I was originally going to have each chapter be a single world; problem is Agrabah turned out to be over a hundred pages long. Now, I don't know if there will be other chapters that will be that long, it's likely. So, what's going to happen is both parts will be considered a single chapter with two separate parts. As always, thank you, to my readers. None of this is possible without your support. As long as there's one person reading I'll keep writing. Enjoy!
….
CHAPTER 4: Agrabah – The King of Thieves
The sands of the Arabian Desert were blowing hard as a solitary figure climbed up the dunes. Agrabah was in sight, several camels made their way alongside the man as he continued towards the city. A cool smile spread underneath his mask as he fixed his eyes on the glittering palace.
"We're nearly there." He muttered to himself. "They won't even know what hit them."
….
Sora and his companions walked through the market place trying to avoid being squashed under a cart, or shoved into another traveler.
"Awful busy today fellas." Goofy said as he weaved through a group of running children. "Wonder what the occasion is?"
"No idea." Sora replied making sure not to knock into a cart. "But we should get to the palace; find out what Aladdin and Jasmine are up to."
They all started to make their way towards the palace but, the closer they got, the thicker the crowd seemed to become. They were soon blocked out by the sea of people.
"C'mon move! MOVE!" Donald shouted, shoving the crowd. Nothing worked; all the people were so tightly packed together there wasn't an inch of space.
"How do we get in?" Riku asked, even though he was the tallest among them he couldn't see over all the people and animals.
"No problem amigos!" A voice called out, all six friends looked around bemused. The voice had come out of nowhere. "So you came to see the wedding huh, Sora?"
"Wedding – what wedding?" Sora asked looking around, "Wait – Genie is that you?"
"You got it kid." In a plume of smoke a giant blue genie appeared.
"Sora! Donald, Goofy!" Genie exclaimed swooping down embracing all three in a giant bear hug. "Aw, I knew you guys wouldn't miss Al's big day. Hey, and look! You brought friends! Well, the more the merrier."
Genie dropped down examining the three other teenagers with large eyes.
"So this must be, Riku." Genie ruffled Riku's long, silver hair. "And this, pretty little lady, must be Kairi." He said kissing Enya's hand.
"That's my sister." Sora said with a laugh.
Genie's eyes nearly bulged out of his head as he looked between Enya and Sora.
"Kairi's your sister!" Genie looked shocked. "Sora, the way you talked about her I thought that you two were more… doesn't matter nothing a long dose of therapy can't fix."
There was a stunned moment of silence, and then Enya burst into a fit of laughter.
"N-no I'm Enya, Sora's sister, that's K-Kairi." Enya pointed a shaking finger at Kairi still laughing. "You thought that me and Sora w-were…" But the rest of her sentence was inaudible over her giggling. Everyone else had started laughing too. Sora turned bright red, shuffling his feet awkwardly.
"So – um – Genie Aladdin and Jasmine are getting married?" Sora asked, trying to change the topic quickly.
"Wow, Aladdin must be happy." Donald said still smiling.
"Oh yeah." Genie replied. "Actually, I'm looking for Al."
"You mean he's not at the palace with Jasmine?" Kairi said surprised.
"Wonder where he could be?" Goofy said looking around at all the people heading toward the palace, "Kinda hard to find him in a crowd like this."
Enya was looking around as well, only half listening to the conversation. But, something caught her eye and she spoke up.
"Aladdin – is he taller, probably six feet with tanned skin. Brown eyes and black hair, walks around with a monkey."
Sora was surprised, he had vaguely described all of his new friends but he hadn't gone into a ton of detail about their appearance.
"How do you know?" Sora asked looking around at the people; none really matched Aladdin's description, or at least none of them were walking around with monkeys.
Enya pointed a slender finger behind Sora, over his head. Turning around and glancing up, Sora and the others saw Aladdin sitting in a window. He looked confused and nervous.
"We better get up there." Riku said walking towards the door to the building.
….
Aladdin turned away from the window. With a sigh he continued fingering a package in his hand, tossing it back and forth. Aladdin brought it closer to his face and blew some of the dust off the wrappings. Aladdin just started to untie the parcel when he heard someone coming up the stairs. He glanced up and a huge grin spread across his face.
"Sora!" He exclaimed with a start. "You're here!" Aladdin stepped forward putting his hands on Sora's shoulders, still smiling.
"Yeah, we're all here." Sora stepped aside to reveal his companions.
"Donald! Goofy!" Aladdin's grin spread even wider. "So this must be Riku and Kairi, you all found each other. But, who's this – she looks kinda like you Sora."
"This is Enya, my sister." Sora explained. He started to feels a bit uncomfortable, had he told no one about his sister?
Aladdin strode over and shook the three newcomer's hands.
"Aladdin," Sora said after everyone had been greeted, "shouldn't you be at the palace with Jasmine? You're getting married today, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I am." Aladdin sighed. "But I needed to get this first."
He picked up the parcel he'd been holding before. He finished un-wrapping it.
"A dagger?" Riku said bemused looking at the small sword that fell out into Aladdin's hand.
"My mother gave this to me before she died, it belonged to my father."
"Your father, you never said a word about your father." Genie said floating over to Aladdin's side. "Well, I'll have to get him a seat and place at the reception! Why didn't you tell me sooner? It's going to upset the whole seating plan!"
"Because, he died a long time ago."
"Sorry." Sora said sadly, placing a hand on Sora's shoulder. He couldn't imagine growing up without a father; he realized how much he missed his own parents.
"It's alright Sora; I don't even really remember him. My mother said he wanted me to have this for my wedding day."
"I'm sure he's very proud of you Aladdin." Kairi said. Aladdin gave a somber smile.
"I just wish I'd known him better, maybe if I did, I'd feel ready for this."
"I'm sure you'll be fine – everyone gets cold feet on days like this." Enya piped up.
"How would you know?" Riku asked looking at her out the corner of his eye. Enya gave him an exasperated look.
"It's not that." Aladdin interjected. "It's just – I've always been on my own." Suddenly Abu, the monkey, landed on Al's shoulder tapping a paw, screeching and jabbering.
"Well, I've been on my own except for Abu." Aladdin corrected, scratching Abu on the head. "I'm taking a big step today."
"You'll be fine Aladdin, you love Jasmine right?" Donald asked.
"Of course, I can't imagine my life without her, but I don't anything about families."
