Arabian Memories
The bright sun beamed down over the small town of dirt and mud, the only thing that could really cover it was a gianatic palace, the likes of which the world had probably never seen before. Massive golden orb towers, white marble walls. It was a palace of sheer elegance and beauty that could not be beat.
Sora wondered just where they had ended up and how on earth he had a place like this in his memories.
He tried to think for a moment let the flashes of old memory come back to him but all he had was blanket emptiness. Yet something in his heart spoke to him about this place. That it was an important place. He had no fear while walking around the desert ground and wanted to continue to explore, and hopefully find Riku and the King.
This place was massive and Sora could already tell that if they were going to find their friends this was gonna be a long journey ahead of them. It was an entire city, and even though it was deserted there was gonna be a lot to look through. He could already feel his feet start to ache already as a result of thinking about it.
"Wow," Sora gawked as he looked around the place, "Look at this place, we've been here before"
"I guess so" Goofy said, also taking a look "Wonder when"
Donald shrugged, "Who cares, let's find the way out and keep going"
"Who cares?" Sora gasped, "I care, this place looks so exotic, nothing like this on the Island, although it does seem a bit hot and the sand is getting everywhere"
"If you live on an Island, shouldn't you be used to sand?" Donald asked.
Sora shrugged, "You think so but still, it can get in my shoes a lot"
"Oh brother" Donald muttered as they kept going forward.
Sora continued to walk down the sandy streets of the place moving away from Donald and Goofy to get some space. His mind wandered aimlessly as he looked around, still in awe. He had been here before. The thought made him both happy and sad. Happy to know that he had traveled to such amazing and exotic locations during his first adventure, sad that he couldn't remember any of it.
Closing his eyes Sora tried to think, something in his mind had to remember this place. Memories just didn't vanish so easily. They couldn't. Each memory one made, while one could forget was never lost forever. He probably just couldn't access it. Perhaps it was the magic of the castle.
Sighing Sora couldn't see anything, instead he looked at the card he had been given by Axel. However also in his hand, another card one in his hand. The one the strange triangle creature Bill Cipher had given him before they had arrived. He said if he ever needed help he should use it.
For a moment Sora thought about using it, but was taken a back, something about the creature still felt off, though he didn't know what.
"Sora," Goofy said, shaking his shoulder, "Sora!"
Sora jumped back as he came back to reality again "Oh uh- h-hi, yeah, right...We gotta find a way out"
Sora blinked but nodded and smiled. He supposed that they didn't see Bill Cipher but the musical would be good enough. He felt a tad guilty of not saying anything about his demon ally then and there but those two had enough on their plate to worry about without any of that nonsense added to the already insanely growing list.
So off they went, through the maze of a city that was Agrabah. They went through empty alleyway after empty alleyway. Corridor, after corridor, past entire neighborhoods. Up rooftops even. Yet each road they took led them to another one leaving them completely lost and alone. They were about to completely give up until out of the corner of his eye, Sora spotted something.
"Hey look," Sora pointed to a cloaked individual running through the halls, "Hey excuse me!"
The cloaked figure turned around and began to run off even quicker.
"Hey wait!" Sora chased after them Goofy and Donald quickly followed suit.
"Wait up Sora" Donald yelled, "It could be dangerous!"
Sora ignored him as he followed the cloak figure. Down a few alley ways, and down more muddied streets. The person was fast whoever they were and ran fast two. He started to feel his legs give way. Still he pressed on, determined to find this person and maybe get some help on how to get out of here.
Finally he caught them, trapped in a corner.
"Hey it's okay" Sora slowly approached as to not antagonize them. "I'm not gonna…"
WHAM
Sora felt himself get kicked in the shin by the cloaked figure as they ran off again shoving Donald and Goofy as they passed by.
"Well that wasn't very nice" Goofy muttered getting up from the ground.
Sora groaned, looking annoyed, "Okay, now I'm mad"
They now picked up the pace, wanting nothing more than to find the cloaked figure just to find out who they were and why they kicked him. Sora turned another corner until they found the cloak figure again, however this time surrounded by Heartless. Soon, all animosity vanished as he knew what he had to do. Keyblade in toe, he charged forward and made his way to attack the shadow creatures.
One large one managed to bump him with it's belly causing Sora to fall back hitting a market stand with a loud crash.
Donald and Goofy quickie appeared to get rid of the grunts. The big one however still remains. Sora gets back up again, head moaning slightly as it heads towards the cloaked figure.
Sora was about to strike but the cloaked figure kicked the big Heartless back causing it to fall on it's back and then vanish with a poof.
"Oh," Sora landed flat on his face again and got up groaning, "There goes my thunder"
Finally once things had calmed down, Donald, Goofy and Sora surrounded the cloak figure before they could try and escape again.
"Look, we don't wanna hurt you" Sora said holding up his key, "We just wanna know how we can get out of here and find out friends"
The cloaked figure just stood there for a moment before letting out a deep sigh and removing their hood to reveal themselves. Sora stepped back in shock underneath the cloak was a lovely young woman, with silk black hair wearing a light blue headband. She was quite lovely. Regal looking even. Even Donald and Goofy seemed taken aback by her.
