Kingdom Hearts

Ch. 65

Agrabah

The Oasis

The Magic Carpet flew over the city effortlessly despite the number of people it carried. 5 individuals sat atop its fabric. Seven if you count Abu and Jiminy. Two flew behind them holding onto the corners of the fabric for dear life. "Hey, how about switching places!" yelped Donald to the others.

Sora yelped back, "Then why don't you come up here so we can switch." Donald adhered to his friend's request but struggled not being able to pull himself up with so little room on the Carpet.

"He's got a point Donald," yelled Goofy from the other side.

"Hey why don't you just let go and follow us?" Zariah suggested in front of them.

"WHAT?" Donald shouted ahead.

"Well you're a bird, right? You have feathers and everything. You can fly, can't you?" Zariah eagerly reflected.

"You know, I've always wondered why you never fly around by yourself. I've always assumed you were afraid of heights," Sora pondered out loud.

Donald shouted out, "I CANNOT FLY! I have no wings! I've got normal hands!"

"How disappointing," Zariah shrugged.

"What kind of bird can't fly?" Sora sat in front Indian style with Zariah in his lap. Jiminy returned to hiding in Sora's hood. Aladdin and Jasmine were behind him sitting side by side. Tarzan was standing in the back looking over them.

Jasmine looked down at her hands. "We're really free now." She tugged Sora's hood. "Where are we going now?" she asked.

Aladdin answered the question for Sora. "It's a surprise," he said. "We're taking you someplace special."

"Really where?" she asked him.

"You'll see when we get there." Aladdin secretly took out the magic lamp and rubbed it. He then presided to whisper something through the tube while Jasmine was turned away. The lamp soon shook as a burst of magic shot out of the lamp leading far off into the desert.

"What the!" Sora said.

Aladdin pointed out, "Follow that trail." The Carpet gave a salute and began to fly even faster passing the cities borders. Giving Donald and Goofy a scare as they screamed from moving so fast.

The gang left the city behind them until they were out of site. The word spread around the city of what happened. The Immortals were on the streets keeping the citizens under control. Zisa tried to explain the story to the town criers in a way that depicts Jafar in a good light. The town criers looked away from Zisa up in the air when the sky began to become darker. The sorcerer turned to see what they were staring at. Dark clouds then appeared over the Palace.

The black smoke then pervaded the whole city. The citizens of Agrabah looked on in confusion as the skies rarely ever had a single cloud floating above them. Kurt who was patrolling the streets looked up remarking, "You are going to regret this Jafar." Heartless began to appear all around scaring the citizens. They popped out of the ground in self-made pools of darkness forming into swarms. The people of Agrabah became frightened. The people fled the streets before heartless filled them up again. Mothers brought their children indoors. Men closed up their shops in the marketplace.

Jafar was floating in the air above the city overlooking the forces he commands. He saw the dark creatures overtake the city smiling with glee. Special winged gremlin like heartless appeared around him. He pointed out towards the desert giving the order, "Follow them." The heartless did what they were told then flew off chasing after the Carpet.

Agrabah was long out of site from the gang as they flew on. The Carpet moved at fast speeds nearly taking less than minutes to traverse a mile. Jasmine looked to the sands below remarking, "So this is what the desert is like."

"You've never seen it?" Aladdin remarked.

"Only from a distance. I've never been outside the Palace walls let alone the city," she said looking back to him.

Zariah talked back to them. "Well don't be too impressed. The desert isn't all that great. Really Agrabah is the best place in the world." The Carpet flew over several sand dunes like gentle waves. It then made its way over a mountain flying into the hole of a valley secluded from the rest of the desert.

Tarzan looked out to see something in the distance. He noticed the yellow sand turning green which was a bit nostalgic to him. He called out pointing to it. "What's that?" Tarzan said seeing the land turn green.

"This is new?" Jasmine said.

"We're here," remarked Aladdin. The desert turned to grass lands with trees. Bushes and tropical plants filled the area. A river was flowing down the land. The scent of sands diminished leaving a fresh feel in the air. The mundane desert transformed into a beautiful pasture of water and life. Plants and dirt replaced sand and rock creating something of a dream-esque paradise.

