DISCLAIMER: The only thing I own are my own copies of Kingdom Hearts I and II. I don't own anything else in this fic.
Past
Previous parts in chapter or another voice
Thoughts
"Thanks for your help, sir," said the grateful Sora.
"Hey, don't sweat, kid." The man broke off some pieces of the bread and handed them their share of the food. "After you collapsed, your friend here was pretty worried about you," the man said, indicating Kairi, "Since no one was helping, I decided to let you stay in this hut of mine. By the way, I haven't introduced myself. My name's Aladdin. This is my friend, Abu."
"Please, if-if you let me go, I can go to the palace and borrow some for the Sultan," the woman tried to reason out again.
The owner placed her wrist on his stand, drawing his sword from his waist. "Do you know the penalty for stealing?" The man raised his sword into the air, ready to make a devastating blow!
Kairi shut her eyes tightly and cringed into Sora's shoulder, not wanting to see what's going to happen.
Aladdin didn't want to see the results either, and began marching up to the fruit stand owner. Before the sword came down on the helpless woman's wrist, Aladdin caught the man's hand in the nick of time. "Oh, thank you, kindly, sir!" Aladdin exclaimed, pretending to be grateful and taking the man's sword away, "I'm so glad you found her!" Aladdin then turned to the woman behind him. "I've been looking all over for you," Aladdin scolded.
Suddenly, without warning, a group of men, wearing white turbans, carrying swords, surrounded the group. One of them, a large man, grabbed Aladdin by his wrist and tossed him into his men, who retrained the helpless street rat. "We just keep running into each other, don't we, street rat?" the head guardsmen mused.
"Let him go!" the woman demanded, stomping up to the head guardsmen.
"Oh, what's this? A street mouse?" the head guardsmen rudely shoved the woman to the ground, making him and the others laugh amusingly.
The woman forced herself back up defiantly to the guards. "Unhand him!" The woman then removed her hood, revealing herself. "By order of the Princess!"
The guards turned to the woman, and they were completely surprised to see who the woman truly is. The head guardsmen immediately cowered in fear, now knowing who he had just shoved. "P-princess Jasmine!" The head guardsmen and his men immediately bowed their heads before the revealed Princess, with the men forcing Aladdin to bow before her.
"A princess?" asked the surprised Aladdin.
"This is a surprise," Riku commented.
"What are you doing outside of the palace? And with this street rat?" asked the head guardsmen.
"That's none of your concern! Release him!" Jasmine ordered.
As much as the head guardsmen wanted to, he couldn't obey Jasmine's orders. "I would like to, Princess, but my orders come from Jafar," the head guardsmen reasoned, "You'll have to take it up with him." The head guardsmen bowed respectfully before the princess before walking away with their prisoner.
"Believe me, I will," Jasmine whispered to herself.
Chapter 21: Of Lamps and Genies
Jasmine arrived in the palace courtyard, where she usually hung out. The courtyard had a beautiful garden, filled with beautiful flowers, plants, and a single tree. Along with the garden was a water fountain filled with lily pads and lotuses. Kairi noticeably took in the beautiful sight. Sora remember back in Destiny Islands, Kairi had a flower garden in her palace. Perhaps the castle reminded Kairi of the moment she hung out in her own flower garden.
"Please make yourselves at home, everyone. I'll be back, after I get to the bottom of this," said Jasmine, before she walked off, leaving the rest to relax in her garden.
"This is pretty nice. I could get used to this place," Riku commented, as he sat on the water fountain.
"Yes, it's very nice, Riku," said Kairi.
"Did you have something like this back at your kingdom, Princess?" asked Goofy.
"Yes, I did," Kairi replied, "My palace had a beautiful flower garden in the courtyard. I mostly go to the flower garden to smell the flowers the gardener planted. A long time ago, when I was little, I also made a flower crown for someone." Sora heard this. "But...I can't remember who I made it for..." Kairi never noticed it, but upon hearing this, Sora could only lower his head down in sadness. Hearing this only reminded Sora of his sacrifice.
Donald, Goofy, and Riku noticed how sad it was making Sora, and decided to do something about it. "Cheer up, Princess," Riku encouraged, "I'm sure when we retrieve your Fragments, you'll be able to remember who that person is."
"You think so?" asked Kairi.
