Chapter 49: honor among 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 meet the 40 thieves! I hope Aladdin and jasmine will do this wedding thing right with no interruptions after the two fanfics (darius almighty and spderfan626's work) come to a close!.
With that out of the way, here's the next chapter. Enjoy!
"I really appreciate you coming with me, Sora," Aladdin told Sora sincerely. The sun had set but even in the dark, the Forty Thieves' trail was visible, their tracks clear in the desert sand.
"It's no problem," Sora replied. "We're buds, right?"
"So why did I have to come!?" Iago squawked indignantly, crossing his wings. "I should have stayed with the pirate. That guy had class!" Abu whacked him over the head.
"It's just too bad your friends couldn't help us out," Aladdin decided to comment.
"Yeah...too bad," Sora said quietly, thinking back to the conversation he had just before they left.
"You guys aren't coming?" Sora asked Kairi in confusion, just as they were readying themselves for the journey. "Why not? Don't you care about Aladdin?"
"It's not that," Kairi answered gently. "We have no problem with Aladdin; he's a nice guy. It's just..." She glanced at their surroundings, making sure there wasn't anyone around. "The Horned King and Maleficent both want the Princesses of Heart, right?"
"Yeah...," Sora said, not really getting where she was going. Kairi sighed. Sora could be really slow sometimes.
"Jasmine is a Princess of Heart!" Sora gaped. He had completely forgotten about that. Just like Kairi, Jasmine was one of the seven maidens of the purest heart that when brought together would open the door to Kingdom Hearts. He glanced to where she was, bidding Aladdin goodbye.
"It's only a matter of time before they come for her, too," Kairi went on, also looking at the Princess. "I just want to make sure we're around when they do. Beast already lost Belle. I don't want to see Aladdin lose Jasmine as well." Sora nodded.
"We'd better not tell him about this," he said, looking at his friend. "Aladdin's got enough problems to deal with right now." He turned back to Kairi smiling. "All right, you guys hold down the fort. We'll be back soon."
"I hope so," Kairi said, smirking a very un-Kairi-like smirk. "I want to hear more of Aladdin's stories when you are."
Sora chose to end the memory right there.
"There they are!" Aladdin cried. When Sora snapped out of it, he saw the desert had ended at a craggy rocked beach, the sea stretching out just as long as the desert sand. The Forty Thieves were up ahead, stopped before the splashing waves of the beach. Across the water which they faced was an island, more like a small mountain. They ducked behind some rocks for cover and watched what transpired.
"They have nowhere to go," Aladdin stated confidently. "We have them now."
"Um, have you gone insane!?" Iago spluttered. "They are forty thieves! We are you, a monkey, a parrot, a rug, and kid who hasn't even reached puberty!"
"Hey!" Sora hissed.
"Shh!" Aladdin scolded, pointing to criminals ahead. One man rode to the front, and Aladdin immediately recognized him as the man in blue robes, the King of Thieves. He stood proudly in front of his men, almost majestic in the light of the moon. He raised his hand to the water. What he was planning to do none of the heroes could have guessed.
"Open Sesame!" he shouted, loudly and clearly.
The earth around them rumbled, much to the amazement of the rescue team. The water between the isles bubbled and frothed as the magic words took effect. In a blast of steam and fire, the water exploded upward, creating a short downpour on the thieves and the astonished heroes. The waters had parted. Ten feet of saltwater was split into two ten-foot tall walls of H2O. The sea floor had become sizzling hot, hot enough to evaporate the water and create a clear path to the island. Suddenly, the island itself began to move and shake, and the rock wall shifted on its own. By some unknown powers the stones were also parting, creating a doorway in the cliff before everyone's very eyes. Abu cooed in amazement
"Come on!" the King of Thieves hollered. Unimpressed by what had just occurred, all together the thieves charged down between the separated waves. The metal hooves of their horses kept them safe from the ground's boiling surface and they galloped unhindered into the isle's secret entrance. One by one they passed through the doorway, right down to the stragglers.
"Let's go!" Sora shouted, and Carpet shot off, not a moment to lose, down the path. But as soon as they entered the parted water, the spell wore off, and the waves started crashing down behind them.
"Move it, Carpet!" Aladdin cried. He could see the mountain entrance closing up ahead, intensifying the already drastic situation they were in. The was closing in around them, salt water was splashing into their mouths; with a sudden burst of speed, the magic carpet slipped through the narrowing opening in the rock just as it slammed shut.
Someone else wasn't so lucky. Merlock, still in his condor form, squawked and pulled away from the rock face. He scowled at his rotten timing and went off to circle the island for another way in.
"Close one," Sora sighed once they were safely inside, dismounting Carpet.
"I think I lost a few tail feathers," Iago whimpered.
Once the feeling of relief had passed they looked at their surroundings. They were in what looked like an ancient tomb, a final resting place for a Sultan or Pharaoh long dead. Temple ruins were all around them, fallen pillars and dismembered statues here and there. But still, it was a wonder.
"This is the perfect hideout for the Forty Thieves," Aladdin whispered in awe. "Out in the middle of nowhere, inside a mountain with a secret password to get in. It's no wonder they've never been caught." The cavern was dark for there was no skylight, but there was orange torch light coming from the middle of the cave, along with some pretty ticked off sounding voices. The group crept along the rocks and ruins to a spot overlooking the cavern center and observed the scene unfolding below. All of the Forty Thieves were gathered, men of all shapes and sizes, expressing displeasure amongst themselves.
"Our trip to Agrabah was as risky as it was useless!" Sa'luk shouted as he stalked angrily around the center of the throng, his golden claws reflecting off of the torches. "And what did we get out of it? A great big heap of nothing! What do you have to say for yourself, Cassim?" The one whom he addressed or, more aptly, accused, also stood in the centre.
"That's him!" Sora gasped, pointing urgently.
"Cassim," Aladdin whispered, eyes growing in shock. "My father."
The face the Oracle had showed them was right before their eyes, standing before Sa'luk and the conduit for his anger. Aladdin's father, the one called Cassim.
"You certainly talk a big game, Sa'luk," Cassim smirked, not displaying even a scrap of fear, despite standing in the midst of these criminals. "And, as for spilling my blood? I just don't see it happening."
"Then let me open your eyes!" Sa'luk growled as he reared back his claws. But he was suddenly tackled to the ground, much to the surprise of Cassim and the Thieves.
"Get out of here!" Aladdin shouted, struggling to hold Sa'luk down. "Go! I've got him!" Cassim raised an eyebrow.
