The moment they stepped out of the Gummi ship all three were met with an excruciating heat, far hotter than any day on the Islands. The town they entered looked worn down, abandoned, yet everything
"Who's there, hello?" A beautiful girl appeared from behind the crates, she wore a cloak that covered her head and a worn out tunic.
" I'm Kairi," she said with a warm smile, " This is Donald, and Goofy." She gestured to her friends respectively. "Why are you hiding here?"
The girl looked around nervously. "You see, there's-"
"Princess!"
Above them stood a narrow faced man with a mean smile dressed in dark robes and holding a golden snake staff.
"Allow me to find you more, suitable company my dear. Someone of your status, mustn't be seen around rats."
Kairi looked back at Jasmine who took a step back, a fearful expression taking over. The keyblade wielder stepped in front of her, summoning her weapon.
"She doesn't want to go with you!"
This man smiled eerily as heartless swarmed around under his control. "Seize them! They've kidnapped princess Jasmine!"
"Wait-" She managed to yell out as she saw Jasmine was being dragged away by the evil eyed almost immediately the heartless herded the three companions together, back to back with swords at their throats.
Kairi paced in a dreary dungeon, unfortunately, Donald and Goofy weren't kept with her, she hoped that they were at safe. Looking through the bars of the cell, she saw that all the cells looked almost... abandoned. There weren't even any guards posted nearby. She stepped back summoning her weapon to slash at the bars, but it was reflected back, dealing damage as she was knocked back.
"I think that you'll find, that your little attacks won't work here."
As she lifted her head saw saw the mean looking man standing across from her with a sinister smile on his face.
" Where are my friends?!"
"Rest assured your highness, they were dealt with as well as street rats deserve to be."
She furrowed her brow angrily, gripping her weapon, as though she were to attack again.
"Do well to behave yourself, I would hate to think of what would become of that friend of yours if you were to act out of line."
"Friend? Hey, wait! Kairi's eyes widened in surprise, she ran up to the bars, but the mean faced man walked away without remorse, cackling to himself.
She sighed away her anger, no use for it when a clear head would be needed to escape this place. Still, she held onto her necklace at the thought of her friends, Donald and Goofy would be able to handle themselves, and Riku was still in Traverse town. There was no way this man would be able to threaten him specifically, unless he was talking about…
She had to get out of here.
Looking around, there was no loose stone to grab onto, no draft other the one coming from the window that was too high above her to reach, no way to break out of the bars of the cell, so…
"Hello? Kairi?"
" Huh?" Standing before her was the girl from earlier, now wearing extravagant clothing that suited her. "It's you, from earlier."
She nodded, " My name's Jasmine, my father is the sultan of this kingdom, but every since Jafar betrayed him this city's been in disarray with his monsters."
"The Heartless…Please your highness, can you tell me what he did to my friends?"
Jasmine shook her head, "These days Jafar has been banishing more and more people outside of Agrabah, they're probably outside the walls as we speak."
Kairi sighed, at least she had a lead as to where her friends would be. "Why's he doing this?"
"I heard him ordering his monsters around the other day. All I know is that he's looking for something called a "keyhole" and the Cave of Wonders." Jasmine said as she unlocked Kairi's cage. "Follow me, I'll show you how to get out of the city.
The princess led the way as Kairi followed discreetly.
...
...
Kairi was led to a remote part of the city, a run down place with a giant hole in the wall that overlooked the entire city. The princess looked around in disappointment as though she were looking for someone.
"Hm?" Kairi noticed a carpet. A moving Carpet that appeared to be trapped until a fallen crate. She lifted the hunk of wood and the carpet swiftly paused for a moment in front of her.
"I think it's trying to tell me to follow it." Kairi recommended, to which the princess gave her a concerned expression.
"Is that a good idea?"
Kairi shrugged her shoulders, "I don't have much of a choice, I have to find my friends.
"If you say so."
Kairi then bowed her head respectfully. " I won't forget this, thank you for helping me your highness."
"Just Jasmine is fine." The Princess insisted. "But if you're planning on going out there, if you should find a boy named Aladdin…." She looked hesitant for a moment, "He should be able to help you out if you ask once I told him about the cave he said that he was going to look for it, but he hasn't come back yet..."
Kairi had a questioning expression on her face but only nodded. "Come with me, it sounds like it'll be dangerous if I leave you with here."