The Carpet slowly descended nearing the ground. Upon getting close enough Donald and Goofy let go dragging their bodies on the ground. The Carpet came down pressing it's fabric against the grassy pasture. Zariah and Sora got up and ran forward. "This place is incredible. I've never seen anything like it," the young girl said.

"I didn't know this place existed here. I'm surprised no one's occupied it yet," Sora said. They smelt the fresh air for the first time in forever. Jasmine ran out near Sora looking at the beautiful pastures.

She saw a waterfall pouring into a pool of water and tall trees with fruit on them. Birds gathered around the trees tweeting and singing. Jasmine thought back to when she was younger, and her Mother told her stories of a place where life is brimming, and water is plentiful. "This is an Oasis. You know from old children's stories," Aladdin said.

Jasmine mumbled out, "How? This place."

"Yeah, we discovered this place a while back and I thought it would be a good place to keep you," he said walking up to her.

She turned around to Aladdin hugging him pressing her face into his chest. "T-thank Y-you," she grumbled.

She let go of him and hugged Sora next. "Awa you don't have to. Aladdin's the real hero," he shrugged.

Jasmine let go and thanked everyone else. "I am internally grateful for you all. But why would you do all this for me? It's because I'm the Princess, right?" she asked everyone.

"Um no, it's because we care about you, and we don't want you to be miserable. That's the only real reason. I mean wouldn't you do the same for us?" Sora remarked.

Donald and Goofy were still recovering from the flight. Their arms ached and their eyes felt like they were pushed back into their skulls. They breathed slowly before getting up continuing Sora's speech. "He's right, from now on were friends till the end," remarked Goofy to Jasmine.

Donald continued, "We can't stand by when our friend is in trouble. Why I'd never live it down."

"Aladdin is Tarzan's friend. Aladdin's friends are Tarzan's friends," he said.

Jiminy popped out, "Friends stick together no matter the strife."

Jasmine fell to her knees overwhelmed. She placed her hands over her face. She almost expected tears to pour out. She stopped as Aladdin helped her up, "It's okay. I promise you. That I will always fight for you and if Jafar or anyone else takes you prisoner again. I won't rest until your free." They both smiled at each other.

Sora jumped between them shouting. "C'mon everybody. Let's go explore this place. I'm ready for some fun." Sora ran out further to explore the Oasis. Jiminy jumped out of his hood before Sora left the group. Zariah smiled at Sora and followed.

Abu who was starving let go of Aladdin's shoulders and ran up a tree to begin eating banana's that hanged from it. Carpet flew off with Sora and the others while Aladdin took Jasmine by the hand. The two ran off to explore feeling the grass on the soles of their feet. He was so excited he didn't know the lamp fell from his pocket.

Donald and Goofy looked over to see Aladdin had forgotten about the lamp. Donald walked over to it remarking to Goofy "How careless. He just left arguably the most powerful item in the world by its lonesome."

"Hey Donald. Since you have the lamp now does that make you Genie's new master?" Goofy asked.

The duck then realized the value of what he had. Donald gave a devilish grin bringing the lamp closer to him. He then presided to rub it as smoke arose out of the lamp making the Genie appear before them.

"Aw my master doth summon me for his final wish," Genie said wearing the suit of a butler. He looked down seeing the duck holding his lamp. Donald lifted it into the air, "Genie I wish for a mountain of gold and jewels to call my own." He spoke proudly with high anticipation.

Genie replied back to the duck in a smug British accent, "Sorry but I only serve the most admiral of masters."

"What! What do you mean?" shouted Donald.

"Sorry pal. I can only grant wishes for people of this world. To people outside Agrabah I'm about as valuable as a gravy cup," he said pouring gravy on the grass.

"Well that makes sense. I guess," Goofy said.

"Wait! You know about other worlds!" they both shouted. "Of course I do. I've been around for thousands of years. It was only a matter of time before I met a foreigner. And you two are as foreign as they come. That's also why I can reveal myself to you all. Normally genies can only appear to their master and master alone. But since you guys are outside the rules. I can consider that a loophole."

