Hello Readers! Welcome back! Hope you enjoy this start to a new Disney province. Happy Reading! :D

~Chapter 31~

I was given a prized stallion to ride as I ventured forward beyond the woods east of Adam's castle to where I brought down the sixth barrier. There was only one more barrier to get through after this point, so I was anxious and ready to keep pressing on. It was hard to remember precisely where I brought down the barrier, but once I got to that point I swear I felt something shift in me. I could feel some unusual energy, which maybe was just passing that former point of the barrier. The loneliness I felt moving forward stung so hard. If Adam hadn't broken my walkie-talkie, I could be distracting myself by talking with Riley. In meer desperation, I started talking to the horse as we cantered along. It was embarrassing that I had actually sunk this low, but I couldn't help that I was desperate. After passing over the boundary maybe an hour ago or so, I noticed that the trees began to really start to thin out and I was seeing more of the night sky. The decision to travel through the night was a good one and I still stood by that decision. However, I was only a couple hours in and my yawning became a bit excessive. What I wouldn't give for a pot of coffee or anything with caffeine right now. Just to keep my eyes from drooping.

Seconds later, I wouldn't need coffee and what I heard next would shake me to my core. A loud roar was heard and it shook me. It alarmed my horse forcing it to rear up in fear and I tried to steady him, but I was thrown off. I hit the ground hard and it knocked the wind out of me, I'm pretty sure I'd have a bruise on my tailbone by sunrise. The stallion ran away and I began to panic. The roar echoed again and I heard the bushes rustling nearby. I stood up as quickly as I could groaning as I did so. I wasn't sure what could be in these woods, but if I've learned anything during my journey it's that any animal or creature can be anywhere at anytime. The animal didn't roar again, but I saw the movement and heard the rustling of leaves still. I was shaking knowing I was no match for any wild animal. It was then that I remembered Fauna's gift to me. The gift of summoning. Whatever creature was stalking me right now would easily take me out, but maybe I just needed to summon an ally. So I quickly began to sing a simple tune that just popped in my head. I barely managed a few notes, but as I finished, a large lion hopped out from the bushes. He wasn't growling or gnashing his teeth, was this my ally?

"I heard your call, human." The lion said.

This fact alone shocked me, though I don't know why since I know many creatures in this land are capable of such things. I looked upon this fierce predator and he was an intimidating lion with golden brown fur with a reddish-brown mane. Riley would know for sure, but this animal looked so familiar even to me.

"Y-You're here to help me?" I asked timidly.

"You called, so I'm here." The lion replied.

"I need to head east to a place called Agrabah. Do you know it?"

"If that's the next pride where humans dwell then I know it well. It's across the desert about a day's run from here." The lion nodded.

"A desert?" I groaned.

"Best stock up on water here. There's a creek nearby should you need it."

"Thanks, but at least we're traveling at night, so it's cooler."

"Go ahead and hop on my back. I'm Simba by the way." He replied.

"Thanks for your assistance. I'm Noella."

Simba took me to the creek to fill my water bottle and I placed it securely in my backpack. It would have to last me until we made it to Agrabah.

Simba wasn't kidding. It was maybe a couple hundred yards out from the creek that all trees, vegetation, and anything green dissipated completely and it turned into sand. It was a vast landscape and even in the moonlight it was bright. Simba was a great companion, if I can have such opinions about a lion, he was fast even with me on his back. I was grateful I wasn't alone.

The legs of a lion charged forward much more fiercely than any horse I had ever ridden. It was definitely an experience I would never forget. The night seemed to carry on so and the later it got, the wind began to blow. At first it was barely a breeze, but then it grew much more intense. The sand was picked up and began pelting Simba and I like rain. We had to look down to avoid getting the granules in our eyes.

"Should we find shelter at least until the wind dies down a bit?" I asked Simba looking around at a few tall slabs of rock embedded in the sandy dunes.

"I think that would be best." Simba agreed, "I do smell humans nearby."

"Really?"

Simba increased his speed even while keeping his head down, but just followed his nose as we took shelter behind a large rock. Though we weren't alone. With us, there a young man with jet black hair with a small red cap on top his head wearing a purple vest and white patchwork pants. He had a cute monkey sitting on his shoulder. Beside him was an older man, with balding hair and a long white beard. He looked at me as if he was sizing me up. The young man smiled warmly at me while the older man did just the opposite.

"I hope that beast of yours is tame." The old man bellowed poking at Simba with his crooked cane.

"For most people." Simba nodded.

Both men stared at Simba in awe.

"He talks." The young man said in astonishment as his monkey started screeching in a panic.

