They leave for Agrabah in the morning. The sun is rising, lighting up the ocean's shore in a way that immediately reminds Sora of Destiny Islands. If things had gone according to plan, he'd be back there right now. He doesn't mind though. As wonderful as it had been to get back to his old, simple life, it can wait another day. In fact, an adventure with Aladdin was just what he needed to break up the monotony.
"No, there's absolutely no way!" Cassim declares, drawing Sora out of his contemplations. The King of Thieves stands, arms crossed, before the hovering Carpet. His glare is sharp and disapproving. "You're liable to fall off that thing and break your neck!"
"C'mon, Dad!" Aladdin protests, hopping on Carpet and doing a few fancy flying tricks. "Carpet is great transportation. I trust it with my life!"
"Well I don't!" Cassim shoots back, scowling at the sight of his son's aerial tomfoolery. "We'll go on horseback." He turns away, stalking over to his great black mare. He gives it a fond little pet. "Horses were good enough for my father, and for his father before him! And they've certainly proven good enough for me!"
"In my day," Azlyn mocks in an exaggerated old-man accent, "we had to walk through the desert twice every day to get to school. Uphill! Both ways!"
"In the snow!" Sora chimes in. Cassim casts a perturbed look their way, and both offworlders quickly clam up.
"Fine." Carpet returns to the ground, depositing Aladdin before a brown-furred horse. Before mounting, the groom-to-be gives his friend an apologetic look. "Don't worry, Carpet. He'll come around."
"Azlyn and I will ride you!" Sora assures the aeronautical rug. Carpet seems to perk up, sweeping forward to buck the pair up on its back.
With all transportation considerations settled, the group takes off. As they ride along the cliff, a trio of mismatched figures stalks the shore below.
"They're off," Gilgamesh reports, one hand to his ear.
"Good," Pete says with an agreeable nod. He turns to Sa'luk. "Alright, buddy boy. Let's go say hi to your ol' pals, hm?"
The burly thief steps up to the shore, raising his hand and uttering the magic words to open his former gang's hidden hideaway.
"I don't see why we're wasting time with this," Gilgamesh grumbles as the mountain begins rumbling.
Pete rolls his eyes. "A little lesson in villainy, new guy." A vicious smile lights up the fat cat's jowly face. "It's never a bad idea to pick up a few minions where ya can."
The quartet take off, sprinting across the opened ocean pathway with a squadron of Heartless on their heels. Hungry Heartless, eager for a meal.
KH-KH-KH
"Got any fours?" Kairi asks, looking up from the cards in her hands. Telary sits across from her, examining his own assortment.
"Yeah," he says after a moment, drawing out the requested card and handing it over. She takes it, smiling as she places her pair of fours in a pile.
It's nice, sitting out in the palace gardens together. Playing cards may not be the most stimulating activity, but at least there's no feelings of awkwardness or tension. A breezy activity for a breezy day.
Besides, it really helps keep off any lingering worries about Sora and Azlyn.
Suddenly galloping can be heard, though that sound is quickly overcome by the noise of the massive palace gates pulling open. Smiling, the redheads rise from the table they'd been sitting at and make their way to the garden's main path.
Aladdin and his father ride together on their thundering brown steeds, Sora and Azlyn flying above on Carpet. Sora cheerfully waves to the pair, hopping off the flying rug as Al and his father pull their horses to a stop.
"Hey guys," Sora cheerfully greets them, immediately going to Kairi and putting an arm around her.
Azlyn hops off Carpet and makes a beeline for Telary. Before the wizard can say anything, she leaps up to deliver a scorching hot kiss to his lips. It lasts for several seconds, until everyone's kind of uncomfortable.
"Uh, you're back!" Kairi happily declares as Azlyn pulls away and gives her fiancée a wink. The Princess of Heart looks to the older man she recognizes from the Oracle's picture. "You must be Aladdin's father."
"Indeed I am, young lady," he replies with a small bow. "Cassim, at your service."
"It's very nice to meet you, sir," Telary says, one eye still on Azlyn. The knight keeps grinning at him in a way he can't quite decipher. "We've heard a lot… Well actually we've heard nothing about you!"
"I see things are going well around here," Aladdin says, noting the new wedding pavilion standing tall above the palace gardens (though it still looks miniature next to the palace itself).
"Better than well, Al!" says the familiar voice of Genie. The big blue lug comes flying in, grinning like the loon he is. "Things are spectacular!" Looking around quickly, he leans in closer to the group. "And you don't have to worry about security, 'cause I got it covered! This place is locked up tighter than a debutante's tuchus! Cameras, lasers, armed guards, vicious attack dogs, we've got it all my friend! No lowlifes this time." He considers something for a second. "Well, other than the parrot."
Iago squawks indignantly from his perch on Cassim's shoulder.
"That's, uh, great Genie," Aladdin says with a forced smile. He gestures over to his father. "Now, I'd like you to meet…"
"I'd just like to see that King of Thieves try anything this time!" Genie continues, poofing into a musclebound giant in a green tank top and camo pants. "That scumbag gets within an inch of your wedding, and it's-" He quickly adopts an Austrian accent "-hasta la vista, baby!"
"Uh, Genie," Sora says, glancing nervously at Aladdin's father. "There's something you should…"
"I almost wish he'd try a stunt like that again!" It seems that Genie has well and truly latched onto this tangent. "I'll turn him into a flea! A tiny, harmless little flea! Then I'll put that flea in a box…"
"Genie!" Aladdin, Sora, and Azlyn all shout at once. Finally, the big blue lug seems to snap out of his rant.
