KHF: Chapter 195

Chapter CXCV: The Loot Of A Thousand Worlds, The Quest For Treasure Planet Part VII

Running quickly onto the deck of the RLS Legacy, John Silver, his cabin boy Jim along with Raiyana who had Morph hiding in the depths of her long blue locks. Nozomi with Cait sith upon her head. The band of heroes looked around themselves with agitated and alerted expressions!
However looking around baffled, there was nothing there at all! Nozomi seeing this, couldn't understand what was going on as she asked, “Huh? What is this!?”
Hearing her ask this question, as he stared around himself puzzled to no instance. Cait sith then said, “Yeah! Where' s the fire supposed to be here! Where the heck did all the lads go to?”
For onboard the deck there was not a single soul to be seen, the place was entirely empty as if there had never been life upon the ship at all!
Staring around feeling terribly uneasy as he held his laser gun ready in one hand. Jim had to ask as one possibility came to mind, “Those monsters we've faced before! Could it be that-?”
“I doubt it's so lad!” For Silver knew better than anyone else there, that this wasn't an attack of the heartless as he continued on to say, “...Otherwise there'd be hordes of 'em crawling out of the woodwork, itching to take our hearts again!”
Nodding in agreement, Raiyana then added, “Yeah, also I would have sensed their presence before hand if that were so.”
Listening herself though, Nozomi had to ask slowly relaxing and forgetting her agitation, “Well if it's not the heartless, then what caused that huge yell before?”
No-one there could answer that question... however there was one thing that could be done! “Well lass, the only way we're gonna find out, is through some investigating!” Mr Silver proclaimed breaking the silence that had engulfed everyone.
As he heard these words, Jim looking to Silver asked him, “Investigating? You mean-?”
“Aye, Jim lad!” Mr Silver spoke, then looking to the two puzzled girls and head riding crowned cat he announced, “We're gonna be split into two search parties, to search every nook and cranny of this ship!”
Cait sith hearing these words himself, couldn't believe it as he asked in dismay, “What!? In a potential crisis like this, ya want us to split up!?”
To which in reply Mr Silver said looking to the small black and white cat, “That's an affirmative to ya, Cait sith lad.” Then the cyborg grinned as he added, ”It'll be better!”
Annoyed though, Cait sith wasn't satisfied by this simple answer as he demanded, “How is that supposed to make thing's better for us here!?”
Hearing his outrage, though not sharing the angry feelings. Nozomi had to agree with his point as she said, “Yeah? I mean how will that work exactly? If we're split up then won't that-?”
“Cause it will give us a better opportunity,” Mr Silver began to explain as he pulled up his cybernetic limb and began to tweak it a bit as he pressed some buttons on a panel.
Watching him do this, Jim then decided to ask curious himself, “To do what?”
It was then that Silver finished his modifications and in moments, his limb transformed and became a big heavy cannon like gun! Seeing this in moments everyone was high on alert, but immediately the cyborg then announced, “To find the rest of our crew!” Then charging up the piece of artillery, with a pulling lever he added, “And to sort out whatever nasty mess that's occurred here!”
With that said he took a few steps forwards, everyone staring at him were silent in surprise. Nozomi looking at him hearing the conviction in his voice, had to wonder to herself. Maybe Silver really did care about the crew? Maybe he wasn't-?”
“Rai lass!” Silver announced turning round.
Quickly in reply, the long blue haired girl now alert replied, “Uh yes?”
Silver told her, “I want you together with me for the search! We're gonna begin on the upper levels!” As he said that, the cyborg then turned his attentions to both Nozomi and Jim who were standing there quietly. Still both holding an air of uncertainty around them, for where were they going to go?
Looking to them both, Silver then declared, “And the two of you lads will search the lower ones!” As he saw the surprised expressions that were on their faces, the cyborg decided on a little something else which came to his mind, “Cait sith!”
Hearing his name being called, the small black and white crowned cat replied a little startled himself, “Ah! Yes, Silver mate!?”
Mr Silver then seeing he'd got the small cat's attention, instructed him, “I want ya to keep an eye out for those two... don't let 'em be distracted!”
As she heard this herself, Nozomi was puzzled as she stared on. What did he mean by 'distracted?'
However it was clear that Cait sith was more than willing to comply as he announced empowered with a salute, “Aye! Aye! Silver mate! Ya got it!”
Pleased by this response, Mr Silver then decided to take his leave with Raiyana as he bid them, “Good on ya!” Then looking to his comrade he told her, “Let's be off then Rai lass!”
Nodding quickly as she heard this, the long blue haired girl replied, “Right!” With that she ran forwards, however as Morph escaped from her long blue strands, he looked back to the others as she did as she added to them, “Take care guys!”
Nozomi hearing this then replied quickly, “We will, don't worry!” However to be on the safe side she decided to let her friend know, “You both just be careful too, okay?”
Raiyana revealing a small smile as she said this, then replied, “We will! See you!” With that the long blue haired girl ascended the stairs with Silver.
However Morph staying behind was unsure of what to do, as he looked to both Jim and Nozomi. But quickly he called a voice that summoned him, “Morph! C'mon we gotta go!”
Hearing the gentle tones of Raiyana, quickly the transforming messy goo creature repeated, “Gotta go! Gotta go!”
With that watching Morph chase after them, Jim quiet then said after he saw them vanish from sight, “Well since we've been told, let's go search below deck.”
Hearing this Nozomi nodded at his words and replied, “Okay, let's go Jim!”
With a slight nod himself, Jim moved back towards the stairs and quickly in turn Nozomi followed after him with Cait sith on top of her head. To see what mysteries were hiding down below...

