Kingdom Hearts

Ch. 62

Agrabah

The Execution of the Year

The others all surrounded Goofy as he explained what was going on, "It's true, when I was trying to catch up to Sora. Some Palace guards were announcing it to the public. They said that suspects were captured at the Tavern. Some of the girls mustn't have escaped." Sora shook a bit listening intently. "I couldn't believe it either but Jafar's going to have them all executed in just a few hours," Goofy described.

"What! But why?" shouted Jasmine. "It was only a little while ago that we escaped. He can't kill them already. They were just apprehended."

"News travels fast if they are a cause for a concern," remarked Donald.

"When a ruler desires something. There is no such thing as "no." Jafar wants the word out on purpose," said Tarzan.

"That's just it. They said that there was already an execution planned today for a traitor who committed the same crime," Goofy said.

Tarzan went on, "Why waste time and energy on separate executions when you can just finish them all at once."

"Raoul," said Jasmine to herself.

Goofy went on, "They said Jafar caught them by himself. And because of contributing to the kidnapping of Princess Jasmine. They'll be executed."

Sora began to shake, "Execute, you mean murder."

"Yeah but there is something else. The announcers said they'll all be spared if Jasmine is returned to Jafar in time," Goofy went on.

"He must be pretty desperate. Jafar never goes back on an execution. It's most definitely a trap," Aladdin responded folding his arms.

"What are we going to do?" asked Donald looking around. Sora then got up from the ground with a small grin. He walked inside the circle of friends and announced, "Isn't it obvious, we're going to save them."

It was dark for a moment as Jiminy's eye lids flickered. He sat on a soft bed that's normal sized but seemed giant from his perspective. Zafirah slept next to him on her side. Her face seemed as if she was having a nightmare. Jiminy hopped down after grabbing his hat and umberlla. He tipped toed across the floor not knowing where he was. He came to the exit, but it was not barred by a door. Just fabric that hung from the edges giving the only sense of privacy in the room. Jiminy walked under the light fabric making his way down the hallway till he heard voices a distance away.

"That Jafar's a mad man. To think he would to such a length," one voice said.

"How desperate can this guy be," said an older raspier voice.

"He's been on edge ever since the Princess escaped, Twice," another person said.

Another younger voice replied, "Heartless have appeared more and more. He must be calling for more to arrive."

Jiminy walked into a room seeing the rest of the girls who escaped including Dust and Dalia the chef from the tavern. They were gathered around a stone table with nothing on it. Some were sitting, others were standing.

"What should we do? Jasmine is still with that boy and dog man. He won't be able to protect her," Baraka said.

"You are wrong," countered Dust. "That boy is a blessing in disguise. The Princess is in no better hands." The others looked at her strangely.

"What do you mean? He's just some ruffian outsider who doesn't know jack about anything," said Jemima.

"No, that boy is this world's only hope. I knew it when I saw it. The weapon he carried. The way he could fight off an Immortal. He is the wielder of the keyblade. The only tool capable of locking away the keyhole. He may even be strong enough to defeat Jafar."

The girls became silent thinking it over. They all gave their opinions at hand. "No way he's just a pervert." "He did fight off Penni." "He seems strong despite his size."

"You're talking about Sora, right?" said Jiminy running into the room. The others looked at the cricket as he hopped onto the table. "Yes Sora is a strange kid. But a kid like no other. Why you all can put your faith in Sora. He's taken down more heartless then I could count. He would gladly help you. And if you know anything about the Keyhole please tell us. That's actually why we came to the city. Where looking for it."

"It can't be a coincidence he'd appear now off all times," said Baraka.

"We're strangers from the desert. We wander across the sands with no map. And it took us along time to find this place," Jiminy said lying to them convincingly. "But now we are here and we will help any way we can."

The others looked at each other nodding, "Alright, we'll put our faith in him. None of us know the exact location of the Keyhole but we know it's in the Palace," Dust spoke. "But right now we need to make a plan. Jameelah and the other girls are going to be executed soon. We have a plan to save them and we need as many people as we can. Will you be able to contact him soon?" she asked Jiminy referring to the keyblade wielder.