"Allow me to introduce…!" Iago declares with a showman's smile, flapping one wing at Cassim.
Aladdin's father sticks up his chin haughtily. "The King of Thieves!"
Genie's jaw drops to the ground with a loud gonk! Suddenly there's a walkie talkie in his hands, and he begins screaming into it. "Code Red, Code Red! This is not a drill, we have infiltration! Double time, go, go , GO!"
Before anyone can say anything, an alarm starts blaring. Steel security gates fall over all possible entrances, spotlights go up even though it's day time. Over the palace wall at every possible spot come a legion of Genie's dressed in law enforcement uniforms. Kairi's eyes go wide, but Aladdin, Iago, and the original trio just roll theirs in exasperation.
SWAT teams, army commandos, Spartan-IIIs, cowboys, Stormtroopers, the Kingsguard, and the defensive line of the College All-American Football team surround the group with weapons drawn.
"Do not attempt to move, or we'll be shooting ourselves."
"Genie!" Aladdin yells frustratedly, pushing through the huge crowd to reach the original Genie, now dressed in the uniform of a four-star general.
"Stay back Al, this guy's got a rap sheet as long as the wait for Kingdom Hearts III," Genie cautions his friend. "Well, almost."
"Genie," Aladdin says evenly. "This is my dad."
Genie conjures a huge glass of water, takes a big gulp, and immediately spits it back out again. Iago squawks angrily as the water hits him. Cassim crosses his arms, scowling at the big blue lug.
"Stand down men," OG Genie orders. "Smoke 'em if ya got 'em." Immediately the rest of the cavalry disappears in a huge puff of smoke. Genie starts marching forward, fire in his eyes. "If you're Al's dad and the King of Thieves, then I've got just one question for you!"
"What's that?" Cassim spits defiantly, chin held high.
"Will ya be havin' the chicken or the seabass?"
Taken aback by Genie's sudden change into a waiter, Cassim can only laugh. Everyone else relaxes too, chiming in with their own chuckles.
"This happen often?" Kairi surreptitiously whispers to Sora.
The Keybearer nods. "All the time, oddly enough."
"Okay, Dad," Aladdin says, putting an arm around Cassim and leading him up the palace steps. "You should meet Jasmine and…"
"HOLD UP there, Al!" Genie poofs to the top of the stairs, dressed in a crossing guard's vest and holding a big red STOP sign. "Maybe you wanna rethink meeting the fiancée and father-in-law right away, eh?" He gives Cassim a significant look.
Azlyn grimaces. "He's right. You don't the sultan meeting your dad while he's looking like that."
Cassim frowns. "What's wrong with the way I'm dressed?"
"Well, it's rather a faux pas to wear the same outfit twice," Genie says with a shake of his head.
"Especially if the last time you wore it was when you were robbin' the place!" Iago squawks.
Aladdin grimaces, looking his father over. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
"It'd probably be a bad idea to bring up the fact that your dad is the King of Thieves," Kairi says.
Cassim shrugs. "Alright. What do you want to do about it?"
"That would be my area!" With a snap, Genie replaces Cassim's thief wear with a fine robe of midnight blue, studded with gems and gold embroidery.
The (secret) King of Thieves gives himself a good looking-over. "Well, how about that? I feel like the sultan himself in these clothes!"
"You look good," Sora says with a nod. Kairi agrees as well.
"Have you ever thought of growing a beard, Tel?" Azlyn asks her fiancée, a playful growl in her voice. "You'd look all dignified. Hot and dignified."
The wizard frowns, blushing a little. "Azlyn, this is hardly the place."
"Well then," the knight purrs (freakin' purrs!), placing a hand around the redhead's bicep. He moves to follow the others heading into the palace, but she keeps him back. "Let's find a place, hm?"
Telary just looks down at her, face scrunched up in confusion and an undeniable hint of annoyance. "Really Azlyn, I want to make sure Cassim meeting the Sultan goes well."
"Fine," Azlyn huff, crossing her arms and pouting. "Let's go listen to a bunch of old people talk instead of solving our problem."
"Our prob… What are you talking about?"
"Nevermind. Find out later." Huffing indignantly, the knight stomps after the others.
Telary just watches her go for a long moment, unsure what to make of the young woman's behavior.
"Jasmine," Aladdin is saying as the wizard makes his way into the throne room, "Your Majesty, I'd like you to meet my father."
Cassim bows deeply. "It is quite an honor to be in your presence, Your Excellences."
Jasmine opens her mouth, but before she can say anything her father is leaping off his throne, clapping ecstatically.
"The honor is all ours, of course!" The sultan takes both of Aladdin's father's hands and gives them vigorous pumps. "And no more of that bowing business. We're to be in-laws, after all!"
Cassim gently pulls the sultan away and steps up to Jasmine. Smiling brilliantly, he reaches out and gives her hand a single kiss.
"You, my dear princess, are even more beautiful than Aladdin had described," he says sincerely, ever the charmer.
Jasmine smiles, bowing her head. "I'm so glad to finally meet you. I've long imagined what the man who brought Aladdin into this world would be like." She kisses the older man's cheek. "You certainly haven't disappointed."
Cassim blushes, looking away.
"This is really sweet," Kairi comments, leaning into Sora.
"Everyone looks so happy," Aladdin says, mostly to himself. "It's better than I imagined."
"Yep," Iago comments, looking smug. "And all we have to do to keep it going is maintain a great big lie!"
Everyone fixes the parrot with a dirty look.
