Kingdom Hearts

Ch. 61

Agrabah

One Step Ahead

Back on the streets of Agrabah Sora, Jasmine, and Goofy were running through the marketplace passing by many shops and workers. The onlookers stepped aside avoiding the gang as they jolted down the street. The Immortal Dust was close behind them. She shot off the buildings launching at them like a hawk with blistering speeds. She struck the ground missing Goofy by a hair. "Wahahah, she's gaining on us," said Goofy grasping his hat so it doesn't fall off.

"Just don't stop running or she'll get you." Sora kept holding Jasmine's hand leading the way for her. "We have to go faster," he said speeding up. Jasmine struggled to keep up as Sora began to run at an inhumanely speed. She lost her balance tripping over her feet. She fell down sliding on the dirt road. Though she fell Sora did not let go of her wrist or slow down. Sora continued to drag her down the streets much to her discomfort.

"Hey w-w-wait," she mustered as her feet, knees and torso were dragged across the sandy street.

"No time," Sora said taking a quick left turn down a tight corner." He pulled Jasmine around as her body flailed around hitting pots, pans, paint, flour, and other objects.

"Sora s-stop this crazy thing," she begged being thrown around like a rag doll.

Goofy was still behind them nearly running out of breath. He looked up to see a vacant building down the road. Sora heard Goofy call to him saying, "Sora look let's hide in there."

Sora stopped in his tracks ceasing Jasmine's torments. She moaned with her body covered in scratches, paint, and bird feathers. "If you say so," he said inspecting the abandon building. Sora dragged Jasmine in the building with Goofy in tow. They ran up the building to the top floor entering into an empty room with one window. They walked in resting a moment. Jasmine was dazed from the chase. Her face had a red bruise shaped like a tire track on it thanks to Sora.

Goofy rested a bit sitting down by the window while Sora hadn't even broken a sweat. "You know I don't think we needed to run. We could've taken her," he said stretching out.

"You know you're probably right. We've dealt with worse before," Goofy pondered.

Jasmine came to her senses and got up with her hair and clothes all ruffled up. She knocked Sora on the head and yelled at him, "What's the big idea dragging me on the ground like that."

"Yoah, that hurt. I was just trying to save you," he said rubbing his scalp.

Jasmine spoke back, "Save me? You call that saving me. My skin would have been ripped off if we didn't stop. Besides your supposed to show me where Aladdin is."

Sora then remembered why they're here. "Aladdin? Oh, I don't know where he is?"

"What!" Jasmine shouted genially upset.

"I do know Aladdin. But we haven't seen each other since last night. I don't know where he is or where he lives," he explained.

"You dummies, not to mention that we're now cornered here. Why'd you enter this building in the first place." Sora and Goofy looked around realizing the error of their mistake. This building was abandoned and dissolute that means Dust can enter and fight them when she finds them, and they have nowhere to run.

"We'll don't look at me I was following Sora," pleaded Goofy.

"What, you're the one who suggested it," yelled Sora.

Goofy shouted, "I did no such thing I could barely keep up with you."

"No, you told me to come here," Sora yelled back.

"No, let's hand the Princess over to the Immortals," a voice resembling Goofy's spoke.

"Huh, I didn't—What's going on?" Goofy spoke out confused. Footsteps could be heard down the hallway. Sora and Goofy brought out their weapons and faced the door. The footsteps became louder and louder. Till it seemed they stopped right at the door.

Jasmine walked backwards towards the wall. When two arms appeared from the shadows grabbing her. "You think you can get away again," the figure said in Jafar's voice. The black dressed figured was revealed to be Zisa. He grabbed both her arms as he lowered his head near her ear. His snake like tongue hissed at her cheek. Sora and Goofy turned to the black mage.

"Let her go now," Sora said pointing his keyblade at him.

"Just try," he said mimicking Sora's voice. Sora then reverted to his fighting stance. But while his back was turned the other Immortal ran into the room kicking Sora's head into the hard floor.

"Always be aware of your surroundings and never turn your back against an opening," she said pressing his head to the ground. She then presided to attack Goofy with her legs. He fended her off with his shield but was pushed back.