"Al, little buddy, if your father were here I bet he'd be as proud of you as I am." Genie said wrapping his arms around his friend's shoulders. Aladdin smiled and nodded.
Suddenly, a little red and blue parrot flew through the window. He flapped around and landed on Sora's spiky haired head.
"C'mon Al!" the parrot squawked. "We can't have a weddin' without the groom."
"Hey Iago." Goofy said looking at the parrot. "How've ya been?"
"Fantastic! I've reformed completely. Now I'm living at the palace, helping with the weddin'…sorting all those presents."
Sora glanced up trying to see the bird nesting in his hair. "Oh yeah, and how expensive are all these presents?"
A gleam flashed in Iago's eyes and he rubbed his wings together. "Very."
Sora shook his head, dislodging the parrot from his head.
"Hey!" Iago squawked highly annoyed, he flew over and landed on Riku's shoulder instead. "Well enough with your mushy bonding, you need to get to the palace." With that Iago soared out the window.
"For once the bird's right." Genie said. "We'd better go."
Aladdin nodded but turned to Sora first. "Sora, I want you, Donald and Goofy, to be in my wedding."
"Us?" All three exclaimed in unison.
"Sora, you three helped me save Jasmine – more than once; I want to thank you for that. Besides, we're pals and I need some best men."
The three friends smiled and nodded eagerly. Aladdin turned to the window and let out a piercing whistle. Suddenly a flying carpet soared up to the window stopping just outside.
"Wow." Riku, Kairi and Enya said looking at the rug, suspended in midair.
"Well c'mon Al." Genie called as he jumped into the air floating next to Carpet as everyone squeezed on. "You're finally getting married."
….
The hooded figure led the camels, and their cargo, through the huge wooden gates and into the stables. He stared up at the golden turrets.
Behind him, one of the baskets began to shake, golden claws ripped through the wicker, tearing it to shreds. Stepping over the remains of his hideout, a tall muscular man rested a gray hand on his accomplishes shoulder.
"I'm growing impatient Cassim. Where's this ultimate treasure that you promised us?"
The hooded man brushed the gray man's hand off his shoulder. "Just a little longer Sa'luk, I promise you, it will all be worth it."
Sa'luk raised his fist, the golden claws around his knuckles glistening menacingly. "It better be – if this is another one of your idiotic schemes – you'll answer to me."
Cassim turned his back to Sa'luk unconcerned.
"The oracle is here – this time I'm sure." Cassim stepped out of the stable walking towards the palace. Sa'luk followed him, looking greatly angered by Cassim's cool domineer.
"Sa'luk, you and the other will distract the guards; I'll go into the palace and grab our prize. This wedding of the princess is the perfect distraction for me to get inside unnoticed."
"All part of your plan?" Sa'luk asked still glowering.
Cassim gave a bark of laughter, adjusting his mask, making sure it was secure over his face. "Oh yes. A large part."
….
Aladdin stood under the pavilion. Sora, Donald, and Goofy were to his right. Riku, Kairi and Enya stood next to Carpet and Abu in the sea of people. The pavilion was elaborately decorated from top to bottom with flowers and candles. Genie was floating near Aladdin looking around with a gleam in his eye.
"I think it all came together pretty well if I do say so myself." Genie stated looking at the pavilion with pride. That explained a lot. Aladdin grimaced over his shoulder at Sora.
"We kinda put Genie in charge of the wedding and he – well he was just being Genie."
"Just think about Jasmine." Sora whispered back to Aladdin. At the sound of Jasmine's name Aladdin's whole face brightened, he looked happier than Sora had ever seen him.
At the far end of the room there was a large arch, two giant peacocks stood in front of it, their magnificent tail feathers spread wide. At that moment however, they folded their feathers down to reveal Jasmine standing there.
"Wow." Aladdin said letting out his breath in awe. Jasmine looked beautiful, holding a bouquet of white flowers, her long white dress flowing around her.
"So that's Jasmine." Riku whispered as she passed by the friends on her way to the altar. Enya elbowed him good-naturedly.
"Hey, don't get any ideas. She's getting married."
Riku glanced over to Enya, ready to glare down at her, but to his surprise he didn't really have to look down as far as he use to. She was only a couple inches shorter than him now, she'd changed so much. She glanced at him, smiling.
"What?"
"Nothing, be quite we're at a wedding." Riku muttered. Several people shushed him and Enya and Kairi both fought hard to keep a straight face.
Jasmine was nearly to Aladdin, he was already stretching his hand out to her, when suddenly the entire pavilion shook, making everyone stumbled into each other.
"Whoa!" Sora said catching his balance. "What was that?"
He looked around and let out a groan. "Not now."
Aladdin and the other looked at where Sora was staring, and their hearts sank. A dozen Neo-shadows and Large Bodies came storming through the wedding smashing as they went. What was worse, men followed them their faces masked, all carrying weapons of some sort.
"You're kidding me!" Enya shouted as she ran up to Sora. "There's TYPES of Heartless. More than those shadow things."
"Yeah. A lot more." Sora summoned his keyblade. Enya summoned her daggers getting ready, keeping her eyes on the massacre in front of them, she asked.
"Anything I should know about these ones?"
"Yeah – tall black ones – really fast," Riku said standing next to Sora, "and don't attack the fat ones from the front."
"Why not?"At that moment one of the guards ran forward, sword raised, he slammed into one of the Large Bodies. He was thrown half way across the pavilion; Kairi who was running towards her friends, hit the floor to avoid being taken out.
Enya's eyes widened. "Got it."
"Riku and I will take care of the Heartless." Sora said. "You four get the men."
"Sure you get all the fun." Kairi quipped.
Enya grinned at Donald and Goofy who stood slightly behind Sora. "C'mon boys, let's round them up."
Kairi, Enya, Donald and Goofy ran towards the masked men. Riku and Sora started to head towards where the Heartless were, but Aladdin grabbed Sora's arm.
"Sora, I wanna help."
"Al, stay with Jasmine. Keep her safe, we'll handle this."
Sora ran after Riku who had already entered the brawl. The Heartless and men had taken the advantage of surprise, several of the guards had been knocked out, and the other guards were being forced back.
"Out of the way!" Riku shouted as he hacked at several Heartless. Sora joined in and the Neo-shadows converged on them leaping side to side.