"H-Hello" Sora said becoming nervous now, "I-I'm Sora"
THe woman hushed him as she looked around, "It's not safe here, follow me"
Sora merely nodded and did without even questioning it, Donald and Goofy quickly followed. It would have been foolish to trust her so quickly but something inside him told him that this was the right way to go about it. Perhaps this really was a friend from his memories. So thus they followed her down the dirty streets of Agrabah for a few minutes, running past several alleyways and corners until they came across a small abandoned hut and went inside.
"Who are you?" Sora asked again.
From atop her shoulder a money in a tiny vest and fez appeared and started hissing and screeching at them.
"Monkey!" Sora beamed.
"Abu no" The woman hissed putting him down
The woman sat down and sighed, she seemed sad, nervous even. Despite her glaring exterior Sora could tell that this was someone who needed help and he was going to give it. If she wanted it that was. Soon they all sat down next to her as they waited for the stranger to speak, Donald and Goofy seeming the most hesitant about the whole situation.
"My name is Jasmine" She said, her voice quite soft and kind, "Who are you?"
"I'm Sora" He said without any hesitation, "This is Donald and Goofy, my friends, we're looking for someone name Riku and King Mickey, have you seen them"
Jasmine shook her head, "Can't say I have, what was that thing you used to attack the creatures"
"Oh this" Sora took out his Keyblade, "It's a Keyblade, their pretty good for taking out Heartless"
"Gee, why don't you tell them your personal life Sora" Donald muttered, always hating it when Sora got talkative with people.
Sora ignored him, "Why were you running from us?"
Jasmine sighed, "How do I know if I can trust you"
"Well...We aren't trying to hurt you," Sora insisted.
Goofy nodded, "Yeah, we wanna help yuh, we're the good guys"
"How can we trust you?" Donald accused, "You kicked Sora in the shin"
"Hey it's fine" Sora said, "i've been kicked their plenty...I think...I don't really remember now most of it in all honesty"
Jasmine let out a small chuckle, "Well I guess I could trust you...Maybe...Maybe I could show you" Rummaging through her cloak she pulled out what seemed to be a golden lamp and held it in front of them. Sora eyes widened as he looked at it, something about it seeming oddly familiar to him.
"What is it?"
"It's a Genie's lamp" Jasmine explained, "Although it was, until I freed the Genie"
Jasmine told them her story. She told them of a tale about how she was the actual Princess of the land much to Sora's shock. How she met a local street thief named Aladdin, and the two had become friends. However he was captured by an evil Wizard named Jafar who with the Heartless took over the Kingdom and wanted the magical lamp which she now possessed. As she told the story though Sora did feel a sense of familiarity like he had been here before. Everything was new, and didn't feel it at the same time.
"Wow, that seems like quite a story," Goofy said.
"Wait why didn't you just ask the Genie to free Aladdin?" Sora asked, surprised that he knew what Genie's were and their ability to grant wishes, maybe it was his memories trying to come back to him.
Jasmine sighed, "I would have, but wishes have consequences, so wishing Genie free I felt was probably the best thing to do. Although I guess the consequence here is I have no real magic to help me out"
Sora took a moment to think about what heard scratching his chin, "We'll, how can we help"
"Help?" Jasmine seemed taken aback by the sudden interest, "You want to help us?"
"Why not?" Sora shrugged, "I feel like it is the right thing to do"
Donald pulled him aside for a moment fronwing, "Are you sure we should just trust them right now? We don't even know them"
"Well, I don't know but I have this feeling that we do" Sora said looking at Jasmine curiously, "Like I look at them, and I feel safe and good around them, like they are my friends"
"How do you know your memorie aren't playing tricks on you" Donald asked.
"I just don't, I listen to my heart"
"Listen to your head too" Donald tapped Sora's head for emphasis, "For all we know those hooded guys could be changing the memories so you think good people are bad and bad people are good"
"Well, let's find out if they are good people shall we" Sora said walking up to Jasmine hand out, "Hey, will help you get your friend back"
Jasmine looked at him cautiously taking his hand, "How?"
"I have a Keyblade, I'm sorta an expert on defeating evil" Sora said standing up with confidence, "I'm also a bit of a hero!"
"A hero? Really?" Jasmine snickered.
Sora gawked, "Yeah! I saved the universe one time, I think I can handle any evil wizards"
"I guess?" Jasmine said still sounding hesitant, hearing footsteps they saw more Heartless roaming around there area, they could appear in any moment "That Key does look interesting, maybe, maybe it could help us...Come on, I know a place we could hide and plan"
"More walking" Donald muttered, "Just great"
Sora rolled his eyes and smiled as they began to follow her, something told him it was gonna take a while still to gain her trust.
-000-
Following Jasmine, and Abu was simple enough, although they had to be sneaky about it. It seemed now more and more Heartless were patrolling the city streets. Sora had his Keyblade at the ready in case he had to go full blown out again on taking them down. He was ready for a good fight though. It felt good to be back in action, at least this was something familiar.