"Alright! Back up! Rescue party's here!" Sora hollered jumping in front of Cassim, swinging his Keyblade to keep the other Thieves at a distance. Iago cowered on his one shoulder while Abu swung his fists around on his other.
Cassim scratched his head. "Have I...missed something?"
"I'm Aladdin!" Aladdin growled as Sa'luk was regaining his bearings. "I'm your son! You're my father!" Sa'luk overpowered him and knocked him flat on his back but, as he did, something fell from Aladdin's clothes. It was a golden hilted dagger, hidden in a sheath lined with gold, the sight of which caused Cassim's eyes to widen.
"You've got a lot of guts," Sa'luk snarled as he approached the fallen Aladdin. "Let's see what they look like!"
"Stop!" Sa'luk was about to rip Aladdin a new one when Cassim stopped him. "Let him go." He held the gilded dagger in his hands now, staring at it with a sense of melancholy. "This boy is my son." There were audible gasps from the Forty Thieves around them. Sora grinned at the news, but still kept them back with the Keyblade.
"I gave this dagger to my wife years ago," Cassim continued, moving his gaze from the dagger to the one who owned it. "I told her to give it to our newborn son, Aladdin." Aladdin smiled in utter joy.
"So it's true?" one of the Thieves asked.
"He is the spitting image of Cassim."
"The boy is the son of the King of Thieves!"
The Keyblade slacked in Sora's grip. "The King of Thieves?"
Aladdin's eyes expanded. "You're the King of Thieves?" His father smiled in answer. It was then Aladdin realized that he was wearing the same blue robes as the man that tried to steal the Oracle, only now his head coverings were gone to reveal the face he longed to see.
"Wow. Now there's something you can brag about!" Iago exclaimed.
"Yes, I am the King of Thieves," Cassim answered with no hesitation. "How's that for a skeleton in the closet. But, look at you!" He placed both his hands on Aladdin's shoulders, absolutely beaming. "You've grown so tall! I never thought I'd see you again, I thought you were dead. My own flesh and blood!"
"Blood or mud, he is still an intruder!" Sa'luk pushed between the two, brandishing his claws in Aladdin's face. "And we have rules about intruders. They have seen our secret lair!" he shouted to the rest of the Thieves. "And they must die." Cassim scowled, but it seemed the forty men around them shared Sa'luk's way of thinking. One of them grabbed Iago and Abu, and another grabbed Carpet, rolling him up in a bundle to prevent any more flying.
A thief Sora hadn't seen grabbed him from behind and held him fast. "But, he's your son!" Sora cried.
"Play the mercy card, here!" Iago whined fearfully.
"Yes, Cassim. Mercy would be so like you," Sa'luk sneered at the King of Thieves. "I do hope you're not getting soft." Cassim scowled again. At the first sign of weakness, Sa'luk would turn every one of his men against him, and Sa'luk knew that Cassim knew this.
Iago gulped. "He wouldn't really sell out his own kid, would he?" Abu shook his head stubbornly.
"Of course not," Sora replied, half-heartedly. "No dad of Aladdin would do that."
Cassim shrugged. "Kill em'." Sora, Iago and Abu balked. Aladdin's eyes widened in shock. With grins on all their faces, the Forty Thieves advanced toward them. Sa'luk, as expected, was at the head, always keen to be the first to spill blood. "Unless..." Everyone stopped where they were when their leader pondered aloud. "Nah," Cassim sighed.
"What?"one man asked.
"Well, we could...no, it would never work."
"What? What is it?"
"I was just thinking...ah, forget it."
"What? Out with it, man!" Sa'luk exclaimed. Cassim smirked victoriously.
"We could give the boy, the test." Aladdin raised an eyebrow at the curious option that was presented, his suspicions growing when he saw that the Thieves thought this was an excellent idea. His father seemed pleased, though.
"How do you think they test people here?" Aladdin whispered to Sora.
"And I shall be the one to test him!" Sa'luk chuckled, thrusting his claws in Aladdin's face for the umpteenth time that day. Cassim's smile dropped from his face, and the rest of the Forty Thieves howled with unforgiving laughter.
"I think I'm getting a general idea," Sora replied dryly.
KHKHKHKH
It was on top of the mountain hideout under the light of the full moon where this so called 'tradition' would take place. They proceeded through the tunnels that lead topside, Sora and the others still being treated as prisoners. When they reached the top where more temple ruins stood, the Forty Thieves formed a semi-circle at the mountain's edge, around the precarious drop to the crashing waves below. Sora was wedged uncomfortably between a couple of brutish thugs, looking nervously between the two. Iago and Abu were trapped in a cage, and Carpet was currently being sat upon by a very heavy man.
"So, Dad," Aladdin half-growled at his supposed father. "What are the rules to this test?"
"It's simple really," Cassim told him offhandedly, gesturing to the center of the semicircle. Sa'luk stood there, waiting patiently, his claws at the ready. "You fight Sa'luk until one of you can fight no more. Only then will you be accepted into the Forty Thieves."
Aladdin glanced back at Sa'luk, who smiled back maliciously. "That's all, huh?"
"Don't worry. You are my son," Cassim reassured with a pat on Aladdin's back. "I'm confident that you can pull this off. Just, uh, try not to die."
"Thanks," Aladdin growled.
The Forty Thieves were getting rowdy know, shouting for the fight to start. Their shouts turned to jeers when Aladdin stepped into the circle, armed with nothing but his Father's dagger and his wits. He stood across from Sa'luk
"Go Al! You can do it!" Sora cheered from the sidelines. The two brutes he was sitting in-between shot him murderous glares. Sora gulped and decided to keep his mouth shut for the rest of the challenge.
"The test begins now!" Cassim commanded and, before his words were finished, Sa'luk charged. Aladdin wasn't quite ready, but still managed to duck under the sweep of the three-clawed brass knuckles and roll away, recovering in time to block the next strike with his unsheathed dagger. Cassim discreetly released the pent up breath he had been holding and continued to watch the duel unfold. In the dark of night, no one noticed the condor flying overhead and finally perching itself on the roof of a ruined temple. In a flash of green light, Merlock transformed yet again, this time into a small unnoticeable mouse, a miniature green jewel dangling from its neck. When that was done he joined the Thieves in watching the brawl with interest.
Sa'luk's overpower and overwhelm tactics were simple, yet effective. He kept the much scrawnier Aladdin on his toes with continuous swipes of his weapon, like a bear trying to catch a meal. All Aladdin could do was dodge and block under the assault. It was only with his superior speed and reflexes that Aladdin was able to stay in one piece. Sora watched worriedly as his friend seemed unable to mount any kind of offense.