As Enya, Kairi, Donald, and Goofy ran to help the guards, they could see that these men were no match for these thieves.
"Who are these guys?" Goofy asked as the blocked an attack.
"Their demons," A guard panted, "worse than demons, they're the forty thieves!"
"Forty huh, that makes it ten each." Donald said as he lashed out at one of the men. He was forced to retreat however when one of the guards got in his way. Donald glared up at him.
"You guys get the guests outta here! These men are robbin' them blind."
It was true. As the thieves attacked, they stole the jewels and anything else valuable off the guest.
Kairi held her keyblade tight as a shorter man lunged at her. He sliced his arms down at her, Kairi quickly raised her keyblade. Sliding to the side Kairi bashed the man on the back of the head, knocking him unconscious. She grimaced at Goofy.
"That's one for me."
Suddenly one of the other thieves threw daggers towards Kairi. It happened so fast she didn't have time to block them. They sliced into the side of her clothing pinning her to the wall.
"Kairi!" Sora shouted, running to help his friend he was blocked by several Large Bodies. He leapt through the air trying to defeat the Heartless and get to Kairi at the same time.
"I'll help her." Enya shouted to Sora. She was sprinting towards Kairi when she too, was blocked, but by a tall gray man. Kairi kicked out at her attacker knocking out several of his teeth. Enya was having more trouble. The gray man (Sa'luk) raised his fist gold claws gleaming; he lashed out at her, knocking one of her daggers from her hand.
Enya dove to the side, rolling she landed on her feet next to Kairi, who was still pinned to the wall. Enya quickly grabbed one of the daggers pinning her friend's arm to the wall. She threw it at Sa'luk, who lazily knocked it aside.
"Um, Kairi," Enya said re-summoning her own daggers, "you – ah – think you can handle yourself why I take care of this guy?"
Kairi nodded; yanking the other daggers out of her clothing she quickly rejoined the rest of the fight. Enya turned back to Sa'luk, just in time to block the golden claws around his fist. Sa'luk shoved Enya back making her stumble. Quickly taking advantage of Enya's weakness, Sa'luk attack, Enya gasped in pain as the claws pierced her skin.
"Come now little girl, you have to do better than that." Sa'luk sneered.
Enya pushed herself to her feet, charging forward and smashing Sa'luk in the middle of the chest toppling him to the ground. He rolled over crushing Enya under his weight. Bending her knees Enya kicked out, propelling Sa'luk off her. Sa'luk stumbled back, clutching his chest, he quickly ran out of the pavilion.
The battle continued Riku and Sora easily taking out the Heartless. Enya paled, waiting for the usual pain in her chest. It didn't come, nothing more than a slight twinge. With a sigh of relief Enya turned to see that Donald and Goofy had piled the men they'd beaten in a corner.
"That's 36…37…38." He looked up at Goofy who stood right next to him. "Hey, I thought those guards said they were the forty thieves."
"Uh, maybe ya miscounted." Goofy suggested. Donald put his hands on his hip, looking annoyed.
"I didn't miscount! There are thirty-eight men here, not forty."
"Well one of them is that big gray guy." Enya grimaced she walked over to where Donald and Goofy stood clutching her arm. Riku and Sora ran up to them. Sora saw Enya's arm and quickly moved over to her.
"What happened?" He asked looking at her arm, Enya shrugged his hand off.
"Nothing, it's just a cut. What's really important, is finding out where this last guy is."
Aladdin stood next to Jasmine, holding her tight. It had taken all his willpower not to go and help Sora and the others. He heard what Donald and the others had said. He looked around, a moving shadow catching his eye. It was heading towards a side room.
"Forty." He whispered heading towards where he'd seen the figure disappear.
The hooded figures eyes gleamed as he saw all the treasures stacked in the room, but he was after one particular item, this time. He quickly scanned the many glittering tables, roughly shoving things aside.
"Where is it?" Cassim growled. He began to turn away when something caught his eye. Quickly moving a golden statuette to the side Cassim saw what he wanted. A small staff with a large blue gem on top was lying on the table. Cassim reached out for it.
Suddenly Aladdin appeared out of nowhere slamming into him, knocking Cassim to the floor.
"I don't think you were invited?" Aladdin said snatching the staff up. Cassim's eyes narrowed to slits, as he slowly stood.
"I'd give that back to me boy, if I were you."
"Not a chance."
Cassim lunged at Aladdin; he made a grab for the staff. Cassim's move shoved Aladdin back, crashing into one of the present laden table. Aladdin grunted trying to break free.
"Hey!" Sora burst through the entryway. The distraction gave Aladdin just enough time to get a firm grip on the staff, and shove Cassim away.
Cassim looked as if he would try to take on both Aladdin and Sora when Riku, Donald, Goofy, Enya, and Kairi appeared in the doorway weapons raised. Uttering a curse under his breath, Cassim pulled a small, pitch black, marble from inside his cloak.
"This isn't over boy." With that Cassim threw the marble to the ground. It shattered emitting a black, heavy fog. Everyone began to chough and gag, trying to blindly find a way out.
"Hey, who turned off the lights?" Genie's voice came from the inky blackness. Suddenly the fog was gone, as if it had been sucked away. Genie stood in the middle of the small group, looking around confused.
"What? I disappear for two seconds to make sure the dinner's cookin' and the wedding gets attacked."
"Pretty much." Riku said looking around.
Jasmine came running into the room, seeing Aladdin she quickly went over to him. "Aladdin, the thieves their gone! I don't know what happened, it went black – and then, they weren't there anymore."
Sora saw the staff the thief had been after under a table, Aladdin had dropped it during the blackout, and it had rolled away. He quickly scooped it up examining its golden surface.
"This is what that guy was after?" Sora asked looking over his shoulder at Aladdin; he nodded, still holding Jasmine tight. Sora walked over to Aladdin holding the staff out. "It doesn't look that fancy compared to all the other gifts. Wonder what the big deal was?
Suddenly the jewel on top burst into light, it floated out of Sora's hand to float in the middle of the group. From the top a smoky figure unfolded to reveal a woman in a long white robe. Everything about her was pure white; even her eyes had no color.
"Whoa!" Everyone said in awe as the ghost-like figure floated above them.
"You have summoned me from the oracle. What is your question? For I know all that is was, and will be. But know this; I can only answer one question for each person." Her voice echoed off the walls.
Everyone turned to look at Aladdin. He glanced wildly back.
