Fellowship & Fairydust

Genie and the guard, Razoul I think he was called, led us through the crowded streets of Agrabah towards the massive palace. I still couldn’t believe how big the building was, the minarets alone could rival some of the skyscrapers back home with their size. Just why did they build such a huge palace? It probably had hundreds, if not thousands, of years of history behind this.

But why was I wondering about this? I never cared about archaeology before, and I was not an architect by any means. I guess it was the way it towered above the city that stuck out to me, and the fact that it was made by hand. Despite not being as advanced as my world was, the fact they made something like this was impressive. 

As we made our way through the palace gates, the three of us were greeted to a different sight that made me wonder if we were still in the same world. We found ourselves in a courtyard that was green and growing with plants. So far the only green I had seen was on the clothes of some of the merchants, as well as melons and fish they sold. It was nice as some of the parks back home, with a fountain and everything. Wait, what? That had to be all the water in the city. What was wrong with these people? 

“Taking in the sights, are you?” Scrooge asked me as we made our way up the steps of the palace. 

Gesturing to the fountain behind us, I said, “That’s the only source of water I’ve seen in the entire city. Do the people in charge here keep it all to themselves?”
“No, good sir. They do not.” Genie said as he took the form of a… was he supposed to be a butler? Then he changed into an old-styled professor with a white lab coat and I think a chalkboard like they used in schools of the past that contained a map of what I think was the city. “Agrabah has lots of wells scattered throughout its streets. From these wells, people can get their refreshments for drinking, cleaning, and laundry. Now class, are there any questions?”

“Is he always like this?” Scrooge asked Razoul.

“You have no idea.” The muscular guard told him as we made our way through the halls. The first thing I noticed was that it was a lot cooler here than it was outside. Must be the way they designed the hallways, with the ceilings high above us. Whatever it was, it did the trick. After making a few turns, we stopped outside a large pair of doors. “Wait here until I explain things to the Sultan and the princess.” He said before he disappeared behind them. The Genie was not far behind him. 

 

***

 

It felt like we had waited for over an hour before the doors opened again, and Genie appeared in a puff of smoke as a butler again. “Your presence is required, good people.” He said as he motioned for us to enter. Once inside, we found yet more spacious room pillars decorating the exit to a balcony overlooking the gardens we came through. At that end was the throne, decorated to resemble some golden animal with big ears, tusks, and a long nose? What kind of animal was that?
“Presenting Scrooge McDuck, the uncle of Donald Duck, and company,” Genie said as we walked up to the throne where we got a good look at the person in charge. The Sultan was a short fat bearded man in a feathered turban wearing a robe with matching pants. He looked old, but he got off the throne with such energy that I didn’t think someone his age would have. 

He hurried over to us while we were still coming. “You’re the uncle of one of Agrabah’s saviors?” The Sultan asked the rich duck.

“Saviors?” I asked. 

“Why of course I am,” Scrooge said. 

The Genie appeared next to us. “And this boy is a wielder of the Keyblade, just like Sora.” I had no idea what to think because usually people only paid attention to me if I broke some rules or hurt someone. Now they were looking at me like I had just won a nationwide school championship, which I had never done and had no intention to. It was making me feel… was this what awkwardness felt like? 

I didn’t like it. 

One of the people in the room took great notice. He was dressed in an outfit similar to the Sultan’s except his turban seemed to have some sort of neck shade down it and a cape. “Another Keyblade Bearer? Do you know Sora?” 

Shaking my head, I told him, “No I don’t know Sora.”
“He’s supposed to be meeting us soon.” Clair tried to help. “We were sent ahead to make sure you were not attacked by someone.”

“Aye, a lad called Mortem who seems to have power over the darkness,” Scrooge added as a monkey wearing a fez and a vest came up to us. 

“Behave yourself, Abu.” A woman close to the one who asked me if I knew Sora said as she walked up. She was dressed in a sky blue cropped top with sleeves that looked sewn in, and matching pants with the same curved shoes I’ve seen a lot of in this world. She had a pair of gold earrings on and she also wore a headband with a sapphire adorned in it. She looked like one of those supermodels the popular kids always fawned over, but she carried herself like a warrior. Maybe not a soldier, but not someone I wanted for an enemy. 

Taking off his hat, Scrooge bowed before the maiden. “Am I correct in assuming you are Princess Jasmine of Agrabah?” 

“I am.” 

“A princess?” Clair wasted no time kneeling before her. “Forgive me. I did not know–.”
“Please. Rise.” The princess helped her to her feet, which surprised us. “There is no need for such formalities.” 

The monkey, Abu, then climbed up my body, looking at me with big curious eyes. “Shoo,” I told the monkey as it leaped off, putting my hands in my pockets. That was when I realized something of mine was missing. “Wait. What? How… where’d it…” The dots then connected in my head. “You little thief!” 

“Abu, did you take something?” Genie asked the monkey, transforming into a female teacher at a desk while the monkey was put at a student desk they used in the old days. With a shrug, the monkey leaped up as I ran towards him. That’s when I fell forward, crashing against the floor that sent pain through my body.

“Ow! What the… what in Gri’s name is that?” I asked as I saw what tripped me. It looked like a purple carpet with gold patterns shaped like some feline with matching tassels. What freaked me out was that it was floating off the ground, and raised like it was looking at me. That thing even lifted one of its tassels and waved them as if it was scolding me. 

“It’s a carpet. A flying carpet.” My cousin was staring wide-eyed at the flying house decoration. “How is that possible?”
“Aladdin and Abu met Carpet in the Cave of Wonders, and Carpet’s been a good friend ever since,” Jasmine told us while Scrooge and Clair joined me in gawking at the flying carpet. Looking at my cousin, I knew in an instant what she was thinking and I didn’t like it. 

Before I could say anything, she turned to the one called Aladdin and asked, “If it’s no trouble, may I ride on Carpet?”
“Certainly.” He said. 

Turning into some sort of flight attendant, Genie also created a small flight of stairs for her. “All passengers may now board the Carpet. Please keep all hands and feet on the ride at all times.” Clair then climbed the stairs, but before they could take off, I grabbed one of the tassels. 

“Clair. Let’s think about this. We have no idea what this thing can do.”
“It’s not a thing, Jason. It’s Carpet.” She told me. “And you might want to try having some fun for once.” At that, the two of them began to fly around the room, with me still hanging on! Clair was soon laughing while I was screaming. If anyone back home saw this I would’ve never heard the end of it. Before long, I had lost hold of the tassel and I ended up crashing against one of the pillars. 

I heard someone gasp followed by the sound of feet landing on the floor. “Jason? Are you okay? Say something.”
“… Ow.” Was all I managed before I fell backward to the ground. The next thing I knew I was in some sort of hospital bed with Genie standing over me in an old-fashioned lab coat with a mask over his face. 

“This boy’s in critical condition!” He said as he wheeled me around. “We need to get him to the ER Stat!” 

“I’m fine!” I snapped at him, sitting up, but the Genie wheeled me out of the room.

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