Night 21- His Name is Judar

Magi © Shinobu Ohtaka

Shahra © Me

Alozza © Darkdarling98

Inside the palace, Alibaba, Sinbad, and Abhmad stared at the mysterious man who had walked in, holding a golden scepter.

"My, Balbadd is so humid during the day," he said, fanning himself. "I can barely stand it."

It was then that he noticed Alibaba and Sinbad, despite wearing a visor.

"Oh!" he exclaimed. "I see we have guests!"

"That is the King of Sindria, King Sinbad, Banker," Abhmad told him. "Say hello."

"Very well," the banker said as he pulled back his visor, revealing his face, which had one eye wide, the other narrowed, thick eyebrows, a handlebar mustache, a toothy grin, thick lips, a scruffy beard on his cleft chin, a big nose, and three red dots going down on his forehead.

"Greetings, King Sinbad of Sindria!" he said. "I am Markkio, and at present, I counsel Balbadd on all financial affairs. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, your Majesty!"

"It's a pleasure," said Sinbad as he shook the man's hand.

"No, the pleasure is mine!" Markkio said. "It is truly an honor to meet you, the legendary Sinbad of the Seven Seas, Conqueror of Seven Dungeons!"

"Hahahahaha!" Sinbad laughed. "You flatter me."

He then looked at Markkio, and suddenly he took on a serious expression.

"Pardon my asking," said Sinbad, "but…have we met before?"

"I don't seem to recall meeting you before, my good King Sinbad," replied Markkio.

Sinbad glared at Markkio suspiciously, but then he heard the guards shouting.

"Hey! The who hell are you?!"

"You can't come in here! The king is meeting with someone!"

"Piss off! Get the hell outta my way, you turds! Honestly, what is with all these crowds?!"

Sinbad turned…and gasped upon seeing the young, black-haired man from outside, who gasped upon seeing him.

"J…Judar?!" Sinbad asked.

"Sinbad?!" the boy, known as Judar, questioned before he laughed. "Well, what do you know?! It's Lord Moron! AHAHAHAHAHAHAA!"

Sinbad seethed angrily upon the red-eyed boy call him that.

"You know him, Lord Judar?" asked Abhmad.

"Hell yeah, I know this chump!" Judar replied as he walked up to Sinbad and put an arm around his shoulders. "He's always showing up and getting in my way! Ain't that a gas?! AHAHAHAHAHAHAA!"

'What in the world is Judar doing here, anyway?' Sinbad thought.

"So, Lord Moron," Judar said as he backed away. "How's your sister?"

"That's none of your business!" Sinbad barked. "What are you doing here, anyway?!"

"Lord Judar is the Kou Empire's priest," Abhmad answered.

Hearing that caused Sinbad to gasp in shock.

"P…Priest…of the Kou Empire…?!" he whispered.

"That's right, Sinbad!" Judar exclaimed. "Yours truly here is working a gig as the Kou Empire's priest, and that's the reason I'm here in Balbadd, today!"

'Judar's managed to get into the Kou Empire?' Sinbad thought. 'And now he's making a move on Balbadd?! But if that's the case…that means that Markkio is…'

"Ahem!" Abhmad cleared his throat. "You may go now, Sinbad. I forgive you for the rumors. Anyway, I'm busy."

"Wait a minute, Abhmad," Sinbad said. "We're not done here."

"Not done?" Abhmad repeated. "What's left to discuss. If you're talking about reopening trade with Sindria, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I can't keep that promise."

"And why not?" Sinbad asked with a glare.

"Because," Abhmad began, "I have placed all trade authority in the hands of the Kou Empire."

Hearing that caused Sinbad to gasp in shock.

"I only trade with the countries that they approve of," Abhmad said. "Sorry for not telling you, earlier."

"Abhmad…you mean to tell me that you're letting the Kou Empire rule Balbadd for you?!" Sinbad asked.

"Don't be ridiculous!" Abhmad replied. "The Banker states that this will lead to Balbadd's economic recovery."