Sora got up moaning, "That hurt really bad." Zisa covered Jasmine's mouth with his hand. Taking advantage of the moment she bit his hand as hard as she could. Zisa screamed letting her go. She ran towards Dust preparing to punch her.

The Immortal flipped back missing the Princess's attack. "You are not getting away again you little brat. Her legs all began to glow even brighter. The energy coursed through her veins. She lifted one glowing leg and swung it at Sora and Jasmine. Goofy got in front of them letting the blow hit his shield. But this force was much stronger as Goofy was thrown back balling into Sora and Jasmine. The three were thrown through the only window in the room. They all were shot far into the air screaming. Dust and Zisa walked up and looked out the window with deadpan faces. "She got away," remarked an ironic Zisa. The dancer punched him in the shoulder knocking him to the side.

"YAAAHHHHOOOO," they all screamed falling forward in a diagonal direction.

"Here take my hand. I'll save you," Sora yelled at Jasmine stretching out his hand while in midair.

Jasmine looked at it and refused to take it. "No way. I'm just going to get hurt again," she pouted. They then came near the neighboring building across the street. Jasmine slammed face first into the hard-stone wall two stories in the air cracking the exterior. Sora completely missed the building falling in between two buildings in the alleyway. Goofy flew through a window of the building landing in a bedroom.

Sora slammed into some old bags of rotten food scaring away the nearby cats. A few old man looked down the alleyway wondering about his health.

After a few moments Sora's leg twitched. He moved his arms and lifted himself up. He got on his feet brushing the dust from his body. He ran over in front of the building to see Jasmine still smashed onto it two stories up. Her body then peeled off like a sticker before falling from that height. She landed inside a pot near the door.

"Jasmine!" he cried. Sora came closer but stopped as the pot began to shake. With that four spider like legs popped out of the clay pot forming a body. "A heartless," he realized. The pot ran across the ground as others followed its example. More pot heartless appeared coming together to make a line. Darkness appeared from the front and back. Forming a head and an end.

Its rear end is blue and sports two short, dark blue "tails". Its head is round, blue, slightly squashed, and sports glowing yellow eyes, two twisted antennae between its eyes, two black-tipped mandibles, and a Heartless emblem on its forehead.

The Pot Centipede was formed crawling off away with the Princess captured. "You are not taking her," he said summoning his keyblade. The citizens all began to panic and run away. But some hid witnessing the battle unfold.

Up in the abandoned building Dust and Zisa watched as Sora did battle with the heartless. Dust lifted her leg on the window shilling preparing to jump out. "Wait," Zisa said throwing his hand out in front of her. Dust looked to him confused. That boy, he wields the keyblade. I need to see what he can do. He maybe the only one to put a damper on Jafar's plans."

In a bedroom, Goofy found himself on a nice soft red carpet. He heard screaming looking over to find a couple in bed startled at his arrival. "Good Morning," he said getting up. The couple remained speechless as Goofy walked over to the window. He witnessed the heartless trade blows with Sora using its electric antenna's to keep him at bay. Goofy prepared to assist Sora, stepped out of the window and fell two stories with his shield in hand. He came crashing down with his shield smashing into the creature's skull while it was fighting Sora.

The heartless struggled in pain throwing Goofy off. Sora lunged at the heartless destroying some of the pots making up its body. Goofy made his way around the creature attacking its tail. The heartless's antennas provided defense measures as stingers. Sora fended them off with his keyblade while Goofy did the same with his shield. They both would use their weapons to repel the antennas and to free the creatures body from its defenses. They'd strike quick and fall back to try again. They did this repeatedly. Till more people began to come out and watch them fight. They were all amazed that these two could fight against a heartless of that size.

When the time was right Goofy leaped into the air over the pots that made the creatures body. He took his shield and sounded, "Goofy Smash." His shield slid out as he crashed it into the pots destroying all of them making up the creature. The pots burst into a million pieces with their shattered remains dropping on the ground like rain. Jasmine burst out of one of them falling on the ground. The head flew off towards Sora and with one swipe he hit his keyblade right in the face of the creature like a baseball player slamming the ball at the bat. The head was shot into the air before landing on the ground. The heartless faded back into darkness as a heart flew from its skull in the air. The tail end did the same but with no heart rising into the sky.