Holding his ground against the muscle man with nothing but a dagger was certainly hard for Aladdin. A shove from Sa'luk knocked him to the ground and the man raised his claws for the killing blow, but Aladdin kicked his feet out from under him and sent him down too. Both got back up and resumed their clash. Sa'luk lunged again and Aladdin countered with a kick to the gut. Sa'luk lunged once more and Aladdin elbowed him in the face. But Aladdin wasn't prepared for the next one, and cried out in pain as the golden claws raked across his shoulder.
The Forty Thieves cheered sadistically and Cassim had to look away, surprising himself that he was unable to bear it. Sora gulped nervously. Could Aladdin really lose?
Now nursing an injured shoulder, the former street rat's movements slowed considerably; he was an easy target for Sa'luk. His unarmed fist nailed Aladdin across the jaw. Aladdin went down, but Sa'luk wasn't finished yet. He grabbed the downed boy and lifted him over his head effortlessly, carried him over to the cliff side where the waves crashed violently at the bottom of a very steep drop.
"Aladdin, no!" Sora cried.
"Goodbye, Prince of Thieves!" Sa'luk mocked. But Aladdin wasn't about to die yet. He grabbed one of the arms holding him aloft and twisted it painfully, forcing Sa'luk to let go. Even though he did, Aladdin didn't let go of the arm, twisted it behind the man's back and pushed him forward, right to the cliff edge. Sa'luk balanced on tippy toes, waving his arms to regain composure, but he was inevitably falling.
"No!" Aladdin shouted. He jumped to grab Sa'luk, hoping to help him, but the man finally lost his balance. His scream echoed through the night as he fell and fell down the steep cliff. Aladdin peered over the ledge, but all he saw were the sea waves below. Sa'luk was gone.
"You killed him." Aladdin turned around. The Forty Thieves surrounded him, a captive Sora and caged Abu and Iago in their clutches, glowering at him sullenly.
"N-No! It was an accident!" Aladdin tried to get across, but the Thieves would have none of it. They roughly grabbed him and dragged him off along with Sora and their animal friends. They were manhandled by the whole lot of them before they were brought before the King of Thieves himself, Aladdin's father, Cassim. And he didn't look too happy.
"You killed Sa'luk," he whispered coldly. "The rules of the Forty Thieves are very clear." Sora and Aladdin gulped at the same time, while Iago's teeth chattered and Abu bit his nails.
Cassim shrugged. "You're in."
Aladdin and Sora blinked. "Huh?"
"HOOORAAAY!" the Forty Thieves cheered, and the two boys found themselves being patted on the back and congratulated by the criminals. Iago and Abu were broken out of their cage and were unwillingly tossed up and down in the air. The boys were high-fived; there was hand-shaking and even hugging. Violent and blood thirsty as the Thieves were, they were certainly an affectionate bunch.
"Boys," Cassim grinned, putting an arm around each of their shoulders. "Welcome to the Forty Thieves."
KHKHKHKH
"This is a fine day indeed," Cassim smiled happily as he lead his son Aladdin through the hideout caves, their only light being a torch that Cassim carried in front of him. Iago had also decided to tag along on Aladdin's shoulder. "I find my son, and I lose my enemy. It is certainly something to celebrate."
"A dark and drippy cave isn't exactly a festival," Iago commented irritably.
"Not even my men know about this place," Cassim told them. "It's a secret to all but me. And one that I wish to show you, Aladdin."
"Dad, all I want is to talk to you," Aladdin said stepping over another rock. "I want some questions answered. Like how are you the leader of the Forty Thieves? Why did you attack Agrabah?" He stopped walking. "And why did you leave me and Mom?" Cassim stopped as well. His shoulders heaved up in a sad sigh.
"All valid questions," he answered quietly. "All of which can be answered by the ultimate treasure." He started walking again and Aladdin was forced to follow.
"What is this ultimate treasure I keep hearing about?" Their path came to an end before a small cliff, at the bottom of which was an underground lake. Cassim stopped before the cliff and looked down into the water, turning and grinning at Aladdin.
"The Hand of Midas." Aladdin raised a doubtful eyebrow.
"It's just a myth."
"It's not a myth, boy! It was once right here. And here's your proof." He gestured down below. Aladdin, still doubtful, went to join him at the cliff. Once there, Cassim used the torch he was holding and lowered it, brightening the darkness of the lake, and Aladdin could now see there was something underneath the water's dark surface. His eyes widened, while Iago's eyes sparkled.
Beneath the water was a sunken ship, something from the Viking era it looked like. And it was made of solid gold. "There's your proof!" Cassim announced. "From stern to stem, every piece of rigging, every peg and board, all of it solid gold!"
"Pauli want a cracker!" Iago exclaimed greedily.
"What you see before you was touched by the Hand of Midas," Cassim said with a longing smile.
"And sunk by it," Aladdin scoffed.
"That's not the point! The point is the Hand of Midas is real. Think of it, boy. Anything it touches turned instantly into gold. It is truly the world's ultimate treasure! I've spent so long searching for it."
"And is that why you left?" Aladdin asked harshly. Cassim rounded on him and looked about to say something, but then he deflated when he sighed. He turned away from the cliff and the golden ship disappeared under the surface with the lack of torch light. Alddin's anger seemed to subside as he say the man before him in such a state.
"Why did you leave, Dad?" For a while it didn't seem like Cassim would answer. Ten he took a deep breath, and began his tale.
"It seems so long ago," whispered Cassim. "When I left Agrabah. My wife and I lived in poverty, the lowest of the low, barely getting by on the meager resources we had. But there was one thing that kept me going: my wife. She was as beautiful as a flower and as fair as the golden sun, a true diamond in the rough. I loved her, she loved me...and we both loved our newborn son." Aladdin smiled softly.
"I knew we could not continue to live like that, not if our family was to have future. We needed money, and we needed it badly. But then one day while scouring the streets, I heard from a traveling merchant of an artifact of undeniable value. One that could transform anything it touched into solid gold: The Hand of Midas. It was the answer to all of my prayers. With such an object we would never be poor again, never be hungry, and we would be able to live the way my family deserved. I had to get it, but it also meant leaving my family behind. So I packed up my things for the journey, and told my wife I would not return unless it was with the Hand of Midas. She smiled at me, a smile that I still remember to this day. Before I left, though, I gave my newborn son my dagger, the only piece of worth that I possessed,"
"We didn't want money," Aladdin said softly. "We wanted you." Cassim smiled sadly.
