Kingdom Hearts

Ch. 54

Agrabah

The Princess with No Tears

In the capital of Agrabah. Jafar sat on his throne with Iago on his shoulders as his three Immortals reported back to him. "Why have you three failed me?"

Kurt spoke nervously, "I told you we can't find her. She could be anywhere."

Jafar stood up frustrated as Iago flew into the air away. "I don't need your excuses have the heartless search every house and shop till you find her. If you see someone walking away from you. Go after them and confirm if it's her or not. I don't care how long it takes. Leave no stone unturned," The Immortals bowed and called a horde of heartless to assist them. They ran out of the Throne room shutting the giant doors behind them.

Jafar turned to Iago commanding his ally, "Well what do you think you're doing? You have good eyes in the air find her." Iago flew off nervously not saying a word. "We've managed to keep her locked up here for over nine years. And now of all times she finally managed to escape, twice. How could this happen? I already locked up that traitor Raoul for helping her the first time. But he's still in the dungeon. He couldn't have helped here again," he said resting on the Sultan's throne rubbing his forehead.

- 7 Days Ago-

In the Throne room, when Jafar was sitting on his throne reading a scroll. A shroud of darkness appeared in the room. It arose like a flame then trickled out with the evil witch Maleficent in its place. "Hello, Jafar," she said in a carless voice.

Jafar lifted his head up seeing the guest that stood before him. He set the scroll down and grabbed his snake staff. He stood up replying, "What do you want from me?"

"I've come to see how my sons are doing and that you still have the girl in your custody," she said walking towards Jafar.

"Yes, your sons have been preforming admirably as this worlds Immortals. As for Jasmine, she is constantly watched over by the staff here. When would you like to take her?" Jafar explained happily.

Maleficent responded back, "When the time comes, I will send another one of my sons or daughters to you and then you will hand her over to them. When they take the Princess don't expect her to ever come back here."

Jafar smiled a bit, "Good, to be honest I could never stand that little brat. She really never does anything. She just takes up space and resources. I'd be glad to be rid of her."

Maleficent gave a faint smile, "It's settled I'll see you back on Hollow Bastion." The witch disappeared after that and Jafar went back to his studies. Unbeknownst to the both of them near the door the young Princess Jasmine over heard them and their plans they have for her. She was smart not to speak a word. She quickly ran down the empty hallway where the age-old mural was hung. She looked back hoping no one saw her. Jasmine did not see where she was going before bumping into the broad chest of a man. She fell to the floor landing on her butt. Jasmine used her hands to catch herself lightening the fall. She looked up in fear as she saw a man staring at her.

It was the Captain of the guard Raoul standing above her shocked at seeing the Princess in this part of the castle. "Shshsh," he said to the Princess helping her back on her feet. He escorted Jasmine back to her room on the top floor of the Palace. She lived at the top of the tower so Jafar can keep her out of the way. It was a perfectly square room painted bright red. A big and soft bed lay at the end with countless covers aligned with purple and gold sheets. A soft and fancy rug lay on the floor. But it lacked any windows, and its door was given a strong lock that can be only opened from the outside. A perfect cell for royalty.

Jasmine calmly contained herself as she explained what they were planning to do with her. Raoul pulled at his beard straightening it before letting going. "Please you have to help me. I don't want to leave my people. I can't take it anymore. Living in this room is like hell. I haven't even been able to see the city in so long I can't even remember what it looks like." She said calmly some more before giving way on her feet. "Jafar said that he will send me away and that I will never return. Please help me."

He nodded but did not say a word. Raoul turned around and walked out the door. Jasmine lifted her head speaking desperately. "Wait please don't leave me. Help me please." Raoul shut the door behind him locking the door tightly. Jasmine fell back on the rug. "I don't want to be alone."

-The Next Day-

Jasmine was laying on her bed around 9 am. She awoke about an hour earlier. But she did not want to get up. She remained in bed dressed in her pink pajama's staring at the red ceiling thinking of what will become of her. Soon the door opened suddenly. Two maids walked in speaking to the young Princess. The maids had their faces veiled and dressed in light purple attire. "Princess it's time for your bath," the one on the right said.

