Chapter CCXCV: The Final Battle Part XXI
SHINE!
Opening her eyes as the light of her power faded away, Nozomi looked around herself cautiously. She saw that she was within a sea of dark blue and shadows, she felt a chill run through her body looking at the scenery. After a few moments, she couldn't help but utter, "It's so creepy here!"
Then quickly looking down, she realised she wasn't even standing on a floor of any kind, she was floating! Blinking in surprise, she commented, "This is weird, how can I be-?"
GLOW!
However further ahead, something glowed brightly in that darkened space that caught her attention. Seeing it, she then realised, "That must be Wairu!" Thinking of him and the terrible state he was in, she knew this was no time to dwell on the surroundings, she needed to save her best friend!
So gripping her Keyblade tightly in her right hand, she moved forwards and swam on ahead to find him, she whispered then, "Hang on Wairu, I'm coming for you!" With that she urged herself to move faster, as she hoped to save him from his suffering!
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"HHHHAAAA!"
SSSTTTTRRRRIIIIKKKKEEEE!
Striking again into Xehanort's huge burning Keyblade, with his enhanced Alliance Blade, Sora with Lightning aiding him had managed to push him back again !
Smiling, he couldn't help but say, "We're really putting him through the wringer now, huh?"
"Seems like it!" Lightning smiled, however-!
HHHHIIIISSSS! HHHHIIIISSSS! HHHHIIIISSSS! HHHHIIIISSSS! HHHHIIIISSSS! HHHHIIIISSSS!
More of the hated snake heads had come to take them down! Seeing them coming, Lightning said, "Time to take evasive action!" With that she directed Odin and added, "C'mon, Sora!"
The Chosen Keyblader nodded and quickly hopping onto her powerful summon creature, the two of them flew in the air! Weaving in and out of the reach of the horrible shadowed reptiles, then getting to a certain point in the air, Lightning grabbed her double blades and cried out, "Arising Storm!"
SLASH!
She cut through the monsters, decapitating them in seconds!
Sora impressed cried out, "Whoa, nice!"
Then the pink-haired female warrior made it back to him and her steed, but before she could exchange words-!
"DARK FLARE SHOT!"
VVVVOOOOMMMM!
A giant pulsating orb of darkness came to smite them all down!
Agitated, Lightning uttered, "This again!?" Then-!
"REFLECTIVE LIGHT/FROST WALL!"
SSSSHHHHIIIINNNNEEEE!
Then once more in the nick of time, the protective wall of magical reflective ice and light came to their aid, sending the attack back on high!
As it did, Sora saw who cast it and cried out, "Thanks for the save again, Hope, Snow!"
The silver haired boy gave him the thumbs up, while Snow replied, "Not a problem!" Then as the leader of the ARCS looked up, he couldn't help comment, "But this guy sure has no originality! Using the same technique again!"
"Who said this is the same move?"
As the sinister sentence came, no-one had any time to reply as-!
VOOOM! VOOOM! VOOOM! VOOOM!
The giant deadly orb as it was bounced back, split apart into four different ones!
Shocked seeing this, Hope cried out, "What's-!"
But it was too late for him to do anything else as-!
ZZZZAAAAPPPP! ZZZZAAAAPPPP!
ZZZZAAAAPPPP! ZZZZAAAAPPPP!
The new hideous creations, exploded releasing deadly blasts of dark blue electricity everywhere! As it did, there was no time for Hope or Snow to re-direct the defensive spell and-!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
The two of them were struck by the horrible power! They quickly began to fall in the air!
"Hope!? Snow!?" Sora cried out horrified. With that he and his comrade, raced down and caught them, letting them both stay on Odin with them.
Seeing their agonised forms, Lightning cried out, "Wait! How could they get hit like this, they're-!"
"I simply re-configured the frequency of my spells!"
Appalled, Sora cried out not understanding, "You what!?"
"I changed the magical energy, to match that of your dear princess's protective spell!"
Then as Xehanort gripped his giant Keyblade, ready to strike into them again, he added with sinister intentions,
"It's taken a little while to crack, but even I will soon be able to blast through your defences! Such a pity that she has not fully grasped the full potential of the Fifth Fragment, you may have had a chance then!"
Angered by his words, Sora then told their foe, "We still have it! We haven't even started yet!" With that gripping his Alliance Blade, he pointed it at Xehanort and told him, "Now c'mon, lets go!"
"HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!"
Xehanort then continued to unleash his blows against the Keyblader and his allies! As they flew, Sora gritted his teeth. For he hoped that Riku, Nozomi and the King would be successful, for he didn't know how long his Alliance Blade nor those with him could keep up this desperate offensive!
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Continuing to make distance within the dark blue terrain she was in, Nozomi couldn't believe how terrible it felt to be there. For the darkness was foreboding of course, but the dark blue around her, brought forth one emotion very strongly from inside her heart. Sadness...
For looking at the light, that she was sure was her friend, she couldn't help but ask, "How did we get caught up in this crazy situation?" For thinking back to her past, there was nothing to even hint that something like this would happen to them both.
However... back then, ever since she was young, they'd always been surrounded by sadness.
Wairu losing his father, the bullying and she too was the same, having lost both of her parents, then eventually her Master...
Closing her eyes, she remembered that time and the cruel words that had been told to her...
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SHOVE!
"Ah!"
Having been pushed over, Nozomi as a young girl sat up, and there she saw staring down at her with sadistic mockery, were a bunch of a kids. As they all stared at her, she didn't know what to do, what could she-!
"So this is the kid who's cursed, huh?"
Hearing these hurtful words, Nozomi couldn't think of a word to say, when-!
"Yeah! My dad told me, that her father was wiped-out by an ugly huge Zu bird!"
"A Zu bird? Ew! Those things are super ugly!"
"Yeah, plus cursed!"
Nozomi hearing this shivered, she already knew about this... that her papa had died fighting, poisoned by the bird. Then that meant-!
"Exactly!"
Then distracted out of her thoughts, the leader of the bullies said with anger, "And she's the centre of it now, the curse stays in the blood of everyone who's related the person who died, and it spreads out to everyone else who stays close to 'em, killin' them one by one!"
Shivering hearing this, Nozomi then saw the bullies start to back away. They were shaken by the idea of it, then she heard a few of them say,
"Whoa!" "I'm stayin' clear then!" "I don't wanna die yet!"
Each word hurt like daggers, as Nozomi heard them. Her right hand clenched tightly, she didn't want things to be like this! She didn't want-!
"Nobody does!"
The leader spoke up again, as they did and everyone focused on them, including Nozomi. She heard them say, "But she's already taken her Mama, and now we can't even go to the Dojo anymore, she's killed the hero warrior of our town, Auron!"
Hearing this, the young girl then felt something inside her snap! Angry, she got up and shouted, "SHUT UP! THAT'S NOT TRUE! I'D NEVER-!"
SHOVE!
"AH!
Nozomi though quickly was silenced again, as she was thrown back onto the floor. Then before she could move again,
"Shut up curse girl!"
KICK!
"Urgh!"
Nozomi was then kicked in the side! As she was, she then heard the leader say to her angrily, "It's all your fault! I was gonna be a Kendo Master, but we lost Auron!" As she winced from the pain, Nozomi looked up and then saw the terrible attacker shout with venom, "BECUASE OF YOU!" With that they pulled their leg back to hit her again!
She shivered bracing for the impact, when-!
"STOP IT!"
Shocking her, it was then-!
FLASH!
There appearing and frightening the bully, making them back away from her. It was none other than, "Wai...ru?"
For there indeed, arriving fast breathing heavily from the hard run he'd done to make it there. Was her best friend, as he stayed before her, he told them all mad, "Back off! You leave my friend alone, right now!"
The bullies had been spooked by the flashy spell he'd unleashed. But it was clear that they hadn't had enough yet! So mad, the leader told him, "Or else what? You can't cast anything big!"
Nozomi shivering from the pain, she'd been dealt was quiet. She was worried, for it was true. Wairu couldn't cast attack magic, otherwise-!
"That's what you think!" Came the angered reply, then quickly he reached his hand up into the air and-!
