Disclaimer: not mine
Chapter 4
Sora didn't want to believe it but…Riku wouldn't lie to him, not about this. Kairi…had replaced them? He knew he'd slept for a while but not that long! How could she? It…it hurt. He reached for Riku and his friend moved closer, letting Sora cling to him. He'd thought Kairi was their friend, one of them, he'd been the first kid to really try and be her friend after she arrived, Riku following him, so how could she do this to them? "Riku…"
"I'll never leave you," he swore fiercely, knowing what he was asking like he always did.
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Maleficent smirked as she watched the boys train, their friends 'betrayal' had them working even harder but it had them clinging to each other more too. And yet, despite what he had been told, young Sora still wasn't delving as deeply into the Darkness as she had expected him to. Riku was slipping ever deeper, even with Sora's Light there, trying to anchor him. Their bond remained intact, Sora able to bring him back out before he went too deep.
While totally succumbing was dangerous and could prove deadly, neither boy was anywhere near that, which was good. But she still needed them to succumb further than they were. If they did not improve soon…more drastic action may be needed.
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Kairi sat on a bench, legs swinging as she thought things over. Cid was installing the navigation gummi that they'd found when she'd sealed Traverse Town's Keyhole so they were stuck until he was done. She was in the First District so she wasn't worried about Heartless, especially with the Keyhole sealed and she needed time away from the others to think. It made her feel sick to consider that Donald and Goofy were just using her for the Keyblade, she didn't want to believe it, but… she had to be overthinking things, there had to be another reason Donald had said no to Riku, right?
She knew that sealing Keyholes and stopping the Heartless was important, but Riku obviously knew how to fight them too, and Sora wouldn't have let him leave him behind so he probably was learning too. Kairi too was getting better with every fight, able to last longer, her hits just a little stronger and more sure, her magic growing, even if sometimes it didn't seem like it. But…where had Riku gotten that sword and why hadn't Sora been with him? That worried her a bit, Riku had been his normal confident self, but something had felt a little off, maybe because she'd shown she could fight more? Or because of Donald and Goofy?
She just wanted them back together and home safe.
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"And the Keyhole?" Maleficent demanded as they walked through the quiet streets.
"The Heartless are searching for it now. I'm certain we'll find it soon enough. So that just leaves..."
Overhead, a brightly-coloured parrot squawked through the air loudly before circling down to land on the Jafar's pointed shoulders.
"Jafar! I've looked everywhere for Jasmine. She's disappeared like magic!" Iago explained.
"The girl is more trouble than she's worth," Jafar sneered.
"You said you had things under control," Maleficent stared at him, and he shrugged, seemingly unperturbed.
"Agrabah is full of holes for rats to hide in. But why worry about Princess Jasmine? With her or without her, surely this world will be ours when we find the Keyhole."
"We need all seven princesses of heart to open the final door. Any fewer is useless."
"Well, if the princess is that important, we'll find her," he assured her as Bandit Heartless appeared behind him, brandishing swords. "Find Jasmine and bring her to me at once," he commanded, watching as they followed Iago through the streets.
"Don't steep yourself in darkness too long. The Heartless consume the careless," she warned. He may be a powerful sorcerer but he was still only a mortal human and thus far more vulnerable than she was.
Jafar laughed proudly. "Your concern is touching, but hardly necessary."
Behind Maleficent in a watermelon stand, a worried young woman overheard their conversation without either of them realising it.
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Maleficent watched as Riku left and then went to prepare, knowing Sora would come looking for the other boy soon. She had wanted them both but with things coming close to their conclusion, Sora was becoming a liability.
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"Aladdin, what're you doing out here?" Kairi asked once the Heartless were dealt with.
"Same old stuff. Hunting legendary treasure. Just paid a visit to the Cave of Wonders," he grinned as the Carpet landed. "I found that magic carpet, and this lamp." He held up a plain looking lamp but it felt…powerful? "Legend has it that whoever holds the lamp can summon the—"
"Please, kid, leave the intros to a professional. The one and only GENIE OF THE LAMP!" the Genie grinned at them, rubbing the lamp. "Rub-a-dub-dub the lamp and have your dearest wishes granted." He bowed and flew over to Aladdin. "Today's winner is...Aladdin! Congratulations!"
Kairi giggled as Genie made confetti rain down on Aladdin while shaking his hand.