"For years I searched for the Hand. But every lead I had, every trail I followed, all ended up in dead ends. The only piece of information that was legit suggested that the Hand was located on something called the Vanishing Isle. But that proved his as difficult to find as the Hand itself. Finally, I gave up. I returned to Agrabah empty handed, a broken shell of a man, longing only to see my loved ones again. But when I returned home, my wife was not waiting for me. It wasn't long before I learned that she had died a few months after I left. And of my son, no one knew.
"I was devastated. My heart broken. Everything I ever loved was unjustly taken from me that day. I didn't know how I could ever go on. But one thing was for sure, there was nothing left for me there. I left Agrabah, and vowed never to return. I turned my back on everything I ever knew." Aladdin caught a glimpse of a lone tear falling down his father's cheek, just a glimpse before Cassim brushed it away.
"It was years before I joined the Forty Thieves. Even more before I was made their leader. Before I came they were a band of murderous thugs with neither a purpose nor a place. Until I told them of the Hand of Midas. Under my leadership, the search continued. I devoted my life to finding the Hand of Midas, as the last promise I made to myself, and my family. The raid on the palace was because I heard word that an Oracle, a mystical being with the power of great foresight, was being kept there. Such a tool would be just thing we needed to find the Vanishing Isle and the Hand of Midas on which it rested. But instead..." He faced Aladdin now, a warm smile on his face. "I found my son."
"Dad," Aladdin said, placing a hand on his old man's shoulder. "Come back to Agrabah with me. I want you to come to the wedding. And I really want you to meet Jasmine!"
"Yeah, I'm sure she'll be very happy to me the guy who busted her wedding," Iago said sarcastically, flying from Aladdin's shoulder to Cassim's.
"You...want me there?" Cassim asked in surprise. "I-I don't know what to say. I'm not sure. They won't exactly welcome me with open arms back there."
"I'll vouch for you," Aladdin said firmly. "Please, Dad. It would mean a lot to me. If we leave tonight we can be back by morning. You can get your life back. Leave the thief behind, become the man you were meant to be." Aladdin made to leave but smiled before he did. "Just think about it, okay?" And he left Cassim to be alone with his thoughts.
The King of Thieves sighed. "Why would he want me there? I don't belong in his world."
"Well, if you're not going back for the kid..." Cassim turned to shoulder and noticed that Iago was still perched there, grinning greedily after having just spoken. "You could go back for the treasure. Go back for the Oracle."
"The Oracle?" Cassim scoffed bitterly. "It's probably just another lie, one more dead-end."
"No! It really works! I've seen it. How do you think the kid found ya? Any question you ask, it'll answer."
"It works?" Cassim gasped. He stroked his bearded chin. "Interesting."
"Hey. With you and me working together," Iago said, his big beak twisting in a devilish smile. "We can become the richest man and bird duo this side of the world." Cassim considered the parrot's words very carefully.
"I like the way you think, bird," Cassim finally replied. "I like the way you think..."
KHKHKHKH
Now that he was an honourary member of the Forty Thieves, Sora was free to wander their hideout as much as he saw fit. He hoped this didn't put a damper on his hero status. The mountain lair had many tunnels and passageways for him to explore, and that was about the only thing he could do at the moment. Cassim had said he wanted to show Aladdin something, so Sora had left them so that they could have some alone time together. The only companionship he had right now was in Abu, the monkey riding on his shoulder.
"These tunnels look like they go on for miles," Sora muttered to himself. Abu chirped an agreement. They passed yet another passageway, but this one caught his eye, and Abu's. He looked back, and his eyes widened. It was a small chamber filled with treasure. Gold, jewels, the whole treasure trove shebang, exactly what you'd expect in the hideout of a gang of bandits.
Sora whistled shrilly. "These guys sure keep themselves busy." He felt something wet drip on his shoulder. Abu was drooling. With a excited screech, the monkey dove head first into the piles of gold coins, lost in his own little world of riches. "Hey, come on, Abu! We may be one of them now but I don't think they'll be very happy with us going through their stash!" Abu wasn't listening, too busy trying to stuff as many coins as he could into his little hat. He tried on the necklaces and crowns and pretended he was royalty. He was completely happy
Abu stopped hoarding the gold, but not because Sora told him too. It was because his eyes landed on something much bigger than coins. A statue made entirely of gold sat in the middle of the cavern, standing out from the rest of the room's shiny things. It was buried waist up in coins so there was no telling how tall it was. That was the least of Abu's cares as he bounded over to it, chattering excitedly.
"Abu!" Sora scolded, but inwardly knew it was useless. Abu's old thieving ways had taken hold of him. When it came to valuables, there was no stopping him. He made his way through the other loot in the cavern to reach the statue that the monkey was fawning over. Sora was no artist, but this thing wasn't exactly a classic piece of work. And its head certainly didn't look normal It was shaped like a human, and its sprawled out arms were rustic. Its head had no real design to it, it barely even had a mouth. It did have two eyes, dull and colorless as they were.
Abu crawled all over it, checking every exposed part of its body to see if any more value could be deduced. He wasn't very gentle either, knocking on its hard head to test durability. He bounded up to its head and , very gently, flicked its non-existent nose.
Its eyes lit up.
"Oh my!"
"EEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKK!" Abu screeched in complete surprise, jumping to Sora and clinging around his head like a lifeline. Sora, meanwhile, watched in utter amazement as the statue started moving. It shuffled around and unburied itself from the gold coins, and actually stood up to its full height, about a head taller than Sora.
"Oh my goodness gracious! Where am I? How did I get here?" the statue exclaimed worriedly in a voice that may have caused one to question its masculinity. It looked at its surroundings with a mixture of fear and confusion, not even noticing Sora or the trembling Abu. "Oh, this is terrible. I'm lost and alone. I'll be scrapped for sure! Oh, why do these things always happen to me?" Sora's eyes were wide as saucers now, thinking this was some kind of mummy's curse. But his wide eyes managed to catch something on the anomaly before him. The statue's upper and lower body were connected by a large number of thick wires. This statue wasn't a statue at all.
"You're...a robot!" Sora gasped. The robot, now aware of Sora's presence, faced him now.
"I beg your pardon?" it asked indignantly, apparently offended. "I am C-3PO : Human Cyborg Relations. I am no mere robot as you so simply put it. I am a highly sophisticated protocol droid. And I- wait! What are you doing!?" Sora started knocking on his golden plating. "Stop that! I insist that you desist!"
"You really are a robot," Sora breathed.
"I am not a simple robot! I am C-3PO: Human Cyborg Relations." Sora scratched his head. He knew enough about this world to know that there shouldn't be any robots here. Abu, having never seen such a thing before eyed the golden plated bot fearfully.
"What are you?" Sora asked.
