Chapter 3:

Judal and Aladdin were walking to the training center. Aladdin wanted to go watch the older Magi practice their magic. It was one of her favorite things to do. Judal was beginning very basic training too, but he wasn't ready to practice with Yunan or Scheherazade yet because his power hadn't truly awakened yet. Aladdin went early in the morning and begged Judal to go watch the other with her. He hadn't wanted to at first, but Leraje told him it would be good for him to see the older magi at work.

"Chibi, stop staring at the rukh."

"But they are so pretty! Yours are really bright too!"

"They are the same as any other day. Stop the staring, it's annoying. Don't you like to do anything besides watch the rukh fly around?"

"I started piano lessons. I really like the instrument but I have a hard time getting my fingers on all the keys. My hands are too small. I don't sing as well as you do and that's kind of annoying sometimes. I need to practice more. Oh, and languages! The way you can speak Russian is really amazing! I want to learn another language too!"

"That's a lot of learning to do."

"I know, but I really want to do it. And I don't have any homework yet so now is a good time to learn extra things. Mom and Dad are helping me learn French now. It's really hard to learn but it sounds really pretty when they have conversations in French so I want to learn it too."

"You think you can handle all that work? It has to be hard to do that much for someone so small."
"Judal!"

"You two sure took your time getting here. What took you so long?"

"Chibi was dawdling. Hurry up and get back to work Yunan. Scheherazade is going to be stronger then you soon if you keep messing around instead of training."

"Aladdin!"
"Sche! I haven't seen you in forever."
"I know, I've been training really hard. Sit down and make yourself comfortable. Judal, stop being so snarky and sit down with Aladdin or come train with us."

"Sche you know-"

"I'm not allowed to train with you guys yet. My powers are still to undeveloped."

"Then go sit down and watch. Yunan and I need to work."

"Whatever old hag."

"Come on Sche, he's just a kid. Don't let him get to you. Like you said, we need to get back to work."

"Juju let's go."

They sat together. Judal's eyes were glued to the two practicing, imagining himself practicing with them. He wanted his stupid powers to hurry up and get better so he could practice with them.

Aladdin was glancing back and forth from her sketchbook to the two practicing magic. Every few minutes she would look at Judal too. She liked how his face changed as he watched the two practice. He was definitely enjoying himself, even if he wouldn't say so. Aladdin kept working on her drawing. She added more detail, erased the slightest mistakes, and filled in color. She worked on it almost the whole time they were there.

"Chbi! Snap out of it. We have to go. Our moms are going to freak out if we are late again. I don't want to get another lecture. Come on."

"I'm coming Juju just wait a second. I need to put my things back in my bad."

They walked home together, Judal nagging all the way. Sheba and Leraje were sitting at the kitchen table in Judal's house gossiping together when the two entered. Judal went up to his room and Aladdin sat down in Leraje's lap. The women talked for a few more minutes before Sheba stood up and told Aladdin it was time to go.

"Wait just a second. I forgot something!" She ran upstairs and barged into Judal's room.

"What the heck, Chibi. Ever hear of knocking?"

"I forgot to give this to you, here." She handed him the picture she was working on earlier then ran back to Sheba. Judal looked down at the drawing in his hand. He and Aladdin were together. He had a wand raised upward, a bunch of ice spears hovering above him. Aladdin was standing next to him with a staff in her hands, fire shooting out of the end. 'Fire and ice, huh? I guess we'll see.'