KH-KH-KH
"I've realized something," Gilgamesh says to Pete, a thoughtful look on his face. They, along with Sa'luk and the newly formed legion of Heartless that had once been the Forty Thieves, stand in the midst of the mountain hideaway.
The fat cat turns to his combative partner, frowning. "Oh? And just what is it ya realized? That you're a big blowhard?"
Gilgamesh scowls. "No. I've been going over your proposed plan: Wait for the thief king to steal the Oracle, take it from him when he returns here, and find what it is we're searching for."
"Congratulations," Pete deadpans. "The ol' memory's still workin'. Toodle-doo for you!"
"But I've realized this," he says with a frightening intensity. "At no point in time in this plan do I confront the Keybearer."
Pete chokes on his own spit. "Uh, oh… Well, y'see, the thing about that is…"
"I will not be denied my prize!" Gilgamesh rages. "Your plan is underhanded and cowardly, meant to avoid conflict. But it is conflict I crave! And I will have it."
Before Pete can so much as blink, the red-garbed warrior takes a step forward and unleashes a might punch directly to the face.
"But Mommy," the fat cat slurs, "I don't want to go to school today!" Having said that, he faints dead away.
Gilgamesh turns to Sa'luk, who had merely stood by and witnessed the short confrontation between his benefactors.
"I am going now to Agrabah to retrieve the Oracle and grapple with the Keyblade wielder," he announces. "I know we made certain promises to you, and I shall keep them as is honorable. I will also return with the man Cassim, to whom you made do what you wish. Is that sufficient."
Sa'luk nods once. "Sounds reasonable to me. As long as I get the font of ultimate knowledge and the satisfaction of killing Cassim with my bare hands, I won't complain."
"Good," Gilgamesh says. "I am off then!"
KH-KH-KH
With Genie around, the old adage about "not wasting any time" can be followed up very strictly. The pavilion is prepared, once again transformed into a fabulous wedding chapel. A short discussion between bride and groom had concluded that everyone they felt was needed at their wedding was already in the palace with them. And thus, the show is to go on in half-an-hour.
As far as Azlyn is concerned, that's more than enough time for what she has in mind.
The knight drags her fiancée into the room by his wrist, not bothering with gentility or subtlety. As soon as the door is closed, he's thrown up against it.
He yelps, loudly. "Azlyn, what are…?"
She throws herself at him, smashing her lips against his. He continues to mumble, and not in a very pleased tone. Sensing his resistance, the knight practically flings herself backwards.
"I am trying to fix all our problems here!" she yells, curling her hands into fists.
"What are you talking about?" Telary steps towards her, eyes narrowed in utter confusion. "How does jumping me, when we should be preparing for our friends' wedding, stop us from fighting?"
"That's what's got us so upset, isn't it?" Azlyn shoots back. "I mean, c'mon, it's been months! Don't tell me that has nothing to do with us?"
Telary shakes his head, turning away. "I cannot believe that you would think that I was so shallow. That our relationship was so easy to disrupt with some trivial…"
"Trivial?" The knight lashes out frustratedly, striking one of the bedposts and nearly cracking it in half. "If you want to talk about trivial, why don't we talk about all those stupid meaningless wedding details you're always obsessing about?"
"What are you saying?"
Azlyn literally growls. "Ever little part of our wedding has to be planned to you, all the stupid little…"
"Well," the wizard scoffs, "forgive me for actually caring about the most important day of our lives! Especially since, apparently, you don't!"
"That is the dumbest thing you've ever said," Azlyn counters. "I care so much about us being together! For the past months, all I've thought about is us taking off, getting married somewhere away from the castle. You just seem to care about some big fancy party!"
Telary pauses, his eyes darting around in his head as if the answer to some desperate question is written somewhere in the room. "Azlyn, you love 'big fancy' parties. Every one of your birthday parties has been bigger and grander than the last. You commissioned a thirty-foot high chocolate fountain! And suddenly me wanting a floral print on the napkins is 'obsessing'? That's absurd! Something else is obviously…"
"Absurd, am I?" Azlyn interrupts, outraged. "Well, it's nice to know exactly what you…"
And then Sora comes barreling into the room. "Trouble, guys! Heartless in the palace!"
KH-KH-KH
As quietly as humanly possible, Cassim sneaks down a palace corridor. Iago rests perched on his shoulder, providing navigation. After all, if there's one room in the palace whose location the parrot has memorized, it's the royal treasure chamber.
The King of Thieves stops before the gilded double doors that lead into the room. He frowns at them, thinking hard.
"What is the matter with you?" Iago squawks. "We ain't got much time before the guard patrol comes around. Hurry it up already."
Cassim sighs. "I know, bird, I know. But, I just can't help but wonder… Is it really worth it?"
"Of course it's worth it, ya moron!" Iago flaps in front of his partner's face, glaring at him stonily. "This is the culmination of your entire life's work, dummy!"
"I know, I know. But Aladdin…"
"Oh, brother," Iago whines with an exaggerated eye roll. "Look, if you're worried about the kid, don't be! All ya gotta do is nab the stick, stash it, and you can still make it to his dumb wedding without him being the wiser. We take off as soon as the kids are off on the honeymoon, and by the time anyone finds out what we did, it's easy living with the golden hand."
That seems to get Cassim's resolve raised once more. Reaching into his pockets, he pulls out a set of lock picks. For a man with his long career of thievery, getting through the door's lock is child's play.
The doors swing open, revealing a room so full of gold and jewels that it could give the Cave of Wonders a run for its munny. But when Cassim enters the room, all of that means as little to him as the disguised rocks the cave's treasures really are. His eyes are only for the Oracle. It rests on a pedestal in the room's center, looking as if it's been waiting for him.
