Hey guys, what a gap in time between this chapter and the last, and so near the end of this one, too. I've read your PMs and have made a decision as to how this is going to end, and actually, I'm really content with this direction. So, thank you all! I've decided to not make this scene so much like the way it was in the movie. I wanted my own twist to it, which came out better, in my opinion.


Chapter Fifteen- The Vanishing Isle

When Aladdin didn't return, Savannah's thoughts began to pound against her head in regards to his well-being. He could have been caught by Sa'luk, or worse, even now laying on the Earth, dead. Glancing down at the Sultan, who was cradled in Jasmine's arms, Savannah wondered how much more blood would be spilled on the grounds of the palace, the place she once considered the luckiest in all of Agrabah to have been built. The gilt walls now decorated with splatters of blood, it caused a shiver to run down her back. She could never consider this place an arabesque dream again.

She rose from the ground as Cassim and Babkak rounded the corner. The duo stared at their companion as she glanced down at the Sultan's lifeless form. The silence clung in the air, sickly and thick. There was nothing more that could be said as Death had a tendency to steal the spotlight.

"I'll take care of the princess. Go to Al, he needs-"

Savannah raised her eyes to Genie's. She felt Babkak and Cassim waiting for her to make a decision on whether or not she would go with them. Omar placed his hand on Savannah's shoulder, his eyes motioning towards the princess. While he had an obligation to his crew-mates, he felt compelled to remain behind. As much as the princess was an independent woman, no woman should have to make funeral arrangements alone.

"I'll stay behind." His tone was low, yet limp, though struggling to remain strong. She embraced Omar, and then Genie before departing to hurry with Babkak and Cassim. Aladdin did need them, regardless of whether or not he believed it himself. He felt far too betrayed to consider relying on them, and that was to complicate things, that much Savannah knew.

Omar knew he was doing the right thing as hot tears rolled down Jasmine's cheeks. She swallowed broken and solemn lumps as whimpers sounded from the back of her throat. She was trying her utmost to keep herself together, now as Queen of Agrabah. Omar crouched down and hesitated before placing his hands on her forearms, slowly collecting her into his arms. Princess or not, she had just lost one of the most important figures to her. And while Jasmine at first resisted, she slowly settled into this stranger's arms.

Jasmine not only had to cope with the fact of her father's untimely death. She also had to cope with everything around her changing. An anxiety she would have to later face head-on. The people would look to her and turn to her. There were so many changes she wanted to make, all to better her fair city. She granted herself that briefness to let the tears slip onto Omar's arms, allow him to be her protector for a bit. Because once all of this was over, she would have to rise and be stronger than ever. No slip ups, she couldn't allow anyone to see her tears.

"Thank you," she whispered to Omar.

"No need, your highness. You need someone here with you now."


"We can't allow Aladdin to do this on his own," Savannah started.

"I can't blame him for not trusting us. He has every right…" Cassim sighed.

"We can't stop now, otherwise, he won't make it." Babkak placed the reality of the situation into perspective. The conversation dimmed to silence. As they exited the palace grounds, escaping the grip of the guards once more, the trio realized that Aladdin could have gone into any direction. Agrabah itself was a labyrinth that was easy to get sucked into. If they were to split up, there was a chance they wouldn't find one another for a few hours. Savannah knew her way around the marketplace, but the others were at a loss and instinct wasn't enough to guide them through before time ran out.

"He more than likely headed towards the desert," Babkak suggested. "What reason would Sa'luk have to remain behind in Agrabah?"

"Because he needs urchins like you to get this devilish toy to work," Sa'luk scowled from behind, strapping his arm around Cassim's throat, tightening it occasionally for good measure which earned a gasp from Cassim. "You're all coming with me."

An attack from behind wasn't uncommon, in fact, it was downright foul play. Babkak and Savannah grunted and winced as their former comrades fastened rope around their wrists and threatened to prop gags in their mouths if they didn't quiet. Sa'luk tossed Cassim to the second largest man in their gaggle and left himself to muse over his earnings.

