Chapter 48: sora and the 40 thieves
I do not own kingdom hearts or the properties shown in this fanfic. They belong to the respective owners and the original story is based on the works of Darius Almighty. Kingdom hearts and trials of the keyblade is owned by square Enix, Disney, and Tetsuya Nomura. Please support the official release.
Right. Now time to deal with agrabah! As a person who like watching the Aladdin franchise it's time for another arabian night!.
With that out of the way, here's the next chapter. Enjoy!
"Run, your Majesty! RUN!" Donald quacked loudly. Through the massive trees and wild green growth the Disney Castle trio ran with all their might. Trees that touched the sky surrounded them, but they couldn't appreciate their wonder at this moment, since they were running for their lives.
"Gawrsh! Do you think he's still following us?" Goofy asked, worriedly.
Another tree collapsed to the earth behind them, one of many cut down by their vigilant pursuer. Aradan the Chaser tore through the forest, the trees being no obstacle, a one man lumberjack crew on a foresting rampage. He kept step with them no matter where they ran, and was slowly but surely catching up.
"Don't look back! Just keep running!" King Mickey shouted. Another tree fell, but this one was in front of them, timbering down to block their path, forcing them to stop. Someone leapt onto the downed tree, Keyblade hanging from his metal gauntlet.
"Where do you critters think you're going?" Charon cackled, his eagerness with the situation making the three very nervous.
"This way!" Goofy shouted. They ran to the right, barely gaining a few feet before a bolt of lightning blasted across their front, and another armoured warrior revealed herself from behind a tree.
"There's nowhere for you to go," Brisen told them, bringing her Keyblade to the ready. The King and his subjects tried to turn and flee, only to find their original pursuer already blocking the path.
"You three should never have come here," Aradan whispered. Mickey, Donald and Goofy stood back-to-back as they were cornered on all sides, the armoured warriors closing in around them. Donald and Goofy had taken out their shield and wand, but King Mickey had yet to summon his weapon. "But I'm almost glad you did. You see, it's been some time since we've taken a Keyblade." The King glared at him.
"I know who you three are," he growled, eyes narrowing accusingly. "You're the Chasers!"
"Smart little varment, ain't he?" Charon sneered.
"Ah, zip it you freaks!" Donald raged, though his knees were clearly shaking.
"You have a lot of spirit," Brisen complimented, raising her Keyblade threateningly. "And a lot of mouth."
"But you guys are supposed to be sealed away!" Mickey shouted in disbelief. "The Keybladers sealed you away over a thousand years ago!"
"We broke out. Got a problem with that?" Charon mocked.
"Enough," Aradan ordered, a no-nonsense tone in his voice. "They've seen too much. None of them may leave this world alive." The three heroes stiffened.
"I've got the duck," Brisen said as she slipped into a fighting stance.
"Come on, Donald! We gotta protect King Mickey no matter what!" Goofy declared bravely with his shield at the ready.
"LET"S GET EM"!" Donald quacked. Goofy went for Charon, Donald charged for Brisen, fear never an issue in defence of their King.
"No! Wait!" Mickey tried to stop them but Aradan was already upon him, slamming his giant Keyblade where the King stood. Mickey quickly dodged, jumped and ran along the length of the weapon, summoning his own Keyblade and nailing Aradan across the face. The Chaser stumbled as Mickey landed perfectly. With both Keyblades shining, they connected full-force.
Small as King Mickey was he was able to stand up to Aradan's punishing blows with little difficulty, matching swordsmanship with the much bigger warrior. His small stature and agile reflexes allowed him to avoid all of the Chaser's attacks, leaping and jumping around, striking out wherever he could. But Aradan had thousands of years of experience under his armour, and there wasn't a Keyblade wielder yet that he hadn't defeated.
When Mickey jumped over him he quickly spun and backhanded the King painfully into a tree. As he recovered, faster than most would have, he yelped and ducked just as Aradan's Keyblade embedded itself in the tree, right between his famous round ears. After that the mouse with the heart of a lion rushed Aradan head on. Though unarmed, Aradan still possessed considerable might and slammed his fist in the King's direction, but Mickey slid between his legs, got behind him, then sliced across the dark warrior's back. Despite his armour, Aradan felt every bit of pain, and cried out in anguish, but mostly anger.
The King of Disney Castle quickly jumped over Aradan's retaliating strike and delivered two kicks to the face with both his big shoes. They clashed blades again, except now Aradan seemed ticked off, and his attacks came faster and stronger. When the King tried to jump away again, his thin little tail was snatched in Aradan's grip, and with a yelp Mickey was slammed painfully into the ground. As if that wasn't enough Aradan whipped him by the tail again into a tree, and then another tree before he released him rolling on the ground. Though battered and bruised Mickey still stood up shakily with his Keyblade, a feat that impressed Aradan, and annoyed him.
He swiped at Mickey's legs; Mickey jumped but didn't expect Aradan to twist and attack him while he was still in the air. He was able to block with his Keyblade but couldn't stop from flying backwards and crash to the ground. He struggled to get back up when Donald suddenly fell next to him; seconds later, Goofy crashed down on top of Donald. Aradan, Brisen and Charon once again surrounded the Disney Castle trio, in much better shape than the three of them were at that point.
"I'm afraid our little chase is coming to an end," Aradan said coldly.
"You'll be the first Keyblade we've taken in over a thousand years," Brisen whispered.
"That's quite an honour when you think about it," Charon chuckled. Through a swollen eye Mickey glared at them.
"What are you guys planning to do?" Mickey asked boldly.
"You can ask Xehanort once he's all good and revived," Charon laughed.
"Xehanort!?" Donald exclaimed.
"The same Xehanort from the Keyblade War?" Mickey gasped.
"Shut up, Charon!" Brisen snapped.
"Oops! My bad," Charon shrugged. "At least I didn't tell them about ole' Xemnas."
"Xemnas?!" Goofy gasped.
"Charon!" Brisen yelled.
"Ah dammit!" Charon shouted.
