Summary: Mozenrath has one last chance to get what he so desperately needs. Life. And he knows exactly where he's going to get it.
Rating: PG-13
Categories: Aladdin
Characters: Abu, Aladdin, Carpet, Genie, Jasmine, Mozenrath, Sultan
Genres: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Dark/Angst, Romance, General
Warnings: None
Challenges: None
Series: None
Published: 06/15/05
Updated: 07/09/05
Index
Chapter 1: Fading Away
Chapter 2: Clouded Minds
Chapter 3: Unhealthy Relationships
Chapter 1: Fading Away
Disclaimer: This “fanfiction” is based on ©Disney’s “Aladdin”. I, in no way, own their original Disney characters. I.E. Aladdin, Jasmine, the Sultan, Genie, Mozenrath, etc. I am making absolutely no profit from this “fanfiction”, except for pride from reviews from non-paying readers.Essence
By: Megan Hoffer
A lone silhouette walked out onto a large dark balcony, and sighed heavily. He looked out into the starless skies, and his face soon became completely covered in shadow. A groan escaped his lips, and then another fierce sigh. He turned back in towards the balcony entrance. “Xerxes, hurry up!”
The slug came flying out of the entrance and swam up to his master. He carefully balanced a pure silver tray on his head. A goblet wobbled on top, and a dark liquid dripped down the sides. Xerxes tried to not let to much escape, and kept his gaze ahead. Finally, he made it to his unhelpful master’s side. Mozenrath took the goblet hastily and started gulping it up. The little light that escaped from the room onto the balcony streaked his face. He was pale, even more than usual, but there were dark circles under his tired eyes. His lips barely stood any difference compared to the rest of his face. He seemed to be almost wasting away, almost as if he was already dead.
After he finished the drink, he threw the goblet down on the ground and grabbed at his head. His gauntlet started glowing a deep blue as it clung to his pasty forehead. He fell to his knees, the light illuminating his pain. “Ugh,” he moaned, and the pain seemed to be getting worse.
Xerxes watched in frightened amazement, and the silver tray fell to the ground with a huge clatter. It didn’t seem to affect Mozenrath, who still wriggled on the floor. Suddenly, everything went still. Mozenrath stayed in a little ball on the ground, bathed in the candle light of the nearby room. He breathed in and out heavily for a few seconds, his face still covered by the gauntlet.
Xerxes swam around a few times until he stopped near Mozenrath’s covered face. “Master…alright?”
Mozenrath took one more large breath in and then looked up at the slug. Tears stained his face, but it still took on a hardened tone. “Do I look alright?” he growled between his teeth.
Xerxes tried to get away, but Mozenrath reached up and grabbed him around the “neck”. Xerxes began choking, but that only made Mozenrath hold harder. “I asked you a question.”
Xerxes looked around, and then tried to smile. “Master look fine,” he replied, but it sounded almost like a question. He was hoping that his answer would at least loosen his master’s grip on his windpipe.
Mozenrath looked at him for a few moments. A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes before it faded into the darkness. He let his familiar go and turned once again into the darkness. Xerxes looked at him while catching his breath, and then turned and flew quickly back into the castle.
Mozenrath pretended not to notice, he just leaned against the railing and looked out over his destroyed city. A few undead mamlucks trampled their way through the streets, but other than that the city was empty.
Just like everything else, Mozenrath thought to himself. This city is just as empty as my own palace, my own thoughts and my own body. He turned around and kicked the tray Xerxes had left hard up against the railing and it cracked in two. He grabbed his forehead and silently cursed himself for the extraneous movement. This isn’t fair! I shouldn’t have to limit myself to such little activity! He looked down at his gauntlet and grimaced. You were supposed to bring me unlimited power; you were supposed to make sure that I took the world by storm without any problems. I gave my flesh for you, I gave my life for you! And, now, you quit on me? It’s just not fair.
“Wasn’t there some guarantee?!” Mozenrath yelled into the sky. “Wasn’t there supposed to be something that said that I would have the power until the day I was killed?” He sat down on the balcony and rested his arm on his knee, and examined the gauntlet.
There was absolutely nothing wrong with it. It looked just like it did when he had first obtained it, and hadn’t gotten even one smudge after all he’d put it through. How could I have thought that something so destructive was so remarkable? How could I not have seen right through it and realized the price I was giving for it. He sighed heavily. Now I’m going to die with even less then I had before I obtained it. He didn’t move for a few moments. There has to be a way to get more time, some way that I haven’t thought of before. There has to be something… something I haven’t seen before. There has to be a way to *take* what I need! He snapped his fingers and looked up to the balcony entrance.