CRACKLE!
Quickly lightning charged into his right hand and arm! As it crackled angrily with its voltage, he then told the bullies, "Well!? You wanna have a go against this!?"
Seeing this as the children they were, the bullies were clearly intimidated. However the Leader took a step forwards and said, "Yeah I do, I'm gonna-!"
ZZZAAAPPP!
Then to Nozomi's horror and the other kids, the lightning Wairu had been maintaining went out of control and immediately-!
BLAST!
"AAAGGGHHH!"
The electricity of the lightning struck him and started to charge uncontrollably, all over the floor! Seeing this, the bullies then-!
"WWWAAAGGGHHH!"
All ran for their lives, terrified by the power that had been unleashed!
Nozomi though was terrified for a different reason! "WAIRU!" Then as she cried this out, the lightning attack quickly stopped. As it did, the young boy collapsed!
As he did, Nozomi ran up to him, crying loudly, "Wairu! Wairu! No! No! No!"
Her eyes in tears, she went to touch him when-!
SPARK!
"Ah!" She got hit by some of his power too, it hurt her hand. Shivering, she looked over and felt paralysed by fear. For was this her fault? Had the curse come to-!
"Urgh...!"
However quickly, there was a gasp of life. Looking over Wairu, she then saw him move with some difficulty and pain, as he did. After a minute, he lifted himself up and said, "Darn... looks like... it was stronger then I could-!"
As he looked at Nozomi's face, he saw her tear stained cheeks and red eyes. As he did, he moved to touch her worried. However the young girl seeing him do this, backed away immediately.
As she retreated away from him, there was no time for more words as-!
"WAIRU!"
It was then quickly, Mrs Raindra came, worried beyond words for them. She quickly started to treat both children and get some answers from them, as she used her skills as the town's Chemist to aid them...
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Remembering the pain he'd gone through to protect her, it hurt Nozomi deep inside. For she never wanted him to go through that kind of pain again, he was the only one other than his mother who'd been on her side. Who'd try to defend her, as much as she'd done for him.
Thinking of this, she then thought back to the words that he'd said when he was still Uriax,
"After all I promised, that I'd never let anyone hurt us ever again!"
As she remembered them, she bit her lower lip and realised, "That was what the darkness warped in you Wairu... you just wanted to protect me!" Then as she clenched her Keyblade, she added, "I know that, just like Riku...that wish twisted you into someone hateful and possessive, but Wairu the real you was-!"
SHINE!
It was then Nozomi saw it, she'd made it! For there before her now. Was her treasured friend, held by the horrible tendrils and the awful reptile monster who had him wrapped in its coils. Biting into his right side still, the petrification had turned now three quarters of his body to stone. Leaving only his upper left half and head still intact, as his eyes continued to shimmer with tears.
Seeing this sight, Nozomi stopped her sentence. Then she cried out, "Wairu!"
HISS!
The monster reacted to her call, spying her with its red eyes. It then released its jaws from the Second Vessel, he barely reacted to this, as it manoeuvred with its eight legs and quickly-!
SLIP! SLIP!
SLIP! SLIP!
SLIP! SLIP!
SLIP! SLIP!
Dark blue leathery flaps of scales appeared, unfurling themselves from between each of its legs. Seeing it do this, Nozomi braced herself to get ready as the monster-!
FWOOSH!
Dove down to attack her, swimming through the mysterious dark blue depths with its newly created finned wings!
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HHHHIIIISSSS! HHHHIIIISSSS! HHHHIIIISSSS!
"Lion's Heart!"
BLAST! BLAST! BLAST! BLAST! BLAST!
Making the Heartless snake heads back away from them, Leon gripping his Gunblade tightly with his right hand, uttered, "Tch! They just won't give up on the offence will they!?"
SLASH!
Cutting down another snake that tried to attack them, Gandrake annoyed told him, "Of course they won't give up!" Then as another was gearing up to bite down on him, the hoodie wearing samurai told him, "This X guy's got too much to lose to be soft on us!"
HHHHIIIISSSS!
With that it charged in for the assault, when-!
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
Striking it away with her faithful ninja star, it was none other than Yuffie who came to his aid! As the snake pulled back, she then said, "I wish he would though, I'm tired of dealing with all this insanity!"
"Indeed!" Araxne replied, then-!
HHHHIIIISSSS! HHHHIIIISSSS! HHHHIIIISSSS!
The awful snake heads reared back and-!
FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!
They were preparing their laser attacks again! Seeing this, the Dusk Spider Master decided, "We must evade!" With that she directed Spidron and-!
WHOOSH!
The group all backed away, all of them getting to a safer distance when-!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The barrage of red laser fire was unleashed! All of the heroes had managed to evade the attack! As they did, Yuffie then said, "Nice moves there, Araxne!"
The Nobody nodded, however-!
VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM!
VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM!
VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM!
VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM!
More of Xehanort's Heartless emerged! As they each wielded their deadly weapons, Araxne readied herself as the others did as well, then as the monsters came charging at them, she quietly wished, "Nozomi, please be victorious!" With that she continued to assist those who rode with her and the remaining Keybladers.
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CLASH!
"Urgh!"
The reptile monster charged into her, as it struck against her Keyblade. The girl told the monster mad, "Get off!" With that she moved and-!
KICK!
She rounded and struck it back with a hard kick! The monster though quickly looped backwards and as it did this-!
HISS!
It opened up its blue scaly hood threateningly, then-!
BLAST!
It released a powerful blast against her! Seeing it coming, Nozomi quickly moved out of the way of the attack-!
FWOOM! FWOOM! FWOOM! FWOOM!
FWOOM! FWOOM! FWOOM! FWOOM!
However the beam divided becoming eight different lines! In horror seeing this, the light blue armoured clad girl, did everything in her power to dodge!
"Hey! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Agh!"
She fortunately was able to evade most of them and-!
SMASH! SMASH!
Throw a couple of the others out of the way with her Keyblade, however-!
"AGH!"
One had made it through, and she began to fall into the depths!
Gasping, she then looked up and-!
HISS!
The reptile was over her and quickly-!
SMASH!
"AAAGGGHHH!"
She was smashed into, as its long weighty tail struck straight into her! Making her plummet down ever so closer to the darkness!
As she descended, wincing from the heavy blow. Nozomi saw to her dismay, the monster was diving straight down to get her!
Irritated, she uttered mad, "I don't have time for this!" For the longer she left Wairu alone, the more likely he was going to be turned into stone permanently. She needed to get to him fast!
As the monster rushed at her, her mind quickly raced as she thought of her options... then as she thought, she realised these next couple of moves were their only chance!
HISS!
Immediately she aimed her Keyblade up and cried out, "Shining Star Rays!"
With that the glittering seeking star attack from her Keyblade came and struck the reptile, which-!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Blinded it by the sparkling display of fireworks it exploded into! It shook its head in irritation seeing this, but before it could move-!
"Shimmering Sewing!"
Nozomi had arrived fast and quickly in seconds-!
WIND! WIND! WIND!
WIND! WIND! WIND!
She tied her threads tightly around all of its body! Then as it became entangled in her power, it began to fall into the depths. But to make doubly sure-!
"Sparkling Luminous Tornado!"
With that she sent the monster flying down further out of sight! Seeing she had her chance, Nozomi raced higher into the blue abyss, as she went to finally save her lost friend!
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CLASH!
"Tch!"
Fighting back against the monsters, while riding upon Scriptium. Riku moved and quickly-!
SLICE!
He sliced straight through the monster, glowing all over with red energy! Then as their Dusk steed rounded in the air, she pulled her head back and-!
BLAZE!
Unleashed her fiery fury upon the monsters, turning a good majority into dark embers! However there were still mass numbers to deal with and-!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The snake heads upon Xehanort's giant armoured chest, continued to unleash their red laser fire against them all! As they all swooped in the air again to miss the attack, Riku couldn't help but say, "It's really intense now isn't it!?"
"Yeah that's just saying it lightly!"
The white haired Keyblader couldn't help but smile at Kagi's words, then he admitted, "Makes me wish I could use your ability to freeze time again right now, Kagi!"