"Well that tears it," Aradan sighed, appalled at his comrade's lack of finesse. "Now we can't possibly let you live. What you've seen here today will never leave this world." They started their approach on the cornered animals. "The City of the Ancients will forever remain a secret. And we want Xehanort's glorious return to be a bit of a surprise for the rest of the universe."
"You won't get away with this!" Mickey declared.
"That's right! We know someone who will stop you!" Goofy exclaimed.
"Are you talking about that kid Xemmy keeps going on about?" Charon asked, apparently amused. "Yeah, we've heard of him."
"Trust me. He's nothing we can't handle," Brisen stated coldly.
"His fate shall be the same as yours," Aradan growled, his Keyblade raised before them. "As will the fate of all who dare claim themselves wielders of the Keyblade." And they descended upon them like predators on fresh prey.
CONK
"Hmm?" Aradan lowered his helmet to stare questionably at the small rock that had struck him. He looked at the surrounding trees. Who had thrown that?
"Hey! What the?" Charon growled when another rock hit him. A stone bounced off Brisen's armour as well. In a matter of moments, the Chasers were being pelted on all sides. Rocks, small spears, arrows, and other inanimate objects rained down from the surrounding trees and bushes. Mickey, Donald and Goofy were still present, but they were as confused as the evil trio; and the bombardment wasn't being aimed at them at all.
"What is going on!?" Brisen snarled, raising her arm to shield her face. The attack obviously had no effect on their hard, cold armour, but damn it was distracting! Aradan growled as he tried to find the source of this annoyance, eyes scanning the forest diligently. There, all around them, in and below the trees, were small furry creatures in ragtag clothing. He could only catch glimpses of them, as they would pop in and out of sight as they released their payloads.
"Vermin!" Aradan growled. The Chasers couldn't keep their eyes on them. Every time they laid eyes on one it would disappear into the brush just as quickly while another struck from a different angle. They must have been many in number, and completely surrounded the servants of darkness. They chattered and whooped as they dared attack the deadliest beings in the known galaxy, their unseen voices making it seem like the entire forest had united against the Chasers.
"Yeah, bring it on you little fur balls!" Charon shouted, projectiles bouncing harmlessly off his armour. "It's gonna take a lot more than a few pebbles to take me down!" A massive log attached by ropes swung by the treetops and collided with the southern accented Chaser, flattening and pinning him against a tree. "Ow..."
"I'm getting tired of this!" Brisen hissed. She clenched her fist and a flaming firaga spell took form. She took one step, and the ground gave way underneath her. "Wha!?" Brisen fell into a camouflaged hole in the ground, a deep one at that, as she found out. As she hit bottom, the firaga spell she had accumulated in her hand exploded, flames blasting out of the hole afterwards.
"Enough of this!" Aradan roared, ignoring the raining debris, glaring at Mickey, Donald and Goofy as he approached them. "I won't let my victory be denied by rodents!" He raised his Keyblade...
CRASH!
Dust settled from the giant boulder that had flattened Aradan from above, another trap set up by the troublesome denizens of the forest world. The three animals could only gawk at their incredible good fortune. All around the trio the bushes rustled, the loud battle cries quieted, and their mysterious saviors retreated with the contentment that their job was done.
"Come on, your Majesty! This is our chance!" Donald yelled.
"We gotta get back to the Gummi ship!" Goofy backed up. They hoisted their King up by his arms as he could barely move after his one-on-one with Aradan. They carried him off with all the speed they could muster. They managed to clear the area just as the large boulder began to rumble.
"AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGHHHHH!" In a thousand pieces the boulder exploded, reduced to pebbles in the face of Aradan's overwhelming anger, which only increased when he saw that the three interlopers were gone. Charon and Brisen were making their way out of their traps as well. "After them!" Aradan yelled.
Donald, Goofy and the much injured King Mickey hobbled their way to their damaged, but still flyable, Gummi Ship. It was right where they left it, crashed in the middle of a clearing.
"We're almost there!" Goofy declared. They reached the Gummi ship and Donald instantly ran up the ramp to get to the controls, Mickey and Goofy waiting outside. A few buttons pressed and levers pulled and the ship was made for immediate takeoff, the autopilot set for Disney Castle.
"Ready to go!" Donald announced to Mickey and Goofy. The sound of a tree falling was heard behind them. Tree after tree was cut down before their eyes, a sure sign that the Chasers were coming and coming fast.
"We'll never get away in time," Mickey rasped, his breathing harsh and laboured. The Chasers would clip their wings the moment they took off. "Listen. It's me they're after. You guys get away in the ship. I'll hold them off."
"Your Majesty, no!" Goofy gasped.
"You can't!" Donald quacked, jumping down the ramp to meet them.
"I have to," the King sighed, no regret in his tone. "One of us has to get the word out. They have to know the Chasers have returned, and Xemnas with them. Go and get Sora. If anyone can stop them, it's him. Just leave me here!"
"But you're the King of Disney Castle!" Goofy spluttered, grasping at straws now. "Who will run the Kingdom without you?"
"And what about Queen Minnie?!" Donald squawked.
"I know!" King Mickey snapped. "And as the King of Disney Castle I order you two to get out of here!" Donald and Goofy both exchanged worried looks.
"Sorry about this, your Majesty!" Goofy gulped, and before Mickey knew it he and Donald grabbed him by his arms and threw him inside the Gummi ship, the ramp closing shut behind him. Once the King was able to regain his bearings he made for the ramp again, but it was jammed, damaged by the crash most likely, or maybe just a case of bad luck. He jumped up to the cockpit, and pressed his face against the glass to see Donald and Goofy's apologetic faces.
"What are you doing?!" Mickey shouted through the glass.
"Sorry, King Mickey," Goofy grinned awkwardly. "But the universe needs you a whole lot more than it needs us!"
"You're the one that needs to survive," Donald told him, his beak curved to a gentle smile. The King was prepared to break the cockpit apart, but a sudden surge of pain hinted that his wounds were beginning to get to him.
"Please! Don't do this!" he pleaded, banging against the glass, wincing as more pain hit him.
Goofy smiled warmly. "Say hi to Sora for us."