"Oh that's why you hid yourself from everybody in Agrabah," Goofy concluded.

"You bet, if people found out about me, they'll surely try anything to get the lamp. Even kill for it."

"Must be hard to have so little control," Donald said.

"Oh you get used to it after 500 years," Genie shrugged. "Now if you mind can you return me to my master. Once a previous master of mine forgot me in his closet and he didn't find me for over 40 years. He never lived it down." Genie sank back into his lamp disappearing. The two friends ran off after Aladdin. As they left, the two did not know that winged heartless were watching them. The dark beings have uncovered the Oasis and flew off over the desert to inform Jafar.

Sora ran up the small rocky mountain next to the waterfall wearing only his shorts. Tarzan was already in the water having been the first to jump. He looked down at the pool below. Zariah was behind him with her shirt pulled down over her legs. Her shirt was long enough to cover herself as she didn't bring a change of clothes with her. She was barefoot and didn't wear anything besides her shirt. "Um, Mr. Sora I'm scared," she said hiding behind him.

"Well then don't be. You need to live every day that you can. And take every opportunity head on. Because you never know. You might never have another chance," Sora turned to her and smiled. He then preceded to run and jump off the cliff into the water below. He splashed down almost scaring poor Zafirah. He floated to the top and called out, "C'mon the water's fine."

The young girl was still scarred stepping back. Till from behind Jasmine and Aladdin ran passed her jumping into the lake. They both splashed down nearly falling on top of Sora. They came up laughing and hugging each other. Aladdin was in a small pair of trousers around his waist while Jasmine only removed her shoes and pants displaying a light blue bottom.

Zafirah tried to gain the courage again till Abu also ran past her and jumped in. The monkey fell into the water screeching the whole way down. Sora yelled back up at her, "If a monkey could do it so could you."

Zafirah gave in. She closed her eyes stepping off the cliff before plummeting into the water. She rose to the top spitting out water. "That was awesome!" she yelled. They all laughed together as Donald and Goofy walked up to the freshwater pool with the lamp safely in Donald's hands. He handed it out, "Aladdin you forgot this." Aladdin cringed seeing the lamp in front of everyone.

"What's that?" said Jasmine.

Aladdin panicked running out of the lake all wet. He quickly grabbed the lamp from Donald's hands telling Jasmine, "It's nothing. Just forget about it."

Aladdin stormed off by himself keeping the lamp from public eye. "Well that's out of character," Sora remarked. He swam out in the water to enjoying himself. Donald and Goofy went off after Aladdin to see what's up. Zafirah got out of the pool calling back I'm going to explore a bit. Jasmine and Sora waved her goodbye. Jiminy then came jumping after her.

"Wait let me go with you. I prefer to hitch a ride rather then walk everywhere. She nodded as the two headed off. Abu and Tarzan were taking a nap on top of the Carpet sleeping in the sunlight near the pond. Jasmine and Sora had the pool all to themselves. They kept to their own business not saying anything to each other until silence broke.

"You know you don't have to save me all the time," Jasmine said drifting her left hand in the water.

"I know but you have some many enemies. You can't possibly do this alone," he explained floating on his back in the water. "But you see I have this thing where I need to help any girl in trouble."

"Why's that?" she asked.

"Well I knew someone who wasn't as strong as everyone else. Where I'm from everyone's a fighter. We were all strong and fast, but she was different. She couldn't hold up with the rest of us. We were friends so me and my other friend Riku vowed we will protect her no matter what."

-Destiny Islands -

6 Years Ago

It was a sunny day outside, yet the wind was fierce. Branches and leaves blew through the air causing a ruckus. Sora and Riku were in their elementary school class waiting for the teacher to arrive. In time the teacher walked in. She was tall and had sliver eyes. Her hair always seemed messy as if she just got directly out of bed. But this is actually just her hair style. Her name is Mrs. Tycoon. She walked in barefoot and had large breasts. A common trait among Destiny Island Mothers. Her stomach was expanding seeing as she was pregnant with her second child. The whole ordeal caused her migraines. She walked into the room getting her mind together. She did not walk to her desk though she remained at the door.

