DISCLAIMER: I own Aladdin. NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT!

Sorry this chapter is so late! I have had no internet access for awhile since a stupid storm destroyed our broadband (and some other appliances)! GRRRRR, but I promise that I will update as soon as possible!

Recap:

Cassim smiled proudly "Well, m'boy! Let's go, we have to find the love of your life!" he said grandly. Aladdin mounted Sadeek "Right on Dad!" he said focusing on the desert in front of him "Let's Go!" he said spurring Sadeek into a gallop. Cassim rode next to him neck in neck and Carpet carried the along swiftly.

It was clear, no one was backing down until the quest was complete.

Chapter 12: Getting Closer

It was dawn. The sky had turned a pale shade of violet, with hues of blue and silver shimmering through to touch the ends of the golden sands of the Abia Desert. Aladdin and the others travelled speedily in hope of finding Jasmine soon.

"Can we stop and take a breather for a second!" gasped Iago, who'd been flying behind the others, as he'd refused to sit on carpet in complaint that that Abu kept cuddling him while he tried to sleep. Aladdin and Cassim halted their horses and Carpet landed slowly. Genie suddenly burst out of the lamp.

"Good evening fellow travellers!" he said in a cheerful voice. He gazed up at the sky "Whoops, not evening, good dawn then! Boy, have I lost track of the time, well travel does that to you!" he said as he morphed into a grandfather clock.

"How are we supposed to know if Jasmine is even here?" Aladdin said impatiently. Cassim sighed "Son, I told you, it was in the stars, that whatever the sandstorm would possess that night, would stay here," he said as he dismounted "don't you check your almanac?" he asked. Aladdin shook his head. Just then, Tali ran up to them with a look of urgency.

"Aladdin," she said taking a deep breath. Aladdin turned to face her "Yes?" he asked inquisitively. "I have a feeling" she said as she paused to take more breaths "There is something in this desert, that wasn't there before, like a large presence, but I can't see anything anywhere" she finished.

Aladdin and Cassim looked at each other sceptically "What do you mean?" asked Cassim. "I mean there is definitely something here that wasn't before and it is a he thing, and could very well have something to do with Jasmine being missing!" she said exasperatedly. Iago flew up behind and perched himself on his shoulder "I couldn't help but overhear, cause I was trying to! But, large presence? I mean come on!" he said casually. Tali shook her head "I can feel it," she said adamantly.

Aladdin looked at her in a puzzled manner. "Ok…If there truly is a 'large presence' how do we find it?" he asked. Tali shook her head "I'm not sure," she said sadly.

"You are to remain here, not that it matters" said Mozenrath as he locked Jasmine into the dungeon cell "You can never leave!" he said with a threatening laugh as he strode into the distance. Jasmine slumped against the wall. Her plan was wearing thin and she knew nothing of the others whereabouts.

"Attempted escape?" said a grim voice that belonged to Jafar. He emerged from the shadows and stood squarely in front of Jasmine's cell. "Jaf—" began Jasmine. "Do not speak!" He hissed angrily "I will not tolerate anymore of this impertinence!" Jasmine was speechless Come on! She thought hopelessly, there must be something you can do!

"Jafar, I beg for your most humble apologies! I simply mounted my mare, with no intentions of leaving, but she went wild! She galloped and I couldn't stop her!" Jasmine pleaded. Jafar didn't appear convinced by her pleas. "The time has come Jasmine!" he said loudly enough that his voice echoed in the cellar.

Jasmine watched him in fright, unable to speak. Jafar lips formed a wicked smile "We are going to be bound as husband and wife tonight!" he announced. Jasmine froze. "But it won't be an ordinary marriage, oh no, just you wait my little desert bloom!" He said with a cruel laugh.

The gang sat hopelessly in the desert. Aladdin paced back and forth nervously. Cassim tried to understand Tali's "feeling" that she claimed wasn't a premonition but more like a sense.

"Dad, I'm going for a little walk, just to see if I find anything" Aladdin said before wandering off. Nothing makes sense, Jafar alive? Jasmine KISSING him? Tali having strange feelings? He thought as he continued to distance himself from his family If there was a "large presence" then wouldn't we have all seen it by now, as for—

"We meet again handsome!" chimed a voice. Aladdin looked up from his interrupted thoughts. "Nadira!" he said chokingly. "I'm flattered that you remember!" she said as she began to circle him. "WH-what are you doing here?" he asked. Nadira smiled and cupped his chin in her hands "It's a free desert, right?" she said sweetly "unless you'd like me to leave…" she said lowering her voice. Aladdin shook his head vigorously "No! I mean, uh, it's sort of good to see you again" he blurted out.

Aladdin found himself enjoying the fact she was there despite his last meeting with her. "So tell me, there seems to be something on your mind…" began Nadira. Aladdin nodded "I'm looking for Jasmine, I'm here with my sister and father too" he said. Nadira nodded slowly "You're having trouble aren't you?" she said sympathetically "Can I be of service?"

Aladdin decided there was no harm in telling her about the "fortune teller" and what he'd seen. He watched Nadira as he spoke she really seems to be listening to me, maybe she knows now that we can't be that way as much as she…may…want…it he thought as he looked her up and down. He couldn't help noticing her stance. She arched her back gracefully and placed both hands on her hips with such aplomb.

"Aladdin?" she said. Aladdin snapped to attention "Yeah?" he said calmly. "I think there is something you're not telling me" she said confidently. Aladdin decided to tell her of Tali's feeling and how e doesn't really understand it. When he finished, Nadira gasped. "By Allah! I think I know of what she is speaking of!" she exclaimed.

Aladdin looked at her with sudden excitement "Yes?" he said hopefully. "Follow me!" she yelled as she ran off in the direction of some high sand dunes. Aladdin followed her without another word. Maybe we could get there a bit faster! Thought Nadira as she shot a burst of wind from her hands that pulled both her and Aladdin along as thought they were floating.

"How did you do that?" Aladdin asked in amazement, as he floated along beside Nadira. "I'm wind elemental, I have powers with that element, and I've inherited them from my ancestors" she said coolly. Nadira slowly put a stop to the wind and the pair stood on the ground.

"Nadira, where is this presence thing?" Aladdin asked as he turned around multiple times. Nadira let out a little laugh. "What?" he asked. She gently turned his head in the opposite direction. "See it now?" she asked. Aladdin stared at what stood before him "No way!" he stammered. "The city of the myth!" he said in pure wonderment.

The city was enchanting. He looked at the stunning architecture. Every tower stood proudly, not a single one was unembellished. Each one was gold or silver with jewels encrusted in rooves and domes. He spied the Amulet Tower, dazzling brightly with sapphires and aquamarines.

"Shall we explore?" asked Nadira. "Let's!" agreed Aladdin, as the two entered the city.