"I'd like that too! But we're gonna have to wait awhile still."
Riku replied, "Thought so," but then-!
"I must apologise, it's all my fault you're all going through this now."
Shocked to hear her, Riku asked, "Hari?"
"I'm the one that has led all to this happening, with my mission programmed in to obtain the Fragments, its caused all this suffering...and to you being separated from Nozomi."
Hearing her say this, Riku held his chest and then told her, "Hari! Its not just you, Xehanort and your mother both made this happen, Maleficent too! You can't just-!
"But I do, I will forever be guilty for contributing to this, even if I was being controlled... I helped to lead the Second Vessel to becoming corrupted, and I-!"
"Look just stop it!" Riku told her mad. Then looking out for another attack that was surely coming, he then added, "No-one's perfect, and in your case, you were forced into a role you never wanted, I know that!"
Then as another Heartless came-!
SLASH!
It tried to cut into him, however jumping back and out of the way. He rushed forwards, his own Alliance Blade ready and-!
CLASH!
He and the monster clashed straight into each other! As they did, he continued, "And I still have my regrets too about the past, but as long as you do your best to atone, like Kagi told you. You can make it up to everyone!"
Then moving fast, Riku saw his chance and quickly, "Dark Splicer!"
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
He sliced into the monster over and over again, before it turned into dark embers!
Then landing back on Scriptium, he said, "As for Nozomi and Wairu, you just need to apologise to them both, when you're whole again!"
"Riku..."
Then placing his hand back on his chest again, he told her, "And don't you worry about them, I'm sure they'll make it back, they'll be alright!"
VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM!
VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM!
VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM!
VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM!
In seconds more Heartless emerged! As they did, he took hold of his Alliance Blade again and finished saying, "Now c'mon! Help us to win this, so we can both make up for the past!"
"Very well I will, thank you."
The white haired Keyblader revealed a small smile, however quickly again the hordes of Heartless came charging at them! With that the desperate battle continued for survival, as they waited for Nozomi to succeed!
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SLICE! SLICE! SLICE! SLICE! SLICE!
Cutting her way through the tendrils that were desperately trying to impede her, drawing her precious friend deeper and deeper into their treacherous depths. Nozomi cried out, "Wairu!" He wasn't responding to her voice, but she wasn't giving up! She kept slicing away!
SLICE! SLICE! SLICE! SLICE! SLICE!
Ridding herself of more and more of the tendrils, she finally made the majority fall away. Making the remnants fall into the darkness below, she was now before, "Wairu!"
However the dark-skinned boy couldn't hear her. His eyes were still wet with tears and most of his body was stone-like now; He was no more now than a pitiful and sorrowful strung up doll.
Seeing him like this, Nozomi cried out, "Wairu please, wake up!" With that she shook him, however he didn't respond to her touch. He didn't move at all!
Seeing this, she asked anxiously, "What did Xehanort do to you!? Why can't you hear me! Wairu please!"
Again there came no response from him! This was horrible, seeing her cherished friend in this lifeless state... she never wanted this for him! But what could she do? She wasn't an expert on spell's, Mickey and Merlin were! She was just-!
GLOW!
It was then that she properly paid attention and noticed the thorns around her friend's head. As she did, she felt something! Looking at their chilling black colour, she realised, "Wait, these things! Are they what's stopping you from hearing me?"
Wairu of course could give no answer.
Nozomi realised she didn't have anything to lose! So grasping onto the sides of Wairu's head, she clenched onto the thorns and said determined, "Here goes!" With that she gritted her teeth and went to remove them! However as she gripped them-!
FLASH!
"Huh!?" Nozomi was baffled when-!
ZZZAAAPPP!
"AAAGGGHHH!"
She was sent flying back, as the thorns unleashed a painful pulse of power against her!
Grimacing from the pain they caused, she however wasn't going to give up! Angered she went to try and grab them again, when she remembered something!
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"Hmph!"
Gripping hard around some weeds that were growing in the garden, Nozomi gritted her teeth as she pulled hard... however her strenuous efforts didn't make the terrible plants budge.
Annoyed, she let go and then pouting uttered, "I hate weeds, they're too slippery after its rained!" With that she kicked some soil away out of frustration.
"You would!"
Hearing this amused tone, Nozomi annoyed turned and there she saw having already gathered a lot of weeds in neat piles behind him, was Wairu.
Seeing him with his pulled loads, Nozomi became annoyed and walking over she asked, "Hey! How come you've managed to pull out more than me!"
Looking over to her coolly with a smile, Wairu told her, "Because you've been going about it the wrong way!"
"I have not!" She protested.
"Then how come you haven't pulled out that much, huh?" He replied, smirking.
Quiet, Nozomi couldn't think of how to respond to this. Then she uttered pouting again looking to the side, "They're just stubborn, that's all!"
"I'll bet!" Wairu laughed, then looking at the next weed that needed tending to, he told her, "Just look here, I'll show you what you need to do."
As he said this, Nozomi remained quiet as she followed after him. Then as he waved over to her, hunched down. She followed the hint and lowered down too, as she did she then watched as Wairu went about weeding.
He pulled his hands together and doing this, he uttered something into his hands that quickly-!
GLOW!
Made his hands light up with a gentle blue! Surprised seeing this, Nozomi then watched as he put his hands around the weed and quickly-!
FREEZE!
The plant was frozen solid!
"Whoa!" Nozomi cried out, then looking on, she watched as Wairu used a small hand rake, he loosened the soil and quickly pulled out the entire plant, roots and all!
Seeing him do this, Nozomi was quiet. However after a moment she realised, "Wait, you've been using magic, that's cheating!"
"No it's not!" Wairu told her, then concentrating as he moved onto another weed, he told her, "I'm showing you the best way to deal with it, you need to remove the roots, not just pull at the heads of the plants, otherwise if you do just that, they'll never all come out." With that placing the new weed he pulled out, he placed it in another pile and finished saying, "My magic is just a little added bonus."
Listening to this, Nozomi looked down. Then as Wairu continued his work, she had to ask, "Why did you choose ice though? Wouldn't fire be more effective?"
Looking at her in disbelief, Wairu told her, "You want me to burn down yours and your Masters garden?"
Blinking hearing this, Nozomi then realised, "Oh, yeah... that wouldn't be good."
"Obviously!" Wairu told her with a sigh, then sitting down on the grass. He took in a deep breath and looking at the sky, he told her, "Whenever you use magic, you have to be careful of what you choose."
Sitting down too, Nozomi asked him, "Really?"
Nodding, Wairu replied, "Yeah, otherwise if you don't do that, there can be serious consequences." Then looking at the healthy greenery around them, the young aspiring wizard continued, "That's why I chose ice, its less harmful to the rest of the plants and the soil, also it can give some added water gradually wherever I've left it after its melted, so it can help nourish what's here."
Hearing him say this, Nozomi couldn't help but be impressed, "Wow! Just for a little weeding, you put a lot of thought into this, huh?"
"Of course I did!" Then Wairu smiling at her, said, "Besides its better then what you've been doing, not thinking at all and just letting them come back in bigger numbers."
At the mockery in his tone, Nozomi looked away mad again. She then grumbled, "Well excuse me for not being so smart!"
"I will!" Wairu laughed, then getting up and dusting himself off, he told her, "But you'll learn Nozomi, don't get down in the dumps about it!" With that he reached a hand down to her.
Seeing him do this, she was quiet. Then seeing he was being encouraging, she sighed and replied, "I hope I will!" With that she was pulled back up again, then stretching she said, "I gotta do better if I wanna match my Master someday!"
"You'll get there," Wairu told her. Then as she looked back to him, he told her with a warm smile, "I'll always be there to assist you with my magic, don't worry!"
Seeing him smile like that, immediately made a smile come to Nozomi's face too. Then she nodded brightly and replied, "Okay, thanks Wairu!" With that the two of them continued the weeding together, to better the garden and so Nozomi could learn so she'd know how to manage better in the future.
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Remembering that moment, Nozomi looking at the crown of thorns around Wairu's head. She quickly realised what she needed to do!
CLAP!
