Chapter nineteen- Aktia

Once they arrived at Aktia's port, they were greeted by devastation. Several buildings were destroyed and smoke and flames were everywhere.

"This is awful... It's a mess..." Alibaba frowned as the four of them walked around.

"Yeah..." Ashlyn agreed, walking close to everyone. Um Madaura did this...didn't she?

"This port was ravaged by those pirates, even though it was protected by the navy?" The captain of the Sindrian ship observed, walking up beside them.

"Yes. This is all Um Madaura's doing." Three men in armor approached the group. "We are from the Aktia navy. You are from the Sindrian trade ship from earlier, correct?"

"Commander, who exactly is Um Madaura?" Hakuryuu asked from where he stood beside Alibaba.

"They are pirates of the west. They are a ferocious lot who pillage by using magic tools." The sailor explained.

"But why have they appeared here?" The Sindrian captain asked. "A pirate crew shouldn't be able to stretch their reach into the heavily-protected sea of Aktia, yes?"

"You're right." The commander spoke sadly. "However, we've been forced to send troops to the northern border, making us short-handed here."

"Northern border?" Hakuryuu echoed.

"Yes. The front lines of our defence against Magnostadt." The commander continued to explain, "Ever since the fall of the Musta'sim dynasty, they began to step into the adjacent countries. It is impossible to predict what they'll do next... Magnostadt is a truly ominous country."

"Why is Aladdin trying to go to such a country?" Hakuryuu asked, turning towards Morgiana.

"Maybe that's why he was trying to go there." Alibaba answered.

"Yeah..." Morgiana nodded. Ashlyn frowned and crossed her arms.

They all turned as several voices began begging for help. A group of lower-class citizens had gathered, asking for someone to save their children."What are they talking about?" Alibaba wondered.

"You see..." The commander of the Aktia navy spoke again. "Um Madaura kidnaps children every time they strike. For some reason, it's only children from the slums they take. Who knows what they plan to do with them..."

"Aladdin..." Ashlyn whispered. She wondered if she should force herself to remember more. She almost didn't want to, remembering had started affecting her physically. She wasn't as hungry as usual, and strange bruises appeared on her skin from nowhere. Nevermind the headaches and nosebleeds.

"So there's no way to help those children?!" Alibaba's voice shook Ashlyn from her thoughts. "Why not?"

"Well..." The commander avoided his gaze. "Since their ship moves underwater, even if we're the Aktia navy, following them is impossible."

"You're talking about that strange magic tool, huh?" Alibaba spoke.

"You'll leave our children to die?!" The citizens of the slums cried.

"Dammit..." Alibaba cursed. "Isn't there something we can do?"

"Don't worry, Alibaba-dono. I've already got a plan in motion." Hakuryuu assured. He raised his spear and spoke again, "Awaken, Zagan!" The spear glowed and he hit it on the ground, cracks fanning out in the stone. Large green vines pulled up from the ground.

"What is this?!"

"This is just an herb-claw root." Hakuryuu explained, one of the roots tickling his face.

"Herb-claw root?" Alibaba echoed. "You mean the grass from the pea family with the insanely long roots? Used for herbs and stuff?"

"Yep." Hakuryuu nodded. "Zagan has awakened it's unique qualities and amplified them to the maximum. I scattered some seeds in the cargo the pirates stole, so we can follow these roots to their hideout."

"For real? That's awesome!" Alibaba brighted. Ashlyn and Morgiana becoming hopeful as well. "So you can manipulate any plant at will?" Zagan is terrifying...

"No. This is a combo move with Zagan and my magoi manipulation." Hakuryuu continued to explain how the moved worked.

 Still, what a scary djinn... Ashlyn thought as she listened. She barely heard as the navy refused to send ships because they didn't know what they were up against. She was too lost in thought to know that the people of the slums had started yelling. I'm terrified of not knowing what's going to happen in the future...I want to help everyone...I'm still kinda useless.

"Hey, you guys..." Alibaba's voice was low. Ashlyn shook her head and forced herself to pay attention. "Are you in a rush to set off on your journeys?"

"No." Morgiana shook her head.

