A/N – I absolutely hate rewriting scenes already shown in the movies, but there are a couple moments that I feel are unavoidable for this story. I apologize for any repetition, but I promise to keep it to a minimum. For the most part, I think this chapter will have the most of this sort of scenario.

Also, updates are probably going to steadily be once a week now rather than twice a week. Again, (just for all you lovely reader's comfort) this is only because these final chapters are far less flushed out that than the first sections of the story were and its more work to do. I've added the chapter count to A03, there should be 19 chapters total(not including the intro, +1 for intro), possible 20 if I end up splitting one of them.

Chapter 14: The Encounter

Aladdin nerves ran wild as they entered the gates of Agrabah. His eyes furiously scanned the faces in the crowd, searching for any sign of conflict. Though they were met with only smiles and bows, the thief refused to allow his guard to fall. With a quick glance at his side, he was calmed to see Jasmine riding close by. His heart fluttered amidst the torment, seeing how much joy it gave his wife to simply be in the presence of her own people. However, though he would refuse to admit it to her, he could not help but fear passing the palace gates.

The guards stood by, mostly bored in their expressions. Though they appeared innocent enough there was no telling how many followers the vizier had. The prince observed every movement as they passed the horses off to a servant. Jasmine moved to his side, taking his hand firmly within her soothing embrace. It pained Aladdin that she would never believe just how much strength her simple touch could give. The sultan had damaged Jasmine's courage over years of unspoken abuse. Aladdin would make it his goal to help her regain the incredible strength she once willed, right after dealing with a corrupt vizier.

"Hakim!" Jasmine's excitement snapped the prince from his thoughts. Aladdin cursed himself for allowing his mind to slip, as he quickly recalled the importance of his focus.

"My princess," the captain bowed. The thief couldn't help but notice the guard's hesitation upon seeing the pair. "I am glad to see you home safely."

For an irrational moment, Aladdin considered challenging the captain; to quickly learn who held the man's loyalties. However, as the anger quickly passed he welcomed a clear mind.

"Hakim, where is the sultan?" The prince asked. Ever since his arrival in Agrabah, the captain's attitude towards the prince had been less than civil. Hakim had made certain that the prince always remembered that he was a mere foreigner. Well, at least he thought as much. Though Aladdin appreciated the captain's vigor in protecting the princess, the thief couldn't help but find Hakim's shortness unwarranted.

"The sultan has been… unwell. Jafar stands in his place until he is able to heal." The captain answered evenly. Aladdin did not miss the nervous swallow and twitch in the man's fingers. Hakim met their sullen expressions. "I cannot disobey my superior."

Jasmine's grasp tightened, while Aladdin took in his admission. For a moment, he felt a genuine trust for the captain.

"Where is he? Where is Jafar?" The princess cast a fiery glare.

Hakim simply nodded down the hall. Jasmine nearly pulled from his grasp as she thrust herself forward. Aladdin almost had to jog to keep up before tugging her to slow.

"Jasmine," he spoke quietly. "Try to remain calm. We cannot let Jafar think that we fear him."

"I am not afraid," she met his gaze. Even he was surprised by the sudden confidence beneath her stare.

Together they walked into the throne room, awaiting their fate. He shivered lightly and against his better judgment he imagined a slew of terrible outcomes. Recalling King Waleed's instructions, he straightened his posture; doing everything in his power to present strength.

As they entered the room, Jafar glanced at them with knowing eyes. Aladdin sighed quietly, realizing that the snake had known about their arrival long before they had walked through the door. How long had there been eyes watching them?

"Baba?" Jasmine called out immediately at the sight of her father and even the thief felt perturbed by the sultan's appearance. He sat upon his grand throne, though there was nothing strong about Agrabah's leader. His head slumped into his palm as he barely managed to glance at his daughter through darkened eyes. Beside Hamed was Jasmine's loyal handmaiden, whose conflicted eyes widened at the sight of her friend.

"Jasmine?" The sultan croaked.

"Princess, it is good to see you arrive home safely," Jafar practically smirked at the pair. Jasmine ignored the vizier, lengthening her stride to meet her father. Aladdin let her break from him, watching Jafar and his guards ever so carefully. His fingers rested at the tip of his sword, ready to strike the moment their own hands so much as twitched towards their blades.

