Chapter 16: People Can Change

Xion leaned against the polished marble railing up on one of the high balconies of Agrabah's palace, watching the sunrise. The early morning breeze swept through her hair and she inhaled deeply, smelling the still-fresh flowers decorating the town for the royal wedding. As she looked out over the city, she reached for her canteen of water and took a much-needed drink, swishing the water around in her dry mouth.

A full night had passed without a word from any from them. After Xion and the others got back from the barrier, Jasmine had spent the night talking with Genie—about what, Xion wasn't sure. She, Goofy, and Sora had helped around the palace in general with repairs and such, but eventually the Sultan had insisted they get to sleep. And for all the heat of the desert in the day, at night it was downright freezing. But wow the beds in the palace's guest rooms were comfortable.

The problem was, of course, that when she had woken up they still weren't back. Xion had come up here after breakfast and hadn't moved since.

"Gawrsh, still nothin'?"

Xion turned around to see Sora and Goofy approaching her. Sora was still wearing the poofy clothes that Genie had given him the day before. It amazed Xion that he could handle the heat in those; at least with her Agrabah outfit she wasn't sweating under layers.

She shook her head. "It's as empty out in the desert as ever. Well, except for the Heartless."

Sora frowned and crossed his arms. "I hope they didn't get in trouble."

"I'm sure they can handle any Heartless or Nobodies they come across. And they had Carpet to fly over most of it anyway."

"Still…" Xion shook her head at Sora's concern. She knew that he knew they could handle it. Most of this was worry was clearly for Kairi.

"Aw, don't worry fellers!" Goofy said cheerfully. "Why, I bet they found Al's dad and are on their way back as we speak."

Xion smiled. "Yeah, you're right, Goofy. And who knows how far out they had to go? I'm sure we'll see them soon."

Sora walked up next to Xion and leaned over the railing of the balcony. He looked out to the horizon as the sun lifted higher and the sky grew brighter. "I wonder if Aladdin's dad is really out there. And what's he like?"

Goofy laughed. "Gawrsh, it doesn't really matter what he's like, he and Al will get along great anyway! That's how it works; father and son just have a connection. Why, once I took my boy Maxie out on a fishing trip, and though we had our ups and downs during it we both came out happy as can be!" Xion tried to hide her face when Goofy brought his son up. She still didn't feel good about spying on their conversation in Disney Castle. Luckily he didn't seem to notice.

"When I was a kid," Sora said with a hint of nostalgia in his voice, "my dad would take me and Riku out on his boat to the island we played on. Sometimes he'd join in on our races or whatever, though I think once Kairi came to the islands and became our friend he was secretly glad he didn't have to do that anymore." He leaned back and smiled. "But he never showed it. He was always there laughing in the sand with us."

"See, that's what I'm talkin' about!" Goofy turned to Xion. "And what about you, Xion?" He paused. "…I mean, I know ya didn't have the most…normal life, but…" He trailed off, obviously feeling awkward about this was going.

"It's fine." Xion shook her head to put his fears aside. "And…I'm not sure." Sora's stories had sprung up his memories in her mind of a tall but slim man with brown hair just as wild as Sora's playing on the beach. When Xion had gone to Destiny Islands after Xemnas's defeat, he had taken her in without much of a second thought. The man was a fisherman by trade, and Xion could really see where Sora got his attitude from.

"What do ya mean?"

"I mean, when I think of fathers, the first thing that comes to my mind is your dad, Sora. Because of your memories inside me, right?" Xion shrugged. "But I guess the closest thing I had is-" Xion paused, nearly choking on her breath at her sudden realization. Vexen was the closest thing she had to a father, given that he was behind the Replica Program. That was a rather creepy thought.

"Who?" Sora pressed for an answer, ever curious.

"...A-Axel," she lied. She was sure it was an obvious lie, too. "Axel was kind of my father figure, I guess." But the more she thought of it, was it so much of a lie? Vexen may have certainly made the Replicas, but it was Axel who taught her and Roxas pretty much everything they knew about life. If there was more to a father than simply being a parent, then Axel fit the role.

Xion wasn't sure how to feel about that; it was certainly an odd thought, and almost comical. She giggled to herself while imagining Axel working at some office job. "Or maybe an older brother. Can older brothers be father figures?"

