Jordan's Perspective

The trip to the menagerie was starting to get a little bit boring for Jordan. She grew up in Agrabah so she'd been here almost a hundred times. Besides, before the magic ban, her father would just poof up any pet she'd ever wanted. So, she coasted along through the tour without paying too much attention to what was going on around her. At least she did until the sound of breaking glass pierced her ears. It's a miracle the sound didn't deafen her, but what's even more remarkable is that she still had her hearing after the frightened shrieks of all the princes and princesses surrounding her.

Two grizzly bears had escaped their habitat and ran through the group, knocking over anyone who didn't get out of their way. It was chaos. Students running in every direction, trying to push through each other. Green smoke wrapped around a large portion of the group and carried them a safe distance away. Jordan looked over her shoulder and saw that it was Mal's doing. Five people turned into royal blue flames and rematerialized near the others. Evie's work, considering her necklace was glowing. With how close they were standing next to Ben, he might've given them permission to do it. Jay, Lonnie and a few of the bravest members of the Swords and Shields team tried to distract the bears while everyone ran away, but they were obviously in over their heads.

Jordan held out a hand and Lonnie turned into purple smoke as the bear swiped at her. While she couldn't transport them, Jordan was able to put them in a state where they couldn't be harmed as long as she concentrated. Now, unfortunately, she had the attention of the animals. Both bears got onto all four legs and were now barreling straight toward her. Even more unfortunately, she couldn't turn to smoke or disappear unless she was retreating to her lamp-which wasn't nearby. She tried to turn them to smoke long enough for her run, but they were a lot larger than humans-and a lot harder to metamorphize. She didn't run as they approached. She knew for a fact that they were faster than she was.

But, before they were close enough to spring forward, someone appeared in front of her. Shen Yu grabbed one bear's paw as it tried to swipe at him with its claws and heaved it over his shoulder. It stayed on the ground, unconscious. The next tried to bite him but he jumped to the side, bringing Jordan out of its range of vision. That cost him distance and the grizzly tried to claw his face. But he hit the bear with an open palm strike and it tumbled to the ground, unconscious, right next to the other one. All of that before the Swords and Shields team was even able to make it to Jordan's side and ask if she was okay. She hadn't ran away during her opening. She'd stayed, intent to help Shen if he got into deep trouble.

Jordan walked over to him and looked him up and down. For once his hair wasn't a wild mane that went to his shoulders, but tied back neatly. He was wearing a tailored gray and black suit with silver cufflinks and rings. He even smiled at her when she looked at him. Looks like Fairy Godmother's goodness class is actually working. She thought.

"Thank you for...saving me I guess." It was hard for her to get the words out. Thanking people was...rough sometimes.

"No need to thank me." Shen said. "It just felt like the right thing to do."

Jordan heard someone running to them and saw that Geo was sprinting toward Shen. She locked her arms around his neck and gave him the biggest hug Jordan had ever seen.

"Oh my god." Geo said through her pants. Her face was whiter than Snow White's and her breaths were faster than a thief running through the marketplace. "I...I was so scared something would happen to you."

"It's okay." Shen said reassuringly. "We're both fine."

It took a second to steel herself before Jordan told Shen, "I...um...you saved my life."

"Yeah, it was no big deal." Shen said.

Geovanna let go of Shen and looked at Jordan as the genie said, "It is to genies. I...I owe you one wish now."

Geo's eyes widened and her gaze flew to Shen-who was stoic as usual. "Really?" He asked.

"Yeah. I should warn you that I'm not able to do any big magic until I turn eighteen, so it has to be relatively small."

Shen waited a second, seeming to think about it.

"What'll it be?" Jordan asked, not even realizing that the entire day's events had been staged by the "heroes" in front of her.

Back to the Flashback

"That's where you come in, handsome." Geo said with a charming smile. "We have to get to him through his daughter."

"How?" Shen asked.

"By pulling those heartstrings. And saving her from some sort of wild animal."

Shen smirked. "Now I'm interested."

"Don't get too excited." Geo said. "Reggie will use some cards to put them to sleep so that it looks like you're her night in shining armor."

"Bummer. And after that?"

"Then, I need some poison." Geo said, the glint in her eyes like light on steel.

At The Zoo

"What'll it be?" Jordan asked.

"Well..." Shen started, remembering how Geo had coached him to say it "I don't want much, so-wait. I can wish for anything?"

"Not big things." Jordan clarified again.

It kind of hurt not to wish for an ultimate weapon. Or to be done with this goodie two shoes charade...Or for Geo to have more time for him between all her plotting and scheming. He said,"All I want is for me and my friends not to be alone on Thanksgiving. Everyone at school has been talking about how they're going home for the break and what kind of foods they make with their parents."

Geo willed her eyes to water as Shen hugged her closer to his side.

"There's a celebration for the VKs with Jane and FG, but I just want us to have a regular experience." Shen said.

Jordan's chest felt heavy and she realized she was starting to cry. Geo was as well, full on bawling now.

"I wish there was a way I could let you spend time with your families, but I can't." Jordan said. "If you want, I can invite you to my place."

"You really would?" Geo asked, wiping her eyes futilely as she forced the tears to continue pouring.

"Of course. It's not too special, but my dad always whips up a huge feast." Jordan said. "You can come over, I'm sure he'll love the company."

"That would be amazing." Shen said, hoping the smile on his face was believable. It was the trickiest facial expression to use. For him, at least.

"Your wish is my command." Jordan snapped her fingers, her body glowing with blue-purple light for a moment.

At Jordan and Genie's House on Thanksgiving

"And then what happened?" Reggie asked.

"Well, I granted Al's wish and Jafar turned into a genie." Genie continued animatedly. "He was just over the moon until he got sucked into that lamp. And then Al said, 'phenomenal cosmic power...itty bitty living space.' It was cooler back then because I'd said it to him before."

"How fascinating." Geo said with her chin in her palms. -ly boring. She thought.

"I wish you could hear the stories Jafar told." Reggie said. "They were a little different."

"Are you enjoying the hazelnut soup I brought?" Geo asked as she shot Reggie a glare that clearly said "shut up."

"Yes, it's delicious." Genie said, digging his spoon into his third bowl since dinner had begun.

"Thank you." Geo said with a humble smile. She checked the time on her phone and-seeing that enough time had passed-she smiled bigger as she said, "Do you wanna know what the secret ingredient is?"

"What?" Jordan asked, her bowl already empty.

"This interesting chemical I found in my chemistry classroom that can put anyone to sleep." Geo said. "Even genies."

Genie spat out the soup in his mouth as he and Jordan's eyes went wide. "What?!" They both demanded.

"I don't remember stuttering." Geo said, her smile broadening to a wicked grin.

Genie and Jordan tried to stand, but they tumbled to the ground as soon as they left their chairs.

"Shen, Maddie, tie them to the chairs." Geo ordered quickly. "Reggie, get the cat out and get ready to take them to the museum."

Everyone jumped up to follow the orders.

It's almost time. Geo thought to herself. It's almost time.