A/N: I know what you're thinking . . . will she really finish it this time? Well, I can say with certainty and great pride, that it has recently been COMPLETED! It has been my personal project over the last few weeks to finish one of my favorite stories, so I am finally ready to present it to all of you. As of now, I am simply reposting the entire story up again, chapter by chapter, until the newest section (the ending) to reunite readers with this lost tale. I cannot apologize enough for this long absence, I can beat you all with countless excuses, but I'll spare you, I'm sure you've heard them all before. Thank you to everyone who wrote me and sent me comments about this story, I know many have been waiting for a long time for the ending and I'm just so sorry it took me this long to get back to it. Your words of encouragement kept this story from being permanently deleted.

The story has been touched up and edited slightly to make the story more clear, I believe . . . after all, I wrote the original story my freshman year in high school, and now I am in college. Some aspects have been changed, for the betterment of the story. The final chapters will be posted within the next few weeks. Please enjoy!

Shattered Dreams
By Kim

- Prologue -

She had cried until there were no more tears left to shed, until her face had become sore, and until her eyes were red and dry. A sob was something she could not muster anymore and found herself unable to vent her hollowed emotions. She leaned against the cold, hard balcony railing and stared blankly into the dark sky. She was feeling lost, frozen, but mostly empty and dead.

She drew a shaky breath and looked out into the horizon where the sun had previously set and wished that it would never come up again. Oh, she prayed silently, grant me mercy and spare me from this pain. She wished that the light of day would remain in its darky depths so that she would not have to face another day alone. She wanted to curl up and die. That was all she wanted and simply wished that it could be granted.

Her life had been taken away from her in one, single fleeting instant and there was not a thing anyone could do to help her, or take her out of her terrible depression. Once before, she felt only joy for life and happily looked forward for her dreams to come true. Now, those dreams were shattered to pieces, with no hopes of ever being put back together. The shards seemed to cut at her soul, mocking her with a sinister smile she recognized all too well, a smile that crept into her dreams and tore her from sleep. Why? Why was she destined to now live the remainder of her cold and insignificant life out in pain and misery? Why had fate spit on her so cruelly?

Jasmine wanted to cry again as her thoughts fled to him, but there were no tears of sorrow and grief left. Everything was gone from her. With each teardrop that she had shed, an ounce of her life had escaped her being and now she felt she could greet death with open arms. Life had become an empty and shallow void and death would be a sweet escape. She would be free in death, she would be free from this shell of existence she wallowed in now.

She felt a cold wind cascade around her, but she did not shiver or bring her arms closer to keep warm, but instead, she welcomed the coldness. Her skin fell pale and with the dusting glow of the raising moon on her chilled body, her frame became a deathly glow. With her eyes hollowed and dark and her lips dry and cracked, her expression was blank. Jasmine closed her eyes and put a picture of him in her mind and concentrated on it, as it was all she had left aside a small picture she cherished on her vanity. She tried to think of the good times and the days that made her laugh with joy and happiness, but every time she tried, her thoughts wandered to that horrible day as if it was yesterday.

The day Aladdin died.

- Chapter One -

"Are you ready?"

She drew in a breath and nodded. Aladdin's arms wrapped protectively around Jasmine's waist and his worried expression changed for a fleeting moment to reassure her with his warm brown eyes. Jasmine wished they did not have to do this, she wanted to stay lost and locked within his eyes forever. Just within a simple instant, they could reassure her of everything with a quick glance.

But, alas, a shout from behind reminded them of where they were and why. Agrabah was standing up for themselves and fighting back against Mozenrath after his latest attempts on destroying the city and taking over, inevitably dooming their city. If they did not act, they were sure that another attack on their city would bring disastrous results. They had chosen Aladdin and Rasoul to lead them into battle and to bring the Land of the Black Sand to ruins.