"Finally," Cassim breathes, stepping forward. With a few quick strides he's across the room, the staff in his hands. "After all this time…"
"Unhand the rod."
Startled, convinced that the guards have discovered them, Iago and Cassim's gazes fly to the door. A tall man stands there, dressed in a red armor and robe that definitely don't belong to any palace guard. And even if the clothes could convincingly pass, there's no way the crowd of Bandit Heartless could.
KH-KH-KH
"This way," Kairi says, confidently pointing down a corridor. She's trying to lead the group, but every time it seems she's becoming its head, Sora cuts her off.
"Heartless, are you sure?" Telary asks, running beside Azlyn as if nothing had just happened between them.
His sister nods. "I was going to get ready, and suddenly I just felt it. Jasmine did too. Must be a Princess of Heart thing."
"Guys!" Aladdin's voice calls from a connecting hallway. He races down the corridor, smoothly meeting up with the offworlder group. "Jasmine told me there was a Heartless emergency. Genie's with her, making sure they don't go after her again."
Sora shoots a concerned look at Kairi. "He's right, that might be why they're here. Maybe you should…"
"Not happening, Sora," the girl declares fiercely. She waves the Keyblade in her hand. "I can help more here."
There's no time to argue, as they've reached the source of the Darkness. Even without Kairi to guide them it would have been incredibly obvious at this point. Nearly a dozen Bandits wait in front of an elaborate door, positioned for guard duty.
The heroic quintet falls on them, but there's no opportunity for surprise with all of them thundering down the hallway like that. They're outnumbered, but not outclassed.
Sora immediately takes on two of the creatures at once, swords clashing against Keyblade. Kairi knocks her shoulder into one Bandit, then raises her blade against another. Telary fries one with a fireball, and Azlyn rams one into the wall so hard it dissipates on the spot.
Aladdin, scimitar in hand, is about to go for a Heartless when he hears the sounds of a struggle from inside the open room. It takes a brief second to register that these are the doors to the treasure room, and it's just after that he recognizes the squawks emanating from within.
Rushing inside, the former street rat is confronted with a sight that at once disgusts and terrifies him. His father, Iago hovering above him, battles against a man in red. It's good old fashioned fisticuffs for the pair, but Cassim seems outmatched.
"Get away from my dad!" Aladdin yells, rushing for the large intruder.
Gilgamesh turns at the sound of a new voice. He takes in the charging Aladdin, easily thrusting out an arm to knock him to the ground. As the young man falls, he spots his true target. Grinning, Gilgamesh draws out his polearm and stalks towards Sora.
The Keybearer is too busy to notice a new opponent approaching. He turns the Keyblade to slide the Bandit's sword off, then stabs the creature through its torso. Just as it's dissipating, he hears the whistling sound of a weapon stabbing through the air. Reacting on pure instinct, he turns and catches the spear's metal end on his blade.
"Finally!" Gilgamesh roars, shoving harder. Sora does his best to hold on, sliding back a few inches against the floor.
"Uh, do I know you?" Sora asks, utterly confused by this strange man's yelling. "I'm pretty sure I don't know you."
"I am Gilgamesh!" the armored man cries, still sounding utterly triumphant despite not having done much. "The greatest warrior the worlds have ever known. Your blade is mine!"
Sora disengages their lock, stepping back a few feet. "Sure, buddy. Like I never heard that one before!"
The pair break into a duel, up and down the corridor as if in a dance. Kairi knocks back a Luna Bandit, turning to where her boyfriend is locked in single combat. After a quick glance to make sure Azlyn and Telary are doing alright, she rushes after them.
A blast of ice knocks away a Heartless creeping up on Azlyn, allowing the knight enough time to slash through the opponent assaulting her front. Turning, she sees a Soldier approaching Telary. With a grunt, she hurls her shield into it. In combat, it seems, not even an intensely emotional fight can break their efficiency.
Aladdin and his father work together in the treasure room, Cassim's fisticuffs and his son's sword keeping their enemies at bay.
Out in the corridor, Kairi charges for Gilgamesh's back, leaping forward with her blade held high. She brings it down on the man's back, bouncing off the armor protecting it.
Gilgamesh flips his polearm upward, the wooden end rising and smacking into Sora's chin to send him reeling back. He turns, thrusting towards Kairi. She takes a step back and blocks, quickly disengaging. Gilgamesh thrusts again, but she's able to smack aside his weapon's tip.
Gilgamesh furrows his eyebrows, focusing his gaze on the redhead's Keyblade. "What's this? Another?"
"That's right, buddy!" Kairi declares, brandishing her weapon. "Let's see how you handle…"
"Leave her alone!" Sora calls out from behind Gilgamesh. The warrior turns to see him standing defiantly, Kingdom Key held high. "You're such a tough guy, come on and try your luck against a real Keyblade wielder!"
"Excuse me?" Kairi scoffs, dropping her combat stance in surprise and frustration.
"Who's your new friend?" Azlyn asks. She and Telary rush to Kairi's side, weapons held at the ready. "Can I kick his ass?"
Gilgamesh takes a look around himself, internally flinching. Four-on-one odds are not very good ones, especially when two opponents wield such legendary weapons as Keyblades. The universe's greatest warrior he may be, but he's no fool.
"Hiding behind your allies!" the large man scoffs, trying his best to hide the nerves soaking through his every word. "How pitiful!"