Sora backed up and sent his keyblade away. He turned over to see Goofy tending to Jasmine. He ran over checking on them. "I think she's unconscious. But she didn't get hurt. I mean from the creature," Goofy said.

After the fight ended more citizens came out witnessing the two heroes who defeated the monster. One man stepped forward and asked, "Excuse me stranger. What is your name? Where are you from?"

Sora got up and answered, "Call me Sora and this is Goofy. We're just wanderers of the desert passing through."

Sora sensed something coming from behind. He brought out his keyblade. He turned around lifting it over his head. From above Dust came down slamming her leg into his keyblade. The force was too strong for him, and he was pushed back. "So, you really are the keyblade master. What a surprise I thought you were just some scrawny kid. But now I know you can give a real fight," she said.

Goofy came from the side as he tried to hit Dust, but she dodged quickly. She back flipped a ways away. Zisa floated above them. He sounded, "Thundara," causing a barrage of lighting to come down from above them. Sora dodged them but Goofy got shocked once. "YAAOHCH!" he yelped.

Zisa remained in the air as support while Dust continued her assault. Goofy got up and defended himself against her. Sora looked up realizing to defeat Dust they'll need to fight Zisa as well. "Goofy hold her off," he said.

Goofy did as he was told blocking every attack she threw. "You Defense types don't get it. I'm a Fighter class Dancer type and Fighters have an advantage over Guardian heroes. Her legs glowed again as she began to hit with more speed and veracity.

Sora stood his ground staring at Zisa from below. He placed his feet down and sounded, "Strike Raid." He lifted his keyblade throwing it at him. The keyblade spun like helicopter blades at Zisa.

The black mage saw this coming and flew out of the way. "Never use projectiles if the enemy knows where you are," he bragged.

Dust fought Goofy as her legs strength became three-fold. He feet shot out like bullets from a machine gun. She did an uppercut under Goofy's shield launching it into the air. Now defenseless Dust shot her leg into Goofy's stomach throwing him back slamming his body into a building. With Goofy taken care of she quickly had her eyes set on Sora. She jumped over to him punching right in the face knocking him over.

More people came out to witness the fight. They watched Sora fall to her landing on the ground. The woman around covered their mouths while men gaped in awe. He struggled to get up as he realized she gave him a nosebleed. Dust stood over him lifting her foot 90 degrees in the air over his head. "Dust watch out," shouted Zisa from above.

The keyblade Sora threw came back like a boomerang to where he first stood. The blade then hit Dust flying right through her torso. The blade shined brightly as it coursed through her body. She lashed out in pain falling to her knees.

"Dust you fool," said Zisa lifting his hand preparing to utilize magic attacks. While he wasn't looking Goofy got up and shot his shield with the steel string attached to it. The shield spun around Zisa's body strapping him up. "Wait, what?" he yelled.

"Don't mind me. What were you-er saying about shooting when your enemy is not looking?" Goofy snared. He pulled Zisa from the sky slamming him on the ground.

Sora got up and reacquired his keyblade. He walked over to Dust on the ground. "Always watch your surroundings," he said to her. He lifted his keyblade like a golf club before smacking Dust hurting her. She was thrown back in the direction of Zisa.

Zisa crawled out of the coils that kept him bound only to be slammed by Dust with the two flying back hitting a wall. Their bodies created a hole in the building causing a loud rumble. Everyone in the area came out see the battle. They all remained shocked that these two strangers fought off the Immortals. "Let's go," said Sora. He ran to the still unconscious Jasmine and picked her up bridal style. He ran down the street as Goofy followed. The people moved aside as he ran passed them.

After they left, Zisa and Dust walked out of the hole in the wall with a few bruises. "They got the best of us. We shouldn't have underestimated them," remarked Zisa brushing off dust from his clothes.

Dust seemed a bit more battered up, "Jafar was right though, those keyblades pack real a punch. I've never been struck by a weapon like that before. It kind of hurt."

"No matter Jafar must know. That boy is the only one capable of locking the keyhole and we still haven't found it yet. Jafar is the only one strong enough to beat him," Zisa explained.

