A/N: Disney, Disney, Disney. Thing is, I've already written Duncan into a Disney story. And Courtney. But I recently saw "Aladdin" again, and I just had to write Duncan into another story. So, in order to not favour one pairing, I'm going to have Duncan's other love interest as Princess Jasmine...Gwen!
Plot: In modern times, Royal Vizier Alejandro is desperate to own a precious lamp with a Genie inside, from a mysterious cave. However, only one person can enter – a street kid called Duncan. Meanwhile, Sultan Cody has less than a month to live, and only a man can take power of the country, meaning his sister Gwen has to marry a prince. But she rejects every suitor who comes to the palace. After a chance encounter, the magic lamp falls into Duncan's hands, and desperate for wealth and interested in the girl he met in the marketplace, he wishes to become a prince. Little does he know, Alejandro and his...not quite girlfriend...have their own plans to take the throne...hope you like it!
Oh yeah, and it's Gwuncan. Don't say I didn't warn you. I'm actually a Duncney and Gwent shipper, but in an AU where Courtney is the Captain of the Guards (yes, I'm going there), I could see Duncan getting with a girl he clicks with (although I think they're better as friends, they do have chemistry).
Good evening, everyone. Please come closer...no, I didn't mean that close! Welcome to Wawanakwa, the Canadian-Arabian island. So...have you heard the magical story that happened right here? With this amazing lamp? Don't be fooled by its appearance – it's what was once inside that counts. It changed the life of a young man, who was far more than he seemed...of course, he wasn't the kindest person in the world. In fact, he could be downright mean sometimes, or uncouth, or complicated. And he often had an impulse to break rules – in fact, one law he broke just for survival – but deep down, there was a heart of gold. Would you like to hear the story? It began on a night as black as sin, with a couple whose hearts were the only thing blacker...
Three shadowy figures stood in the desert. A muscular sillhouette stood there confidently, with a much slimmer frame beside him. One was male, and the other was female. In front of them was a small, squat figure.
"You're late." the girl's voice said disapprovingly.
"I am sorry." an almost nasal voice came from the short figure. "I was busy rewriting my plans for taking over the world."
"You have it?" the taller male had a smooth, deep voice.
"Of course I have it, you fool." snapped the squat figure, holding out a little object. He obviously had no intention of giving it to them, but the girl swiped it before he could blink. "Hey!"
"Honestly, Max, you're getting something out of this too." the girl said in a bored voice.
"Heather, be nice." her partner reprimanded her gently. He reached into his pocket and took out the reflection of the object, before putting them together. The two objects lit up, turning into a minature bat, although it glowed amber in the night, flying away.
"Follow!" cried the man.
"We know, Alejandro." Heather snapped. "You're not the only one here who understands what we're trying to do."
But Max simply smiled and said "Onward, minions!" Heather and Alejandro exchanged a glance at the way he addressed them, but ignored it otherwise.
The three chased the bat, until they reached a giant sand formation...a cave that was the shape of a bear's head.
"At last," Alejandro breathed, "After years of searching...the Cave of Wawanakwa Wonders."
Heather said nothing, trying not to look too impressed. Then she gave Max a little push. "Remember our deal? Get in there! You find the lamp and give it to us, then the rest of the treasure is yours. Yes?"
"All right, all right." Max muttered, stepping towards the cave, and climbing up to the cave mouth.
"Where did you find this guy again?" Heather muttered to Alejandro. "He's an idiot."
"That's why he's perfect." Alejandro answered. "We don't even need to lie about what we want. He'll believe it when we say he can have everything other than the lamp. He has no idea that it's forbidden, and doesn't even question why we want only one thing."
Their conversation was cut off. Max was on the first step of the cave. But before he could get to the second step down, the Cave spoke. "Who wishes to enter?"
Max shuddered at the voice and said "I, the great and powerful evil genius, Max."
The Cave almost seemed to laugh, but it said. "There is only one who may enter my chambers. One whose worth is hidden but great. Emerald-haired and sapphire-eyed, and a heart of gold."
Max turned back but Heather yelled out "Coward! Get in there! It's just a cave, what's it gonna do if you trespass?"
As a matter of fact, it self-destructed, taking Max with it. But at any time, the bat halves could revive it. But only one could enter. As Alejandro picked up the two halves, Heather raged. "I honestly can't believe it! We go through all these years looking for that cave, and when we find some sucker to go in, he's not good enough for it! I don't think we'll ever get that lamp! We might as well just give up!"
"Patience, Heather." Alejandro replied in a calm voice. "We will get the lamp. You forget that I have my ways of finding people. The Sands of Time will help. And why, all I must do for it to work is...borrow Sultan Cody's ring. Obviously Max wasn't worth much, but it won't be that hard to find the man. And once we do, it won't be hard to trick him into getting us the lamp."
Heather folded her arms. "And once we find him, how are we going to do that, Mr Genius? And as a matter of fact, Gwen is going to figure out how we get Cody to obey us any day now."
"Not if we make sure he'll wake up before they talk again." Alejandro smirked. "Don't be so cynical, Heather. We can do this...my queen. With my...charisma, and your sorcery, we'll be Sultan and Queen. Really."
Heather fell silent. No doubt, she would do anything to be queen, and the promise hung there. It was the only thing that would remind her how far she would go to gain that, and Alejandro knew it. She glared at him, but didn't argue.
As they left the desert, driving back into the centre of Wawanakwa and to the palace, both wondered who this emerald-haired, sapphire-eyed, golden-hearted person was. Male? Female? Rich or poor?
Oh, they'll find out soon enough. Hope you liked this chapter.