Slapping her hands together, she then said, "Okay time to freeze those things off!" With that she then whispered the ice spell into her armoured palms and-!
GLOW!
Her hands glowed all over with blue power! Feeling their freezing temperatures, she moved forwards fast, then-!
GRIP!
She gripped onto the thorns and cried out, "Take this!" With that she concentrated and-!
FREEZE!
The spell went straight through the terrible plant shoots, and began to spread throughout the tendrils they were connected to thanks to her Fragment aiding her. However in retaliation-!
ZZZAAAPPP!
"AAAGGGHHH!"
They unleashed their terrible electrical pulses against Nozomi again! However, gritting her teeth against the pain, she told the horrible creations, "No! I won't... give up!" With that the power of her ice spread further and further through the plants dark network!
ZZZAAAPPP!
"Urgh!"
Grimacing as the plants were just as determined, Nozomi uttered, "You're going...to give him back!" Then tightening her grip more, she declared, "Give me my friend!"
FREEZE!
With that the network was completely crystallised into ice! Then quickly they all began to crack and splinter, before-!
SHATTER!
They released their hold on Wairu, fading completely into nothing! Seeing this with amazement, feeling the pain of their attacks go with them, Nozomi asked, "I...did it?" Then-!
"Urgh...!"
Quickly Nozomi then saw Wairu finally move, he shivered and as he did so. He closed his eyes, shaking.
Relieved to see some life return to him, Nozomi cried out with a smile, "Wairu, you're-!"
"That was foolish!"
Hearing this terrible voice, Nozomi looking around cried out in agitation, "Xehanort!"
"But again, you were always too impulsive as a Vessel, which has now led to your downfall!"
Not understanding, Nozomi began to ask, "Wha-!"
HISS!
Then hearing this terrible sound, she looked behind and saw again the horrible reptile monster! It'd already broken free and made it back to their position! Nozomi's eyes widened in horror as-!
PIERCE!
"AAAGGGHHH!"
The monster bit straight into her body! As she gasped in pain, it was then-!
CCCRRREEEAAAKKK!
Her body too was now quickly being turned into stone, just like Wairu! In terror seeing this, Nozomi tried to move, however the poison of the monster was paralysing her. Making her unable to stop its advancement!
"HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!"
Nozomi shivered in terror and pain, all she could do then was hold onto Wairu. Wrapping her arms around his head and shoulders, she then heard Xehanort decree,
"Now let us plunge yours allies into the depths of despair!"
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"HHHAAA!"
SLASH!
Cutting down another Heartless that had come for them, Riku took in a deep breath to recover himself, when-!
FLASH!
Everyone protected their eyes and as they did, they all saw before them a new magical projection had been created and there within the centre of the image was someone that made Riku shout in horror, "NOZOMI!"
For then in that moment, all the heroes of the Light saw their suffering comrade being turned to stone, just like the person she was trying to save!
They were all horrified, all they could do was watch on, as Xehanort decreed,
"HA! HA! HA! HA! Now you all together can watch your precious little hope perish into the darkness of despair!"
Upset and enraged by this, Riku cried out, "NO!" Then-!
CLASH!
Another of the Heartless came and blocked him as it smashed into his Alliance Blade, in terror he and the rest of their allies could do nothing but watch, as Nozomi's pained form was being petrified by Xehanort's dark creation!
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"NOZOMI!"
Hearing Riku's cry of anguish, the poor petrifying girl then heard the others all cry out for her too. She could barely move now, it hurt! It was horrible! She couldn't do anything now, nothing at all...
"It's over for you now! Just give up, give into the darkness and be free from all suffering! You only belong to-!"
"SHUT UP!" Nozomi shouted mad, then as Xehanort was silenced. She held onto Wairu more tightly, as she did. Tears began to form in her eyes, as they did, she said softly, "Wairu... I'm sorry, I'm sorry I left you behind... I'm sorry for all of this!"
Her tears then began to fall onto friend's face and as they did, she told him feeling the entirety of her lower half freeze into stone, "Also, I never told you this... and I'm sure now, you don't know what your friendship...meant to me!" For as she remembered the past, the sorrow and heartbreak she'd gone through, she revealed, "Because back then, when my Master left me behind and didn't come back... and everyone thought the Zu curse had been proven to be true...!"
Nozomi gasped in pain as the poison now made her upper half become stone, she continued her confession, "You were the only one who stayed by my side with your Mama... and to me, you were-!"
Then the petrification was spreading to her arms and swiftly towards her neck! As it did, she told him with a pained gasp, "No! You've always been... the Light, that stopped me from falling into the darkness of despair!"
With that more of her tears fell onto her precious friend. As they did, the unconscious boy twitched, but Nozomi couldn't see this. All she could feel was the dark curse overwhelming her, as it was nearly finished ensnaring her into its clutches forever.
"How pitifully heartfelt, I've had enough!"
"Agh!"
Nozomi then was dragged off of Wairu by his monster, as it gripped her still form with its long and terrible tail. Xehanort then told her,
"Its all over for you, you have nothing left now...!"
With that the reptile wrapped itself around Nozomi tightly, who continued to weep uttering, "Wairu... Wairu please!" As the end was swiftly coming for and her friend was left all on his own...
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DRIP! DROP! DRIP! DROP! DRIP!
Within the depths of darkness, Wairu still holding onto his knees couldn't see anything. He barely had much comprehension left. However feeling this unusual sensation on his face, he asked, "Water...?" However feeling the warmth of it, he corrected himself and said, "No... tears..." But he realised something quickly, "But they're... not mine, who-?"
SOB! SOB! SOB!
Hearing these gasps of sorrowful pain, he opened his eyes and asked, "Who...is it? Who's crying now?" He didn't know, but inside he could feel his heart aching, it hurt to hear that person, by why was that? He didn't know, but he wanted it to stop, he wanted to ease it somehow. But how-!
SHINE!
It was then before him, that a white door was revealed. Surprised to see this, he slowly lifted himself up out of his sitting sitting position. As he did, it was then-!
Slither, Slither, Slither...
He felt something trying to grab onto him! Looking he saw dark tendrils of some kind, staring at them. He couldn't help but utter, "Disgusting!" With that he batted them swiftly away and was drawn towards the white door, quickly making over to it, he placed his hand on it and pushed it open. Then inside he saw-!
SOB!
A young girl, dressed in an orange dress and pink cardigan. Tears were pouring from her eyes, she was gasping clearly trying hard to hold herself together. Seeing this, Wairu felt pain enter his heart in seconds, but before he could move-!
"Nozomi!"
It was then he heard a young voice, then looking behind he saw a boy. Around the same age as the little girl who was crying, as he did and he looked at him, seeing his lilac hair and dark skin, dressed in blue and green with a teddy in his hands. He realised the little boy was him, he remained quiet then as he saw the memory of the past play out.
"Nozomi, are you okay!?" Running into the room, dropping the teddy he held. The young Wairu tried to make his way over to his friend. As he did though-!
"Don't come near me!"
Shocked, he stopped. As he did, he then heard his friend tell him, "You shouldn't... be near me!"
Not understanding, he asked her, "Why? Why would you say that?"
"Cause... cause!" Nozomi was gasping, then she sorrowfully revealed, "I'll kill you!" More tears fell from her eyes, as she revealed, "The Zu curse will get you, it gets everyone who comes near me... everyone says that I-!"
"I don't care what everyone says!"
HUG!
Immediately he got on the bed and hugged his friend. Doing this, she froze in seconds, as she did the young boy then told her mad, "You're not cursed! I know that! You've never been cursed!"
The little girl in his arms was shocked, however she weakly argued, "But, everyone says that-!"
"They don't know magic!" Wairu told her still mad, then letting go of her. He put his hands on her shoulders, doing this, he gave her a hard stare and informed her, "I do! And if there was a curse here, I would have broken it a long time ago! You know that!"
Surprised, she then asked after a small pause, "...Really?"
Nodding, Wairu then brightened and told her, "Don't take what those idiot bullies from the other day say seriously, they don't know anything!"
Nozomi remained quiet hearing this, however she shivered and said, "But, you got hurt... you got hurt trying to help me and-!"