"We guarantee it!" Goofy cheered, giving a thumbs-up.
When Sora saw what his friends were doing, he gave them a small smile, out of appreciation for trying to cheer them up, even knowing it may never come true. Despite their efforts, they knew full well Kairi will never remember him, no matter how much they want it.
Mog, being the curious little creature that he is, walked off to take a closer look at the flowers. "Hmm, I wonder if I can pick these for Lulu, kupo," Mog pondered curiously. As he approached to try and pick one for himself, a gigantic striped creature suddenly popped up from the garden and growled at Mog, scaring off the little moogle. Mog hurriedly ran back to his friends, hiding behind Pluto, who began barking at the creature.
This striped creature , a tiger, began stalking towards the group, growling defensively at them. Sora and his friends got their weapons ready. As the tiger stalked towards them, it immediately caught the sight of Kairi. It tilted its in curiosity and approached the Princess. Everyone noticed how curious the tiger was, but they were on the alert, in case the tiger might pull a fast one. Kairi was kind of frightened about what the tiger was going to do, until the tiger came up to her and began sniffing her, like what other animals do when they meet someone. Then, much to everyone's surprise, the tiger began cuddling up to Kairi, who was surprised about how friendly the tiger turned out to be. The Princess then crouched to the ground started petting the tiger, which in turn, began licking Kairi, out of appreciation, making the Princess giggle. "It's okay, everyone," Kairi announced to everyone.
"He won't eat Mog?" asked Mog.
"Don't worry, Mog. He won't bite," assured Kairi.
Mog then hopped up on top of the tiger's head and waved down on him. "Hello, Mr. Tiger," Mog greeted friendly, "My name is Mog, kupo!"
This amazed everyone. Kairi seemed to be able to make friends with even ferocious animals like this tiger.
Meanwhile, in the palace, Jafar emerged from his secret chambers, looking around to see if the coast was clear. The vizier slowly closed the door to his secret chambers, so as to not make any noise. Unfortunately, he spent too much time trying to sneak away, as Jasmine came storming in, obviously not happy with what the head guardsmen had reported to her.
"Jafar!" Jasmine called out, surprising Jafar.
Jafar immediately slammed his door shut, with Iago accidentally pinned inside the door frame. "Ah, princess," Jafar greeted, "How may I serve you?" Jafar spread his cape out to block off the door from Jasmine.
"By your orders, the guards took a boy away," informed the upset Jasmine.
"But your father had put me in charge of keeping the peace in Agrabah," Jafar reasoned, "The boy was a criminal."
"And just what was his crime?" Jasmine sounded almost demanding.
"Jafar!" Iago whispered in pain, tugging on his master's cape.
"Why, kidnapping the princess, of course," Jafar answered.
"Jafar, if you could just--" Jafar then shut Iago up by slamming his foot up against the door, freeing Iago on the other side forcefully. "OW, THAT HURT!" Iago yelled on the other side.
"He didn't kidnap me, I ran away!" Jasmine exclaimed.
"Oh, dear..." said the surprised Jafar, "How unfortunate... If only I had known..."
"What do you mean?" Jasmine questioned.
"Sadly, my dear, the boy's sentence has already been carried out," informed Jafar.
"What is his sentence?" Jasmine asked, afraid of what the answer might be.
Unfortunately, her fears came true. "Death..." Jafar said bluntly, "...by beheading." Jasmine gasped in shock upon hearing the news. "I am terribly sorry, princess," Jafar said, placing comforting hands on her shoulders.
"How could you!?" said the upset Jasmine. The princess stormed out of the room, leaving Jafar to watch her run away.
Iago had finally emerged from the secret chamber, albeit with some difficulties coming in. The loud parrot then flew onto Jafar's shoulder. "How did she take it?" asked Iago.
"I think she took it rather well..." replied Jafar, smiling a sinister smile.
Jasmine walked into her garden sadly. As she walked in, she noticed Rajah was resting his head on Kairi's lap, while everyone else was just hanging around. Sora sat next to Kairi, with Riku relaxing by the water fountain. Donald, Goofy, and Pluto went to go check out the flowers, and Mog sat peacefully on Rajah's head.
"I see you've met Rajah," Jasmine said, as she came into her garden.
"Mr. Tiger almost ate Mog, but we became fast friends, kupo!" Mog announced happily.