"Baba?" She kneeled beside the sultan but he merely groaned.

"I am glad that you both arrived when you did. I was about to share some troubling news with our sultan." Jafar taunted.

"Save it, Jafar," Jasmine glared at the vizier. Turning to hold the sultan's face, she spoke desperately to her father. "Baba, Jafar tried to kill prince Ali."

"And his men shot an arrow at the princess," Aladdin glared. Meeting the sultan's gaze, he demanded reaction. "He nearly killed your daughter."

Dalia gasped audibly, while Jafar smirked expectantly. Only then did the thief realize his error.

"Oh? Perhaps the princess could show us her wound to prove such a claim?"

Jasmine met his gaze and the pair swallowed anxiously; knowing that nothing but a faint scar remained. However, Aladdin gazed at the vizier in awe. He knew. Jafar knew of Ababwa's healing capabilities. How did he know?

"My sultan," Jafar continued when Jasmine failed to present their evidence. "I am afraid that we have been made fools."

Sultan Hamed adjusted his posture weakly, rising just enough to look upon the vizier. However, Aladdin wasn't certain that the man could understand a word being said. The prince tensed as a pair of guards shifted behind him, but as Jafar began walking towards him he had no choice but to focus on the vizier.

"Did you truly think that we wouldn't find out who you really are?" Jafar sneered.

"What are you…"

"You come into our kingdom, uninvited, under a false mask. All to steal Agrabah's throne." Jafar paused with a wicked smile. "But, you would know all about thievery, wouldn't you? Aladdin."

Betraying his own advice, Aladdin flinched. Jasmine met his gaze, but before either could speak the thief felt himself being pulled backwards as the guards swiftly stripped away his weapons. The prince fought, but only for a moment before he found himself at the end of a blade.

"No!" Jasmine shouted as Dalia grasped her arm with a worried gaze. Aladdin wasn't sure if he should groan in frustration or sigh in worry as the sharp steel rested at his neck. The princess looked to Hakim for help, but the captain only returned a sympathetic stare. His sullen gaze relayed his earlier reminder. I must obey my superior. For the moment, Aladdin despised the captain's honor.

Jasmine returned to her father, shaking his arm desperately. "Baba, listen…"

"He's nothing but a lying thief," Jafar interrupted. "There is no prince Ali."

"He's lying," Jasmine exclaimed to her father. Dalia released the princess as she took her father's face, and for just a moment the man's eyes opened to see his daughter. Jasmine's own gleamed with a spark of hope. "Baba?"

"Jasmine?"

"Father," Jasmine smiled weakly, and for the slightest moment the sultan straightened his back triumphantly.

"Jafar, can you explain this?"

"My sultan," the vizier walked closer to Hamed. Pausing for a moment, he met the man's gaze carefully. "You know my loyalty belongs to you."

"Your… loyalty," the sultan slurred his speech and Aladdin watched him carefully. The change was almost instant as the sultan turned his angry gaze upon the thief. "Prince Ali. You invited yourself into our city and we welcome you as our guest. But I believe your intentions to be… deceitful. You are a grave danger to Agrabah and shall be dealt with as such."

"Baba? What are you saying?" Jasmine practically gasped.

"Enough Jasmine! Jafar told me of Prince Ali's ambition."

Aladdin's head began spinning as the sultan growled. What was happening?

"He's after my throne."

Aladdin's gaze fixated upon the staff and the glow of its eyes now seemed all to obvious. The staff. He waited for the guard's hold to falter, before thrusting an elbow into his rib. Seeing his opportunity, he lunged forward.

Aladdin stripped the vizier of the staff; wasting no time before smashing it into the ground. The prince didn't know what to expect, but he was surprised to see the serpent explode into a cloud of dust. His feet moved on their own accord to free him from its reach, but after only a moment the cloud dissipated.

"Baba?"

Aladdin turned his attention towards the sultan, who blinked furiously as if waking from a nightmare. His eyes were clear as he observed the room in confusion.

"What… What happened?"

"He had you under a spell," Aladdin stated quickly before allowing the vizier an opportunity to speak. Jafar backed away slowly and for one satisfying moment there was a bit of fear in those dark eyes.

