And now, we deal with finding the Ultimate Treasure. But before the final battle next chapter… something intense happens.
Enjoy!
Streets of Agrabah:
With the wedding on hold once more, the Sultan asked Sora and Co. to patrol the streets. They encountered several Heartless, but nothing that they couldn't handle. But no one really felt like talking or smiling since Cassim and Iago got arrested hours ago.
Eventually, the sky turned dark. Sora decided to break the silence.
"Does anyone know where Alddin went?" he asked his teammates. "I mean, we've been walking down these streets for a while now and we haven't seen him since Iago and Cassim got dragged away."
"Sorry Sora, but we haven't." said Xion.
"Although, can you really blame Aladdin?" asked Lea. "His dad and one of his friends got thrown into the Big House."
"And he was hoping that Cassim could change for him." added Roxas.
"Gawrsh, I can't imagine choosing treasure over you son." Goofy said to Max as he hugged him.
Max smiled. "Thanks Dad."
"Neither could we." Oswald said as he gestured to himself, Ortensia, Donald, and Daisy, who nodded in agreement.
Riku put a hand on Sora's shoulder.
"Tell you what, why don't we stop by Aladdin's old hovel and see if he's there?" he suggested.
"Yeah, that's the only place we haven't been to yet." Kairi nodded in agreement.
Sora smiled. "Great idea! Let's go!"
Everyone made their way through the streets to Aladdin's old home. But as they got there, they only saw Genie, Abu, and Carpet, yet no Aladdin. The three looked worried. The 20 stood there not saying anything until Genie spun around and faced them.
"Oh! Hey everybody! W-What's… happening?" Genie asked nervously. His voice was a little bit shaky and his eyes were shifting back and forth towards the window.
"Uh… you ok Genie?" asked Ven.
"Never better!" Genie replied hesitantly before turning into James Brown. "Yeah! I feel good!"
"Uh… ok?" said Myde, raising an eyebrow.
"Genie, have you seen Aladdin?" asked Donald.
"We were hoping he was ok." Minnie explained.
Genie transformed back to normal before he put on a pondering expression, though it seemed forced. "Oh yeah! He's not here! That's right!" he exclaimed before chuckling nervously.
"Genie? Are you ok?" asked Naminé.
"You seem nervous." added Aqua.
"What?! No I-I'm fine!" Genie said nervously.
"Genie, you're sweating like mad." said Lea.
"Oh don't worry about me!" Genie said as he started pushing the team out the door. "Sorry to disappoint you all but me and the boys haven't seen Al anywhere." He then looked at a gold watch that appeared on his left wrist. "OH! Would you look at the time?! It's late! You lot better get to bed!"
"Hold on for a second!" Lea shouted as he spun around to face Genie. "Genie, what the hell do you think you're doing? You're acting really weird." he said firmly.
At that, Genie began to sweat a lot as he glanced out the window.
"Genie, what's wrong?" asked Kairi.
"Nothing!" Genie said as he held his hands up. "Nothing's wrong!"
"You can't fool us Genie." said Isa. "You know where Aladdin is, don't you?"
"N-No, no I don't!" Genie said quickly.
"You do know!" exclaimed Donald.
"Genie just talk us! We're all worried for him!" begged Daisy.
"Daisy's right! We just want to make sure he's ok after what happened earlier." Minnie said in agreement.
Genie sighed in defeat.
"Ok. You lot deserve to know." Genie sighed. "Al went to the dungeon to bust his dad and Iago out."
"WHAT?!" everyone exclaimed in horror.
"Are you serious?!" exclaimed Xion.
"'Fraid so." said Genie. Abu and Carpet nodded in agreement.
"Aladdin went to bust his dad and that bird out of jail?!" Myde said worriedly.
"Gawrsh! That's not good!" said Goofy, concerned for his friend.
"What the hell was he thinking?!" snapped Riku.
"Doesn't he know how dangerous that is?!" asked Minnie.
"Yeah, the guards will catch him!" Donald quacked worriedly.
"Maybe he does and doesn't care." said Lea. "Isa and I used to break into Radiant Garden's castle all the time when we were teenagers."
"He's right." said Isa.
"Believe me, I tried to talk him out of it." said Genie. "We all did."
"Uh huh!" said Abu, him and Carpet nodding in agreement.
"Yeah, I dunno what was going inside his head, but he was dead set on going." said Genie.
"Shit." muttered Terra.
"This is not good." Aqua muttered in agreement.
"Where is he now?!" asked Sora.
Genie pulled out a pocket watch and then looked at the sky.
"Well if my calculations are correct… they should be outside of the city now." Genie replied guiltily.
Sora faced his friends with determination.
"Come on guys! If we hurry, we can still catch them."
Everyone nodded in agreement as they raced out of the hovel, leaving Abu, Genie, and Carpet behind.
Sora and Co. ran through the streets, slaying any Heartless that tried to attack them. Eventually, they arrived at a tall cliffside.
"Any sight of them?" asked Sora.
"Over there!" said Mickey.
Everyone ran to where Mickey was. Around the corner, they spotted Aladdin, Cassim, and Iago.
"Should we go after them?" asked Goofy.
Sora looked ahead and saw something. While Cassim and Iago were eager to go, Aladdin was looking back at the palace.
"No, let's stay here." said Sora. At his team's questioning looks, he replied, "I think something's going on."
Nodding, they listened in.
"They won't be able to pick up our trail until daylight. By then, we'll be long gone from Agrabah. I'm sorry for what you lost, but you can't go back now, you know that." Cassim said to his son.