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Down below the dark depths of the ship, both Jim and Nozomi were on edge. With her keyblade already drawn and in both of her hands, the female keyblader looking about felt terrible foreboding as she said, “It doesn't feel good down here...”
Hearing this, Cait sith then replied, “Ya're tellin' me lass!” For looking about, he saw that the lights had all been smashed apart, leaving the place in total darkness! Seeing this, he couldn't help but comment further saying, “...With it being so dark in here like this, I feel like we'll be snuck up on any minute!”
Jim listening to this, then turned and looking to the keyblader along with her head riding companion. He had to ask, “Are you guys sure that this isn't some attack being done by those monsters... the one's you call heartless?”
As she heard this question, Nozomi was quiet...as she thought to herself for a moment. She then decided to be honest and say, “Well... it doesn't feel that way right now, it's like Silver said if it was them they would have attacked us straight away already.”
Staring at Nozomi as she said these words, Jim was silent as he heard her continue, “... This is different, it feels more planned out... so it might not be the heartless, but it might be the one's who're controlling them.”
Surprised to hear this, Jim asked, “What! There are people who can control them?”
Nodding in reply, Nozomi then explained, “Yeah... they have a mistress right now, some witch of darkness called Maleficent and working under her is this big chubby guy called Pete... and I've learnt recently there's a girl working with them too.”
Puzzled as she said this, Jim asked her, “A girl?”
Cait sith then decided to add some words of his own as he said, “Yep! This lass's sworn rival and enemy, Hari! She's colder than ice lad...and she'll cut ya to ribbons if ya cross her path! Ya don't want to ever lay yer eyes on her!”
Hearing this, Jim then became quiet for a moment. For though the image of this mysterious 'Hari,' made him feel a little on edge. He also couldn't help but reveal a small smile as he heard Cait sith's voice and so he decided to reply, “Okay... I've got that dually noted.” Then turning back to face the path ahead of them, he added, “Now let's keep a look out and keep going!” With a quiet nod to that command, Nozomi continued on forwards with Jim as they searched on together.
The silence between them seemed to last forever... it was excruciating as they kept walking on. It just seemed to add to the thick ominous and treacherous atmosphere that surrounded them...looking to the cabin boy as he kept a look on up ahead, Nozomi decided to ask him, “Hey...Jim?”
Hearing her, the brown haired ponytailed young man replied, “Yeah what?”
Seeing that she'd got his attention, the dark haired girl then decided to ask him, “What you said before... about your father leaving you behind...with your mom?”
Stopping for a moment as she asked him this question, he turned to look at Nozomi again as he asked her, “What about it?”
Knowing that it might be a sensitive subject with the young man... Nozomi though felt that she had to know, “When he did that... was it painful for you?”
Silent as he heard this, Jim simply stared at her puzzled at why she'd ask him about this? However Cait sith himself annoyed at her, for bringing something like that up then at that moment told her annoyed, smacking her head, “Well of course he would have have been lass! What kinda of question is that! It's-”
“Cait sith!” At once the small black and white cat was silenced. As he was, he turned to the young man surprised as he heard him say, “...It's fine, don't go on about it.”
Seeing Cait sith become quiet herself, Nozomi continued to remain silent too as she continued looking on at Jim. She wondered what he would say in reply to her?
Still silent further for a moment, it was then that finally Jim spoke as he looked to the female keyblader, “Yeah...I admit it, Nozomi.“ Pausing for a moment, he looked down to the wooden floorboards he continued on to say, “It was painful... it was horrible what he put me and my mom through.”
Hearing this, Nozomi knew the outcome was obvious. However she remained quiet as she continued on and listened to him, “He left without telling us where he was going, what he was doing... and I haven't heard from him since then.”
Cait sith having been silent up to this point too, then couldn't help but utter sadly as he felt for him, “Lad...”
Jim though hearing the sympathy, just carried on as he explained himself, “I don't know if he's even alive now... and to be honest, every time I think of him, I just can't help but hate him...for leaving us like that... giving me simply nothing in return, even though I cared so much.”
It was then saying that, that Nozomi decided to speak her thoughts, “I can imagine...” Then she decided to reveal something herself, “I was the same for a long time too, in the past...”
