Chapter 20

"People of Agrabah! My niece has finally chosen a suitor!"

The rest of Babek's words were drowned out by the enthusiastic commotion of the crowd as they cheered for their new sultan. Jasmine peeked through the curtain, barely able to contain the smile across her face.

The size of the crowd was unprecedented. The last time Jasmine had seen all of Agrabah gathered before the palace was at her father's funeral, but that had been a somber occasion. It had been too long since the kingdom had reason to celebrate, and it seemed the citizens were all too eager to make up for lost time. As soon as she let the curtain drop, Jasmine began anxiously looking around for any sign of her fiancé.

The morning had been absolutely crazy. Jasmine found herself running from place to place as foreign rulers and diplomats alike arrived for the announcement and the banquet that was to follow later that evening. Her only break had been her short run-in with aforementioned fiancé which had been strange, to say the least. He had stiffened at her embrace and barely said anything. It was almost as if he had no clue what was going on. On top of all that, he had been sporting a surprising new wardrobe. She hadn't seen him since then, and could only hope that he had pulled himself together and changed clothing.

Prince Ali most certainly had not pulled himself together. In fact, he barely slept the night before. He laid awake all night going through the worst possible outcomes, all of which ended with his fiancée finding out he was a fraud. He really should've told her the truth yesterday, or the day before. Hell, he should have never gone through with this charade.

As soon as his eyes shut, servants were pushing back the curtains and pulling him out of bed. His morning had consisted of being pushed and prodded like a show horse until he looked like Prince Achmed's brother. As soon as he could, he gave his servants the slip and went in search of Jasmine. He was hoping to catch her before the ceremony, maybe explain everything. Instead, he only had the fortune of running into that slimy Vizier. That guy would be the first to go once Aladdin became sultan.

"Ali!"

The princess stood at the top of the staircase, a vision in purple. She flew down the stairs to him. Aladdin swallowed the lump in his throat as she threw her arms around him, hesitantly returning the embrace.

"I was worried you wouldn't make it," Jasmine said, smiling up at him. "Where have you been?"

Aladdin nervously scratched the back of his neck. "There's something I've got to tell you."

"The whole kingdom has turned out for the announcement!" Jasmine continued not listening to a word coming out of Aladdin's mouth. She practically pulled his arm out of its socket as she dragged him up the stairs.

"No! But Jasmine, listen to me, please!" Aladdin's protests fell on deaf ears.

Jasmine straightened her father's robe and shoved his turban on his head. With one last peck, she pushed Aladdin through the curtains. "Good luck!"

". . .Ali Ababwa!"

Aladdin stared down at the crowd and gulped. All these people. His people. What had he gotten himself into? He gave a nervous wave, smiling awkwardly. "Oh, boy…"

X.X.X

"Look at them, cheering that little pipsqueak!" Iago ranted from his window perch as the boisterous crowd greeted the fake prince.

Jafar rubbed his temples. Today had already been too long. This morning, he had to stand by as the princess and sultan-to-be welcomed diplomats and rulers from all over the deserts. During the procession, it seemed as if Prince Ali had never spoken to another dignitary or royal in his life.

Oh wait. He hadn't. Jafar had chuckled to himself. It honestly baffled Jafar as to how the two Ali's had managed to keep up this ruse for so long. They weren't very organized and clearly hadn't cross checked their stories before getting entangled with royalty. Amateurs.

"Let them cheer." Jafar pulled the lamp from his robes and held it up. He eagerly rubbed the lamp. Blue smoke poured out of the spout and with it a giant blue figure who seemed to be mid-rant.

"You know Al, I'm getting reallyyyyyy - I don't think you're him." Genie descended and inspected the sorcerer closely with reading glasses. He pulled out a playbill and leafed through it. "Tonight, the role of Al will be played by a tall, dark and sinister ugly man."

Jafar flung Genie to the ground and stepped on his face. "I am your master now."