"Oh, and tell Daisy I'm sorry," Donald added with a gentle smile of his own. With one precise kick to the Gummi ship's hull, the engines started up, weakly at first but soon roaring to full power. The colourful ship rose from the forest floor with its unwilling passenger inside, and two fearless subjects watching from below. It almost looked like it wouldn't be able to make the trip.
Mickey struggled to find the controls to stop this liftoff, but his vision was getting clouded and blurry; he was slowly succumbing to his wounds. Disney Castle was where this thing was heading and he could do nothing to change that. Barely able to focus his eyes, down below he could see his two greatest friends in the world waving one final goodbye. His blood ran cold as the three greatest enemies in the universe swept out of the trees. Aradan, flanked by Charon and Brisen strode out of the forest, Keyblades in each of their grasps. Their armour clanked and clattered as they approached, each step heralding doom for the brave Disney Castle subjects. They didn't miss the ship taking flight, and easily could have taken after it, but from the looks on the dog and duck before them, they would never allow that to happen. At least they had something to take their anger out on.
"Ayuk! Guess this is it, Donald," Goofy guffawed as he readied his shield, resigned and fearless, with a grin on his face.
"Let's go get em', Goofy!" Donald shouted with a wave of his staff. Across the clearing the Chasers broke into a sprint, rushing to meet them in battle. Without fear or regret, Donald and Goofy charged too, shouting bravely and defiantly as they ran to meet their destiny.
That was the last thing King Mickey saw before he drifted out of consciousness...
KHKHKHKH
When Sora reopened his eyes, he found there were already tears inside them.
"So that's what happened," he whispered. He had been wondering what had happened to Donald and Goofy ever since this adventure began. Now that he knew, it did nothing to ease his pain. It was the Chasers who put King Mickey into a coma, and it was them who were responsible for his friends' disappearance. Those armoured Keyblade wielders had caused so much pain and destruction, not only in his lifetime, but thousands of years before that. And they weren't gonna stop anytime soon, unless he did something. It did give him a small amount of happiness to see that Donald and Goofy were loyal to the King even when faced with certain death...
He shook his head stubbornly. No! This didn't mean that they were gone. He hadn't actually seen what had happened afterwards. As long as there was light, there was hope.
As glad as Sora was to see what had transpired that day, he had secretly been hoping for another vision of his father, Anakin Skywalker. Now that he knew who he was, he was even more excited to learn more about him, to see what connected them as father and son, all of his adventures, his heroics, anything that would help him understand the Jedi knight better. Unfortunately, Sora couldn't turn these visions on at a whim. He could only fall asleep and hope for the best. And that wasn't exactly working out in his favour. Besides, most of these visions turned out bad.
He sighed and wiped the tears from his eyes. It would do no good to cry over it. He got up out of bed, shook his head to clear his mind, and walked out the door.
"Oh Sora!" Once he was outside Sora saw Kairi and the rest of his Keyblade friends coming down the hall towards him. "We were just about to get you," Kairi said smiling.
"How come?" Sora asked.
"We're coming up on the next world!" Jack Skellington explained happily.
"Awesome!" Sora grinned. "Which one is it?"
"Get your turban ready cause we're heading for Agrabah!" Kairi matched his grin with her own.
"That's great!" Agrabah was one of his favourite worlds to visit. He couldn't wait to see Aladdin and the others again.
KHKHKHKH
Agrabah. The great desert city of secrets and mysteries and home to many thousands. Surrounded by the dunes it was a paradise for dwellers of the sand. The city was filled with bazaars and markets that were always filled with throngs of people. At the centre of the city was Agrabah Palace, it's golden topped towers bright enough to rival the light of the ever shining sun.
"Welcome to Agrabah!" Sora announced upon their arrival.
"Is this place always so hot?" Beast panted, literally suffocating under all his fur.
the Keybladers set off into the city. The dirt roads of Agrabah were easy on the feet. The loud calls of the merchants flowed through the crowds, with promises of freshly cut fish and finely crafted jewelry. The whole community was a very unique place compared to the other places they had been too. Children played happily in the streets, performers put on amazing displays for a bit of coin and some recognition. The last one they saw was what made Jack Skellington grin and hop away from the group.
Kairi watched with morbid fascination as a man lay himself down on a bed of nails, completely unharmed, people clapping at his feat. "Wow, the things people will do to entertain others."
"Arabian niiigghts! Like Arabian daaaays!" Jack Skellington sang in the street, drawing more of a crowd than any other performer in the bazaar. "They tease and excite! Take off and take flight! They shock and amaaaze!" He snatched a flaming scimitar from another performer and, to everyone's amazement, swallowed it whole. After that death-defying stunt, fire sprouted from his mouth and everyone broke into enthusiastic applause. Kairi found herself clapping, too.
"It looks like there's some kind of celebration going on," Kairi said thoughtfully. The bazaar seemed to be filled with conversation, and there was a certain excitement in the air. And she took note that a lot of very important-looking richly dressed people were heading up the street to the palace. "What do you think's going on?"
"I bet I know," Sora said, a wide grin already growing on his face. "Aladdin and Jasmine are getting married!"
"Well if the banner is any indication," Mulan said dryly. Looking at the huge decorative banner hanging between the houses that read 'ALADDIN AND JASMINE ARE GETTING MARRIED!'. Sora chuckled hopelessly. Still, he was happy his two friends were finally going to settle down.
"I'm looking for a lamp." Sora stopped everything else he was doing when he heard those words. He looked to the side. A few feet away from him, a tall figure in purple robes spoke with one of the merchants, his head hidden from view by his hood. "Perhaps you have one in your possession?"
"I am very sorry, sir!" the small wily man in a turban said. "I no longer place myself in the lamp business. It was not good for my personal health! But, I can give you many good deals on my other merchandise! Like this! This! This...I don't know what this is. But it is guaranteed not to break! Oh wait a minute, it broke."
"Listen, you little fool. There is only one thing I'm interested in here and that is-!" He stopped when he felt he was being watched, turning his head slightly to see Sora staring at him. The boy couldn't see his full face under the hood, but he did catch a grey beard growing from the figure's face. Suddenly the man took off quickly down the street, pushing and shoving past the people in his way. Instinct told Sora to follow him, and he did.