Surprised to hear this, both Jim and Cait sith looked to her with widened eyes. The cabin boy had to ask her, “What do you mean by-?”
“I lost my master a long time ago,” Nozomi explained sadly as she looked down, remembering sad memories.
Puzzled as he heard this, Jim asked her, “Your master?”
Nodding, Nozomi then continued on, “Yeah... he was the one who adopted me and was a father to me... after I lost my mama.”
Jim asked her sadly,“You lost your mom?”
“Yeah... she died when I was three from an illness, after it happened my master took me in... when no-one else in the town would,“ then shuddering as she remembered the past she said, “Despite the ill misfortune many said would come, he didn't care and took me in raising me as his own.”
As she said these words, Cait sith looking down at her sadness had an expression that echoed a knowing melancholy...
However unaware of this, Nozomi continued on, “...Then one day he had to leave me, to go on a pilgrimage of some kind... acting as a guardian for someone,” feeling the pink sakura hair clip in her dark coloured locks, she added, “And he left me behind...saying he'd come back home one day.”
Looking at her as she said this, Jim was quiet. However he realised quickly one thing, “He didn't though did he?”
Shaking her head, Nozomi then replied, “No... he didn't,” her hand trembling against her precious pink treasure, she then said, “Though I waited... waited and waited for him, he never came back...”
Cait sith then seeing her react like this, he asked her, “Did ya start to hate him afterwards lass?”
Nodding as he asked her this, Nozomi continued, “Yeah... I did hate him, I hated him for leaving me all alone... for never coming back... for a long time, I really did.”
Seeing her look so sad like this, Jim then asked her, “And do you still feel that way now?”
However surprising him, Nozomi shook her head and brightened with a small smile saying, “No... I don't anymore.”
“Huh!?” Perplexed to hear this, Jim couldn't understand her saying this! He then asked her, “How can you not though! He just abandoned you! He-!?”
“I used to think that too!” Stopping Jim from going on, Nozomi continued, “I used to think it was the same thing! For a long time I was so bitter... and alone,” then however after she paused she continued, “... Though I never showed it to anyone... even my best friend Wairu never knew about it, the anger pretty much nearly consumed me.”
Hearing her go on like this, Cait sith wanted her to get to point as he told her, “Well how did ya recover then lass? Don't keep us in suspense!”
A little irritated as he said this, Nozomi then kept going, “I decided to concentrate on some things that were better.”
Puzzled as he heard this, Jim then asked her, “Things that were better?”
Nodding, Nozomi told him, “Yeah... my better memories of my master, and spending time with my friend Wairu... as soon as I began to do that... I felt better about myself and I became less bitter inside... until the anger just faded away altogether...”
Staring at her as she said this, Jim continued to remain silent as Nozomi then turned her eyes back up to him, saying, “I was able to move on and now I don't have that hatred anymore.” After saying that, Nozomi with strength said to her comrade, “That's why I can understand you Jim, about some of what you've gone through...”
Quiet still as he stared at her, Jim felt his heart pulse inside at her words. However he remained quiet, as he then heard Nozomi say to him, “And I think, if you can concentrate on that too... the good things, you'll be able to let go of that pain.” Then smiling she added brightly still, “ I think too you've been improving really greatly recently hanging out with us and I hope you can make better memories because of that Jim.”
Hearing the concern that she had for him, Jim at first was still too startled because he had no idea how to react to this! He couldn't help but blush as he stammered inside, turning quickly though he had no intention of showing Nozomi as he told her hurriedly, “I don't need you to tell me that! Besides I've already got plans!”
A little worried as he said this, Nozomi looked down. Maybe she'd gone too far? Maybe... her words didn't help at all?
However that was soon dispelled as he told her, still not looking at her, “...But, thanks for the advise anyway...I'll consider it.”
Surprised to hear this, Nozomi then immediately brightened as she replied to him pleased, “Okay! Thanks Jim!”
Cait sith seeing this little interaction between the two and particularly spying Jim's particular blushing reaction. The small cat then thought to himself, 'That Silver bloke was right! I am gonna have to keep an eye on these two...from being distracted!' With that the two comrades journeyed further into the depths of the ship...
 