"I was afraid of that," Genie mumbled from underneath the sorcerer's boot.

"Genie, grant me my first wish." Jafar's foot dug deeper into Genie as he leaned down uncomfortably close to his face. "I wish to rule on high, as sultan!"

X.X.X

Amira peeked out of the alleyway and slipped into what could only be described as a mob. She was nearly carried away by the over enthusiastic revelers. Her slim figure made it easy for her to slip through the crowd. It, however, did not help her in her search for her master. She stood on her tip toes and peeked over the shoulders of annoyed citizens, many of whom shoved her off. It really shouldn't have been so hard to find a man dressed in black in this bright and cheery crowd.

"Mozenrath!" The crowd let out a deafening roar, drowning out her call. Something big had just been announced, but Amira couldn't care less. She continued shouldering her way past men and women. "Sorry, sir…just trying to get through – Oof!" The crowd seemed to spit her out, right on her behind and right at the feet of. . .

"Mozenrath!"

The black hood of his cloak was drawn over his head, but Amira would recognize that sneer anywhere. An odd look passed over the sorcerer's face, as if he was seeing a ghost. Words tumbled out of Amira's mouth so fast she didn't even notice.

"I don't know what you found out, but I had nothing to do with it! I never wanted the princess. I never wanted anything to do with the princess. I mean…I know I asked to go to Agrabah, but I didn't expect this. She kissed me! Not the other way around. I don't even know –"

"How did you get down here so fast?" Mozenrath cut her off abruptly, but not before her words registered in his head.

The two stared blankly at each other for a moment.

"Wait, what?"

"You what?"

Amira gaze drifted past Mozenrath's shoulder to the balcony above where the princess, Babek, and- no. She did a double take. It couldn't be. Amira scrambled to her feet, ignoring the shouts from the sorcerer.

"Al?" She breathed, barely believing her eyes. Her legs began automatically carrying her towards the front. The sharp tug at her arm broke her out of her reverie. She was pulled around to face Mozenrath who seemed angrier than before, if that was even possible.

"And where do you think you're going?" he hissed.

Amira began to struggle against his iron grip. "I need to get up there!"

"Why?" he demanded.

A scream broke out within the crowd. Dark clouds swirled above the palace, sending the plaza into chaos. The winds picked up carrying away merchant stalls and blowing people into one another. Amira was thrown off her feet and straight into Mozenrath who instinctively caught her. The two were pushed this way and that as panicked citizens tried to flee. As if it couldn't get any worse, a giant dark creature now loomed above the palace. The ground shook as it pried the palace from the ground and lifted it high into the clouds. One of the figures jumped off the balcony, only to be caught by a flying...carpet?

Amira used the distraction to break away from Mozenrath. The terrified crowd pushed the two apart. Amira gripped the amulet, feeling it warm under her touch. She caught the livid look on Mozenrath's face before she slid through the narrow portal.

As soon as she stepped through the portal, Amira immediately lost her footing. It wasn't her fault though. The ground was on a slant. Amira shielded her eyes against the howling winds, trying to figure out where she was. She looked up to see the expanse of rock on either side of the palace. She was on a mountain. And on a slant. Amira stood up carefully, trying to find her balance.

"There's a new order now - my order! Finally, you will bow to me!" The vizier's voice cut through the din. Except, he wasn't a vizier. He was dressed in the white and gold threads belonging to the Sultan of Agrabah. Annoyance temporarily replaced the panic in Amira's chest as she realized what was happening.

Well, this isn't surprising at all.

"We will never bow to you!" Jasmine stood proud against the vizier. Her uncle, on the other hand, had taken to cowering behind his niece. Also not surprising.

"If you won't cower before a sultan, then you will bow before a sorcerer!" The air surged with an unfamiliar energy. This magic was very different than the magic Amira encountered before. Unearthly and extremely dangerous.

"Perhaps we should reconsider bowing?" Babek suggested meekly only earning a glare from his niece.