"Sure," Sora said. "Wakka raised his little brother Chappu." Oh, that's right. She remembered now, she had met Chappu once at a blitzball game.

The trio stood on the balcony for a while longer, watching the bustle of the city down below. In the back of her mind Xion had a nagging feeling telling her to stop lounging around and go see what she could do to help around the palace, but another part of her was saying that if Jasmine or Genie needed them they could come get them.

Xion spared a glance at Sora next to her. Although he still had worry behind his eyes, there was a content smile on his face as his brown spikes blew in the breeze. When he noticed her watching she looked away.

"It's funny," she began slowly, "that we're just sitting here talking about fathers." Xion chuckled and turned around, resting her back against the railing as she slid down to sit on the marble floor. "Last time we were in Agrabah, could you ever imagine that we'd be friends like this?" Genie did, she remembered. Before Xion had left he had predicted that next time they met, she and Sora would be best friends. Though she never imagined how literal the idea of them being 'inseparable' would be.

"That was just after Hollow Bastion, wasn't it?" Sora sat down, joining her on the floor. "It's hard to remember a time we weren't friends, honestly. I mean…we haven't even known each other a full year but it feels like so much longer."

Goofy's laughter turned both teens to him. "Yup! Xion melted right into the group from day one. It's a lot like how quickly Sora got comfortable 'round me an' Donald!"

Sora rubbed the back of his head and grinned sheepishly. "I guess so."

The wind picked up and Xion watched Goofy squint, holding a hand over his eyes to block the bright sunlight as he looked for something in the distance. His face broke into a wild smile and he started jumping up and down, waving his hands above his head.

"What is it?" Sora asked, standing up. "What do you see?"

"A-hyuck! There they are! Hey, fellers, we're down here!" Xion stood up as well and followed Goofy's line of sight. A speck of purple and gold was approaching, flying over the miles of sand on the horizon. She grinned and started imitating Goofy's movements, attracting Carpet's attention so they would land over on the balcony.

Kairi jumped off of Carpet before they were at a complete stop and stood proud. "We're back! Did we worry you?"

"Not at all," Sora said. Xion rolled her eyes.

Donald and Iago climbed off next, leaving only two figures on Carpet. Assuming they succeeded and found Aladdin's dad – which they must have, they were too cheery – then someone was missing. Xion raised an eyebrow. "Where's Abis Mal?"

Donald's shoulders drooped and he sighed dejectedly. "We…don't know."

Sora blinked. "What do you mean?"

Kairi shrugged helplessly. "We got split up last night and we couldn't find him no matter how much we looked." She bit her lip and looked away. "Last time I saw him was when the Forty Thieves found us."

Sora's hands were on Kairi's arms immediately and his eyes were wide. "They found you?!"

"U-Um…" Donald began, but then he trailed off and let out a short, awkward laugh.

"They did…" Kairi said slowly. "But we're fine. No harm done." Sora didn't look convinced, but obviously they were here and alive, so Xion had to agree that no one was hurt. Still, it did ring some alarm bells.

"Could they have followed you back?" she asked.

"No way." Kairi seemed very confident in that, at least. "And what good would it do them anyway? They already know where the palace is."

"I guess that's true…"

Goofy looked thoughtful before he spoke. "Gawrsh, how did ya get away if they found ya?"

"Er…"

"Hey, don't you all want to meet someone?!" Aladdin's cheerful voice interrupted Kairi before she could explain. He stood on the back of Carpet with a man dressed in red with a black longcoat and blue sleeves. The clothes looked new and not traveled in; they must have been taken from the Forty Thieves, Xion figured.

Iago fluttered over to the man's shoulder. "Allow me to introduce the Ki-"

"Cassim," he said while snapping Iago's beak shut. "My name is Cassim. I'm…Aladdin's father." He spoke like he couldn't believe it himself, which Xion couldn't blame him for if he had never actually known Aladdin. Still, something about his deep voice nagged at Xion. Where had she heard him before?

It didn't seem to bother the others, though; that or they didn't notice. As Aladdin and Cassim climbed off of Carpet Sora walked up to him and shook his hand eagerly. "It's great to meet you, sir. Al's a real good guy, you should be proud."

"Yes, I am. He told me a lot about you kids, too, on our way back."

