Hi all, it's been a while since I've penned a new Aladdin fic. I decided to try out penning a sequel to one of my more popular stories - Terror in Waves. It's one of my favorite stories, and I definitely wanted a reason to revisit the town of Gloloria and "check in" with the residents alongside Aladdin and his friends since their last harrowing encounter. I thought I would bring a familiar villain in from the Aladdin franchise that doesn't necessarily get a lot of scene time - Aziz. You may remember him from the TV series, but as intriguing of a villain as I've thought he was, he's never really had a chance to shine in his own pursuits. I though he might serve as a perfect antagonist for this particular encounter. It also gives me a little more room to explore the toggling light/dark relationship that Aladdin has with Arzin, since Arzin had a lot of things going on in "Terror in Waves". I would recommend that you read "Terror in Waves" before touching this story, though I'll do my best to summarize events for those who want to take the leap with this one.

Story synopsis: Aladdin and his friends return to the oceanside city of Gloloria about eight months after their last adventure (chronicled in "Terror in Waves"). Much of the city has started to rebuild and attract attention. The group takes the time to have a proper vacation and reconnect with the villagers they've met. But while the Deathseeker is gone for good, the lingering trauma the sea demon/former sky god left behind hasn't evaded those subjected to its terrors. Arzin still feels the weight of the harm he did under the Deathseeker's influence, and his friendship with the returning group is still tentative at best. Aladdin seeks to do his best to earn Arzin's trust, despite previous encounters. An old enemy of Aladdin's - the magic demon Aziz - arrives in the town around at the same time, seeking to use the lingering darkness within Arzin to destroy Aladdin for good. Aladdin and his friends must not only fend off Aziz's attempts to bring terror to Gloloria once again, this time under his rule, but also prevent Arzin from becoming Aziz's eternal puppet.

Out of Breath

Chapter 1: A Demon's Revenge

The light of the full moon shone over the long expanse of desert - clear sands and sharp cliffs casting long dark shadows in the night. Aziz, avoiding randomly falling boulders in the process of navigating those cliffs, could not have been more happy to finally see the ocean in the distance, as well as the burning lanterns of a fully built town. He'd been traveling for more than a few weeks, searching for a place to lay low after being a fugitive from Getzistan. He'd been able to give them the slip based on his powerful, magic breaths, but his energy was wearing thin. He either needed people to manipulate or sustenance in the form of food. (Preferably both.)

"I'm so bored, tired, and beyond my wits end! At last a place I can call my own! A potential conquest!" he shouted while shaking his fists to the sky. He heard the echo of his voice through the passing wind, a breeze much cooler than his day trek through the desert had been. But if anyone had heard him, not a single sign came in response. He was alone for the time being, and he preferred it that way, at least until he could get his bearings.

He realized he'd arrived at a place he'd heard about in passing tales - the town of Gloloria. Once it had been a cursed town - destroyed continuously by a former sky god called the Deathseeker. Aziz admitted to himself he was in awe of the Deathseeker's efforts to control the seaside town with fear and blood. But rumor had it that the Deathseeker was no more, and the people seemed to be rebuilding, even attracting more tourists and travelers.

Aziz wondered what had happened, since he hadn't heard much other than the fact that the villagers had launched a tough battle against the sea demon, and it ultimately fell after generations of torment. What power lie in this town that could fell such an evil?

"I'm definitely curious to see what kind of power this town has for someone like me, a continuing master of the magic arts," Aziz mused. "If it's true that this used to be the haven to sorcerers, it would benefit me to find any resource I can to not only further my craft, but my influence. And who knows? I might even be able to pick up where the Deathseeker left off."

The crooked grin on his green face widened in the moonlight, before he began to laugh as he made his way closer to the town.

"I can't believe it's been so long since we've been to Gloloria," Jasmine said as she rode on Carpet with Aladdin, Abu, and Iago. Genie was sleeping inside the lamp at Aladdin's hip. The semi-phenomenal being hadn't stirred since the group left Agrabah that evening. "I'm glad that we're actually making a intentional trip that way."

"Not just that," Aladdin pointed out, stretching his arms over his head. "It was good that we got that message from Miza wanting to see us alongside the opportunity to take a vacation. Considering she said they had built back up a lot of the city and more visitors were coming, what better time to go there?"

Jasmine smiled. "I'm glad, honestly. The town deserves to thrive after everything they went through, for generations even. You know, we - you especially - were responsible for them getting back to something like normal. I'm sure that they're enjoying the peace they have now that the Deathseeker is no more."