"...That's...nice..." Jasmine smiled sadly.
Sora and his friends noticed her sadness. It was obvious to tell, considering the tone in her voice. "Is something wrong, Princess Jasmine?"
"Jafar told me what's going to happen to that man," Jasmine informed, "They're going to execute him." Sora and his friends were shocked by the news. Jasmine broke down by her water fountain. She never intended for any of this to happen. She just made a new friend, only to watch his life be taken away. Kairi approached the weeping princess and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's all my fault," Jasmine sobbed, "I never knew his name."
"Princess Jasmine!"
Jasmine turned around and saw Jafar coming in with his pet parrot. "What do you want, Jafar?" asked the sad and angry princess.
"I've made a decision," Jafar informed.
"What? Another form of execution?" said the sarcastic Jasmine.
"Actually, I thought there might be a chance for him to avoid execution," said Jafar.
Jasmine turned her head to Jafar. "What do you mean?" asked the anxious Jasmine.
"I've decided to give him a chance to redeem himself," answered Jafar, "If he accomplishes a task I have given to him, he will be pardoned for his actions."
Jasmine seemed to brighten up upon hearing some good news. "What does he have to do?"
"There is a mysterious cavern that I've heard rumors of in the desert. He must enter the cave and retrieve an object of interest. If he does just that, I will release him, free of charges," Jafar explained.
Sora stood up from his spot. "If Aladdin is going to the cave, can I come, too?"
"Sora?" Kairi was surprised about what Sora asked.
"Do you know of the street rat, young man?" asked Jafar.
"He's a friend of ours, and I'd like to help him," Sora offered.
Jafar turned around to ponder for a while, whether he should let Sora venture into the cave with Aladdin.
"What do you have in mind, Sora?" Donald asked as he approached Sora from behind.
"I don't know what this cave is, but I have to investigate it," replied Sora.
"Do you think the Princess's Heart Fragment might be in there?" asked Goofy.
"I don't know, but I need to check the place out. Mog did mention that there was a Heart Fragment in this world," Sora recalled.
"Well, if that's the case, we'll help you," Riku offered, "We can't let you go in those caverns alone, right?"
Jafar turned around to meet the group. "Very well, boy. You may accompany the young man and aid him in his mission. But be warned, should you fail, you will also suffer the consequences, since you are in contact with him," Jafar warned.
"I understand," said Sora.
"Meet me at the gate when you are ready." Jafar turned around and walked out of the garden.
"Sora..." Kairi now grew concerned for Sora. Should the Keyblade master fail, he might suffer the death penalty along with Aladdin. Kairi, of course, didn't want that to happen, but she knew that Sora had to take those chances.
"Don't worry, Princess," Sora assured, "I'll come back. You have my word."
Although Kairi was still concerned for Sora's safety, she reluctantly nodded in agreement. Sora and his friends couldn't afford to fail this one. Especially with their lives on the line.
"Pluto, we need you to stay with the Princess," Donald requested, earning a barking agreement.
Sora and the boys, with Mog accompanying them, walked around the streets of Agrabah, looking for the main gate that exits the city. As they finally found the main gate of Agrabah, they found their familiar friend waiting for them.
"Hey, guys!" Aladdin waved at his friends, along with Abu.
"It's good to see that you're okay, Aladdin," said the relieved Sora.
"What are you guys doing here?" asked Aladdin.
"We volunteered to help you at whatever you're going to do," replied Riku.
"But why? You didn't get in trouble with me," said Aladdin.
"There's something that we're looking for. It might be down at those caves Jafar mentioned," explained Goofy.
"We can't tell for sure, but we have to take a look for ourselves," said Sora.
"I see," replied Sora, "Well, I'll do what I can to help you guys, too."
"We appreciate it," said the grateful Sora.
Sora and his party entered through the main gate, where they found Jafar waiting on his camel, looking off into the desert. "Ah, you've made it," said Jafar.
"Will I really be free if I do this task?" asked Aladdin.
"Of course, young man," replied Jafar, "I'll personally make sure you don't go back to prison again, if you complete this task."
Jafar led the group out into the desert. Being an important official, it was natural for a man in Jafar's position to ride his camel, while the others had to walk.
