gripped her free fist tightly. Then looking on with determination, she told the woman who had taken so much from her child, "...I thought that might be the case." Then with that she pointed her Keyblade to the woman and as it began to shine brightly with the Light of Unlocking, she declared, "But at least with this, even if she fades I'll be able to free her from you!"

Hearing these words and seeing the Light that would be her end, Rosso though replied, "I'm afraid those hopes will be smashed too!"

"Huh?" Nozomi was puzzled, why would she say that when-!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

Suddenly all the spears that had been holding back the evil woman were all eradicated in seconds! All of them becoming nothing more than useless broken pieces of steel and wood!
Nozomi and Timbre couldn't believe it! Their idea had failed!

Then as Rosso dropped down onto the floor, she heard her digital internal voice say,

"Warning, Warning, Energy levels now down to Ten percent! Fourth Fragment's Power cannot be activated unless-!"

However Rosso dismissed it and instead rushed at the shocked blue Knight and-!

"Agh!"

She grabbed her by the neck! Stopping her from moving in seconds!

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Timbre was in horror seeing this! Immediately he went to the doorway crying out, "Nozomi! Nozomi no!" However he was barred, he couldn't get through! The magic she cast was too powerful! All he could do was watch on as things played out!

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Nozomi was struggling desperately against Rosso's deadly grip! She was struggling to breathe as she held in her place!

Rosso though seeing her pathetic struggles only laughed and told her, "Don't fight it...it'll be easier then for you to fall into my hands!"

Nozomi smacked into her arms, as she did she looked beyond the evil woman to the tree behind them. As she did, as pained tears came to her eyes, she cried out loudly, "Pete please!"

Hearing this name, Rosso didn't understand. Pete?

SMASH!

Hearing this sound of shattering from behind them, Rosso turned but it was too late for her to do anything! As suddenly she was pulled up by her middle making her release Nozomi in seconds! In shock and anger about this, she turned and cried out, "YOU!"

As Nozomi hit the floor hard, she saw the scene that was unfolding now. Pete had smashed through the ice she had created earlier, to make it resemble the crystals that surrounded the Myrrh tree! It'd worked and realising this, she then called out, "Maia! It's time!"

Still caught in confusion and shock, Rosso demanded, "What is this! What're you all-!"
"I'm freein' Hari from ya!" Pete told her mad, then as he gripped her harder pulling her closer to himself he added as they came against the Myrrh tree, "It's time to put an end to this sufferin'!"

Rosso then was about to chastise him for his idiocy when-!

GLOW!

It was then that a green light flowed out from the Myrrh tree and it quickly took on the form of Nozomi's cherished nature spirit Summon that quickly entered her Keyblade and as it did, the female Keyblader rushed at her and Rosso!
As it glowed with this power, Rosso knew she wouldn't be able to counter it! She cried out mad and desperate, "No! Don't you do this! Don't you dare!" With that she brought forth her daughter's power again-!

ZZZAAAPPP!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

The overweight captor screamed from the horrible cuts he was being inflicted with and as he was, Nozomi cried out, "Pete no!"

Cringing from the pain, he called out, "Don't stop! This is gonna be yer only chance!" With that holding on as tight as he could, he told Nozomi, "Just hurry up!"

It pained Nozomi to see this, but honouring his wish, she charged forwards to put an end to this all!

Rosso in the turmoils of her rage as she continued to punish Pete cried out, "I'll never forgive you! I'll never forgive any of you! Just disappear! Die all of you who betrayed my dreams-!"

"Mother stop..."

Interrupting her cries of rage, she heard her child's voice as she heard her say, "It's time to rest now...please, let go...let the hate flow away..."

However Rosso was defiant till the very end as she screamed in rage at her oncoming defeat!

Nozomi didn't hold back as she then struck straight into Rosso with Maia fuelling her weapon with her mystical power and giving the one attack that would finish the evil Scientist once and for all,

"EMERALD MANA DRAIN!"