Cassim then noticed Aladdin looking back at the palace. Then, to his and Iago's surprise, Aladdin started walking back.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"I'm not going with you... I can't." Aladdin replied as he shook his head.
"Well, you can't go back! The moment they saw your face your life in Agrabah was over." argued Cassim.
"I have to go back. Jasmine is there." Aladdin replied as Iago landed on his shoulder.
"Kid, it's over, you're a criminal now." Iago said in disagreement.
"I won't do what he did, I won't run away." Aladdin said bitterly.
Cassim gets off his horse and approached Aladdin. "I never ran away from anything in my life!" he snapped.
"You ran away from your family!" Aladdin yelled back.
"I told you what happened! What else could I do?! What else can you do?!" exclaimed Cassim.
"The right thing." Aladdin growled. eHe then removed the Midas dagger from his sash and tossed it to the sandy ground at his father's feet. "You should take this back."
"You can't!" exclaimed Cassim.
"I won't walk out on Jasmine!" yelled Aladdin.
"Aladdin…" Cassim said softly.
"I'm your son, but I can't live your life." said Aladdin.
"Al, they'll lock you up!" Iago said worriedly.
"If there's a punishment, I'll take it." Aladdin said bravely.
"So be it…" sighed Cassim.
"We have the Oracle, the treasure's just waitin' for us!" Iago said.
That caught Aladdin's attention. "The Oracle?!" he exclaimed.
Cassim reached behind his shoulder and pulled the staff out from his cape, apparently having stolen it after Aladdin freed him. "I had nothing left to lose." he said defensively.
Aladdin just shook his head in disappointment. "Yes, you did." he said darkly.
"It was supposed to be a father son outing." Iago whined.
"Go with him, Iago." Aladdin said to the parrot as he pointed back at Cassim.
Iago was taken aback. "What? Ya mean it? Really?" he asked.
"Go." nodded Aladdin.
"Good luck, kid…" Iago sighed as he flew onto Cassim's shoulder.
Aladdin stayed behind as he watched them slowly fade into the distance. Once he couldn't see them anymore, Aladdin turned around to walk back, only to be greeted by the 20 Keyblade Masters.
"Gotta say Al, I didn't think you would actually bust your dad and Iago outta jail." said Lea.
"H-How long have you guys been watching?" asked Aladdin, shocked.
"Long enough." replied Riku. "Aladdin, are you sure you wanna head back to Agrabah?"
"Iago was right, you'd have to face the consequences the moment you get back." added Minnie.
Aladdin nodded. "I know. And as I said, if there's a punishment, I'll take it." he said determinedly. "I love Jasmine too much to leave her. And I need to be honest about what I did."
Sora smiled in agreement. "Ok. We'll stand beside you." he said supportively.
"Friends do stick together." nodded Roxas.
Aladdin smiled. "Thanks guys." he said appreciatively.
With that said, they walked back to the palace.
Forty Thieves' lair:
Seven of the 40 Thieves were lounging around. The rest had been captured after Sa'luk had shown Razoul where they hid.
Just then, a corridor of darkness opened. The 7 thieves saw Xigbar and Sa'luk come out of it.
"Well, well, well, the last of the clan." mused Xigbar.
"Such a shame." said Sa'luk. "But I know that we can rise up again against those pathetic wretches."
The thieves stared at Sa'luk in surprise.
"Oh yeah! Your fellow thief was alive the whole time!" said Xigbar.
"I'm a survivor like all of you." nodded Sa'luk as he slipped his claws on. He then growled. "No thanks to Cassim."
The seven thieves looked confused.
"Allow Sa'luk to explain." said Xigbar. "Me? I gotta head back to my bosses. Xiao."
Xigbar then exited through another corridor of darkness as Sa'luk approached the thieves.
"Cassim is a traitor! He wants you all to rot in a dungeon!" he lied. "That's how the guards found you; he gave them the magic words! That son of his and his friends made him soft and willing to betray us all! Cassim was never a great leader to begin with!"
The 7 thieves were surprised but weren't convinced as they murmured amongst each other. Sa'luk laughed.
"Ha ha! You lot have forgotten what life was like before Cassim!" he laughed.
("Are You In or Out?" from "Aladdin and the King of Thieves" plays)
Sa'luk: I remember a time
When crime was sublime,
There was plenty of loot in the lair.
We'd plunder and pillage,
And ransack a village,
With nary a worry or care!
Then along came this king
With his soft-hearted dream
But he ratted us out in the end,
Sa'luk then slashed a portrait of Cassim.
Sa'luk: So rally the troops!
We were meant to regroup,
And return to our roots once again!
Two thieves approached Sa'luk, but the grey-skinned man skillfully shoved them away. Sa'luk continued to knock away any of them that attacked him.
Sa'luk: Are you in or out?
Gotta know without a doubt!
I'm the one you need for a dirty deed,
I'm the best, success is guaranteed!
Are you men or mice?
Take a slice of my advice!
You want a fearless leader, one that's strong and stout?
Better vote for me.
Are you in or out?
Sa'luk then threw a giant thief to the side. The 7 thieves looked at each other before smirking.
Thieves: We used to be smart, yes,
Horrendously heartless
In ravaging raids, we were rough
We knew that we had
To be blissfully bad;
Then Cassim brought this sensitive stuff!
And we strayed from the path
Of our rigorous wrath;
Now we're taking a bath in the dust!
But we'll reclaim our winnings,
Our humble beginnings,
In turmoil and torture, we trust!
Are you in or out?
Sa'luk: Double-crossers or devout?