"That's right!" Markkio agreed with a bow. "Building peaceful, economic bridges between countries is what us bankers do, and since you're a king, yourself, King Sinbad, why not entrust everything to us?"

As Markkio spoke…Sinbad could've sworn he saw an ominous shadow behind him, causing him to gasp in horror.

'I knew it,' he thought. 'His face and name are different…but he's definitely one of…them…and Balbadd has already fallen under its sway!'

"Hold it!" Alibaba shouted. "I'm not done with you, Abhmad!"

Abhmad just glowered down at Alibaba as he struggled against the guards.

"Promise me!" the blonde prince shouted. "Promise me, as king, that you will protect the people of this country who are suffering! PROMISE ME, ABHMAD!"

Abhmad just yawned and said, "Get him out of here. The words of a stray dog from the backstreets are incomprehensible to me."

Hearing that caused Alibaba to gasp, but then he growled angrily as he tried to go after his older half-brother, only for Sinbad to hold him back and drag him away.

"No, Alibaba! Stop!" he shouted. "It's too late…we have to go, now."

"NO! I'M NOT FINISHED HERE!" Alibaba shouted. "LET ME GO, DAMMIT ALL! DAMN YOU, ABHMAD! LISTEN TO ME! WE'RE NOT DIFFERENT, AT ALL! LISTEN, DAMMIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!"

XXX

Later that night, at the Fog Troop's hideout, the people of the backstreets were in an uproar. The remaining members of the Fog Troop were also unsettled…for Cassim, Zaynab, and Hassan had mysteriously vanished.

"How'd the negotiations go?"

"How should I know?! Alibaba didn't say anything since he and Sinbad got back!"

"What does that mean for us?"

"Will the military come after us?"

"I dunno…they never did before!"

"They'll probably come now, considering that Cassim knew somebody in the palace, and with him gone, we're sitting ducks!"

"Oh, why did I ever join up in the first place?! I mean, yeah, I just wanted help for my little brother, but I didn't think something like this would happen!"

"Calm down! I'm sure things will be fine!"

But no matter how reassuring they tried to sound, the thieves still remained uneasy.

In Alibaba's room, Alibaba himself sat on his bed while Aladdin, Morgiana, Shahra, and Alozza stood before him.

'Alibaba hasn't said a word since he got back,' Morgiana thought, worriedly. 'Did the negotiations not go well?'

"…Hey," Alozza said. "So what did Abhmad say?"

"…He wouldn't listen to me," Alibaba answered, grimly. "We…barely talked at all…! Abhmad doesn't even consider me human!"

Alozza sighed as she flipped her hair back.

"Figures," she muttered, irritably. "Damn swine. He and the noble scumbags that live here all alike."

"I'm sorry," Alibaba apologized. "I raised a fuss…but in the end, I didn't gain a thing!"

"Don't apologize, Alibaba," Aladdin said. "That's not true, at all."

"Huh?" Alibaba muttered in confusion as he looked at Aladdin, who smiled at him as he went to a window and pulled the curtains, allowing an array of shouting to flow into the room.

"Don't you hear it?" the boy asked. "Your courage in facing the king has moved the people! In the end, you really did gain something! You made a change!"

A pause…but then, Alibaba smiled, although it was small and sad.

"Thanks, little buddy," he said.

Shahra went over to Alibaba, placing her head in his lap, causing him to gasp silently in surprise before he smiled and gently pet her head.

"And thank you, too, Shahra," he said, causing the tigress to purr.

"But now what do we do?" Morgiana asked. "We have to tell the Fog Troop and the people of the backstreets something. They're getting restless."

"But the negotiations broke down," Alibaba reminded. "What should I tell them?!"

"Well, you better come up with something," Alozza answered.

Just then, they heard a knock at the door, and soon after, Ja'Far and Masrur entered.

"Prince Alibaba," Ja'Far said. "Please, come…Sin is about to address the Fog Troop about what happened with King Abhmad today."

"What?!" Alibaba asked. "Now?!"