Sora knew there was something off about that man. In past experience, whenever someone mentioned the word 'lamp' here it always lead to trouble. He saw the person slip inside an alleyway and that's where he went after him. But when he entered the alley, it was empty.
"Huh?" Sora gawked. There was no way out of this alley, it lead to a dead-end. Where could he have gone?
There was barking at his feet. He looked down. A small scruffy dog was in front of him, waving his tail and staring up at Sora while panting constantly.
"Hey, there pooch," Sora smiled, kneeling down to pet its head. It yipped happily at the gesture, waving its tail faster. As Sora did this, something shiny on the animal caught his eye. He took a closer look. A flawless green gem hung from a golden chain around the dog's neck. Sora gently took it in his hand and examined it, wondering how a stray had managed to get something like this. But as Sora stared at it, he noticed that it was glowing...
"OW!" The dog had bit the hand that held the gem. It growled and barked at him, all traces of its friendliness now gone. It growled at him one last time before it ran off out into the bazaar. Sora nursed his hand and watched the dog until it was lost in the crowds, then left the empty alley to rejoin his friends.
But, from behind a vendor's cart, the dog watched him leave with more intelligence behind its eyes than those of any normal canine.
"Soon, Sora. Soon," it whispered. With that, it ran into another alleyway. There was a bright green light seen between the walls and a few seconds later a great falcon flew out into the sky, the familiar green jewel dangling from its neck.
po eyed a nice shiny looking apple upon a vendor's cart. Licking his lips he reached to take it, and yelped when the cart owner nearly drove a dagger across his hand, glaring at the thieving boy. po chuckled nervously and backed away. Sniffing in disgust the vendor put the apple back in its pile with the others, then went back to his other business. A second later Jack Sparrow casually strolled by, plucked the same apple out and walked away.
"So you're in with the mates that live there?" Jack asked Sora as they made for the impressive Agrabah palace, taking a bite of his apple as he did. "I've misjudged you, Sora. So far the only people you've come to befriend are freaks and losers!" Said freaks and losers glared at the pirate. Jack didn't notice, already picturing the valuables that might be kept there. "So, can you really get us in there?"
"Sure! No problem!" Sora assured.
Ten minutes later...
"WAAAAAA!" Sora literally ate dirt when he was tossed out the palace gates in front of his somehow unsurprised friends. "What do you mean we can't come in!?" he demanded.
"Invitation only," sneered the head of the palace guards, named Razoul. "The princess is getting married. This is the most prestigious day for Agrabah and its people. Even if she is marrying that street rat." He shook his head disapprovingly. "Not just anyone gets inside. So take a hike!"
"But I'm a friend of Aladdin and Jasmine!" Sora tried to get across.
"Yeah. And I'm the Pumpkin King," Razoul scoffed.
"You too?" Jack Skellington gasped.
Another guest was approaching the gates, and with him was long procession of camels, each one carrying a large wicker basket on both of its sides, presumably containing wedding gifts for the happy couple. The man leading them was very mysterious. He was clothed entirely in blue robes, his faced wrapped so that only his eyes showed. He swept past the Keybladers with an air of dignity toward the gates; he flashed Razoul his invitation. Seeing that it was legit, the guard waved him and his camel herd inside, and the gates closed right in the heroes' faces.
"Well, that went well," Beast mumbled.
"I thought you knew these people," sonic said to Sora.
"I do. I just don't know that jerk!" Sora growled dusting himself off. "Well I'm not giving up! There's got to be another way inside." All of them then heard the sound of audible grunting. They looked to the side, and saw Jack Sparrow scaling the palace walls with a grappling hook he must have thrown up into the parapets. He was making slow progress, then noticed everyone else scowling at him.
"Oh, I was just, uh...just...," he stammered, finding an excuse. "Just finding another way inside for all of us! Yes! Everybody up now!" Filthy liar or not he had a good idea. One after the other they started their arduous climb up the high wall. It was long, and hard.
"Stop looking up my dress!" Kairi shouted.
"Sorry!" Jack Skellington apologized.
"Cry me a river," Beast growled, having much more trouble climbing with his bulky frame.
"This is harder than I thought," Sora panted.
Soon enough, but with some difficulty, they all reached the top, then used the rope again to slide down to ground on the other side of the wall. "Easy enough," Sora commented confidently. "We sure showed that stupid guard!"
"Oh really?" Razoul growled. He stood before them all, arms crossed over his chest, with about twenty palace guards at his flanks
"Maybe you should look three feet in front of you before you say those kinds of things," Beast grumbled to Sora. The guards drew their scimitars together and awaited with eager anticipation for Razoul's command.
"Get them," Razoul sneered, drawing his own weapon. They all advanced, when the ground began to shake. The ground rumbled and the walls vibrated, shocking both guards and Keybladers. "Hey! What's happening here? What's going on!" Razoul barked. An ominous mist descended on the entire group, skimming across the courtyard as the earth quaked. It was thick, it was silent, it was...blue?
"Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for the one, the only, Genie of the Lamp!" The blue mist gathered and swirled all together with the wind picking up. In a shower of sparks, fireworks and an assortment of airborne doves, the fun loving blue genie took form. "You know, I should really cut out 'the Lamp' part. That gig is past!"
"Genie!" Sora exclaimed.
"Hey, it's my main man Sora! Slap me some skin, buddy!" Sora ran to the big lovable Genie and they did a high-five, a low-five, and some kind of twisting-five.
"Are you weirded out, too?" Jack Sparrow asked Mulan.
"Oh yeah," she answered.
"Good. I thought it was just me."
"Good to have you here, buddy!" Genie gushed, shaking Sora's hand so hard he lifted him off the ground. "You must have heard the news! They're settling down, tying the knot, locking the ole' ball and chain! Do you know where I'm going with this?"
"Uh, a wedding?" Kairi guessed.
"Ding, ding, ding! Congratulations! You've won a waffle iron! Speaking of which, could ya whip one up for me right now?"