"Well, if you must know again, I am C-"
"No, I get it. What I meant to ask was how did you get here?"
"Oh I see," C-3PO answered politely. "Well...I am afraid I do not quite know how I came to be in this place, actually. This is entirely new to me. I do seem to remember wandering around in a desert for countless hours. Then before I knew it, I was here." He shook his arm and sand suddenly started pouring out of its joint. It actually formed a small pile. "Oh, I believe I see what happened. The large abundance of sand must have jammed my systems and I could no longer function properly. I must have gone into shutdown while walking through the desert. After that my repair functions must have kicked in. Though I can't explain how I got here."
"The Forty Thieves must have picked you up," Sora wondered aloud.
"Thieves?! You mean I've been stolen!? Oh no! They'll strip me down to pieces and sell me! I'll be spread to every corner of the world, never again to be rebuilt!" Sora chuckled uncertainly. C-3PO sure was neurotic.
"I wouldn't worry about it too much," Sora said, trying to calm the droid down. "Once they see that you can walk and talk I don't think they'll have much interest in you anymore. Besides, I'm kind of a member, so I'll vouch for you."
"Really? You would do that? Oh thank you! Thank you!" C-3PO said over and over. "You are most considerate. Not many people would go so far for a mere droid." The golden plated robot tilted his head. "I don't know what it is, but there's something very familiar about you. Have we met before?"
"I think I'd remember someone like you," Sora chuckled with his hands behind his head. "I'm Sora."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Sora. I am quite honored to make your acquaintance." Sora turned and lead his new shiny companion out of the treasure cavern, a still shaky Abu riding on his shoulder. "It's so nice to have good company again! So many days I've spent just wishing for a good companion. Oh, good day to you!" C-3PO greeted two passing Thieves who responded with slack jawed stares.
KHKHKHKH
"No way. Not gonna happen," Cassim said stubbornly.
"Aw, come on, Dad!" Aladdin laughed, flying all around his old man on Carpet, outside of the hideout in the dead of night. "It'll be fun! Carpet doesn't bite!"
"Forget it," Cassim replied gruffly. "It's a rug. You clean your feet on it, you don't fly about on it. Now get down from there before you break your neck!"
"I think he's taking the dad role a bit too seriously," Iago commented from Aladdin's shoulder. Cassim went around the corner of a craggy rock wall and came out soon after pulling two horses, saddled up and ready to go.
"We'll take horses," Cassim told Aladdin, a no nonsense tone in his voice. "Horses were good enough for my father and they're certainly good enough for us."
"Aw Dad," Aladdin pouted.
"It's alright, Al," Sora said upon walking out from entrance to the hideout. "We need the extra room anyway. We got one added piece of cargo coming with us." Walking out just behind him slowly and with eyes that glowed in the dark was what looked to Aladdin and Cassim like a moving golden statue. Its legs moved stiffly and slowly, but it walking none the less.
"You're taking that thing?" Cassim asked with a raised eyebrow. "My men and I found it not to long ago in the desert. I didn't know it could walk."
"Well I bet there's a lot of things you didn't know about me, aren't there?" C-3PO asked him. Cassim's jaw fell open.
Aladdin gave in to his father's wishes like any good son would and mounted a horse along side him. Sora and C-3PO took their seat on Carpet.
"How rather peculiar," the droid pondered aloud as he took his seat on the magic carpet. "It flies yet there is no propulsion system of any kind. Simply remarkable! Whoooaaa!" Carpet took off into the night and Aladdin and Cassim rode right behind them as they made their long trip back to the city of Agrabah.
Something broke free of the water along the beaches of the hideout, coughing and spluttering while gasping for breath. Weak and possibly injured, it crawled through the waves gently lapping against the shore, until it could go no further. Sa'luk collapsed on his hands and knees in the sand, coughing out the remainder of water in his lungs, clenching his fist in righteous anger.
Defeated and humiliated by a mere boy and, what was worse, the son of the man whom he loathed. Long had he wanted to lead the Forty Thieves himself, but that was impossible now. They would never accept him back even if he was alive, he had been disgraced in battle. By now the boy had already taken his place. In his fury he drove the golden claws he still possessed into the sand. No, it didn't matter. There must be a way, he would find a way! A way that revenge could be exacted.
The flapping of wings in the dark brought him back to reality. He looked up. A hawk stood before him, wings folded, meeting his eyes with its own sharp ones; he noticed that a strange green jewel hung from a golden chain around its neck. The green gem suddenly burst with light, a light so bright that Sa'luk had to cover his eyes from its radiance. When he was certain it had stopped, he reopened them, and saw something he didn't expect.
A tall figure now stood over him, clad in robes coloured purple and a hood covering his head. Sa'luk thought he was seeing things, because the one under the hood had the face of a bearded dog. The same jewel from the hawk hung around his neck, a faint green glow still present in its shine. The dog/man offered him a hand, or a paw. Sa'luk didn't care as he was going to slap the hand away anyway. But when he looked up at the bearded face, he saw a malicious grin. That grin seemed to inspire something within Sa'luk. He didn't know why, but for some reason he knew this person could help him. Maybe because the look the dog/man was conveying was the same one he had worn many times.
Sa'luk smiled grimly, and clasped the hand.
KHKHKHKH
Morning in Agrabah. The sun was rising over the just waking city, foretelling the beginning of another day. Vendors were already tending to their carts in the bazaar, preparing for the daily rush, and mothers were waking their children as the daylight peeked in from their windows. Agrabah palace reflected that same light from its golden topped towers. Despite yesterday's fiascos, it still managed to maintain its air of power and authority.
Galloping was heard by the three Keybladers, and it wasn't long before they saw two mounted men riding towards them, and a boy flying a carpet that they knew all too well. "Look! It's them! They're back!" Sora rode on Carpet and waved to them while below him Aladdin and a man they had never seen before clattered on horseback. Carpet zipped up before them and had barely even landed before Sora jumped off it.
"That was quick," Beast pointed out with a smirk. "Is reuniting long lost family members really that easy?"
"You'd be surprised," Sora grinned.
"Oh wonderful! More people to converse with!" C-3PO walked off Carpet and strode his way to the Keybladers. "Good day to you all. I am C-3PO: Human Cyborg Relations. It is a pleasure to meet you." Mulan, Beast and sonic blinked.
"Did you get a wedding present while you were away?" Mulan asked.
"Well, actually-"
"Are you trying to show us up?" sonic growled.
"What? No I-"
"Alright, if anyone asks, the tin man is from all of us," Beast decided. Mulan and sonic nodded unanimously.
