Aladdin could think of many other ways he could spend time with his beautiful new wife, Princess Jasmine at his side. Circling above the streets of Agrabah on carpet searching for one of his most frequent (and most irritating) enemies, Abis Mal and his right hand man Haroud wasn't one of them.
"Aladdin, there he is, down there!" Jasmine said to her husband. Aladdin looked in the direction of where Jasmine was pointing to, and sure enough there was Abis and Haroud running through a crowded market place.
"All right carpet take us down!" Aladdin said to the flying carpet. The carpet made a steep dive down to the street. They came to a landing directly in front of Abis Mal and Haroud. "Give me back Genie's lamp now Abis Mal!" Aladdin commanded.
"No! I stole this lamp fair and square! You want so badly, you will have to come and get it!" He angrily replied.
"Why would you even steal it anyway? Genie's been free for a long time, he wouldn't follow any command you gave him anyway." Aladdin asked incredulously.
"Genie isn't even in Agrabah anymore." Jasmine reasoned with a heavy sigh.
"You….You're both lying! I'll show you." With that Abis Mal began vigorously rubbing the golden lamp that once housed Aladdin's best friend. Haroud who had been silent this whole time smacked his forehead in exasperation with a heavy sigh.
"Sir?" Haroud spoke trying to get his boss's attention. "
Not now Haroud! I almost got the genie out of there." Abis replied trying to in vain to continue to rub the golden lamp. "What is wrong with this thing!" The moronic thief yelled as he gave up on rubbing the lamp to get the genies attention and threw the lamp down in frustration.
Haroud with a heavy sigh spoke. "Sir as I was trying to say a moment ago Jasmine and Aladdin weren't lying. The genie is in fact no longer in Agrabah."
"What? What are you talking about?" Abis Mal exclaimed.
"Genie left with our friend Sora month's ago, he hasn't been back since." Jasmine spoke up.
"Who the heck is Sora?" Abis Mal asked flabbergasted.
"Sora is a keyblade wielder from another world sir." Haroud interjected. Abis Mal shot Haroud a bewildered look. "He helped Aladdin save Agrabah twice in two years." Haroud continued on puzzled at his boss's dumbfounded expression.
"What is a keyblade Haroud? And why don't I know any of this?" He screamed while jumping up and down like a child.
"Perhaps it is because you don't listen sir." Haroud spoke dispassionately.
"What are you talking about Haroud? I never heard you mention any of this before?" The obnoxious thief continued on. Haroud could only sigh and smack his forehead at his boss's idiocy.
"I said all of this to you when you first came up with the idea of stealing the lamp, when we were outside the palace walls, and when we were being chased around and dodging arrows through the palace. You seriously don't remember me telling any of this to you?" Haroud finished completely at a loss for words.
"No." Abis Mal said sounding rather embarrassed
Aladdin cleared his throat. "If you are all done, I want Genie's lamp now!" Aladdin demanded.
"Are you talking to me?" Abis Mal asked angrily.
"I don't see anybody else around here." Aladdin challenged.
Suddenly Abis's face suddenly contorted into a very angry expression, angrier than anything Aladdin had ever seen before out of his foe.
"Sir, are you feeling all right?" Haroud asked very alarmed at his Boss's sudden change.
At that same time Aladdin felt an unnatural chill in the air. Jasmine has sensed this before; Jasmine wasn't just the princess of Agrabah, but also a princess of heart, a select group of special maidens from across the universe who hold no darkness in their hearts and as such were granted special powers; one of them, the ability to sense darkness nearby.
"Aladdin!" Jasmine whispered as she clung to her husband while staring at the deteriorating Abis Mal. A dark aura had materialized around the portly thief.
"I see it too Jasmine." Aladdin said to his wife.
That was when the heartless decided to show up materializing up from the ground all around the feuding group. Shadows and Neoshadows had the group completely surrounded.
Haroud attempted to cowardly flee but found himself cut off by dozens of shadows.
"Please don't take me! Take them!" He shouted pointing to Jasmine and Aladdin.
