CHAPTER XIV

THE OUTCAST ALLIANCE

Jafar trudged up the spiral stairs leading to Master Maximilian's throne room. How he wished he had good news. The walk seemed longer than usual…maybe it was the inordinate amount of heartless around the halls these days? It certainly looked like there was an infestation. Jafar slid a small shadow away from the door, using his staff like a golf club. He smiled as he heard a faint 'splat' on the opposite wall.

As Jafar entered the audience chamber, which was situated a few rooms before the throne room, he was stopped in his tracks by a floating red cape, flowing in through the window. It hovered in front of him for a few moments, and then touched down on the ground. Vincent pulled the cloak around him, revealing himself to Jafar.

"Not that easy, hm?" Vincent sneered.

Jafar smiled patronizingly. "At least I was thwarted by a keyblade master. You were outsmarted by a tiny little fairy. Isn't that…what you are, anyway? Half-fairy?"

"Half-vampire, smart-ass. Look, you can go in there and try to use this smug attitude on Master Max, but I promise you he won't stand for it as long as I have. You better be prepared to grovel. You told him you had a 'marvelous, magnificent creature' out there in Monstropolis! What happened to it?" Vincent stayed calm as he tore into Jafar.

Jafar noticeably winced. "The Dark One and his sidekick Sora, that's what. You don't think I threw something weak against them, do you? I used the strongest hero that world had, and they still chopped it to bits!"

"And what about yourself? Didn't you have a go at them yourself? The Dark One can't summon his keyblade in our presence…he should have been no contest." Vincent slowly started to walk circles around Jafar, lovingly toying with his triple-barreled pistol in the hoslter. "So basically, what it boils down to is, you're going to walk straight up to Master Max, tell him 'gee, sorry, the Dark One is still at large, because I got beat down by his sidekick?"

"There was more than Sora. That meddlesome duck and dog were there as well." Jafar rationalized.

"Oh, my mistake. You got beat down by his sidekick and his pets."

"Look, boy, I don't know what you're playing at. I've got my duty to report to Master Max whether I fail or not," Jafar said, pushing Vincent out of the way with his snake head staff.

"You're right. You are just a pawn in this game. Carry on." Vincent wrapped himself up in his cloak, hovered and flew out the same window from which he came.

Jafar stood in the doorway, shook the memory from his head and opened the door to the hallway.

"Master Maximilian, sir…I've got some unfortunate news," Jafar walked as if he was on eggshells as he entered the throne room. Master Maximilian sat in his throne, smiling as usual.

"As usual, Jafar, I know much more than you think I do. Doesn't it make sense, Jafar, that I would know everything that is happening concerning the Dark One, at any given time?"

Jafar slowly nodded.

"And wouldn't it make even more sense, Jafar, that I would know what is happening in my very castle, two doors away!" he stood up from his throne.

Jafar stammered, "y…yes, sir."

"So, Jafar, why do you insult my intelligence by walking in the room and telling me what I already know? Hm? Why try to sugar coat it? Are you trying to take advantage of me, Jafar?"

"No…no sir! Nothing of the sort…I merely was trying…attempting to…soften the blow…"

Master Maximilian turned his back on Jafar.

"Bring me the Dark One, Jafar. Bring him to me bound, shackled, tied…however you choose. Bring him to me…or you'll go back in the lamp for who knows how long, this time?"

A stone pedestal rose from the ground to the left of the throne. On it was a sealed crystal box, and inside was an ornamental black lamp – the lamp Jafar was imprisoned inside until Master Maximilian set him free.

"I do love showing off my nice things," Master Maximilian said.

"As you wish, sire." Jafar bowed.

"Oh, and if you see that Vincent Valentine again…tell him that next time he trespasses on my castle grounds without the Dark One in his grips, he can expect a much less cordial welcome wagon." Master Maximilian sat back down in his throne, pointed at the door, and Jafar got the point.

Jafar exited the castle twice as fast as he had entered it. Walking down the stone steps outside the castle, he passed by Vincent leaning against a stone column.

"Sounds like you're in trouble, genie," Vincent teased.

"You're in pretty hot water yourself, fairy boy." He continued down the steps for a few paces until he stopped in his tracks. He turned back to Vincent and swallowed his pride.

"You know…separately we've both gotten berated by Master. We're striving for the same goal, here…with my power, strength and charm, and your...your…well we can figure out what you add later…we can probably bring the Dark One back here before week's end." Jafar wagered.

Vincent took a good, long look at Jafar. "You know? You have a real funny way of saying 'let's be partners'. By the way, that thing I add? It's called good-looks."

Vincent smiled and extended his hand to shake Jafar's, already outstretched.