However Sora couldn't shake the feeling that he had been here before and the scenario playing out was somewhat familiar but also missing. Like he had done this before, but the plot itself was far more dire than before. Perhaps it all had to do with his past heroic deeds. Either way he was gonna prove to these people that he was the hero worth having on side.
After several minutes of tiring walking they walked up a ladder towards an old abandoned house on a higher point of the city. Once inside they were all allowed to rest, all heavily breathing after what seemed like a forever walk.
"Um, nice?" Sora questioned looking at the practical ruins of a place.
"It was Aladdins" Jasmine said as she head towards a curtain pulling it back revealing the palace, "But it has a good view"
Sora looked outside and gawked, "Wow, okay that is pretty cool".
From here the palace looked pretty massive. However again it was the same thing he saw in the palace yet he felt like he already saw it before. Perhaps in a dream, or maybe it really was somewhere from his past. He wanted to think, and to feel why?
"So, how are we gonna get in there?" Goofy asked, interrupting Sora's thought.
Jasmine looked out the window as well, "We can take a secret entrance"
"Secret entrance?" Sora asked
"Yes" Jasmine nodded, "The palace has a few of them all over the outer walls, only me and my father know about them just in case".
"Well, at least will be able to enter"
Jasmine nodded, "Yes, but tomorrow morning, that's when Jafar should be asleep and won't be as alert to summon those heartless creatures"
"Well then guys, better get some sleep"
So they waited for night to come to rest. Sora was tired after a lot of running and walking. Though the moon rose he looked out at the palace and this town, feeling a bit uneasy about the whole thing. He wanted to know this place, what memories did he have here the first time. Was Jasmine, Abu and this Aladdin all friends. Did they create a strong bond with one another? All these questions were plaguing at his mind ever since he had first gotten here and he was still not sure what the answer was going to be.
"Hey," Jasmine hissed getting Sora's attention, she seemed quite restless, "Can I talk to you privately"
Sora nodded and scooted up to her a bit, "Yeah, I defeated probably one of the most dangerous villains to the world"
"That's a bold statement" Jasmine said leaning back, "Your just a child"
"A child who saved the world"
"An apparently has a ego"
Sora frowned looking at the ground now, embarrassed, "Well i uh...I don't like to think I have ego but I did do all that stuff...I think...ugh, everything is hard to remember these days"
"I see" Jasmine eyed him carefully now, "Well, I really don't have that many good options, if you say you can help then prove it tomorrow when we rescue Aladdin"
"Aladdin means a lot to you?" Sora asked.
Jasmine nodded, "I don't know, I feel like, I feel like we've a deep connection with each other already, it's strange, that's not really how those things work but for us..."
"I can understand" Sora didn't want to say he felt the same about Jasmine but that connection was there.
Jasmine just nodded back at him again, "Well goodnight I guess" she leaned back and decided to close her eyes as she fell asleep leaving Sora still awake.
Sora went back up to the window to look up at the palace again. Still wondering why he knew these people. More though, he felt bad, he just wanted to prove that he was the hero that he knew he was. He defeated Xehanort after all. That was probably his greatest accomplishment. He wanted to be worthy of that accomplishment and prove to them that he was the hero the Keybalde choose. However he didn't know anything about this place.
I know lots of things
Sora eyes widened as he pulled out Cipher's card and looked at it. He said to use it in case he needed help. Well, now more than ever he really did. He was in a strange memory world which he didn't know and with people who he felt he did know but didn't. It was all so confusing.
Turning the card around Sora saw the incarnation and began to read it outloud. "Triangulum, entangulum. meteforis dominus ventium"
Suddenly the room began to turn grey, as a high pitch laugh echoed in the air. Sora looked up to see a single eye open up from out of thin air, as flame taking the form of a triangle surrounded. Then in a flash of light, that flame and floating eye became Bill Cipher himselfing, once again floating before him.
"Kid! You finally summoned me, I knew it...You need me" Bill teased.
Sora nodded, "Uh, y-yeah? Hey...Um….I need help"
"Gee kid your mind works faster than a rabbit on highly sugarcane carrots" Bill Cipher popped up behind him landing on the pillow with a thud.
Sora turns around him, "Bill? You said you know things, do you know if this world was important to me"
"I do, sure I do" Bill leaned back as Sora frowned, "What's your point"
"My point!" Sora yelled, starting to become a bit frustrated by all of Bill's lack of help despite promising too, "If you said you were going to help me with all this memory stuff, so help me, is a day even passing, we're am I! Have I been transported! What"
Bill took a moment in silence as he scratched his non existence chin, then laughed, "Oh kid your funny, see this is why I like you" He wagged his finger condescendingly, "Of course you're still in the castle, just in a scenario that is being played out, controlled by the very forces in this castle"
"And I have too-"
"Live them out and hopefully get passed them, they do allow you to have a chance of succeeding"
"So this is like, some sort of memory game for them" Sora asked, sounding annoyed as he leaned back against the wall, "Make up a place I've been and a story and then what, watch me lose"
"Not lose, observe, watch, they are giving you options" He points to Jasmine, "Take her for instance, she's an ally of yours, those who control all this can't have her betray you since she was a friend in your heart, or whatever.