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Still after some time, neither had found any trace of anybody! Feeling really worried about this, Nozomi then couldn't help but voice her thoughts as she looked about the darkened corridor again, “We haven't found anyone here at all! Where is everyone!?”
Jim hearing her ask this, then began to answer, “I don't know? Maybe they're-?”

BLAST! BLAST!

Surprised to hear these loud sounds, immediately everyone jumped as they cried out, “Aggh!”
Cait sith then cried out, “Huh!? What the-!?”

BLAST! BLAST!

“HAAA!!!”

Hearing this cry in moments, Nozomi recognised the voice in seconds as she cried out, “That was Raiyana!” Then quickly she realised something else, “Her and Silver must be fighting something!”
Realising this too in moments, Jim then announced they're next course of action, “We have to get back there then!”
“You don't have to tell us twice lad!” Cait sith announced loudly!
Nodding Nozomi then agreed as she cried out, “Yeah c'mon! Let's go!” With that they all went to run when-!

“HA HA HA!!!”

Shocked in seconds, neither had time to react further as suddenly they turned together and heard-!

“I'm afraid I can't let you guys go!”

Jim hearing this voice then cried out, “Who-!?”
Then suddenly the cabin boy was silenced, as something struck him hard and fast from the darkness! “Agh!”
Hearing this cry and seeing him fly, Nozomi cried out loudly, “Jim!?”
Cait sith though acting fast cried out, “Lass watch it!”
Quickly turning again, Nozomi reacted! Pulling her keyblade out-!

CLANG!

Suddenly the Starseeker in her held hands came into contact with another weapon! It was a silver sharp tip and looking on she saw it was a part of the blade of a long lance, being held by two clawed hands!
It was then looking, she saw the face of who it was that was attacking her! Before her, she saw what looked like a young boy with pulled back pink coloured hair! However that wasn't the thing that surprised her the most, it was the fact that he had a pair of cat like ears on top of his head! Including she could also see a long slender lion like tail that was swaying too and throw excitedly behind him!
The clothes he was wearing, could best be described as something close to what a pirate would wear. He was dressed in a white shirt with a green waistcoat covering it, with golden embroided threaded lines and buttons. Then finally to finish off his image, he was wearing a dark blue trousers with a red and gold coin decorated sarong wrapped around his middle.
A purple bandana was also tied around his head and looking on at his face, she could also see that he was wearing a brown leather eye patch with trailing beads that covered his left eye and his visible right one she could see had a emerald green coloured iris that smiled up to her sinisterly.
Shocked looking at him, Nozomi couldn't understand where he'd come from! Or what he was!? Where had he-!?