Put your faith in me,
Pretty soon you'll see
I'm the prince of generosity
Thieves: Are you foe or friend?
Sa'luk: Here's the path I recommend!
You want a ride to fame?
I've got the fastest route;
What's it gonna be?
Are you in or out?
Thieves: We'll go robbing in all the right places,
From Agrabah dunes to Bali
Imagine the fear on their faces
When we drop by for cookies and tea
Sa'luk: Come along, boys!
Follow me!
All: Are you in or out?
Sa'luk: If you're with me, give a shout
(Thieves: Yay!) I'll lead you all the way,
Into the glory days,
Thieves: We'll begin a life of crime that pays!
Are you out or in?
Make your choice now, sink or swim!
Saluk: You can stick with me, or stay behind and pout
Thieves: What's it gonna be?
Sa'luk: Consider carefully.
All: Are you in or OUT?!
("Are You In or Out?" from "Aladdin and the King of Thieves" ends)
Outside the lair, Cassim and Iago had arrived at the entrance.
"I know the treasure's limitless." said Iago. "But I'm not crazy about a forty way split. If it was just uh, you and me…"
Cassim shook his head. "I would never cut my men out of the deal. They're my family, my only family. I can always count on them." he pointed out.
The duo entered the lair. "I'm home!" Cassim called.
Suddenly, the remaining thieves came out of their hiding places, holding their weapons out at Cassim with angry glares on their faces. Cassim, who was shocked by this, backed up until he and a little freaked out Iago were trapped in a corner.
"Why don't they look happy to see you?" Iago asked worriedly.
Sa'luk suddenly emerged from the crowd. We are, we're thrilled!" Sa'luk smirked as he held his claws out to Cassim.
Cassim couldn't believe what was happening. Obviously this had happened when he was still in Agrabah, and he knew it was his own fault that this happened.
Just then, Xigbar appeared from the shadows as well.
"Oh good! You caught the now former King of Thieves!" he smirked.
"Who are you?" Cassim asked in confusion.
"Name's Xigbar. Sa'luk works for us." said Xigbar. "But enough about that. You're going to take these eight to the Ultimate Treasure."
"Like I would." Cassim sneered, only for Sa'luk to hold his claws up to his neck.
"Oh, but you will." Xigbar smirked as he snapped his fingers.
Instantly, the seven thieves were covered in darkness before they emerged as Shadow Heartless.
Cassim and Iago were terrified.
In the ocean on a boat Sa'luk and Xigbar stole, Cassim and Iago were strapped to the mast, all of them sailing to the Vanishing Isle. But unknown to the two and several Heartless that were spawned, Iago was struggling to free himself so he could go get help.
"Hurry, little friend." Cassim whispered.
"I'm wriggling, I'm wriggling." Iago said in annoyance.
"I am growing impatient, Cassim. Ask the question." Sa'luk demanded as he held the Oracle to Cassim's face.
"We must be ah…" Cassim muttered.
"Just a little further…" Iago muttered as he got his wings free and was now trying to pull the rest of himself out.
"Further out to sea!" Cassim quickly added.
"No, ask it now!" Sa'luk shouted.
"Now's good." Iago said as he was almost free, taking a deep breath and squeezed himself the rest of the way out, sucking in his gut.
In defeat, Cassim asked the Oracle, "Where can we find the Hand of Midas?"
The Oracle appeared in the sky, while Iago freed himself.
"The Vanishing Isle will appear at dawn. I will show you the way…" she told them.
A trail of light appeared in the water.
"There's your setting, captain." Cassim muttered.
As the boat sailed on, Iago flew away to the palace.
"Gotta warn them! Gotta warn them!" he panted.
Suddenly, Rapid Thruster Heartless appeared and tried to surround Iago.
"Heartless" Iago screamed before glaring. "Oh no! I ain't afraid of you no more!"
Iago started flying around the Heartless as fast as he could, causing all of them to swirl around in dizziness before Iago either headbutted or slashed them with his talons. Eventually, they fell into the ocean.
"Bye bye ya bad birdies!" Iago snarked as he flew back to the palace.
Palace:
Aladdin stood before Sultan as he sat on his throne with a disappointed look. Jasmine stood next to him with a worried expression. Razoul just smirked at the situation Aladdin was in.
Sora, Riku, Kairi, Aqua, Ven, Terra, Roxas, Naminé, Lea, Isa, Xion, Myde, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Max, Oswald, Ortensia, Genie, Abu, and Carpet stood to the side with worried expression on their faces.
Aladdin has already explained everything as an overwhelming silence overtook the room.
Finally the Sultan spoke.
"Frankly, my boy, your actions were most disappointing." he sighed.
"It is tragic your highness, but the street rat has obviously followed in his father's footsteps. Aladdin is a criminal." Razoul stated with a large grin on his face.
The 20 world-travelers aimed death glares at Razoul.
Thankfully Genie appeared next to Razoul, dressed as a lawyer and holding a briefcase.
"I object, your honor!" Genie said as he turned the setting into a courtroom, with Sultan as the judge,Razoul as the bailiff, and Sora and Co. as the listeners.
"I object to that outrageous statement! And I object to a tertiary character having any lines during my big courtroom scene!" Genie added as he handed Razoul a briefcase. "Take this to a higher court, chow!"
Before Razoul could retort, Genie blasted him out of the scene like a rocket, screaming.
"Thanks for that Genie." Lea smirked, his expression matched by his friends.
"Yeah, that jackass was starting to get on my nerves." said Riku.
"Not just yours." Naminé giggled.