"Hey!" Off to the side was Razoul and his guards, confined in a blue cage that had appeared out of thin air, obviously courtesy of Genie. "Let us out of here now! I'm warning you!"
"Sit tight there, Captain Happy-Pants. Be with you in a jiffy," Genie told him. Razoul ground his teeth. "Sorry we couldn't get you an invitation, Sora. By the time we finished all the invitations for this world, we ran out of stamps for you. And my tongue could not take any more licking!"
"It's fine really," Sora reassured. "But I do want you to meet my friends." Genie poofed right in front of the Keybladers and took them all in.
"Quite an assortment of characters you brought this time," he pointed out. "I feel like I'm connected to them somehow, like we're all from the same large franchise. Each one is more freaky than the next. Except for this guy." He pointed at sonic. "I mean, what's unique about him?!" sonic growled hatefully.
"So where are Aladdin and Jasmine?" Sora asked.
"They're prepping up for the big moment. They grow up so fast! Hey! We gotta go tell them you're here! There might still be time to get you in the wedding! Just not the best man. That's my title! Mine!"
"Excuse me?" Jack Skellington interrupted. "I wonder if it would be at all possible if I could provide some entertainment at the reception? I won't disappoint!"
"I don't know...," Genie said slowly. "They got the best performers from here to Norway. What do you have to offer?"
"I can pull my tongue out from my eye!" And Jack reached into his eye socket and did just that, causing everyone to cringe.
"Well, I'm sold!" Genie exclaimed. "But save the rest! We gotta go show Al!" With a blast of magic in a flash they were all sitting in a tour trolley cart and wearing Agrabah memorabilia . "Hello everybody! I'll be your tour guide today!" Genie announced from the driver's seat, wearing a Mickey Mouse hat and talking into a mic. "Please keep all body parts inside the trolley at all times, or they will come off. Alright let's go people!" And they drove off into the palace, Jack Skellington snapping photos along the way.
"Hey! You can't leave us here! Hey!" Razoul shouted behind the bars.
Meanwhile, in a secluded part of the inner palace, treachery was afoot. The man in blue robes quickly ushered his camel herd into the royal stables, keeping a lookout for palace guards as he did. To all, he was just another wedding guest attending to his animals and the cargo they carried. But the truth of the matter was much more sinister.
One of the baskets carried by a camel suddenly burst open; a large, muscular brute of a man slipped out. His head was shaved and he had a long, thin moustache; his and chest was bare save for the vest he wore. He didn't look too happy, either.
"Why do you walk in the open while I suffocate like an animal?" he growled at the man in blue, who regarded him calmly.
"Patience, Sa'luk," the man replied. "Someone has to keep a cool head."
"Someone will have no head if this turns out to be another wild goose chase!" Sa'luk snarled, thrusting his armed fist fitted with brass knuckles, modified to carry three golden claws.
"No," the mystery man assured. "The Oracle is real." He looked outside to the golden towers of the palace, where the unsuspecting guest waited. "This time I'm sure." Stalking past a still angered Sa'luk, he approached the camels. "Come! It's time," he whispered to the baskets. Just as Sa'luk had done the baskets were torn open by the men hiding inside them. Rough and rugged they all were, armed with swords, daggers and many other deadly weapons. Their faces read only of greed and corruption.
"Let's get things started," the man ordered.
"Al! Al! Ally boy!" Genie shouted gleefully through the palace. "Guess who showed up to the party! I mean, wedding! I'll give you a hint, it rhymes with Mora! The answer will knock your socks off! And I'm not wearing socks!" In the chambers normally reserved for the Sultan, was the groom of the royal wedding, dressed up all fancy in white, Aladdin. He was just about to try on his big hat when they walked in, and he grinned a big one when they did.
"Sora! You're here!" the former street rat exclaimed happily, crossing the distance between them in an instant and clasping hands with his old friend.
"How's it going, Al!" Sora grinned. Something small and furry ran along the length of both their arms to get to Sora, leaping on his spiky head. "Good to see you too, Abu!" The monkey friend of Aladdin chattered happily on Sora's head. "So, finally decided to tie the knot with Jasmine, eh?"
"What do you mean finally? I was just taking my sweet precious time, that's all!" Aladdin defended himself.
"Yeah, sure you were," Sora teased. Both broke out laughing. Out of all of Sora's otherworldly friends, it was Aladdin he got along best with. He just had this likeable quality to him.
"It's so great you're here, Sora," Aladdin said sincerely. "It wouldn't be the same without you. It's thanks to your help that Jasmine are I are even together!" His cheerful expression changed to a frown. "But, where are Donald and Goofy?" As soon as he asked Sora remembered the vision he had before he came here, and grew very solemn.
"Uh, hi! I'm Kairi!" Kairi introduced, quickly changing the subject for Sora's sake.
Aladdin's grin returned. "So you're Kairi? You may not know this but Sora talked a whole lot about you during his stays here." Sora went pale.
"Oh really?" Kairi asked intriguingly.
"Do tell," Mulan insisted with a slightly evil smile.
"Oh yeah," Aladdin went on, purposely ignoring Sora's frantic protests. "He just couldn't stop talking about you. If it wasn't one thing it was another."
"Sora, you sly dog," po snickered.
"You're a poet and you didn't know it!" Jack Skellington laughed. Everyone was laughing now. Sora just wanted to die right on the spot.
"Aladdin, stop teasing him." All eyes turned to the room entrance. Just entering, dressed in a beautiful and elegant white dress lined with jewels, was the bride-to-be, Princess Jasmine. Jack Sparrow's jaw hit the ground upon her arrival. With greedy fingers and a lustful grin he made for her, but barely got a step before Mulan grabbed him by his beard and pulled him painfully back.
"Woah! Hold up there! This is a no no!" Genie informed crossly. "The bride and groom should not see each other before the wedding!" He poofed into a shower curtain that separated the two. "It's bad voodoo!"
"It's alright Genie." Aladdin pushed the curtain aside to allow Jasmine to walk through. "What are you doing here, Jasmine? We're supposed to be getting ready."