"What?"
"Aladdin, you should be the one to ask." Jasmine said looking up at him. "I know our future is to be together, but I also know how you feel about your past. Ask about what happened back then."
Aladdin stared at Jasmine for a long time but then hung his head. "I can't. I don't know if I want to know what happened to my father. If I ask one thing, I'll just want to know more."
"Yes, all of which can be answered by your father." The oracle chimed in a monotone voice. Aladdin's head whipped up, everyone else stared at each other in shocked amazement.
"My father's alive?"
….
"No."
"C'mon Enya-"
"Not a chance."
"Please En, it's the only way."
"Well, okay."
"Really?"
"NO!" Enya put her hands on her hips glaring at Sora.
This argument had been going on for several minutes now, and no one had budged. Aladdin had decided to go and look for his father. The Oracle had told him that his father was trapped among the forty thieves. This had launched everyone into wanting to go and help. Sora had other plans.
"Enya stop being stubborn and just listen." Sora tried to reason, but Enya cut him off again.
"I'm not letting you two," She jabbed a finger at Sora and Riku, "a rug, and a talking pigeon, follow a band of blood thirsty murders, and stay behind."
"I'm going too." Aladdin interjected, Enya gave him a look that said "small comfort."
"Give me one good reason Kairi and I can't come too! ONE!"
Sora moaned. "Had En always been this thick headed?"
He glanced at Riku who merely shrugged.
"I'll give you three!" Sora said.
"One, your both hurt." He put up a finger.
"Two, we can't all fit on Carpet. That's why Donald and Goofy aren't coming either. And three, your … condition." Sora put up his other two fingers looking smug, Enya's look got darker.
"That's low. This cut is nothing." Enya showed her arm where Sa'luk had gotten hold of her. It wasn't awful.
"Yeah, and don't call these wounds." Kairi chimed in looking equally annoyed. She pointed to the tiny cuts on her arm from where the daggers had made contact with her skin. "And we wouldn't take up that much room on Carpet; it didn't matter when we came to the palace. We all squeezed on."
"Yeah, but that was for less than a mile, we have no idea how long we'd be flying to find Aladdin's father!"
"Well, we could find a way around that." Kairi murmured, her resolve bending slightly. Enya wasn't giving up so easily.
"As for my "condition" nothing happened last time."
This made Sora stop dead in his tracks; he looked at his sister in shock. "What do you mean nothing happened?"
"I mean exactly what I said, nothing happened, no shortage of breath – and you were fighting what, fifty, Heartless?"
"Fifty-two."
"Yeah, well close enough."
Riku had been watching Sora and Enya bickering closely; he smiled slightly at how much it reminded him of how things use to be back on the island. Just like back on the island, he knew he would have to be the peacemaker between these two.
"Okay that's enough." Riku said calmly. Both siblings looked up as Riku strode over to them, his hands deep in his pockets. He focused his gaze on Enya. "Can I talk to you for a second?"
Enya stood still for a minute, Riku put his arm on her shoulder, gently leading her aside. Enya glanced back at Sora, giving him a look that said "I'm not finished arguing with you yet." Sora stuck his tongue out.
When Riku thought they were a decent distance from the others he let go of Enya's shoulder. He turned to look at her, Enya smirked at him. She was one of the few that wasn't intimidated by him. It was both a comfort and an annoyance.
"Enya, you've got to admit Sora's got a point."
She made a noise that sounded a lot like Hmpf. But she didn't say anything so Riku continued. "It's just as important that you stay here, as it is us leaving to help Aladdin."
Enya only looked at him.
"Think about it En, whose going to protect the palace while Aladdin, is away? You, Kairi, Donald, and Goofy need to make sure everything here is okay. You saw those guards, they're useless."
The corner of Enya's lip twitched slightly and she sighed, "This sounds a lot like when we were little. You and Sora would run off to have fun and Kairi and I got stuck "being the lookouts.""
Riku smiled back and put his hands on either of Enya's shoulder. "We really need you to stay here."
Enya rolled her eyes, giving in, "Fine, I'll stay, but if you guys aren't back in three days I'm coming after you." She started to walk away but she turned back to look at Riku, long brown hair fanning around her.
"I mean it Riku; I'll come after you guys and trust me. You – don't – want – that.
….
Sora, Riku, and Aladdin were all cramped onto the magic carpet, soaring over dunes and palm trees. Iago was perched on Riku's shoulder sulking.
"Why'd I have to come?" Iago murmured. "I could have stayed and help with the weddin' or something."
"You want to complain to someone, save it for Genie; he's the one who sent you with us." Sora said over his shoulder.
"Why!"
"To sum it up he said – I don't want that bird anywhere near this pavilion. Get rid of him."
Iago continued to sulk as they companions flew along. Aladdin had his eyes trained on the ground following hoof prints, the only sign that anyone had passed through the sandy plains. Soon the sun began to set, making it harder and harder to see the hoof prints.
"I can't see any more guys." Aladdin sighed. "We're goin' have to land and follow them by foot."
"I don't think that's going to be our problem." Riku interjected pointing ahead.
Just a few yards away they could see a group of horsemen galloping around a large stone. Aladdin yanked Carpet to a halt. Everyone quickly dismounted.
"You know what – I'll stay here and uh – stand guard." Iago said fluttering off Riku's shoulder.
"No way." Aladdin said yanking Iago off of Carpet. "C'mon."
Sora, Riku, and Aladdin quietly made their way to the side of the large boulders they'd seen the forty thieves go around. Leaning around the edge to see what was going on, they could see the thieves, all mounted on horses on the shoreline of the sea.
"What are they doing?" Sora whispered watching the riders, "They can't go any farther. Why are they just standing there?"
"I don't know," Riku replied keeping his eyes trained on the thieves, "but I have a feeling they came to this spot on purpose."
"Why, there's nothing here." Aladdin interjected, keeping his voice low enough that the men couldn't hear them. "Their trapped here, we could take them on now, make them tell us where my father is."
"I don't think so Al." Sora said looking up at Aladdin. "When Kairi and Enya fought these guys they had Goofy and Donald. There were more of them, and they had magic."
"Besides, even if the three of us defeated all of them, I don't think they wouldn't tell us anything." Riku muttered.
"Well we can't just stay here!" Aladdin quipped getting annoyed.