Even though Aladdin had tried his best reasoning that he had, Jasmine would not stay in the palace. The fight with Mozenrath concerned her too and she wanted to be there to help and to stop his evil from reigning on. Aladdin took Jasmine's hand and squeezed it, his fingers interlocking with her's as his thumb stroked the back of her hand. His eyes gazed over Mozenrath's land and he turned back to her. Before he could speak his growing concerns again, she silenced him with a finger to his lips.

"Don't even bother to try Aladdin, I'm not leaving." She said stubbornly. Aladdin smiled warmly and pulled her in for a lingering kiss.

"Please, be careful." He asked, his voice barely a whisper. He rested his forehead on hers and took her hands in his.

"I will if you will." She quipped and smiled slightly.

"Just remember," He began and smiled wider. "we're getting married in three weeks." He said as he kissed her forehead and caressed her cheeks.

"I know. I'm counting down the days," she said with a smile. Jasmine hugged Aladdin tightly and fought the urge to hold him back from the battle. Something felt wrong. Whenever she got a shivering feeling up her spine, she was certain something bad was going to occur. Why of all times did she have to get that feeling now?

"We're ready to start." Rasoul stated blandly behind them as he came out from behind some horses with Genie at his heals discussing strategies, in the end breaking up their embrace. With one last kiss, Jasmine and Aladdin held their hands together for one final moment before breaking apart. In the instant that their hands separated, Jasmine's body became suddenly cold, despite the burning sun that beamed down on them and the arid heat that blew sand at her feet, and goose bumps covered her arms. She rubbed them briskly as they mounted their horses and galloped into the deadly Land of the Black Sands.

The battle took off immediately as Mamluks appeared out of the sands, unsheathing their rusted swords as they rose. The brown, old metal dully reflected in the sun and glinted across the oncoming battalion of horses. Mumbling shouts they sounded was all that was heard combined with the hoof beats of horses. Jasmine kicked her steed to go faster and cleared most of the Mamluks before they had time completely emerge out of the sand and stop her run.

Aladdin, Rasoul, Genie and a few other guards were still at her side while the rest were cut off by Mamluks in the attempt to reach the Citadel and had to stop and begin their battle early. Jasmine's sword rested comfortably at her side of her black and blue street outfit that she wore; her whip snugly at the other side. Neither gave her much comfort in their current situation. This was not like the other times they had confronted Mozenrath, this time they were here for blood. His blood. And it was his that she hoped would be spilled across the blackened sands, not their own.

Suddenly, they had to pull their horses to a halt as a blinding black and blue lighting bolt shot out in front of them just before the Citadel entrance. The horses slid to a stop, coming to rest only a few meters or so away from the forming figure. Mozenrath appeared in the place of the light, his hands on his hips and his head cocked to the side with a sly and defiant smile spread across his face. His complexion was as pale as ever and his gauntlet was tightly worn on his right hand, the apparent danger from it flew to Jasmine like a raven and clouded her mind with a hazy fear.

"Well well well, to what do I owe this grand pleasure?" He said, snapping Jasmine out of her reverie. His grin widened when his eyes met her's, but the change was faint, and meant only for her to see. It was if he had all ready won and victory was his, nearly bragging and gloating over his triumph. Almost like he knew something they didn't. Another shiver shot up Jasmine's spine and caused her body to tremble slightly.

"You're done Mozenrath. This time, it's over." Aladdin declared after he jumped off his horse and approached Mozenrath.

Mozenrath was very still for a moment, almost considering what to do. When he spoke, it was worse than the silence that had previously filled the air. "I'm warning you, Aladdin. Leave now. I'm giving you a chance." His normal dry humor was gone and instead was replaced by the sinister warning. Mozenrath shrugged before he waved his arm and motioned behind them. Aladdin paused and considered turning his back, but after hearing Jasmine's startled gasp, he turned. Behind them was an entire army of Mamluks that had surrounded them completely and blocked out the rest of the troops. Perhaps eight dozen stood, waiting for the war to begin.

Aladdin turned back to Mozenrath with rage. "That won't matter Mozenrath, today marks the end of your kingdom and your evil. You will be beaten."