"I was, but then I heard Sora was here," Jasmine explained, kind and gentle as ever. "I'm so glad you could make it, Sora. It wouldn't feel right without you here. But you always seem to show up right in the nick of time."
"Thanks, Jasmine," Sora grinned, happy at the fact he made it. "Sorry I didn't bring a gift."
"Oh that's okay. There are far too many gifts for us to live with anyway."
Jack Sparrow's ear twitched.
Princess Jasmine then noticed the red haired girl standing next to Sora. "Kairi? Is that you?"
"Hi Jasmine. It's good to see you again," Kairi smiled. Kairi and Jasmine had both met during their more than unpleasant stay in Hollow Bastion, now named Radiant Garden. That predicament had a way of bringing people together. "Your dress looks beautiful! I hope to get married in one just like it!" Behind them, Aladdin nudged Sora which he returned with a glare.
"You are gonna stay for the wedding, right Sora?" Aladdin asked. "Your friends can stay too."
"A wedding? But I don't know anybody," Beast grumbled.
"Will there be free food?" po asked.
"Um, yeah," Aladdin answered.
"I'm sold."
"Um...," Mulan started.
"Yeah, I know," Sora sighed without even looking at her.
"But I haven't said anything."
"Trust me. I know which one of us isn't here," Sora growled, already knowing which member of their group had gone missing.
That member's short walk through the palace came to a close. Jack Sparrow pushed open the large double doors and found what he'd been searching for. "Wedding gifts!" he grinned greedily. Wedding gifs fit for a Sultan. A table stacked with valuables from all corners of the world. From golden statues to rings and tiaras encrusted with jewels. "They say true love is the greatest treasure of all," Jack said to no one in particular. "So they won't mind if I take a few things off their hands." Cracking his dirty fingers he made for the gifts.
"Hands off, flat foot!" came an indignant squawk. Jack stopped walking, looking around for the source. When he didn't find it, he thought he was hearing voices...again. "Down here!" The pirate looked down to find a red parrot scowling up at him. "What? You never seen a talking parrot before?"
"Not when I'm sober," Jack admitted.
Iago glared at him. "Well back off, pal! I called dibs on this loot way before you got here! So take a hike!" Luckily Jack had experience in dealing with birds. Having a tongueless man on the Black Pearl did have its advantages.
"My feathered friend, allow me to explain. I am the bride's second cousin's mother's nephew from my father's side. I was merely here to check up on the gifts as I was assigned. Yet here I find you claiming they are yours. Interesting..."
"Uh, I was just checking up on them too!" Iago stammered immediately. "No need to tell Aladdin and Jasmine!"
"Who?", queried Jack. Iago raised a feathered brow. "Oh right! The bride and groom, of course. No worries, bird. On my word as Captain Jack Sparrow, our presence here will never be known to Jasmine and what's-his-name." Iago's beak turned to a grin as he flapped his wings and landed on Jack's shoulder.
"Oh you're good. That whole second cousin thing? You had me going there. You know, a guy like you and a bird like me? We can rule this town!"
"Not looking to rule, mate. Just looking out for number one. AKA, me." And together they dug into the presents. "I always wanted to be one of those parrot pirates. Mr. Cotton eat your heart out!"
Back with the honest heroes, their peaceful little conversation was interrupted by several audible screams. "What was that?" Sora asked.
"It came from the throne room!" Jasmine realized quickly.
"That's where the reception's being held," Aladdin gasped. "Come on. Let's check it out."
"No worries, Al!" Genie declared, suiting up in full army getup. "We'll storm the beaches! Charge the front lines! Take no prisoners! Company charge!" Leaving a trail of blue smoke behind him Genie blasted off down the hallway.
What do you say, Sora? You want to come with?" Aladdin asked jokingly. Sora grinned in answer.
"Let's do it!" With that he and the heroes of Agrabah jumped into action.
The rest of the Keybladers were left standing around awkwardly. "Should we go too?" sonic asked.
"Nothing better to do," Beast shrugged. Out of boredom, the rest of them followed.
They reached the throne room in no time where the golden throne of the Sultan had been converted into a wedding alter from which Aladdin and Jasmine would take their vows and be forever bound in holy matrimony. There was just one problem though. "What the...?" Sora gasped.
Armed men were causing utter chaos in the palace. Bandits swarmed in from windows and balconies. Wedding guests ran in frantic panic from the attackers, but some were held up and robbed on the spot, all their valuables taken from them at sword-point. They were ruining everything, knocking over tables of food, destroying bouquets of flowers, all in the way of their 'work'.
"Thieves! In the palace? But how?" Aladdin gasped.
"Good luck getting the catering deposit back," Genie sighed, tearing up the receipt.
"They picked the wrong wedding to crash!" Sora declared, the Keyblade already in his hand. "Let's take em' down!" And they charged into battle.
"I'll take that one, that one, they can keep that one." Jack Sparrow and Iago continued to loot through the wedding gifts, oblivious to the goings on just outside the room. "I want that, you can have that, I don't even know what that is..."
"I call the golden birdhouse!" Iago announced.
"Oh, I wanted that!" They kept waffing through it with no qualms, until they realized they weren't alone. Jack accidently bumped into a man also going through the many valuables, dressed in blue robes, his face covered save for his eyes. Jack blinked. "Who are you?"
"A thief," the man spat.
Jack blinked again. "Oh," he replied. "Carry on." And he went to find some other treasures that weren't already the property of another squanderer.
As the fight with the bandits continued in earnest, a small plump man rushed onto the scene. He was dressed in white and rich looking clothes, along with a large feathered hat. This was the Sultan of Agrabah, and Princess Jasmine's father. "Oh my," the Sultan gasped as he laid eyes on it all. Disorder and terror was everywhere in the throne room, and he was powerless to stop it. They were ruining his daughter's big day! "These are no ordinary invaders," he whispered. These men were too organized, too skilled for them to be regular bandits. "These are the Forty Thieves! Master criminals of the seven deserts! For them to come here and on such a day! Guards! Guards! Where are my guards?!"
"Come to think of it, did I ever let them out of that cage?" Genie wondered aloud.
