On top of Carpet, Aladdin, Sora, Riku, Iago and Abu traveled through the desert at nightfall. Just as The Oracle had instructed, they followed the trail of the Forty Thieves. They left the desert and crossed through a rocky area that was close to the ocean.
"Good, the trail's still fresh."
"They there are." Sora pointed out a few horsemen
They came to an abrupt stop as the Forty Thieves stood before the ocean. Carpet quietly and slowly backed up allowing the guys to hide behind a rock wall.
"Well they have nowhere to go. We've got them trapped."
"We? They are Forty Thieves!" Iago pointed out the obvious difference in numbers "We are you, these two, a rug, a monkey and me. Wait, don't count me."
"What are they doing? Riku observed them "What are they waiting for?"
The leader of the Forty Thieves and Aladdin's father Cassim rode his horse to the edge of the water and raised his hand "Open Sesame!" he yelled, his voice echoing.
The ocean began to bubble as if it were boling and the earth shook. The waters parted as the cliff opened itself to reveal a cave and a smooth pathway for the thieves to travel. On their leader's command, the thieves rode in quickly as there was a limited amout of time before the cave and the waters closed.
"Let's move!" Aladdin shouted as they quickly got on Carpet.
They raced to the doorway as it closed and the ocean returned to its normal state. They barely made it inside. Once they recovered from the crash landing and walked about, they looked on in awe. Priceless artifacts from different places, historical ruins and treasures served as decorations for the Thieves' Den.
Aladdin shushed the group as they stood on a cliff allowing them to eavesdrop on the conversation. The Forty Thieves gathered around to discuss today's events. The one most vocal about the failure on their heist was Sa Luk.
"And this is what we have to show for our trouble in Agrabah: nothing!" Sa Luk slammed the table breaking it in two
The rest of thieves only served as amused spectators; seeing Sa Luk ticked off would bring a good show
"Your time draws to a close Cassim."
"Cassim?" Aladdin then came upon a realization "My father!"
"If you're talking about spilling my blood," Cassim crossed his arms and smirked "Well I just don't see that happening."
"Then let me open your eyes!" Sa Luk raosed his knuckleduster in the air to strike a blow but he was tackled to the ground by Aladdin
"Run! I've got him!" Aladdin told Cassim who was equally surprised and confused "I'm Aladdin! You're my father!"
Cassim was taken back. Sa Luk flipped Aladdin over, the action causing the dagger to fall out of his pocket. Cassim picked it up and quickly recognized it.
"I don't know about your father boy, but I'll send you to meet your other ancestors!"
"Oh no you don't!" Sora and Riku stood in front of Aladdin to protect him
"Fine then. I'll start with you two!"
"Stop!" Cassim held back Sa Luk "The boy is my son. I gave this dagger to mh wife years ago. I told her to give it to our newborn son Aladdin."
All those present were either amazed or in shock.
"It's true?"
"Oh, the boy is the son of the King of Thieves."
"You're the King of Thieves?" Aladdin asked, to think the leader of the notorious group of thieves that he fought back at the palace was his own father
"Like it or not boy, we're blood." Cassim replied then he walked up to him "Look at you. I thought I'd never see you again. Has it been so long?"
Unfortunately the family reunion was interupted by Sa Luk who physically stood in their way.
"Blood or mud the boy is an intruder. And we have rules about intruders."
The rest of thieves agreed with Sa Luk, even if the intruder was their leader's son they could not risk any threat of their discovery. Iago, Abu and Carpet were also captured.
"He has found our secret lair, he has seen too much. He must die! They must all die!"
"Die?!" Iago panicked "Casting a vote for mercy here!
Sa Luk sneered "Yes Cassim mercy would be so like you. Soft and weak."
The role of judgment fell onto Cassim. As the King of Thieves he had to uphold the Code of the Forty Thieves but he could not risk losing his son whom he has reunited with. Everyone was in suspense as they awaited Cassim's decision
"You could kill them... unless they could..." He nodded to himself "Yes they could" then he shook his head "No"
"What, what? They could what?" a chubby thief asked
"Nothing. Probably a bad idea."
"Let's hear it!" said the triplet thieves
"It seems to me that...Oh never mind."
"What?" asked Sa Luk
Cassim paced about and then revealed his idea "They could face the challenge."
A majority of the thieves came into agreement with their King's decision. The Challenge apparently was part of their code.
"What's going on?"
"I don't know but I got a bad feeling about this."
"That's it. My son and his two friends will face the challenge."
"And I shall be the one to test them." Sa Luk declared, his real intention being to kill Aladdin in front of Cassim just to spite him