"A wedding? I love weddings!" the gold robot exclaimed happily. Aladdin and the unknown man made their way over to them, Iago the parrot perched on the man's shoulder.
"Is that-?" Mulan started.
"Yup!" Aladdin answered immediately, gesturing to the man before them. "Guys, I'd like you to meet my father."
"I am Cassim," Cassim introduced himself with a small bow. "It's a honor to meet you all." The Keybladers smiled despite themselves. He seemed like a nice enough guy. Cassim looked past them, gazing at the palace that stood proud and tall not far off. "I never thought I'd walk inside these walls so casually."
sonic frowned. "What does he mean by that?"
"Uh..." Aladdin and Sora stammered. There was a sudden poof of blue smoke.
"Al! You're back!" Genie cheered, wrapping Aladdin in a hug. "So where's your dear ole' dad? Wait! I got something to tell ya! Security's tight this time, Al. We've got cameras, lasers, guard dogs, guard robots, the works! No low life's this time! Other than the parrot, of course." Iago glowered at him.
"Uh, Genie?" Aladdin tried to say.
"Yeah, I'd like to see those Forty Thieves try anything this time! This place is locked up tighter than my ex-wife! They're not getting within an inch of your wedding!"
"Then allow me the pleasure of introducing...," Iago grinned.
"The King of Thieves," Cassim finished snidely. The Keybladers gasped.
Genie's eyes bugged out. "Oh geez. All units! We have a code red!" he screamed wildly into a walky talky that he got from nowhere. Almost immediately the palace went into lockdown. A metal wall sealed the gates shut, alarms stared blaring from everywhere, and numerous law enforcement Genie's stormed the courtyard. "Code red! Code red! Code red! This is not a drill! Storm the front lines! Cavalry charge! Hut, hut, hut! Hoo-ra! Geronimo! Arapaho! Navajo! " Within moments Cassim was surrounded by army men, Mounties, paratroopers, the S.W.A.T team, firemen, cowboys, the navy, tanks, helicopters, medieval knights and a barbershop quartet. "Don't move or we'll be shooting ourselves."
"Genie!" Aladdin growled, pushing past the police Genie's.
"Back off, Al," one of them, hopefully the original, instructed. "This guys got a yellow sheet as long as my arm."
"Genie! This is Cassim. My father." The blue-skinned army all grew wide and surprised eyes. Those eyes went back to Cassim, who had taken to crossing his arms and tapping his foot impatiently.
"Stand down, men," one Genie ordered. "Smoke em' if you got em'." In one big poof they all disappeared leaving only the original Genie.
"If you're Al's dad," Genie growled as he marched up to the man in question until he was right in his face. "And the King of Thieves, then I've just got one thing to say to you."
"Yes?" Cassim growled back.
Another poof and Genie was a french waiter. "Will you be having the steak or roast duck?" Cassim blinked in astonishment, before he burst into laughter.
"I wonder if coming here really was a good idea?" C-3PO asked himself worriedly after witnessing the whole thing.
"You get used to it," Mulan explained simply.
"Come on, Dad," Aladdin said eagerly. "I gotta introduce you to Jasmine and the Sultan!"
"Uh, Al?" Sora interrupted before he could drag his father off. "You might want to hold off the introductions. Maybe until we get your dad some new clothes."
"What's wrong with the way I look?" Cassim asked indignantly.
"No offense, but it kinda screams 'Agrabah's most wanted'," Genie informed, producing a wanted poster of the King of Thieves, or more specifically Cassim in his mask. That's when Aladdin realized that his father was wearing the same blue robes he wore yesterday when he and the Forty Thieves raided the palace. Suddenly introducing him didn't seem like such a great idea. Maybe he should have thought this through.
"I think it might be best to hold off the fact that he's the King of Thieves," Sora put in.
"He did kinda wreck the place yesterday," sonic pointed out blandly.
"Not to worry, though! I was a part-time tailor on the side, while being a genie. BAM!" A magical blast from Genie finger tip transformed Cassim's outfit completely. His blue outfit now embroided with gems and lined with gold, he looked like a lord from a far off land. "Don't want to toot my own horn, but I rock!"
"Not bad," Cassim laughed, looking his new clothes over. "I feel like the Sultan himself!"
"Well, get ready. You're about to meet him," Aladdin grinned.
"Time to meet the in-laws," Sora quipped.
KHKHKHKH
"Alright, so here's what I was thinking," Jack Skellington explained cheerfully to the Sultan as he sat on his throne. "After we get the vows and all that other stuff out of the way, I open the entertainment with a little juggling act of mine!" He started juggling little jack-o-lanterns that he pulled from nowhere.
"Um, this is very nice," the Sultan stammered uncertainly. "But, I'm afraid-"
"Wait! Let me finish! With the help of my lovely assistant!" A grinning po slid onto the scene, four knives between his fingers. Jack tossed the mini pumpkins away and po tossed him the knives, starting a whole new juggling act with more dangerous circumstances. The Sultan sighed tiredly. "And now for the finale!" The Pumpkin King threw all four pointy objects high in the air. The first two came down and he caught them with each of his hands expertly, but with his hands full the other two had only one place to go.
THUNK THUNK
"TA-DA!" Jack and po cheered. A knife had lodged into each of Skellington's eye sockets. The Sultan cringed at the very unsettling sight, but managed a weak, uninspired clap at their eager smiles.
"Hey guys!" Sora and the rest of them entered the throne room victoriously.
"Hey! Sora's back!" po cheered.
"Sora's here? Where?" Jack Skellington asked, walking around blindly on account of the knives blocking his view. "And who turned out the lights?" He grasped the handles and tried to pull them out, but it seemed that they were stuck. "Oh dear."
"Oh splendid! Thank goodness you're home safely!" the Sultan exclaimed, taking this as an opportunity to escape the entertainment.
"Aladdin!" Jasmine and Kairi happened to enter the throne room, and at the sight of Aladdin the princess ran and hugged him. "Welcome home!" Aladdin grinned and hugged her back.
Sora walked over to Kairi as the PDA took place. "You didn't take your time," Kairi said with a smile.
"I hate to keep people waiting," Sora grinned back. "So, how's Jasmine?" Kairi's smile faltered slightly.
"Well, I told her what's going on. She took it surprisingly well. But..." She looked over to where the couple was. "She doesn't want Aladdin to know. She said he'll get to worried. I don't blame her either."
"Why hello there! A pleasure to meet you!" Sora and Kairi found themselves with one more droid in their conversation. "I am C-3PO. Human cyborg relations. You must be te bride. Well, I must say you are rather young but far be it from me to step in the way of true love!" Kairi stared at the droid with a slack jaw and turned to Sora for an explanation.