"Yes, I heard boy." The older man growled, but then his face softened as he looked at me curiously, "What's a beautiful woman like you doing out in this desert alone?".

"She's not alone." Simba interrupted.

"Yes, yes." The man snapped.

"Where are you headed?" The young man asked.

"To Agrabah. Do you know it?" I asked curiously.

"Know it?" The young man smiled, "I live there."

"Great! Would you mind leading us there?"

"I would, but I'm kind of on an errand for him." The young man said glumly.

"The names Faheem." The older man replied.

"I'm Aladdin." The young man added, "And this is Abu." He said pointing out the monkey.

"It's nice to meet you, I'm Noella and my animal friend here is Simba."

"Once this wind dies down, I have no problem taking you to Agrabah, but I'm afraid it'll have to wait." Aladdin shrugged.

"Well, maybe if I come with, it will make the errands finish quicker." I reasoned, "I don't mind."

Aladdin glanced at Faheem since clearly he was the decision maker. The old man scrutinized me from head to toe.

"Come closer my dear." He beckoned extending his bony hand.

Immediately hesitant, but what harm could an old man do. I took his hand holding in a breath as I did so. He held it closing his eyes focusing on that. I glanced at Aladdin nervously and he shrugged. Moments later, Faheem's deep set eyes popped open suddenly.

"What are you girl? I can sense a light inside you like I've never experienced…"

"A light? I'm just an average girl." I reasoned.

An average girl who can bring down barriers between worlds, I thought.

"We'll know soon enough. She comes with us." Faheem declared.

It was an hour or so before the winds died down enough for us to continue. Faheem directed Aladdin while on horseback and Simba and I trailed just behind them. We came down a large dune and Faheem took something small out of his cloak. Immediately there was a glow and some flying object took off shooting into the nearby large sand dune.

"I don't like this." Simba commented and I hopped off his back.

The ground seemed to shake beneath our feet and Simba quickly stood over me defensively. The shaking stopped as a large head of what looked like a tiger formed from the large mound of sand. Faheem looked eager at the presence of this sand dune tiger that had just appeared. Simba quickly nudged me.

"I'm afraid this is where we part ways Noella." Simba pressed.

"Thank you for your help, Simba. It was very much appreciated."

He stood closer to me making sure his next words were private.

"Be careful of Faheem. He doesn't smell right." Simba warned.

"Thanks for the heads up. Where will you go?"

"Oh I'll be around." Simba replied.

"If you meet a human asking for me, please direct them to Agrabah."

"Do you have anything with their scent on it?" Simba asked.

I quickly searched my backpack for anything Joel might have touched, but there was nothing, but then I remembered the bracelet on my wrist that Joel gifted me.

"Here." I said extending my arm right in front of Simba's snout.

"Okay I smell you and only...wait. I'm picking up another scent...Got it."

"Can you keep your nose out for that scent? I'd be so grateful." I smiled.

"No problem." Simba nodded.

I wrapped my arms around his mane as he bounded off disappearing over the dunes. I was pulled back into the situation by a big, booming voice.

"Who disturbs my slumber?" The creature bellowed holding open its mouth wide.

"You boy and girl. Answer him." Faheem directed.

I looked at Aladdin nervously and he held out his hand to me.

"Trust me, we got this Noella." He smiled.

Aladdin and I stepped out within the light of the creatures' mouth. Abu was shaking, hiding underneath his purple vest.

"It is I, Aladdin."

"And N-Noella." I muttered sheepishly.

The creatures bright eyes stared at us intensely before opening his large mouth.

"We're supposed to go in?" I asked.

"Yeah I'm helping Faheem." Aladdin shrugged.

"That's very selfless."

"Well that's kind to say, but I am getting a reward for my efforts." Aladdin nodded, "Hey I'll even split it with you."

"You're my ticket to Agrabah, so I'll help you. I'm sure going inside a random sand creature's mouth isn't so bad." I said dryly.

"Two diamonds shine brightly here. Two are stronger than one." The tiger bellowed, "Know this, touch the lamp and nothing else. You both may proceed."

Aladdin went in first leading the way cautiously and we began a long descent into the belly of the beast.

We followed a long staircase that could rival any skyscraper and it emptied into a large room filled to the brim with gold and numerous types of treasure. There was a large chest filled with jewels beside a large purple rug and Abu eagerly ran his way to it fixated on the jewels.

"Abu!" Aladdin cried out.

The monkey stopped obediently inches from touching a big red jewel.

"Don't touch anything. The lamp is our prize, remember?"

