Night 20- Alibaba and Abhmad

Magi © Shinobu Ohtaka

Shahra © Me

Alozza © Darkdarling98

"So from this day on, I am a member of the Fog Troop!"

The Fog Troop, Alibaba, Cassim, and Ja'Far stared in shock at Sinbad's declaration, while Aladdin just smiled at him, and Morgiana, Masrur, Alozza, and Shahra stared at the King of Sindria with casual expressions. The thieves murmured amongst each other, confused about the situation.

"A king, joining the Fog Troop?"

"I've never heard of such a thing."

"This guy's crazy!"

"…What's the catch?" asked Alibaba.

"Huh?" everyone muttered.

"What do you mean?" Sinbad asked.

"You know what I mean!" Alibaba said as he stood up. "When a nation's leader interferes with another nation there's always an ulterior motive!"

"I just want to help the people of Balbadd," Sinbad answered. "But I suppose you don't believe that, do you?"

Alibaba just glared at him.

"Well, in that case," Sinbad started, "I do have another reason." He then kneeled before Alibaba…and gave him a serious expression. "I want to stop…the abnormalities of the world."

Hearing that caused everyone to murmur again.

"Abnormalities of the world?" Alozza asked.

"What's he mean?" Morgiana asked.

Aladdin just blinked at Sinbad, somehow thinking his words were familiar.

"What are you talking about?" asked one of the Fog Troop members.

"In recent, confusion has gripped the entire world," Sinbad started.

That's when Aladdin remembered: Hakuei had told him the same thing when he met her that night, when he was with the Kouga Clan.

"Strange events are occurring around the world, filling it with danger and strife, so someone must address it…"

'That's right…Princess Hakuei said that!' the blue-haired Magi thought.

"What do you mean by confusion?" Alozza asked.

"I'm talking about war, poverty, and discrimination," Sinbad answered. "As King of Sindria, that is a problem for me. The refugees and economic damaged are wreaking havoc. One abnormality is the turmoil in Balbadd, so I want to fix it. What do you think…Alibaba?"

"W…what do I think?" Alibaba asked, sweating nervously in shock.

'He's got a clear advantage hear…and yet he's asking me?!' he thought.

"Don't let him fool you!"

Everyone turned to look at Cassim, who stood up and glared at Sinbad.

"Cassim?!" Alibaba asked.

"Who the hell are you trying to kid, you son of a bitch?!" Cassim asked. "A king?! Joining MY Fog Troop?! Like hell that's gonna happen! I know your type…nobility and royalty…you higher types grind those beneath you into the dust!" He then smirked. "You don't mind if we filthy, poor rats from the back streets starve to death or waste away as long as you live in luxury, am I wrong, O great King Sinba-"

ZING! KLANK! Cassim gasped and stumbled back upon looking up at Ja'Far…who glowered at him with his pupils in the form of slits, like a vicious python, preparing to strike its prey as he pulled the hilt of his metal rope darts into his hand.

"That's enough," Ja'Far hissed venomously. "Shut up!"

"Whoa!" Alozza cried. "What's with him!?"

"Not again…" Masrur muttered.

"What do you mean, 'not again'?" asked Morgiana.

"Ja'Far, don't start this again!" Sinbad ordered. "Calm down!"

He then approached Cassim and grabbed him by the collar of his robes, holding the blade of his dart against his neck like a dagger.

"You have no idea of the wounds Sin has sustained," he said, "or the sacrifices he's had to make. You know nothing, you damned, insignificant brigand!"

Just when he was prepared to stab the dreadlock-haired man in the throat, a hand reached out and grabbed the blade, stopping Ja'Far from landing the killing blow.

"I said calm down, Ja'Far," Sinbad told him…blood dripping from his palm.

Ja'Far gasped in horror upon seeing the wound before he backed away.

"I…I'm sorry…!" he whispered.

"It's all right," Sinbad assured. "It's just a scratch."

Alibaba glared at Sinbad before he groaned in frustration.

"All right, fine!" he yelled. "So do we suggest we do, already?!"

"Oh?" Sinbad asked as Ja'Far wrapped his wrist in bandages. "So you accept me now, do you?"

"…Ja'Far can be kinda scary," Aladdin said.

"Yes, sometimes," Masrur concurred.

"Well then, Alibaba," Sinbad began, "shall we get moving?"

"Say what?" Alibaba asked.

"You and I are going to Balbadd Palace," said Sinbad.

"WHAT?!" Alibaba and the Fog Troop questioned.

"You mean you're still gonna turn him in?!" Cassim asked, angrily.

"Relax," Sinbad said. "We're just going there to talk. After all, you said it yourself, Alibaba. With the support of the people, you would reveal yourself to Abhmad, and that time is now."

"Huh?!" Alibaba muttered in surprise.