“There is a way!” He stood up and flew through the entrance and right through his room. He threw the door open and stormed out. “I know how to take the power I need, I know when to take the power I need, and I know *who* from to take the power I need.” After a short villainous laugh, he disappeared down the corridor and into his own personal library.
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“Aladdin…Aladdin…”
Aladdin could hear a soft voice calling his name. His dreams began to blur together, and soon they faded into darkness altogether. He opened his eyes and blinked a few times as his vision cleared. Then, Jasmine’s face came into full view. She smiled at him, and kissed him on the forehead. “Good morning,” she whispered.
Aladdin sighed, and stretched as Jasmine slid out of bed. He turned to his side and watched as she walked over to the balcony entrance and opened the curtains.
“I don’t see the sun,” Aladdin said as he laid his head back down on his pillow.
Jasmine looked out, “So?”
“It’s too early,” Aladdin responded as he pulled the covers back up on his chest.
“It’s going to storm.”
“No way, it never storms here,” Aladdin replied as he looked back outside. Just as soon as he had finished his sentence a huge crack of thunder began to ring across the sky. Jasmine jumped, startled, and grabbed her robe from a hook on her vanity. She crawled back over on the bed and laid her head on Aladdin’s bare chest.
“It’s rare for it to storm here in Agrabah, but it does happen,” she said. Another large boom of thunder sounded out, and Aladdin brought Jasmine closer.
“You’re not scared are you?” Aladdin asked in a taunting voice.
Jasmine shook her head, “No, of course not. It just startled me.”
Aladdin laughed, and a strike of lightening lit up the sky. Rain began to pelt the balcony with a soft rhythm that made Aladdin even more tired. He looked over at Jasmine who was looking out at the storm. She turned and looked back at him, “We don’t have anything to do today.”
“I hope you’re not saying that’s a bad thing,” Aladdin responded.
“Of course not, I was hoping to spend the whole day at some oasis, but that looks like it’s not going to happen.”
“One day. We get one day to ourselves, and it rains,” Aladdin sighed. He began to sit up, and Jasmine sat up and put her arms around her knees.
“Well, it wasn’t so bad when it rained that day after the wedding,” she said flirtatiously.
That’s because we never wanted to go outside, Aladdin thought. “That’s true. We could always just “re-create” that night.”
Jasmine rolled her eyes, “We’ll find our way.” She made her way to her wardrobe, and pulled out a dark purple harem outfit. She turned to Aladdin, who nodded his approval, and she laughed. She went behind her own dressing screen and slipped off her dark teal silk and lace lingerie piece and pulled on her outfit. She pulled the bands out of her hair and then came back out into the room. Aladdin had finally opened his wardrobe and was searching through his numerous outfits.
Jasmine couldn’t help but smile. He looks so *good* in just his harem pants. She walked over and began to help him, finally settling on a dark black and cream colored pant and vest set. “There you go.”
Aladdin laughed a bit and then turned back into his own dressing screen. Jasmine turned and began working on her image in the vanity mirror. She finished “primping” when Aladdin came back out. She saw him in the mirror and turned around. “Thought of what you wanted to do today?”
“Hmm… yeah,” he whispered as he took her chin in his fingers and kissed her passionately.
Jasmine pulled away gently, “Yeah, this will do,” she replied and the wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again. It needs to rain more often here in Agrabah, she thought as Aladdin led her to a fainting couch that rested underneath a jungle of flowers and plants. Another clap of thunder made Jasmine hold tighter to Aladdin, and another strike of lightening lit up their passion for split seconds at a time, making the time even more exciting.
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Mozenrath watched him. He envied him. He hated him. That street-rat has gotten everything. He has his palace, his city, his carpet, his genie, his wife. And he never had to work for any of it! It’s not fair! He smashed a glass jewel that was in crested in his throne. The jewel’s dark green shards stuck into his bare hand, and soon his warm red blood began to surround the cuts. Might as well blame this on him also, he thought. He wiped some of the blood off on his robes, and stood up. The image of Aladdin and Jasmine disappeared as he walked out of the room.
As he stormed down the corridor, mamlucks disappeared under the stone floor when they hinted their master’s anger. Mozenrath paid no mind to them, and he went on his way through his dark and majestic palace. When he reached his study he slammed the door behind him and threw himself at the dark wooden desk in the middle of the room. There were already numerous books sprawled all over the desk. They were all old. There was a smell of dust and mold in the air whenever Mozenrath flung on open. The dust made him cough, but it did not deter him from his mission.