"Its nothing, don't worry about it!" Wairu told her, then waving his hands he told her, "I just used a little too much spark back there!" Then smiling, he told her, "I'll get better, you'll see!"
Nozomi though clearly didn't think so, as she told him, "But you said... that you can't make attack magic! Everyone will just-!"
"I don't care!" Then as Nozomi looked at him again surprised, he then told her, "Besides, magic is more than just attacking!" With that he hopped off her bed, then as he did, he told her, "It's about creation! That's the best about it!"
Blinking Nozomi repeated, "Cre..ation?"
Wairu just smiled again, then-!
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
He clapped his hands loudly together and-!
SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE!
SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE!
SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE!
SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE!
Suddenly throughout Nozomi's room appeared loads of sparkling bubbles! As they did, the young girl stared around with wonder. Then as she did, Wairu smiled and whistled loudly which made the bubbles all surround him, as they did-!
FWISH! FWISH! FWISH! FWISH!
He made them all dance around his hands, juggling them! This made a spectacular performance and Nozomi cried out, "Whoa!"
Wairu smiled widely, then quickly he moved again and-!
FFFWWWOOOMMM!
One of the bubbles became huge! He quickly got on top of it and continued to juggle away, balancing and moving along on the ball, while juggling all the way!
Seeing this, quickly in seconds, Nozomi's sorrowful face was quickly replaced by a wide smile and then, "Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
She finally laughed, heartily! As she did, Wairu smiled and quickly he moved, jumping back making a loop in the air and as he landed on the floor-!
BURST! BURST! BURST! BURST! BURST!
BURST! BURST! BURST! BURST! BURST!
BURST! BURST! BURST! BURST! BURST!
BURST! BURST! BURST! BURST! BURST!
All the bubbles burst and as they did-!
GGGGLLLLIIIITTTTEEEERRRR!
The room was filled with magical glittering light that gradually faded away!
As it did, Nozomi then cried out, "Wairu, that was amazing!"
"I know!" Then grinning, he picked up the teddy he dropped on the floor, as he did he added smugly, "After all, I'm gonna be the best wizard of them all!"
"I believe it!" Nozomi smiled.
Wairu making his way over to her, said, "Now don't you worry, I'll always be there to cheer you up!" Then presenting the teddy in his hands to her, he added, "I'll make sure that no one ever hurts us like that again! Cause I don't wanna see you cry!"
Surprised, Nozomi after a moment smiled. Then she nodded and said, "Yeah, I agree!" With that she wiped away her tears and told him, "And I promise you too, I'll get stronger, so that I can protect you better, cause I don't want you to get hurt by your magic like that, or by any bullies either!"
"Okay then!" Wairu smiled, with that he gifted her the teddy in his hands saying, "My Moomba teddy will be the symbol of it!"
Looking at the odd lion-like creature in her hands, Nozomi didn't look too satisfied and replied, "I prefer bunnies."
Hearing this, Wairu got annoyed and told her, "Oh shut up! Lions are cooler!"
Shaking her head, Nozomi replied, "No bunnies are!" However shaking her head, she told him, "But, since he's yours... I can like him, gradually."
"Good!" Wairu nodded proud, then he added, "I'm sure you will."
Nozomi then just held the teddy a little closer, looking uncertain. However she then said with a look of realisation, "Wait! I haven't got anything to give you, Wairu!" With that looking around panicked she added, "I need to go and-!"
"Nozomi it's fine!" Then as she looked at him surprised again, he told her with a smile again, "You can get me something later, okay?"
The young girl was quiet, looking a little sad for a moment. But then, she smiled too and said, "Okay, I'll get something good!"
Wairu nodded, then with a hand out to her, he told her, "Great! Now c'mon, mom's got a stew ready for us tonight, lets go grab it!"
Nozomi looked truly happy at that thought and with that she took his hand and with the two of them raced off to enjoy the hot meal together!
Seeing the two of them leave, Wairu was quiet. However quickly, he felt a warm bright light enter his heart, he then said, "That's right, I remember now... I wanted to be stronger, so that you could smile again, I just wanted to be the one who could do that for you."
Then as he remembered his youthful hopeful words, he couldn't help but ask, "When did I get so fixated on destruction? Its creation that matters the most in magic...how could I forget that?" It was then he remembered the sins of his past, he uttered sadly, "But even if I've realised that now, there's no going back! I can never make up for-!"
"Wairu... Wairu please!"
It was then he heard her, shocked he looked around himself. He then asked, "Nozomi?" But she wasn't there, feeling his anxiety rising, he questioned, "Did I really hear her or-!"
"AGH!"
No, this was real! He did hear her, he then cried out, "Nozomi!"
SHINE!
Quickly he reached out to this light that was shining above him and as he did, he felt himself being lifted up! As he was swiftly pulled out from the darkness!
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Opening his eyes, Wairu was confused and asked, "I was-?"
CCCRRREEEAAAKKK!
Hearing this alarming sound, he quickly looked ahead. Then he saw to his horror, the person who he wanted to make happy and smile, was being turned to stone! She was in the clutches of the reptile monster that had been created using his power.
Its long and terrible eight limbs and tail were wrapped around her, and was biting in her right side, into her abdomen! As he saw this, he tried to move, crying out, "Nozomi no!" However-!
"Urgh!" He discovered to his horror, that he couldn't move either! For looking down, he saw, that he too had been petrified! Shocked he demanded, "How did I get like this!? How-!"
"Because I willed it!"
He then quickly recognised that voice, the man who was holding him captive and now Nozomi too! Angered, he uttered bitterly, "You...!" However before he could unleash his own venomous words-!
"Wai...ru?"
Shocked, he heard Nozomi again! As he did, he saw that her pained eyes were focused on him. As they were, he saw too that the petrification was nearly complete and had reached her neck! Her face was beginning to succumb to the terrible curse!
"Nozomi! Hang on! I'll think of something to get us out, I'll-!"
"I'm glad... you're back!" She smiled to him, tears in her eyes. Then as she shivered in fear and sorrow, she told him, "I'm sorry... it took me... so long to-!"
The spell was reached her mouth! Soon she wouldn't be able to-!
"NOZOMI NO!" With that Wairu tried to pull away, to fight back! To do something, anything to stop this! However as he moved-!
SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!
SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!
The remaining tendrils around him, formed a humanoid shadowed figure! As they did, they moved and-!
GRIP!
"Urgh!" In horror and disgust, he saw the dark appendages had taken on the form of the man who held them captive! As they did, he uttered, "It's you!"
"Yes, I Xehanort..." Then as he held onto him tightly, wrapping his right slithery arm around his neck, he whispered into his ear, "The one who owns you!"
Gritting his teeth, Wairu then spat mad, "You don't own me!" With that he fought hard saying, "Now let go!"
"And let you go back to what?"The monstrous man asked him.
Spooked, Wairu stopped. Then quickly he heard the monster say, "If you let that girl turn into stone and yourself... you can be forever together, here in the darkness... you won't lose her to anyone anymore!" With that the grip around his neck was intensified, as it was he heard Xehanort say, "You won't have to experience the hurt and pain of life... for after all, she's only here to save you, so she can benefit herself and the others outside this space."
Stopping as he heard these chilling words, Wairu looking at Nozomi as she stared at him with tear stricken eyes... he could see the desperation that was there. But more importantly the sorrow, then thinking of what she'd just said to him and what he remembered. He gripped his remaining free still mortal hand and said realising what he could do, "You're wrong!"
"Hm?"
As Xehanort released this curious utter, Wairu looked at him and said determined, "You don't know either of us! Nozomi's not selfish in that way, she came here for me! I know that for certain!"
His captor wasn't impressed by this declaration and simply replied, "Even if she has, it doesn't change the fact you will never be forgiven! You can't be, for you-!"
"I don't belong with you!" Wairu interrupted him mad, then he added as he put his plan into motion, "And if I'm never forgiven, as long as I can save my friend... I don't care what happens to me!" With that he reached his free hand up and cried out, "THUNDAZEO!"
CRACKLE!
Suddenly the fierce spell conducted around it!
As it did, Xehanort looking at it told him becoming agitated, "Even if you attack me here, it won't-!"
