Thank you all who reviewed! Yes, I know this gets repetitive but I really appreciate it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Ocean or Kingdom Hearts.
Chapter 7: A city in the desert
As the Gummi Ship took us to the next world I looked out the window. There was a lot on my mind. It was strange that I hadn't heard anything from Maria or Organization XIII. I thought that they would be constantly paying me visits and pestering me. Makes me wonder if they are plotting something.
"Hey Alex," said Sora. I looked over at him.
"Yeah?" I asked.
"You never finished explaining why you are against Organization XIII." Donald and Goofy nodded.
"Why are you fighting against them and helping us?" Asked Donald.
"It's like I said earlier. They took everything away from me," I started. I told them the story of Luther, of the Eternal Sphere, and Fayt and his friends. And I told them how the Eternal Sphere had been deleted, and how my body was destroyed.
"That's a little confusing, but I can understand what you are getting at. You do have a reason to hate them," said Sora.
"But if you were destroyed, how did you come back?" Asked Donald. I shrugged.
"Beats me. I still don't understand what is going on. So I have decided to just go with the flow. Whatever happens is what will happen and there is nothing I can do," I said. I looked back out the window. "Father, what is it that you want me to do?"
"Hey look, it's Agrabah," saidGoofy. Outside of the ship was a world that was shaped like a lamp, with a town on top of it and a tiger head at the bottom.
"Let's land," said Donald. The ship flew down towards this Agrabah place. Agrabah was a city in the middle of a vast desert. How people could survive in a place like this is well beyond me. It was pretty hot, but nothing comes close to the Mosel Dunes. Anyway we walked into town. It was a lively place filled with people walking, talking, and living out their daily lives.
"Gawrsh, I wonder how Aladdin 'n' Jasmine are doing?" Asked Goofy.
"Hey maybe Riku is with them," suggested Sora.
"Yeah and the King," said Goofy.
"Keep dreaming you two," said Donald.
"So I presume you are looking for this King and Riku," I said.
"Yup, that's why we are traveling from world to world. Looking for them," said Sora.
"And you haven't had any luck yet?"
"No not yet," said Donald.
"Who are these two anyway?" I asked.
"King Mickey, is the ruler of our world," said Goofy.
"And Riku is my best friend," said Sora. "In our previous journey we were separated from them when we closed the Door to Darkness."
"Well I doubt that either of them are here," said Donald.
"Come on, we know you were thinking the same thing." Donald shook his head.
"No I wasn't." We continued walking until Goofy started exclaiming something about someone named Iago. We turned around to see a small red parrot flying in front of Goofy. Sora and Donald pulled out their weapons.
"Wait, you've got me all wrong!" Exclaimed the bird. I jumped back.
"Whoa! A talking bird!" I said. Just when I thought that I had seen everything, something new and out of the ordinary shows up. It seems like almost every one of these worlds I had been to so far were full of strange sights.
"Don't let him fool you Alex. He's not a good bird," said Sora.
"It's just a bird that can talk. I don't see what the big deal is." This bird that they kept calling Iago flew over to my face.
"I have turned over a new leaf now. No more scams," said Iago. I looked over at Sora, Donald, and Goofy. Then I looked back over at Iago.
"I have no idea what is going on here anymore," I said.
"I bet that is your new scam," said Sora.
"Ya gotta believe me!" Protested Iago.
"Sora, let's go," said Donald.
"I was stuck inside that lamp with Jafar. Remember? Well, I finally escaped. But then some things happened and..." Iago trailed off and landed on a nearby rock. I had no idea who this Jafar person was but I take it that he wasn't a good guy.
"Free as a bird, huh?" Said Sora.
"Have fun!" Said Donald.
"Gawrsh, fellas. He looks pretty sad," said Goofy.
"I assume there is more you have to say, Iago?" I asked. Iago looked up at Goofy and I.
"I wanna apologize to Aladdin and Jasmine," said Iago. He landed in Goofy's hands. "Could you guys put in a good word for me?"
"Sure, we can do that, can't we?" Said Goofy as he looked over at us.
"Fine wi..." I stopped as I looked around and saw some Heartless slowly walking towards us. This variety had twin swords and dressed in strange garments. "Looks like we have company." Sora and the others looked around and pulled out their weapons. I summoned my katana and got ready to fight. The Heartless rushed towards us. I blocked the blades of one of the Heartless and then stabbed it through. I used a flare spell on another one that was nearby. A Heartless jumped into the air and brought it's swords down at me. I blocked it's attacks and attempted a counterstrike. The Heartless blocked my strike and then attacked me again. I flipped over the Heartless and slashed it's head off. As we defeated Heartless, more popped up.