He would flip through a few pages, and when he found the book did not hold what he needed, he would throw it across the room at a nearby statue and painting of his previous “mentor” Destane. Pieces of the statue began to fall to the ground from the constant beating and the books underneath were covered the with the plaster dust.
Mozenrath beat his fists in aggravation. His gauntlet began to glow, and Mozenrath gasped. He leaned back in his chair and began to breath in and out carefully. Soon the blue glow subsided and Mozenrath sighed a breath of relief. There was a slight throbbing in his head, but he quickly pushed it aside and went back to his mission.
“There has to be something!” he yelled out into the empty room. “I know there’s a way to do it, I just can’t find the right directions.” He pulled out an old book from under the stack. The cover was worn and made of a dark crimson velvet. He stroked it, and laughed. “There you are.” He opened it and another cloud of dust came flying up. Mozenrath waved it around and then continued to read the strange language.
Xerxes came flying in and began reading over his master’s hunched shoulder. He looked from his master to the book, confused. “Xerxes need to learn to read,” he whined and then went to the other side and looked at a few pictures in the other books. Mozenrath sighed and then sat up quickly, slamming the book shut. Xerxes jumped and looked around at what was going on.
“I’ve got it!” Mozenrath said with delight. “Now, we just have to get everything prepared.” He walked quickly out of the room and out of the room. Xerxes looked down at the books once more, and then flew out after him.
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“Something’s not right,” Aladdin said suddenly. Jasmine looked up at him, confused.
“What are you talking about?”
Aladdin shook his head, “I just get the feeling that we’re not alone in here.”
Jasmine looked around, and then back up to her husband like he was crazy. “There’s no one in here Aladdin.”
They had just left breakfast and were now trying to find a room they could be alone in. The maids had taken their bedroom over and were cleaning and scrubbing everything for “various reasons”. The rain still beat against the palace and the thunder had grown louder. The lightening still struck everywhere, signifying that the storm was far from over.
Aladdin walked a further into the room, and Jasmine came up behind him. “Aladdin, don’t you think that you’re over-reacting? There’s no-”
“Shh,” Aladdin whispered as he made his way over to the curtains that hung on the balcony of the elaborate sitting room. He tried to not make a sound as he wrapped his hands around the edge of the bright blue curtain. He took a big breath and then pulled the curtain open with force, and took on an attack position.
“Ahh!” Genie let out an immature scream. He was dressed in a shower cap and towel, and his eyes were filled with humorous terror.
Aladdin backed away in shock and fell over a potted plant that was behind him. Jasmine gasped in shock and then she put her hand on her chest to feel how hard her heart was beating.
“Genie, what are you doing in here!” Aladdin asked as he regained his composure. Genie transformed into his normal self and laughed nervously.
“Well monkey-boy, rug-man, and…me… were all playing hide and seek.”
Aladdin stared at him in disbelief. “You were playing what? Where’s Abu?”
Genie looked around the room, “He’s it. He’s looking for me.”
“Around the whole palace?!” Jasmine asked, a hint of humor. “That poor guy, he’ll be searching for hours.”
“Well, we started playing this game yesterday,” Genie said quietly. Aladdin looked over at Jasmine with a *keep me sane* look, and she came over and took his arm.
“Oh Aladdin, they’re just keeping themselves busy,” she defended. “Now, Genie, where’s Carpet?”
Genie looked around again with his hand flat against his eyebrows. “No idea. A rug can hide anywhere in here.”
Just then, Aladdin and Jasmine lost their footing and they went tumbling downwards. They had been standing on Carpet, who took flight and they hovered on him in front of Genie.
“Found him,” Aladdin growled.
Jasmine laughed, “There you are. I’m glad you found something to do with your free time.”
Carpet allowed them off. Jasmine brushed Aladdin’s hair with her hands, and smiled. “Let them play. If they are keeping themselves busy, then…”
“Yeah,” Genie cut in, “You should learn to have a little fun Al.”
The bedroom was fun, Aladdin thought, and a smile crept over his face. Jasmine turned around and Abu came strolling in. He held a banana in his hand and smiled when he saw the group. He ran and climbed onto Aladdin’s shoulder.
Aladdin laughed, “There you are.”
“You’re it,” Abu screeched in his hardly understandable language.
“Well, we’ll leave you to your game,” Jasmine said as she took Abu and placed him on the floor, and took Aladdin’s arm. She tried to go unnoticed as she took him out of the room.
“Wait, don’t you guys want to play?” Genie asked, who was now in a camouflage suit.
Aladdin and Jasmine looked at each other, “No, Genie,” Aladdin started, “We have our own game.”