Jasmine did not say a word. She stretched her arms out and slowly made her way off the bed. She got up placing her bare feet on the purple rug. To Jasmine, today was more like a groggy dream. She could barely sleep last night as she thought of her fate. Though her daily bath is one of her favorite parts of the day. As it was one of the only times, she can leave her room.

Since Jafar's rein Jasmine was forced to spend most of her time in her room. Jafar declared it after the incident she had with her pet tiger Rajah. She is never allowed to leave her room except during her bath time and a small one-hour window where she can wander the Palace gardens. Then she returns to her room and repeats the process all over again.

Jasmine walked down the hallway as the two maids followed behind her. Making sure she doesn't run away. They made their way to the bathroom floor below Jasmines room. It was a marble crested bathroom with a manmade waterfall sprinkling down filling the bath in the middle of the room. The water was bright and clear and smooth to the touch and flower petals floated in the water. The maids helped Jasmine undress before entering the bath. She stepped into the warm pool one foot after the other. Making her way to the deepest level before submerging her body in the water up to her neck. The maids bowed and left the Princess alone. She felt around moving her feet in the water thinking to herself. "What's going to happen to me? Where are they going to take me?" she thought to herself.

After she was done, she got out of the tub and dried off. Jasmine walked over to find clothes laid out for her. She got dressed in her casual attire before exiting the bathroom with her maids waiting for her in the hallway. They escorted her back to her room with her breakfast waiting for her. The maids let the Princess in before shutting the door and locking it. Jasmine ate her breakfast slowly. After she was done Jasmine fell back on her bed staring at the same ceiling, she did this morning.

Around one o'clock the same maids came back to escort the Princess to her hourly time in the gardens. Jasmine walked down with them to the center of the plaza. She was reminded not to talk or make eye contact with anyone. They made their way to the manmade garden in the center of the palace. Beautiful grass pastures, squarely trimmed hedges, and a gold fountain in the middle of the it all. "You will spend one hour here then we will retrieve you," said the maids simultaneously. Jasmine took the message with a grain of salt knowing that soon she won't be coming back.

She walked on the grassy field only to see birds chirping around the trees. She sat on the fountain waiting for someone. She looked up and expected a friend to come to her. After about a half an hour of waiting a red bird flew down from a window to the garden. It was Jafar's bird Iago. He landed atop a bird bath fountain splashing his wings in the pool cleaning up his feathers. "Iago, it's you," said Jasmine relieved.

"Hello Princess. How's it going?" he said turning to her. Jasmine got up and told him what she heard Jafar say. And how she managed to sneak out of the gardens the other day to come across Jafar's conversation in the Throne room.

"Please Iago. You have to help me. We're friends right. Friends help each other," she said closing her hands together.

In truth Iago wasn't just the right-hand bird to Jafar. After the incident with Raja, Iago came to Jasmine and asked to be her friend. Why he did this was a mystery. All he said was that Jafar wasn't a real friend to him anymore. Every once in a while, he'd come down to see and talk to Jasmine whenever he can. Filling the void of loneliness in the Princesses life.

"Where is Jafar planning on sending me. You have to know something?" Jasmine begged.

The red parrot answered, "He's probably planning to take you away to another world."

Jasmine asked puzzled, "Another world? What do you mean?" Iago explained it in as simplest terms as possible about the outside world and the inhabitants dwelling there.

"You mean you're from another world. And Jafar, it can't be. I can't leave my people. It's wrong. Iago you have to help me," Jasmine begged.

Iago tilted his head down. "I'm sorry. I can't help. I can't help anyone," he said in a sad depressing voice.

"But why? Why do you side with that horrible man? He doesn't care about any of us. You said it yourself he's not your friend anymore," she questioned him.

Iago spoke back cautiously, "I can't betray him because I owe so much to him." Iago flew off again entering the window he just flew out of leaving Jasmine alone again.

The soul crushing reality of her situation would normally cause anyone in this situation to break down in tears. But the young Princess remained idle and unmoving. She has not cried in years. Not again. Never again. "All alone again," she thought to herself.

She looked around the perimeters trying to think of a way she can get out of this. She knew all hope was in vain. The castle was heavily guarded no one gets in or out. In desperation, she sat back down on the fountain planting her face in her hands. After a few minutes of loathing she lifted her head away looking at her hands. "Still no tears. Princesses don't cry," she thought reciting an old saying her Father told her when her Mother died.