"Your honor, if I may enter a plea of insanity, because I'm crazy about this kid!" Genie said as he messed up Aladdin's hair.
However, Aladdinw asn't in the mood for that as he pushed Genie away.
"Genie, I can handle this myself." he said as he faced the Sultan. "Sultan, I convinced my father to come here. It was my fault. I would've been better off if I'd never known him." he said sadly.
Sora and Co. gave Aladdin sympathetic looks.
"Aladdin, don't say that." said Sora. "Didn't you say you wanted to know about your dad?"
"Wasn't finally finding him like a big accomplishment?" added Kairi.
"Cassim took a big risk coming here." said Mickey.
"He risked his freedom to come to your wedding, despite the chances of getting caught." said Minnie.
"Just as I would for my father." Jasmine added as she smiled at Aladdin.
Sultan pondered on what he was about to say. Everyone was tense. Genie started biting his nails, Kairi, Naminé, Minnie, Daisy, and Ortensia held Sora, Roxas, Mickey, Donald, and Oswald's arms as they looked on worried, Xion, Lea, Isa, Aqua, Terra, and Ven gritted their teeth in worry, Myde rubbed the bag of his neck, and Goofy, Max, Abu, and Carpet looked on nervously.
Finally, Sultan spoke up as he cleared his throat.
"Well... well yes... Aladdin, I could not overlook your father's crimes, but what you have done, well, you did it out of love." Sultan told him before smiling. "And you came back to take responsibility for your actions. Maybe someday I can forgive your father and Iago for what they did. But for now, let us put this matter behind us."
Aladdin smiled in relief as everyone else sighed in relief.
"Thank you, majesty." Aladdin said gratefully.
"Alright! That's more like it!" said Lea.
"Thank god." said Naminé.
"Okay, good call! Let's give a big hand for the wise and generous Sultan!" Genie cheered as Sultan was led away by two large Genie hands, much to everyone's amusement.
Sultan chuckled. "Alright, alright. Now I believe we have postponed the wedding long enough." he said as he walked off to bed.
No sooner did the ruler of Agrabah leave the room,. There was a loud scream.
"Iago?" Riku asked in surprise.
And sure enough, Iago flew into the room, panting like mad as he crashed onto the floor. He was covered in mild injuries and matted feathers.
"Iago!" Goofy exclaimed worriedly as everyone ran over to him.
"Iago are you alright?" Minnie asked worriedly as she picked him up.
"What in the name of Clinton Coot happened to you?" asked Mickey asked.
"Al's dad... Sa'luk… Heartless…" Iago panted wearily.
"Hold still Iago, I got you." said Aqua as she casted Stormfall and casted Curaga on the parrot, healing him instantly.
"Oh thank you!" Iago breathed to the bluehead.
"No problem." smiled Aqua.
"Just take a deep breath, Iago." soothed Jasmine. "Now what about Aladdin's father?"
Iago tooka deep breath and explained in worry. "It's Sa'luk, the guy Al, Sora, and Riku beat! He's not beat, he's back! And he's got Cassim!"
Sora, Riku, Goofy, Max, Lea, Isa, and Myde's eyes widened in horror.
"No way! Sa'luk's alive?!" Sora said in horror.
"Who's Sa'luk?" asked Donald.
"One of the Forty Theives." said Riku. "A lot more brutal and cunning than the rest."
"But I thought those three beat him when he fell into the ocean!" said Lea, confused.
"Well ya didn't!" said Iago as he shook his head. "When me and Cassim got back, Sa'luk was there with several thieves, many Heartless, and a guy in a black coat with an eyepatch!"
The 20 world-traveler's eyes widened at that last part.
"Black coat and eyepatch?" asked Ven.
"Xigbar!" snarled Roxas.
"We were right, Sa'luk's sided with Xehanrot and Maleficent!" exclaimed Sora.
Jasmine was shocked. "Maleficent's alive?!" she asked.
"Somehow, yes." said Terra. "And she and our enemy, Master Xehanort, teamed up with their allies and have been gathering help in their army of darkness."
"And it looks like Sa'luk's sided with them as well." said Lea.
"Cassim mentioned that Sa'luk controlled the Heartless." said Isa. "It makes sense why they're here again."
"Where's Cassim now?" asked Mickey.
"He's on a ship with Sa'luk and his minions heading to the Vanishing Isle." replied Iago. "Sa'luk also got the Oracle too. He's gonna try to get the Hand of Midas. Cassim's in real trouble!"
At the mention of Cassim being in trouble, Aladdin furrowed his eyebrows in anger. "That's his problem! He chose to go back to that life!" he snapped, mush to everyone else's shock.
"Al, your dad's made a lot of bad choices, but that doesn't mean you have to." Genie said softly.
"He is your father, how can you do anything else?" added Jasmine.
"It's the right thing to do." added Sora.
At their words, Aladdin sighed. "I'm being as stubborn as he was…" he muttered before he turned to Iago. "Show me the way!"
Sometime later, everyone was on their way to find Cassim, Sa'luk, and Xigbar. Iago flew ahead as Genie flew alongside him with Carpet, caring Aladdin, Jasmine, and Abu, on the other. Sora, Riku, Kairi, Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Roxas, Lea, Xion, Naminé, Isa, Myde, Terra, Ven, Aqua, Minnie, Daisy, Max, Oswald, and Ortensia followed on their gliders.
Sensing that they would end up doing some fighting, Jasmine changed into more comfier clothes to fight in. Her hair was tied into a low ponytail in a blue ribbon, accompanied by a headband with a sapphire in the center set in a gold frame, a blue bedlah outfit with long poofy bustle pants and a top which left her forearms and midriff bare, golden earrings, a golden necklace, and gold slipper-like shoes.