"Me neither..." Ashlyn agreed quietly.

"I already know what you're going to say." Hakuryuu smiled slightly.

"Yeah..." Alibaba lifted his head and turned to the citizens. "Umm, everyone! We'll go rescue your children."

"Just your four?!" One of the citizens exclaimed. "That's insane!"

"One of our friends has been captured as well. Don't worry. I promise we will save your kids!"

"Thank you so much." One of the woman said. "But even our country has abandoned us. We have no money..."

Alibaba placed a hand on her shoulder, "We don't need anything like that."

Ashlyn smiled as she remembered more about Alibaba, Cassim would be happy, wouldn't he?

~

"Eh?! Aladdin-kun's been kidnapped?!" The blue haired magician, Yamraiha, exclaimed through Aladdin's 'Eye of the Rukh'.

"Hey! Don't push me, Yamraiha!" Sharrkan snapped at her.

"Is that...?" Alibaba looked over.

"We found it in Aladdin-dono's luggage." Hakuryuu explained. He continued to explain how the magic tool worked as Yamraiha and Sharrkan argued.

"Is that you, Alibaba-kun?" Sinbad asked from the magic tool. All four teens turned toward the device.

"Yeah."

"Hakuryuu explained what happened." Sinbad spoke. "As far as Sindria is concerned, we can't allow our trade route with Aktia be threatened in such a way. I'm also worried about Aladdin. Would you like me to send reinforcements?"

"No." Alibaba denied. "We should be fine on our own."

"I see." Sinbad smiled. Sharrkan and Yamraiha continued to battle in the background. "Be careful. A magic tool can become dangerous depending on the way it's used." He warned.

Suddenly, Sinbad was shoved from the frame and Sharrkan appeared with Yamraiha, "Do your best, now." Sharrkan smiled.

"Good luck!" Yamraiha added.

"Yeah!" Alibaba agreed. The call ended. "Man, magic tools are amazing." Alibaba marveled.

Ashlyn played with her bracelets a bit, "Yeah..."

"Hey, Hakuryuu."

"What is it?"

Alibaba wrapped an arm around the prince's shoulder, "You seem to have mastered using Zagan, huh? Good job."

"Uh...Yeah...Ashlyn-dono and I have been training a lot. Thank you very much." Hakuryuu answered, confused.

"So...do you know...that other thing...? Don't tell me that you...can do a full djinn equip now too?" Alibaba spoke slowly.

"Well..." Hakuryuu smirked, "what do you think?"

"You can? Tell me!"

"I don't want to..."

"It seems they've made up. I'm glad." Morgiana smiled. She and Ashlyn watched the two males as they talked.

"Me too." Ashlyn returned the smile, chuckling a bit at the princes. "They're such idiots..."

"Ashlyn!!! Can you do a djinn equip too!?" Alibaba ran over and placed his hands on her shoulders.

Ashlyn smiled again, "Maybe. Who knows?"

"Gah! Tell me!" He shook her.

"Nope."

"Tell me, tell me!" The former prince continued to shake her.

"Alibaba-dono, be careful!" Hakuryuu warned.

"You're gonna make me pass out, idiot." Ashlyn tried to shove him away. "I won't help if you keep this up."

"Ok, ok. I'll stop." Alibaba removed his hands and took a step back. "Teach me."

"Nah, I don't feel like it." Ashlyn crossed her arms and looked away.

"Ash!" Alibaba whined.

"Why don't you get Hakuryuu's help?"

"He won't help either!"

"Well, that's cause you're hopeless." Ashlyn said simply. Alibaba sobbed.

"There's an island up ahead!" The teens stopped their teasing at a crew member's call.

"Alright!" Alibaba spoke, easily bouncing back from Ashlyn and Hakuryuu's words. "Let's go!"

"Here goes." Morgiana held Alibaba's wrists and spun, tossing the teen from the boat. Hopefully having him land in the pirate's base. She did the same thing to Hakuryuu and Ashlyn before jumping herself.

The four of them landed with a splash inside the pirate's base. "Alright..." Alibaba smiled, sword drawn, "Let's kick some ass, yeah?"

~