After her hour was up, her maids came to fetch Jasmine. They escorted her back to her room. The maids opened the door slowly. Jasmine prepared to return to her bed only to see a red pot sitting on her rug. Jasmine then heard a loud thump behind her. She turned to see Raoul close the door behind them and the maids removing their veils covering their mouths. They bowed towards her speaking, "Please forgive your highness for everything."

"What is this?" she asked lifting her hand.

Raoul stepped forward, "Princess there isn't much time. We can get you out of here, but we have to hurry."

One of the maids handed Jasmine a brown cloak to wear. "This is common garb that woman in Agrabah wear. Put it on and get in the pot. We'll take you out of the Palace and into the city. After we place the pot down wait a little while before exiting it. After that you are free, but we won't be able to help you after you go."

"Raoul," said Jasmine running over to her savior hugging him. "Thank you."

She entered into the pot quickly before Raoul put the lid back on. The maids opened the door signally the loyal guards to come in and pick up the pot. They set it on a roller while Raoul escorted them down two flights of stairs. Raoul kept watch hoping to avoid any heartless patrolling the castle hallways. He opened a secret passage in the castle wall leading to a large flight of stairs. The guards holding the princess sighed trying to keep the pot steady as they descended the stairs.

Raoul held a torch up lighting their way. At the bottom of the steps they came to a dead end only for Raoul to push a secret switch to open a door leading out of the Palace. He led the other two out into the busy city. They tried to act casual as they avoided the bustling streets. After searching for a good place to set her down they eventually found a secluded ally barren except for stray dogs and cats that scampered about.

The guards set Jasmine down and headed off. Raoul lifted the top off whispering to the Princess. "I hope you find your place out her. Live your life Princess. I hope you find happiness out among these streets. Goodbye." Jasmine did not stay a word as Raoul left before she had the chance.

After he left, Jasmine did what she was told and waited a long period of time before exiting the pot. About an hour in she felt it was time. The Princess lifted off the top of the pot setting it down on the ground. She climbed out of the large pot dressed in the attire she was given. The air was dry and quiet. She looked around in nostalgia seeing the buildings that circled the Palace once again but this time up close and personal. It's been so long since she's seen the buildings of her kingdom. This was the first time she has even been outside the Palace walls. She smiled a bit before twirling around feeling the fresh air once again. She giggled a bit before running off down the alleyway until it led to the busy market place.

The Princess then stopped before walking into the busy market street. The city was bustling with men and woman in desert grab. They all seemed to mind their own business not giving a bit of attention to the Princess. Jasmine breathed a bit before walking out. "You can do this just keep to yourself." She walked down the street trying to avoid any attention.

Down at the end of the street the young street rat Aladdin was hanging with Abu on top of an awning of a fruit stand. "Okay, Abu. Go!"

Abu dips over the edge and looks at the Proprietor speaking to the passing crowd. "Try this, your taste buds will dance and sing." Abu grabs a melon and hangs there, distracting the owner. "Hey, get your paws off that," the Proprietor yelled.

Abu mocks him causing the Proprietor of the stand to take it from him. "Why, you! Get away from here, your filthy ape!"

He grabs the melon away from Abu while Aladdin swipes another one. Abu says goodbye and the Proprietor snatches the melon from him. The Propitiator takes the melon to the front, where he places it on top of a stack. He looks confused, like he has just done this.

"Nice goin' Abu. Breakfast is served," said Aladdin on the roof. He breaks open the melon and eats it with Abu. While off in the distance Jasmine is walking through the street with a salesmen trying to sell her things. She rejects their offer backing away, but bumps into a fire eater, who is startled into swallowing his fire. "Oh, excuse me."

He gulps, then belches fire from his mouth. Jasmine is disgusted by the man's acts. He is pleased and taps his stomach. Aladdin sees her, and a strange look comes over his face. "I'm really very sorry," she said before walking off.

"Wow!" he says in wonder. She pulls the hood of her cloak over her head. Abu sees him and jumps up on his shoulder, waving his hand in front of Aladdin's face.

"Hello?" she says to a homeless boy stopping by a fruit stand. She picks one up and gives it to him. "Oh, you must be hungry. Here you go."