“Peekaboo!”

Came the mischievous cry and then-!

“Mph!”

Suddenly in seconds, the grinning cat boy leaned forwards and immediately licked her startled lips with his tongue!

“Agghh!”

Immediately batting with her keyblade in utter shock, embarrassment and horror! She covered her mouth with her other hand! Her eyes widened!
Cait sith then shouted out, utterly outraged, “Oi!”
However the cat boy spinning then landed on the floor, with his lance in his clawed hands he smiled up to the keyblader and told her smirking licking his lips, “You're tasty!”
Infuriated in moments, Nozomi went to run forwards as she cried out mad, “Why you-!”

THWACK!

“Agh!” Suddenly though Nozomi felt an impact from behind and instantly she was winded as she collapsed onto the floor! The world darkening around her instantly!
“Lass!” Cait sith cried out in alarm! For standing beside her, the small cat quickly tried to awaken her as he shook her shoulder, saying, “Lass! C'mon lass! Ya can't slumber on now you-!”

“You know I really hate to do this, especially to a cute little lady like this...”

Instantly turning it was then Cait sith saw a new figure before him. It was none other than a young man. He had long blond hair that ended with a ponytail that went down his back, he was also wearing a blue waistcoat that covered his own white shirt. His trousers were also the same blue with a pair of long grey boots that went up to just above his knees. Around his neck was a fluttering, jabot which had a pink gem in it's centre that kept it in check.
Seeing him, Cait sith then noticed that from behind the young man was a long tail! This one though appeared to be more monkey like as it had the same kind of blonde colour like his hair.
Outraged as he saw him, Cait sith then demanded mad, “Just what do you think ya've done here!? Ya dirty ape!”
It was then hearing the crowned cat, that the young man turned his blue eyes to look at the small cat. A surprised expression was on his face as he uttered, “A talking kitty?”
Angered more, Cait sith then said mad, “I'm more than that!” Then rolling his arms and fists, it was clear he was ready for a fight as he told him, “I'm gonna give ya the whippin' of yer life! You'll-!”

“What's this here?”

Suddenly before Cait sith could act, the small cat was pulled up by the scruff of his neck! As he felt this, he struggled madly as he cried out, “Oi! Put me down! Put me down! Ya-!”
It was then the small cat saw who it was, who was holding him! It was an older guy, he looked to be in his early twenties. His hair was short and brown with blonde spiked highlights, he also had sideburns going down the sides of his face. There were also a set of golden earrings in both of his ears.
The clothes he was wearing was an embroided golden and olive vest which covered a high-collared white shirt. He was also wearing a black set of trousers with two belts that crossed over each other, that held a couple of pouches. He almost seemed aristocratic...
Cait sith looking into his green eyes, saw that he had a curious serious look as he stared at him. Then he heard him ask eloquently, “What do we have here? An outraged feline is it?”
Recovering from his surprise, Cait sith then told him angrily, “Ya got that right, ya shmuck! Now let me down! Ya're-!” Then quickly, the small cat gasped as he was quickly silenced too!
A single clawed hand drew away the certain spell they'd used. A feminine voice spoke cooly saying, “Noisy...”
Cait sith fading into the darkness himself, the small cat heard the monkey boy say, “You got that Fran!” Then looking down to the struggling cat, he couldn't help but say, “I didn't think this little guy would ever quiet down!”
Then there was a sound of chuckling as the cat boy replied, “Who'd ever think we'd meet someone like this on our travels!”
However the monkey boy had to ask, “But you're a cat yourself, aren't you Timbre?”
Immediately there was an annoyed response, “Hey! I'm no cat, I'm a part of the fine race of Sphy-!”
“Now, now gentlemen!” Came the brown haired man's voice interrupting them all. As he did this, his two comrades became silent in moment's. Seeing he'd got their attention, he announced, “Since we've finally brought about some sense of decency and control over this part of the vessel... the only thing that now remains is...”
“The capture,” came the cool female tone again.
As it did, Cait sith could concentrate no more... however there was one sentence he heard before his consciousness completely faded away, “Correct! Then afterwards, I the leading man will finally lead us all to our true theatre and stage... where we all belong.”