Sora and Riku looked at each other. They knew Aladdin was right, but they also knew that they needed to find out where Aladdin's father was, and get him out without being seen. That meant finding, and sneaking into the forty thieves' hideout, if they ever found it.
At that moment, one of the thieves rode forward. It was the thief that had fought with Aladdin over the oracle. They all recognized the deep blue cloak he wore. Riding his horse to the edge of the seashore he sat in the saddle for a moment. He seemed to be staring at a large sea boulder; it was easily a hundred yards out. Sora, Riku and Aladdin watched as the man raised his hand, the cloaked figures eyes still locked on the stone outcrop.
"Open Sesame!" Cassim shouted, his voice echoing over the icy waters. Suddenly the water started to boil and the stone cracked right down the middle. Stones cracked off falling into the boiling water, forming a pathway to the shore. Kicking his horse into a gallop Cassim lead the way across the stony pathway, his men close on his heels. As soon as the men were across the doorway started to close.
"Let's go!" Aladdin shouted. Rushing back to Carpet everyone leapt on. Speeding across the waterway they barely made it inside before the doorway slammed closed. Unfortunately, one of Carpet's tassels got caught in between the two stones. Yanking to a stop Sora, Riku, and Aladdin were thrown to the ground.
Sitting up slowly, Sora rubbed his throbbing head. Seeing Carpet trying to tug itself free and failing, he quickly stood and ran over. Sora could see that the only way they were going to get him out would be to open the doorway again.
"Open Se –" Sora began to shout but Riku clamped his hand over his friends mouth.
"Sora you can't, they'll hear us!" Riku whispered hoarsely. Sora reached up and pulled Riku's hand off his mouth. He glanced at Carpet, and then back at Riku, and nodded. Aladdin stood a few feet away looking anxious.
"We can't just leave Carpet here, what if someone sees him." Aladdin felt something sharp and cold press into back. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw one of the forty thieves behind him, him sword was at Aladdin's back.
Another thief had grabbed Iago. Two more were advancing on Sora and Riku. Both summoned their weapons, getting ready to fight when the blue cloaked figure strode forward, his arms crossed.
"If you want your friends to live, I highly recommend that you lower your weapons, and surrender."
Sora and Riku glanced back and forth, neither of them saw anyway of escaping while getting everyone out alive. Both dropped their weapons, in a flash of light they disappeared.
"Very good, now we'll let you go if –" Cassim started to say but Sa'luk stepped forward, his teeth bared.
"We won't let them go." Sa'luk growled looking at the trespassers, "They've all seen too much. . . Take them."
….
Kairi entered the throne room to see Enya lying on a stake of pillows in the middle of the room. She was staring up at the ceiling her mouth moving but no words seemed to be coming out.
"Enya," Kairi asked cautiously coming closer, "are you okay?"
"Do you know how many ceiling tiles are in this room?" Enya asked glassy eyed.
"Um."
"437," Enya said stilling looking up at the ceiling, "Technically 363 whole tiles and 74 half tiles. Do you know… how I know this?"
"Ah," Kairi said slowly.
"Because I've counted all of them – FIVE TIMES – This morning!" Enya sat up looking at Kairi in desperation. "Kairi, I can't take this, I need to know what's going on."
Kairi knelt down next to her friend; she put her hand on Enya's shoulder.
"Enya it's only been two days, I'm sure their fine. They'll be back soon enough."
Enya didn't move for a minute and when she spoke, her voice was very quiet, "It's like waiting for you three to come home again."
Kairi had no response. Glancing around for a distraction, something out of the corner of her eye caught Kairi's attention. A flash of gold, Kairi raised her hand, just in time to catch the flying golden plate that came whizzing by.
Both of the girls stared at the shining disk in Kairi's hand. The sound of something slicing through the air caught Enya's attention she deftly caught a statuette that came flying in their direction.
"Donald! You better not be going through the wedding gifts, those are for Aladdin and Jasmine." Enya shouted towards the side room. Before Sora had left he had warned Enya and Kairi about Donald's addiction to shiny and expensive items.
"What makes you think it's me?" Donald said as he entered the throne room, from the completely different direction.
Kairi and Enya looked at Donald, then at each other, at the side room and then back at Donald.
"Goofy?" Kairi called starting to get a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, "is that you?"
"Nope, I'm right here." Goofy poked his head around the door that Donald stood in front of. "I've been making sure Jasmine's okay, she's been kinda blue, what with Aladdin gone and all."
"We'll if it's not you two, than who . . ." Kairi said slowly looking back at the side room. Enya was one step ahead of her. She'd already summoned her daggers and was slowly creeping towards the room where the treasures were stored. Kairi, Donald, and Goofy quickly summoned their own weapons, close on her heels.
Enya peered into the room and her eyes widened in horror. A dozen Heartless were in the room smashing the gifts, climbing the walls, and jumping off the balcony to reach other floors.
"Looks like Riku was right." Enya said looking at the others.
"About what?" Goofy asked looking inquisitive.
"Those guards are useless." With that all, four burst into the room.
….
Sora, Riku, and Aladdin had been lead into a large chamber where the rest of the forty thieves stood around. They were shoved roughly into the middle of the room. Iago was tied up so he couldn't fly away and laid sprawled on a table. The others weren't fairing any better.
"They've seen too much, they're intruders, and we have rules about intruders." Sa'luk shouted at Cassim who stood near another wooden table.
"We also have the laws that I created, we never kill the innocent." Cassim's face was still masked but his eyes stared out from the inky blackness, shining with authority.
"I'm still the King of Thieves, and my word is law."
Sa'luk raised his fist, "I'm growing tired of all your pathetic laws, Cassim."
Sora saw Aladdin's eyes grow wide in shock, and heard him suck in his breath.
"I'd like to see you try to stop me from letting these boys go." Cassim crossed his arms smirking at Sa'luk .
"Just watch me!" Sa'luk lashed out at Cassim, ready to strike him down. Aladdin broke free of his captures and rushed forward tackling Sa'luk before he could do anymore then tear Cassim's mask off.
"Aladdin!" Sora and Riku shouted in unison, struggling to break free, their guards tighten their grip. Cassim stared at Sora and Riku and then turned stunned eyes on Aladdin, who was struggling against Sa'luk. Cassim grabbed Sa'luk by the back of his shirt yanking him off of Aladdin, propelling him over the wooden table that stood nearby.