"Um…" Sora says, raising an eyebrow. "I'm not trying to…"
"We shall meet again, on a more even battlefield!" Gilgamesh rumbles, summoning up a portal like Pete showed him. "When that day comes… Well, you'll be pretty sorry, is all I have to say about that!"
With that stunningly underwhelming line, the mysterious warrior takes his leave.
"Any idea what that was all about?" Azlyn asks the group. No one has a good answer for her.
"Are you alright?" Aladdin asks, emerging from the treasure room with Cassim behind him.
"We're fine," Sora says with a cheerful nod. He doesn't notice Kairi's grim frown, or the several feet of distance Azlyn suddenly puts between her and Telary.
"That is great to hear!" Iago squawks, drawing everyone's attention to where he's perched on Cassim's shoulder. "Good thing everybody's alright. Well, gotta go!" He flaps into the air, turning to fly away down the hallway. He doesn't get far before Aladdin grabs him out of the air.
"What were you doing in there?" Aladdin asks his father with narrowed eyes. "And don't say you ran in when you heard the Heartless attack. You were clearly already inside when they showed up."
Cassim sighs, hanging his head heavily.
"You were after the oracle again, weren't you?" Al yells. "Is that why you came here, dad? It is isn't it? You never cared about my wedding at all!"
"Son…" Cassim begins to say, reaching out to his boy. Aladdin is having none of that, stepping out of the man's reach. Cassim scowls. "Well, what did you expect, boy? After all, I am the King of Thieves!"
"What?"
The soft, feminine voice draws everyone's attention. Jasmine stands at the end of the hall, her father and Genie by her side. Also with the princess, unfortunately, is Razoul and a squadron of palace guards.
"Is this true, my lad?" the sultan asks, shocked.
Aladdin sighs deeply. "Yes, Your Highness. I found him and Iago in the treasure room. They were after the Oracle." He fixes his father with a disgusted look. "That's all he came here for."
The guards storm forward without preamble, grabbing Cassim and wrestling him into iron restraints. Iago attempt to flee, but Razoul nabs the bird in one hand.
"It seems our street rat is but one in a long line," the guard captain scowls. "Shall I take this villain away, Your Highness?"
The sultan still seems quite crestfallen, but manages to get himself together quickly. "The law is clear. Send both of them to the dungeon immediately."
"Dungeon!" Iago squawks.
"For Life."
"LIFE!" The parrot struggles in Razoul's grip, but all to no avail. Everyone present can only look on in a mix of sadness and horror.
Sora can't help but feel some anger as well. He'd had high hopes for Aladdin's new relationship with his father, and to see it so thoroughly shredded like this, through a deliberate act by Cassim, really gets him upset. To say nothing of Iago, who had supposedly turned over a new feather long ago.
Sighing, Sultan looks to Aladdin. "You may have this chance to say goodbye, my boy. There will not be another."
Aladdin shakes his head and stalks away. "I've got nothing to say to him."
Razoul and the guards drag Cassim and Iago away, someone clasping irons around the wrists of Aladdin's father. Iago keeps squawking in protest, until finally someone clamps his beak shut as well. Through it all, the King of Thieves never takes his eyes off the retreating form of his son. For all he knows, this could be the last chance he has to see him.
"Well, this wasn't how the family reunion was supposed to go," Genie sighs, floating down a side corridor. Jasmine turns to run after Aladdin, and the sultan takes his leave as well.
"Not a great night, huh?" Sora declares, shaking his head as he turns to his companions. Still mulling over the events of the past few minutes, he fails to notice the tension that permeates the air. "Just who was that crazy guy with the Heartless? Why did he attack the treasure room?"
"Maybe Telary knows," Azlyn says as she stomps up the corridor. "Apparently he's all about finding hidden meanings today."
"Wait, I thought…" Sora says, watching her go in bewilderment. That seems a lost cause, especially with Telary walking the other way, so he turns to Kairi. "He said he wanted to take the Keyblade."
"Then I've got nothing to worry about, do I?" Kairi says, her arms crossed tightly. "He's probably just after the 'real Keyblade wielder' anyway, right?"
Sora winces at his girlfriend's clear accusation. "Kairi, what I said there… I just wanted to take the heat off you! To protect…!"
"I know," she cuts him off, sighing deeply. "Thank you, Sora, really. How ever could I go on without your constant protection?" Scoffing loudly, she turns to follow Telary.
Sora closes his eyes, groaning. Things are not looking good for Team Keyblade right now.
KH-KH-KH
Sora roams the corridors of Agrabah's palace alone. Try as he might, he just can't get the look on Kairi's face out of his head. He'd really screwed up back there, and he wanted to apologize. But he also knew how Kairi operated. She'd need some more time. At least it seemed that she and Tel had gotten closer. Not much of a silver lining, but at this point he'll take what he can get. Azlyn and Telary seemed to have not solved their problems yet either, maybe even worsened them. And after two days, there's still been no wedding.
Looked at from almost any angle, this vacation is turning out to be a real bust.
"Sora."
The Keybearer nearly jumps out of his skin, emitting a less-than-dignified screech. He turns with Keyblade drawn, only to stop when he finds himself staring Aladdin in the face. His old friend looks quite shocked by what he just witnessed.
"Calm down, Sora!" Aladdin admonishes him. "We don't need anyone else finding out about this."
"About what?" Azlyn asks, appearing just as suddenly behind Al as he had behind Sora. The former street rat jumps slightly himself, and Sora can't help but feel just a bit of satisfaction.
Aladdin sighs. "I guess there won't be any harm in telling you too. C'mon!"