"I must say, your rides are quite impressive." commented Jasmine.
"Thanks Jasmine." smiled Xion.
"How much father Iago?" asked Terra.
Iago scanned around before she spotted something.
"Over there!" he shouted.
Everyone looked and saw something in the distance. As they grew closer, all their eyes widened in surprise. Sure they had all seen many weird things before, but this was really something else; a golden city resting on the back of a giant turtle.
"The Vanishing Isle?" Aladdin asked as everyone stared in shocked awe.
"On the back of a giant turtle?" Jasmine asked. "Why a turtle?"
"I think I know." said Riku. "Cassim mentioned that the Hand of Midas was on an island that was never in the same place twice."
"You're right. That's gotta be why." said Aladdin in agreement.
"Still, a turtle?" asked Ven.
"That is pretty odd." said Roxas.
"And I thought the Mirror Dimension was weird." said Lea.
"Same with Sakaar." added Xion.
Iago pointed towards the island. "I spotted Cassim, Sa'luk, and that Xigbar guy! And it looks like they've got a whole army of Heartless with them!" he told his friends.
"Good eye Iago!" said Goofy.
"Ok, let's get closer." said Aladdin as Carpet flew down to the farthest corner of the golden city. Genie and the 20 world travelers-followed suit as they all navigated their way through the Vanishing Isle.
After landing, they spotted Cassim, Sa'luk, Xigbar, and many Heartless. Among the creatures of darkness were the seven Shadows and several Bandits, Rapid Thrusters, and Stealth Soldiers.
Xigbar had also summoned Dusk and Sniper Nobodies as well.
Cassim's wrists were tightly tied behind his back and Sa'luk had a tight grip on him and the Oracle. Xigbar was leading the Heartless and Nobodies.
"Ok, we got ourselves a delicate hostage situation." Mickey whispered. "Now what we should do is wait for the right opportunity to-"
"CHARGE!" Donald, Goofy, Lea, Ven, and Genie shouted as they charged forwards.
"...Or we could just all attack at once." Mickey sweatdropped.
"Better than nothing." shrugged Sora.
"Let's go!" said Riku as they all followed the five.
Cassim and his captives heard them and saw them all charge towards them.
"Those brats again?!" Sa'luk snarled.
"Looks like you're about to lose." smirked Cassim.
Sa'luk galred at Cassim. "I lost once to those wretched meddlers. I won't lose again!" he snapped.
Xigbar turned to the Heartless and Nobodies. "Get them!" he called.
The Heartless and Nobodies ran towards the group. Aladdin and Jasmine drew their swords. Sora summoned Winner's Proof, Riku summoned Sweet Dreams, Kairi summoned Destiny's Embrace, Lea summoned Flame Liberator, Roxas summoned Two Become One, Naminé summoned Shooting Star, Xion summoned Lost Memory, Aqua summoned Mark of a Hero, Terra summoned Sweet Stack, Ven summoned Frolic Flame, Isa summoned Blue Moon, Myde summoned Mystic Water, Mickey summoned Kingdom Key W, Minnie summoned Starlight, Donald summoned Unbound and Fantasista, Daisy summoned Spellbinder, Goofy summoned Royal Radiance and Genji Shield (KHII), Max summoned Fenrir and his skateboard, Oswald summoned Classic Tone, and Ortensia summoned Zero/One.
"Don't let those two get away!" shouted Sora.
Mickey jumped up and casted Stopza on Cassim, Sa'luk, and Xigbar, holding them in place.
"That won't hold them for long! We gotta get rid of these things!" said Mickey.
"Right! Let's go!" said Riku.
(Saïx Boss Fight from Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days plays)
Mission: Defeat the Heartless and Nobodies
Playable Characters:
Sora
Donald Duck
Goofy
Riku
King Mickey
Kairi
Ventus
Terra
Aqua
Roxas
Lea
Xion
Naminé
Lea
Isa
Myde
Queen Minnie
Daisy Duck
Max
Oswald
Ortensia
Party Members:
Aladdin
Jasmine
Assistants:
Genie
Abu
Iago
Carpet
Sora charged forwards and slashed away one Shadow before he casted Blizzaga onto three Dusks, freezing them in place before he slashed them into oblivion. Aqua destroyed another Shadow with a Wateraga spell and then she blasted Dark Firaga onto a frew Bandits. Ven jumped up and blasted another shadow and several Snipers with a Fission Firaga spell before he casted Ice Barrage on a group of Snipers. Some Rapid Thrusters tried to attack Lea, but the pyro was able to slash them away and then casted Firaga onto a Shadow and four Stealth Soldiers. Mickey slashed another Shadow away and then triple somersaulted into the air to destroy several Rapid Thrusters with an Exo Spark spell. Riku upper cutted another Shadow into the air and then blasted it along with several attacking Snipers with a Perlza spell. Kairi casted Flower Shoot on the final Shadow and then destroyed several Stealth Soldiers with a Pulse Tracer spell. Roxas casted Double Friaga on some Dusks that surrounded him before he destroyed several Bandits with a Deep Freeze spell. Donald slashed away several Snipers with his Keyblade before he used Thundaga with his staff to finish them off. Goofy performed Goofy-Tornado onto several Stealth Soldiers and then blasted them all away with an Ignite spell.