"I've heard it all before and have yet to see it happen. I am beginning to think you and your loyal band of dimwits are just talk. You better just watch out for yourself, street rat." Mozenrath sneered and snapped his fingers. It caused him to vanish and his Mamluks to begin their attack. It came like a flash flood, with very little warning and devastating results. The clanging of metal to metal and iron to flesh was immediately heard, mingled with the horrible sounds of bodies hitting the ground. Cries of pain and groans of war echoed in Jasmine's head. It was horrible and nauseating, but despite the terrible noise, she kept her concentration well.

Before she even realized what had happened, she was suddenly separated from Aladdin in the battle. Each time she tried to move closer to Aladdin, another line of Mamluks would force her back. Genie was doing the best he could and was clearing away most of the un-dead, but for every advance that he made, it seemed to her that double the number of Mamluks would suddenly appeared. Beads of sweat broke out on her forehead as she decapitated another Mamluk and she began to feel her breath come out quicker and her heart race in her chest. Because the Mamluks were un-dead, they did not have to worry about fatigue or pain like humans did; that was where they had the advantage. Jasmine gritted her teeth and slashed her sword decapitating one Mamluk after the other. Yet, Jasmine's doubts of winning were becoming stronger as the battle ensued, but each time she turned her attention for a moment to Aladdin who was caught up in the fight, her hopes would soar to new heights.

Then, a massive wave of Mamluks suddenly appeared around her, forcing her to withdrawal slightly and let them gain a slight advantage. Rasoul was near her, fending off most of the un-dead before they had time to reach her. More and more Mamluks were appearing, steadily weakening her tired arms and causing her to back up more and more. When a pause seemed to clear the area for just a split second, she looked for Aladdin. When she caught a glimpse of him, he was rushing towards her, fear dominating his every move and glance as he approached her. Before she could find out what caused his worry, another batch of Mamluks started their attack on her, switching her concentration. What was wrong? Was he trying to warn her? What had happened? She did not have time to find out because more and more of Mozenrath's creatures were advancing on her and closing her in, trapping her within a wall of Mamluks with no ready escape. Steadily, she worked her way through them, a second wind overcoming her fatigue and giving her the strength to finish off those in her way.

Before she knew it, she heard a loud twang from behind, one that only a heavy and massive sword would create as it was being unsheathed. A freezing wave of chilling air cast over her back like ice being formed on her very skin, draining and sucking the life out of her spine and up to her heart. As she sliced at the last Mamluks in her path, she turned in time to see Mozenrath position behind her, a sword shadowing the sun from her view.

He held the sword higher and the sun glinted of the silver metal, streaking bright rays into her eyes. She was too stunned and disoriented to think or move. Time ceased and everything froze in its place. She stared into Mozenrath's burning eyes and saw the hate and anger that consumed his very soul and damned him to the furthest regions of Hell.

Jasmine watched as his lips moved and he shouted, "Agrabah is mine!" As he lifted the sword even further, he paused momentarily. She screamed as he brought the sword down on her and covered her head desperately, but did not pierce her skin. She did not even notice her eyes were closed until she finally opened them and saw the blearing haze of sunlight blind her from the world surrounding her.

Finding the will and strength to open her eyes and see what had become of Mozenrath took enough courage, but when she discovered why he did not reach her, she gasped in complete and utter terror. Aladdin was at her side kneeling, very still like he was a glass statue, with his hands at his stomach and his eyes staring at the sand beneath him, in somewhat bemusement. That was when she saw the blood. He watched incredulously as it began to soak the sand below him. He turned his hand over and stared at the blood that covered it. "Wha ... " He gasped.

It came like a rushing stream, soaking his clothes and covering the black sand with his crimson blood. No, this was not how it was supposed to be, it was not supposed to be Aladdin's blood! Mozenrath's sword was streaked in the liquid, dripping slightly from the tip and onto the sand as he watched the scene with pleasure. Jasmine's shrieks of horror and cries of worry and pain were stopped by the lump that had formed in her throat. She crouched down to him the instant he started to waver and caught him from hitting the ground. She lowered him gently and minded the wound in his upper abdomen.