Jasmine giggled and led him out of the room. She put her arms around Aladdin’s neck and kissed him. “I know what we can do,” she whispered.
“Sounds good to me,” Aladdin said as he began dragging her down the hallway. Jasmine pulled away from him.
“You don’t even know what I was going to say.”
Aladdin sighed, “I don’t?”
“Nope, just follow me,” Jasmine said as she started down the hallway.
The bedroom is that way, Aladdin thought, but followed her anyway.
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“Magnolia root,” Mozenrath ordered as he put his hand out.
“Magnolia root,” Xerxes repeated as he pulled out a long and dark brown root from the box that was sitting in front of him. He handed it to his master with his tail and watched as he dipped it carefully into the concoction that he had in front of him.
Mozenrath swirled the root around for a few second and examined the elixir he was making. It bubbled, even though there was no heat. There were sparks within it’s dark red liquid. Mozenrath was proud. Now the street rat will learn what it’s really like to pay.
He poured some of the liquid into a vial and put it into his pouch. He rubbed his forehead and mumbled a curse under his breath. He stood silent for a few seconds, and Xerxes knew what was happening.
Then Mozenrath straightened and strode out of the room as if nothing had happened at all. Xerxes shook his head and flew out of the dark room after his master.
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Jasmine had Aladdin by his hand and she led him gently out into the garden doors. Aladdin stopped and stared at the rain that was pouring out into the sand, turning it into a mud-like mixture. The fountain was overflowing, and the water was slowly creeping towards his feet. He looked over at Jasmine, just to find her staring out to the gardens in amazement. She turned towards Aladdin, “Let’s go.”
“Let’s go where?” Aladdin asked as he looked around.
“Swimming,” she replied as she headed out in the rain.
“Are you crazy?!” Aladdin said exasperated with a small laugh.
Jasmine nodded, “Please.”
Aladdin shook his head, “You want to go out there, in water, underneath a fountain that has a *metal* waterspout in it?”
Jasmine thought for a moment, and then looked at him with a mischievous smile. She dashed out of the door and towards the fountain, jumping in. She came up and threw her heavy dark hair out of her eyes. She looked back towards the door, but to her surprise Aladdin wasn’t there. She looked around, confused. Suddenly a pair of strong hands came up around her waist and pulled her back down under the water. Jasmine inhaled water as she was pulled under and it made her head burn. Things went black and then back to blue. She struggled up to the surface and gasped when she made it. She tried to hold herself up the on the side, but the current of water that was overflowing made her slip and she tumbled out. She was lying on her back trying to catch her breath as the rain pelted her.
Aladdin watched as Jasmine tumbled out into the running water, and he lost his breath. She’s not moving. He jumped out over the railing of the fountain and fell and slid to where Jasmine was lying. He looked into her eyes and a look of comfort came over them. “Jasmine, are you alright?”
Jasmine’s eyes lost their glazed look and she directed her stare to him. She began coughing, and she sat up in his lap. “That was cheating,” she managed between her deep breaths.
“I’m sorry,” Aladdin said with his boyish charm.
Jasmine nodded, and stood up, just to fall down again. Aladdin caught her and stood her back on her feet. She kissed him on the cheek and allowed him to lead her back into the palace. A bolt of lightening came down and hit the fountain head straight on, leaving it crumbling and smoking in the middle of the garden.
Jasmine jumped and then looked up to Aladdin. “Not.One.Word,” she almost growled and they both disappeared back into the palace.
Aladdin came into their room, holding two towels. He wrapped one around Jasmine who had changed back into another harem outfit, only this time with long sleeves. Aladdin then took his new outfit behind the dressing screen and changed. He came back out and placed his old and wet outfit on top of Jasmine’s in the wash basin, and he had the towel in his hands trying to dry his hair.
Jasmine went over to the balcony “cage” door and looked out. Aladdin came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I don’t like rain,” he sighed.
Jasmine nodded in agreement, but didn’t say anything. Aladdin looked at her, “What’s the matter?”
Jasmine shook her head, “Nothing. I’m just tired,” she whispered. Aladdin rubbed his chin across her head, and she laughed a bit.
In the back of the room there was a small glimmer of blue and black light. A small gold tray with two gold goblets appeared on the small table next to the entrance of the room. Inside one was a clear blue liquid, and in the other a dark red liquid.
Aladdin turned back towards the door, “I have to talk with your father today.”
Jasmine followed him, “About what?”
“I don’t know. I think it’s about an alliance with a neighboring city,” he sighed. “I don’t want to go.”