"I'll explain later," he sighed.
While po tried to pull the knives out of Jack Skellington's face, Aladdin brought Jasmine and the Sultan to the man who he really wanted them to meet. "Jasmine, your Majesty, I'd like you to meet my father, Cassim." Jasmine smiled warmly. Cassim smiled back and made a light bow in the presence of the princess, but to his surprise she wrapped him in a hug instead.
"I'm so glad you could be here," she said happily as she pulled away.
"Princess Jasmine," Cassim said humbly. "You're as beautiful as my son described you to be. I couldn't be gladder that he has found someone who has made him so happy." Jasmine blushed lightly and smiled kindly.
"Aw, it's a Kodak moment," Genie gushed.
Cassim turned to the Sultan now, and bowed to him as well. "Your Excellency. It is truly an honor to be in your presence."
"Now, now. There's no need for that," the Sultan assured with a radiant smile of his own. "We are to be in-laws after all!"
"Well, in that case!" Cassim laughed and swept the small Sultan off his feet in a great big bear hug.
"Oh my!" the Sultan exclaimed at the unexpected gesture.
"What are we all standing around here for?" Cassim laughed as he set the plump man down. "Our kids are getting married! We should be celebrating!"
po managed to pluck the knives from Jack's eyes. "Did someone say celebration?" Jack asked excitedly. "I'll get the pumpkins! po, you get the dynamite!"
Aladdin watched his father get along with his future family with a sense of accomplishment. "He looks so...happy," he couldn't help but say.
"He has you to thank for that," Sora grinned.
"I do say, master Aladdin, that if I had tears I would be crying right now," C–3PO said sincerely. Aladdin could help grinning. As he looked at his father, and the smile on his face, he somehow knew everything would be alright from then on.
KHKHKHKH
Meanwhile, back at the secret lair of the Forty Thieves, the master criminals found themselves without a king. Cassim had explained the situation to them before his departure, saying that when he got back they would all be richer than kings, and that they all had to be patient. So the Forty Thieves waited in the confines of the mountain for their leader's return in the hopes that his words would be true.
"Oh boys!" All forty pairs of eyes turned to the shadowing darkness not lit by the torches, where someone that they never thought they would see again stepped out, golden claws gleaming. "Miss me?"
"S-Sa'luk!" one of the Thieves stammered.
"You're alive!" another gasped.
"Indeed I am," Sa'luk said with a smug grin. He looked around the assembled crooks who looked like they were seeing a ghost. "But where is our so called King? Where is Cassim?"
"He's not here," someone answered shakily.
"Gone, is he? I'm not surprised," Sa'luk spat angrily. "It was only through fate that I stand before you today, my friends. It is time that I lead the Forty Thieves!"
"What!" a thief shouted.
"You heard me. The time of our 'great' leader is over! I'm tired of Cassim and his softhearted ways! I can remember a time when our criminal success was at its peak! The lair was full of loot! We could ransack a village without so much as a care! Until this King of Thieves came along. I offer you the chance for success. If you want a strong and fearless leader, than you've got him right here!"
"Forget it, muscle head!" someone shouted. Unfortunately for Sa'luk, he wasn't around to hear the promise Cassim had made them. "Cassim is our leader! We will never follow you!" There was an uproar of agreement from the others. Expecting an angry reply to this statement, the Thieves were confused when Sa'luk smiled; they were also a little creeped out.
"Oh, I will be in charge," he growled still smiling. "Just not in the way you're thinking." Beside Sa'luk someone else stepped out of the shadows, someone the criminals had never seen before.
"Hello good people," Merlock sneered, arms crossed over before him. "You all wouldn't have happened to have come across something that I'm looking for? A magical lamp perhaps?" The Thieves only reply was a confused silence. Merlock smiled cruelly. "Wrong answer."
Yellow and red eyes opened all around in the darkness of the caverns, startling everyone except Sa'luk and Merlock themselves. The glowing eyes belonged to creatures as black as the night that revealed themselves from the dark, chattering and growling, some of them even drooling. They crawled along the floor, on the walls and, to the Thieves' dismay they saw that some were clinging to the rock ceiling above them. The ones with yellow eyes were like large soulless insects, while the ones with red were like buffed up sharp-toothed versions of them, and they were closing in all around them.
Merlock and Sa'luk grinned evilly as the Heartless did their work.
KHKHKHKH
Tiptoeing through the palace with as much stealth as a bull in a china shop, Captain Jack Sparrow made his way towards his goal. The halls were empty, he made sure they were before he attempted this. He quickly ducked around a corner when a palace guard patrol went by and somehow managed to remain unnoticed. Once he was sure they were gone he continued on and arrived at his destination in no time at all: a huge pair of decorated double doors...the palace treasure vault. Jack simply stood before it. As he put a hand to his chin, thinking, two small poofs of smoke and two little Jacks appeared on his shoulders.
"What are you waiting for, mate?" Devil Jack #1 asked. "You know that shiny, magical Oracle thingy is in there."
"It's only a matter of opening the door," Devil Jack #2 drawled. "And with a great big key, that shouldn't be a problem."
"Oh, that's not the problem," Jack assured his miniature evil versions. "Just thinking what to ask. One question is hardly enough to satisfy the complex mind that is me."
"Well, that's why you have us, Jack!" Devil Jack #1 exclaimed.
"We're always here to help you make those tough life altering decisions!" Devil Jack #2 told him. "For example, you can ask about this 'ultimate treasure' business." Jack nodded absentmindedly.
"How long our rum supplies will last," Devil Jack #1 sighed.
"The way to a women's heart."
"The secret to true happiness."
"Or..." Devil Jack #2 slid down Jack's clothes until he was at his pocket, pulling something out of it and climbing back up to his shoulder. "How to get out of your little debt." Jack took what Devil Jack #2 had in his hands. For a good while he stared at the parchment with the odd shaped key before he broke into a wry smile.
"Devil Jacks, you never let me down." After giving them little high fives with his fingertips they disappeared and he pocketed the parchment. A flash of light and Follow the Wind was at the ready, pointed at the double doors and, with an audible 'click!', the doors swung open. As expected, the vault was full of gold, silver and all kinds of riches but, for once, Jack ignored all of that, resting his eyes on the Oracle scepter standing straight and perched on a pedestal in the centre of the room.
"Damn, I'm good!" Rubbing his hands together greedily Jack made for the staff. The pirate was about to step inside, when his thieving ears heard something. Someone was coming. It wouldn't be good to be caught in such a compromising position, so Jack quickly ran behind a corner outside the vault and quietly spied.