Jasmine shook her head, "I need to look after my father, besides, if I go missing again it'll only cause more problems if Jafar finds out I've run out again. Just promise me you'd be careful."
Kairi nodded her head, even though she had no idea how things were going to turn out, then jumping on the carpet.
"I will, thank you Jasmine!"
Then few out towards the bright blue sky.
The carpet few her out towards a remote part of the desert by the time night fell and the chill set in. In the distance she saw a clashing of weapons and a familiar series of angry quacks.
As she drew closer she saw that while Donald was throwing out spells and Goofy was seemingly trying to pull someone out of the sand.
Kairi jumped into action, throwing the keyblade to destroy the heartless about to attack Goofy. As soon as she landed on the sand she and Donald fired off a series of Thunder spells to vanquish the enemies that surrounded them. As they dispersed, Goody had successfully managed to pull out the boy from the sands, but first thing's first.
"Donald, Goofy, you're okay!"
The trio held hands, all glad they were in one piece.
"What happened to you guys?"
"We got thrown out in the middle of the desert, and then got lost when we tried to find the city." Donald explained.
"Where were you, Kairi?" Goofy asked.
"I got thrown in some kind of dungeons under the castle, but the princess helped me escape."
"Princess Jasmine?" The boy cut into the conversation, he looked a few years older than her.
Kairi nodded, "Yeah, she helped me get out of the city, but stayed behind so that she could cover for me. Apparently, this guy Jafar is looking for the keyhole of this world within the Cave of Wonders."
" The Keyhole?!" Both Donald and Goofy yelled in shock.
Used to this, Kairi simply nodded. "Yeah, so I guess we have to look for this, Cave of Wonders now."
"If you're looking for the cave," the boy they'd saved walked up to them holding a lamp in his hand, with a cute monkey on his shoulder. "I can help you out, I've been there before. It's where I found the flying carpet, and this lamp."
"Who're you?" Kairi asked.
"Aladdin, and this lamp can help you get into the cave. Legend has it, whoever holds the lamp can summon the-"
"Please, kid, leave the intro to the professionals. The one, the only, Genie OF THE LAMP!" "Rub-a-dub-dub the lamp and have your dearest wish granted! And today's winner is, Aladdin!"
"Any wish-"
"Patience my fine feathered friend!-" After that, the giant blue genie continued his introduction for another few minuets before finally saying.
"Anyway, our winner still has three wishes remaining, how would he like to use the first one? Hmmmmmmmmm?"
Aladdin thought to himself for a moment, "Genie, open the Cave of Wonders."
"...Seriously Al? After all we went through?!"
"Whatever Jafar's up to, we can't let him go through with it."
"uhggggghhh, fineeeee, one way ticket to the lions mouth, coming riggggght up!" With a snap of his fingers the desert shook under their feet, and erupting from the ground was a giant head of a cat roaring as it's eyes glowed eerily. "Well, you'll know where I'll be!" and Genie poofed into a ball of light that went back into the lamp.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Kairi asked in concern.
"Yeah," Aladdin nodded, "Jafar isn't the type of person to do something that isn't in his best interest. If there's something in the Cave of Wonders that he needs to find, we need to find it first."
Kairi nodded knowingly, summoning her weapon as Aladdin led the way into the lions mouth.
The maze of the Cave caught them almost falling to their demise more than once, by the time they reached the heart of it, there stood a familiar mean looking man with a snide expression on his face. Lain down next to him was a the princess, unconscious. Both were surrounded by what looked like darkness, as though they were transported here.
"Jasmine!" Donald and Goofy has to hold him back as Kairi stepped forward with her weapon in hand.
"Troublesome little brat aren't you?"
"Give her back." She demanded.
" Well, it appears we are at a standstill, I have someone you want, you have something I want." He turned towards them with an expecting expression on his face. "Give me the lamp."
"No, no way. Genie's not something to be traded away like an object, he's a person."
"Foolish boy."
Within a flash of red, the lamp was snatched from Aladdin's hand and placed within Jafar's by a red parrot that Kairi swore she saw smirking.
"Genie of the Lamp, my first wish, show me the keyhole."
Genie snapped his fingers and rocks broke away to reveal a wall hidden behind the bedrock. While they were distracted by the discovery of the keyhole Aladdin ran forward with his sword drawn.
