Aladdin removed the scepter from Genie's hand. This had brought him back to the hellish journey he took to retrieve the lamp that held his best friend. What could be contained within this scepter that the thieves were so adamant about?

"I don't get it," he murmured to himself.

Jasmine stepped forward to inspect the item, lacking to understand the value or the possible repercussions that would follow from summoning the being inside. She glanced at Aladdin.

"Why would they ruin our wedding for this?" Jasmine inquired.

No sooner after she finished her question, the scepter glowed, levitating from Aladdin's palm as wispy cornflower blue billowed, releasing whatever was contained inside. She was beautiful, not quite a Genie, no, she radiated far more power than Genie could ever imagine possessing. The guards stepped back, eyes lit in awe as Genie crossed his arms over his chest, staring intently at the beautiful guardian of the scepter.

"That's an Oracle," he explained in a low whisper. "She can answer only one question to whoever asks."

"I am here to answer your question." Palms spread, the Oracle gazed down upon the many individuals, staring intently at Jasmine.

"They ruined your wedding day to seek knowledge of the

Ultimate Treasure, to gain riches and

Leave behind their lowly outlaw statuses.

But, only your father can answer such further."

Aladdin's eyes widened as the Oracle pointed to him. His father was alive, that slice of information shook through him. Ultimately believed to be dead, Aladdin had poured through every possible scenario pertaining to his father's disappearance; now to understand that he was alive, Aladdin felt that childish yearning rise through him again. Never mind the treasure, he had family out there.

He barely acknowledged the rest of the Oracle's statement, who gazed now at Aladdin intently, perhaps waiting for him to ask a question of his own. Mouth agape, Aladdin had so many that he couldn't ask just one. After the pregnant pause, the Oracle nodded to Jasmine after answering her question and resealed back inside until someone else needed an answer.

Aladdin wouldn't even know where to begin. He shifted his heels and looked back at Jasmine. It had dawned on him that there was the wedding to think about, although Jasmine had placed a hand upon his shoulder to comfort him in some small measure that wouldn't disturb the law of virtue. Her purity was not at risk today. He smiled softly at her before the Sultan chimed in,

"I shall tend to the guests, collect yourselves," His words of wisdom before he meandered down the stairwell, back down to the unsettled guests. Razoul at the guards followed after their ruler. Agrabah had been so peaceful since Jafar, and no one suspected an outbreak of ruffians.

Aladdin searched his mind for answers. He wanted to continue on with the wedding, although he wanted to seek out his father. But where to begin? He would have to advise the Oracle, although why would he want to seek out the man who abandoned him, then? His anger was steadily rising. Now, it wasn't a matter of questioning the Oracle. He wanted answers from the man who decided to up and leave just before his mother had left this earth, to leave him alone to fend for himself. That was no father, so then what?

Aladdin descended the stairs with Jasmine on his heels. The language of his body read foreign that something was off, out of place, but he was failing to communicate with her. She stood at the foot of the stairs as the man she was to marry approached the crowd. It seemed she would find out with the rest of them.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Aladdin began after clearing his voice. "I understand you all came for a wedding. I-I understand you came for a good time and celebration, but that day," he cleared his throat again, eyes slowly scanning, taking in the crowd, he released his pause, "won't be today." Glancing at the torn tapestry, the image of Jasmine and Aladdin was torn in half. His eyes widened slightly. It must have occurred in the battle, but to be severed down the middle? Jasmine noticed this, as well; she wrapped her arms around herself and sighed.

It was no small measure for Genie to repair the damage. One snap of his fingers and the wedding could proceed, but Aladdin knew he had a new mission that didn't involve unity. He couldn't possibly marry Jasmine with unanswered questions pillaging the recesses of his mind. The child in him tugged at his subconscious, dirty and worn, begging for his friend back, his family back, all before it was too late.

"Al, just one request and I'll have this place back in tip top!" Genie chimed merrily. His face fell when Aladdin shook his hand, the scepter idly clenched in his hand as he proceeded away from the crowd. He was mentally at a loss, with no guidance, and nowhere to turn. To hell with masculinity, when it came to a son longing for his father, all bets were off.


Aladdin motioned back towards the hovel, staring at the scepter, choosing in his mind how he would word his question. He knew he was over thinking it; however, it was better than thinking negatively. Life had improved so much for Aladdin, was searching for his father worth risking it all away? Maybe, he should ask where Savannah was, instead. He missed her, and no matter how many strides Jasmine took to help, it wasn't enough. He needed this kind of power to find her. But, what if she was dead, as well? Then again, if his father was alive after all this time, then anything was possible.