"But it will!" For then Wairu looking at him, revealed, "For you forget something! Since Nozomi is my opposite, anomalies are known to occur when we interact!"
Hearing this, it was then Xehanort became shocked as he too quickly remembered that fact. But before he could talk, Wairu told him, "And when I release this, it's gonna give you one heck of a recoil!"
"You wouldn't dare!" However the monstrous man was quickly proven wrong as-!
ZZZAAAPPP!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
They were both struck by the powerful thunder spell! As they were, Xehanort quickly released his hold on Wairu in a hurry and in turn, the aspiring wizard began to fall into the dark depths!
Seeing him go, outraged Xehanort commanded, "BASILISK AFTER HIM!"
HISS!
The reptile acted on this order, wrapping its long tail around Nozomi, it removed its fangs from her body and quickly dove down to chase after the falling boy!
As he gasped from the pain of his thunder attack, he looked up and saw the monster coming for him! Its mouth was opened wide with its fangs ready to pierce into him again! However, quickly Wairu moved and-!
"Take this!"
SPLASH!
He trapped the monster in a huge bubble of water! As it did, he moved and aiming underneath him, he cast another fast spell making-!
SHINE!
Another bubble, which he landed on top of softly! Then looking up, he saw the reptile was struggling against the depths it was caught within! Glad to see his plan was working, he quickly though remembered Nozomi!
He saw that she too was in the water, and he had to act fast! So aiming, he whispered, "Please don't let the kick from this be bad!" With that he whispered the spell and-!
BURST!
The entrapping water bubble burst and as it did-!
HISS!
The reptile was enraged! Then quickly it opened its mouth where-!
GLOW!
It was getting ready to release a burst of laser fire! However, Wairu was already prepared and released his next spell, "BLIZZAZEO!"
SHINE!
With that the icy spell escaped from his fingers and-!
FREEZE!
It froze the lizard into a huge block of ice! As it did, gravity quickly began to pull it down, however manoeuvring the bubble he was lying on. Wairu got to the creature and with a blade of generated wind-!
SLICE!
He cut through the monster's tail with his ice burned hand and quickly, "Nozomi!" He'd got her poor petrified form onto the bubble with him. As the frozen reptile monster fell into the depths of darkness, never to be seen again!
Looking over her, Wairu saw that she was breathing with terrible difficulty! Pain in his eyes as he looked over her. Wairu then uttered full of remorse, "I'm so sorry!" But quickly he acted, uttering the one healing spell that would free them from this curse, "Esunazeo!"
SPARKLE!
Angered seeing this display of magic being performed, Xehanort uttered, "How dare you!" Then-!
SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!
SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!
He moved to quickly do something! However, as the healing spell's white magical particles reached up to his tendrils. They sunk into him and quietly, something within him was being stirred...
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CLASH!
Seeing the miraculous rescue that had occurred, Mickey then cried out with a smile, throwing another Heartless back, "He did it! Wairu saved her!"
Full of relief, Riku smiled too, "Thank goodness!" Then-!
HISS... HISS...
HISS...
Suddenly the three snake heads that they'd been battling furiously, had become silent and pulled back. Watching them, the heroes were confused, Pete then had to ask, "What the heck are they doin' havin' a nap?"
No-one knew, but then Ody quickly had a guess, "Maybe its because Xehanort doesn't have direct control over Wairu, since he's the source of the magic then-"
"He's been cut off from it!" Donald concluded.
As Ody nodded, it was then the heroes realised they'd been given a great chance now! So Meixeng said eagerly, "Well if that's case, we can send these monsters all packing!" With that she called upon the power of her huge ape Dusk and quickly-!
FFFWWWIIISSSHHH!
She released a blast of water against the monsters and as she did, she cried out, "Let's get them honeys!" No-one had any disagreements, and with that, they proceeded to attack the remaining Heartless, so that they might have the chance to destroy those snakes once and for all!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Ah!" Gasping quickly back into life, Nozomi rolled over aching and then, she looked down at herself. She saw that she was back to normal, the stone state she'd been trapped in had been removed from her armour and skin! Amazed, she uttered, "I'm-!"
"Yeah, I healed us!"
Shocked, hearing this. Nozomi turned, there she saw sitting a little away from her upon a magical bubble he'd created. It was none other than, "Wairu! Its you, you're back!" She cried out happily.
Hearing her, the dark-skinned boy nodded and replied, "Yeah I am, and it looks like what I learned from Maleficent came in handy..." However he looked uncomfortable mentioning her name.
Realising why this might be, Nozomi started to speak, "Wairu, are you-?"
"I'm so sorry!" He bowed his head in apology.
As Wairu kept his head down, Nozomi at first didn't understand what he was doing until he explained, "For everything that happened, back before in that witch's castle, how I treated you... and everyone else, I'm really truly sorry!"
Hearing him say this to her, Nozomi remained quiet in surprise. As she stared at him, she then heard him continue to say with clear regret and shame on his face, "I know that, you can probably never forgive me, and I know I don't deserve it," with that he looked up and told her gripping his right hand tightly against his bubble, "... So, if you never want to see me again, after we leave this place, I'll understand and respect your wishes."
Listening to him say this, Nozomi stared at him now in disbelief. Then with anger rising she told him, "Why would you ever say that?!"
"Huh!?" Perplexed by her response, it was Wairu's turn to stare at her.
Nozomi then told him, "Why would I never want to see you again, after I and everyone else went through so much to save you! How can you be so stupid!?"
Wairu was still, before that shameful expression quickly returned. He looked down and said, "But I... I hurt you, I've hurt so many people! I shouldn't be near anyone anymore... not for all that!" Then he added, with his hands now shaking on his legs, "I don't deserve forgiveness, I-!"
"Whoever said I'd forgive you!" Nozomi told him, still angry.
…
As this awkward pause came between them, Wairu looked up and uttered, "...What?"
Nozomi's eyes brimming with tears, she then told him, "You're hurting here! I can tell, and I know that just simple forgiveness, won't sort that out!" With that rubbing her eyes, to not look so foolish and to keep her composure, she added determined, "But don't tell me something like that, that I can't see you again! We've been apart for so long, that I...!"
It was clear this was overwhelming for her and in truth, it was for Wairu too. His own eyes began to brim with tears, and as he looked away again, he asked her, "Then...what should I do?"
"What else?" Nozomi asked in disbelief, then trying to get a better grip on her emotions still, she told him determined, "You're gonna work hard!"
Turning to her surprised again, Wairu then repeated, "Work hard?"
Nodding, Nozomi then told him, "Yeah! I want you to come back with me, to go to the Radiant Gardens! I want you to help fix it up with everyone!"
"Fix it?" Wairu thought this was too good to be true, then looking down feeling conflicted he asked, "That's all you want?"
"No, you dummy!" Nozomi replied, then as he looked at her again, she added, "When you do it, I want you to make friends there, branch out! So that you understand and know there are other people who can get along with you... not just me!"
Really surprised to hear this, Wairu asked her, "You want me to make friends with-?"
"Yeah, because I was your only friend! You deserve to have others... and that way, it'll heal your loneliness and fix that hate you have in your heart!" Then she added, wiping her eyes, that were beginning to leak tears again, "So you can know and see the real light that exists in the world, in its people!"
Amazed that she came up with that, Wairu uttered, "Nozomi..."
"And then!" With that gulping, she added her last request, "I want you be an apprentice to Merlin! Learn from Yen Sid too, if you make it that far! I want you to become the best wizard there is, one who helps people... then after you've done all that!" Then trying hard, to keep her voice going, despite her hurting throat, she told him, "Maybe in the future I can forgive you... and the others can too!"
Amazed at her heartfelt requests, Wairu felt tears begin to sting his eyes too. Looking at her, he had to ask, "Will that all... really be enough?"
"I want it to be!" Nozomi smiled, however as she sniffled. She admitted, "But if something else comes up in the future, we'll deal with it then!" Stroking some more tears away, she said, "Besides, I have to make it up to you too!"
"What?" Shocked hearing this, Wairu it was clear couldn't believe what she was saying.