"Gawrsh, Cassim, what did he say?"

"That you're all great friends. And powerful, too! Fighting those black monsters, as children? I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen your wizard friends in action. Their magic was phenomenal." Kairi and Donald both blushed at that.

Aladdin took Cassim's arm. "Come on, Dad. I want you to meet Jasmine."

Cassim shook his head. "The princess? Oh Aladdin, I'm hardly dressed for-"

"It'll be fine." He turned to Xion and Sora. "Where is she?"

"In the wedding pavilion," Sora said. "It's already been repaired thanks to Genie."

"'Genie'?" Cassim looked up with a twinkle in his eyes. "You have a genie? Tell me, have you already used all three wishes?!"

Iago, still on Cassim's shoulder, groaned. "Oh please, don't go into it, it's just too painful."

"I don't understand-"

"It's a long story," Sora said, "but Genie's been freed. Now he just has semi-phenomenal, nearly-cosmic power."

"Ah," Cassim said with some disappointment. "I see."

The wedding pavilion wasn't far. As they walked through the white and gold halls of Agrabah's palace, Cassim looked at the arches and curves with wonder and maybe a hint of jealousy. "My boy, living in a palace! You do the family proud."

As Sora had pointed out, Genie, Jasmine, and the Sultan were there discussing wedding plans. Jasmine trailed off mid-discussion and broke into a wide smile when she saw them, running toward Aladdin with joy. But before she could embrace him a puff of blue smoke erupted between them and Genie took Al into a big bear hug.

"Al! You're back!" He spun him around. "And your front! You're both here!"

"That's great Genie-"

Genie squeezed Al tightly and leaned in conspiratorially. "I've been on the lookout and beefing up security." He pointed to the ledge circling up against the ceiling, where someone could hide in the shadows waiting for an ambush. A squad of Genies dressed in black and holding guns were there now. "No one is going to crash your wedding this time. Close friends and family only, no one gets in without an invitation!"

"Good, because this is-"

Genie pulled away from Aladdin, finally noticing Cassim. He leaned in closer, jutting his chin up to look intimidating as he spoke in a low growl. "You look familiar. Have we met before?"

"Genie-" Aladdin shoved the two of them apart before something could happen. "Meet my dad."

Genie blinked, pulled away for a moment, and then curled his hands into fists and marched over to Cassim with a threatening finger. "If you're Al's dad, then I just wanna know one thing."

"Yeah?" Cassim shot back with an edge in his voice.

The next instant Genie was wearing a tuxedo while holding a notebook in one hand and a pen in the other. "Will you be having the chicken or the sea bass?"

Cassim seemed positively befuddled by Genie's rapid-fire shifts in behavior. Xion took it upon herself to pull Genie aside since he could be rather intimidating to people on a first meeting. Once Genie was a safe distance away (and pouting in the corner) Jasmine approached Aladdin and Cassim.

"Are you really Aladdin's father?"

"Yup, that's him!" Donald chimed in. "Brought home from the Forty Thieves"

"Rescued from the Forty Thieves," Kairi quickly added.

The little Sultan walked up to Cassim, who was on his knees before the royalty, and urged him to climb back to his feet. "Oh my, how dreadful! Surely being a prisoner to those ruffians was most gruesome indeed. But don't worry dear Cassim, like your son you have a place here in the palace."

"I- Thank you, but I am not sure it's my place." Cassim smiled. "But my boy Aladdin must have been born under a lucky star to live life as he does—and to find a love as beautiful as you, Princess Jasmine."

The Sultan nodded. "Yes, of course. And we'll say no more—not another word on the subject of the thieves."

Cassim agreed. "Yes. This is a happy occasion—a blessed union of our children!"

Kairi and Donald walked over to Aladdin as Cassim continued to speak about love and family. "They love him," Xion heard Kairi whisper.

"I knew he'd get along great," Aladdin said. "He just needed a second chance. Anyone can change."

Xion found herself frowning in suspicion as she turned away from them and looked at Cassim, who had lifted the Sultan up in an energetic hug. A second chance for what…?

x-x-x

It was later that night, after an evening of partying and quite possibly the largest dinner that Cassim had ever had, that the halls of Agrabah's palace were stalked by a silent shadow—and its loud feathered companion.