"So she was a friend" Sora perked up.
"Yep"
If she was a friend then that means his instincts were right and Donald was wrong. Yes! That was definitely something he was gonna brag about when all of this was over. Though he did wish he knew what exactly had caused them to be friends in the first place. Still, it was a start and that meant that maybe the plan to save Aladdin would work out smoother.
"Don't get too excited kid, you're in for a treat tomorrow!"
Sora raised a eyebrow, "What kind of treat"
"SONG TIME!"
Bill Cipher
In the palace right here
Lived a evil vizer
A advisor to Sultan Hamed
And this part magician
This amature seer
Wanted his boss
The good sultant
Dead
He was charming and slick
But unspeakably sick
This disepicable
Parasite
What a villain
Boo
Hiss
But it does prove that this
Is another
Arabian Night
Bill rose a bit and widened his eye illuminated to reveal a snake-like man in black robes and turban carrying a golden snake staff. With him was a young man older than Sora but not too old in a purple vest held in chains.
"The guy in black robes is Jafar, the evil wizard in question" Bill explained showing the Vizer prance around a throne room, "Ego to match all ego's the guy likes power, those with power and having power...So he easily goes on a power trip, and then Aladdin well….Your memories so you know these people"
"But I KNOW them"
"The fact they are so friendly to you means they must be your friends, it's how friendship works right" Bill suggested floating around Sora now, "Not like they are just friendly to you but only to manipulate you or anything like that"
Sora thought it over, "Maybe...I don't know...But my heart tells me to help them"
"So you always listen to your heart?" Bill asked leaning in a bit more, looking curiously at Sora.
"Always, it's my power"
"I see...Well, you need not worry, for I'm your friend and kid….You've never had a friend like me".
Bill vanished leaving Sora alone, looking out at the palace where the now captive Aladdin now stood.
Sora took a deep breath and sighed. He was going to rescue this person, memory or not, it felt like the right thing to do. These were his friends at the end of the day. Just like Donald and Goofy were his friends and Riku, Kairi and the King. He would do anything for them. Heck, even in his own weird way, Bill Cipher was slowly becoming a friend.
A friend was a friend, and they were his power.
Closing his eyes Sora got some rest, it was going to be a long day tomorrow, "Maybe I really haven't had a friend like Bill Cipher before."
-000-
When morning came Jasmine gathered Sora, Donald and Goofy to formulate a plan to get back Aladdin and save him from Jafar. The palace would be guarded by Heartless and other manner of dark magic. So it would be hard to infiltrate the place without risk of being detected. They really had no options except for taking a secret passageway in and just fighting their way to Aladdin. It didn't seem like much of a plan, if anything it seemed like a sucidie mission. But it was one that Sora was ready to take on, he was pumped and ready for battle. Of course like usual his companions didn't seem so sure.
"So, what exactly is the plan then?" Donald asked, sounding hesitant.
Sora Donald and Goofy would serve as distraction while Jasmine gets Aladdin out of their. With that done, they would find a way to take down Jafar from there. Hopefully the Keyblade would be able to be helpful in liberating the land from the Vizier's Tyranny.
Goofy had a look of concern, while Donald as usual was a complete skeptic about everything. As Jasme reviewed the situation there expressions turned from fear, to nervousness, skepticism and every emotion that was cynical. It was one thing that Sora wished they stopped doing. Why couldn't they just be positive for once. After all, wasn't it them who said "Smile" when on the Gummi Ship.
"You know guys it wouldn't kill yuh to have a little faith in Jasmine, she seems smart enough to handle the plan" Sora defended much to the Princess' chagrin.
Donald frowned, arms folded, "It's not lack of faith it's just we still aren't sure about any of this"
"You're never sure Donald" Sora groaned.
"Well yeah because risks have caused problems in the past" Donald reminded him, "I have memories to prove it"
"Well that's why we're planning" Sora argued, "And besides we have the Keybalde"
"But why do you trust them?" Donald asked, now speaking in a hushed whisper.
Sora rolled his eyes, he still couldn't believe Donald sometimes, "Look, Donald, I trust them because something in my heart tells me too do it and when my Heart tells me something, I listen to it"
"Oh brother" Donald just hobbled over to the corner of the room to get his head together.
Jasmine was bent down going over her plan in the sand over and over again. She seemed determined to get inside that palace and save her friend. Sora admired that. It reminded him of why he was here in the first place, to save Riku and the King from whoever those coated people were in his own castle. Thinking about it though, he felt a bit guilty that he once again found himself doing something completely different to what he was originally here to do in the first place.