Back with Sora and the others, they made their way to an abandon alleyway. Sora came across a long ladder leading to the top of the building. "Let's go up here and get an idea of the land. If we're lucky we'll see the Carpet or the Genie," he said to Goofy. Sora laid Jasmine over his shoulder as he climbed up the wooden ladder. Goofy mimicked Sora behind him. They made their way to the top of the building looking out over the city limits. Sora held Jasmine bridal style once again. The two looked out for any signs of their friends. Goofy looked on down by the 2nd distance noticing fireworks bursting in the air a few buildings down.

"Sora, I think Genie's putting on another show," he said pointing to the 2nd district.

Sora looked over also witnessing the light show. "Let's hurry. I can't wait to see the look on their faces." He stepped back and dashed off the rooftop. He flew through the air landing on the next building ahead of him. "Wait Sora," persisted Goofy.

"C'mon times a wasting," said Sora dashing off over to the next building.

Goofy stepped over, looking down below contemplating if he could make the jump. He took a deep breath and mimicked Sora's movements. He ran forward jumping across the gaps between the buildings. "I can make it. I can make it," he thought to himself. But he only almost made it. He reached the building, but he only missed the edge as he descended smashing into the wall before falling down to the streets below. "YAAAHHOO," he yelled falling to the ground.

Sora hopped from building to building holding Jasmine tightly in his hands. The Princess began to muster a sound. She slowly opened her eyes as her body flailed in the wind. When she finally opened her eyes, she starred at the streets below as people looked back at her. Jasmine screamed loudly moving her body around. "Hey, watch it," Sora said while jumping in midair. This distracted him and instead of landing on the next rooftop he hit the edge of the building. He grabbed the edge of the roof as Jasmine continued to scream. He held both their entire bodies up with one hand. His feet grazed the wall as Jasmine was still freaking out. He pulled them over the wall rolling on top of the roof. "That was close," he said.

Jasmine came to her senses turning her attention to Sora as her body limped over with Sora holding her by the waist. She began to smack him repeatedly, "You idiot, what do you think you're doing? We could have died. You have done nothing but carry me around when I have perfectly good feet. Now let me down. Why do you do this to me? I don't need your help anymore."

"No, you do need my help," he proclaimed. Sora did not let her go and preceded to jump to the next building. "Aladdin told me everything you know. About being locked up for most of your life. About living all alone for years. That's the saddest thing that can happen to a person. Your hurting and even though you're no longer a prisoner." Jasmine stopped hitting him and listened. "So I decided that I'm going to be your friend from now on and I'll make sure you're never alone again. I won't let Jafar have you again and that's a promise between friends. And I think Aladdin knows that as well. We also have something that may give you that freedom. Tell me Jasmine what do you wish for more than anything in the world. Did you have a dream when you're a kid?"

Jasmine felt more comfortable now seeming to enjoy the ride jumping across buildings. "Yes actually. When I was a child, my Mother would read me stories out of the Arabian Nights. A series of tales from all over the world. But one story really stuck out to me. Something I wanted but couldn't receive even though I'm a Princess." Sora stopped running and began listening.

"One of the stories Mother mentioned takes place in a beautiful land with no sand. A place filled with green plants and water running through the land. Food grows on trees and different animals all lived and breathed together. It was called an Oasis. I always wanted to go there. But such a place is only a fairy tale. There's no proof something like it ever existed."

"I think it is real," he said to her walking slowly forward.

"Really," she said still in his arms. "Yes, from what I know all great stories are based off of truth. I bet whoever wrote the story based it off a really place. But nobody knows where it is anymore. That means we just have to find it again. And I think Aladdin knows the way."

Jasmine looked at him surprised, "He does?"

"Yeah, wait till we meet up with everyone else and you can meet someone very special," he said smiling at her.

Sora hopped over to another roof. He moved Jasmine over to his waist under his arm. Looking down at the Bazaar below he and Jasmine peered down.

"You can let me down now. I can walk on my own," she said to him. He starred down at the streets below ignoring Jasmine till he finally spots Genie moving about talking to his friends. Sora jumps closer over one more gap between the buildings. Till he was standing right over them.

Down at the Bazaar, Genie was speaking to Aladdin. "We'll I had a great nap and I am prepared to take on the world. Now remember Aladdin you have two more wishes left and there are no refunds so use them sparingly."