Jasmine shook her head, “It won’t take long. Plus, it’s-”
“Something I have to do?” he finished for her.
Jasmine nodded, “Exactly. But don’t worry, I’ll be right here when you get back.”
“Better be,” Aladdin responded. Then he saw the tray that appeared on the table next to the door. “Hey. Where’d this come from?” he said as he inspected it.
Jasmine shook her head, “The maids must have brought it in earlier.” She took one of the goblets and began to drink. The light blue liquid was delightful and she started to drink faster.
Aladdin seemed uncertain, “Are you sure?”
“They do it a lot Aladdin. They just left it here when they realized that we weren’t here.”
Aladdin nodded, “Alright.” He drank the dark red liquid and grimaced. “What is this?”
Jasmine took a sip, and crinkled her nose. “I don’t know,” she said as she put the goblet back down.
“Tell them not to bring it again,” Aladdin laughed. Jasmine nodded her agreement. “Well, I got to go. I’ll be back shortly.”
Jasmine kissed him on the cheek, “Good luck.”
“Thanks,” he said and he ran out of the door and down the hallway.
Jasmine watched as he disappeared and then she shut the door. A dull pain started in her head as she made her way to the bed. Don’t tell me that I am going through withdrawal from Aladdin, she joked to herself. She crawled underneath the covers, and listened to the rain. It wasn’t long before the silk sheets seemed to cradle her and she began drifting off to sleep.
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“How perfect!” Mozenrath exclaimed from inside his citadel. He looked over at the confused familiar at his side. “They both drank from it Xerxes! Now be it, she didn’t get quite as much, but that’s still something I wasn’t expecting.”
Xerxes swam around in circles, and became just as excited as his master.
Mozenrath smiled evilly, “Now we sit back and watch the fun begin.”
Chapter 2: Clouded Minds
Aladdin stumbled down the hallways towards the sultan’s throne room. He had suddenly come down with a terrible headache after leaving his room. He leaned against the wall for a few moments and then cleared his throat. He slid in behind the curtain to the throne room, and he looked towards the other side of the room. His vision blurred, but he could still see that the sultan was there, and he was waiting for him. Aladdin started down the long runner and bowed when he got to the foot of the throne.“Oh, it’s good to see you made it my boy,” the sultan exclaimed after he tore himself away from a gold statue had been examining. He threw it to the ground on top of what looked like a pile of toys, and turned his attention to Aladdin.
Aladdin rubbed at his forehead, and the sultan frowned. “Are you alright Aladdin?”
“Hmm? Oh yes sultan, I’m fine,” Aladdin lied. His throat was dry and his head felt like it was going to explode. “You said you wanted to talk to me about something?”
“Ahh, yes,” the sultan replied. He turned to the table that was setting next to his throne and startled shuffling through a bunch of papers. A tray of baklava was also there, and Aladdin could smell it. The smell made him nauseous and he knew that this meeting was going to be even longer than what he had expected.
Back in the room, Jasmine was still sleeping. She tossed and turned, and she was breaking out in a cold sweat. She closed her eyes tightly, and then relaxed. Suddenly, she sat up in bed startled, and she gasped for breath. She looked around and let her eyes focus on the room’s surroundings, then she laid back down. She breathed a sigh of relief. What a dream, she thought, if I could only remember what it was about.
Jasmine laid in the bed for a few moments before sitting back up. The throbbing in her head had stopped, and she felt fine once again. She looked outside, but the storm still raged on. At least we don’t have to worry about a water shortage, and it’ll be awhile before we have to worry about floods. She stood up and walked over to the balcony entrance. “How long was I asleep?” she wondered. She noticed that the sky was a bit darker, and she knew she must have been asleep for nearly an hour. I wonder what’s keeping Aladdin, she thought. The door creaked open and Jasmine saw Aladdin stumble in. He didn’t look good. She ran over to him, and took his arm. He was breathing heavily, and had removed his vest that he had been wearing when he left. His hair was soaked with sweat, and his eyes were watery and tired.
“Aladdin! Are you alright?” Jasmine asked as she led him further into the room. Aladdin went to respond, but began coughing violently, and almost fell to his knees.
“Aladdin?! What’s wrong?” Jasmine asked again, this time with a bit more alarm.
Aladdin shook his head, “I don’t know,” he stopped to cough some more. “I’ll be fine, I just need to rest.”
Jasmine shook her head, “Are you sick?”
Aladdin shrugged, “I don’t know. As soon as I left here I got a terrible headache, and things just got worse through out the meeting.”