Aladdin didn't have much to say to that, giving her a small smile back, but finding his thoughts wandering through their last adventure. The last time they stepped foot in Gloloria was actually the first time they'd been to the seaside town. Back then, Gloloria had been closed off. No visitors to be seen and scattered buildings with residents fearing going near the water. The reason was a formidable sea demon - a fallen sky god - that was called the Deathseeker. Aladdin and his friends had been responsible for being a part of the fight against the Deathseeker to end its reign of terror, as it had been plucking sacrifices from the surface and feeding upon human blood to attempt to restore itself to its former glory. Though Aladdin had been seriously injured, even nearly died in many encounters against it, they'd all come out victorious. Aladdin admitted he may have been a part of the plan to fight against the sea demon, but it was the residents who helped to carry the ultimate battle which led to them taking back the peace of their town.

The group had made many friends in Gloloria, some of whom they continued to have contact through scroll messages, delivered by the couriers of the kingdom. Miza was the young daughter of Yirya and Ezele, a girl who looked up to Aladdin and Jasmine both. She'd recently sent a scroll message to them both, inviting them back to the town. Jasmine had the scroll with her, but Aladdin remembered the message from memory.

Dear Princess Jasmine and Prince Aladdin of Agrabah,

How are you doing? Miza misses you two so much! It's been a little while since I've written, but we've been so busy with visitors to our town that they even have me helping out in the diner. Can you believe it? I'm washing dishes in the diner kitchen while Mama helps Ma-Tani cook. People love the food in town, and it's all thanks to Ma-Tani's recipes. I know she gave you the big book of those the last time you were here, but why not stop by to visit us and try her cooking yourself? Miza is sure that everyone would like to see you. The next time you have a chance to take a vacation, stop by and say hi! Oops, Miza forgot the time - need to give this to the courier before the end of the day. Will write again soon, tell everyone Miza says hello and that we miss them too! You should bring Genie, Iago, and Abu too. And Carpet, since Aladdin promised to take Miza on more rides.

Much love,

Miza

"Miza's adorable, I'll admit I've missed seeing her after so long," Jasmine said, reflecting upon her message the same way Aladdin was in that moment.

"I'm sure she'll be happy to see all of us again. I wonder how her parents are doing too," Aladdin said. "I remember in one of her other messages, Miza said her mom was doing a lot better. I know it's hard for Yirya to adjust after being out of it for five years, but I'm glad she has so many people supporting her, Miza and Ezele included."

Jasmine sighed. "Definitely. Things could have been so much worse, but I'm glad that it's turned around."

Iago yawned loudly then. "Can we not talk about such depressing stuff this late at night? That's in the past, come on, people! Gloloria's a fully grown beach side town now. Think of the food! Think of the upgrades to the places to stay and the things to do there! They even rebuilt the lighthouse to something more scenic!"

"Oh boy!" Abu quipped, clapping his paws together.

Aladdin winced, but still grinned. "They're not quite finished with the lighthouse yet, Iago. At least that's what Yirya's last message said. Still, it's great to think about what we'll be able to do once we're back there. Considering we're staying a while, I'm definitely looking forward to having more of Tani's cooking."

Iago wiggled his eyebrows as he perched on Aladdin's shoulder, rubbing his wings together. "Now we're talking. I mean the recipes Tani gave us before we left last time were good and all, but why waste energy trying to make those when we can have it straight from the source?"

The group arrived at the outskirts of Gloloria while the moon was high in the sky, shining brilliantly over the calm, peaceful waters. To Aladdin's surprise, the town now had a fully functioning pier. A few townsmembers waved to them as Carpet landed.

Before the end of the Deathseeker, residents and travelers were once banned from going to the shoreline, for fear the monstrous limbs would grab and drag them underwater. Aladdin felt a mix of emotions, remembering how Miza had once told him that she never had the opportunity to stand barefoot at the shoreline because of the threat. Aladdin had shown her what it was like to stand barefoot and let the waves rush over her feet. It was a welcome memory that played back in his head, one that was abruptly cut short by the girl's call out to the group.

"Miza missed everyone!" She ran up to the group, throwing her arms around Jasmine in an embrace. Jasmine returned the hug gratefully.

"We missed you too!" Jasmine said. "Did you get a little taller since we last saw you?"

Miza's hair was braided back, held together by ribbons the same teal color as Jasmine's outfit. Jasmine had sent a few ribbons and a handmade outfit as a gift for Miza since the girl loved the color the princess wore. The Princess was more than humbled the girl held the gifts close to her heart and wore them now. "Miza did get taller. Ma-Tani says Miza's growing a little more everyday. So does Papa and Mama."