Night fell in the desert. Sora and his friends stopped at a clearing in a desert, surrounded by tall, giant rocks. Jafar took out a mysterious gold object, which seemed to resemble a scarab beetle. Combining the pieces, the beetle took flight and merged itself into a clump of sand on the ground. Then, startling everyone, the ground began to rumble. Mog tucked himself in Goofy's shirt for safety. Then, from the ground, a gigantic head of a tiger emerged from the ground.
"Who disturbs my slumber?" growled the tiger.
Jafar nodded to Aladdin, signaling him to answer to the tiger. "It is I, Aladdin," replied Aladdin.
"Proceed. Touch nothing, but the lamp," the tiger warned.
"Go on, boy," Jafar ordered, "Fetch me the lamp, and you shall have your reward."
Aladdin was a bit frightened to enter, but he knew this was his only chance to get himself amnesty. "Come on, guys."
Aladdin led Sora and the others into the Cave of Wonders to look for this lamp that Jafar had mentioned.
As they entered the Cave of Wonders, the group were immediately astonished to see what was inside the cave of wonders. It was a chamber of gold! Jewels, coins, ancient treasure, you name it. It was literally 'Treasure Island' in a cave.
"Would you look at that?" said the astonished Aladdin.
"I bet having all this would make anyone richer than the sultan," commented Riku.
Abu, having seen all the treasures around them, immediately tried to bolt for the treasures, despite the tiger's warnings. Aladdin immediately caught Abu by his tail. "Abu!" Aladdin scolded, "Don't...touch...anything. We have to find that lamp."
"How about it, Mog? Can you feel the Fragment's presence here?" asked Sora.
"Give me a second, kupo." Mog concentrated hard on locating the whereabouts of Kairi's Heart Fragment. "The energy level is a little stronger than the last time, but it's definitely here in this world," Mog informed.
"Then we must be getting close," said Goofy.
"Maybe that lamp might have the Heart Fragment," Donald hypothesized.
"Well, there's only one way to find out. We'd better go look for that lamp, too," said Sora.
As the group walked around the Cave of Wonders, they saw something moving from behind the hill of coins. The group cautiously walked towards this mysterious presence, until they were completely surprised on what they saw.
"The carpet is moving all by itself, kupo!" Mog exclaimed.
"I don't believe it! A magic carpet!" Aladdin was completely astonished to see one of the most legendary objects before his very eyes. Aladdin then motioned for the carpet to come towards them. "Come on. Come on. We're not going to hurt you. Maybe you can help us." The magic carpet looks back at the group and looked excited. The carpet then flies around the group happily before landing before them. "You see, we're looking for this lamp. Do you know where it is?"
The carpet then motions for the group to follow after it.
The magic carpet led the group down a long cave, until they emerged in a giant underground cavern. In this cavern, in the center of it, there was a pillar, surrounded by water and stones. At the top of the pillar was the item that Aladdin was told to search. "Wait here, everyone." Aladdin climbed the pillar quickly to the top and was captivated by the beautiful lamp. "What is it about this lamp that Jafar wants?" Aladdin asked to himself as he picked up the lamp. Turning around, he noticed Abu captivated by a jewel being held by a golden monkey statue. Abu, unfortunately having a taste for treasure, immediately ran for the jewel. "ABU! NO!!"
But his words fell on deaf ears. Abu immediately grabbed the jewel, which for some odd reason caused the entire cavern to rumble like an earthquake.
Infidels! You have touched the forbidden treasure!
Abu innocently tried to place the jewel back, hoping to calm the tiger down, only to watch it melt like lava.
Now, you will never see the light of day again!
As if on cue, the group was immediately surrounded by enemies they had not expected, the Heartless! Sora and his friends immediately drew their respective weapons and began to fight off against the fiends of darkness. Sora's training with magic seemed to have paid off. Combining his magic with his swordsmanship skills have doubled his strength. After vanquishing the Heartless, the Cave of Wonders showed that it was about to collapse.
"Let's get out of here!" Donald yelled to the group.
Not hesitating for a moment, the group immediately bolted for the exit before the entire cave collapsed on them.
After dodging numerous obstacles and fallen objects, thanks to the cave collapsing, the group finally made it to the exit, where Jafar was waiting for them. Before they made it to the exit, the ground under them collapsed, leaving them hanging by the ledge of the exit.