Cassim, once again wearing his blue cloak and hiding his face, crouched low as he moved through the stone walkways he had carefully memorized during the trip from the balcony to the wedding pavilion. Speaking of the wedding, it was just about to start. Cassim would have to act fast.

"Gah!"

Of course it would be faster without Iago shouting so much.

Cassim grabbed Iago from the air and pulled him down to eye level. "Stay quiet. It's no wonder your old master cast you aside if you can't even sneak around correctly."

"Well sorry for having a loud voice, bud! I-" He clamped a mouth over Iago's beak and jumped off the side despite Iago's muffled screams of protests. Before he fell to the earth Cassim grabbed a ledge with his free hand and froze, waiting as footsteps and the glow of torchlight passed by above them. After a few breathless moments he released his chokehold on Iago and climbed back up onto the pathway.

"What was that for?!"

"I was almost spotted. There's this thing called 'stealth', maybe you have heard of it?"

"Oh good, he has a sense of humor." Iago landed on Cassim's shoulder and groaned. "Okay, turn left at the next fork. The royal treasury is down that way."

"You're certain?"

Iago raised an eyebrow and feigned hurt. "Do you really think I'd lie to you?"

"No. I just think you're bad at being a thief, as I have already pointed out." Cassim did turn left despite his own suspicions, though. "Perhaps Donald could have helped us?"

"The duck? Ha! He's too much of a goofy two-shoes, despite any greed. He'd rat us out right away if we went to him."

"But he encouraged me just as much as you did-"

"Caught up in the moment, I'm sure. Cassim, buddy, Donald's not gonna help us. And even if he would, he's not exactly thief material."

Cassim chose not to acknowledge the hypocrisy.

At the end of the hall, just as Iago had said, was the palace's treasury. It was behind a bronze cage door but that door was unlocked. The Sultan was too naïve, too trusting. There, on a podium in the middle of piles of gold, was Cassim's prize. He grinned and walked over to the Oracle's emerald-tipped staff, his callused hands wrapping tightly around the gold shaft.

"At long last…" Cassim looked to Iago on his shoulder. "I promise you, bird, once I get the Hand of Midas I'll take the Sultan up on his offer. I'm going straight."

"Straight to the dungeons." A muscular hand grabbed Cassim's hand from behind and he spun around to see a guard with a missing tooth. Cassim swung his other hand out only for two more guards to dogpile him and force him to the ground. Meanwhile, Iago was grabbed by a fourth guard and shoved inside a birdcage.

"How did you find me?!"

The lead guard grinned and kneeled down. "A fat little friend of ours told me." He pulled Cassim's mask off and smiled. "I'm afraid you won't be going to your son's wedding."

x-x-x

"Where is he?" Xion watched Aladdin, dressed in his groom clothes once more, pace back and forth in front of the podium where the Sultan would perform the ceremony. "He said he just had to go for a walk after dinner."

Jasmine put a comforting hand on Aladdin's arm and he paused his pacing for the moment. "I'm sure he's on his way," she said, though there was concern in her voice.

Donald, meanwhile, was shifting around nervously over with Sora and Goofy. Xion pursed her lips and moved away from her spot, much to Kairi's confusion. Donald watched her approach and grinned sheepishly—he knew she was suspicious of something.

"Donald, can we talk?"

"Sure! What about, Xion?"

Xion grabbed his arm and pointed outside. "Alone."

"What's up, Xion?" Sora asked while she tugged Donald out into the desert night. "Is it something I can help with?"

"No. I just have to ask Donald some things. It will only take a moment."

Donald's head drooped. "I don't like where this is going…" he muttered.

Once outside, Xion leaned her back against the railing and looked over at Donald. She tried to relax her face. He had no reason to be worried about her snapping or anything, he knew they were friends. But he also seemed especially nervous about something, and Xion had her suspicions. "Donald, just who is Cassim?"

"What do you mean?" Donald asked with obviously faked innocence. "He's Aladdin's father."

"Yeah, but where did you find him? Specifically."

"Eheheh…"

This wasn't going to get her anywhere, Xion realized. She just couldn't be intimidating enough—well, okay, she probably could, but she'd rather not. She'd have to approach this a different way. A bit more subtly.

"Have you noticed?" she asked, standing up from the railing and crossing her arms. "Cassim isn't the only one missing. I haven't seen Iago either."