"Where are they all coming from?" Asked Sora. A few Heartless approached Iago, he freaked out and started flying around. He crashed into various objects like crates, causing them to fall on the Heartless.
"This way!" Said Sora as he pointed to a door that lead into a small place. We ran through the remaining Heartless and inside the room.
"Thanks for your help, Iago," said Goofy.
"Yes, that would have been a difficult fight to get out of if you hadn't knocked the majority of them out," I said.
"I guess we owe you one," said Sora.
"Perfect!" Chimed Iago.
"But you'll have to win over Aladdin and Jasmine yourself. Be on your best behavior!"
"Yeah, I got it."
"Where is Aladdin anyway?" Asked Goofy.
"Probably at the palace." We left and walked down the streets towards this palace. As we arrived in the courtyard we saw a woman with long brownish black hair and wearing a blue, skimpy outfit. Based on her Garments, my guess was that she was a princess.
"Jasmine," said Sora. She turned around to face us. She smiled as she saw us.
"Sora! Donald! Goofy!" Said Jasmine. She then looked at me. "And you are?"
"The name's Alex," I said.
"He's a new friend of ours," said Sora.
"Your Majesty," said Donald as he bowed. Sora, Goofy, and I looked back at him and then quickly bowed as well. Jasmine giggled.
"I never had a chance to thank you before. You helped Aladdin defeat Jafar and save Agrabah," said Jasmine.
"All in a day's work," said Sora.
"So how is Aladdin doing?" Asked Goofy. Jasmine looked down at the ground.
"He... hasn't been himself lately," said Jasmine.
"Is it because of the Heartless?" Asked Donald.
"I don't know. Usually he is the same cheerful Aladdin, but sometimes he seems sad. He leaves the palace and goes off by himself all the time. When I asked he said that nothing was wrong. He's gone again today, but..."
"Hey maybe he has a secret girlfriend!" Exploded Iago as he jumped up and started flying around. "I know! I'll go find out who she is." Jasmine jumped up at the sight of Iago and then glared at him.
"Iago!" She looked over at us. "Sora, catch him!" Iago circled around us a few times and then landed on my shoulder. Jasmine ran off towards the gates. "I'll alert the guards!"
"Wait, Iago's not..." Started Sora. But it was too late, she had already gone inside the palace. Sora sighed and looked over at Iago. "Nice move."
"It must have been something you said," suggested Goofy.
"Or perhaps you jumped out too quickly and at the wrong time," I said.
"Me and my big mouth," said Iago.
"We should go talk to Aladdin," said Donald.
"Yeah, I wonder what he is up to," said Sora. As we walked back out onto the streets we heard someone shout.
"STOP THIEF!" A monkey holding a black lamp scampered down the street. Then a guy with shaggy brownish black hair with a vest and big baggy white pants ran by us.
"Hi, Sora," said the person as they ran off.
"Come back here!" Shouted a small midget with a big turban thing on top of his head. He ran off in the same direction as the other man and the monkey. We quickly followed the three of them to see what was up.
"If you can't control him, put a leash on him!" Said the midget.
"I'm sorry about that. No hard feelings?" Said the Man as he handed back the black lamp. The midget quickly grabbed the lamp and stormed off. A man with a fuse as short as his height. The man looked back over at us as we walked over to him.
"Hey guys, sorry about earlier. I was in a hurry," said the Man.
"What happened?" Asked Sora.
"You know Abu. He couldn't keep his paws off that lamp." Abu started jumping up and speaking mumbo jumbo (A.K.A. monkey talk). "No talking your way out of this one." We started to laugh a little bit.
"I guess you can't be THAT down in the dumps."
"Who said I was?"
"Princess Jasmine. She's worried cause you are always in town," said Goofy. Ah, I get it. So this person is Aladdin.
"Got a new girlfriend?" Asked Donald.
"No way! Guess there is no fooling Jasmine... See... Genie and Carpet took off to see the world. It's what Genie always wanted, so I wish him the best and all but..." At this point I was totally lost. I guess I wouldn't know any of this since I wasn't here last time Sora and Co. came to this place.
"You miss him," said Goofy.
"Man, things must be REALLY quiet with Genie not around," said Sora.
"Yeah, that's why I come here. There is always something going on in the town. I mean, I met you guys here today," said Aladdin. He looked over at me. "By the way, who is this guy that is tagging along with you?"
"Oh me? I'm Alex," I said.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Aladdin."
"Nice to meet you too."
"Uh, Sora?" Said Goofy. Sora turned around to look at Goofy. Then he looked back at Iago to see him shivering on the ground.
"Oh right! Iago wants to apologize for the trouble he caused," said Sora.
"He's so sorry that he is shaking," said Goofy.
