Hey guys. Sorry this is short, but I was writing this from memory (again), and I was trying to make it feel natural. Anyway, I thought it was time we get back to the group in Agrabah and see what's been going on.

Chapter 26: Sins of the Father

Back in Agrabah everyone was watching Aladdin's father meet the Sultan. The Genie had gotten him a different wardrobe. He was now wearing a maroon robe with a gold and black belt and another robe that was black and blue. His turban was also a matching color. Phil thought he looked more like a traveling merchant than an outlaw.

"Genie did a great job with him. I can hardly recognize him," Sora said.

Phil nodded. "No one will ever suspect where Gazeem came from," he said.

"Cassim," Aurora corrected him.

Everyone tensed as the Sultan asked, "How did you survive all those years?"

Cassim put a hand to his head. "The memories are…painful," he said, "It's hard to not dwell on them,"

The Sultan believed him. "Say no more. We won't discuss this again," turning to everyone else he said, "Well I do believe we have a wedding to attend,"

Aurora cleared her throat, reminding the Sultan that they hadn't been formally introduced. Sora, Donald, and Goofy approached the monarch and bowed politely.

The Sultan motioned for them to rise. "There's no need for you to bow," he explained, "You three have helped my daughter and Aladdin save Agrabah, so it is I who should be showing respect to you." Shaking their hands he continued, "I've been wanting to meet the three of you for such a long time, and to have you attend the wedding would be a great honor." Turning to Phil and Aurora he added, "And your friends are also welcome too,"

"The Sultan seems like a really nice guy," Phil said to Aurora.

Aurora was more skeptical. "A little too nice,"

"Come on. Lighten up. We're going to a wedding,"

"Of people we don't know,"

Phil rolled his eyes. It was clear what he was thinking of her, but he knew better than to say it out loud. Everyone at their school knew not to cross Aurora.

Later everyone was waiting for the wedding to start, but Cassim and Iago had gone missing.

"Where could he be?" Aladdin asked.

Genie turned into a big red warthog before saying "Hakuna Matata," before changing back, looking a little sheepish.

"Does it really matter if he's here or not?" Aurora asked.

Donald looked at her crossly. "Of course it's important. This is his son's wedding," he said.

"Yeah, and he's not gonna have another opportunity like this," Goofy added.

"Maybe we should go look for him," Sora suggested.

Phil nodded in agreement. "He probably just got lost looking for the RR," he joked.

"The what?" The Sultan asked.

Aurora quickly changed the subject. "Genie, you think you can find him?" she asked.

Genie saluted. "No problem," he said as he changed into a blue version of Pluto and began sniffing around. "This would be so much easier if I had something to track him with, like his socks or his shoes. Oh, there are his shoes…ah!" he said as he changed back.

Cassim and Iago were back. And they weren't alone.

"Your Highness," Said a buff looking guard with a white turban with a red jewel. He also had on a black vest with a gold sash, white baggy trousers held up with a red belt and pointed shoes. He also sported a black beard and was missing a tooth. Phil and Aurora didn't like him.

The Sultan was equally surprised. "Razoul, what is the meaning of this?" The Sultan asked.

"Allow me to present the King of Thieves," Razoul said. Aurora could feel the shock of the Sultan and Jasmine in the room. Razoul held up the Oracle's scepter. "He was after this again."

Aladdin was devastated. "Dad, how could you?" he asked.

Cassim sighed. "You can change my clothes, but you can't change who I am," he said.

Phil didn't like that. "Dude, that's not true. People change who they are all the time!" he said.

Jiminy hopped onto Phil's shoulder. "Now's not a good time for this," he advised.

"Father, isn't there something we can do?" Jasmine asked.

The Sultan shook his head. "I'm sorry, but in this situation I'm powerless," Pointing to Cassim and Iago he said, "Take them to the dungeon. For life."

As Razoul led away Cassim and Iago Genie put his hand reassuringly on Aladdin's shoulder. "Hey, there are some wishes that even I can't make come true," he said.

Later, in Aladdin's home everyone was sitting around thinking about how what was supposed to be a special occasion had gone south fast. Aurora seemed emotionless about this.

"Can you believe the nerve of that creep?" Phil asked.

"He had every opportunity to change, and he still went after that treasure," Aladdin said.

Phil looked at him and said, "I was talking about that Basoulle guy,"

"Razoul," Aurora corrected him again.

Aladdin acted as if he didn't hear them. "I thought I could save him, but he was trapped by his own greed," he said.

"And that big palooka goes and ruins the wedding," Donald added.

"Donald!" Goofy and Sora said in unison.

"What? He is,"

"What is the big deal with that scepter? And what's this about treasure?" Aurora asked.

Phil cleared his throat. "That scepter actually holds something called an Oracle. With it they can get the answer to any question they have," he explained before adding, "I have no idea about the treasure though,"

"It's why my dad wanted the Oracle," Aladdin said, "Supposedly there's an island out there with a treasure called the Hand of Midas."

"The Hand of Midas?" Sora asked.

"Why would this hand be considered a treasure?" Goofy asked.

"Because it has the power to turn anything it touches into gold," Aladdin answered.

That got Donald's attention. "Anything?" He asked.

"That's what he said," Aurora said.

Aladdin sighed. "It mattered more to him than his own family," he said sadly.

"Maybe you shouldn't give up on the guy. He came all this way to see your wedding," Phil said.

Aladdin shook his head. "No. He just wanted the treasure,"

"I don't think you should give up on him," Phil said.

Before Aladdin could say anything Sora added, "Phil's right. You shouldn't give up on others. My friend Riku made a lot of mistakes, but I never gave up on him,"

"Leopards don't change their spots, guys," Aurora said.

Phil rolled his eyes. "Cassim's a person, and people change every day," he retorted.

Meanwhile in the desert a lone figure walked. He was tall, grey skinned, and sported a knucklebuster with three bronze claws on it. He was dressed in a black vest with a red cummerbund, baggy blue pants, and black boots. This was Sa'luk, and he had a mission. Now that Cassim was out of the way he was going to take over the Forty Thieves and make them feared throughout the Seven Deserts.

"Well, if it isn't the next King of Thieves," said a voice. Sa'luk looked around, holding up his knucklebuster. The voice laughed. "Relax. I'm not here to cause trouble. In fact, I'm here to help you,"

Sa'luk scoffed. "What could you have to offer me?" he asked.

The voice stepped onscreen to reveal it was Pete. "Why, the ability to crush anyone who gets in your way. They're immune to most weapons, but they can certainly trash anyone who gets in your way. They can even lead you to hidden riches,"

Now Sa'luk was interested. "I'm listening," he said.

Pete smiled and chuckled as he snapped his fingers. Several figures in turbans with scimitars appeared and lined up like soldiers. Sa'luk had never seen them before, but he liked the look of them.

"They're called the Heartless," Pete began explaining.

Looks like Pete's making trouble again.