"Uh Oh" Aladdin muttered as he pulled out his sword.
"She's a princess of heart!" He added pointing to Jasmine. The Shadows all turned their attentions to Jasmine and Aladdin.
"Jasmine! Get behind me!" Aladdin screamed just as the shadows were leaping on top of them.
Suddenly lightning bolts dropped from the sky and struck the heartless with a tremendous crack of thunder. As the heartless evaporated around Jasmine and Aladdin so did the dark aura around Abis mal who collapsed like a sack of beans while Haroud continue to cower in fetal position. That's when Jasmine and Aladdin heard a familiar friendly voice greet them from the rooftops.
"Just what would you guys do without me?" Aladdin and Jasmine couldn't help but smile at each other when they recognized the voice as belonging to their friend Sora. Turning around and gazing up, there he was smiling his big goofy grin was the keyblade wielder.
"Perfect timing, as always old buddy!" Aladdin greeted as Sora jumped down to embrace the couple.
"It's so good to see you again!" Jasmine said as she released Sora from her hug.
"Did you bring Genie with you?" Aladdin asked excitedly.
"Oh yeah!" Sora said whipping out his ultimate keyblade. As he about to make the incantation Sora noticed Abis on the ground in a fetal position crying. "Uh? Who is the pathetic crying fat guy?" He asked pointing to the sniveling thief.
Aladdin turned with a chuckle. "Oh him? That's Abis Mal and his partner Haroud. They should be fine." Aladdin said as palace guards dragged the thieving duo away. Sora shrugged his shoulders and raised his keyblade above his head.
"Courage!" he shouted. As the keyblade lit up, it began exploding with blue energy. Finally a thick cloud of blue smoke burst from the tip of the keyblade and the Genie emerged.
"Let's see apply ointment to remove wart." Genie read off a notepad without realizing he had been summoned. Fortunately he looked around and caught on before he embarrassed himself further. "Al! Jas! How you guys doing!" Genie exclaimed as he scooped them up in big embrace.
"We missed you too buddy." Aladdin said returning his old friends hug.
"What brings you back here? Is it the heartless?" Jasmine asked fearfully.
"Uh, no not quite." Sora said nervously.
"Oh, about that!" Genie suddenly exclaimed poofing over to Sora and holding him up. "Has Sora got some news for you guys! He's…."
But before Genie could finish what he was saying, Sora pulled his head down by his beard and covering his mouth.
"Genie, not here! Not yet!" Sora admonished.
Aladdin and Jasmine exchanged quizzical looks.
"Sorry." Genie said to him.
"Sora what's going on?" Jasmine asked concerned. Sora responded with an uncertain look.
"Can we go somewhere private to talk about this?" He asked.
"Of course, we can go to the palace." Aladdin replied. They all hopped on the carpet and rode to the palace in a flash.
Out on the balcony overlooking the city Jasmine and Aladdin waited patiently for Sora who was looking out at the vast city to give them the news.
"Listen guys." Sora started slowly. "You know how, Jasmine, how you and the rest of princesses of heart are really the princesses of your home world with the exception of Alice and Kairi right?" Sora asked.
"Yes." Jasmine replied wondering where Sora where was going with this.
"Well." Sora continued. "Apparently that's the same story with Kairi. She apparently is the princess of Radiant Garden." Sora stated.
"Well that's great news! Right, Sora?" Aladdin asked.
Sora crossed his arms and sighed downtrodden.
"Oh, Sora she has to leave your island and go back to her home doesn't she?" Jasmine realized who walked over and gave Sora an encouraging squeeze on his shoulder.
"Yes there is that. And also the fact that Radiant has not had a leader in a decade and is an incredibly important world that can't be allowed to fall into heartless or Orginzation XIII hands so I can't blame Kairi for feeling she has to go back. But that's not the whole reason I'm here."
"Sora, we're all friends here. Just come out with it." Aladdin finally told the keyblade warrior.
"Right." Sora sighed. "The thing is, in order for her to take the throne, she would have to marry."