"That lamp!" Exclaimed Iago.
"What about it?" Asked Aladdin.
"It's THE lamp!"
"Come on, there's a million like it."
"Hey! I was locked in that thing FOR MONTHS! There's no way that I'd mistake it," said Iago as he flew up in the air again.
"Then we had better go talk to that Peddler," said Aladdin. We headed back to the Peddler's shop. I wasn't quite so sure what was the big deal about this lamp but for some reason it's a bad thing.
"Yes, how can I help you?" Asked the Peddler. Who would have thought that the midget was the Peddler?
"We'd like to buy that lamp," I said.
"That's alright with me. IF you can afford it," said the Peddler.
"How much?" Asked Donald.
"Let's see... 500,000 Munny!" Sora, Donald, Goofy, and I gasped while I could hear Aladdin cough outside. "Of course if you could also trade it with treasure. I'd say a treasure fit for a sultan would do." We walked out. Damned Peddler, I swear those kinds of people always try to find someway to suck the money out of you.
"Treasure, huh? That could be tricky," said Aladdin.
"How about going to the cave of wonders and find something there? That place has lots of treasure," said Iago.
"All right, we'll try going there. If we get the treasure, then I will believe your apology," said Aladdin.
"You can count on me." We went into the desert towards a big dark globe. As we walked inside it became night for some unknown reason. There was a big tigers head with it's jaws open. What's strange was that it was completely made out of sand. These worlds have never ending wonders. So we walked into the mouth of the tiger and after fighting a few Heartless, solving some puzzles, turning off traps, we finally arrived at a large room full of treasure. The room was practically glowing because of all the treasure. There were piles and piles of it. In the center was a trophy of some sort that had jewels and gems all over it.
"What about that thing?" I asked as I pointed to it.
"That should work, I bet that guy will love this thing," said Donald.
"It sure looks valuable," said Sora.
"Great! No let's go get that lamp," said Aladdin. He looked over at Sora. "We gotta keep Jafar bottled up or else he will destroy Agrabah." We all looked over at Donald to see him starring into a ruby shaped like an egg that he was holding in his hand. "Donald, snap out of it!" Suddenly several Heartless appeared.
"Why does this always happen?" Asked Donald.
"Cause it can," I said. We pulled out our weapons and started fighting the Heartless. Since it was only a few they were quickly defeated.
"Let's go," said Sora. Just as we started to leave I quickly reached over to a nearby pile of treasure, took a handful of gold coins, jewels, and other things of value and put them in my pocket. Then I caught up to the others. What can I say? I have a slight obsession with something valuable, especially if it is gold or treasure. We headed back to Agrabah and into the Peddler's shop.
"Hello?" Said Aladdin.
"Give it here!" Exclaimed a nearby voice outside. It sounded familiar too.
"Oh no! This lamp is going to bring me riches!" Said the Peddler. We looked outside to see the Peddler being chased by Pete.
"Give it to me!" Said Pete. We followed them to the Palace where the chase continued. Pete grabbed it but then the Peddler got it back. Eventually Pete got the lamp. But then Iago flew over and grabbed the lamp. Pete finally noticed that he didn't have the lamp and chased after Iago. The Peddler ran after them as well. But then Iago crashed into a wall and Pete grabbed the lamp. "Nice try, bird brain. Just you wait till Jafar is free. He'll make one beauty of a Heartless," said Pete. Just then out of nowhere a large blue flying person flew down.
"I'M HOME!" Exclaimed the person. He flew past Pete. "Al! It's been Eons!" He grabs Pete and hugs him. "Al, you princely little muffin you!" He teleported and then reappeared next to Pete with an arm on his shoulder. "Cosmic travel can get so lonely without a friend." He teleported to the other side of Pete. "To think I left you forlorn and Genie-less... OH THE HUMANITY!"
"Um... Genie," started Aladdin.
"Say Al have you put on some weight or something?" This person appeared right in front of Pete's face again. "What am I saying? You ARE living in the palace now!" Suddenly another one of these guys appeared out of nowhere. "Aladdin!" Said one in Jasmine's voice. "Jasmine!" Said the other in Aladdin's voice as they hugged. Then they disappeared and a heart shaped firework appeared. Then he reappeared and slapped Pete on the back. "Am I being a pest? A big blue pest? Ah who cares? I'm just so glad to SEE you Ala..." He finally noticed that it wasn't Aladdin.
"Genie," said Aladdin. Genie looked over at him and then grabbed him in an embrace. Pete fell over and was completely disoriented. Sora, Donald, Goofy, and I were laughing at Pete. Pete got back up.