"I abandoned you! I left you behind all alone, Wairu...I wasn't there when you needed me, to save you from the darkness, and..." With that feeling horrible remembering what she'd done to him, she told him, "And I'm sorry, that I can't love you in the same way I do Riku, and that I Unlocked you, I...!"
Seeing her struggle, as she held her face in her hands. Wairu remembering the grief that was caused back then within Maleficent's castle sighed. Then with a small struggling smile of his own, he told her, "I know, its okay."
"Huh?"
To which as Nozomi looked to him, he said, "You didn't mean to leave me behind, I know that...and I had a feeling, that you couldn't like me the same way I did you, though I always hoped for it, and I know..." With his hand on his heart, he then further revealed, "I was warped by Maleficent and the darkness... you didn't have a choice back there, you had to save Riku before I committed a sin that truly could never be forgiven."
Then taking in a deep breath, he explained what had driven him all that time in that dark state, "What I did to you, in reality...I never wanted to hurt you like that! My wish to protect you from pain, it was turned into a horrible obsession, that wanted to control you... because I thought, that I was the only one who knew what was best for you, because you're too nice and..."
Hearing him say this, Nozomi then couldn't help but be annoyed and told him, "You think I'm really that helpless?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Wairu admitted in a joking tone, "You can be when you're too stubborn!" However becoming serious again, he said sadly, "And that...the other Keybladers had manipulated you, with their own dark magic, Maleficent said they had powers like that, and if I removed the memories of them from you, then you'd be okay again and..."
Clearly unimpressed by his reasoning, Nozomi then told him, "You're an idiot!"
"Yeah I am... I know that now, I'm the biggest idiot of them all!" Then laughing, his tears started to pour and as he told her shaking, "I'm one who doesn't deserve someone like you in their life!"
Wiping her eyes, Nozomi then told him, "Well you're lucky you do!" Then smiling despite the pain and sadness, she added, "And despite that, I'm lucky too, to have someone like you!"
As she said this, Wairu asked, "You...what?"
Nodding, Nozomi then crawled over to Wairu. Making it over, she said, "Someone who was willing to be friends with a dummy like me, who's nothing but trouble! Who helped me, when no-one else would, I'm so grateful to have a light like that in my life."
"Nozomi..." As Wairu uttered this, he saw her reach a hand out to him.
As he looked down at it baffled, she told him, "Now c'mon, if you really wanna start doing better, why don't you come with me?"
Gasping seeing this gentle gesture being given to him, despite everything that had happened in the past. Wairu was overwhelmed, and quickly like so many times when they were children, the tears poured out more strongly! He was sobbing now and then quietly, he took her hand as he tried to hide his face away with his other free hand clearly embarrassed by his weakened state.
Seeing him now finally be the old Wairu she knew, warmed Nozomi's heart tremendously and her smile grew, as she heard him say with a blush on his cheeks, "Thank you... Nozomi, for coming for me, I-!" But he couldn't finish his sentence as the pain was too much.
"Of course!" She smiled with a laugh, her own eyes stinging too. Then-!
SMASH!
Looking back behind themselves, the two of them then saw in the far distance the thing that would grant them their freedom! The Keyhole that had finally appeared!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
Letting the Heartless have it as he unleashed more of his arrows, the pink haired Nobody, Ori said, "I think this is it! They're not too may left!"
"Yeah I hope so!" Saria agreed, then moving she released more of her power through her violin and quickly-!
SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH!
Growing impatient, Alania still directing Bahamut to fly couldn't help but mutter, "When the heck is it gonna be my turn already, I've been waiting for forever!" Then as she uttered this-!
SMASH!
Hearing this loud sound of smashing, the heroes then all saw the miracle that had been created! For quickly within the centre of Xehanort's blue gemmed chest. A Keyhole had appeared!
Amazed, Riku then cried out, "She did it! Nozomi's created the way out!" With that, the heroes then all waited with bated breath for the exit that was fast approaching!
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Standing up as the Keyhole was revealed, Nozomi still holding Wairu's hand seeing it shine in the distance smiled. Then looking to her friend, she asked him, "You ready to go?"
With a nod, he replied, "Whenever you are!"
"Okay!" The female Keyblader was glad, however she had to tell him, "But Wairu, when we leave from here, you'll-!"
"I'll go back into your heart." He stated.
Surprised Nozomi asked, "You know about that?"
"Of course I do, I learned certain facts about the Fragments from your princess friend, when Maleficent kidnapped her... and I kinda figured that might be the case, since we're not all in one place right now." He told her, though clearly with some regret mentioning Oralee.
Gripping his hand though, Nozomi reassured him, "Don't worry, as soon as we get out of here, I'll have you back to normal in no time, and you can apologise to her!"
Her warm words of certainty, quickly made Wairu smile again. As they did, he wiped his eyes, finally ridding himself of his tears. As he did this, he told her grateful, "Thanks Nozomi!"
The female Keyblade smiled too, then quickly-!
FLASH!
Her Keyblade came to her hand, she aimed it and quickly-!
SHINE!
The light of Unlocking began to shine, this was it. The end, Xehanort would no longer-!
"YOU WILL NOT LEAVE ME!"
"Huh?!" Shocked hearing his voice so close, Nozomi became distracted turning to look behind her as did Wairu, when-!
SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!
SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!
SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!
SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!
"Hey!"
"What!?"
In horror, the two of them were quickly ensnared within a mess of dark tendrils! But before they could move to escape-!
ZZZAAAPPP!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
They were quickly inflicted with terrible dark pulses, and it drained their strength!
Gasping, feeling this horrible power, Nozomi wincing saw crawling out from the dark depths from a twisting, swarm of the tendrils that had caught them. She saw a grotesque figure, he was sickening as he polluted the air of darkness. It was Xehanort again!
Then as the abomination, looked at them with rage filled eyes, he declared, "Now you will both return what was stolen from me!"
In their agonised states, Nozomi nor Wairu could understand him! Then-!
ZZZAAAPPP!
Another horrible pulse was released upon them both and they quickly became breathless as-!
GLOW!
GLOW!
In horror, they both saw the colours of their Fragments activate! Xehanort was tapping into their power!
SHINE!
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"HHHAAA!"
Slicing away another Heartless that had suddenly come his way, soon Riku and his comrades would get rid of those giant snake heads, and when they did, they would-!
SHINE!
Everyone feeling this intense shine of light became distracted, trying to see past it. Yuffie cried out, "What's that!?"
"I don't know? Is it-!" Leon though didn't get to finish his sentence as-!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
Suddenly from all sides, the other snake heads around Xehanort's form, transformed and again became the horrible sharp eyed dark hands that all moved and-!
GRAB! GRAB! GRAB! GRAB! GRAB! GRAB!
GRAB! GRAB! GRAB! GRAB! GRAB! GRAB!
Riku watched in horror, as all of his allies were grabbed by the dangerous and hands! Then as they all became ensnared-!
ZZZZZZAAAAAAPPPPPP!
Terrible blows of conductive dark blue power were unleashed upon them, that pierced through their enchanted protection and-!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
They screamed in agony! The only one who'd been left untouched was Riku himself, who couldn't believe what was happening! Then-!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
Hearing these screams, he saw then in the magical projection Nozomi and Wairu had been caught! Seeing this, he cried "No!" Then immediately he went to try and Unlock the shining Keyhole himself when-!
HHHHIIIISSSS!
One of the slumbering snake heads was coming straight at him and-!
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SSSTTTTRRRRIIIIKKKKEEEE!
Still striking Xehanort back, as Sora continued to ride with Lightning. The two of them hadn't had much time to try and heal Snow and Hope. However finishing his strike, he turned and asked, "Are you guys okay yet?"
"Getting there!" Snow replied, though grimacing.
"Yeah!" Then trying out another soothing Remedy, Hope replied, "I just hope he doesn't hit us with anything else or-!"
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
Interrupted by this horrible series of sounds, everyone looked up and saw the nightmarish multitude of hands coming their way!
Lightning seeing them coming, quickly moved and-!
TOSS!
"Hey!"
She threw Sora off of her stead!
As she did this, the Chosen Keyblader cried out, "Hey! What're you-!"