"Jasmine!" Amira called out. Jasmine turned at hearing her name. Confusion quickly washed over her features as she met Amira's eyes.

"Ah, right on time, street mouse." The sorcerer turned towards Amira, unfazed by the interruption.

Amira didn't have time to register what he just called her when she felt a hand clamp around her arm. She instinctively began struggling until she heard the voice of her master in her ear. "Words cannot even describe how dead you are."

The sinister cackle that erupted from the former Vizier interrupted the oncoming spat. "The Lord of the Black Sands. This is a most welcome surprise, I must say."

"Sorry to disappoint, but we were just leaving." Mozenrath's grip tightened on Amira's arm causing her to wince. Amira stomach clenched, preparing for the transportation nausea.

"Ah ah ah, not so fast." The snake staff turned on the duo, freezing them in place with its glowing ruby eyes.

"Jafar, leave us out of this." Mozenrath gritted out, struggling against the invisible force. "We have nothing to do with this."

"Are you certain of that, boy?" Jafar said. Amira didn't miss the brief look he threw her way. She had a bad feeling about this. With a sharp flick of his staff, he knocked the younger sorcerer to his hands and knees. "Much better. In fact, why not everyone join him?"

Jasmine, Babek, and Amira collapsed to the ground, bowing before the serpent-like man. Amira struggled to lift her head.

"It doesn't have to be this way, Princess. If you would just behave, you could be a useful ally…a queen even." Jafar lifted Jasmine's chin with his staff, bringing her inches away from his face. Something snapped within Amira and she broke free of her restraints. She charged at the man without thinking just as a cry sounded from above her.

"Jafar! Get your hands off her!"

The sorcerer smoothly stepped back just as the two attackers closed in. Amira barely registered the figure flying full speed at her.

BANG

Amira flew backwards and landed painfully on her back. What did she run into? Before she could even sit up, she felt herself lifted into the air. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone else suspended in midair.

"Amira?"

"Aladdin?"

Jafar turned his attention to the prostrate princess and sorcerer before him. He raised them both to their feet. "There's someone – well, actually two someones – I'm dying to introduce you to."

"Ali?" Jasmine and Mozenrath both spoke looking at the two Alis suspended in the air.

"Yes, say 'hello' to your precious Prince Ali!" Two bolts shot out from the snake's eyes and struck the twins. The wind rushed out of Amira's lungs as she fell to the ground. She sat up quickly, gasping for breath and brushing the long strands of hair out of her face. She froze.

No. No. No.

One glance down confirmed her worst fear. Her once familiar street-worn clothes felt foreign on her as did the waves of hair falling down her back. She patted herself down, trying to see if it was an illusion.

"Ali?" Mozenrath was looking down at her with wide eyes.

It was real.

"Amira!" She tore her gaze away from her master and locked eyes with her brother. Transformations forgotten, the twins leapt to their feet and ran towards each other, hands outstretched.

Jafar lazily flicked his hand sending the twins flying in opposite directions and froze them up in the air. "I hate to split up this touching reunion, but I do have a schedule to keep."

"I don't have time for games, Jafar." Mozenrath said, sounding almost bored. His face betrayed no emotion, but the words came out slightly rushed.

"But don't you want to know who they really are?" Jafar asked, pacing in front of the twins as if he had all the time in his world. "It was a clever trick, I'll admit. Orphaned twins attempt to take over two of the most powerful lands in the Seven Deserts. It didn't hurt they both had a genie." Jafar stopped in front of Amira. He prodded her with his staff. Amira tried to recoil, but she was bound to the spot. "The disguise was a little much in my opinion. Something tells me you would've been more successful in this costume. Wouldn't you agree, Mozenrath?" Jafar released the twins with a flick of his hand.

Amira fell forward on to her hands and knees at the feet of her former master. "It's not true, Mozenrath. I can explain. I-" Her mouth snapped shut when she met his eyes. Long gone was the wide-eyed shock, replaced with disgust and..hurt?