She then moved aside letting someone in. A small red haired girl walked in with a white dress and a blue strap around her waist. "Everyone we have a new student today. Her name is Kairi. She will be spending the remainder of her school time in this class. So please welcome her kindly."

Mrs. Tycoon pointed to the empty desk in the back between Sora and Selphie. Sora tilted towards Riku speaking to him. "You know who that is?"

Riku nodded, "Yeah that's the girl who washed up on the shoreline. They say she's from a set of undiscovered islands because nobody can recognize her."

"Another set of islands, really?" Sora asked.

"They're just rumors. But she seems to have lost her memory." Sora shrugged as Kairi came close to her seat. The two's eyes came into contact. They both blushed a bit as Kairi tried to shrug it off sitting down. Sora couldn't take his eyes off her as the teacher began the lesson. Riku seemed a bit annoyed as the two already seemed to make a connection. They both looked at each other again and smiled.

One Year Later

"Alright everybody pick up your weapon and prepare to spar with one another," shouted the drill instructor. The man was tall and bald. He had black skin and blue eyes. He had a lone beard around his chin and wore an all-white outfit. Gym class has started and today all the students prepared to duke it out one on one. All the kids carried their respective weapons.

Swords, play guns, sling shots, projectiles, and even toy whips. Tidus and Riku were the first to spare. At age 7, all members of Destiny Island begin to train for combat. The two clashed with their wooden swords. But Riku's strength prevailed. He knocked Tidus's sword in the air forcing him to the ground. He pointed his toy sword at Tidus who was completely torn anew. "Excellent work Riku. It's been a while since I've seen such prowess from such a young fighter," the instructor complemented. Riku backed off letting Tidus get on his feet. The two parted the training field as the coach called on the next opponents. "Alright next combatants. Kairi vs Faris."

Kairi felt a little nervous. She stepped forward with a toy wand in hand. The other kids watched waiting for Faris to come forward as well. The coach called out Faris's name louder. But she did not appear. "Where is that kid?" he ponder looking around. Some kids signaled to him saying that the girl was sleeping behind the bushes. Faris normally sleeps through class. She always seemed tired and drowsy like her Mother Mrs. Tycoon. Faris has long, loose purple hair with green eyes. She wore a green headband around her skull. Her hair was messy like her Mothers seeming like she never combed it. Faris wears a dark blue sleeveless jacket with gold piping and a paler blue tunic. Over the shoulders, Faris wears a baggy green shawl hiked up on the shoulders and secured with a red stone brooch. Faris has brown leather bracers on the forearms.

She slept soundly behind the bushes till the teacher called out again screaming it. Kids had to cover their ears at the sound of his voice. The sleepy girl opened her eyes with no concern. She got up and walked out into the training area. "Have a nice nap?" the coach asked ironically.

"I was," she motioned.

"Well then take naps on you own time. You are going to be sparing with Kairi today." Faris shrugged it off. Being a thief class she carried a long wooden sword with her at all times. She took it out at Kairi but held it backwards down her arm.

"Let's just get this over with," she said starring at Kairi with a dead face. That caused Kairi to feel uneasy. Sora came up behind her and placed his hand on her shoulders.

"You'll do fine," he said smiling at her. Kairi smiled back breathed deeply as she stepped toward Faris. The purple haired girl carried a long wooden sword that was longer then her whole body. Faris gave as little emotion as possible as if she was saving energy.

The coach sounded off, "Alright have a nice clean fight. Whoever knocks the other off their feet first wins." The coach lifted his hand then waved it back down signaling the start of the fight. Kairi only knew amateur magic for training. But she still struggled to enchant a spell. Faris came at Kairi with her long sword horizontally without warning. Kairi couldn't keep up and was left helpless. Faris smashed the head of her sword in Kairi's face. The young girl was knocked to the ground with one swoop. Everyone was startled. The match was over in an instant.

"Wow, I've never seen someone lose this quickly." "Yeah, she didn't even last a second." "Faris isn't even that strong."