About five bandits closed in around Jack Skellington with swords gleaming and overconfident smiles on their faces. "You guys want to see something amazing?" Jack asked them. That caught them off guard for a second, but resumed their greedy attack on him. But then Jack's teeth grew sharper and bats flew out of his mouth as he let out a frightening wail until all colour drained from the thieves' faces. They screamed like little girls and threw down their weapons before running away. "Come back! Don't you want to see my gut buster?"
"Alright, you big brute," sonic growled as the large man with the golden claws approached. Sa'luk smiled cruelly and gripped the claws tighter with each step he took. "You want a piece of me? I'll rip your head off! You don't know who you're messing with!" Sa'luk thrust his claws at the hedgehog, only for them to be held back by Kingdom Key. Sa'luk glowered at Sora as he came between him and his prey.
Sora pushes Sa'luk back and rushing to engage him. sonic turned around, coming face to face with yet another, this one wielding a pair of swords. Someone tapped the thief on the shoulder, though, and when he turned around he was nailed in the face by Princess Jasmine, knocking him out in one punch.
"That's for ruining my wedding day!" she spat.
sonic sniffed disdainfully. "I could have done that."
Mulan parried a man's scimitar and followed up with a roundhouse kick to his face, then quickly spun to melt a another's sword with a well placed fireball. But three more still advanced on her, cruel and nasty to the tee. Unfortunately, they didn't care to notice they had stepped on a rug. Not just any rug. The purple and decorative carpet suddenly swept up from under them, all by itself, knocking them off their feet and on a heap on the floor. Mulan's mouth hung open as the magic carpet floated before, when it's tassels suddenly shook her hand and congratulated her. After that it flew off for heroics elsewhere.
"That was new...," Mulan said slowly.
"Alright, you no-good-nicks! You better back up from the brand of magic that never fails!" Genie cracked his blue fingers and wiggled them, them snapped to create dozens of Genie samurai ninja warriors! "Hiya! Wacha! Krackow! Everybody was kung-fu fighting!" The very sight of these blue-skinned sword wielding, kick boxing trained attackers made many thieves run away like cowards. "Oh yeah! This beat down was brought to you 'Genie'! He kicks butt, get used to it!"
The Forty Thieves were wild master criminals that fought like unleashed demons, but against the Keybladers and a phenomenal cosmic power wielding genie they were simply no match. Their numbers were diminishing from their efforts. And from a high up windowsill, a certain perched bird watched with intrigue.
"Interesting," it whispered, its beak curving to a sneer.
Aladdin whipped a dagger and pinned one of the Forty Thieves to the wall, then tossed another one over his shoulder when he charged. After that was done he looked around for someone else to take down, and his eyes traveled across into the next room or, more specifically, the room holding the wedding gifts. One of the thieves was there, searching through the presents, and that's when Aladdin realized the other thirty-nine thieves were just a distraction. Wasting no more time, he rushed to stop him.
"Where is it? It has to be here somewhere!" the blue robed man growled, searching through the wedding gifts with growing annoyance. "I know it's here! Where is it?"
"What the heck is this thing?" Jack Sparrow asked not far off. In his hands he held a golden sceptre, the top of which held a bright green jewel.
"I think it's called a baton," Iago answered.
"A little too feminine for my tastes," Jack scoffed and tossed the thing over his shoulder, where it collided with the other man's head.
"Ow!" The man rubbed his head and growled angrily. That is until he saw what had struck him. With a steady hand he picked up the sceptre and stared at it in wonder. "Yes. At last!" He was knocked to the ground and the object fell from his grasp, now flat on his back to glare at the one smirking down at him.
"Can I see your invitation?" Aladdin asked humorlessly, now holding the sceptre. But quicker than a cat, the man tackled him and grabbed at it, but Aladdin held on firm.
"You have courage to face the King of Thieves, boy!" the man growled. "But that will not save you!"
Beast fought with tooth and claw through the Forty Thieves. He tossed one effortlessly through a wall, socked one across the jaw and threw another into an overhead chandelier. All it took was one glare from the Beast to send the rest of them fleeing in terror.
"Cassim said nothing about facing warriors of this calibre!" Sa'luk growled, watching with distaste as po rode on the shoulders of a screaming man. "Get everyone out of here," he ordered another thief. "We'll leave the King to help himself."
Meanwhile Aladdin squared off against the King of Thieves, struggling to keep the object he sought out of his greedy hands. He didn't know why he wanted it, he didn't even care. All he knew was he was ruining everything he and Jasmine had worked so hard on. But what really ticked him off was the fact Jack Sparrow and Iago weren't doing the least bit to help, still picking through his and Jasmine's gifts. The King of Thieves pushed him again, and Aladdin rolled and flipped the man over onto his back. The King was about to recover, until he heard several people approaching the room they were in.
"Another time, boy!" the King declared. Before Aladdin could stop him, he leapt off a nearby balcony and grabbed the tapestry flowing off it, tearing it so as to grant him a safe landing down below. Aladdin watched him run from the balcony until he was through the palace gates, frowning at the statement he had made.
The fighting had drawn to a close on this more than disruptive wedding day. All the thieves had cleared out of the palace on command and had taken their fallen comrades with them, leaving the place in a less than stable state. Tables were upturned leaving their contents spilled on the floor, the wedding alter was completely destroyed, and the guests were probably running to the next country by now, with a little less valuables riding in their pockets.
"You guys sure know how to throw a party," Jack Skellington commented.
"Oh my," the Sultan sighed dismally, looking at his ruined palace.
"Not to worry, father of the bride! We can rebuild!" Genie poofed up to the startled Sultan, wearing a construction hat and holding a clipboard. "Alright, your standard wedding pavilion it is, my man," he said in a Brooklyn accent. With a blast of magic, several other Genies appeared, all of them fitted for heavy duty construction. "I want to see some resumes from these guys."
"What were they after?" Kairi asked as everyone gathered in the gift room.
"It must have been the wedding gifts," Jasmine said.
"What? That's downright terrible!" Jack Sparrow exclaimed walking on the scene, and everyone noticed his pockets looked a little heavier than usual.