With that Maia entered Rosso's no Hari's body and took every last drop of magical essence leaving her completely empty and defenceless, as it all exploded from outside of her as a beautiful yet sad burst of pink flower petals that floated about in the air!

Then with this done as Pete collapsed holding his accomplice in his arms, he looked to Nozomi and gave her a small nod as breathed in and out hard.

The female Keyblader returned the gesture, though she could see the tears in his eyes and even she couldn't help but feel them water too as she aimed her Keyblade and...

GLOW!

It lit up with that same white light that had already taken so many of her friends...however, this was the only way to help Hari and she knew it. So she unleashed it's power and gently that certain sound echoed about,

CLICK!

The Unlocking was done and as it was,

CLATTER! CLATTER! CLATTER! CLATTER!

CLATTER! CLATTER! CLATTER! CLATTER!

The diseased metal and frames that had once been Hari's wings all collapsed and as they did with them, the water from the Myrrh tree began to flow once more. As it had been freed from Maia's power as she once more returned to her Summon Gem form. As this happened, the darkness the metal had been infected with was quietly removed, as it revealed Rosso's control had finally dissipated...

Nozomi though remained silent, in her right hand the Fourth Fragment was slowly coming into being as Hari's body glowed brightly with red light as her existence was slowly coming to an end.

Pete holding her in his arms then asked, "Hari?...Hari are ya back with me now?"
Her body moved a little at this call and as it did, the long brown haired girl look up and at last, the terrible red that polluted her eyes was gone. All that was left was again her serene green and as it was, she told him revealing something unexpected. A smile as she said, "Yes...Pete."

He gasped seeing this and holding her tightly, he told her apologising over and over tears streaming from his eyes, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! There weren't no other way I could help ya! I didn't want this! I didn't!"

Hari though told him, "It's not your fault...please don't cry," With that she reached her hand up to him weakly and tried to ease some of his suffering.

"There's no way I can't! All the way to the very end! I couldn't do anythin' for ya! Ya suffered so bad! Always bein' bossed about by good fer nothin's and there was nothin'! There was never nothin' all this time that I could do for ya!"

However Hari told him differently as the Fragment ate away her lower half, she told him, "That is not true... you saved me, you took me out of the clutches of my Mother...more than that though, you helped me to feel."

Shocked by this he asked, "I what?"

She then told him with some struggle, "Even though...it was only in the smallest of ways...your kindness was enough to warm...what was left of my heart that could feel." With that she revealed something that she had kept hidden away to herself all that time. It was a small popsicle stick.

Looking at it, it was then Pete realised that Hari had kept it from so long ago. When they'd gone to Hercules's world, she treasured it that much to-?

"Ah!"

Shocked Pete then saw his accomplice take a sharp intake of breath and as she did, he cried out, "Hari!"

The Fragment was nearly finished with her being, as it was she said still keeping her pained but truly happy smile, "Pete..."

"Hari!" His tears came down harder as he tried to onto her, any part that would stay! He didn't want her to go! He didn't want her to disappear!

But it was no use, Hari knew this but still she wanted to tell him one last thing, "Pete...I'm so glad I met you...I love you..."

SMASH!

It was then inside, she shivered and gasped. As finally the Lachesis Lock was broken releasing the last pieces of her Heart and as it did, she felt another familiar warm radiance that wrapped itself around her gently.

She recognised it and as her own tears fell that she'd been unable to shed in so long, she uttered her last words, "And you...I love you, Kagi..." With that her hand fell to her side, as her time finally came to an end...

GLOW!

It was then the Fourth Fragment came to be in Nozomi's hand, along with the Sixth, the First and the Eighth. Nozomi though having witnessed this scene was in tears and even Timbre who came to enter the room to stand beside her.

Pete though didn't move as he lay next to the trunk of the Myrrh tree, it's sad willow like branches seemed to echo the same sorrow he was feeling, as the only thing that came to be left of his accomplice was the single wooden popsicle stick that had come from that long ago time, but the memory of even that would be now lost to the oblivion of forgetfulness. As it was the curse of those who had been born or made into Fragment bearers...