The offworlders follow him through the palace's corridors, their journey ending inside the groom-to-be's room.
"Okay, Aladdin," Sora says as he closes the door, "tell us what this is about already."
"I thought you'd guess by now," Aladdin says, going to a trunk in the corner of the room and rummaging through it. "We're freeing my father."
Sora's eyebrows climb high on his forehead. "We're gonna what?"
"Jailbreak," Azlyn says with satisfaction. "Nice. Just the thing after the day I've had."
"Okay, just think about this Aladdin," Sora says, trying to emulate how Telary sounds when he's trying to dissuade someone from a bad idea. "I know you want your dad back, but…"
Aladdin scoffs loudly, shaking his head. "No Sora, I don't want him back. I want him gone!"
The Keybearer stops short. "Huh? What do you mean by that?"
"Bringing him to Agrabah was a huge mistake," the former street rat declares. "He's still my father, and I don't want to see him rot in the dungeon, but…" The young man sighs, his shoulders sagging. "I don't want him in my life either. And there's only one way to get him out of it for good."
Finally, it seems Al has found what he's been searching for. With something almost like a flourish, he pulls out a long sheet of dark blue cloth. He fiddles with it a bit, adjusting things while Sora and Azlyn watch.
When Aladdin finally turns around, he's wearing the silk as a cloak, hood and mask included. With the lower half of his face covered and his eyes obscured in shadow, he looks startlingly like the King of Thieves.
"Not bad," Azlyn says, nodding appreciatively.
Sora sighs, shaking his head. "This is probably a bad idea, but you're my friend Aladdin. I'll help however I can. Whatever it takes."
"I'm glad to hear you say that, Sora," Aladdin says, a slight shifting of the fabric over his mouth indicating a smile. "Because I'll need your help to get my dad out."
Sora nods, already getting a clear idea on his role in the operation.
"Say, Al," Azlyn says, "you got another one of those cloaks? I don't fancy getting recognized by that moron Razoul."
Aladdin shakes his head. "You're not coming to the dungeon with us, Azlyn."
The knight frowns. "Why not?"
"Because," the former street rat explains. "There's something I need you to get for me."
KH-KH-KH
"Just like I remember it," Iago sighs, looking around him and Cassim's shared cell. Chains hold both he and Cassim tight, long enough to allow both some room to maneuver while still keeping their range of motion limited. Especially Iago, who can only stare up at the barred window high above, wishing for the chance to take flight through it and into the moonlit night. "Bleak, dank, rats hiding in the shadows. Of course, the other times I was here I was with Jafar. We used to come down here all the time and taunt prisoners."
Cassim glowers at the talkative bird.
The parrot shrugs. "I know, not very nice of us. But hey, those were different times!" He sighs deeply. "Maybe, all things considered, I do deserve this."
Cassim's anger turns to a sad kind of agreement. "I certainly do. I was never there for my son when he needed me before, and now that I am here, I've only caused him grief. Perhaps I should just stay here until I rot."
"I don't think so."
The cell's occupants look up with open mouths, focusing on two figures crouched outside the window. One figure sinuously slides through the bar's, leaps off the ledge, grabs a high plank of wood, and gracefully flips down to the floor while his cloak billows out behind him. The other attempts a similar maneuver, but ends up missing the plank and crashing hard into the cell's stone floor.
Sora quickly springs to his feet, moaning a little. Aladdin hardly pays his friend any mind, stepping into the moonlight and throwing back his hood.
"Al!" Iago cries in pure ecstasy. "You came for me!"
"Son…" Cassim breathes, all other words lost to him.
"There's only one condition to this rescue," Aladdin announces coldly. "Once you're out of the city, you never come back to Agrabah. Ever."
Cassim hangs his head wearily. "You have my promise on that, son."
"But I got a poker game on Tuesday!" Iago protests. Al gives him a fierce glare, and the parrot immediately clams up. "Then again, those guys cheat. Who needs 'em?"
Aladdin nods, and Sora steps forward with Keyblade in hand. A single wave of the blade is all it takes to snap the prisoners' cuffs open.
"Handy talent you've got there," Cassim comments. Turning to Aladdin, he asks, "So, what's the rest of your escape plan."
"Just give me a few minutes, then let Sora lead you out." The former street rat steps up to the cell door, which Sora quickly unlocks. "I'll occupy the guards."
Cassim frowns. "Is this really what you want, boy? If they see you…"
Aladdin snorts, reaching up to throw the cloak's disguise over his face. Cassim's stomach can't help but turn at the sight before him. All dressed up like that, his son looks every bit the King of Thieves.
"Trust me, they won't." With one last nod, Aladdin slips off down the torch lit hallway.
KH-KH-KH
Guard duty in Agrabah is a dirty, tiring, thankless job. You're either cooped up in the cold darkness of the dungeon, or patrolling the hot and dusty city streets; there are thieves and urchins everywhere to chase down; and anymore, that bleeding heart do-gooder Aladdin is likely to just pardon any lawbreaker with a convincing enough sob story.
All of this pales in comparison, of course, to listening to Razoul ramble on and on. Usually the good captain is huffing, puffing, and cursing up a storm (more often than not about Aladdin). But tonight it seems worse, for the blowhard thug is taking the rare opportunity to indulge in his true passion: gloating.
"When the sultan presents me with my award for capturing the King of Thieves," the captain rambles, primping in a small hanging mirror, "of course I shall remember all the little people who got me where I am today. By little people I mean you."