Reminding him of when he was young, Riku would complain how Sora had a multi track mind. Couldn't keep himself focused on anything for more than a few minutes before he would focus on something else. This was going back to when they were kids. One minute Sora was trying to build a sandcastle with Riku on the beach the next he would find a seashell and start trying to collect them, before looking at a bunch of fishe's swimming near the shallow end of the water. His mother said it made him special though that he can think of so many things at once. Still, he did feel a little guilty getting distracted again.
"The great hero having doubts" Bill muttered hovering behind Sora while everyone else was looking away.
Sora frowned, "No, if I helped these people before I can do it again"
"But at what cost" Bill chuckled, "From what I saw, the last time you saved the day, the long term consequences were dire"
"T-They were?"
"Yeah, they lead Riku down a darker path because of it"
Sora felt his heart skip a beat but couldn't understand why. What exactly happened here that led Riku to darkness. Though if that was true at least this time he wasn't here, so that meant he wouldn't return to darkness again.
"So, are you gonna help us or not" Sora asked.
Bill nodded, "Sure...Do you trust"
"Something wrong Sora?" Jasmine asked, causing him to turn around, Bill had vanished before he could respond.
Sora bit his lip and shook his head, "No, I'm fine...Just pre battle jitters"
-000-
The Agrabah Palace walls were massive. Miles high that could cover the sun. If anyone would try to climb them then it would seem impossible, if they tried to smash them they would hurt themselves. Yet here Sora, Donald and Goofy stood, right in front of the massive walls of the mighty fortress, in front of two large golden doors. Just the three of them, they looked like ants compared to the massive structure that now stood before them now. They didn't know what laid beyond the walls except a massive fortress, probably crawling with Heartless of all shapes and sizes. Sora and the others would have to be careful as they set foot, but they were ready.
All three of them were wearing turbans. This was all part of Sora's plan. He took a deep breath, it was going to be a gamble. Thankfully they had managed to get Jasmine to go into the secret entrance path why they headed into the main door. Split up and then reconvene. If all went according to plan then they would have rescued Aladdin and managed to get out of here without a sitch.
"Is this gonna work" Donald asked, sounding nervous now.
Sora nodded though he looked nervous, "Y-Yeah, of course it will, I can't see why it wouldn't"
"Because your plans never seem to work" Donald muttered.
"They do" Sora argued, "I just need to improvise that's all"
"Might wanna do more then that friend"
A brief pause as everything turned dark for a moment and Bill Cipher emerged once again. Sora was starting to wonder just how he was able to get everything around them to that. Perhaps this demon had more powers then he was aware of. Still, it was annoying, and the triangle just floated in front of him now.
"I like the moxy on this plan kid but I gotta say without magic to back it up you'll only get far" Bill chuckled.
Sora groaned, "Well it's the best I got, but I'm helping Jasmine and Aladdin"
"Why?"
"Because I consider them friends"
"Friends you just met in less then a day and already risking everything for" Bill commented, "i mean do you know anything about them, likes dislikes, hobbies"
"I know there is trouble and since I have the Keyblade and the heartless are here I have to help them" Sora felt a bit of anger bubbling up inside him.
"Then you should have no problem letting me help you"
Sora blinked, "What?"
"You heard me" Bill replied, "Let me help you pull off this con, the world of memories allow me to interact a bit more plus like you said, we made a deal earlie, you said I could"
"Well I uh-" Sora wasn't sure but this plan was already a mess as it was, so perhaps a extra insurance couldn't help, he looked up to Bill and nodded.
"GREAT! You won't regret it, just do what you were gonna do and when I call follow my lead"
With that Bill vanished leaving Sora back to where he was again. He took a deep breath and slowly made towards the doors and knocked loudly. The banging sound echoed in the sky for several minutes. Everything was quiet now as the tension was riding high. Any wrong move and that would be it for all of them. They couldn't let Jasmine fail.
"Um...Hello!" Sora called out as there was still no one out there, "We are….We are….The Genie's of the lamp!"
Silence.
"Maybe no one is home" Goofy said.
Nope someone was home alright. For in an instance Sora along with Donald and Goofy all found themselves being consumed by a dark cloud. It swirled round and around them, completely blanketing them in it's darkness. Until it vanished and the three of them found themselves in another room now.
Sora blinked a few times to get his bearings and look around. He and the others stood in the middle of a grand marble throne room the likes of which he's never seen before. Or maybe he did and just didn't remember. Regardless, it was quite a sight to behold, especially the large golden elephant throne that stood before him. However the one sitting on it, that was another manner entirely. For he was a figure of darkness, from his black robes, to black turban, a skinny man, snake like in manner, and a goatee to match. He even had a snake staff in hand.
It was the Vizer Jafar, the one Bill Cipher showed in his vision. He definitely seemed intimidating. If all was said and true, he was a powerful sorcerer in his own right. Sora knew that he would have been careful if he was able to beat this foe.
Slowly he rose as he eyed them with suspicion carefully approaching them. Sora took a step back but held his ground, not wanting to show fear.
"H-Hello" Sora gulped, "I-I'm Sora...The Genie"
Jafar tightened the grip on his staff and glared down at him, "You are a Genie" he snarled.