I trusted you. His unspoken words echoed through her head.

"Jasmine, I tried to tell you." Aladdin's voice cut through Amira's dazed mind. She turned to see her brother grasping at the princess's hands. Jasmine, however, was looking straight at Amira. The princess tilted her head to the side, her lips forming the single question: You?

Amira sighed and nodded. Yes, it's me.

Jafar rolled his eyes at the two scenes playing out before him. "Lovers' quarrels are such a headache." He lifted the four of them and held them suspended in midair, leaving Babek still cowering on the ground. He leisurely paced in front of the four, surveying them as if they were goods in a bazaar. "What to do, what to do. I suppose I could just kill all of you." He stopped in front of Mozenrath.

"No...that would be a waste." Jafar resumed his pacing and Amira exhaled in relief. "I never did get to thank you for getting rid of your old master. I've had my eye on the Black Sands for quite some time now, but Destane made that rather difficult."

Mozenrath's jaw clenched at the mention of his predecessor.

"Well, there can only be one ruler, so I'm afraid a demotion is in order." Jafar sent a blast at the younger sorcerer. Mozenrath dropped to the ground, his once fine robes now replaced by apprentice garb. Jafar loomed over him and forced Mozenrath to look up at him from his prostrate position. He grabbed Mozenrath's gauntlet clad arm. "A servant like you doesn't have a need for this anymore."

Jafar wrested the gauntlet from Mozenrath's hand, exposing the bone beneath. The gauntlet thrummed dangerously at being forcefully separated from its owner. Not wanting to be in contact with it any longer, Jafar levitated it into a conjured box and vanished it. Mozenrath fell back to his hands and knees, weak at the sudden loss of power.

"And you-" Jafar turned sharply towards Amira. "Your loyalty to your master is commendable. I can't say I see the appeal." He gave Mozenrath a sharp kick in the ribs.

Amira automatically jerked against the bonds, trying to get to Mozenrath. She realized her mistake when she felt Jafar's snakelike eyes concentrated on her. His eyes flitted between the nearly unconscious sorcerer on the ground and the girl trying to get to him. His face split into an annoyingly smug grin as he put the pieces together. "Oh ho ho, that's too rich."

The heat rose in Amira's face. If Jafar didn't kill her, the embarrassment certainly would.

"Well, you'll have plenty of time to figure that out in eternal servitude." He cast Amira aside with a careless flick of his hand. Amira groaned as she landed next to Mozenrath. She was really getting tired of being thrown around like a puppet.

Jafar paid no attention, already on to his next victim. "My offer still stands, Princess. It would be a shame for such a desert bloom as yourself to waste away in a dungeon." Unable to speak, Jasmine could merely glare down at the vizier. "My, my she's utterly speechless. You know what, Princess? I'm feeling particularly generous. I'll give you another chance." He moved her to stand by her uncle.

"That leaves you, street rat." He approached Aladdin slowly. "You've already given me what I want." Jafar placed his hand on the lamp hanging from his belt. "So, I can think of no better end for you than the ends of the earth."

With a wave of his staff, Jafar sent Aladdin flying high into the tower. Carpet flew after Aladdin. Before Amira could register what was happening, Jafar launched the tower into the sky. "So long, ex-Prince Ali!" Jafar waved gleefully as the tower disappeared into the clouds.

"Now, as for the rest of you..."

A/N: Yes, I'm alive and back with an update 3 years later! I guess I'll try to finish this story as long as this shut down lasts because I have nothing else to do. Fun fact, I had to go back and read my own story before updating. How embarrassing is that? There are probably inconsistencies everywhere. I'll fix it when I go back and edit the entire thing...whenever that may be. Oh also, sorry to that one Tumblr anon who asked me for the ending. I didn't see the ask, so it sat in my inbox for who knows long! Anyway, hope you all are safe and healthy!