"Time for plan B," said Pete. He waved his hand and two large Heartless appeared. One was light blue and the other was light orange. We got ready to fight these new foes. While everyone focused on the orange one I fought the blue one. I dodged it's ice attacks and would occasionally slash at it. At one point it's staff started glowing and there was a chill in the air. I jumped up, grabbed it's arm, and twisted it's arm around so that the blast was shot down to the ground. Then I threw the Heartless down onto the ice path it had created. I landed on top of it and then I used my sword to propel the Heartless forward, turning it into one massive board. It was easy to move since there was ice. This Heartless ended up crashing into the other Heartless that the others were fighting. I snapped my finger and a flare spell shot up from underneath the Heartless I was standing on. It went flying up into the air and then I jumped into mid air.
"Crescent Slash!" I shouted. I spun down and as I did I slashed the Heartless in half. I landed on the ground and stood back up. Sora and the others had just finished off the other Heartless as well. Pete stormed off once again. How many more times was he going to do this? I picked up the lamp that he had dropped. "So what are we going to do with this?"
"We will seal that inside the palace," said Aladdin. I looked at the lamp.
"So this Jafar person is in here, right?"
"Indeed, he is!" Exclaimed the blue man who suddenly appeared in front of my face. I nearly jumped several feet into the air. He looked back at Aladdin. "Who is this guy, anyway?"
"That's Alex. He's a friend of Sora's," said Aladdin. The blue man grabbed my hand and started shaking it over-enthusiastically.
"Heya, Alex! I am Genie! It's a pleasure to meet you!" Genie let go of my hand and I fell to the ground. Jasmine came out and ran over to Aladdin.
"Welcome back!" Said Jasmine with a smile. Aladdin smiled back. Jasmine looked over at Iago. "Thank you for your help." Iago nodded.
"I promise, you won't regret giving me a second chance," said Iago.
"Ah, Princess Jasmine, are you sure you want this pigeon in the coop?" Asked Genie.
"I think Iago means well," said Jasmine.
"Yeah, and how much trouble could one noisy bird cause?" Asked Sora.
"You've got a point there, kid," said Genie.
"So what next, Sora?" Asked Jasmine.
"Well it was nice to see you all again, but we have to go and continue looking for Riku and the King," said Sora.
"I hope you find them," said Genie.
"Me too."
"Hey, where's Aladdin?" Asked Donald.
"He's looking for Abu. He should be back soon," said Jasmine.
"Al can't miss Sora's big farewell party! I'll have him back in a jiffy!" Said Genie. He disappeared.
"Abu!" Shouted Aladdin as he chased after his monkey. This time the monkey was holding the ruby that Donald was looking at in the Cave of Wonders. "Catch him!" We all jumped to stop Abu but we all ended up crashing on top of each other. "He must have secretly stolen it when we were at the Cave of Wonders."
"Abu," said Donald. He grabbed the ruby and starred into it. "Wow..."
"I guess some things are hard to resist," said Goofy.
"Seems like it," said Sora.
"Or perhaps Donald has a liking for treasure," I suggested. I probably shouldn't be talking since I had taken some small stuff from the Cave of Wonders. Fortunately no one has noticed... yet.
"Ah, who needs it!" Said Donald. Donald pretended to throw it but then put it behind his back. It didn't fool anyone though. "I guess it got stuck..." Laughed Donald. Suddenly it started glowing and Sora did that opening of the gate trick of his.
"Sora? What is it?" Asked Aladdin.
"I think it is time for us to go," said Sora.
"Will you be back?" Asked Jasmine.
"I promise." We left the palace after saying out goodbyes and headed towards our Gummi ship. I stopped walking as I sensed a portal of darkness appear behind me. Maria was standing there.
"Well done Alex. You are getting stronger," said Maria as she applauded me.
"Maria..." I said.
"Organization XIII is impressed with your growing skills. Why don't you put your skills to the best cause and join us?" Asked Maria as she held out her hand. I shook my head.
"No, I told you already. I am not going to join." Maria shrugged and sighed.
"Listen Alex, I am pestering you for your sake. The time window you have for joining Organization XIII of your own free will is starting to close. Soon you will be forced to join."
"Thanks for the warning, but I can take care of myself. No matter what Organization XIII is planning, no matter what it throws at me, I will be ready for it."
"You still have time to think about your decision." A portal of darkness appeared. "Don't squander that little bit of time you have." Maria walked through the portal and it disappeared.
"Alex! What are you standing around for?" Asked Sora from a distance away.
"It's nothing, never mind!" I said. I quickly ran over to them to catch up and we got onboard the Gummi Ship. The ship flew off towards the next world.
So what's the next world? Who will Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Alex meet? And what is in store for them? Find out in the next chapter. Anyway, please review.