The boy runs off with the apple in hand. Looking over the proprietor of the fruit stand saw Jasmine taking the apple from his stand. "You'd better be able to pay for that."

Jasmine mystified stumbled to speak, "Pay?"

"No one steals from my cart!" he screams.

"Oh, I'm sorry sir. I don't have any money," she begged as the man grabbed her hand slamming it on the cart.

"Thief," he shouted pulling out a sharp knife intending to chop it off.

"No," she said with a horrified look on her face.

The sword drops, but his hand is stopped by Aladdin's. "Thank your kind sir. I'm so glad you've found her."

"I've been looking all over for you," he said with a grateful voice to Jasmine.

"What are you doing?" she said whispering.

"Just play along," he whispered back.

"You know this girl," asked the proprietor.

"Sadly, yes. She is my sister. She's a little crazy." He circles his finger around his ear.

"Tragic, isn't it?" He leans forward, picking up another apple from the cart with his foot. "But no harm done," Aladdin hands the Proprietor the other apple. He walks over to Jasmine telling her, "Now come along sis. Time to see the doctor."

"Oh, hello doctor," she said to a camel nearby.

"No not that one," he whispers into her ear. They run off down the street holding each other's hands with Abu in tow. The Proprietor examined the apple trying to comprehend what just happened. From a distance, he noticed a crowd of people in the marketplace moving out of the road. A horde of heartless and several palace guards were marching down the road with the Immortal Zisa commanding them. In the center of the street Zisa presented himself making an announcement.

"Citizens of Agrabah. I have an important message from the Palace. Princess Jasmine has been kidnapped."

The people began calling out, "The Princess" "She hasn't left the Palace in years." "I thought she died?"

"Never the less. We will be preforming a full-scale search till she is found and returned home. If you know anything you are to report it immediately. That will be all." Zisa and his troops marched on as the masses went back to business a bit quieter than before.

Around twilight Aladdin and Jasmine made their way onto the rooftops. "I want to thank you for stopping that man," she said humbly.

"Uh, forget it," Aladdin said grabbing a pole.

"So, uh, this is your first time in the marketplace, huh?" Aladdin pole vaults to the next building, leaving Jasmine behind.

"Is it that obvious?" she answers.

"Well, you do kinda stand out," he said staring at her. She returns the look. But he realizes what he is doing and returns to normal. "I mean, uh, you don't seem to know how dangerous Agrabah can be." He lays a plank between the buildings for her to walk over, but as he is leaned down, she vaults over his head. Aladdin looks back in surprise. She tosses the pole to him. Both Aladdin's and Abu's eyes bulge.

"I'm a fast learner," she boasted confidently.

"Right. C'mon, this way," Aladdin directed Jasmine to his home. They go inside the roof of a building, dodging planks, and beams as they go. "Whoa. Watch your head there. Be careful." But behind them a shrouded figure followed them a ways away.

"Is this where you live?" she asked.

"Yep. Just me and Abu. Come and go as we please," he answered.

"Fabulous," she replied.

"Well, it's not much." He pulls back the curtain and exposes the Palace. "But it's got a great view. Palace looks pretty amazing, huh?"

Jasmine looked away a bit upset. "Oh, it's wonderful," Jasmine said annoyed.

"I wonder what it would be like to live there, to have servants and valets..."

"A nightmare," she said abruptly.

"Nightmare? How would you know?" Aladdin asked confused.

"I just. It's nothing forget it," she answered frustrated.

"Hey, where are you from anyway?" he asked coming closer.

"It doesn't matter. But I am never going back," she said abrasively.

"What do you mean? You want to talk about it?" he persuaded.

Abu ate an apple a bit irritated at the conversation as Jasmine explained. "It's just when my Father died my new care taker forced me to live alone away from everyone. I almost never left my room. Always being watched and looked after. Never allowed to do anything. I only had one friend, but he's even abandoned me. My whole life I've always been trapped. Always alone. All the time."

"Wow, that's awful," said Aladdin.

"You know I envy you. You may have a hard life. But at least your free. You don't know what it's like," she said turning away from him.