Blood. There was blood everywhere. Coming from everything. It seemed that blood was even coming from his clothes where it had soaked up and could be wrung out like a sponge. It soaked her own clothes and she could feel it, sticky and warm against her shuddering skin. How could she possibly stay calm? What could she do? How could she save him?

"Hang on, you're going to be all right." Jasmine whispered when she found the voice, it was shaky and weak and unbelieving of her own words. Her unknown teardrops were falling onto his vest, making the purple tinted cloth become even darker. She was shaking and trembling at the sight of him, feeling even worse that she caused it. "You're not going to die, do you hear me?" She said in his ear with the thread of her last hope. "Please." She whispered, closing her eyes as more tears ran down her cheeks. "Please, Aladdin."

It seemed that he was dazed, in a far off land. His eyes were glazed over, the beautiful brown color was faded and a paler gray formed in his iris. Blood soaked his body and the sand around them, it was smeared on her arms and legs and smelled of death. She held his hand and felt it turn cold, so cold. With his last remaining strength, Aladdin turned slightly and whispered to Jasmine in the barest of voice, "Forever." He said with passion and longing. "I love you." As he looked at her, his eyes grayed and dimmed.

Very slowly, and very gently his eyes fluttered shut. Aladdin took his last breath and was still. Jasmine stared down at him and begged for him to awake. She shook him very lightly, trying to stir him, not wanting to even think about believing he was gone. He couldn't be gone! No, it was too unreal to happen.

Jasmine could not move. She stayed where she was, still and unbelieving, almost like a reflex; that if she did not move, it would be all right. She could not comprehend what was happening, her mind would not process it, nor want to. She tried to call his out his name, but her voice was again stuck in her throat and all she could do was mumble incoherently. A strong wind blew around them, sending sand and dirt into the air and covering her long hair in filth, sticking to Aladdin's blood like paper on paste. She did not notice the layer of dust that covered her or anyone else, her mind was solely focused on Aladdin's still form. Genie appeared next to her suddenly, his eyes beginning to tear and a few short sniffles escaped him. If he was giving up . . .

"Aladdin. Please move, please." Jasmine begged silently when she found she could not say the words out loud. "Please Allah!" Jasmine wanted to wake up, she wanted to believe it was all some horrible nightmare and she would wake up and find Aladdin on her balcony, waiting for her. Mozenrath began to speak, but she did not hear his words, she could not, they fell on her deaf ears. Her attention was on Aladdin, the broken hero of her dreams before her.

" . . . He should've learned to be more careful, he was much to reckless." He said, the words starting to sink in. "Too bad, I was hoping for more of a challenge out of him. And to die protecting a princess . . ." Jasmine stared at Mozenrath and felt her pulse increase and her face grow hot.

"You!" She growled. "You black hearted jackal!" She screamed and ran after him. Before she could sink her nails into him, tear him limb from limb, unleash lions and tigers on him; to make him feel the pain she did inside, he had disappeared and so did Aladdin's body and all of the Mamluks that fought in the battle. The war had stopped suddenly and everyone from Agrabah surrounded Jasmine and where Aladdin had been, but she paid no attention to them. Jasmine was completely unconscious of what was happening, she did not want to believe any of it. It could not be true. It couldn't. Why would fate be so cruel and unforgiving? Why was Aladdin dead when Mozenrath held the sword?

Jasmine collapsed onto the ground, sitting and staring off into the distant dunes in disbelief and astonishment, lost within shock. She did not remember anything else that happened that day, it was too much of a horrible blur. When they returned to Agrabah, battered and broken, Genie took her straight to her room and she slept, he had the unfortunate news of informing the Sultan of their devastating loss. The only thing she did remember was waking up the next morning, her pillow soaked from her tears and remembering the battle that took Aladdin's life and the sorcerer she would kill for it.

To Be Continued . . .

Please R/R!