"I don't need to contact him. If I know Sora he'll be there. Whether I tell him to or not. Sora will never abandon a friend in their time of need. And when he hears the word he'll come running." The other girls all were a bit cautious about this boy, yet they didn't have a better option.

Dalia stepped forward, "Alright everyone the execution is in four hours. We have till then to pull everything off. Now listen carefully because we only have one shot at this. I know we're asking a lot out of you especially after Penni was killed."

The girls all became silent thinking of her. Unbeknownst to them Zafirah was also up listening in on the conversation. She remained quite bending down hearing every word. Baraka stood up and announced, "Penni was our friend and she put her life on the line protecting the Princess. I'd be glad to do the same. But she's still our sister and I don't plan to lose anyone else. And if I put my life down for someone else. I'll at least die a proud death." The other girls nodded in agreement.

"Thank you all," Dust spoke.

Dust poured sand over the table creating a miniature Palace scene with it. She then went on to explain the plan in full detail.

"The execution will most likely be held at the Palace prison. The execution platform was built on the side of the wall surrounding the Palace to the east in the 3rd District. There is an entrance in the top that leads directly into the prison built inside. It makes it easier to transfer prisoners to and from. They are planning to execute Jameelah, Abia, Oma, Nura, Nada, and the officer Raoul. They'll all be bound in strong chains and be lined up as the executioner will kill them one after the other. So what we need to do is make our way up the scaffolding without being seen. Me, Maysa, Hayda, and Nowa will do that. All use my power to camouflage in the air while you three hide and back me up as I free them. My powers give me the ability to cut through the chains. But guards will be there as well as the Immortals. Not to mention swarms of heartless at every corner. So we need a distraction. The rest of you will need to cause a ruckus. It will start out small at first with one person causing a disturbance. Then like a chain reaction more of you will also disrupt the event leading to massive unrest. But this is the most important part. With the chaos erupting. Jemime and Tailhah will dress as the Princess Jasmine putting the focus on you. Everyone will begin to hunt you. As dancer classes you can slightly change your appearances and even your clothes at a whim. Once the Immortals begin following you change your clothes and slip into the crowd. When I release our friends all cause a sand storm blinding everyone. I'll then lead them away. And when the sand clears. We will have disappeared. And everybody falls back and meets here. Dalia will stay out of it, so she won't become a suspect. Any questions."

"I have one question," said Jiminy. He took off his hat and asked, "What if Jasmine turns herself in first?"

In the 2nd district, Jafar stood atop the wall overseeing the streets that will be the auditorium where the people of Agrabah will witness the penalty for crossing him. He was alone with no one even noticing him. Under him was the execution platform which will be the stage of the event. He looked on in a grim stare almost searching for Jasmine through the many streets. Dark flickers appeared behind him. Jafar got annoyed knowing who was here. Maleficent stood behind him with a stale face. "Jafar, I see you have slipped up again," she said with no emotion at all.

"I do not need your criticism. Jasmine will be found shortly. And so will the Keyhole," he urged refusing to look at her.

"I know you lost her again. Nine years you kept her locked up. But now she escapes like a fly through a cage. Did she just decide to leave now of all times? Or is she just realizing how incompetent you are?" Maleficent snarled.

"She been getting help. But no matter she will return to me soon enough. Now leave me to finish my work and do not come back. I will return only when I have the Princess in my custody and Agrabah disappears from the night sky forever," he demanded still looking down on the city.

"Very well. But remember my sons report back to me. Not you. And if you fail I will know the moment you do." Maleficent disappeared leaving Jafar alone again.

Zisa and Dust came across the wall where Jafar stood on top of. Zisa used gravity magic to levitate them up in the air. They came up to the top of the wall and bowed before him. "Jafar we have some news regarding the Princess."

"What is it?" Jafar said annoyed.

"We went after the Princess and managed to find her. But-" said Zisa before being stopped. Jafar finally turned away from the city. He smiled awkwardly at them speaking back to the two Immortals. "But-But, you mean you lost her."