Terra unleashed a Quake spell that knocked some Rapid Thrusters into the air and then destroyed them with a Crawling Fire spell. Xion slashed three Stealth soldiers in a row before she executed a Ghostly Scream spell on to them. Naminé spun her Keyblade around as she struck some Bandits before she destroyed them with a Raging Storm spell. Minnie casted a Mega Flare spell onto a group of Snipers before she blasted some Dusks to death with a Triple Blizzaga spell. Daisy jumped into the air and casted Thundaga Shot onto a group of Rapid Thrusters before landing and then casted Flame Fall onto several Dusks. Max rode around the Snipers on his skateboard and while he dodged their attacks, slashed them away with his Keyblade or fired orbs of light at them. Isa slashed away several Bandits in a row before he unleashed Raging Storm on a group of Dusks and Snipers. Myde fired Water attacks onto some Rapid Thrusters before he finished them off with a Pulse Tracer spell. Oswald spun Classic Tone like a bo staff, bashing away Dusks into the air before he obliterated them with a Tornado Tracer spell. Ortensia jumped into the air and fired orbs of light at some Bandits before she slammed her Keyblade to the ground to trigger a Quake spell. Aladdin and Jasmine stood together as they sword fought the bandits. As Aladdin slashed away one Heartless, he cupped his hands together and helped boost Jasmine into the air, where she flipped through the air and slashed away three Dusks in a row.
Iago and Carpet flew around the Heartless and Nobodies, typing to keep them confused as Abu slashed them away with his own sword. Genie flew as fast as a rocket, basically plowing through the Heartless and Nobodies as he swirled his fists in pounding them super fast. Soon, the last of the Heartless and Nobodies were drawn together as Genie suddenly became taller and brought out a comically-large hammer.
"Snooze!" he said cheekily as he slammed the mallet onto the creatures of darkness, destroying them instantly. (1)
(Saïx Boss Fight from Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days ends)
Soon, all of the Heartless and Nobodies were slayed. But no sooner did that happen, the Stopza spell Mickey casted on Cassim, Sa'luk, and Xigbar wore off and the three were able to move again.
"Drat! They got rid of all our support!" sneered Sa'luk.
Xigbar chuckled. "Not yet they haven't." he said as he snapped his fingers. Instantly, Soldier, Water Core, Red Bandit, and Darkling Heartless spawned.
"They can handle them while you get the treasure." said Xigbar.
"Perfect." smirked Sa'luk.
As Xigbar teleported away, Sa'luk tried to drag Cassim away, only for Sora, Riku, Kairi, and Aladdin to suddenly appear in front of them. Right as he faced them Aladdin punched Sa'luk in the face, making the grey-skinned man stumble back onto the ground, clutching his face in pain.
"It took me years to find my father. I'm not losing him again!" Aladdin sneered to the thief, much to Cassim's surprise.
Sa'luk got up and dropped the Oracle, fleeing to find the Ultimate Treasure. The Heartless still stayed to deal with the world-travellers and their friends.
Aladdin quickly untied Cassim. "You came to help me?" he asked, astonished.
"How could I do anything else?" Aladdin nodded with a smile. "Now let's get that treasure of yours."
"Really?" Cassim asked, surprised.
"You've come this far." Aladdin replied.
"And we'll help too." said Sora.
Riku and Kairi nodded in agreement.
"But what about everyone else?" asked Cassim.
"Don't worry about us!" said Jasmine as she stabbed a Red Bandit with her sword. "We'll be ok!"
"What matters right now is stopping Sa'luk!" said Mickey as he slashed away a Darkling. "Good luck fellas!"
"You can count on us!" said Kairi, determined.
"Alright, let's go!" shouted Sora.
Quickly, Sora, Riku, Kairi, Aladdin, and Cassim raced off, Cassim quickly grabbing the Oracle.
The group of 5 made their way to the center of the island, and quickly entered a temple.
"Amazing." Cassim said in awe. He then saw a giant golden hand floating in the sky. "There!" he called as he pointed at it.
Suddenly, the island shook violently.
"Whoa!" gasped Sora.
"What was that?!" asked Kairi.
"I'd say an earthquake, but we are on the back of a giant turtle." said Riku.
Aladdin simply laughed. "Feels like Genie and the others got carried away!" he mused, making the Destiny Island trio chuckle.
But Cassim shook his head. "No! It's the Vanishing Isle! The turtle is diving! We must climb higher!" he explained.
"Lead the way!" said Sora.
With that said, the five continued running through the temple. It wasn't long until they found what they were looking for. In a large round room there was a pool of water and on a levitating gold platform above that was a statue. And in that statue's hand was the Ultimate Treasure: The Hand of Midas.
"Whoa!" Sora said in awe.
"It's so beautiful!" Kairi said in equal awe.
Riku chuckled. "If Donald, Scrooge, Louie, and Lena were in here, they'd be drooling over this with gold sparkles in their eyes." he mused.
Cassim gazed at the rather large gasp to get to the platform. "Pity I didn't find this place years ago. This would be much easier if I were much younger."
"Yeah, that sounds about right." giggled Kairi.
Suddenly, Aladdin rushed over to the edge of the cliff they were standing on and jumped over the large gap, landing on the platform. Then, Sora, Riku, and Kairi double-flipped over the gap and landed next to Aladdin.
"Aladdin! Sora! Riku! Kairi!" What are you doing?!" Cassim exclaimed.
"Don't worry Cassim. Just leave this to us!" Riku replied with a teasing smirk.
"Be careful! Don't touch the golden hand." Cassim warned.
"Got it." nodded Kairi.
Aladdin carefully took the bronze handle of the Hand of Midas and gently extracted it from it's holster.
"Good work Aladdin!" said Sora.