The thin guard, Hakim, sighs heavily to his heavyset partner, Fazahl. "Everybody must look little when you're riding atop that huge ego of his."
Razoul is hardly fazed by the insult. "Now, now, no sour grapes out of the two of you. After all, it… WHAT?"
The captain's sudden outburst startles the henchmen duo, who whirl around in time with him. The sight before them draws out gasps of their own: the King of Thieves, dressed the same as he was the day of the palace raid, stands in the corridor.
"How could this be?" Fazahl wheezes, frozen as the man they though their prisoner flees down the hall. "What kind of man could…?"
"He is no man!" Hakim yelps. "He is a demon!"
Razoul bellows, pushing his dimwitted lackeys aside and rushing through the door. "It doesn't matter if he's a man or demon or, or, or your Great-Aunt Shirley, he won't be getting away! Sound the alarm!"
KH-KH-KH
"There he goes! After him!"
Aladdin hardly registers the shout, one of many flung up by the parade of palace and city guards on his trail. He leads them all on a merry chase, unable to keep himself from smiling underneath the mask of his disguise. It's been a while since he's felt this rush, the law on his tail and nothing but quick feet and quicker wits to get him away. His life in the palace with Jasmine is wonderful, and he wouldn't trade anything for it. But the streets, in some small part of his heart, will always feel like home.
With a mighty leap he crosses to another rooftop, three men hot on his trail and just seconds behind. He spares a brief glance at them, turning his head just in time to spot the inevitable "surprise" blockade springing up in front of him. With a small chuckle, he turns on a dime, leaping onto a long tapestry hanging off a high tower.
The former street rat quickly shimmies up the cloth, headed for a high bridge that should provide a perfect escape opportunity. He quickly passes a lower passage, footsteps echoing out from its doorway.
He misses another sound, however: the sound of cloth giving way to a rip. A loud noise echoes through the night, and Aladdin finds himself falling. He manages to turn enough so he lands on the bridge, the impact jolting through his entire body.
He tries to run but isn't fast enough. A hand secures its grip on the edge of his disguise. Al twists and struggles, trying to get away. Suddenly, he hears another rip, this one closer and louder. His hood flies off, taking the mask with it and exposing his identity to the night air.
And Razoul.
The guard captain gasps at the sight before him. He can hardly believe it, despite his deep and abiding hatred for Princess Jasmine's fiancée.
"Well, what do we have here?" the brutish man gloats, flinging the cloak over the bridge's edge. "It seems the fig truly doesn't far from the tree. I can't tell you how long I've waited for this…"
A loud rush of air drowns out Razoul's words. A figure rises above the bridge's edge, riding atop the fluttering Carpet. The brute barely has time to gasp before a round metal disc snaps out, smashing into his head and sending him unconscious to the ground.
Aladdin looks up to his savior, half-smiling and half-grimacing. "Nice timing, Azlyn."
The knight nods, also grim. "Yeah. Just not nice enough." The sound of more guards hammering up the tower's stairs echoes through the night. "Hop on."
Al nods, leaping the few feet over to their transport. He barely has time to settle himself before Carpet zooms off, headed out into the desert.
They find Sora and Cassim, mounted on horseback, just about a mile outside the city. At least one part of the jailbreak plan went properly.
"Everything go smoothly?" Sora inquires.
Aladdin Azlyn share a sad look as they dismount Carpet. "They saw him," Azlyn states plainly.
Iago quirks a feathery brow. "Uh, wasn't that kind of the point?"
Cassim shakes his head, closely observing Aladdin's crestfallen expression. "You mean they got a look at your face, didn't they?"
Sora and Iago gasp out loud, hands (and wings), flying to their mouths. Azlyn just shakes her head, cursing herself for not coming to Aladdin's aid faster.
The King of Thieves lets out a sigh, reaching a hand down for his son. "Come on, then. There's no going back for you now. If we ride quickly, we can be gone before…"
"I'm not leaving," Aladdin states, plain and simple. The look he gives his father nearly sends the older man rocking off his horse.
"Are you crazy?" Iago squawks, flying in front of his face. "You're a criminal now!"
"I don't care!"
For a long moment everyone is still and silent, the only sound that of the wind blowing across the open desert.
"I don't care," Aladdin repeats more quietly, looking back over the shoulder at the city. His home, the place where his family is. Where Jasmine is.
"You're a fool," Cassim accuses. "The minute they saw your face, your life in Agrabah was over!"
"I may be a fool," Aladdin shouts, glaring up at his father with daggers in his eyes, "but at least I'm not a coward like you! I'm not going to run away from my responsibilities, the people I love…"
Cassim springs off his horse, marching up to his son with enough force to kick up sand. "I've never run away from anything! I did what I did for my family."
"Then let me do what I have to for mine," Aladdin sighs. He looks over to Azlyn. "Give it to him."
Still a bit wary from all the yelling going around, Azlyn slowly reaches down and pulls the Oracle off a strap on her belt. Cassim's eyes light up at the sight of it, and he reverently takes it into his hands.
"That's what you've wanted all this time, right?" Aladdin asks with so much venom Sora actually winces at the sound of it. "Take it then. Take it and get out of my life. Go find your ultimate treasure. Obviously that's what you love most in this world."
Cassim says nothing else, turning away with his cape flapping in the wind. Everyone is silent as he mounts his horse once again.
"Iago," Aladdin says softly, catching the parrot's attention. "Go with him."
The former minion frowns. "Are you sure Al?" His friend nods once. "Okay. If that's what you want. Good luck kid."