"Any wish?" Donald asked excitedly.
"Patience, my fine feathered friend." He split into three genies, each holding up three fingers. "Any three wishes ! A one wish," one genie disappeared, 'a two wish," two disappeared, "a three wish. Then I make like a banana and split!" The third disappeared. "Our lucky winner made his first wish—" he reappeared next to Kairi and leant down to mock-whisper to her. "And let me tell you, what a doozy that wish was—" he split back into two. "So he has two left," they both said. "So, master, what'll you have for Wish Number Two?" He spun and dropped a spotlight on Aladdin, who put a hand on his chin.
"Hmm, how about making me a fabulously wealthy prince?"
Huh, not what she was expecting, it seemed rather…shallow. She'd thought there was more to him than that but he was a boy.
"Oooh! Money! Royalty! Fame!" Genie pinched the air and bowed. "Okay, you asked for it! A hundred servants and a hundred camels loaded with gold!" He started dialling on an imaginary phone, holding his hand up to his ear. "Just say the word and I'll deliver it in 30 minutes or less, or your meal's free." He flew over to Aladdin, putting an arm around his shoulders. "Hey, I'll even throw in a cappuccino!"
"No, thanks!" Aladdin chuckled.
"Okay," Genie was almost pouting.
"I think I'll put that on hold until we reach Agrabah."
"Why a rich prince?" Kairi asked.
"You see, there's this girl in Agrabah named Jasmine. But she's a princess, and I'm... Aww, she could never fall for a guy like me." He looked down at the sand.
"Wait…Jasmine?" she asked and he nodded. Kairi rolled her eyes. "Trust me, money and power are not going to impress her. Just be yourself. First we better get back, she's in trouble. Some creep called Jafar."
"What? Well, c'mon, let's get going!" Aladdin looked very worried as the got on the carpet and headed for the city, Genie flying alongside.
"Ah, fresh air! The great outdoors!"
"I guess you don't get out much, huh?" Kairi asked him.
Genie shrugged, spinning to fly on his side. "Comes with the job. Phenomenal cosmic powers. Itty-bitty living space. It's always three wishes, then back to my portable prison. I'm lucky to see the light of day every century or two..."
Ouch, that was so unfair! To spend so long trapped and then basically be a strangers slave while they used his powers and then right back in the lamp. That was no life!
"Say, Genie, what if I use my last wish to free you from the lamp? What do you think?" Aladdin offered.
"You'd do that?" Genie asked, eyes wide.
"Genie, it's a promise. After we help Jasmine."
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Sora eyed the woman warily, while he was grateful that she had taken them in, especially since he'd been unconscious, he couldn't make himself fully trust her, even when she'd taught him so much. It felt like…he was failing to do what she really wanted him to but like he shouldn't do it either, that distant voice calling broken warnings in his dreams still. Riku had changed even more than he had back home since they had arrived at the castle, and it scared him a bit, though Riku was more protective of him than he'd been in years which was kind of nice. The whole castle felt…oppressive, dark, and something screamed at him that he had to get them both away as soon as possible, despite the gratitude he felt towards her helping them at all.
"I was looking for Riku," he told her.
"Riku is not here, he agreed to undertake a task for me," Maleficent answered.
Sora shifted slightly, "oh."
"Do not worry, soon you will be able to help as well if you wish. If you are to survive away from you Island home, there is still much you both must learn."
Her answer did make sense and yet he didn't trust it.
"Do you still wish to see the girl? Or have your plans changed?" She asked, moving across the room, and Sora followed her.
"I…I don't know," he admitted, looking at the large round table that took up the corner of the large room, a meeting table?
"Would you like to see her?" She asked, and Sora started.
"How?"
She smiled and waved her hand over the table, an image forming…it was Kairi, in a…desert?
Sora leant forward to see better, not seeing the smile turn to a smirk. He steadied himself on the edge of the table but then snatched his hand back. "Ouch, there's something…sharp," he stumbled back from the table. He felt…strange…dizzy… he looked up to see her smirking as the room began to spin. "Wh…" So tired…had…to…
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Maleficent watched as the boy collapsed to the stone floor, limbs sprawled awkwardly. He appeared dead at first glance but if one watched closely and waited, they would see the very slight rise and fall of his chest. His body's life functions had been slowed so far that he was almost dead. Using magic, she lifted the limp body and transported him back to the room the boys had been given, laying him on his bed, covered by a light blanket, his hands folder over his stomach. Already, his skin had become deathly pale, face utterly blank, lips parted slightly.