Jasmine thought for a moment, “That’s funny because-” She couldn’t finish her sentence. Aladdin went limp, and Jasmine fell to the floor with him, unable to keep him up. “Aladdin? ALADDIN!” Jasmine gasped. She turned him to his back and listened to his chest. His heart still was beating, but he was breathing heavier and heavier. She took the vest he had been holding and put it over him. “Father! Genie! SOMEBODY!” She screamed out of the open door, and then ran over to Aladdin again. She took his head and swept the hair off of his forehead. “It’ll be alright, Aladdin, we’ll get help,” she whispered, and she tried to comfort the unconscious Aladdin until somebody would finally show up.
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It had been three hours. Three painstaking hours since Aladdin had collapsed. Genie, Abu, and Carpet all sat on different pillows in a large room. They looked on at a small fainting couch that was lying in the middle of it. Aladdin was lying there, unmoving. The physicians had been in to see him, but none of them had any answers for his friends. So they sat there, and waited, anxiously and quietly.
Jasmine was sitting next to the fainting couch with Aladdin’s hand up against her cheek. It was all so strange to her. This makes no sense, she thought, I’ve never seen him like this before. Nothing has ever taken him down like this. He’s overcome so much, how can something take him down now. Don’t go Aladdin! We’ve been through so much together, but we should still have so much time left! A tear fell from her cheek, but she didn’t wipe it away. She just stared down at Aladdin.
His eyes were heavy, and his lips were part way open. He was still breathing heavily, but he wasn’t sweating as bad as he was before. It looked as though he was sleeping, and Jasmine prayed that he was peaceful. She took one last look at him before looking back up to Genie.
“Genie?” she called. Genie came walking over and looked from Aladdin to Jasmine. Jasmine let one more tear fall, “Genie? Are you sure that there’s nothing you can do,” Jasmine asked as she looked back down to Aladdin.
Genie shook his head, “No Jas, we don’t even know what the problem is.”
Jasmine began crying harder. “What if this is my fault Genie? I made him go out in the rain today, what if that’s why he’s sick?! What if I am killing Aladdin?”
“Whoa,” Genie said, and Jasmine stopped talking to look directly at him. “Jas,” Genie whispered, “This can’t possibly be from a trip out into the rain,” he said. “This is something that we’ve never seen before. But Al will make it through this, he’s tough.”
Jasmine nodded and looked back down to Aladdin. “Oh Genie, what if we loose him?”
“We won’t,” Genie replied and he gathered her into a large hug. Jasmine returned it gently, and then she laid down on the pillows around the couch. She would stay there the rest of the night, next to Aladdin. Even to her father’s objections in fear that Aladdin may have something contagious, she would not budge. And everyone knew it wasn’t worth arguing with her about.
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“I can feel it Xerxes,” Mozenrath said quietly. “It’s working. My plan is working.”
Xerxes looked at his master in a confused state. Mozenrath laughed, “Soon, that street rat will give me everything that I want, and he’ll destroy everything he loves in the process! What stopped me from thinking of this before? Why did I waste my energy on that when he could have done it for me?” Xerxes shrugged, as if his master was actually looking for an answer.
Mozenrath made the image of Jasmine sitting next to Aladdin’s bed appear, and a smile made his pale lips curl. Soon princess, you’ll wish you never met your precious Aladdin, because soon, he will be your final un-doing. Soon you’ll belong to me.
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Aladdin struggled against his sleep-like state. He could feel warmth consume him, and he finally opened his eyes. Something was clouding his mind, but he still remembered what had happened. He figured that he was no longer in his and Jasmine’s room. Where is Jasmine? he wondered, but he soon found out. He looked down on the floor where Jasmine was laying on the surrounding pillows. She was uncovered, and she looked cold. He picked up the blanket that they had used for him and placed it on Jasmine. Then he rubbed at his head, and realized that, except for the cloudiness in his mind, he felt better. A lot better.
Jasmine stirred a bit and then her large eyes fluttered open. She looked surprised at the dark blue silk blanket that was on top of her and she looked around. She saw Aladdin standing up, and she gasped. She sat up immediately and took his hands in hers. “Aladdin, you’re up!” she exclaimed. Aladdin smiled, but for some reason, he felt like something was missing from him. He took her into his lap.
“Jasmine, how long was I out?”
“Only a night, but you scared us all!” Jasmine exclaimed. She kissed him hard on the lips. He returned the kiss, but pulled away quicker than what Jasmine was ready for. “Are you feeling better?” she asked.
Aladdin nodded, “Yeah. I don’t know what was wrong with me last night.”
“I was so afraid,” Jasmine said as she curled up and put her head on his chest.