"Yes, now," Ja'Far answered.

Alibaba looked down, sweating beading down his brow, his breath becoming short and nervous, but then, Alozza put her hand on his shoulder.

"…Go," she told him with a serious expression.

XXX

Outside, the Fog Troop had gathered at the meeting place, where Sinbad, Alibaba, and Ja'Far stood before them. In the crowd, Aladdin, Shahra, Morgiana, and Alozza sat with the rest of the Fog Troop. Alibaba scanned the crowd, his expression taking a look of worry.

'Where's Cassim?' he thought.

"Everyone!" Sinbad called. "I'll start with the outcome! Today's negotiations…broke down."

Hearing this caused the Fog Troop to gasped.

"King Abhmad has brushed our demands aside," Sinbad continued. "Military action is now certain."

Soon, the Fog Troop began murmuring in a panic.

"I knew it! I just knew it! We're screwed!"

"How am I supposed to help my little brother, now?!"

"It's all over for us! The Fog Troop is doomed!"

"QUIET, YOU BIG SISSIES!" Alozza shouted, getting everyone's attention. "He's not finished talking, yet, now pipe down and listen!"

"Thank you, Alozza," Sinbad said. "Now then…you may think this is the end, but on the contrary…this is just the beginning!"

The Fog Troop looked at Sinbad in surprise.

"The beginning?"

"What's he talking about?"

"Remind me," Sinbad continued, "what were you all fighting for? To escape poverty…to care for your families…to live your lives at ease, knowing you can live another day without starving."

Everyone looked at Sinbad with somewhat hopeless faces…and yet, they still listened.

"Some of you may not have held such lofty goals," the King of Sindria went on, "but whatever your purpose is, you had to resort to thievery from the noblemen of Balbadd, and yet, today…you presented your case to the king!"

Soon, the Fog Troop put on determined expressions as Sinbad continued to speak.

"Today, for the first time, you openly grappled with your oppressors! Remember why you took up arms, and don't ever forget! So tell me, right here and now…do any of you, tonight, really think this is the end?!"

Soon, the Fog Troop started shouting.

"Hell no!"

"No way is this over!"

"I'll keep fighting for my family!"

"Me, too! My little brother's the reason I joined the Fog Troop! He's counting on me!"

Sinbad grinned and nodded his head.

"Good," he said. "Then I shall lend you my power! No matter what happens, we will prevail, and if Balbadd should drive you, then the Kingdom of Sindria will welcome you all with open arms!"

"What?!" Ja'Far questioned before he went over to Sinbad and started whispering. "Sin, are you mad?! Accepting more refugees will only strain Sindria's financial state!"

"I've got it," Sinbad assured. "Don't worry about a thing! Besides…the world we live in is a cruel, unforgiving place, and I welcome those who would fight against that. That's why I founded Sindria in the first place!"

Alibaba stared at Sinbad in awe, as did Morgiana, but Aladdin, Alozza, and Shahra all smiled.

"He really is something, isn't he?" Alozza asked.

"Yeah…a true king…!" Alibaba whispered. "Aladdin…you sure made one hell of a friend!"

Aladdin giggled at this.

'Sinbad's just so incredible,' Alibaba thought. 'No matter what the situation, he always keeps a cool head! Unlike me…I could never be like him.'

Nearby, the S Nando smiled as brushed his fingers on his beard.

"You know," he started, "Sinbad's a real upstanding guy! I like him!"

"Yeah, but Big Bro," L Nando started, "what do we do now?! We robbed him on the road, remember?!"

"Yes, indeed," M Nando added. "What if he recognizes us?"

"He won't," S Nando said. "Since he was sleeping, he didn't see us at all!"

"Oh, yeah!" L Nando smiled. "I forgot about that!"

M Nando sighed before he looked up…and spotted a shadowy figure in the sky.

"Err…hey," he said. "Who's that?"

S Nando and M Nando looked up to see…Judar, standing on a Magic Carpet!

"What the?!" S Nando questioned.

"Hey, Sinbad!" Judar called, getting everyone's attention.