"Y-Yes, we are" Sora said looking at Donald and Goofy, "Three Genie's actually"
Jafar gazed at them all, as he did Sora could see someone on the side. A young man with black hair and a red vest. It was an Aladdin, still tied up near the throne room. Jasmine had yet to arrive, they would need to keep up a distraction if they were going to help him escape.
"You are actually a Genie?" Jafar said walking around them, "How do I know that you are the real thing and not some ruse?"
"Y-Yep See..." He pulled out the lamp and handed it to Jafar, "For you, Jasmine wanted me to give it you...She didn't trust you with her safety"
Jafar snickered, taking the lamp in his hand and saying, "Smart girl...But do you have any proof of your power?"
"Okay kid this is where you trust me"
Sora felt his heart race, "Well you see…Here" He extended his hand as a magical spark came out of it and exploded like a firework. He was shocked .Jafar also looked shocked as he saw the magical energy dissipate.
"Amazing" Jafar said slowly approaching Sora now, taking a hand he cupped his chin to examine him, as if he were some sort of object, "You really are a powerful Genie of the lamp I see. For years i have yearned for you and now it is mine"
"Um, y-yes...Yes I am"
"Now just let me influence you"
Sora blinked, "Wait what"
"MUSIC TIME!"
Sora could hear music start to play in the back of his mind, his body was moving without his control, as magical aura began to dance and whirl around him. He didn't know what he was doing or how any of this fit into Bill Cipher's plan. Either way it was weird. Weirder still, he was starting to dance and sing. But it wasn't him...It was like Bill was controlling him. He and Bill at that moment were one.
Well, Ali Baba had them forty thieves,
Scheherazade had a thousand tales.
But master you're in luck, 'cause up your sleeves
You've got a brand of magic that never fails
You've got some power in your corner now!
Some heavy ammunition in your camp!
You got some punch, pizzaz, yahoo and how.
See, all you gotta do is rub that lamp, and I'll say:
"Mr. Jafar, sir, what will your pleasure be?
Let me take your order, jot it down?"
You ain't never had friend like me
Life is your restaurant and I'm your maitre'd
Come on whisper what it is you want;
You ain't never had friend like me!
Yes sir, we pride ourselves on service.
You're the boss, the king, the shah.
Say what you wish; it's yours true dish.
How 'bout a little more baklava?
Have some of column A try All of column B,
I'm in the mood to help you, dude.
You ain't never had a friend like me
As Sora continued to sing and dance along with Donald and Goofy he saw Jasmine and Genie finally sneak in from one of the private passages. Thankfully he managed to distract Jafar and the Heartless that were guarding Aladdin. He just needed to keep it up long enough for the mission to keep going.
"Don't worry kid this is where trusting your new pal Bill pays off"
"I hope your right Bill" Sora thought to himself nervously, "I hope your right"
WA WA WA!
Oh my.
MWA MWA WMA
No no.
WA WA WA
My my my.
ZAP A DOP BOP
Can your friends do this?
Can your friends do that?
Can your friends pull this
Out their little hat?
Can your friends go poof?
"Oh my" Jafar's eyes widen at Sora's magical feets, "Quite impressive
Well looky here.
It looked though that the plan was going well though Jasmine was untying Aladdin even now, they even shared a kiss. Sora smiled, seeing two lovers reunited again. He hoped he would get to spend a little time with them together after their plan was over. But for now it was more singing and dancing. Bill was really letting them in, it was like having his body being pulled by strings.
Can your friends go abracadabra, let her rip,
And then make the sucker disappear?
So don't just sit there slack-jawed, buggy-eyed,
I'm here to answer all your mid-day prayers,
You've got me bona fide certified;
You've got a genie for charge d'affaires.
I've got a powerful urge to help you out,
So what you wish, I really wanna know?
You've got a list that's three miles long, no doubt,
Well all you've gotta do is rub like so, and oh -
Mr. Aladdin, sir, have a wish or two or three.
I'm on the job you big nabob!
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend,
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend,
You ain't never had a friend like me. You ain't... never. ..had a ...friend.. like ...meeeeeee!
You ain't never had a friend like me!
Sora took several deep breaths, exhausted, tired, Donald and Goofy looking like they were about to faint. Bill's plan seems to have worked but it also had tired them out beyond all ends. Though essentially casting a spell to make them go through an entire song and dance routine of magic and spells did allow for Jasmine to untie Aladdin. He was now free from Bill's grasp though, so that was a plus. He would have to ask just how he did that.
"Well, see, we're a real deal Genie" Sora breathed.
"I'm so tired," Donald fainted
Goofy was about to lose a long, "Yep...Real deal"
Jafar seemed unsure still, and continued to look at them carefully, leaning into them that his body overshadowed them, "So...A real Genie, a powerful benign of magic whose both ancient and knowledgeable beyond all reason"
"Yep" Sora nodded, waiting as Jasmine and Aladdin headed to the secret entrance out of the throne room, "All powerful Genie, yep, yep, yep…."
"Oh really," Jafar smiled, turning dark, "Then why is THIS HERE!"