"Yeah, I can definitely tell. I don't have to kneel as much to meet your eye now," Aladdin said as Miza gave him a hug as well, her arms circling his neck. "It's great to see you, Miza. We saw the note you sent us and figured we stay for a little while. Finally found time for a vacation."

Miza clapped her hands together. "Great! We definitely have a great place for you to stay. The inn is open to everyone now, and we have plenty of rooms. Miza can show you the way."

Before she went anywhere, though, Miza gave Carpet a high five, and hugged Abu and Iago at the same time. Abu appeared to welcome the deep hug the girl gave him, but Iago looked uncomfortable with having his feathers bent in an awkward position.

Iago groaned, his eyes swirling around as Miza pulled out of the embrace. "I hate hugs. Can we just get to bed already? We travelled all the way from Agrabah - we should do sightseeing tomorrow."

Miza gave them all a brief salute. "Definitely want to be your tour guide tomorrow, but first - to the inn. Ma-Tani's the one at the desk tonight." She looked around, puzzled. "Where's Genie?"

Aladdin patted the lamp resting in his tunic with one hand. "He's sleeping. I'm sure once he wakes up, he'll want to see you Miza. But," Aladdin paused, briefly covering his mouth with a hand to stifle a yawn. "I think all of us could use a good night's sleep first."

She nodded. "Follow me!"

Aziz had made his way down to the beach, hiding in the shadows near the base of the cliffs to where the first few buildings were positioned not too far from the shoreline. He saw the group walking towards the inn and made sure to stay out of sight where anyone would have eyes on him. (If they did see him, that would have been a cause for *them* to freak out, but not him. And it wasn't just that he was hiding from the approaching group, but everyone else.)

However, the magic demon had his own version of freaking out when he recognized the group following the girl to the inn. His eyes widened, then narrowed, his mouth twisting into a sneer.

"Aladdin? Princess Jasmine? The rest of those fools from Agrabah? What are they doing here?" There were several people standing on the outside of the inn that waived to the Prince and Princess, so casually that Aziz couldn't deny that the locals knew them. "And how are they so familiar here?" He thought about it a moment, searching his mind for any kind of stories he might've heard where Aladdin and his friends had been there, until the obvious became...obvious.

"Of course," he whispered. "If I know that street rat's luck, they must have been responsible for the Deathseeker's destruction. Makes sense for the welcoming party - a hero's welcome." He narrowed his eyes. "Makes me sick. I know who that street rat really is. He doesn't deserve the parade! Though, I suppose since he and Princess Jasmine are officially married, he's a prince now. Luxury living."

Aziz moved further away from the inn, mingling with the darkness cast by the shadow of a hut where its occupants had already gone to sleep. "Maybe it would be better for me to cut my losses and try another city. But this is the most enticing place in any stretch of the desert. What to do?" Aziz stroked his chin, lost in thought for a moment. His eyes passed towards the cliffs again, and he saw a nearby cave that he could take refuge in for the night. Walking past several sharp rocks at the shoreline, he made his way to the cave, made sure it was empty, and sat cross-legged, thinking more about what he should do.

It was after a few long moments that Aziz realized that he didn't want to go anywhere, and knew what he had to do. "I can't run away from an opportunity like this. I have magic, and this town has a tragic history ripe for the picking. Manipulate it to my whims, I should. The only part of it I don't know is how the Deathseeker met its demise and how Aladdin played a part in it." Aziz took a deep breath, blowing out a magical mirror that appeared in front of him.

He raised a brow. "This should be an interesting view into the past. Tell me, mirror, what happened in the fall of the Deathseeker. Include everything Aladdin and his friends experienced in the process of defeating it."

Aziz saw the scene shift in the mirror, playing back events from the time Aladdin and the others entered Gloloria for the first time, to the time they departed. His eyes widened on many twists and turns in the process, the cruelty in the history of the Deathseeker, the personal toll it took on the entire group, including Aladdin. Aziz watched with keen interest and fascination.

When he was done, he swallowed the mirror whole, not changing in size or shape despite the large object. "Now THAT was the most fascinating story I've seen in quite some time. Although it didn't result in Aladdin's demise, I do believe I have an idea of what I must do." His maniacal laughter echoed through the cave.

"Oh, I shall have my greatest revenge against you, street rat," Aziz said, his eyes turned towards the full moon in the sky as he spoke words he knew Aladdin would never hear, but spoke anyway. "Not only will I take back the monkey that's rightfully mine, and resume the fear control the Deathseeker established over this town, I'll watch you perish like you should have when we were in the temple of the Destiny Stone. And I know just the way to start."