"Your grace please. She had help. We were out matched. There was this boy," Dust pleaded.

"Boy, a boy thwarted you. A boy put everything we've been working for in the last nine years in jeopardy. Now you listen here," he said with a pounding voice. "The execution is in two hours. And Jasmine will no doubt turn herself in. But circumstances may change and she may not be able to attend. I am not taking that risk. She could have left the city already. Now till the execution, I do not want to see you or hear your voices unless the Princess is next to you. Do I make myself clear?" he yelled slamming his staff on the ground.

"Jafar, please you don't understand," Dust pleaded some more.

"You are not to address me by that name. I am the Sultan, and I will be addressed properly no matter who speaks to me," he yelled. He took his staff as fire burnt around it. He waved it in the air causing a wave a fire to fly towards them. The two Immortals felt the heat of the flames. They both jumped from the wall falling to the ground. Dust landed like a cat on her feet while Zisa used his magic to levitate. They both ran off in the opposite direction in fear. "No one will ever get the best of me. Not no one of this world or any other!" he shouted out into the city.

"That's your plan, just run in and punch Jafar in the face," said Aladdin crossing his arms. The two spoke in private as the others were off doing their own chores. Goofy took Jasmine to get some new clothes. Tarzan went to the location where the execution will be held for recon. Donald took the Carpet around to get more information.

Abu even seemed confused at Sora's plight. Yeah, I'll get on the Magic Carpet and fly in when Jafar reveals himself and punch him right in the face. Then I'll use my keyblade to release everyone. We'll make an escape on the Carpet before Jafar even knows what hit him. Literally," he explained.

"That's the worst escape plan I ever heard," Aladdin remarked seriously.

Genie then appeared from the lamp. He brushed Sora's hair saying, "Um earth to Sora. We don't even need an elaborate plan. You can just use a wish. Just say the word and I'll personally bail your friends from prison. Think of it as a get out of jail for free card."

Aladdin took out the lamp, "Genie's right we don't need to put our lives on the line when we have the power to avoid any conflict."

He rubbed it and was about to wish for something. "No you should only use those wishes sparingly. You should save them for Jasmine. Just have a little faith. We could use your wish or we could break them out ourselves and use that wish for something else. Just watch I'll find a way. I always do. And if I fail and all hope is lost then use that wish of yours."

"I don't know," Aladdin shrugged.

"Trust me, you should save that wish to get closer to Jasmine," Sora explained.

"Ehem, no love centric wishes remember," Genie called out.

"No, I mean, Jasmine has a wish of her own and I kind of told here you'd fulfill it for her," he said grinning.

"Really, what was it?" Aladdin asked. "You ever heard of the Oasis. Jasmine always wanted to visit such a place. Maybe you could use that second wish to show her it.

"You think," Aladdin said. "Well there's no rule saying that wishes could impress lovers," Genie said.

Sora spoke again putting his hand on Aladdin's shoulders, "Sure, just leave it to us."

-1 Hour Later-

The rest of the gang all got back together in time. "The execution platform is that way." Tarzan pointed.

"Alright, let's go everyone time to make or break it," Donald said.

"Wait maybe Jasmine should stay here," suggested Goofy.

They all stopped taking Goofy's advice, "I think your right. Jasmine shouldn't get involved. One of us should stay here and watch her," said Sora.

Jasmine stepped forward in a new yellow cloak with a hood over her head. "No, I'm not staying behind again. Please they're all my friends I have to help them."

Aladdin came before her, "Jasmine please. You're far too valuable. Jafar wants you to show up. And if I know one thing about Jafar is that he only keeps his promises if he gains from it. He'll surly still kill them either way."

Jasmine stepped back looking away from him. "I'm sorry Jasmine but we can't risk it," Sora said.

Goofy stepped forward, "I'll be glad to watch the Princess. Guarding royalties are my profession any way. Ahuck Ahuck."

The friends all nodded before heading off leaving Jasmine and Goofy at the Bazaar. Before they were gone Sora looked back. "Don't worry about us. I promise you everybody will be free after this. We don't need wishes to accomplish the impossible. All we need is faith."