But Jafar just smirked at him, "Genie! My second wish, destroy them, but keep the girl in tact."
"Genie no!"
"Sorry Al." The large blue spirit floated slowly towards them, forced to fight against his friend.
"Kairi!" Donald called out, the two glanced at each other for a moment until Kairi nodded, leaving Genie to her friends while she ran towards the warlock.
"Jafar!" Kairi glared at the warlock angrily as he stood over her friend. "She
" Jasmine has nothing to do with this!"
" On the contrary, her highness is one of the seven needed to open the door of worlds."
" The door?" Kairi asked curiously, but shook away those feelings. " The friend you were talking about earlier, who were you talking about?!"
Jafar smiled eerily as she spoke, "Ah yes, the needs of a simple heart. You desire to see your dear friend again do you not? Then join us, your highness. If not, who knows what could become of him."
For a heartbeat time slowed for her, but she maneuvered past his magic, slashing him where he stood so he would fall to his knees. With this, Genie's order became undone.
Kairi knelt down at Jasmines side, casting a cure spell up on her. The princess almost immediately opened her eyes looking up at her smiling friend. Kairi helped her to her feet.
" It's good to see you safe, your highn- I mean, Jasmine." Kairi said bowing her head while giggling over her mistake.
The princess smiled warmly at her, " You as well my friend."
Kairi then help up her weapon towards the keyhole, sealing it away never to be touched by the darkness. She then turned her attention to her friends across from her on the other side of the room. Genie looked beaten down but had a smile on his face as Aladdin spoke reassuring words to him.
They met in the middle all glad that each other were safe, unaware that Jafar was reaching for his lamp.
" My final wish!" He rasped out, " I wish to be the most powerful genie, in the world!"
The wish was granted against Genies will as the ground below them gave in and all fell towards burning hot lava and the platforms below. As the final wish was granted Genie returned to his lamp against his will, and would've fallen had Jasmine not caught him in time.
Kairi and Donald almost immediately cast and Areo spell, ensuring their safe decent. Once their feet hit the ground, they were met with Jafar in a form similar to that of Genie, only he retained his mean looking features against a new Red form. As he shot powerful magic at them, there was little to defend against, save for Goofy's shield. Far above them, Kairi saw a shine of something far above them, out of reach.
As the party fought for their lives below Jasmine noticed the same thing, the same parrot that was flying around with a black lamp, one similar to that of Genie's. Looking around, she saw a loose large stone and almost immediately threw it with deadly accuracy.
The bird squawked as the lamp then directly fell towards the lava below, landing on the platform. As Jasmine looked down at the scene below, terrified for her friends, but turned her head for a moment as she heard someone walking up to her.
The lamp landed nearby Aladdin, who jumped back as Jafar zeroed in on his newfound weakness.
"Kairi!" Aladdin yelled out as he kicked it towards her across the room.
Kairi fumbled with it for a second as she still held her Keyblade, but unsheathed her weapon, now holding the lamp in both hands.
Just as she saw Aladdin did before, she rubbed the lamp, triggering Jafar to return to his new prison. Before he became trapped he grabbed onto the bird that was always kept by his side, so no there was two trapped within the lamp.
As soon as the threat was gone, carpet flew down and saved them from the rising lava. As they flew to safety the only thing they saw was Genie's lamp sitting on the ground with the princess nowhere in sight.
"Jasmine? Jasmine!" Aladdin called out as Kairi picked up Genie's lamp, she exchanged a glance with Donald and Goofy who couldn't find any trace of the princess. They had to cut their search short as the cave began to shake again, and the three had to drag Aladdin out of the cave, barely escaping with their lives.
Back in the city, Aladdin said with his head in his hands. Genie was already summoned, hand on his shoulder.
"I wish, Jasmine was back here with us."
The three watched as Genie used it magic, but nothing came of it.
" Sorry, Al. I don't think she's here anymore."
"What does that mean?"
" It mean that the three of us are going to look for her." Kairi spoke up, taking a step forward.
"If she's out there I have to look for her too." Aladdin insisted.
Kairi exchanged a glance with Donald and Goofy, uncertain, " I'm sorry Aladdin, but we can't take you with us."
"What? Why not?"
"Because we're not supposed to be here in the first place, if we were to take someone else with us it would cause more trouble down the line even if we could find her."