"The treasure vault is just around here." Cassim stepped into view, Iago on his shoulder guiding him through the palace.
"You're sure the Oracle is in the vault?" Cassim asked, keeping an eye out for anyone, but not catching the snooping pirate.
"Positive," Iago answered confidently. "Where else are they gonna keep the thing? I don't think it'll be very comfortable under their pillow. Hey look! They left the doors open!" Cassim came to a stop before the doors Jack had opened, and he and the parrot laid eyes upon the Oracle. "It's practically begging to be stolen." Jack scowled. They were gonna make off with his loot, and after he did all the work! He would go over there and stick his Keyblade up a very unmentionable area of Cassim, but that kind of ruckus would have the guards here in a flash. Suddenly smiling mischievously, Jack turned round and proceeded down the hallway.
Cassim, meanwhile, walked into the treasure vault with caution, stepping over gold and jewels to get to his prize. With a steady hand he reached for the Oracle and grasped it firmly, staring at it in wonder. His years of searching rested all in this object.
"Easy peezy," Iago snickered.
"After this, I go straight," Cassim stated firmly and with that he turned to leave with the Oracle in hand.
"Oh, you'll go straight." Cassim stopped in his tracks because he could go no further. The palace guards blocked the doorway, swords already drawn, their leader smirking arrogantly. "Straight to jail that is," Razoul sneered, drawing his own sword. Outnumbered and unarmed, Cassim could do nothing. His arms slumped to his sides in defeat, and the guards came to restrain him. All the while he wondered just how the guards had known what he was doing, and so quickly.
Outside the vault a certain pirate smirked. Tipping his hat he turned round and left before he was mixed up in this whole unpleasant business.
KHKHKHKH
"Where is he?" Aladdin wondered aloud, pacing back and forth nervously. Abu attempted to calm him down from his shoulder but with little success. "He should be here by now."
"Maybe he's still having trouble with his clothes," Jasmine offered.
"Well I do hope he comes soon," the Sultan said worriedly. "We can't start without him." Everyone had gathered back into the fully repaired throne room to give this wedding thing another try. It was only a rehearsal, of course, but still important. The newcomer droid, C-3PO, and the Keybladers were seated in chairs before the rebuilt alter to serve as the practice wedding guests, except Jack Skellington and po who were trying to set up a little before-show act involving a flaming Hula-Hoop and Jasmine's pet tiger Rajah, who was trying to bite po at every chance he got. The only thing that was missing was the father of the groom. No one had seen hide nor hair of Cassim.
"You sure you haven't seen him, Sora?" Aladdin asked the boy standing with him at the alter.
Sora shrugged. "Not since we arrived here." Aladdin gave his friend an odd look.
"Where did you get that suit?" Sora was wearing a tuxedo instead of his usual black attire, one that was completely blue from shoes to tie.
"Where did he get this fabulous suit, you ask?" The blue tie noosed around Sora's neck suddenly grew a face, a rather distinguishable face. "I tell ya, I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner!" Genie the tuxedo exclaimed.
"Genie, this really isn't necessary," Sora told his clothes with a twitching brow.
"Nonsense! This is the perfect set up! This way we're both in the wedding, and we're both the best man! How am I such a genius? With our combined might we can trample all the other best men before us! We won't stop until we're the best best men in the world! Ahahahahaha!"
"Genie, tone it dooowwwn," Sora said slowly.
"I do so love weddings," C-3PO sighed sitting beside Beast, full of melancholy. "But always a bridesmaid, never a bride."
"Does anyone want to trade seats?" Beast asked hopefully.
Mulan felt a shifting beside her where she sat. Turning her head she saw Jack Sparrow sitting cross-legged beside her, casually inspecting his filthy fingernails. It was surprising since his seat had been vacant only seconds before.
"Where have you been?" she asked.
"What are you talking about? I've been here the whole time," Jack said offhandedly. "And I'll thank you not to question me any further. It's not very becoming of a lady." Mulan frowned and turned away in a huff.
"Your highness !" The non-standing wedding rehearsal faced yet another interruption as the head of the palace guard stepped into the room. Razoul looked very arrogant, more so than usual, about something.
"Who invited him?" Sora muttered.
"Razoul, thank goodness," the Sultan said in relief. "I need you to find the father of the groom. We cannot start the ceremonies without him!"
Razoul sneered. "As you wish, your Highness," is what he said before he literally dragged Cassim into the room, bound in chains.
"Dad!" Aladdin shouted, but Cassim's head was bowed so as not to meet his son's eyes.
"Razoul! What is the meaning of this!?" the Jasmine demanded.
"Releases him at once, Razoul!" the Sultan ordered.
"Simple really." Razoul pushed Cassim forward, keeping a firm grip on the chains binding his hands. "Allow me to introduce you to the King of Thieves."
"Say what!?" po hollered.
"What a twist!" Jack Skellington gasped.
"The King of Thieves?" Jasmine whispered in disbelief. "Aladdin, is this true?" When Aladdin didn't answer, Jasmine knew the truth immediately.
"He revealed his identity as soon as we caught them," Razoul went on, looking like he just speared his white whale.
"Them?" Aladdin questioned. Razoul pulled out another set of chains, this one containing an arm bracelet locked around Iago's entire body.
"Uh, hey guys!" Iago stammered nervously. "Funny story..." Cassim still did not say a word.
"They broke into the vault," Razoul continued. "They were after this." And he pulled out the golden sceptre of the Oracle, its flawless green gem shining atop it.
Aladdin's eyes stayed on the object, then narrowed dangerously as he turned to his father. "That's the only reason you came back with me, isn't it? It wasn't because your son was getting married. It was so you could get your stupid treasure!" Cassim didn't raise his head, but the pain etched on his face was evident.
"But I don't understand how they could have broken into the vault in the first place!" the Sultan stated in confusion.
Jack Sparrow whistled innocently in the back.
"Your orders, your Highness?" Razoul asked, all too eagerly. The Sultan frowned, the duties as the city's ruler weighing heavily upon him.
"Father...," Jasmine started to say.
"I'm sorry, Jasmine," her father sighed regretfully. "But I have no choice. Throw them in the dungeon."
"The dungeon?" Iago whimpered.
"For life."
"Life?!" Iago's beak was clasped shut with more irons so as to stop any further squawks. With that done, Razoul dragged both of the crooks off for their lifetime of imprisonment. But before Cassim was pulled away, he met eyes with Aladdin for the first time. Everyone could see the sadness in his eyes, but Aladdin returned the look with a venomous glare.
Cassim didn't just lose the Oracle that day.
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!