Donald's eyes bulged. "Iago? Oh no…"

There was a reaction. But Xion didn't feel victorious, because now Donald seemed especially worried. "Donald, what happened? Do you know where those two are?"

"It might be partly my fault." Donald sighed deeply; Xion knew it was hard for him to admit when he screwed up. "You see…" He took a deep breath before quickly spitting out, "Cassim is the King of Thieves."

Xion blinked. What. "You mean he's not Aladdin's dad?"

"No, he is! …Aladdin's dad is the King of Thieves."

Xion frowned. That, at least, explained where she had heard his voice before; when he had made his escape during the wedding crash. Still… "What do you mean it might be your fault, Donald?"

"I'd like to know, too." Kairi said, walking up with her hands on her hips. "Donald, what did you say to Cassim when Al and I left?"

Donald did not look happy to see her. His shoulders drooped further. "Most of it was Iago, I promise! But we may have pushed him into looking for the Oracle."

"You did what?!"

"I only said to try after the wedding! I didn't tell him to lie to Aladdin about it, that was Iago!"

Xion brought a hand to her chin in thought. "…Did he really seem to want to come here for the wedding, or just for the Oracle?"

"He wanted to, he did!"

Xion recalled Cassim's conversation with the Sultan when he arrived. That seemed like genuine cheer, even if in retrospect the stuff concerning the Forty Thieves was obviously faked. Xion nodded. "I guess I can't entirely blame you for it, Donald. And I of all people can't get mad at someone for being tricked by Iago-"

The heavy doors to the wedding pavilion slammed open, the sound resonating out to the balcony. Xion turned to see Razoul march in, shoulders back and head held high. In front of him was Cassim, bound in shackles on his ankles and wrists. One hand was hiding something behind his back.

"Oh no," Kairi whispered.

"Sorry he's late," Razoul hissed, kicking Cassim to the ground. "He seemed a little lost."

As Xion, Kairi, and Donald returned inside, Sora was the first of the stunned group to speak up. "Cassim? What happened?"

Razoul grinned. "I caught the King of Thieves stealing this!" He showed the hand behind his back, revealing the Oracle's gold emerald-tipped staff.

Aladdin's face became one of absolute heartbreak. "Dad, why?"

Cassim sighed and kept his face to the floor. He couldn't seem to look Aladdin in the eye. "You can change my clothes, Aladdin, but you can't change who I am. I'm sorry, son."

"That's a lie!" Xion shot back. Cassim stared up at her with confusion, and Razoul cast an irritated glare her way. "Everyone can change."

Razoul didn't allow Cassim to reply, grabbing him by the back of his collar and pulling him up to his feet. "Well, I'm sure he'll have plenty of time to change...in the palace dungeons!"

"No, Dad!" Aladdin cried, following Razoul out the door. However, Sora grabbed Al's arm before he got far. "Sora, let me go!"

Sora shook his head. "Al, what's going on?"

"Aladdin?" Jasmine asked softly.

Aladdin looked around at the nervous faces, lingering on Donald and Kairi especially. He couldn't seem to bring himself to look at Jasmine. He took a deep breath, opened, his mouth, then snapped it shut. He looked to be considering how to go through this in his head.

"Cassim is the King of Thieves," Donald spit out. All heads turned to him and he let out a slow, awkward laugh. "He's Al's dad and the King of Thieves. He wasn't kept prisoner by them."

"Aladdin-" Jasmine began.

Al shook his head and moved over to one of the windows. "I wanted to give him another chance. I wanted him to come to the wedding. I wanted him to be with me." He sat on the windowsill and rested his head in his hands. "I guess it was a stupid idea."

"Trying to give your father a better life wasn't stupid, Al." Genie walked over and put a hand on his friend's back. "Leaving him alone with the birds, that was stupid." Donald crossed his arms and grumbled, but said nothing. Genie moved so he was in front of Aladdin and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Look, Al—there are some wishes that even I can't make come true."

"…But if there's one thing you taught me," Al said softly, "it's that sometimes we can't rely on just wishes." He stood up and took off his hat, running a hand through his hair. "Jasmine, please go. If you don't know what's about to happen you can't get in trouble."

"What do you mean, 'what's about to happen?'"