"He is not to be trusted, your majesty." He mumbled weakly. However, the sultan's mind was clear as he glared in both surprise and disgust.

"Jafar! You were my most trusted advisor. Hakim! Put him in the dungeon!"

Hakim, appearing satisfied at the turn of events, motioned for his guards to surround the vizier. Aladdin released a breath that he didn't realize he had been holding as his body finally began to relax. Could it truly be over?

"Baba, you must sit," Jasmine lulled the man into his chair. The thief snapped his attention to his wife, quickly moving to assist her father. Once Hamed was settled, Aladdin felt a pair of soft fingers lingering at his wrists. Jasmine's hands moved up his arm to rest at his neck where the blade had threatened. Aladdin smiled in reassurance, bringing a hand to hold her cheek.

"I'm alright," he promised, resting his forehead against hers.

"Jasmine?" The sultan's whisper halted his desire to kiss her. Their attention turned to her father and they were met with an expression of pure distress. Beside him, at least, was an elated handmaiden who could not seem to contain her glee at watching the pair. Hamed's eyes swelled as his voice barely broke a whisper. "What have I done?"

"Baba," Jasmine pulled from his grasp to kneel beside her father. Taking the elder's hand, she met his gaze carefully. "What can you remember? How long has he been controlling you?"

The princess could not contain her urgency as she stared desperately at her father. Aladdin's heart fell, knowing what answer she hoped for.

"I… I could see everything, but it was as if I were paralyzed." Hamed raised his gaze. As he looked upon his daughter, the tears finally began to fall. "Jasmine. My daughter."

Aladdin stood by, watching as the princess took her father into her arms. She hushed him more than once as he begged for her forgiveness. And Jasmine, she simply smiled in content.

"Baba," she sighed in relief. "I have missed you."


Jasmine rushed into the hall with her heart gleaming. Jafar was locked safely behind bars and for the first time in a great many years, her father was himself again. She was both amazed and terrified to learn of the man's corruption. A bit of uncertainty remained as she wondered if she could truly trust that the sultan was cured indefinitely. However, with a fresh heart she shook away her doubt and smiled. The kingdom's future was certainly bright.

She had not expected forgiveness to come so easily. Especially after all the torment that had been birthed from her father's actions. And yet the moment his eyes met hers, the moment she recognized the true gaze of her beloved father, her heart would accept nothing else. Jasmine hadn't even minded the guard's prying eyes as she embraced the elder through a flood of joyful tears.

Her walk led her to the empty dining hall, smiling as she remembered traditions of her childhood. The queen had made it a habit on special occasions to prepare a tea from her homeland. When Jasmine was unable to find any servants, she grabbed a glass herself and began to prepare a cup. She smiled, remembering every step in creating mother's special brew; delighted at the very thought of her father's excitement when taking the first sip.

"Princess Jasmine," a voice nearly caused her to drop the glass. She twisted and was taken by surprise at her visitor.

"Abbas?" She stared in surprise at their guest. "What are you doing here?!"

"Good evening, princess," he smiled politely.

"I can't believe you're here," she gasped. Her heart jolted at the thought that he had reconsidered her husband's plea. After all, why else would he travel so far? "I'll prepare you a cup tea, your journey must have been made in haste for you to catch us so quickly."

She turned to the table but was stopped instantly.

"Please, princess, I insist." He smiled before pulling a collection of herbs from his traveling sack. He poured them both a cup, adding his own bit of flavor to each. "Ababwa's herbs have always been my favorites. I regret not sharing them with you sooner."

"It seems that just about everything in Ababwa is grand," she gratefully accepted the cup. After a single sip, she was impressed by the marvelous taste.

"Indeed princess. Though, I am afraid that I cannot stray from home too long. I simply stopped in to ensure that my message was delivered."

"That is an awful long journey for such a simple thing," she smirked.

"I have special means of travel," he chuckled lightly before sighing. "Besides, it was a matter of great urgency, I'm afraid."

"Shall I fetch Alad… Ali, for you?" She caught herself quickly.

"I did not come to see Aladdin."

She flinched upon hearing his true name, but the man's smile quickly relieved her. Of course, she thought, the uncle would certainly have been privy to his past.