"What!" Jasmine and Aladdin shouted together. Radiant Garden has a version of that stupid law Agrabah had!" Jasmine cried.
"Yeah." Sora responded. "Except the good news is she gets to pick who she marries." Sora added.
"Then who is she going to…." Aladdin started when it dawned on him. Jasmine and Aladdin looked at each other in astonishment and then at Sora who gave them a knowing look.
"Oh my gosh Sora! You and Kairi are…!" Jasmine started but couldn't finish.
"Yep. We're really getting married." Sora revealed. After a moment Sora continued on. "And I came here to invite you guys to the wedding." Sora sighed as he finished . There was a stunned pause all round before Aladdin finally spoke up.
"Sora, of course we're going to be there" Aladdin declared with a big grin as he put his hands on his friends shoulders. After a moment he turned serious again. Sora are you ok with this?" Aladdin asked concened
"I really don't know how I'm supposed to feel." Sora conceded. "Part of me that wants me and Kairi to be with each other is elated. But then the other half of me feels I'm not….." Sora couldn't bring himself to continue.
"Not ready?" Jasmine finished for him.
"Yeah." Sora acknowledged.
"I know how you feel. Being forced into something you don't feel you're ready for." Jasmine said recounting her own experience sympathetically.
"How do you know Kairi is the princess of Radiant Garden?" Aladdin asked out of Curiosity.
"Well it all started with a letter King Mickey sent us when we got back to the Destiny Islands. Sora started. "The letter said we needed to meet him at Radiant Garden as soon as possible and to bring Kairi with us."
One week earlier.
Sora, Riku, and Kairi ascended the stairs to the main castle of Radiant Garden, to be met two beefy armored guards who opened the main door as the trio walked past. Kairi kept looking around unsure if this indeed her former home.
"Remember anything?" Sora asked as he looked at his best friend, seeing her uncertain expression.
"It feels familiar but it's been so long since I've been here it just doesn't look it you know?" She replied. "But I know in here, I know that this is the place I was born." Kairi added pointing to her heart. Sora nodded and smiled encouragingly at her. Before they knew it they were at the Ansem's computer lab where they were met by King Mickey and the restoration committee.
"Sora, Riku, Kairi!" King Mickey shouted in greeting.
After the greetings Leon got down to business. "The Reason we called you all here is because we have been trying to find clues as to Ansem's family was. Tron has been working around the clock in hopes of finding out who so we can restore some form of leadership in Radiant Garden." He continued. "And well he found something. We want to show a photograph we found. Tron, show us the picture." Leon commanded.
"Yes Leon." Tron responded.
"I don't like the sound of this." Riku muttered under his breath. Hearing this Sora and Kairi exchanged worried looks. Sora smiled hoping to cheer Kairi up.
A second later a picture showed up on the screen. In the shot was Ansem the Wise along with a very familiar looking old woman with an infant girl in her arms. Kairi and her friends let out a shocked gasp.
"Kairi? Recognize anyone?" Leon asked rhetorically.
"My Grandmother!" She didn't want to say who infant was but knew in her heart the infant was her.
"Aw no, I was afraid of this." Sora moaned as he put his face in his palms. Riku could only sigh in sadness, knowing that this most likely meant Kairi would have to return to Return to Radiant Garden. Riku seeing his compatriot Sora in his sad state put an arm around him.
"That's not all we found. We found more of his journals." Yuffie spoke up as she handed copies to Kairi. It Read.
"My beloved sister and and her husband both died last night in a tragic accident. I really don't know what to think right now. I'm still beside myself with grief. My mother has been a rock through all of this. My thoughts should be to my niece Kairi. I have to begin formal adoptions proceeding's immediately. It would probably mean one day Kairi would have to rule Radiant Garden one day. I don't know how if I'm going to be able to raise the girl with all my responsibilities as leader right now. But I will do whatever I can.
"Kairi?" It was Aerith this time. "We are so sorry for shocking you like this."
