Author's Note: I would suggest imagining the song "Arabian Nights" playing throughout throughout the chapter in the background. It's playing softly of course, don't want to drown out your thoughts.
Italicized words are lyrics. and I don't not own Aladdin or Bleach.
Chapter One
The Story Begins
It was dark, as it always is in Hueco Mundo. To most it was the usual and had no effect on them. Hours were spent as if there were a sunup and a sundown. Today was different though, today there was a sandstorm. Generally, sandstorms don't affect anybody's activities, but this time, it drove everyone inside. Sort of like a bad thunderstorm, or a tornado.
Sliding open a door, the shopkeeper entered the back of his shop and sighed. With a few steps he reached his chair and plopped into it. "How noisy." He lamented.
To block out the commotion he escaped from, the shopkeeper fiddled with the radio. After getting the volume just right he settled back in his chair, pulled down his hat and dozed off. All the while the radio played.
Oh I come from a land
From a faraway place
Where the caravan camels roam
Where they cut off your ear
If they don't like your face
It's barbaric, but hey—it's home!
When the wind's from the east
And the sun's from the west
And the sand in the glass is right
Come on down,
Stop on by
Hop a carpet and fly
To another Arabian night!
Arabian nights
Like Arabian days
More often than not
Are hotter than hot
In a lot of good ways
Arabian nights
'Neath Arabian moons
A fool off his guard
Could fall and fall hard
Out there on the dunes.
A bell chimed as you walked in the door. The silence that followed felt eerie after the raging storm of wind and sand.
You were surprised when you first saw the shop so far from civilization. "What was it doing here?" you thought, "It's a long way from the city of Las Noches." And after a pause, "Why is there a candy store when most souls don't eat?" Regardless, you decided entering would be the best way to get out of the wind.
The candy shop did not in fact, sell only candy. There were shelves that lined the sides of the store full of trinkets. Another glance around the shop revealed the shopkeeper dozing behind the counter. His feet were propped up and looked like they would lose their clogs at any minute.
Deciding you would rather not be seen when the shopkeeper wakes up, you wandered over to the shelves. Examining the items, you were impressed by the variety. Unfortunately, you had very little money.
"Welcome to our humble store~~~" A man's voice sang out behind you.
Turning around you were surprised to see the shopkeeper wide awake and holding a paper fan in front of his face.
"Hello beloved customer! Could I interest you in some soul candy? Perhaps a Mod Soul? How about some contacts? Guaranteed to improve your vision! Get them while they're still fresh!"
Taken aback by the exuberance of the shopkeeper you stammered, "N-n-no thanks. Just looking, I'll go now." As you turned to leave the shopkeeper placed a hand on your shoulder, stopping you. There was a wicked glint in his eye.
"I see simple trinkets won't interest you, but I believe I have something that will. Wait here." As he turned around his green robes swished around him. You stared at the green cloak; the design at the bottom reminded you of something. Trying to think of where you had seen it before and the threat in the man's 'wait here' had you rooted to the spot.
After a few minutes the shopkeeper came back. His fan was gone, and replacing it was a lamp. It was not elegant, but it looked like it had once been grand. The handle and the top of the cover were silver, but the body and spout were black. Small bangs and dents covered the lamp, testimony to the many years it had suffered.
"That's it?" you guffawed, "A dirty lamp? Sorry, but I'm not interested."
"Ah, but it is not the outside, but the inside, that counts." The shopkeeper chided gently, "This lamp changed a young man's life forever. It started with a dark man, with dark intentions."
And just like that, you were spellbound.
Author Interaction Time! Did you figure out who the shopkeeper is?