"Get out of here!"
That was all Lightning could say though as-!
GRAB! GRAB! GRAB!
Quickly she, Hope and Snow got caught by the terrible hands! Then before they could move to escape or cry out-!
ZZZZZZAAAAAAPPPPPP!
Sora saw his allies being punished by terrible blasts of dark blue power! In horror, he then became agitated! Gripping his Alliance Blade, he cried out, "Guys hang on, I'm-!"
HHHHIIIISSSS!
But it was too late for him to move as a terrible shadowed snake head came for him and-!
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GRAB! GRAB! GRAB! GRAB! GRAB! GRAB! GRAB!
GRAB! GRAB! GRAB! GRAB! GRAB! GRAB! GRAB!
In horror, Kairi could only watch as the rest of her allies were all quickly grabbed by the countless hands of darkness! This was a nightmare! She had to do something! Flying up, she got to where Ruby was and immediately she moved her Alliance Blade to cut the white mages and his princess free, crying out, "Hang on!"
CLANG!
In horror, she saw her weapon couldn't cut through it! Terrified she cried out, "Why!? Why can't I cut through!?"
"Xehanort must have enhanced their strength!"
Hearing Reeve, Kairi asked, "Enhanced them!?"
"Yes! It wouldn't surprise me if he's waited for this particular moment, biding his time!"
"Well what do we do then!? We can't just leave everyone to-!"
"Kairi look out!"
As Oralee's voice tried to warn her, the Princess of Heart turned to see what the threat was when-!
HHHHIIIISSSS!
The last of the Snake Heads came! It wrapped itself tightly around her! Shocked but then becoming outraged, she cried out, "Let go! Let go of me!"
It paid no heed to her demands and immediately-!
SSSTTTRRREEEAAAKKK!
It pulled her back, towards the chest of its terrible Master!
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Gasping feeling the horrible sapping power of Xehanort's tendrils, Nozomi looked up to him angrily and struggled hard as she asked, "What're you...going to-!"
"Just watch!"
As the Master of the Heartless said this, Nozomi didn't understand him! What was he-!
"AGH!"
"Wairu!?" As Nozomi cried out her friends name, it was then-!
FLASH!
A magical projection appeared, confused by this, she didn't know what Xehanort was doing when-!
SSSTTTRRREEEAAAKKK! SSSTTTRRREEEAAAKKK!
SSSTTTRRREEEAAAKKK!
Before them, held fast by the slithering snake heads she and the others had been fighting so desperately before, she saw, "Riku! Sora! Kairi!" For in horror, seeing them held captive by the terrible serpents, she didn't understand! What was Xehanort-!
"Now to make you all useful!"
Confused hearing these words, Nozomi opened her mouth to get answers when-!
GLOW!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
Her cherished friend screamed in pain, seeing this with alarm. Nozomi cried out angrily, "Stop it! Leave him alone! You can't-!"
GLOW!
However becoming terrified, Nozomi saw her own body glow and then-!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
Agony was released on her, and quickly-!
SHINE!
An ominous combined blue light began to shine brightly that spread everywhere and-!
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"Urgh! Let go!" Riku moved and again-!
CLANG!
He tried to attack the snake that held him, Kairi and Sora were doing the same! However it didn't budge, agitated he didn't understand what was happening! What was Xehanort's plan now! What-!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
Hearing Nozomi's and Wairu's screams of pain again, he and the others looked at the projection with horror. But following these cries-!
SHINE!
A new bright blue light began to shine! It was chilling to gaze upon and then-!
"Agh!"
Hearing this cry, Riku looked to his left and there he saw his best friend grimacing in pain as he struggled within the grips of the snake! As he did, he cried out, "Sora!?" Then-!
"Urgh!" He suddenly pain too! As he did, he felt something trying to rip itself out of his chest! He couldn't fight it and then-!
GLOW!
He saw before his chest, the very thing that granted him life and existence as it shone brightly in the dark. Gazing at it, he realised that it was his Heart!
"Riku!?" Hearing Kairi's voice, he couldn't call back to her, as his consciousness was quickly leaving him and then-!
"Agh!"
She cried out too! For she must have been going through the same thing as him and Sora, he couldn't keep his eyes open. Then as he looked at the projection, he saw the precious face of his treasured one, clearly crying out to him and his friends. But all he could do was utter, "No...zo...mi!" Then there was nothing but darkness...
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"RIKU! KAIRI! SORA! NO!" Nozomi screamed, but there was nothing she could do! She couldn't free herself from Xehanort's grasp, even though she tried hard, despite the pain. Then-!
"HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!"
She heard that Heartless man laugh loudly in manic hysterics!
Angered by this, she uttered gasping, "What have you... what have you... done!?"
"I have unleashed a replicated shine, that is the same as a fully formed Kingdom Hearts!"
Hearing him say this, it was then Wairu demanded, "You...what!?"
"The Fragments in their hearts have responded to its light! They are beginning to Interfuse once more!"
Wide eyed Nozomi repeated, "Inter...fuse?" Then quickly she remembered the vision she'd been shown in the past, of what the past Chasers had been through! In horror realising that her dear friends were going through that same pain, she cried out, "You mean you're going to-!"
"Yes! I am going to take them into my body and then absorb their existence, reviving the King-Blade once more!"
Horrified, remembering the pain of what she had gone through in the pod and the others, Nozomi cried out, "No you can't! I won't let-!"
ZZZZZZAAAAAAPPPPPP!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
Subjecting them to more punishing blows, Xehanort then told them triumphantly,
"There's nothing you can do! Now watch, as I take your precious comrades into myself!"
GLOW!
Then wincing through gritted teeth, Nozomi saw to her horror a turquoise blue portal open up! Then the helpless Keybladers were beginning to be dragged towards it by the terrible snake heads! Upset beyond words, she cried with tears entering her eyes, "No...!"
"HA! HA! HA! I'm going to enjoy having you all again in my clutches, and this time, when I place you all in the pods, I am going to make the process hurt!"
Shivering as she felt his tendrils begin forming pods around her and Wairu, Nozomi couldn't think of what to do! She didn't know how to stop this! They couldn't do anything, they were-!
"It's all over! You and all who still exist who still have Hearts, will be dragged into the darkness!"
"No! I won't let you!"
Hearing this new voice, Nozomi stopped. Shocked, she felt a pang and rush in her heart, for it couldn't be-!
SHINE!
"No!"
FLAKE! FLAKE! FLAKE! FLAKE! FLAKE!
FLAKE! FLAKE! FLAKE! FLAKE! FLAKE!
"Ow!" Falling forwards, Nozomi was gasping loudly. As the tendrils that held her captive were all quickly erased, turning into nothing but embers! Feeling her body become free, she asked perplexed, "What's-!"
"Urgh!"
Turning she saw that her best friend toowas quickly freed! Seeing him, Nozomi cried out, "Wairu!" With that she rushed up to him, she asked him urgently, "Are you okay!?"
Wincing he replied, "I should be!" Then shaking his head he added, "I've had enough shocks to last me a life time!"
Smiling gratefully for their luck, she nodded feeling the same when-!
"URGH! YOU!"
Feeling a jump hearing Xehanort's angered voice, Nozomi and Wairu turned. Then they saw an incredible sight!
There within the swarming sea of dark tendrils, the monstrous man was being held back by another individual by a desperate neck lock, who glowed brightly with golden gentle light. The two were struggling bitterly against each other, one desperately trying to overwhelm the other as they fought for control!
"All this time and now you've regained consciousness!?"
"I had to! I can't let you do this!"
Seeing him, Nozomi felt her heart freeze! For she recognised him instantly, his spiked brown hair, his tanned skin and blue eyes. As he struggled against the Master of Darkness, she knew him as the lost Chaser, the treasured friend to Aqua and Ventus, he was, "TERRA!"
To which instantly the blue-eyed warrior looked down to her shocked. Nozomi seeing his face, felt so many emotions, overflowing and making her heartache. Her eyes quickly became wet with tears, as she felt the the precious remnants of Aqua's Broken Heart be moved within her own, at finally seeing her precious lost one again...