"Aladdin?" Cassim asked staring down at the man on the ground in front of him. "Is that really your name? Don't lie to me!"
Aladdin nodded looking at the man who stood in front of him shaking. Cassim knelt down to get a better look at Aladdin in the dim light.
"My son." Cassim whispered.
The room fell silent everyone absorbing what had been said. Sora glanced between the two men on the ground. They did look incredibly similar. Both had jet black hair, although Cassim's was streaked with gray. Both men had dark brown eyes and tanned skin, the same jaw and build. There was no doubt that Cassim was Aladdin's father.
"Don't care if he is your son!" Sa'luk shouted dislodging himself from the table he'd smashed into. "I don't care where they came from, all I know is…"
Sa'luk paused, mid-rant; he'd noticed Sora, more importantly Sora's eyes. He marched over and studied the boy's face. A wicked smile spread across his face, yellowed teeth flashing in the dull light.
"You know what boy, when we raided the palace I fought a girl who looked a lot like you." His smile grew colder, "If I remember correctly I got a pretty good slice out of her."
The other thieves began to chuckle. Riku had heard what Sa'luk said and he could feel his blood begin to boil. This man had been the one who had attacked Enya. He began to struggle but he was too late. Sora had already broken free of his captors and summoned his keyblade, he lashed out at Sa'luk.
"You're the one who hurt my sister!" Sora charged forward. Sa'luk blocked him, shoving him back.
"Sora!" Riku broke free. Grabbing Sora he spun his friend out of the way. Rebuffing Sa'luk's attack with his keyblade, Riku forced Sa'luk back. Riku slashed his keyblade through the air so fast no one truly saw it.
"That's enough." Cassim grabbed Sa'luk shoulder. Sa'luk felt his cheek; a thin gash ran from the side of his forehead to the end of his chin. Sa'luk turned burning eyes on Riku and Sora.
"I will kill you!" Sa'luk spat. Aladdin went to stand next to his friends. Glaring at Sa'luk, Aladdin turned to look at Sora. Sora's look was dark, as if all he wanted in life was to destroy Sa'luk.
"Alright Sa'luk, what do we need to do to get out of here." Aladdin's voice was strangely cold and distant.
"I say the boys face the challenge." Cassim said clapping his hands together. All heads turned to look at him, except Al who avoided looking at his father.
"Oh yeah, and what exactly is this challenge?" Riku asked his keyblade still pointing at Sa'luk, a little blood dripping off its pointed tip.
"Simple enough," Cassim said still looking at his son, "one of you fights one of my men, and if you win you can leave."
"And if your men win?" Sora asked through gritted teeth.
"Well…just don't think about that at the moment." Cassim said running his finger along the edge of his collar. "So – which one of you boys are going to fight one of my men."
Sora stepped forward but Aladdin strode in front of him.
"I will."
"Excellent," Sa'luk growled, "and I shall be the one to test you – boy."
"Aladdin, wait!" Sora said grabbing his arm. "You can't fight him, what about Jasmine."
"I have too, that's my father – even if he is the king of thieves." Aladdin turned to Cassim, "When will the challenge happen?"
"NOW!" Aladdin turned just in time to leap out of the way as Sa'luk attacked.
Aladdin rolled to the side, quickly drawing his dagger from his belt. Sa'luk made another swipe at him but Aladdin was able to block it, he kicked his foot out, knocking Sa'luk off his feet. Aladdin stood and made his way over to Sa'luk. Sa'luk's eyes were closed and a thin trail of blood came from the side of his head.
"I – I think he's dead." Aladdin said stunned looking around.
But that wasn't the case. Sa'luk's eyes shot open and he leapt for Aladdin, sinking his clawed fist into Aladdin's shoulder. Aladdin gasped in pain, clutching his shoulder, blood streaming down in ruby rivulets down his arm.
"You're finished boy!" Sa'luk bellowed.
"No!" Cassim gasped trying to get to Aladdin. As Sa'luk brought his clawed fist down Sora and Riku barreled forward. Riku blocked Sa'luk's attack while Sora hit him square in the chest sending Sa'luk head over heels.
As Riku stood over Aladdin, shielding him from harm, he saw a man in a blood red cloak step forward. He seemed out of place among the grubby thieves. The figure clicked his fingers and stepped back, disappearing into the shadows. As soon as he had clicked his fingers several Heartless appeared circling: Sora, Riku, Aladdin and Sa'luk.
"Aladdin, you think you can defend yourself?" Riku asked, trying to see a weak spot.
"Yeah." Aladdin grunted, getting shakily to his feet.
Riku and Sora turned back to Sa'luk. The Heartless didn't seem interested in harming Sa'luk, in fact they seemed to be backing him up, and he realized it.
"Destroy them!" Sa'luk shouted pointing as Sora, Riku and Aladdin. The Heartless leapt at the three companions, while Sa'luk ran in the opposite direction, up a flight of rickety stairs, and out the door.
Sora and Riku made their way through the Heartless fairly quickly but Aladdin wasn't fairing as well. His arm was throwing him off balance. Several, times Riku or Sora had to come to his aid. The wound on his arm was giving Aladdin a lot of trouble.
Sora crushed the last Heartless with a lash of his Keyblade. Aladdin panted, falling to one knee. Sora went to go to his aid, but Cassim made it to his son first.
"The challenge isn't over yet, you or Sa'luk must die, those are the rules – I'll take care of Aladdin – you two go."
Riku and Sora nodded both running up the stairs after Sa'luk. The doorway open up into a cliff over the raging ocean below.
Sa'luk stood near the edge trying to look for a way out, hearing the footsteps coming behind him however Sa'luk wheeled around yellowed teethed bared.
Sora and Riku got in position, knees bent, ready to spring forward as soon as Sa'luk attacked. Bellowing with rage Sa'luk charged forward, clawed fist raised, dripping with Aladdin's blood. The sight of the blood sparked a fury in Sora, making his own blood boil in hatred.
Sora bounded forward, Riku quickly followed. Sa'luk seemed suddenly a lot stronger than before; he lashed out with renewed hatred. Sora tried to strike a blow at Sa'luk, but the huge grey man punched Sora right in the middle of the chest, sending him skidding towards the edge of the cliff.
Riku saw what happened to Sora, he tried to get to his friend, in order to help him but Sa'luk kicked out at Riku. Catching him under the chin and knocking Riku flat on his back. Sa'luk advanced on Sora who had gotten to his knees, bent over gasping for air.