"So I'd only be in the way." He summarized lowering his head.
"Uh, Aladdin, hello? You still have one wish left. Just ask and I'll find Jasmine for you lickidly split!"
"Genie, I wish...for your freedom!"
"Al?!"
The Genie of the lamp was shocked by the words of his friend. The shackles around his wrist broke off as he grew legs to replace the connection to the lamp that no longer would control him.
"A deal's a deal Genie. Now you can go anywhere you want, you're your own master. But if you can, it would be great if you could with them, and help find Jasmine.
"Sorry Al, but I'm done taking order from others, But…" He turned with a sly, playful expression, "A favor is a different story. I guess I could give that a try. After all, we're pals, right Al?"
"Genie…"
"And for my first act a free Genie, the lamp please." Genie lowered his hand towards Kairi who placed Jafar's lamp in his hand. "A one way ticket for our local friend to the Cave of Wonders!" With all his might he hurled the lamp out of their sights from the window, he then turned into a ball of light and disappeared into Kairi's Keyblade.
"Just leave it to us, we'll bring Jasmine back." Kairi said as Donald and Goofy went on ahead to get the Gummi ship prepared for them. Aladdin nodded his thanks, watching as his new friends went down onto the streets below.
As Kairi walked towards their ship, she felt a terrible foreboding overcome her she sensed something nearby. Looking around she saw a horned woman looking down at her from the building surrounding her but she disappeared too fast to get a good look. Still, the Keyblade wielder grasped her necklace as she ran towards her friends.
"That smarmy vizier could've had 'em-if someone had stuck around to give him a hand." Hades said bitterly as he glanced in Riku's direction, but he gave the God of the Dead no mind.
"I did my part. I brought the princess, didn't I?"
"Indeed, Jafar was beyond help, consumed by his own hatred and lust for power. One should beware of letting it burn too fiercely." Maleficent said subtly glancing towards Hades.
" Whoa, whoa, whoa. Lighten up. I'm as cool as they come, okay?" He insisted. "By the way, kid, have we got something special for you."
"Huh?" Riku looked towards the witch, confused for a moment.
We had a deal, yes? You helped us, and we grant you your wish..."
Riku looked towards the table and saw a hologram of a familiar face slouched over as though he was resting. "Sora!"
"Go to him. Your vessel is waiting."
Footsteps from the shadows drew closer as the pirate captain stepped into sight. " Just remember, this is no pleasure cruise. It won't be a pleasant voyage."
Riku ignored the captains words, now glaring at Maleficent." Why are you doing all this for me? What's the catch?"
"Catch?" Malificent smirked to herself." What's the catch? Silly boy. You've done well to follow my orders, this is merely a gift to show you I am someone who keeps their word."
Maleficent walked towards Riku, gently touching his face before he slapped it aside, to her amusement.
"I seriously doubt that."
"Believe what you wish. But lest we forget, I kept my end of the bargain." Maleficent turned away, as Hades did as well, retreating into the darkness while Riku took a second glance at the hologram of his friend, his heart now felt hope for the first time in far too long.
All while he stood unaware of the presence of his friend standing behind him, looking up towards his friend with concern in his eyes.
As the trio arrived back within Traverse town to restock supplies, Kairi went off with Jiminy on her shoulder, towards the Accessory shop, walking in, she noticed that Cid wasn't there but there was someone else crouched in front of the desk.
" Well, well, as I live and breathe! If it isn't Pinocchio!" The cricket said as he jumped off her shoulder and towards what looked to be a puppet.
The puppet, Pinocchio lifted his head in surprise," Oh. Hi, Jiminy."
"What in the world are you doing down here?" The cricket asked as Kairi walked up towards them.
"Um... Playing hide-and-seek." He said rather sheepishly.
Jiminy began to pace infront of his friend worriedly, " I just don't believe it. And here I was, up all night, just worried sick about you. Why of all the-Pinocchio!"
Pinocchio's nose then grew longer.
Jiminy jumped in place, "Pinocchio! Are you telling me the truth?" He demanded.
"Yes!"
"Then tell me, what is this?"
" It was a present." Pinocchio insisted.
Jiminy, "No fibbing, now! You know you're not supposed to tell lies. A lie only grows and grows, 'til you get caught! Plain as the nose on your
face!"