'But…how did he know that?!' he thought.

"You have the people's support," Sinbad continued, "and I'll back you up. You should tell the people, too. Talk to Abhmad as Leader of the Fog Troop and Third Prince of Balbadd."

"But…but I…" Alibaba stammered.

"Alibaba?" Aladdin asked, concerned.

"What's wrong?" Alozza asked.

"Are you afraid that they won't accept you as a prince?" Sinbad inquired.

"Well…maybe," Alibaba answered. "I mean…it's true that I'm the son of King Rashid Saluja…but I was born in the backstreets! I'm not really of noble blood!"

"Hahaha!" Sinbad laughed. "Don't worry about it. You're definitely a prince. After all, I knew your old man, and he told me all about you."

"Huh?!" Alibaba questioned. "My Dad told you about me?!"

"You really are a lot like him," Sinbad said. "Without a doubt, you are truly a Prince of Balbadd, and that means that you bear a great responsibility."

Alibaba froze at this while Cassim just glared.

"Cassim, wasn't it?" Sinbad asked as he looked at him. "If it goes well, life in the backstreets will improve. Isn't that what you wanted?"

Cassim just continued glaring at Sinbad before he looked away, sucking his teeth.

"What's with the attitude, Dreads?" Alozza asked. "You being a sore loser because you lost so many members of your little Fog Troop to these guys?"

"What'd you say?!" Cassim questioned. "You looking for a fight?!"

"Maybe I am!" Alozza shouted. "So what?!"

Shahra roared in agreement as she glared at Cassim as well.

"Enough!" Sinbad shouted, standing in between them. "No one is fighting anyone! Not anymore! Agreed?!"

"…Fine," Cassim and Alozza muttered as they looked away from each other.

"Alibaba," Sinbad said as he looked at the blonde-haired prince. "I'm still waiting for your answer…what will it be?"

"…" Alibaba just stood there, not speaking a word…until Aladdin went up and held his hand.

"He'll do it," he said.

"What the huh?!" Alibaba questioned. "A-Aladdin, what are you doing?!"

"You can do it, Alibaba," Aladdin answered. "You have the courage…I know you do!"

Alibaba just stared at Aladdin in surprise.

"He's right, Alibaba," Morgiana added as she stood beside him. "Please…go to the palace and talk to the king."

"Remember what the little guy said?" Alozza asked. "We'll be here to support you."

Shahra nodded her head in agreement.

"You guys…" Alibaba whispered before he smiled. "Thanks."

He then turned to look at Sinbad, who smiled at him.

"Alright, Sinbad!" he said. "Let's do it!"

"Just what I wanted to hear," Sinbad said.

XXX

The following day, there was big news in Balbadd. Alibaba the Wondrous, Leader of the Fog Troop, Third Prince of Balbadd, had entered the royal palace. The people had placed their hopes in the rebel leader's audience with King Abhmad and gathered outside the palace. Among the crowd outside the palace walls are Aladdin, Shahra, Morgiana, and Alozza.

"Man, I hope this works," Alozza said. "I've heard that King Abhmad's not a reasonable man."

"Alibaba will find a way to get through to him," Aladdin said. "I know he will…even if he doesn't believe in himself."

"I agree," Morgiana concurred. "I'm going to put my faith in him, no matter what."

"…In that case, so will I," Alozza added.

Shahra gave a deep growl, nodding her head.

XXX

Inside the palace, Alibaba and Sinbad stood before Abhmad, who glowered down at them as he sat on his throne, holding his royal scepter.

"So, Sinbad," Abhmad said. "Are you the one behind these rumors? I asked you to get rid of the Fog Troop for me, but instead, you raise this fuss?"

"You brothers should talk," Sinbad said. "I won't interfere."

"But you already have!" Abhmad barked, comically fuming.

"Talk to him, Prince Alibaba," Sinbad said. "I'm sure you have a lot to say."

Alibaba hesitated for a moment before he looked up at Abhmad with a serious expression.

"P-please listen to him, Abhmad," Sabhmad said. "Alibaba does have a leveled head, I'm sure…so…"

"…" Abhmad didn't speak a word. He just kept glaring at Alibaba, who took a step forward.

"Abhmad," the blonde prince started, "as I'm sure you know…that I'm blame for the raid on the treasury. I caused our Father's death…and I can never erase that sin…but I ask you…why? Why do you think the Fog Troop raided the palace in the first? Why have the people gathered outside the palace walls, right now? I implore you, Abhmad! Think about how your subjects feel!"

Abhmad still didn't speak, but he still had that glare in his eyes.

"Under the current policy, the poor are suffering to death! I was in the backstreets, so I know, and that's why I'm here today! So, please, Abhmad…with your power, as the King of Balbadd…promise me to do everything you can to improve the lives of the people! If you do, I will disband the Fog Troop!"