Aladdin looked around confused. What is she doing? he thought. He got up quickly, and Jasmine barely stopped herself from falling.
“Aladdin-” Jasmine began, but before she could finish, the doors opened and the rest of the group came in. Genie saw that Aladdin was awake and he ran over.
“Al! You’re awake!” he exclaimed as he took his friend into a large hug. Aladdin returned it gently, but he didn’t stay long. In fact, there was an annoyed look in his eyes. Abu crawled up on his shoulder and pat his head. Aladdin pushed his tiny paw away, and turned to look at his friends.
“Were you guys all that worried about me?” Aladdin asked, but with more annoyance than appreciation.
Jasmine looked shocked, “Of course we were Aladdin. We care about you, I care for you more than anyone else in the world.”
Aladdin murmered something under his breath, and Jasmine seemed taken back. Genie laughed nervously. “Well, maybe our main man needs a little more rest.”
Aladdin nodded, “Yeah. I’m going to go find somewhere to rest.”
“I’ll come with you,” Jasmine offered. She went to follow him, but he stopped her.
“No Jasmine, I want to be by myself right now,” he snapped.
Jasmine stopped right where she was, and glared at him. “Alright, well,” she said with hurt all over her voice, “if you need me, I’ll be in the library.” She didn’t turn back around as she left the room in a hurry and almost slammed it behind her.
Genie looked after her, and then back to his newly awakened friend. “Al, what was that about?”
“I just don’t understand why she worries so much. I don’t understand why any of you worry so much.” Aladdin replied.
Genie transformed into a 1950’s looking mother and kissed him on the cheek leaving a lipstick mark. “It’s just because we love you so darn much!” he exclaimed.
Aladdin sighed disgustedly, and marched out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
Genie looked after him also, questioningly. He turned to Abu and Carpet who didn’t hardly merit any of Aladdin’s attention. “Something’s not right,” Genie whispered, as if trying to keep a secret. Abu rolled his eyes.
“Oh brofer,” he screeched quietly.
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Aladdin stormed down the hallways, and then suddenly his mind cleared a bit. What am I doing? How could I have acted like that to them? he thought. “I have to find Jasmine,” he said aloud and started down the opposite way of the long corridor.
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Mozenrath laughed as he watched Aladdin turn around and start searching for Jasmine. “You’re so stupid street-rat,” Mozenrath said mockingly. “You just don’t get that when you do find her, you’re just going to hurt her again.”
He turned around and the viewing mirror disappeared in a blast of blue and black light. Mozenrath sighed tiredly. I should be saving my magic for when the man brings me his friends, Mozenrath thought. But it’s just so much fun watching him destroy his whole life. And I didn’t have to do it for him! He proceeded down the hallway until he came to a shorter corner of the palace. He opened one of the doors and peered inside. Mamlucks were all over hanging chains and crystals all around the room. Mozenrath laughed, “Perfect.”
“What’s that?” Xerxes asked as he came up behind his master.
Mozenrath didn’t take his eyes of the mamlucks, “It’s the room our guests will be staying at.”
The room was dark, with only one window that let in no light. There were no torch holders anywhere, showing that it was the main point for the room to have little light. It was like a dungeon, with walls to tall to climb, and a door to big to breakdown or open without a key.
“They all will stay here,” Mozenrath continued. Then he turned around and looked at the other side of the hallway, “Except for one.” He pushed open the large metal door to the other room, and stepped inside.
The room was still dark, but there were more windows, and even a balcony. There were torch holders everywhere, and a few candles on different tables. There was a wardrobe, a bed, and a vanity that all matched the same dark wood carvings of stars. There were curtains everywhere, and a dressing screen. It was full of dark beauty. “Perfect,” Mozenrath whispered.
“Room for princess?” Xerxes asked as he swam around, almost catching himself on fire from one of the candles.
Mozenrath nodded. He sat down on a fainting couch that was next to a small water fountain next to the door. “It suits her, doesn’t it? Not exactly like your cushy home in her own palace, but still full of all the same luxuries.”
“Princess stay?”
“She will Xerxes, she doesn’t get a choice.”
Chapter 3: Unhealthy Relationships
Chapter 3Unhealthy Relationships
“Jasmine?” Aladdin called into the large library. He walked in slowly, and looked around towards the large circular room full of books. He saw someone sitting on one of the large pillows, and her long black hair surrounded her face. He sighed and walked up and knelt in front of her.
Jasmine looked up at him, but she was at a loss for words.
“Jasmine, I’m sorry,” Aladdin apologized.