He didn't answer her. "Genie, can you take Jasmine to her room?"

Genie seemed to be catching on. "Now Al, think about what you're doing here-"

"Genie!"

"…Fine. Come on, princess." He grabbed her by the arm. "You don't want to see this. Plausible deniability and all that."

Jasmine struggled against Genie's grip, but he wrapped her up in one of his trademark powerful hugs. "Aladdin!" They vanished in a cloud of blue smoke.

Aladdin turned to those who were left. "I need a Keyblade. Please."

Sora crossed his arms. "Aladdin, just what are you up to?"

"Tonight the King of Thieves is making his most miraculous escape ever," he said while tearing off a piece of cloth from his clothing and wrapping it around his face like a mask.

Goofy frowned nervously. "Gawrsh, you're gonna break him out of prison? But Aladdin…"

"I know what I'm doing. Trust me, I won't get caught—and that's why I had Jasmine leave, so she doesn't find out. And if I use a Keyblade then I can get in and get out quickly."

Sora shook his head. "Al, I know he's your dad and all, but I can't just go around breaking laws and freeing prisoners. I don't think this is a good idea."

"Sora, please. If you don't help me, then-"

Xion took in a deep breath. People can change. Cassim did seem genuinely ashamed of himself. "I'll go."

x-x-x

"Well isn't this a fine mess you got us into?!"

Iago's latest rant was gnawing at Cassim's patience. Here he sat, in the dark, dirty dungeon with some form of liquid (he dearly hoped it was water) dripping down from the ceiling. His ankles and wrists were chained to the walls and his only companion from the parrot—that damnable, loud parrot. This was all his fault.

"What I got us into? You're the one who told me that the Oracle is real!"

"Well you didn't have to listen to me!" Iago groaned and slumped down in his little rusted birdcage. "No one should listen to me!"

Cassim looked away. Arguing would get him nowhere. He adjusted his chained limbs as best he could for comfort, not that it was much. Couldn't Agrabah afford better conditions for their prisoners? Wasn't it a rich city?

There was a muffled sound just on the other side of the cell door which suddenly caught Cassim's attention. It sounded like a man collapsing. With a raised eyebrow he stood up as much as he was able to and watched as the keyhole to the door flashed for an instant before the door swung open with a rusty creak. Aladdin was standing on the other side with the Oracle's staff, and the girl with him – Xion, wasn't it? – carried a strange black and white sword unlike any he had ever seen. With a wave of her weapon his shackles became undone and the door to Iago's cage opened.

"Thanks for the save, Xion. Looks like I owe you two now," Iago said with a puppy-dog smile. Xion didn't reply, instead choosing to remain silent while Aladdin helped Cassim up to his feet.

"What sort of magic is that?" Cassim asked, rubbing his numb wrists. "Never mind. What are you doing here, boy?"

"Breaking you out." Aladdin handed the Oracle's staff to Cassim, and Cassim had to admit a sort of eagerness in his gut as he took it. "Take this, find the Hand of Midas, and stay far away from Agrabah."

"Aladdin-"

"We don't have time to talk," he snapped.

Xion pointed down the hall with her strange sword. "Come on. The guards won't stay unconscious for long."

Cassim smirked. "Very well."

As they made their ways through the shadowy halls, Cassim found himself impressed with just how well Aladdin had handled it. Lines of guards were unconscious, all spread out a decent distance so the next guard wouldn't get suspicious before they became a victim. And none of them were dead either, or even seriously hurt. They'd wake up with headaches but nothing more.

They traveled through the lower levels of the palace, through empty servant quarters and service tunnels. On one occasion they went through an underground waterway, much to Xion's dislike; Cassim hadn't noticed until now that she was wearing sandals. Finally they emerged in the back exit of the palace, near the stables. A sleek brown horse was already equipped with a saddle and Aladdin shoved its reins into Cassim's hands.

"Go. Get out of here before morning."

"But what about you? Aladdin, don't risk your future for me."

"We weren't found." Aladdin sighed. "Dad, I just wanted this to be a special thing for us, but I guess it wouldn't work out."

Cassim smiled and embraced his boy – his strong, wonderful boy – in a hug. "Aladdin, thank you. But I'm afraid people aren't as easy to change as clothes are."