Sora came up to Kairi and put his arms around his longtime friend. Kairi returned his embrace.
"So this means I'm a real princess?" Kairi asked.
"And Ansem is your uncle." Leon added.
Cid who had been quiet this whole time decided to address the elephant in the room. "Look Kairi I hate the fact that we ask so much of you kids, but the fact is this; we need a leader."
"And unfortunately none of us allowed by the laws of this world." Tifa added pointing out the entire committee.
"Without one, chaos will ruin this world like it did last time and the heartless and nobodies will have a stronghold here to operate out of like they did last time" Yuffie added.
"Kairi, will you be our leader?" Aerith asked with much softness in her voice.
Kairi turned to Sora and Riku holding back tears.
"Thank you, both of you for being the best of friends anyone could ever have asked for, you guys risked so much for the Universe this last year, it's time for me to take charge and be brave for once."
Sora had to wipe away a tear but managed to stand strong and not allow his face to betray too much. Riku managed to keep his emotions bottled up. He was going to miss Kairi, but not like Sora. They truly had a special connection that he could only fathom. He was confident Kairi could lead Radiant Garden; but he was worried about Sora and what an emotional mess he was going to be. Kairi gripped both her friends in a deep hug. Riku and Sora both put their arms around her in return. Riku eventually let go of Kairi to allow Sora and her to have their moment together.
Looking each other in the eyes still embraced Sora began. "I thought we would back on destiny islands like old times. But…."
"So did I." Kairi interrupted. Sora didn't mind. "But I have to do this. You saved my heart for a reason Sora." She said with a sad smile.
"I just thought we would always be together Kairi." Sora sighed sadly.
"I know. But remember, wherever we are, we're always with each other no matter what."
Sora's voice cracked finally and a tear broke through. "It's not the same." He said through a mild sob.
"Hey I'm gonna be allright and so will you." Kairi said fighting back her own tears.
"I know. I'm gonna miss you so much though." Sora replied.
"Me too." Kairi replied
The group around them watched the sad display with their own emotions threatening to break through with the exception of Leon. Riku walked over to them. "You all watch over her, ok?" Riku said not so much as a request but as a statement.
"Of course." Leon replied.
Just then Tron's voice came from computer breaking the mood. "Uhm.. Oh dear. This is rather extraordinary. How did I miss this?" Tron fumbled and bumbled trying to form a sentence.
Kairi and Sora exchanged quizzical looks at each other while King Mickey asked Tron "What is it?"
"It well appears that uhm…." Tron stuttered.
Cid finally burst "Will you for love of all that is holy and good, just spit it out!"
"Allright! Kairi? Or should I call you Princess Kairi?" Tron began. "Anyway, how old are you?"
"I'm fifteen why?" Kairi questioned.
"Well it appears that in order for you to take power, you would have to uhh, my this is incredibly awkward." Tron struggled through his explanation.
"I don't like where this is going." Tifa grumbled. "You have to be married by your sixteenth birthday." Tron finally blurted out."
"That's where I was afraid this was going." Tifa sighed.
"OK! That's it! We cannot ask anymore of her!" Cid yelled.
"But what are we going to do about Radiant Garden!" Leon interjected.
"You can't be serious!" Yuffie replied incredulously.
"He has a point guys." Tifa Tried to reason. King Mickey could only look down at his feet in disbelief.
"Guys?" Riku shouted above the argument. Will everyone stop arguing for a second? Hey!" Riku yelled again trying to get everyone's attention. Frustrated, Riku whipped out the Way of the Dawn and launched a fireball in the air. Everyone stopped and looked at Riku who was pointing at Sora and Kairi who looking each other in the eyes holding hands.
At first they chuckled nervously to each other, relieved at the turn of events. But then grew somber, realizing what this really meant. "Sora? This? Really? You really think we can do this?" Kairi asked in disbelief.
"Hey we're always saying we want be together forever? This is just making it official, right?" Sora replied with a grin.
"But we haven't even kissed or been on a real date. I know we have this love for each other Sora, but is it really enough for marriage?" She asked with genuine fear.