It had been many years since she had cursed someone into the sleep-like death, not since Aurora who now slept without her heart only a few floors away with the other Princesses. It was a pity that he had not been more malleable, but the child's Heart was too Light and he did not trust her even as much as Riku did. Better he be kept out of the way and his curse could be used to keep Riku in line. After all, research would be needed to find out exactly which curse had been used on him by the attackers who had breached the Castle's defences. It wasn't like Sora could contradict her story and should he be woken, it would be after a time when it would matter. She did wonder whose kiss would break his curse, Kairi's…or Riku's? There was no way to know in advance.
She left the room to inform the rest so that they could ensure it looked like there had been a battle in the castle. Hades would likely find it a bit of fun to break a few things, as would Oogie.
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Kairi ran into the chamber with the others seeing Jafar and… 'Wait a second. Are you Maleficent?" she called but the strange woman vanished without a word.
"Jafar, let Jasmine go!" Aladdin demanded.
"Not a chance." The vizier smirked, not even glancing at the young woman lying at his feet. "You see, she's a princess—one of seven who somehow hold the key to opening the door."
"Open..."
"...the door?"
"But you fools won't live to see what lies beyond it. Genie! My second wish. Crush them!"
Aladdin gasped as Genie hung in the air. "Genie, no!"
"Sorry, Al. The one with the lamp calls the shots. I don't have a choice."
Kairi summoned her Keyblade and got ready to fight, even though she didn't want to fight Genie it looked like they might have no choice.
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Riku appeared in the chamber, immediately seeing his target. She was leaning forward to look down through a massive hole in the ground and Riku could hear a fight going on below. He walked towards her and she turned to face him, looking confused, and he cast the spell, watching her collapse, catching her before her head hit the stone. Sora would be angry at him if he let someone get hurt like that…letting Maleficent take her Heart was different, it didn't really hurt them, it didn't. They were asleep so they wouldn't feel it and it was necessary.
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Hades looked at the boy lying as if dead on the bed. It was strange but there was something about him…he shrugged it off. Pity she hadn't killed the boy, his shade could have been just as useful in controlling the other, all he'd have to do is promise to return him to life as long as Riku did everything he was told. It wasn't like he'd never done it before. A while in Tartarus or even a quick dip in the River Lethe and this kid would have been much more agreeable too.
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Riku ran into the bedroom, panting slightly, only to freeze in the doorway, staring at the occupied bed. He hesitated but then approached, seeing Sora lying there, unmoving. Yes, he was a deep sleeper, but Riku's running hadn't been quiet. He reached out, touching Sora's shoulder, shaking him slightly, but there was no reaction. No…No! Not Sora!
"Sora come on, quite playing, wake up," he demanded, but nothing changed.
He looked pale…too pale, and Riku scrambled around to find something, ending up removing a candle from the small metal plate it was sitting on, holding the plate in front of Sora's mouth and nose. "Come on," he begged, waiting, heart plummeting as nothing happened…there! For a second the metal fogged ever so slightly, he was still breathing but he'd never seen someone take so long between breaths.
Maleficent hadn't been lying, someone had cursed Sora. Riku carefully sat down on the edge of the bed, running his fingers through brown spikes.
"I'm sorry Sora," he whispered, he shouldn't have left without him. If he'd been there then he could have saved him.
His other hand balled into a fist. They would pay! He would find them and make them tell him how to wake Sora up. He would do whatever it took! Maleficent had promised to do everything she could to save Sora and he would keep working for her, the more he did, the more his own power grew. He would become strong enough to save Sora, to protect him from anything.
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"So, Jasmine's no longer in Agrabah," Aladdin sighed sadly before a look of determination spread over his face. "Kairi, let's go find her."
"Sorry," she winced, "I can't take you with me."
"Wh-Why not?" he sat down on the stair.
"I sure wish we could..." Goofy started.
"But we can't. If we take him to another world, we would be..." Donald continued, eyeing her, as if making sure she knew how serious it would be.
"Muh... Mudd—"
"Meddling!" Donald snapped at Goofy.