"Thanks Sora." Aladdin smiled as he turned to his dad. "Heads up!"
Aladdin threw the treasure to Cassim. It flew through the air and Cassim caught it in his cape, turning it gold.
"Ha ha! The Hand of Midas!" Cassim said happily. Cassim touched the base of the cavern with the hand. The entire cavern turned to solid gold. Even the water turned to gold.
"Whoa!" Sora said in awe.
"Now it's really majestic now." said Kairi.
Suddenly, the Vanishing Isle shook violently again.
"Sounds like that's our cue to get the hell outta here." said Riku.
"Time to go everyone!" said Cassim.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Sa'luk jumped from an upper level and tackled Aladdin to the ground.
"Nobody's going anywhere." Sa'luk growled as he brandished his golden claws. "Give the Hand of Midas to me, Cassim, or your son and his pitiful allies die!"
"Not on our watch!" said Sora as he, Riku, and Kairi got into fighting stances, glaring at Sa'luk.
Cassim glared at Sa'luk. "Sa'luk, your battle is with me! Leave my son and his friends out of this!" he shouted.
"Don't worry, Dad, We can take 'em alone." Aladdin said determinedly as he stood alongside Sora, Riku, and Kairi.
Cassim shook his head as he gazed at the treasure. "But you're not alone. Not anymore." he whispered before looked at Sa'luk with determination. "You want the Hand of Midas, Sa'luk? Take it!" he yelled.
Cassim threw the hand towards the thief. Greed plastered on his devilish face, Sa'luk pushed Aladdin to the side and reached out towards the treasure and grabbed it… buy the golden hand!
Sora, Riku, Kairi, and Aladdin stared, speechless.
"The Hand of Midas is mine!" Sa'luk cackled. "And also, the life of your brat and his wretched friends." he added to Cassim.
But Cassim just stared at Sa'luk, unfazed. Sa'luk looked confused as he faced the other four.
"What are you staring at?!" he demanded with anger and fear in his voice.
Sora, Kairi, Riku, and Aladdin just stared in horror when there was a faint glow. Sa'luk saw this as well, and to his horror, he realized he had grabbed the Hand of Midas by the hand instead of the handle. He dropped it in fear as he saw that his hands were slowly turning to gold.
"No... no... No... NO... AHHHH!" Sa'luk screamed as he turned into a golden statue.
Sora, Aladdin, Riku, and Kairi cringed at the sight and looked away as the statue as it fell backwards and into the water.
"That… was disturbing…" said Sora.
"And I thought turning into dust was bad…" Kairi muttered under her breath.
"I'd say that was even worse that becoming a Heartless." said Riku.
Aladdin ripped off one of his sleeves and carefully wrapped it around the Hand of Midas, turning his sleeve into gold.
"Hurry, everyone! We're running out of time!" shouted Cassim.
Suddenly, out of the water came a giant version of a golden Sa'luk with a Heartless emblem on his chest.
"Oh shit!" gasped Sora.
"Oh my god!" gasped Kairi.
"What the heck?!" exclaimed Aladdin.
"Apparently, Sa'luk isn't done with us yet." Riku frowned as he summoned Braveheart.
"Go, get outta here!" said Sora as he summoned Ultima Weapon.
"We'll handle him!" said Kairi as she summoned Destiny's Embrace.
Aladdin and Cassim didn't want to leave them, but they knew that they couldn't stick around. So Aladdin put the Hand of Midas in his belt and swam to the edge of the cavern, and he and Cassim started climbing up the cliff face. Cassim fell behind.
"Come on, Dad. You can do it!" shouted Aladdin.
"Yes. But it would be a lot easier without this. Cassim said as he took off his golden cape and it fell into the water. "We'll wait for you three!" he shouted to the islanders.
"Got it!" said Riku as he dodged Sa'luk's punch.
Aladdin and Cassim were soon out of sight.
"Be careful!" said Kairi. "If he grabs you, you'll turn to gold!"
Sora jumped into the air and fired Firaga at Sa'luk's chest, making the giant scream in pain. Riku narrowly dodged a slamming fist as he blasted Sa'luk in the chest with a Flare Force spell. Kairi cartwheeled away from another slamming fist as she casted Blizzaga argint Sa'luk's neck. Sora and Riku jumped into the air and combined Wateraza spells against Sa'luk's face, making the golden giant scream in pain as he brought his fists down. Sora and Riku landed on the ground just as Kairi jumped up and fired Thundaga Shot. As Kairi landed, Sora ran up next to her and both held up their Keyblades and fired Double Blizzaga at Sa'luk.
Then, to Riku's horror, he saw Sa'luk suddenly try to grab Sora and Kairi. Riku dismissed Braveheart and ran towards his best friends.
"LOOK OUT!" Riku shouted as he shoved Sora and Kairi out of the way, only to be grabbed around his waist.
"Riku!" Sora cried in horror as he and Kairi got up.
"Let him go you monster!" Kairi yelled at Sa'luk.
Sa'luk just laughed as he clutched Riku tighter, making the silverhead wince in pain.
Suddenly, Riku found his body getting heavy. Riku looked down and to his, Sora, and Kairi's horror, Riku's boots were suddenly tuning to gold, followed by his knees and then the top of his legs. He was turning into gold!
Sora and Kairi watched in horror as Riku began to turn gold above his waist. As the curse reached his chest, Riku looked down at Sora and Kairi, with tears in his eyes but a brave smile on his face.
"Take care you two." he said softly before closing his eyes and was solid gold himself.