"Oh?" Jasmine's throat tightened oddly. She attempted to clear it, before taking another sip in hopes to sooth the discomfort. "Who did you come to see then?"

"I came to revisit the details of my deal with Jafar."

Every muscle froze in a gripping terror. Jasmine recovered quickly, scanning the hall as subtly as possible. However, to her dismay she found no one around to aid her. She thought of the knife hidden at her waist, but her limbs felt too heavy with fear. However, it took another moment to realize that the fright had nothing to do with her ailment. Upon noticing the way in which he looked at the cup in her hand, she nearly rolled her eyes in frustration.

"What have you done?" She breathed heavily when her lungs rebelled against speech. Within seconds, her muscles grew weak and her vision began to blur.

"Let me help you with that," Abbas took the empty cup from her before placing it safely on the table. He continued to smile, as if he were unaware of her torment. Jasmine desperately wished to lash out, but she quickly found that she couldn't move nor even manage to scream. Her legs buckled and the man slowly guided the princess to the floor. "Easy now."

"What have… you done?" she repeated.

"I am sorry my dear, but I have no choice," he shook his head. The way he cradled her head to rest against a soft rag almost made him appear kind; if he had not been the cause of her condition. Abbas then sighed deeply, "Ababwa is dying and unlike my foolish brother, I have the courage to fix our problems."

"You're a snake," she managed to grumble.

"Perhaps you are right, but I think it better than being a halfwit. When our well began to dry up, instead of seeking prosperity my brother thought he would offer what's left of our precious gift to outsiders. His idiocy would have us withering away in no time." Abbas sneered in disgust. "The darned fool. Though, even I must admit, he did well finding the diamond.

Jasmine watched as he stared off into the distance, growing lost in thought. She tried once more to reach for her dagger, but her limbs refused to obey her.

"We had it all, my dear. A kingdom of gold is what we used to call it, but Waleed fell to sorrow after a few centuries."

She would have gasped in surprise at the term, had she not already been fighting for breath.

"For so long I thought that my brother's desperation for a family was foolish. My suspicions grew when he began patrolling the border. I had nearly killed him the moment he brought the boy into our kingdom; breaking the promise that we had made so long ago. Ababwa was supposed to be our kingdom and ours alone. But, even I came to love the boy. I never imagined that he would be the key to our survival, but the sands do not lie.

Though most unfortunate, he was also the key to my brother's madness. Aladdin whined for so long with his desperate pleas to return home. When he finally convinced Waleed to expand, I had no choice but to put an end to his reign."

Jasmine could see just clear enough to notice that his eyes fell to her.

"I will amend my brother's mistakes and Ababwa shall endure. Regrettably, the boy will need motivation."

"Don't… hurt… him." Her labored breaths made it impossible to sound threatening.

"Be at ease, my dear. Aladdin's life is the least of your worries," Abbas appeared so frustratingly sympathetic. "This could have been avoided, though I must admit Aladdin's unexpected return helped me see clearly. I had thought it best to send him to Agrabah; to get his mind off sharing the kingdom and to prevent him from returning. Jafar did well convincing the marriage, but he was supposed to maintain his control on the sultan. I had given him the means to do so, but the fool got greedy. Instead of seeking the throne, he became far more interested in my own treasure. The fool."

Panic began to rise as the princess felt herself fading, using every remaining ounce of strength to fight for consciousness. Since her body failed her, she resorted to praying for an intruder to come to her aid; or at the very least to warn Aladdin. Tears began to swell as the reality of her fate began to set, though it only made breathing even more of a challenge.

She had finally found peace; she had finally found love. Only moments ago Jasmine thought that the stars had aligned perfectly just for her. Now, her final moments of consciousness were spent mourning the swift loss of all her gifts.

"But, no matter. I thought Jafar's failure would be a set-back, but I think we can work with this. It's nothing personal, my dear. I truly did like you."

"How… could… you?" She could manage no more than a trace of a whisper.

"I do what I must, child. I am afraid that I must leave you, Jafar will need to be briefed."

He shook his head in sorrow before composing himself once again, gazing over her fallen form. Her mind was on the brink of fading. The last thing she could hear was the devastation in her ear. "Unfortunately, princess, your death is necessary."


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