"They weren't after all the gifts." Aladdin walked in from the balcony and over to everyone else. "This is all the King of Thieves wanted." He held up the golden sceptre for all of them to see.
"A golden rattle?" Sora asked confused. Abu chirped on top of his head.
"What!" Iago flew from Jack's shoulder to Aladdin's and stared at the object that had caused so much trouble. "Out of all the other great stuff in here why would he go for this thing?"
The green jewel on the sceptre abruptly burst with blinding light. It happened so suddenly that everyone was forced to cover their eyes. The glowing sceptre left Aladdin's hand not of his accord but of it own, floating through the air to hover dead center of the room.
"Your question shall be answered!" The deific female voice seemed to come from everywhere, but all knew it was coming from the sceptre. The light it projected started to form into a more visible, defined shape. A woman, bathed in light, dressed in robes and a headdress of the desert, and eyes as white as the sun. She floated above them, transparent and glowing, a great spirit composed from the powers of this world. She was both mystical and beautiful to behold.
"The King of Thieves sought my sight to find the ultimate treasure," the spirit told them, answering Iago's earlier question.
"'Ultimate treasure?" Jack Sparrow echoed, eyes twinkling.
"Genie," Aladdin said to his friend, who had put on a pair of sunglasses to combat the bright light coming off the lady. "What is this?"
"Oh, this looks like one of them there Oracles," Genie answered thoughtfully. "I've heard of these things. They say they know everything there is to know. They can even tell the future!"
"You are correct, Genie of the Lamp," the Oracle confirmed. "I know all and see all. Through time and space my gaze pierces. You have but to ask and I will answer."
"What's the catch?" sonic asked suspiciously.
"I must follow the Rule of One. You may only ask me one question. One question, one answer. Choose very, very carefully."
"What's my name?" Jack Skellington asked.
"Jack Skellington."
"Wow! It does work!"
"So we can know anything we want to know?" Sora asked excitedly. "Wow! What should we ask it?"
"We can we get back to the whole 'ultimate treasure' business," Jack Sparrow reasoned.
"We can ask how to turn me human again!" Beast put out.
"Hold on!" Kairi stopped them all from going into tirades. "This is Aladdin and Jasmine's gift. They should decide what to do with it." There were a lot of collective groans.
"Girl scout," po said under his breath. Kairi glared at him.
"Oh Aladdin!" Jasmine gasped, sidling up to her husband to be. "We can learn anything. About our lives, about our futures, anything!"
"You have but to ask," the Oracle confirmed.
Aladdin grinned brightly. "I already know what my future is, Jasmine." He placed his hands on her shoulders. "My future is you."
"Oh please," Iago gagged. Genie zipped his beak shut, literally with a zipper
Aladdin's grin faded slightly. "But," he whispered. "My past is a complete blank. My mother died when I was very young, and I never even knew my father. I have no idea where I even came from." He sighed and looked away. "I can't get my answers from just one question. I have a million of them."
"But the questions about your past can be answered by your father." Aladdin's eyes widened to the point of saucers. He turned back to look at the Oracle in utter shock.
"M-My father?" he repeated. The Oracle waved her hands and a window appeared in thin air from her power. Inside was the visage of a man, an older version of Aladdin, rugged beard and white hair on his features, smiling kindly down at his only son. "My father is alive?" Aladdin gasped.
"I have some experience with the dead, and that ain't it," Jack Skellington put in.
"He looks just like you," Jasmine said, equally astonished.
"Why don't you grow a beard, Al?" Genie asked.
"Do you have your question?" the Oracle asked patiently.
Aladdin frowned. "I'm not so sure anymore." A whole mixture of emotions was going through him. Joy, confusion, anger, he didn't know which to choose. "I've always wanted to know about my father, but now I just don't know. I mean, what kind of man leaves his kid?" He bowed his head sadly. "Did he even care?"
"Aladdin," Sora started, choosing his next words straight from the heart. "You have a chance to know who your family is. Not a lot of people have that chance." The Keybladers knew he was speaking from personal experience. "Besides, if he's anything like you are, you'll want to meet him as much as I do."
Aladdin grinned brightly. "You always seem to know the right thing to say, Sora." His face grew stern, and he turned to face the bright glowing Oracle again.
"Do you have your question?" she asked again. Aladdin looked at the others, who motioned him to go on. He nodded. "Then ask it."
"Where is my father?" he asked without any regrets.
The Oracle gestured out the balcony towards the orange tinted sky where the sun was just beginning to set. "Follow the trail of the Forty Thieves," she answered all knowingly. "Your father lies trapped within their world."
"The Forty Thieves?" Aladdin gasped. Hadn't the bandits caused enough problems in his life? "But how? Is he their prisoner?"
"I'm sorry," the Oracle apologized. "One question, one answer." She glowed her brightest yet so they all covered their eyes. When it was over, only the sceptre remained floating in the air, the Oracle once again within her resting place. It hovered briefly for a few more seconds before it clattered to the marble floor.
Aladdin picked it up, emotion welling up in his body. Distinctly, he felt a pair of hands placed over top of his, and looked into the beautiful eyes of his fiancé, the eyes he fell in love with.
"I have to do this."
Jasmine smiled. "I know you do." She gently took the sceptre from him.
One certain pirate member of the group kept his eyes locked upon the item.
"I'm with ya Al!" Sora declared, striding up to him. "Whatever you need, I'm here to help!" Aladdin grinned, clasping hands with Sora once again.
Before long, Aladdin and Sora were loaded up on Carpet and flying out of the palace. Everyone else bid them goodbye and good luck as they took off, growing farther into the distance the longer they stared. With a mission and a purpose, Carpet took off into the sky toward the setting sun.
A lone figure in purple robes watched from atop one of the palace's golden towers. Merlock grinned cruelly as he observed their exit. Green light enveloped him and his shape shifted to that of a condor, taking off with its new wings after the party and their valiant quest.
And that concludes another chapter. Be sure to write nice reviews, adapt the original story (Darius Almighty's work) on DeviantArt, turn it into a webcomic or post the story on TV tropes or follow and favorite it. And remember may your heart be your guiding key!