"But if you want something, why wait? Why not just take it?" Pinocchio questioned.
"Oh, my! Who told you that? You need some advice from your conscience! That's stealing Pinoc, and you shouldn't take what's not yours!" Jiminy lectured.
"I'm sorry Jiminy, I'll never tell lies as long as you're around."
Pinocchio's nose return to normal, as he confirmed by then touching his face.
"You need to be good so you can become a real boy. You promised Geppetto you would be, right?"
"Oh! Do you know where Father is?" Pinocchio asked now excited.
Jiminy lowered his head suddenly, now looking sad, "No, not yet..."
Pinocchio lowered his head the same way for a few moments, but then lifted it all of a sudden. " Jiminy, let's go find Father together!"
"Now, hold on! There are all sorts of dangers and temptations out there! Me and Kairi go find Geppetto, so you just wait here."
Kairi looked at her friend a little shocked, but didn't say anything.
"Well, shall we go?" Jiminy asked, jumping back onto Kairi's shoulder.
"I guess?" She shrugged her shoulders, " But are you sure you want to leave him here?"
Jiminy thought for a second, "Good point. We should ask Cid to look out for him."
Kairi knelt down for a moment infront of Pinocchio, "Hey Pinoc, we're going to ask a friend to look after you for a bit, do you promise not to take anything else from the shop?"
The puppet agreed, nodding his head rapidly, "I promise!"
The two left the shop, walked to the back of it where Cid stood. He waved a hello to them as they explained the situation.
"Man, you kids are just turning me into a full fledged babysitter at this point." he muttered scratching the back of his head.
"Sorry, we wouldn't be asking if-" Kairi began but then the shop keep stopped her.
"It's okay Kairi, I know you mean well."
The Keyblade wielder nodded her thanks, but then had a more worried expression on her face. "Have you seen Riku lately? I've asked Leon and the rest but..."
Cid shook his head, "Can't say I have, I'll keep looking out for him though."
"Alright, thanks Cid I really appreciate it."
Kairi sat atop of the Gizmo shop bell tower overlooking the plaza, grasping her own hand.
"What's wrong Kairi?" Jiminy asked, noticing his friend's silence.
"I've gone over this town twice, but still no sign of Riku...You don't think he could've left, do you Jiminy?"
He shrugged his shoulders, "Hard to say, you know you friend better than I do Kairi, what do you think?"
But she just shook her head. "He's different now, I mean, I am too, but I think I just hoped that he'd stay here and not look for Sora. Maybe if I had explained the situation to him better he wouldn't have gone off on his own.
"Well, there's nothing you could've done about that Kairi, after all, you can't control what other people do. Now, I don't know much about this Riku, but maybe after he knew you were okay, he went off looking for Sora on his own."
"But- it's dangerous to be on your own, especially with the heartless. When I was trapped in the darkness, I was terrified, it's only because I had the keyblade and you guys that I only felt safe. Riku doesn't have anything like that."
"Maybe he does."
"Huh?" Kairi turned towards he friend, confused.
"Seems to me like he has the same drive to find your friend just as you do, and he couldn't just sit around and wait for you to find him on your own. After all, would you want to just remain in one place when you have no idea where your friend is?"
"...No. But, even when we were fighting Jafar, I thought for a moment, what if I joined them. What if he really had Sora and he was in danger while I was just jumping around on other worlds? I can't help but think that we were separated because of me, if something happened to him..." Tears began to well up in Kairi's eyes at the mere thought of her most precious friend in peril.
Jiminy smiled at her sympathetically, placing a hand on cheek. "Kairi, I know what it's like to lose your friends with your world, after all, I'm still looking for them same as you three. But, we can't let that cloud our judgement, Riku is still your friend, and I'm sure he as well as Sora wouldn't want anything bad to happen to you, just like you wouldn't anything bad to happen to them. I know you made a tough call, but there's no telling what would've happened if you went with Jafar."
"But, I still worried about them, Riku especially."
"I know, but you've just gotta trust that he's going to do the right thing when the time comes, and once he does that you two will be able to work together to find your friend."
Kairi nodded, smiling to herself, "Thanks Jiminy, you know, you're a good conscious."
Jiminy smiled at her compliment, adjusting his hat. "Well thank you ma'am, I take pride in my work, but I was just reminding you of what you already knew."
"Still, thank you anyway."