Aladdin kept moving and Abu looked up at me and then back toward Aladdin following him. I kept close because this place was bigger than anticipated. Suddenly, I stopped feeling something tap me on the shoulder. Curiously, I spun around but nobody was there. Aladdin noticed I stopped and waited up for me.

"Noella?" He called out.

"Something touched me." I replied.

"Maybe it was a spider." Aladdin winked teasing me profusely.

"Don't be such a guy...I'm serious. Someone tapped me. Was it you Abu?"

The monkey looked at me with wide eyes and shook his head back and forth.

"C'mon let's keep moving," Aladdin pressed, "The sooner we find the lamp, the sooner we're out of here."

Nervously and suspiciously glancing around, I kept moving, but after a few steps there was another tap on my shoulder, but this time the tap came on the other side. Now even more alarmed, I spun around and the purple carpet from earlier was in the air waving its woven gold tassels at me. I watched the carpet curiously trying to figure out how this thing could be flying.

"Uh, Aladdin." I called out.

He stopped again and finally saw what I saw.

"A magic carpet?" Aladdin said incredulously.

"Is this real?" I muttered reaching out curiously.

"It's flying right in front of us, isn't it?" Aladdin reasoned.

I guess it was odd for me to doubt when the evidence was clearly identified right in front of me.

"Maybe it can you find your lamp." I reasoned.

The carpet immediately perked up and waved with its tassels for us to follow it and we quickly chased after it. It lead us deeper into the tunnel and we eventually came out of a doorway in a wall. This new room was filled with water with a single pathway leading across on some rocks up to a tall staircase. I couldn't see what was at the top, but the carpet pointed to whatever was at the top.

"Must be up there." Aladdin shrugged, "You guys stay here. I'll get it."

He told Abu to wait with me and the carpet hovered above us as the three of us waited. I watched curiously as Aladdin hopped across the water on the rocks and made it to the bottom of the staircase. Abu started making a fuss, but I ignored him keeping a close eye on Aladdin. He got to the top of the platform, but as he looked back at me, his eyes rose in surprise.

"Abu, no!" He yelled.

I spun around and apparently the carpet had been trying to hold Abu back from touching a large gemstone held by a golden statue. Abu pulled free and touched the gem.

"Infidels!" A booming voice bellowed angrily, "You have touched the forbidden treasure and you will never again see the light of day!"

The whole cave went chaotic in a matter of seconds. A pillar of fire shot out from where Aladdin was and the water turned to lava in seconds and large rocks began falling from the ceiling. Aladdin ran down the staircase as quickly as he could manage and I scooped Abu up so he wouldn't get into more mischief. The carpet laid on the ground gesturing for us to climb on top. I did so and the carpet quickly sped off to swoop down and pick up Aladdin. Everything around me seemed to whiz by in a blur and the carpet dodged the falling boulders this way and that. We got Aladdin and headed for the doorway we came through. The lava rose up from the ground and began to chase us. The carpet was fast and the only thing the three of us could do was hang for our lives. We barrel rolled a few times in the escape, but finally, we spotted the cave entrance. Carpet sped quickly to get us there but suddenly carpet got hit by a rock throwing us off onto the staircase that was falling apart. We quickly rose up on our feet and ran toward the exit. I could see Faheem at the top. Suddenly the top of the staircase broke off and Aladdin and I had to jump for it. We made the jump, but we barely were managing to hold onto the edge. I never in my entire life wished more than in this moment to have the skills of a rock climber for grip strength alone. My hands were slipping.

"Hand on Noella!" Aladdin told me. He looked up at Faheem who was within arms reach, "Give us a hand."

"First the lamp." Faheem pressed.

Aladdin did what he asked and stretched to give the old man his stupid lamp. Finally, Faheem reached down and grabbed Aladdin by the arm in a fierce grip.

"Ow, What are you doing?"

"Giving you your reward…" Faheem sneered," You're permanent reward."

I watched as Faheem took a long, jagged dagger out from his cloak. I had to do something and quick. There was a good sized rock on the side of the ledge and I grabbed it quickly taking aim at Faheem's eye. I threw and he cried out in pain dropping his knife. Direct hit. Abu bit his arm and he threw the monkey down into the pit. Aladdin lost his grip and fell down too. Faheem stood above me grinning sadistically holding his hand over his eye.

"Goodbye, princess." He sneered and stamped on my fingers making me fall. I screamed as I plummeted into the fires below.

AN: Hope you guys enjoyed reading as much as I did writing it. I think Aladdin's world will be a fun ride. Generally, I usually don't leave off on cliffhangers...sorry about that. Whew, but I hope you're anticipating the next chapter release. Should be posted within a few days. Until next time :)