Riku sat up dazed slightly by the blow, seeing Sora's situation however he quickly snapped back into focus. He knew he wouldn't be able to get over to Sora in time. Glancing around wildly Riku saw his own keyblade laying a foot away. Quickly scooping it up Riku shouted.
"Sora! Catch!"
Sora glanced up, and deftly caught Riku's keyblade. In a flash, both keyblade's were crossed in an X over their wielder's head, and Sa'luk's blow stopped cold at their junction. Sora quickly stood, twisting his body around flipping Sa'luk over his back. Sora hadn't realized exactly how close he and Sa'luk were to the edge, Sa'luk landed on his feet but he was unbalanced and toppled over the edge of the cliff.
Sora stared in horror at the edge of the cliff where Sa'luk had disappeared. Riku came over to stand next to his friend, peering over the edge he sighed, and took his keyblade back from Sora.
"Come on, we better go back."
As Sora and Riku reentered the main room to see all the thieves looking up at them, weapons and teeth bared. Riku and Sora quickly hoisted their own weapons glancing around.
"I thought we only had to fight Sa'luk?" Sora muttered, glancing at Riku. Riku set his jaw in a firm grimace.
"I guess there really isn't any honor among thieves."
Out of the crowd below Cassim immerged crossing his arms and glaring up at the two friends.
"Seeing as you're still breathing I assume that Sa'luk is dead." Sora and Riku didn't answer immediately Cassim began to climb the stairs to the two companions. "Speak quickly."
"Yeah," Riku said grimacing, "Yeah, he's dead. Sa'luk fell over the side of the cliff."
The group of men below began to mummer loudly amongst themselves; Cassim raised a hand, silencing them immediately.
"Very well," Cassim turned his back to Riku and Sora looking down at his men, "bring them." With that the thieves swarmed up the stairs grabbing, and binding Sora and Riku.
"What are you doing?" Sora shouted as he was pushed roughly down the stairs, "I thought if we won, you'd let us go?"
None of the thieves answered as they shoved Riku and Sora into a small room and slammed the door, locking it tight.
"Sora, Riku!" Both glanced up to see Aladdin sitting on a small bench, his arm bound in bandages. He stood and made his way over to Sora and Riku unbinding their hands.
"Thanks," Riku said rubbing his wrists. "There's definitely no honor among thieves."
Aladdin grimaced in acknowledgment and unbound Sora who scrambled to his feet looking around the room. "So what do we do now?" Sora asked the others. Aladdin and Riku glanced at each other, not sure what to do.
"Even if we do get out of this room, we'd have to go against thirty-nine armed men." Aladdin said rubbing his arm; obviously his wound would make it difficult for him to fight.
"I don't think that will be necessary." A voice called from behind them, all three turned around to see Cassim standing in the doorway. He gave them all a quick smile before striding to the other side of the room.
"My men want me to slit all your throats." Cassim said calmly as he pulled out a small pendant from his pocket. "After all, you did just kill one of our greatest fighters."
"So why don't you?" Aladdin said coldly.
Cassim glanced over his shoulder; his face was filled with mixed emotions. "Because, you're my son, Aladdin." Cassim said simply, he turned back to the wall pressing the pendant into an impression in the wall. With a grating sound the wall slid to the side to reveal a secret passage.
"Come, quickly." Cassim said striding into the darkness. After glancing at each other Aladdin, Sora and Riku followed Cassim into the abyss. They walked down a long stair case cut out of the stone. Reaching into another pocket Cassim produced Iago; his feathered ruffled and still bound, but alive.
"I assumed you'd want your, pet back." Cassim mused, handing Aladdin the little bird. Aladdin glanced at his father but didn't respond. He pulled out his dagger and cut Iago's bonds. The bird rotated his beak then stood on the palm of Aladdin's hand glaring at Cassim.
"What's the big idea shoving me into a pocket I outta punch you in the nose Zorro!" Iago squawked, hoping back and forth on Aladdin's hand. His tiny, feathered fist raised.
"I apologize to you for the rough treatment," Cassim said bowing slightly, "but you must admit, if I looked soft in front my men they would have killed us all."
"Looked like they were going to kill us anyways." Riku said his voice full of contempt. Cassim glanced at his then nodded slowly.
"Yes, that's true but you're safe now. This is truly a blessed day. You are all safe, I lose my greatest threat, and my son has returned to me."
"I'm not the one who left." Aladdin seethed, he came to a halt on the stairs, "You're the one who abandoned us, remember?"
"I know, but I left because I wanted what was best for our family." Cassim said turning to look imploringly at Aladdin. Aladdin still looked furious.
"You think leaving your family for twenty years was what was best?" Aladdin was nearly shouting at this point. "You thought that abandoning your five year son and your wife was what was best?"
"YES!" Cassim shouted. The cove fell silent. Sora and Riku stood a little ways back, not sure what to do. This wasn't their battle. Cassim shoulders sagged slightly and his sighed. He leaned again the cave and began his story.
"Many years ago, I heard stories of an ultimate treasure, one that would even put all the treasure of Agrabah to shame. I knew that if I found that treasure, our family could live in the splendor and comfort I knew you and Tama, my wife, deserved." Cassim sighed again pressing the tips of his fingers over his eyes, bring back painful memories.
"I promised that I would return as soon as I could. I'd return with all the wealth we would ever need. Days – became weeks. Weeks – became months, then years and I never found the treasure. I tried, and tried, but I never came close."
"Later I heard that my wife, Tama, was dead and that my son – my son – had disappeared." Aladdin only stared at Cassim, whose voice had become ragged with oppressed emotion.
"After that the treasure became my obsession, I joined a group of men who were also in pursuit of the treasure. So the Forty Thieves began, we looked and looked till we found this place."
Cassim glanced around and sighed. Standing upright he continued down the stairs. Aladdin, Sora, and Riku followed. Cassim continued his story as he descended down the stairway.
"We found this cavern, and it became our hiding place, then while I was wondering on my own I found this passageway, and I found this." Cassim grabbed a glowing torch that was on the wall, and walked down the last few stairs. At the end of the stairway was a small cliff. Standing near the brink, Cassim held the torch high so all of them could see what was in the inky waters below.