Sora and Riku looked at their friend fallen on the wooden arena. Faris looked at the end of her sword to notice red blood splattered on the end. "What the!" she said touching the red liquid. Kairi lifted her head back up with a bruised face and bloody nose. Tears began to appear around her eyes. Kairi then began to cry loudly like any girl her age would.

But in Destiny Islands kids rarely cried from getting hurt. As the people here have developed harder and denser bodies making it difficult to be injured. Children passed the age of 5 rarely cry like many normal kids do. Kairi cried loudly with everyone watching.

"Man, she's bleeding." "She's really weak. One hit and she cries like a baby." "She always did seem weaker than the rest of us." "I remember she'd cry whenever she fell down."

The coach came over to her with a confused looked on his face. "Hey, it's just one loss you don't need to cry about it."

Riku ran out next to her, "She's crying because she's hurt."

Riku took off his glove and wiped her face getting her to stop crying. He helped her up despite the injuries she sustained.

"You, okay?" Sora said in tow. Kairi whimpered and nodded. The coach dumbfounded called an end in the sparing matches and sent everyone off to recess. The kids ran to the playground near the beach. A giant playground built from vines and wood was their play area. The giant fortresses was the size of a small house. The fort they played on was a jungle maze with monkey bars, slides, and swings. Faris went back to sleep in the shade. The other kids went off doing their own thing.

Sora was about to follow his classmates till Riku stopped him. He pulled Sora to see Kairi running away from the playground. "Kairi where are you going?" Sora shouted. But the young girl did not answer back. Riku and Sora went after her. They followed her down the beach. In time she made a quick turn hiding in the bushes. Sora and Riku continued to pursue her only to find her in a state of tears again out of sight.

She hid her face in shame trying to stop crying. "I'm not a baby," she said.

"We know," Riku replied.

"I don't know what's wrong with me. Why am I not strong like the other girls?" she asked again.

"Listen Kairi, it's okay if you're not as strong in a fight. Big whoop. So, what if your different. That's what makes you so great. Maybe where you come from people aren't as strong as us here. Maybe they don't fight like we do." Sora said.

"It's not that. If I'm not strong. I could die easily. And I don't want to. What if a monster gets me? I'll be helpless," Kairi said unsettled.

Riku stepped forward and proclaimed, "Then I will slay it for you. I'd gladly put my life on the line for you whenever."

Sora tried to one up his friend, "Yeah, Riku's right. We'll both will risk our lives to save you whenever you're in trouble."

Kairi wiped her tears away, "You don't need to do that."

Sora stepped ahead of Riku and said, "You bet when I get my sword, I'll become your knight in shining armor just like in our story books. I'll protect you from pirates or dragons or whatever. As long as you are safe."

Riku pushed him aside. "Hey who made you her royal knight. I'd be twice the hero then you are."

Sora raised his chest up towards Riku, "Oh yeah, I'd slay more monsters in a day then you in a year."

"You'd be too busy eating to know when the Princess has been kidnapped," Riku said. Their two heads locked as the boy's eyes statically pressed against the other. Kairi finally cracked a smile. "You can both be my knights. Two's better than one right."

"Well one and a half," snarked Riku.

"What'd you say!" Sora yelled back.

Kairi laughed a bit. "You guys." Kairi stared at the two boys before stepping towards them. She raised her hands and put them both on the boy's shoulders. "Let's always be together. Promise."

Riku and Sora nodded. "Together forever," Sora said.

"Ditto," Riku replied. The three friends laughed before heading back to the playground.

Sora finished his story as the two individuals swam together. "That's really nice. So, you're looking for your friends now?" Jasmine asked.

"Yeah, they're out there. I just know it," he said looking at the sky.

"Where is this place, you're from?" she asked splashing in the water. "Um someplace far away. You'd never make the journey."

Jasmine swam to the edge of the pool and got out. "I see. I'm going to find Aladdin. I want to ask him something."

Sora signaled, "Go to him then. Don't leave him waiting." Jasmine dried her hair as she walked away. Sora now had the pool to himself.