Aladdin sympathized with her elaborating on his life story, "I-I do know kind of. I also lost a parent. When I was little. I lived in a poor family. So, my Dad went off to get more money. But he never came back. My mother worked hard so me and my older brother didn't have too. She eventually got sick and died. Leaving me and my brother alone. And from then on I became just another run of the mill street rat."

Jasmine turned moved by his speech, "That's really horrible. It must have been hard for you."

"Yeah, I was with her when she died. I cried and cried by her bed and didn't think I'd ever stop. My brother pulled me aside and helped me coup. And he taught me everything I know. But he's gone now too. And all I have now is Abu. Did you cry a lot?" Aladdin asked.

"Yes. When my Father died, I cried for what seemed like forever. I cried and cried, but over time I didn't stop. So, then my care taker threw me into my room, and he wouldn't let me out till I stopped crying. But I couldn't. I cried day and night for what seemed like forever. I was practically crying to death. I cried while I ate but I couldn't sleep. Over time my tears went dry even though I was still sad. I couldn't give any more tears. I cried a lifetime and after I couldn't shed any more. My Father would always tell me I shouldn't cry because it shows weakness. So, I did my best to follow his wishes. But I haven't got any more tears to give."

"Wow, that's awful," said Aladdin a bit concerned the speech even moved
Abu giving a sad moan.

"Yes, that is truly awful. I can't think of anything harder on a girl then have both her parents die on her," said someone with a snake like voice. This caused Abu to scream pointing towards a moving shadow. A figure stepped out of the shadows revealing himself as the sorcerer Zisa.

"You!" Jasmine shouted. Bandit Heartless appeared around him surrounding the couple.

"They're after me. They're after you. They're after me," Aladdin and Jasmine said simultaneously. Abu ran into Aladdin's shirt hiding.

Aladdin looked out the window seeing the dark streets below. "Do you trust me?" he said.

"What?" replied Jasmine.

"Do you trust me?" He extended his hand out. Jasmine grabbed it. Aladdin shouted, "Then Jump." They both jumped off the roof, fell and landed on a pile of bags containing salt. "Come on!" he said taking her hand running off with Jasmine before running into a guard blocking the exit. "Hey, watch it!" shouted Aladdin at the man.

"Raoul," said Jasmine relieved.

"Princess," he said pushing Aladdin away.

"Princess, you know him?" said Aladdin plummeting to the ground.

"The Princess," screamed Abu.

"Yes, he's my friend. He helped me," Jasmine explained.

"Princess go through the back alley. I'll lead them off your trail." He brings out his sword running into another alley.

"C'mon they went this way," Raoul shouted leading away several of the guards and heartless.

"Wait Abu," Aladdin took his friend out of his shirt and threw the monkey in a nearby jar. Stay here until the coast is clear Abu. There not after you." Abu nodded as Aladdin took Jasmine's arm and ran off with her again.

"That was a palace guard. You really are Princess Jasmine?" he asked while running.

"Yeah. Sorry I couldn't risk anyone finding out," Jasmine said. A bandit heartless appeared from behind attempting to attack Aladdin. But with his quick thinking he summoned his sword decapitated the heartless. "Wait you can fight?" asked Jasmine.

"Yes. I'm a thief class hero. I told you my brother taught me everything I know." A fat bandit dropped from the sky nearly crushing the couple. Jasmine pushed Aladdin to the side saving him. "Woah!" he shouted falling to the ground. Aladdin fell on his back while Jasmine fell on top of him. Touching each other's bodies startled them. Jasmine lifted her head up coming into contact with Aladdin's eyes. In an awkward moment, they blushed.

The moment was short lived when Aladdin grabbed Jasmine and thrusted both their bodies to the side quickly dodging a flamethrower attack from the Fat Bandit. The heartless's attack caught a nearby abandoned building on fire. The poor alley way burst into flames in an instance like a hot stove. Debris began falling on the couple as they tried to make their escape. "Aladdin what do we do?" she shouted to him.

Aladdin took action and let go of Jasmine's wrist. He summoned a second sword in his left-hand charging at the heartless which was now shooting barrages of fire balls at him. "A thief's biggest strength is his speed which proves handy against a big and slow target," Aladdin reminded himself.