Turning around the eyes of his snake staff glowed as he fired his magic right at Jasmine and Aladdin stunning in them. Sora felt his heart race as he tried to summon his Keyblade, Heartless surrounding him now trying to break him down. Everything turned to chaos so quickly that it was hard to keep track on what was going on. But Sora fought tooth and nail taking down the creatures at a time.
Jafar however focused his efforts on Aladdin and Jasmine, blasting them with his magic as the two shriek in pain. He had a wicked grin on his face the whole time as he began to approach them now, cackling madly.
"So, Princess, you thought you could deceive me" Jafar sneered as he stood before them now, "With what, a mere peasant boy who can perform a few tricks, I know he's not the real Genie, only a fool could believe it"
"Sad, I bot it" Bill said inside Sora's head
Sora knocked out a few shadow heartless as he tried to get to the duo, "We have to help them"
"We're kinda busy Sora" Goofy yelled, trying to block a large billowing Heartless attack.
"Thunder!" Donald shouted, a large lighting bolt causing some of the Heartless to fall back only to be replaced by more of the awful shadows.
Sora sneered, "Ugh, I hate these things, great work Bill, great work"
"Don't worry kid, remember I can manipulate the game just as much as those Org scum, think of it as a game of DnD"
"A game of what!"
"You'll see, just trust me kid..I know how to play the game quite well"
Sora could only watch as he fended off Heartless seeing Jafar take the Genie's lamp for his own. However that wouldn't work, the Genie was free right? Even though he had it, the thing was gonna be pretty useless.
Jafar rubbed the lamp.
Everyone flinched waiting for the ruse to be over and the grand reveal that to happen. He was going to find out they lied and that the Genie had been freed and that the lamp had no Genie. Sora prepared for a fight, probably more Heartless and not an evil wizard who was probably going to go ballistic and kill them. Moments passed and nothing happened, Jafar starting to realize that he was tricked.
"What is the meaning of this" Jafar hissed, "Why does the lamp not-"
Before he could finish his tirade, the lamp began to glow, a blue smoke began to emerge growing large and large as it took on a physical form. Soon a large creature of blue, with golden cuffs and a goatee emerged. He opened his eyes, and smiled.
"Boy is it good to be out of there" He said cracking his neck and fingers, quickly he went to Jafar and shook his hand, "Thank you, thank you"
Again everyone just watched in shock
"The Genie," Jafar gasped.
"Sorry it took so long, wanted to look all presentable for the new boss" Genie adjusted a bow tie he summoned only for it to vanish again, "Wanted to make myself presentable, not every day your master is a all powerful sorcerer, do you know any good card tricks. I mean i'm a bit of a wiz myself, but nothing like a good card trick or a rabbit out of a hat"
"G-Genie" Jasmine gasped, "What are you doing here"
"Just living my Genie life!" He beamed, "So, master what will it be, what do you want most"
Jafar eyes widened as he stroked his chin, "All the powers of the Genie at my command, I could wish pretty much anything I want"
"Yep," Genie said cracking his knuckles, he floated near to Jafar who was still perplexed at the fast talking magical creature now standing before him "Pretty much anything, heck you could even wish to be a Genie yourself, imagine all that Genie magic, in one tiny itty bitt bod, that is cosmo controlling stuff right there"
"Cosmos?" Jafar sounded intrigued.
"Uh, what's going on" Sora chuckled nervously now, the Heartless hadn't moved, waiting for Jafar to give a command.
The vizar for his part seemed to be in thought, "Yes," He grinned evilly, "Yes, yes, that powers of a Genie, with them I could rule over the comso's, the universe would bow to my will"
"Ah I don't-" Sora tried to speak but it was too late
"Genie" Jafar yelled, "I want you to make me a ALL POWERFUL GENIE!"
"Sure" Genie snapped his fingers.
"NO!"
Too late, Jafar started to become engulfed with magical energie now. His body began to glow larger and red. All the Heartless in the room began to scatter, Sora, Donald and Goofy freed close ranks as they watched in horror at what was happening.
"YEEESSSSS" Jafar hissed as his Genie form began to form, a large demonic presence now standing before them, "YES! The POWER! ABSOLUTE POWER!"
Jafar was now a fully formed Genie, the likes of which Sora had never seen. It would be almost impossible to defeat. He was all powerful and worse probably immortal. Not even the Keyblade would match it.
"THE UNIVERSE IS MINE TO COMMAND TO CONTROL!"
"Wait, hold up!" Genie held a stop sign in front of Jafar's face, "No can do, see if you wanna be a genie there a few addendums a couple quid pro quo's, and one of them is well uh...eternity in a lamp till wished free by a master"
"WHAT!"
"Yep" To everyone's shock, Genie pulled out a black lamp and hold up, Jafar eyes widened in horror, "So, yeah...Enjoy the itty bitt living space"
Screaming in defeat, Jafar was slowly sucked into the lamp, becoming smaller and smaller until finally with one final yelp he was completely sucked inside. The only sound left was that of a small muttering that could be heard. Genie quickly rushed outside the window, summoned a bat, and shot him outside, the black lamp flying as far as the eye could see until it vanished completely.