"RIKU!" Sora and Kairi screamed at the top of their lungs in agony.
Sa'luk laughed evilly.
Sora and Kairi's horrified expressions turned to furious as tears streamed down their angry faces.
"YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Sora yelled angrily.
"YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT YOU MONSTROUS BASTARD!" Kairi yelled.
Sora and Kairi jumped into the air, and to Sa'luk's horror, jammed their Keyblades into his chest. Sa'luk screamed in agony as he let the golden RIku fell. Sora and Kairi landed as the latter gasted a Zero GRavity spell, slowing Riku's golden form's falling as they quickly grabbed it. Sa'luk began to fall back into the water before his golden Heartless form suddenly disappeared in a flash of green magic.
Neither Sora or Kairi saw this as they gazed at Riku's golden body, frozen like a stature.
"No no NO!" Sora cried in agony as he hugged Riku's golden form and cried. "This is not happening… it can't be happening… it can't…"
"Riku…" Kairi said sadly as she cried, remembering Riku's first death.
Flashback, during the events of Kingdom Hearts: Infinity War:
Riku, Kairi, Donald, Goofy, Minnie, Daisy, Steve, Thor, Bruce, and Natasha had just watched Bucky turn to dust after Thanos snapped his fingers.
"What just happened?!" cried Kairi.
"Guys?" said Riku.
Everyone looked towards Riku and gasped in horror.
Riku's right arm was slowly turning to dust. Riku looked at everyone before suddenly falling backwards and completely turned to dust, Braveheart falling down on the ground.
"Riku!" Kairi screamed in horror.
"No!" cried Minnie.
"No no NO!" cried Donald.
Kairi collapsed near the dust that was once Riku and began crying over his death.
Present:
Sora and Kairi cried their eyes out over Riku's death. They had lost him once and now they lost him again.
"Riku... please… don't die again…" begged Sora.
"Please comeback… we love you…" Kairi sobbed.
Both Sora and Kairi's tears hit Riku's golden face. Suddenly, the body began to glow, taking Sora and Kairi by surprise. They leaned back and watched in shock awe as Riku's body began to return to normal, as if their tears had reversed the curse. As soon as Riku was no longer covered in gold, Riku slowly opened his eyes, much to his best friends' relief.
Riku looked at his friends, smiling in relief as well. "Hey you two… sorry for-"
Sora and Kairi suddenly hugged him, crying tears of joy. Riku willingly hugged them back, tears in his eyes as well, seeing as they cried for his death.
"You're ok!" Kairi said happily.
"I thought we lost you!" said Sora.
"I'm here now. I'm here."Riku soothed as they helped him up.
"That was so brave and reckless of you." said Sora. "But then again… I probably would've done the same thing."
"Me too." said Kairi.
"What can I say? I love you guys." said Riku with a fond smile. "You're my brother and sister."
"And you're our big brother." smiled Sora.
Suddenly, they felt their legs get wet. They looked around in surprise and they were instantly reminded of where they were. The water was rising rapidly.
"TIme to go!" said Sora.
Sora, Riku, and Kairi quickly leaped over the gap and quickly climbed up the same path Aladdina nd Cassim took and ,ade their way to the very top of the spire outside. Outside, Cassim and Alassin were waiting for them until they spotted the three and both helped them up.
"Are you ok?" asked Aladdin.
"We are now." said Riku.
"What about Sa'luk?" asked Cassim.
"Taken care of." Kairi replied.
Aladdin and cassim smiled in relief as the former took out the Hand of Midas and unwrapped it.
"After all these years, you finally have your treasure." he said to his dad as he handed him the Hand.
Cassim shook his head. "This thing? No. This retched thing almost cost me the Ultimate Treasure." he replied as he looked at Aladdin. "It's you, son. You are my Ultimate Treasure." he said as he and Aladdin embraced lovingly, putting smiles on Sora, Riku, and Kairi's faces. "I'm just sorry it took me this long to realize it. The Hand of Midas can take its curse to the bottom of the sea!" Cassims stated as he threw the Hand of Midas onto the boat he had arrived on, turning it gold and making it sink.
"Alright, let's get the hell outta here." said Kairi as she saw the water rising higher.
Just then, Genie, in the form of a large boat, flew up to them, carrying everyone else.
"Hiya fellas!" said Mickey. "Need a lift?"
"Like you'd have to ask." chuckled Sora as the five climbed in.
"Genie, get us out of here!" said Jasmine.
"Right!" said Genie. "Next stop, the palace!"
And Genie took off like a rocket, carrying everyone with him as the Vanishing Isle disappeared under water.
But watching them go from the ground were Xigbar and Maleficent. Maleficent had a green swirl in her hands.
"They thought they could defeat Sa'luk even as a Heartless." Maleficent mused as she looked at the green swirl. "But I shall see to it that our fallen ally will have his revenge."
"Just toss him up and I'll do the rest." said Xigbar.
Maleficent allowed the green swirl out of her grasp as it floated into the air. Xigbar waved his hand as black and purple swirls engulfed what was once Sa'luk, making it become bigger.
Xigbar and Maleficent traded evil smirks as a large shadow loomed over them. This fight wasn't over yet.
To be continued…
The Hand of Midas has been found. But in the end, Cassim chose Aladdin over treasure like a good father.
Hope Riku's temporary death didn't faze you too much. He's still got a lot of fighting left to do before the war.
But it seems as though Xigbar and Maleficent won't let the heroes off that easy. The giant golden Heartless version of Sa'luk was just a warning of what they got planned for him.
Rate and review and I'll see you all soon!
(1) The Mask