"Hand me the lamp!" Jafar yelled, extending his hand as the cave was collapsing.
"Help me up!" Aladdin exclaimed.
"First, hand me the lamp!" Jafar ordered, to which Aladdin finally gave Jafar the lamp. Taking the lamp excitedly, Jafar began to laugh in triump. "At last! It's mine!!"
"What about us?" asked the struggling Aladdin.
"Oh, you're free, Aladdin," said Jafar, "You're free to roam in that cave for all eternity!"
Jafar turned to leave the group behind to be buried in the sands. However, Mog hopped up on top of Sora's head and began to suck in so much air, like a vacuum. Much to Jafar's surprise, the lamp in his hand was immediately taken away and landing in Aladdin's hand. "This is one of Mog's 108 secret techniques: super vacuum!"
"Good going, Mog!" Goofy praised.
As Aladdin gripped the lamp, his thumb unknowingly rubbed against it, which began to rumble as the cave continued to collapse. The lamp began to burst out colorful lights before, suddenly, a blue being emerged from the lamp, yelling triumphantly. "Oy! Ten thousands years in the lamp can sure put a strain in your neck!" the blue being exclaimed, cracking his neck.
"You know, at times like this, I wish we were in Agrabah right now," Aladdin said as he was about to lose his grip.
"Wish No. 1, coming right up!" the blue being announced. With a flick of his finger, Sora and his friends disappear in the nick of time, before the cave finally collapsed.
Jafar, having seen the whole thing, was completely furious about what had transpired. "That cursed street rat! I'll make him pay!!" Jafar yelled furiously.
Sora and his friends suddenly arrived at the gates of Agrabah, where they appeared in the air and finally collapsed to the ground. Mog merely landed on Donald's back as he fell from the sky.
"And I thought Mog's way of getting us here was worst," Donald mumbled in annoyance.
"Mog lands everyone in different worlds gently, kupo!" Mog said happily.
"How did we get here?" asked the confused Sora.
The blue being then appeared out of nowhere in front of everyone. "Ah, that would be me, kid! Howyoudoing? MynameisGenie,pleasuretomeetyou!" Genie said rapidly, "And you, sir!" Genie pointed at Aladdin, as if he were in trouble, "I gotta thank you for getting me out of that place. So, what are your wishes?"
"Wishes?" asked Aladdin.
"It's part of my gig," said Genie, "You get me out, I give you your wishes, the rest is silence. Although, you have only three wishes. Actually, wait." Genie then counted his fingers to see how many wishes. "Actually, make that two!"
"Two? Why two?" asked Aladdin.
"You used up a wish, remember?" Genie reminded. Genie then transformed himself into Aladdin and even got his voice perfect. "You know, at times like this, I wish we were in Agrabah right now."
"Wait a minute, I didn't make that wish," Aladdin tried to argue.
Genie then appeared behind him as a shopping clerk, typing some numbers in a cash register. "Sorry, sir, wishes are non-refundable." Genie then appeared in front of him again. "Sorry, kid, you wished it, I dished it." Genie showed a score board which was labeled 'Wish vs Non-wish,' to which Wish had one point up. Genie then transformed himself into a merchant, "So, what'll it be, young man?"
Aladdin thought about the wishes for a moment, but then he realized what must be done. "Do you think you can put this on hold for a second? I gotta warn Jasmine about Jafar," Aladdin explained to Genie.
"No wishes!?" the Genie exclaimed in shock. Sighing in defeat, Genie obliged with Aladdin's request. "All right, kid. I'll put this whole thing on hold." Genie then transformed himself into a right-hand man of a mob boss, "But get one thing straight, kid. You don't make a wish, I'll find you, capice?" Genie then vanished into the lamp, until he is needed again.
"That was weird," Goofy commented.
"I heard that!" Genie exclaimed, making Goofy cover his mouth in surprise.
"Jafar might be coming back any minute," said Aladdin, "We gotta warn the sultan and Jasmine."
Sora nodded to Aladdin and immediately they all ran for the palace to warn everyone about Jafar's treacherous nature. Sora's search for Kairi's Heart Fragment was put on hold for now.
To be continued…
A/N - Sorry if I can't do Genie perfectly. I don't know how to portray his character perfectly in this one, so I did my best.