"Judar?!" Sinbad questioned. "Oh, no…don't tell me he followed me!"

"That's the jerk from earlier today!" Alozza exclaimed.

Soon, Judar jumped down from his carpet, landing in the middle of the crowd.

"Hey there, Lord Moron!" Judar greeted, mockingly. "What are you doing here with these chumps?"

For some reason, Aladdin began to feel uneasy upon seeing Judar.

"Judar, what are you doing here?" Sinbad asked. "Did Abhmad send you? Or the Kou Empire?"

"Huh?" Judar muttered. "Oh! No, no, no! I'm not concerned about that stuff at all!"

"Then why are you here?" Sinbad asked, glaring.

"Well, to be honest," Judar started as he scratched back his head, "I don't give two shits about those old farts and the economy…but then, again, why the hell am I telling you? You knew that, right? What I really like…is war."

Everyone gasps quietly.

"War, eh?" Alozza asked. "And just what, pray tell, is so great about war?!"

"The Kou Empire is powerful," Judar answered. "They have lots of soldiers and a general who's a Dungeon-Capturer! Hell, they even have an army of Dungeon Monsters! Pretty cool, huh? Hahahahahaha!"

"You pompous little Antichrist…!" Sinbad hissed.

"Psst…Ja'Far," Aladdin whispered. "Who is that boy?"

"His name is Judar," Ja'Far whispered back. "We've crossed paths with him, many times before. Also…he's a Magi, just like you."

"Huh?!" Aladdin gasped. "A-A Magi?!"

"Don't get me wrong," Judar said. "I'd much rather join up with you, Sinbad. To be frank, I hate the current Emperor of the Kou, so what do you say? Let's you and I team up and rule the world together!"

"How many times do I have to tell you, Judar?" Sinbad asked. "I won't be your damn puppet! Now get out of here!"

"Oh, come on," Judar said. "You don't what you're missing!"

At that moment, the black-haired Magi noticed Aladdin, who gasped…as the rukh fluttered around the both of them.

"…Who's the runt?" Judar asked. "The rukh surrounding him are all weird."

'Damn,' Sinbad thought. 'There's no use hiding it, anymore.'

"…He's a Magi, just like you," Sinbad answered.

"…EEEEEEEHHH?!" Judar questioned. "This pipsqueak is a Magi?! You're joking, right?! Magi are supposed to be awesome! As Sorcerers of Creation, we're the most powerful magoi-wielders of all! I can't stand the thought of there being too many more than me!"

"You reacted to him, didn't you?" Sinbad asked. "Is that why you're really here?"

A pause…but then Judar smirked before he turned to Aladdin, who stepped back a bit.

"Hey there, kiddo," he said. "The name's Judar! What's yours?"

"A…Aladdin," Aladdin answered. "Aladdin Jehoahaz Abraham."

"Well, put her there, Aladdin!" Judar said as he held out his hand. "As fellow Magi, let's be pals!"

A pause…but then Aladdin reached his hand out, attempting to shake hands with Judar, but then, BAM! Judar socked him in his left eye!

"AGH!" Aladdin cried as he stumbled back.

"Aladdin!" Alibaba and Morgiana cried as they ran to him while Shahra and Alozza glared at Judar.

"You bastard!" Alozza shouted. "I knew you were up to something!"

Judar only laughed at Aladdin's expense.

"What a joke, this one is!" he said. "This klutz, a Magi?! Get real! Sinbad, you turned me down to team up with this squirt?!"

"Aladdin has nothing to do with any of this!" Sinbad shouted. "We just happened to meet by coincidence! Leave him alone!"

Judar just laughed as he looked at Aladdin, but then he stopped as a perplexed look appeared on his face.

"Hey…hold up a sec," the black-haired Magi said. "Haven't I seen you before?"

"You mean…earlier today?" asked Aladdin, holding his bruised eye.

"No, no, no," Judar answered. "It was way earlier…like six months ago."

"Huh?!" Aladdin muttered. "What are you talking about?!"