"Aladdin, we'll find Jasmine. I promise," she told him. Now she had another job on top of the others.
Genie patted Aladdin's back. "Uh, earth to Al. Hello? You still have one wish left. Look, just say the word. Ask me to find Jasmine for you."
"I...I wish..." Aladdin stammered, and she wondered if he'd do it, break his promise, but Genie seemed very willing to give up his freedom in exchange, rolling up imaginary sleeves. "For your freedom, Genie."
"Al!" Genie gasped in surprise. Magic swirled around Genie, who's smoky tail split into two legs, and the golden cuffs on his wrists disappeared.
"A deal's a deal, Genie. Now you can go anywhere you want. You're your own master. But if you can, it'd be great if you could go along with them and help Kairi find Jasmine," Aladdin smiled at Genie, and Kairi grinned, happy that he had kept his word. If he hadn't…well, she supposed she could have taken the lamp after he made his wish to make her own to free Genie. She'd known Aladdin was a good guy!
Genie turned away, crossing his arms. "Sorry, Al. I'm done taking orders from others. But…a favour, now that's entirely different." He looked back at him, smiling brightly. "I guess I could give that a try." He leaped over, putting a hand on Aladdin's shoulder. "After all, we're pals, right, Al?"
"Genie..."
"Just leave it to me!"
Aladdin ran a hand through his hair and chuckled.
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Hades and Maleficent stood around the table, their numbers were slowly being whittled away but perhaps that was for the best, leaving only the strongest. Hades sighed, shaking his head, "That smarmy vizier could've had 'em—if someone had stuck around to give him a hand." He looked over into the corner and Riku stared back with narrowed, cold, eyes. Kid had definitely not taken his friends condition well. Hades had enjoyed getting to mess up the castle a bit though to make it look like there'd been a fight.
"Hey, I did my part. I brought the princess, didn't I? You couldn't even keep a handful of invaders out."
"Jafar was beyond help, consumed by his own hatred. One should beware of letting it burn too fiercely," Maleficent spoke in warning to both of them.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Lighten up. I'm as cool as they come, okay?" Not to mention he was the god of death. Heartless posed no danger to him, one nice advantage he had over the rest of them…even Maleficent. She was stronger than the others in their little band, but not him. He let her appear to boss him around because he was having fun causing a bit of chaos without big brother interfering or his brat of a nephew.
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Riku sat on the bed beside Sora's seemingly dead body, one limp, cold hand clasped in his own. He kept his eyes locked on Sora's chest, watching for every tiny breath. He'd thought his being unconscious when they first arrived had been bad, this was a million times worse. Hades had offered to truly kill Sora and then bring him back, but he wasn't willing to trust the god that much…he wasn't that desperate just yet. He'd give Maleficent more time to research the curse first.
"I'm leaving with Hook, he has a possible lead. I don't know how long I'll be gone," he told Sora, he might appear dead but for all he knew he was still aware, just trapped. And didn't they say people in comas could sometimes hear? "Maleficent said that with the curse, nothing can hurt you." He moved his other hand to run through soft spikes. "I swear I'll kill whoever did this to you, they will pay. You just have to wake up, please," he took a shaky breath. "Everything will be better when you wake up, you'll see." He let go of Sora's hand, gently readjusting the blanket over him. "I'll be back as quick as possible," he promised before forcing himself to leave.
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Kairi listened to Merlin as he explained more about the theory behind magic. He was a much better teacher than Donald, even if he did sometimes go way off topic, it was always interesting though. The Heartless seemed to be getting stronger with every world they visited and there were so many things she needed to do, so many people to save. It was…overwhelming.
She wished Sora was with her, Sora was his never ending cheerfulness and can-do attitude…unless he was being a lazy bum and napping on the job. Riku's confidence and skill, his ability to push them both on further would be handy too. But they weren't with her, they were out there somewhere, learning…but from who? Part of her feared she might know the answer and the idea of them under her tutelage terrified Kairi after everything she'd heard from Cid and the others. Would they still be…them? Or would they become like others who fell to the Darkness?
TBC…
Poor Sora, forever being put to sleep in game or fics. At least he only needs true loves kiss to wake up from this and not his memories pieced back together or anything.
Trying to decide just how much to switch up some of the roles between the three.
Thanks to all who have voted in the poll on my profile.