The conflict was becoming unbearable. If he didn't ask, he'd never know. For once, Aladdin had to be wholeheartedly true to himself. No more disguising and sneaking to get what he wanted. Like Savannah tried pointing out to him a long time ago, honesty and truth is what made him a real prince. The lengthening streets transitioned to familiar territory. He ascended the staircase to his hovel to find Jasmine standing there with Carpet beside her. She stroked Carpet as she would Rajah, a source of comfort. She wanted to give Aladdin time to himself to collect his thoughts. What he wanted did matter to her.

"Jasmine," Aladdin allowed her name to fall off his lips gingerly. She offered him a smile and rose, approaching him and cupping his face into her hands tenderly.

"I have something I want to say," she began. "I want you to find your happiness, Aladdin. You need to be at peace with yourself before we can create peace together. Go and find your father." She was being as encouraging as she could muster. "And maybe along the way you'll find Savannah. Anything is possible, especially if you have Carpet and Genie at your side."

Aladdin absorbed her words, leaning into the hand she had laid upon his cheek, resting the other hand on his shoulder. He could not argue with the truth. He chewed his bottom lip, fingering the smooth staff of the scepter before raising it to eye level.

"Okay," he left out a heavy breath of air. "Oracle, where is my father?"

Once more, the staff glowed between the palms of his hands, extending and levitating as the Oracle took form before Aladdin and Jasmine, looking down at the two of them.

"Within the den of the Forty Thieves, he is part of their world now, has been…

Go forth and seek your answers within the den of the Forty Thieves

Inside of Mount Sesame."

His father could have been any of the men that had trespassed in the palace. As the Oracle finished her answer, Jasmine took the scepter from Aladdin and set it to the side.

"You must go," Jasmine urged.

"He…He could be a prisoner." Aladdin was taking all of this information in, wide eyed, skeptical, irrational, but he clenched Jasmine's hands between his own, ultimately nodding his reply to her.

"It would be wonderful for him to be here for our wedding day, Aladdin. To actually have a piece of your family, not just in spirit..." Jasmine had every intent to pay homage in some way to honor Aladdin's family. Normally she would have paid homage to a fallen soldier's family, but her future husband was just as important, especially if it was to show that she did indeed care about him. Now she watched him battle the conflict raging in his mind and his heart.

"You have to go. If not for the wedding, then for yourself. You have questions that you want answers to."

Aladdin stared at her for what felt like an eternity. He then embraced her and locked her to him closely, comforted by this gentle woman. He was grateful for her support, grateful to have her in his life when all seemed bleak.

"We can postpone the wedding until you return. It'll be a real celebration, then."

Aladdin turned his head to Carpet, Abu, then returned his gaze to Jasmine. She was right. He felt as though he emerged from thin air, sometimes. Since his mother's hand slackened in his own that dark day on his tenth birthday. No father, no siblings with him, Aladdin was on his own. Teetering through the streets and shooed away from trash heaps, he did what he could for food until a group of boys, also orphaned, took him under their wing to show him how the game of Agrabah was played. They were the wisps no one saw, but knew were there.

Except, this was no game.

Kissing the top of her head, then her forehead, Aladdin allowed his lips to linger on Jasmine for a little longer. "And I'll be waiting for you when you return," Jasmine added. Aladdin closed his eyes and nodded. He would have something to look forward to.

"This is for real, isn't it?" As much as he was a dreamer, Aladdin had to question how real this was, how real this moment was. When he was younger, he learned magic existed only in fairy tales, and now he was living in one. A princess was his, his best friends were a carpet, a monkey, and most importantly, a genie. No one would ever believe this was real.

"Aladdin, this is more than real." Jasmine smiled, her eyes trailing to the scepter in Aladdin's possession.


"I can't believe we barely made it out of there alive!" Babkak chuckled. "Oh, man, what a rush!"

"I didn't realize you were such an adrenaline junkie," Savannah rolled her eyes and rode with Omar; back to the desert they went and empty handed.

Savannah looked towards Cassim, who stared blankly ahead. He had failed in his mission. For his men, he knew he had to move on. He was anticipating the questions and the boils of anger, but the stolen treasure they did manage to nab should have been enough to hold them off for the time being. His men were like children, you give them a pacifier and they're content. Very single-minded, his men, they wanted treasure, they got treasure. Their determination is what drew Cassim to them, but the moment they didn't get their way, they snapped like vicious wind in the sand. It stung like you wouldn't believe.

Sa'luk held his gaze onto Cassim and shook his own head. He was weak; the thieves would never be more than they were now with Cassim at the helm. These men had potential, they would kill if given the chance and Sa'luk was not afraid to shed a pint or two of blood. Some serious changes needed to be made, and if Cassim rejected his latest proposal, then he would have to take matters into his own hands. He had to play the game, just as the others had. Cassim did save him from a lifetime of dungeon servitude in Persia, but Sa'luk did not join this crew to be led blindly into failure. No, Sa'luk played to win.