"Let me see," Judar said as he got a closer look at Aladdin. "Yeah…yeah! It's coming back to me, now! You're the kid with the dragon borg!"

"D…Dragon borg?" Aladdin repeated.

"Oh, come on, don't play dumb!" Judar said. "I know you know what I mean! I'm talking about back in Maulla, when those thugs attacked you and your pussycat! A borg with two dragon heads appeared around you and protected you, and then you sent those thugs running!"

Aladdin gasped as he remembered the two-headed dragon that saved him and Shahra, back when he had encountered Ishmael and his goons.

'But…this whole time,' he thought, 'I thought that was Mother's spirit, protecting me!'

"What's he talking about?" Morgiana asked. "What's a borg?"

"Someone told me about it," Alozza said. "A borg is some kind of shield, made by magoi. It's proof that someone has magic powers…but…I never heard of a borg with two dragon heads."

"Are you done talking?" Judar asked. "Look, kid, any two-bit magician can put up a borg, but if you really are a Magi, then why don't you show me your King's Candidate? I bet there's one or two around here, somewhere, am I right? So point 'em out!"

Aladdin gasped as he remember what Paimon told him about choosing a king, back in the west.

"…You're not gonna tell me, is that it?" Judar asked as he hung his head. "Ugh…fine. Be that way…I'll just look for your King's Candidate, myself."

A pause…but then, Judar raised his eyes, his eyes flashing orange as he scanned the crowd, which looked like black, humanoid shadows with glowing orange auras inside. Then…he spotted the eight-pointed star on the sheathe of Alibaba's knife."

"Found him!" Judar exclaimed before he looked at Alibaba. "Huh? Wait a minute…it's you! The guy that that pig Abhmad was pushing around, today! You barked like a little dog, and for what?! To have him throw you out, like a pile of trash! You were crying like a big baby! AHAHAHAHAHAAAA!"

Alibaba seethed angrily as Judar laughed at him…but then he looked down, shamefully.

"You really are a pathetic guy, you know that?!" Judar asked. "AHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"SHUT UP!"

Judar stopped laughed before he looked at Aladdin, who glared at him.

"Alibaba…is NOT pathetic!" he shouted. "I know that for a fact! He knew that the king probably wouldn't listen to him, anyway, but he summoned whatever courage he had and did what no one else could, for everyone's sake! He's a brave man! HE'S NOT PATHETIC IN THE LEAST!"

"A…Aladdin…!" Alibaba whispered in shock.

"Hmph!" Judar scoffed. "You really think Blondie here is a good King's Candidate?"

He then pulled out a small, metal rod with a red topaz on top.

"He doesn't look like much to me," he said as he pointed at Alibaba…and all of a sudden, a ball of energy formed at the tip of the rod, and it was fired at the blonde-haired teen, sending him crashing into a wall!

"GUH!" Alibaba cried as he coughed up blood.

"ALIBABA!" Alozza and Morgiana cried.

"AHAHAHAHAHAAAA!" Judar laughed. "See?! This guy's a wuss!"

"Judar! That's enough!" Sinbad shouted.

"Why the hell are you hanging around with these nobodies, Sinbad?!" Judar asked. "What are you, stupid?!"

Just then, a small swarm of rukh fluttered by, catching the black-haired Magi's attention. Judar turned…and saw Aladdin, who held out his staff as the rukh gathered at the tip.

"Oh-ho!" Judar exclaimed. "So you really want a fight, eh?"

"Aladdin, don't!" Sinbad cried. "Just run away! You're no match for Judar!"

But Aladdin didn't run…even in spite of his racing heart and his growing unease. As he glared at Judar…he flinched as the older Magi flashed a black light.

'This feeling…it's so strange,' he thought. 'I've had it ever since I saw him…it was vague, at first, but now…I'm certain of it! No matter how scared I am…no matter how much I want to run…I have to stop him!'

As Aladdin and Judar continued their stare-down…the former's flute flashed a golden light.

Until Next Night…

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