Sora knew she had every right to be afraid, for he was just as scared as she was. "Hey we just saved the entire Universe, I think we can handle this." Sora said with much more confidence. "Ok, let's do this." Kairi said as she put her arms around Sora who accepted her embrace.
After a few seconds of their embrace they turned to face the group. "Guys? We'll do it." Sora stated with a nervous chuckle as he and Kairi held their hands up together.
"Oh yeah this won't be difficult." Cid sighed to himself.
"I call first on bridesmaid!" Yuffie joked trying to snap everyone out of their shocked stupor, although she was partially being serious.
Present day.
"Man, that is crazy." Hayner said as he shook his head in disbelief.
"You guys are really doing this?" Pence piped in.
Sora simply nodded still taking it all in.
"Well you have to admit you two are definitely more than friends." Olette pointed out helpfully as she enjoyed her sea salt ice cream.
"Really?" Sora asked. "
Uhm yeah!" Olette replied incredulously. "You fought your way through cosmos searching for her, fought to the death with your best friend, and sacrificed your heart and body so that she could live. That's love Sora." Olette concluded.
"She has a point." Hayner added.
"Yeah, you're right." Sora agreed. After a few minutes of awkward silence Sora decided to ask the question he came all the way to ask. "So you guys coming to the wedding?" Sora asked.
"Of course!" They all said in unison.
"When is it?" Pence asked.
"It's going to be in eight months." Sora replied. "It's right before Kairi's sixteenth birthday."
"In February huh?" Hayner thought aloud.
"Ooh! Can I be a bridesmaid?" Olette asked eagerly.
"Yeah, Kairi has a list and you were on it." Sora replied.
"All right score!" Olette jumped up in celebration. "You guys should be groomsmen!" She added excitedly without asking Sora if he had any. He only had Tidus and Wakka and Riku was his Best man naturally.
"What? Me in a penguin suit? No way." Hayner replied annoyed.
"Yeah I never wore a tuxedo. I'm afraid I would look weird." Pence added.
"Actually if you guys don't mind I could actually use you guys, because well I'm out of friends in that regard." Sora chimed in.
"Well why not? It could be fun." Hayner.
"Yeah I guess I'll do it." Pence conceded.
"Great we have to go shopping!" Olette said with excitement.
"What? It's eight months away." Hayner reasoned.
"Okay, but I will bother you guys until we go shopping." She added proud of herself.
"I'll give you more details when me and Kairi get further along with what we are planning on. I got to get going. Other worlds and people to see." Sora said sadly, sorry to leave this world again.
"Where you off to?" Hayner asked.
"Let's see?" Sora asked to himself as he pulled out list of worlds he had been to. "I've already been to the deep jungle, Agrabah, Wonderland." Sora stopped in mid sentance.
"Man! Alice was sure mad when she found out she's the only Princess of Heart, who wasn't a real princess, or the only one who didn't have a boyfriend." Sora recounted the conversation he had with Alice. "So far everybody says their coming." Sora added. "I'm headed to Atlantica next to see Ariel." Sora stopped again when he realized something. "You know? I kind of feel bad for missing all my friend's weddings." Sora added realizing Ariel is married to Eric and Jasmine to Aladdin.
"Sora, don't, you were trying to save the Universe at the time." Olette said putting a encouraging hand on Sora.
"Yeah, listen I got to get going. Thanks guys." Sora said his goodbyes and got on the portal from the usual spot. In a bright flash he vanished before his friends and was off to the next world.
"You think Sora and Kairi will be ok?" Olette asked her two friends.
"I think so. Those two are strong enough they could survive anything." Hayner said to his friends in confidence."
"Well that concludes chapter one. This story was inspired by a number pictures I saw over the internet so I got the idea to do this story. Unfortunately a number of authors have already beaten me to this idea (don't you hate when that happens?), But rest assured mine is completely my own idea and not copied from anyone else. I will update as I can per my convenience. As always please read and Review and thank you for reading.