A pause…but then, Abhmad pointed his scepter at Alibaba, prompting the guards to charge him, causing him to gasp.

"Are you quite done?" Abhmad asked as the guards began to push Alibaba back.

"H-huh?!" Alibaba questioned. "W-wait a minute! Abhmad! I haven't gotten your answer!"

"How dare you!" Abhmad barked. "You, a piece of common filth, speak to your king in such a way! I am Abhmad Saluja, the 23rd King of Balbadd, and I do not negotiate with scum such as you!"

"W…what?!" Alibaba questioned in shock. "But…Abhmad…we're brothers!"

"Brothers, my foot!" Abhmad rebuked. "A foundling from the backstreets cannot be my brother! If the King of Sindria weren't protecting you, I would have your head lopped off, right here and now!"

Alibaba gasped silently at this.

"Now…leave me be," Abhmad said. "I don't feel well…thanks to those disgusting maggots, outside the palace walls."

A pause…but then Alibaba seethed angrily.

"HOW IN THE HELL CAN YOU SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT?!" he roared, startling everyone inside and outside the palace! "HOW CAN YOU SPEAK ABOUT YOUR OWN PEOPLE LIKE THAT?! IF YOU SAY THOSE KINDS OF THINGS ABOUT THEM, THEN YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO BE A KING, ABHMAD! NO RIGHT AT ALL!"

Abhmad just glared down at Alibaba, but then…a new voice spoke up out of nowhere.

"What's all this commotion, King Abhmad?"

Abhmad turned to see a man come out of the shadows. He was holding a golden staff and he wore dark robes. His face was hidden by a veil, and he had a crown of thorns around his head.

"Oh!" Abhmad exclaimed. "So you've returned, Banker?"

Alibaba gasped upon seeing him.

'So he's the guy that's pulling Abhmad's strings!' he thought.

XXX

Outside, the people are clamoring all at once, trying to get in to see what was happening, but the guards held them back.

"What's going on in there?!"

"What did Abhmad say?!"

"Prince Alibaba! What happened?!"

"What's going to happen to this country?!"

"…The people are getting restless," Alozza said in concern. "You think everything's going okay in there?"

"Who knows?" Morgiana asked.

"I know one thing," Aladdin replied. "If all these people are here to support him, I'm sure Alibaba will be fine!"

"If you really say so," Alozza said.

"By the way, where's the rest of the Fog Troop?" asked Aladdin.

"Back at their hideout," Morgiana answered.

Not too far away, hiding in an alley, Cassim, Zaynab, and Hassan are seen, watching the crowd, all three of them glaring.

"Let's go," Cassim whispered, and soon, they all walked off, disappearing into the shadows.

As the crowd kept shouting, Shahra suddenly tensed up a bit before she turned and growled, flashing her fangs.

"What's wrong, Shahra?" asked Aladdin.

"Hey, hey, hey! What the hell is with this damn crowd?! I knew I should've brought my Magic Carpet."

Soon, a shadowy figure pushed his way passed the crowd. As he did…what looked like tiny black birds came swarming from him, causing Aladdin to shudder and hold his arms.

"What's the matter?" Alozza asked.

"I…I don't know," Aladdin answered. "I sensed…something."

As the boy turned…he gasped silently upon seeing the black-haired teen from the Kou Empire, his red eyes glancing down at him momentarily before he continued walking. As he did…the black birds followed after him.

"Move it," the boy said as he pushed Alozza away.

"Hey, watch it, buddy!" Alozza barked before she looked at Aladdin, who was shaking a bit.

"Aladdin?" Morgiana asked, concerned.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Alozza asked. "You okay?!"

Shahra went up to Aladdin, nuzzling him gently from behind.

'Who…who was that boy?' Aladdin thought as he kept watching the teen with a look of shock and fright. 'For a moment…he looked like a black sun!'

Just then, the young Magi's flute began to hum as the eight-pointed star glowed on its base.

"Huh?" Aladdin muttered. "What's wrong, Ugo?"

XXX

Inside a stone room, filled with large books, the white rukh swarmed all around erratically, as if in some kind of panic. Sheba, her body glowing a radiant white light, gasped quietly in shock and worry as she looked up.

"You sense it, too…don't you, Lady Sheba?"

Behind Sheba…a large blue head sat on the stone floor, looking at her in concern as tiny white blob-like creatures held it up.

"Yes…" Sheba whispered in horror. "It seems he has appeared…the Magi whose heart is dyed with the Black Rukh…!"

She then squeezed her hands, tightly.

"Aladdin…please, be careful, my son…!"

Until Next Night…

Yeah, sorry this one is so short. And for those, my Black Lagoon fic is a work in progress, but it's coming along nicely. :)

Review, please!