Iago alights on Cassim's shoulder. Instantly the King of Thieves snaps at his horse's rein, the great black stallion rearing back to kick the night air before rushing off. As they set off, Cassim silently swears to himself that he won't look back.
He breaks his promise just in time to see Aladdin and his friends take off once again for Agrabah.
The thief and his companion ride through the night at top speed, making excellent time to the Forty Thieves' hideout. The horse is too tired to rush across the parted sea before the mountain's opening spell runs its course, so Cassim settles for going around to the back entrance.
"Are you sure this is how you wanna play it?" the parrot asks Cassim as they climb the stone staircase. "Because I mean, all ya gotta do is ask the lady a question and we're off. I ain't crazy about a forty way split."
Heading into the hideout's main room, the King of Thieves frowns severely at the yapping bird. "I could never leave my men out of the spoils." He sighs heavily. "After all, they're the only family I have left now."
"Is that so?"
The voice, rough and gravely, emerges from the shadows and stops Cassim dead in his tracks. He quickly whirls around, gasping at the impossible sight that greets him. Sa'luk stands in the moonlight, grinning smugly at his old rival.
"What the hell?" Iago squawks, zipping over to hide behind Cassim's head. "I thought Al made fish food outta this guy!"
"I'm afraid I don't die that easily, Polly," Sa'luk cracks, his grin turning savage. "Of course, it wasn't all bad. I even ended up making some new friends."
A gritty chuckle alerts the trapped duo to another person in the room. Pete stands with his arms crossed, Heartless flanking him on both sides. Gilgamesh stands a few feet away, looking rather cowed after his undignified defeat.
"Good to see you've brought the Oracle with you," Sa'luk says, stepping closer to Cassim. The King of Thieves stands his ground, scowling fiercely. "I believe you have a question for it?"
Cassim frowns. "If you're so curious, why don't you ask it?"
"And waste my one question?" Sa'luk chuckles sardonically. "Infinite knowledge might come in handy someday."
"I guess you've got something you're looking to get answered too, eh Tubby?" Iago quips at Pete. It feels good to pull out some bravado. Sa'luk scares the parrot silly, but no way is the fat cat gonna intimidate him.
Pete nods. "You bet I do, Bird Brain. And I think you'll appreciate it, too. See, much as an ultimate treasure would trip my trigger, I'm after somethin' a bit more useful. Something you're dang familiar with yourself."
Iago gulps, his mind only reaching one conclusion as to what the fat cat might be referring to. "You… You don't mean…?"
"Sure do, parrot," Pete chuckles, his belly shaking. "Once we find his lamp, I'm sure ol' Jafar'll be pleased as punch to see ya!"
Iago drops to Cassim's shoulder, unable to breathe. Terror courses through him at the mere thought of his old master's return.
"Since our destination is the Vanishing Isle," Sa'luk says, grabbing Cassim around the arm, "let's head down to the old boat, eh?"
The party moves quickly to a small fishing boat, not much more than planks and a sail. As soon as they set out into the ocean, Sa'luk uses his gold claws to push Cassim to the prow.
"Go on then," the brute demands. "Ask!"
Cassim swallows heavily, fear and excitement churning and mixing in his stomach. This is the moment his whole life has been leading to. He hadn't ever imagined it would involve being held at claw-point, but the King of Thieves supposes life deals you the hand you deserve. With one last look at Iago, a small nod exchanged between the pair, Cassim takes the staff in his hand.
"Oracle!" he declares, voice bold and booming. "Show us the path to the treasures we seek!"
Light explodes from the rod's green gem, momentarily blinding the villains and sending the Heartless into recoil. When it dims again, the ghostly Oracle floats above the boat.
"You are in luck," she declares. "The objects you seek have found the same resting place: the Vanishing Isle. Allow me to show you the way."
The regal spirit waves her hand, a long column of light shooting across the sky and sailing over the horizon. Pete immediately begins barking orders, his Heartless minions proving to be surprisingly competent at sailing.
Sa'luk grabs Cassim and throws him against the mast. He stands over his old rival, leering cruelly.
"You were right back at the hideout, you know," the brute says. "In an odd way, we are brothers of a sort. Brothers who hate each other, true, but that sort of thing isn't uncommon."
Cassim scowls. "If you're going to kill me, I'd appreciate you dispense with the…"
Sa'luk laughs, cold and sardonic. "Kill you? Why ever would I do that? You deserve to see the treasure you've spent your whole life searching for." The thug leans in, right up in Cassim's face. "You're gonna see the Hand real close, I think. After all, I'm going to need something to decorate my hideout when I form the new Forty Thieves." His grin widens, sadism gleaming on every tooth. "A gold statue would do the trick marvelously, don't you think?"
Cassim says nothing, turning his head to look back the way the boat had come. He'd figured Sa'luk would keep him around just to gloat, had counted on it in fact. Hopefully, the journey to the Vanishing Isle would give Iago, who slipped away during the Oracle's light show, plenty of time to round up the cavalry.
"This isn't over yet," the King of Thieves swears under his breath, looking up at the trail to his life's goal. "Not by a long shot."
Still a bit dramatic I'm afraid, but that's just one of the conventions of the genre. The way I try to go about it, though, is that the main action-y parts aren't so much affected by it. There's a time and place to hash out your relationship problems, and in the middle of combat isn't one of them.
Anyway, big battle next chapter. In a way, this is me making up for skipping out on Jafar's return battle in KttK II.
Shoutout to Bezerker21 for his nice review. I realized that breaking away from the game's storyline would drive down readership a bit, so tahnk you for sticking with me, it means a lot.
Until next time!