"You're wrong." Frowning, Cassim pulled away from Aladdin to look at Xion, who stood by the door back into the palace. "People can change, Cassim. I'm living proof of that."

Cassim raised an eyebrow. "Just what do you mean by that?"

She smiled sadly. "Don't waste your question with the Oracle asking about me." Cassim glanced over his shoulder at the staff strapped to his back. "Sunrise is coming soon, you know. Aladdin, we need to get back inside."

"Right."

"Hey, what about me?!" Iago cried. Cassim had forgotten all about him—he had been sitting on his shoulder without saying a word.

"Go with him," Aladdin offered.

"What?" Cassim and Iago both asked at the same time before shooting glares at each other.

Xion smiled. "They go great together."

"Aladdin, this isn't a good idea."

"We don't have time to debate, Dad." Aladdin said, motioning to the horse. "You need to go now or we'll all be on the executioner's block." Damn it all, he was right. Cassim had a bright son, he had to admit that.

"Fine then. Farewell, Aladdin!" The horse stood up on its hind legs, neighing loudly as Cassim gripped its reins. "The people of Agrabah will always remember this as the day they almost caught the King of Thieves!"

x-x-x

"Where is Cassim?"

"He has not returned since setting out with the new blood."

"He has abandoned us to his family. I told you all this would happen!"

From hid hiding place within a corridor of darkness, Abis Mal chuckled to himself. Everything was going exactly as he had hoped it would—which honestly was a big change for him, and so he was going to milk this for all it was worth. His plan had been simple, really: make sure Cassim never returned to the Forty Thieves by getting him arrested, and then swoop in and take control using his powers over the Heartless. That would teach them for shooting him down from joining the group. Soon the Forty Thieves would work for him.

The problem being, of course, he only had enough control over the Heartless to call Shadows. Hopefully that would be enough.

Abis Mal stepped out of the shadows into the open torchlight, and immediately all manner of blades were pointed at him. He laughed nervously and backed away. "H-Hey. How's it going, guys?"

One of the thieves grimaced. "It is only the abysmal little street rat."

"Hey, that's Abis Mal to you!" One of the scimitars pressed closer to his neck. "I-I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"And why not?" another thief asked with a sneer.

"B-Because my friends wouldn't be happy if you did." Abis Mal pointed a shaking finger to the shadows just out of the reach of the torches and squeezed his eyes shut, calling on the powers Maleficent had taught him. Much to his joy, beady golden eyes did appear as the shadows came to life. Abis Mal had to keep himself from laughing in joy.

"The monsters!" There were gasps of horror and the clatter of dropped swords as more Shadows arrived. The crowd of thieves backed up as one. "He controls the monsters!"

"That's right," Abis Mal said with renewed confidence. He stood up and wiped some sweat from his cheek. "And if you want to stay on their good side, then stay on my good side." He climbed up onto a fallen stone obelisk and raised a fist into the air. "Forty Thieves! Cassim has abandoned you! I saw it with my own eyes, he lives now in the palace of Agrabah with his son! He used you as merely stepping stones—you, who swore a blood oath to follow him!" The crowd rumbled with agitated murmurs—agitation directed at Cassim.

Abis Mal you beautiful, wonderful man, he thought with a barely-hidden grin. He could not believe things were going his way.

"But I can lead you to a better time! Forget Cassim and follow me, and the Forty Thieves will once again have plenty of loot in the lair! So gather the troops, you're meant to regroup, and return to your roots once again!" He grinned and leaned forward. "Are you in or out?"

"YEAH!" came the chorus of cries.

At that moment, however, the cavern rumbled. The hidden passageway flew open and a familiar man with graying hair and a short beard entered riding a horse. Abis Mal's face fell and the Forty Thieves grew quiet. Cassim had somehow escaped?

Well, things had been going so well for him this far. Maybe he could push his luck once more. "Men, the traitor returns! What do we do to traitors?!"

There was a slight pause, but when at Abis Mal's command the Heartless leaped up threateningly the Forty Thieves moved forward with a battle cry, threatening Cassim with weapons drawn. He backed up, confused, before noticing Abis Mal and widening his eyes in surprise.

"Take the staff!" Abis Mal commanded. "We will use the Oracle to find the greatest treasure of all: the Hand of Midas!"