Jasmine sighed, “So am I. I shouldn’t have stormed out like that.”
“Forgive me?” Aladdin asked, a boyish smile playing on his lips.
“Of course,” Jasmine replied, and she wrapped her hands around his neck and kissed him. “Are you alright now?”
Aladdin nodded, “I’m fine now. I don’t know what that was all about.”
“You really scared me,” Jasmine whispered, “I was so worried.”
“Sorta like out at the fountain yesterday?” Aladdin quirked.
Jasmine laughed, “We’re even?”
“Definitely,” Aladdin responded. “Now, let’s get something to eat, I’m starved.” He led her out of the library and down to the breakfast hall to meet the rest of the group.
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Mozenrath couldn’t help but laugh. He has no idea how badly he’s going to hurt her! He thought gleefully as he watched the couple in his viewing portal.
“He’s going to hurt all of them. Well, technically I’m going to hurt all of them, but he’s going to make it possible for me to hurt all of them.” Mozenrath was talking to himself. “First he’s going to bring them to me, and then I’m going to give them a “new home”. Then I’ll suck the life right out of their dashing hero. It’ll be so easy for me to kill all of his friends. But Princess Jasmine will prove other uses for me. After all of that, I’ll have lunch,” Mozenrath mused to himself.
He looked back into the portal. Aladdin was leading Jasmine playfully down to the banquet hall. Mozenrath looked at an hourglass that was placed on his throne arm rest. Sand trickled at a moderate pace from one glass to the other. Mozenrath smiled, his white teeth gleaming. “Showtime.”
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Aladdin and Jasmine took their seats next to each other at the banquet table. Genie, Abu, and Carpet were already down there. Genie exclaimed his happiness at the couple making it. Abu tried to mimic it, but his mouth was already stuffed with food.
“Where’s father?” Jasmine asked, looking around.
Aladdin shook his head, “I don’t know.”
“Right here,” the sultan responded as he also made it to the table.
Jasmine stood up and kissed her father on the forehead. “Good morning father.”
The sultan beamed, “Good morning dearest. And Aladdin, I see you made it through the night my boy.”
Aladdin smiled and took Jasmine by the hand, “Yes your highness.”
“I’m glad to see it. I don’t think our city would last long without you. Now, let’s eat!” the sultan recommended. Everyone started filling up their plates and busying themselves in conversation. Aladdin looked over at Jasmine, who smiled back at him. Suddenly, the cloudy feeling returned to his head, and he looked away.
“Aladdin, what’s wrong?” Jasmine asked as she put her hand on his shoulder.
Aladdin jumped up and grabbed his goblet. “Nothing. I just need to get more to drink.” He walked over to the drink table and picked up the pitcher. Suddenly a sharp pain went up into his head, and he dropped the liquid. He fell to his knees, holding his head and groaning.
Jasmine jumped up and ran over to him. Genie followed her. “Al, what’s wrong?” Genie asked.
Aladdin said nothing, he just sighed heavily, and looked back at him. Jasmine saw he looked angry. “Aladdin?”
Before she could say anything else, Aladdin grabbed her by her shoulders tightly. Jasmine yelped. “Aladdin, what are you doing?”
Genie grabbed Aladdin and went to remove him from Jasmine when Aladdin grabbed a knife from the table and brought it to Jasmine’s neck. “Don’t move.”
“Aladdin, what is the meaning of this?” the sultan demanded as he waddled over.
Aladdin turned to him. “Me and Jasmine are just going on a little date.”
“Aladdin, what is wrong with you?” Jasmine whispered.
“Unhand my daughter now!” the sultan demanded. When Aladdin didn’t obey, he called for the guards.
Aladdin laughed, “We’ll see you soon.” He started over to the wall when a large portal opened with blue and black light. Aladdin jumped inside, and the portal disappeared before the guards arrived, or Genie could stop him.
“Where has he taken her?” The sultan asked angrily.
Genie sighed, “I would tell you, but I don’t think you’re going to like it.”
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Aladdin appeared in the middle of Mozenrath’s cold throne room. He held an unconscious Jasmine in his arms. Mozenrath appeared from the shadows and came up to Aladdin examining the girl in his arms. He smiled slightly, obviously happy about the girl’s presence. Aladdin cleared his throat which brought Mozenrath back to his senses.
“You know where to put her.”
Aladdin nodded and began to walk out of the room.
“Oh Aladdin,” Mozenrath stopped him. Aladdin turned around. “You will need to bring the others to me also.”
Aladdin nodded, “Consider it done.”
“Perfect,” Mozenrath returned, and watched as Aladdin left the room carrying his prize.