Aladdin contemplated his choices with the lamp in his hand. Abu was on his shoulder imagining what he would wish for. Donald patiently waited behind him while Tarzan sat on the ground keeping to himself. "I was hoping to use this as my first wish, but beggars can't be choosers. Jasmine's still out there and we have to find her fast before Jafar takes her away for good," he said to everyone. He lifted up the magic lamp and spoke. "Genie I wish," till he was interrupted with the screeching sound of a whistle high in the air.

"Hey up here!" Sora shouted after whistling with his fingers. They all looked up to see Sora in his morning outfit holding Jasmine underneath his arm.

"Well I'll be a monkey's uncle," remarked Genie. He held up a pair of binoculars. Looking through the lens he repeated back to the others what he sees. "It's Sora alright, but he's holding someone. Aladdin looked up seeing Jasmine in her blue outfit. She shouted down to him "Aladdin."

Sora yelled at everyone from above. "Hey, I found the Princess!" as loud as he could.

"WHAT!" they all screamed looking at him. Donald's bill gaped open. While Tarzan gave off an amused smile.

"Jasmine!" Aladdin shouted back.

"Yeah, I found the Princess all by myself. And you can have her," he said giving his iconic grin. He slowly lifted Jasmine up over her shoulders causing Jasmine to be startled by it.

"Sora what are you-?" she asked.

"You want her then take her," he said raising Jasmine's body in the air.

Genie then transformed into a sports caster narrating the events. "He looks like he's going to pitch a fast ball at the batter," he said referring to Jasmine and Aladdin.

"Fast ball?" said Aladdin.

"Wait pitch what. What are you pitching?" Jasmine panicked.

Sora grabbed her with his other hand and lifted her up more. "Here she comes. She has been dying to reunite with you."

"My god. The pitcher seems to be taunting the batter," remarked Genie as sweat rolled down his face.

"Sora you can't be serious," yelled Donald.

"He isn't," remarked Tarzan now nervous.

Sora smirked again giggling a bit. "Sora please don't I promise never to hit you again. Please don't," she begged.

"To late," he said smiling. He lifted his leg up tilting his back.

"You're a god damn fool," shouted Aladdin up at them.

Sora then lunged forward thrusting the Princess. He threw Jasmine with all his might down to the ground as everyone began to scream. Jasmine feeling conflicting emotions began to tear up as she screamed all the way down at fast speeds straight towards Aladdin.

Everybody including Genie gave off shocked faces as Jasmine came tumbling down. Aladdin stepped forward holding his arms out nervously as Jasmine fell towards him. They both screamed as their heads came in contact with each other. Their faces came right in front of each other as their lips collided. Fear turned to sparkles as their lips locked. For an instant they both felt bliss. But the force Jasmine was travelling at only allowed for a brief moment of touching contact. Till they both felt the pain and force as their skulls collided. They smashed into each other thrusting Aladdin to the ground with a giant thud. Dust presided around them as the others gathered around them.

Aladdin and Jasmine were both dazed but only a bit bruised. Jasmine was placed on Aladdin's lap as the two finally looked back up at Sora angrily. The young keyblade wielder giggled. "Wait till you two tell your kids about your first kiss," he said with a devilish voice.

Sora jumped down from the building into the Bazaar. "Your Welcome Guys," he said with a smug face. Aladdin and Jasmine then presided to beat him into the dirt.

Genie returned to the lamp remarking, "I'll let you guys sort this out. Just call me when you need me.

"Idiot" "Moron" "Jerk Face" "No Good." Aladdin and Jasmine continued to pummel Sora.

"Hey where's Goofy?" asked Donald looking around.

Walking through the entrance to the Bazaar Goofy was a bit ruffled and breathing slowly. "You guys," he said after seeing them. He ran over to everyone not skipping a beat.

"Goofy what happened to you?" asked Donald noticing Goofy's tattered appearance.

"I ur um fell off a building. But that's not important. Sora its terrible. Jameelah and several of the girls from the Tavern were captured by Jafar."

Jasmine stopped kicking Sora. "What?" she spoke worried.

"Huh," remarked Sora beaten on the ground.