He came on the heartless and with one swoop from each of his swords he sliced right through the heartless's stomach. But it only made a dent in the heartless's massive body. It lifted its arm and threw a punch at the thief. Aladdin brought both of his swords up in front of his face blocking the creatures fist. It smashed its hand into Aladdin's swords without mercy. The strength of the beast was so great Aladdin was launched back smashing into a wall cracking some of the exterior.

Nearby residents like poor homeless people fled the scenes as the fire spread like a plague. Aladdin fell in pain trying to recover from the vicious blow. He fell to the ground slightly dazed. The heartless was preparing to charge at Aladdin with its stomach finishing him off for good. Before the heartless could, Jasmine swirled around it like a dancer twirling. She clenched her fist hard as her veins turned bright green coursing through her arm. She punched the heartless in the back launching it far. The young thief moved out of the way before the heartless smashed into the burning building toppling the wall. The heartless became engulfed in flames. The damaged to the building collapsed the entire structure crushing the heartless. Aladdin and Jasmine ran away as the building toppled over converting to burnt rubble.

Aladdin and Jasmine ran off down the streets to a safe place. They turned to a secluded corner breathing sharply upon defeating their enemy. "You okay?" asked Aladdin staring at Jasmine while sweating.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied grasping her knees for support. "I didn't know you could fight?" he proclaimed.

"To be honest I was unsure myself. I was trained as fighter class hero when I was younger. But after everything that happened, I was forbidden from continuing training. I've haven't done anything like that since I was a kid," Jasmine said lifting him back up.

"Well guess. I owe you one," he said grateful. Aladdin wiped off some of the sweat and sot from his forehead.

"Yeah, don't worry about it," she replied.

After a moment of silence Jasmine heard a faint noise growing. Swift footsteps charged towards them at an alarming rate. "Aladdin watch out," warned Jasmine.

The crescent swordsman Kurt jumped from the shadows attacking Aladdin with his swords. Aladdin remained quick using his swords to deflect Kurt's. "A thief class street rat. Really?" Kurt said tauntingly.

Aladdin could barely keep up with him. "This guy. I know him. He's an Immortal," Aladdin thought to himself as he gritted his teeth. Jasmine knew he need help. She prepared to punch Kurt from behind with her abilities. Hopefully giving Aladdin the edge.

Before she could act, she was kicked in the head by another fighter hero. "Two against one. Now that's not fair." The masked Immortal Dust struck Jasmine in the head slamming her a distance away. "Ow!" she screamed while hitting a wall.

"You know. We almost lost you in the fire. But after we saw the building collapse, we decided to investigate and naturally we found you. This was your first time leaving the Palace after all these years. How was your one day of freedom?" Dusk mocked Jasmine as she lifted her leg up placing the sole of her right foot up next to her left knee.

"Shut up. I'm not going back with you. Never again," Jasmine shouted standing on her feet. Blood began to drip from her nose after she got up. She got into a fighting stance raising her arms up to her face and crouching a bit.

"Oh, you want to fight. A fighter vs a fighter. Master vs novice. Go ahead and try. I bet you can't land a single blow on me," Dust continued to taunt her.

Jasmine tried to ignore her even noticing Dust's smug grin behind her veil. She ripped off her brown cloak revealing her Princess attire. She charged at Dusk planning on smashing her face in. She threw a punch towards Dust's waist like a missile.

But without even removing her feet from their spot Dust maneuvered her waist to the side dodging the attack. She then used her grounded right leg to kick Jasmine in the stomach. The Princess gaged in pain.

With the same leg, Dust kicked Jasmine to the side. "Seriously is that the best you got. To be fair you are a bit rusty. I spent my whole life mastering my fighting style. The body dancing technique. Fights are like a choreographed dance. All part of a performance. My body is as flexible as a snake and as versatile as a horse. I wait for a person to attack and then dance around before smashing them into the dirt. It's an ancient form of fighting and it's especially handy against other heroes of my class. Even if you were a master you still couldn't hope to beat me."

Jasmine got on her feet quickly wanting to fight again. But the blood dripping from her forehead made its way into her eyes. Obstructing Jasmine's eye sight. Dust caught on and took advantage of this opportunity.

"Also," Dusk said grabbing Jasmine's hair dragging the Princess closer. She then punches Jasmine right in the gut bring Jasmine to her knees. "That's how a real fighter punches."