"And, you're welcome!" Genie cracked his fingers and stretched his back, "Woo...Well, that was one of the easier megalomaniacs that's been taking down"
"Genie!" Jasmine gasped, "How, why?"
"I felt bad going off after you freed me," Genie said looking guilty, "So I wanted to make sure you guys were okay and when I saw this display, well," He goes up to Sora and frows, "Look kid, good performance but next time leave the Genieing to the Genie professionals"
Sora just nodded, "Uh, sorry"
"Hey, no worries, you did your best," Genie hugged him, floating back to Jasmine and Aladdin, giving them a big hug, "Oh, good to see true love reunited"
"Um...Hi?" Aladdin muttered, seeming very confused.
Sora walked up to them, Donald and Goofy following, gently coughing to get there attention, "Hello...Sora here, glad it all worked out in the end"
"Aladdin, this Sora, Donald and Goofy, they wanted to help" Jasmine explained.
Sora took Aladdin's hand and shook it, "Hey"
"Thank uh, Sora right" Aladdin continued to shake his hand and examine him closely, "I don't know why, but I feel like we've met before"
"Yeah, me too" Sora chuckled nervously.
Well of course they met before, this was a world based around Sora's memories so they had to have met at least once. Only problem was he didn't remember anything about how they had met, or when. Hopefully it was under better circumstances than this. Although at least since they won today, they would win tomorrow.
"So, what are you guys gonna do now?" Goofy asked.
Jasmine shrugged, "I don't know, rebuild, take a moment to relax, what about you"
"We need to look for our friends" Sora responded.
"Hmm, lost friend eh," Genie said, "Maybe I can look for them"
"Really? Uh…" Genie conjured a pen and paper to let Sora draw a crude picture, "Here, there name is Riku and King Mickey"
"Hmm, let me take a looksie…" Genie summoned a pair of binoculars and looked around the city from high above, "Welp, sorry, don't see anything"
Sora frowned, "Oh"
"Hey, I'm sure you'll find your friend," Jasmine smiled.
Sora just looked at the two of them, Aladdin and Jasmine, and despite not remembering them could tell, they would be happy together, and that they were his friends"
"Thanks-" He turns to his friends and nods, "Come on guys, let's keep going"
-000-
As the exited the palace Sora took a moment to lean against the front gates and look up into the sky. He wondered if he would ever find Riku and the King. Or if he would ever just get out of the castle of Oblivion. Taking a deep breath he tried to think about what exactly happened here the last time he was here. Did he meet all the people here? Did he defeat Jafar? He must have if he was still alive so that must have meant something . Closing his eyes he tried to remember, taking a deep breath, he thought and thought. Some images started to come to him, he saw Aladdin and Jasmine, Genie, Jafar and...Riku. Yes, yes he saw Riku there with him.
"You are remembering the correct kid" Bill said, making himself known to Sora.
Sora jumped opening his eyes, "Bill! Wait, you know Riku was here when I first came here. Did he help me? What did we do together"
"Yes, he helped you," Bill replied, growing larger and projecting images "It was your first real mission together. He helped you take down Jafar"
Sora watched and smiled at his previous memories, "Really! Wow! I knew it! I bet we made a awesome team!"
"You did" Bill continued, "Until he tricked you and took Jafars lamp"
Sora blinked, "What now?"
"Yep totally tricked you, took Jafar's lamp and kep it for himself. Guess already then he had a list for power even then. Sorta a jerky move really, I mean sure he was using it help, or so he said".
Sora watched in shock as he saw through Bill's image Riku take the lamp for himself. Sneaking it away without Sora realizing. Did it really get this bad? He couldn't remember. Only that he and Riku had some falling out of a sorta.
Bill chuckles returning to normal size again, "Yeah it stinks, seeing a friend doing something that crummy if you ask me. I wouldn't do something like that, in fact I actually brought the Genie here to show you how much I care, Sora old buddy old pal of mine"
"Wait you summoned Genie" Sora asked, his mind switching to that for a moment
Bill nodded and summoned a familiar looking blue card, the one Axel gave him, "Yep, real easy too, all I had to do was just tap into your memory and then wow! Got a genie summon. Like I said kid I have your back cuz I'm your pal"
It was hard to say but at that moment Sora did feel a bit more for Bill then Riku. Had his friend really tricked him in this world. Vague memories of a battle between them flashed in his mind but he couldn't remember much besides that.
Sora looked back up at Bill giving hima sold smile, "T-Thanks for helping me then"
"Any time kid," Bill tipped his hat and with that he vanished, "Any time"
With things quite again Sora took a moment to reflect. So Riku had tricked him here and took the lamp. But why, he must have had a good reason, maybe he should call back Bill and ask him. Still, why didn't he trust him, granted having a Genie did seem unethical in a grand sense of things. Still, that was the past, the present has been better right?
"You know...I wonder what happened to the real Jafar?"