Aladdin, Sora, and Riku stepped cautiously near the edge and glanced down. All of them stared in utter shock. Beneath the still water was a ship made from gold, not a single surface of the ship wasn't coated in what appeared to be pure gold.
"At one time or another, the treasure was here, and it caused this." Cassim pointed down at the sparkling ship.
"What kind of treasure could do that?" Sora asked quietly.
"The big one boy," Cassim said looking at Sora out of the corner of his eye, "the Hand of Midas."
"That's just a myth." Aladdin scoffed walking away from the edge. Cassim followed him looking annoyed.
"Did that ship look like a myth to you?" Cassim said grabbing Aladdin's good shoulder. "The stories are true! The Hand of Midas, a magical treasure that turns anything it touches to pure gold."
Aladdin stepped back making Cassim release his grip. "Yeah well, even if it is real why would you want it? I don't know if you noticed but that ship may be gold, but you're precious treasure sunk it!"
"I wouldn't be foolish enough to use it on a ship!" Cassim said started to get angry. "The only reason I wanted the treasure was for you, Aladdin, YOU!"
"You want to know what I wanted?" Aladdin said stepping forward again. He looked like he was about to shout but he relaxed and instead looked at his feet. "I wanted a father."
Aladdin glanced up at Cassim. "I still do." With that Aladdin turned and started to climb the stairs again leaving Cassim, Sora, and Riku at the bottom of the stairs. Aladdin stopped half a dozen steps up and looked at his father.
"Look, my wedding is in a few days, I want you there." Aladdin smiled slightly, "This time you have an invitation, so no need for gate crashing." With that Aladdin continued to climb the stairs, disappearing from sight.
Cassim watched him go and then sighed running a hand through his graying hair. He looked at Riku and Sora and smiled.
"I'm sorry for my rudeness. You two must be tired after your battle, you should rest."
"Actually," Sora said walking up to Cassim, "I want to know more about this Hand of Midas."
Riku nodded in agreement and Cassim looked at the two boys then with a jerk of his head, lead them to the other side of the cliff. At the end there was a piece of material that hung over an opening, shoving it aside Cassim led Riku and Sora inside.
The room was covered with drawings in strange looking runes and was dully lit. At the far end of the long room there was a stone table, draped across it was a tapestry that must have, at one point, hung on one of the walls.
Cassim walked up to it and pointed. "This is where the hand is supposed to be, on an island that is never in the same place twice."
"Well, that's problematic." Riku said leaning over the tapestry to get a better look.
The tapestry showed a large island with a vast city. In one corner the island was shown surrounded by jungle life, in another corner the island was near what looked like a glacier. Sora pointed to this part of tapestry.
"Never in the same place." He muttered, looking at the rest of the cloth.
The Bottom was covered in what looked like a vast amount of treasure, statues and coins all a glittering gold even on the cloth.
"The ultimate treasure." Sora ran his finger along the glittering thread. Then what was right in the middle if the tapestry caught his eye. Riku saw it as well and they exchanged a shocked look.
Right in the middle was a golden hand, and on either side of it was what looked like two halves of a keyhole. Riku stepped away from the table and leaned against the wall, eyes closed. "It can never be simple, can it?" he thought grimly.
Iago flapped into the room and landed on the table, his eyes gleamed when he saw all the treasure displayed on the tapestry. Sora walked over to Riku.
"You know what those symbols on either side of the Hand look like, right?"
Riku nodded slowly, eyes still closed. "A keyhole." Riku opened his teal eyes slowly and glanced at Cassim and Iago who were still bent over the table. "We have to find the keyhole; it's what we're supposed to do as Keybearers."
Sora nodded in agreement, "But how are we suppose to find it? Cassim's been looking for twenty years and never found it. No one would know. . ." Sora's voice trailed off as a new thought accorded to him. Turing Sora quickly strode over to Cassim.
"There's a reason you were at the palace wasn't there?" Sora asked. "There was a reason that you were after the oracle?"
Cassim looked surprised, but nodded. "Well, yes. I had hoped that it would lead me to the Vanishing Isle, but it's probably another dead end."
Sora nodded then ran towards the door; he skidded to a halt and looked back at Cassim.
"You know, you really should come to Aladdin's wedding. I can tell he really does want you there." With that Sora ran out the door and up the stairs. Riku watched him go then straightened, and made his way out as well. Cassim rubbed the back of his neck and turned back to look at the tapestry.
"I can't go back to Agrabah; I don't belong at the palace. I don't see how it could work."
"But the oracle does right?" Iago said slyly, hoping onto Cassim's shoulder, "While it's in the palace, no one would even use it, kinda a waste, if you ask me."
Cassim grimaced and made his way towards the door. "The oracle," He growled slightly, "it's probably nothing but another dead end."
"Oh yeah, then how do you think those boys found ya here? The oracle led 'em here, and I bet it could lead ya to all that treasure."
By this time Cassim had started to climb the stairs, Riku wasn't that far ahead of them. Sora and Aladdin were nowhere to be seen. Iago continued in hushed tones.
"Cassim, we are talking about the marriage of your only son – this is a once in a life time opportunity." Iago rubbed his wings together in glee. He then flapped his wings to hover in front of Cassim's face.
"How could I pass it up?" Cassim said rubbing his chin, a sly grin spreading across his face.
"Hey –you two comin'?" Riku called out, stopping to glance over his shoulder at the others that lagged behind.
"Oh yes, coming." Cassim said straightening and walking to the exit. As Cassim walked past, Riku kept his eyes on Iago. As the bird flew by, Riku quickly plucked him from the air.
"HEY! What the –" Iago squawked in surprise.
"Okay birdie, what are you planning?" Riku said coolly poking Iago in the middle of his feathered chest.
"Nothing!" Iago said rubbing his chest and looking hurt, "I am offended that you would think such things! Why, I've completely reformed."
With that Iago flew off, Riku watched him go.
"Yeah –I bet you have." With that he followed everyone out into the small room they'd been in before. Riku saw Cassim talking to Aladdin, and Sora standing nearby.
Seeing Riku come in Sora gave him a grin and mouthed to him. "He's coming!" Sora pointed a thumb over to Cassim who was still speaking to Aladdin. Riku only nodded slightly.
Cassim grinned and walked towards the exiting door. Once out, they quickly snuck past the thieves and to the doors. Releasing Carpet all five quickly mounted and sped back towards Agrabah.