Jasmine tried to get up again placing her hand over her stomach. Dust talked down to her again. "I'd like continuing to beat you to a pulp. But I have my orders to bring you in. Kurt kill that guy so we can go."

Jasmine's heart pounded. She looked over to where the boys were fighting. Kurt had Aladdin head locked between his swords. Aladdin grasped the blades with his fingers trying to free his neck. "Wait no. Please don't kill him. I'm begging you," Jasmine pleaded.

Dust placed her foot on Jasmine's torso forcing the Princess down on the ground. "Oh my. Don't tell me you've actually grown to care about this lonely peasant. He's just a street rat. His life is meaningless to the greater world. If he lives or dies. What of it?" Dusk laughed off.

"You're wrong his life is not worthless." Aladdin lifted his head hearing what Jasmine said about him. "He's more than just a peasant. He's a person with a living beating heart. He spent his whole life struggling to survive because he had too. Not because that's who he is. He's good and selfless. He'd never hurt anyone. He's the kindness and greatest person I've never known."

Aladdin couldn't believe what he was hearing. No one's ever stood up for him like that. Let alone the princess. "Yeah, I don't care. Kurt do it already," Dust commanded. The scarred man prepared to decapitate Aladdin with his curved blades.

"No!" shouted Jasmine. Dusk pounced on the Princess pinning her to the ground forcing her to watch. Aladdin closed his eyes accepting his fate till Abu jumped from the shadows leaping on Kurt blinding the swordsman by pulling his hood over his eyes. "What the!" he cried trying to pull Abu off.

Kurt knocked a sword away giving Aladdin enough room to squeeze his head out. He ran away with Abu jumping on his shoulder. He grabbed his swords planning to free Jasmine but more heartless appeared out numbering him. "Aladdin run. Don't worry about me!" shouted Jasmine.

"No, I can't leave you. Please let me help," he cried in desperation.

"You've already done enough. Aladdin thank you so much for helping me. Thank you for caring about me. That means more than you might think. Now go and be free. Don't let anyone stop you. Be free and live your life. Please just do that so I can be at peace. Go run and don't look back," Jasmine hollered raising her hand in Aladdin's direction.

"Jasmine," he said regretful. Abu pointed out that heartless were coming. He ran a distance away before calling back. "Jasmine. I promise we'll meet each other again. And when we do will both be free."

He continued to run away but Kurt began chasing after him. He seemed faster as the swordsman began to catch up to Aladdin. "You're not getting away." Kurt caught up to Aladdin preparing to slice Aladdin's head off with one swoop till someone stopped him.

The Captain of the guard Raoul deflected Kurt's advancements jumping in between them. "What you?" said Aladdin seeing his allies defend him.

"Raoul what are you doing?" Kurt asked backing up a few feet.

The guard cautiously explained himself, "Don't get any ideas. I don't think much of you street rat. But I've sworn to carry out the royal families wishes. And if the Princess declares you should live and be free. Then I'm inclined to make sure that happens."

"Well thanks. I guess," Aladdin ran off disappearing into the dark streets.

"I assume you're the one who set the Princess free then?" said Kurt lowering his blades.

Raoul relented, "Well, there's no point in hiding it. I'm already going to be punished dearly for this. So, let's just get this over with and fight."

Kurt raised his blades, "This won't end well for you."

"Back at Aladdin's home. Zisa and some heartless surveyed the quant home. Zisa sniffed the area like a dog trying to find anything of value. Iago, Jafar's bird swooped in through the window. "Has the Princess been found?" he asked landing on a pillow.

"Yes, we have. Kurt and Dusk are in the pursuit," he responded sticking out his tongue.

"Phew Jafar would have had a meltdown if he knew the Princess got out of the city. You saved all our skins." A soldier heartless knocked down a box on top of a poorly made shelf with one half of a golden bug in it. "Huh!" Iago screeched seeing it. He flew over to it covering it with his body hiding it from Zisa.

"Well after you catch Jasmine return her to the Palace immediately. That will be all," Iago declared. Zisa nodded sending the heartless out before hovering off towards the Palace. When the coast was clear Iago got off the golden bug laying on the floor. Looking at it with a concerned expression he remarked. "Why here?"