Many men lusted over the power of The Oracle, Cassim himself included. Any question answered, problems solved. The world would be newer, sounder because the mind was calmed. For Sa'luk, it was ample opportunity for him to achieve maximum power. He stared at the divine rod in his hand, swearing to himself he could feel the power and ability pulsate throughout him. Finally, he thought to himself, it was about time to gain what was owed to him. The ultimate treasure was at his fingertips.


Not too far off, Aladdin thought to himself about the recent events that had transpired. From meeting his father, to discovering his identity, Savannah returning to his life and the Sultan dying. He imagined a broken Jasmine, their broken lives they were struggling to save. Their marriage would set the pieces together, in order they would make sense and they could learn to be happy. In this world, happiness wasn't the true key to getting by. Happiness was a fallacy you found in your deepest dreams.

He exhaled the sigh he had been keeping built in, Genie staring down at his friend who appeared to be oblivious to his surroundings. Now that he was free, he had all the say in the world. He tentatively opened his palm to rest against Aladdin's shoulders, but even then, he doubted Al would rouse. When Aladdin looked up at him with forlorn brown eyes, Genie's own widened as he winced.

"Al, I hate to see you in pain," Genie commented.

"All so much has happened. I-I don't know what to do. My father's a-a thief, Savannah is-and then Jasmine-I…"

"I'm gonna cut you off right there. You're putting too much on your plate. You have to ask yourself what's going to give you the life you want. You found your dad, yeah, okay, he's a little broken in places, but he's still your father. And Jasmine's a princess, who could pass up a princess? Maybe you two were enamored when everything with a novelty, but where can your life be with her? You'll be a prince, be the guy people go to in this world. And then Savannah, well, you guys go way back. Even if you chose Jasmine over her, well, you aren't really going to lose her, are you?"

"I don't know what the right choice is," Aladdin murmured.

"That's because you're overthinking it. Your mind's in overdrive. But when you face it, you'll know. Because you're going to act on it. Now I know how irrational that sounds, believe you me, and take it from someone who's done plenty of acting without thinking; but you're going to be fine, kid. You're going to make the right choice." He pressed his large blue finger to his friend's chest. "Because you already know and you're too scared to act on it."

Aladdin didn't immediately respond, instead, he looked into the eyes of one of his best friends. He rose from his sitting place and wrapped his arms as far around his friend as he could muster. That was the best advice he had received in a long while. Admittedly, he was still in a stage of his life where he was trying to figure everything out. Jasmine and the palace was a desire impulse of wanting to get out of the crusty life he led, however, when he got to know the woman behind the princess, he knew she was someone worthwhile. And as for his father, Genie was right, deep down, his father had the best intentions with his only son in mind. He had been mad at him for feeling abandoned, but Aladdin couldn't turn around and abandon him.

Aladdin turned his head then when he heard muffled noises, sounding familiar to Savannah's moans and angry grunts. Allah knows he heard plenty of her angry grunts, he released his hold from Genie and followed the trail. Genie stared at him quizzically before following, hearing Babkak's hollers follow. Aladdin hurried through the side trails leading towards the edge of the city where Sa'luk had taken his loved ones captive towards horses that laid just over the border between Agrabah and the desert. Watching Savannah struggle caused his heart to lurch, taking in Babkak struggle and his father just made his anger rise. No, he couldn't abandon them.


Taken by the others, Savannah, Cassim, and Babkak were taken through the desert and towards the docks where the ship awaited them. The masts erect, sails beckoning to billow, itching for the water to lap against its wood. Savannah was tossed onto the ship, landing sideways on her side on the unvarnished wood. The ship was rotting slowly from the inside out. Sa'luk stepped over Savannah, glaring down at her before heading towards the captain's wheel. Cassim and Babkak were tied up against a mast, Savannah joining.

With the cast off, Sa'luk felt the ship move beneath his will as he chuckled heartily into the sea air. He was a pirate of his time all over again. The waves followed his commands, taking the control, he held tight to the oracle in his hand, waiting until they were far enough out to set his order.

"I am so sorry, you two. I never intended for you to be here like this with me," Cassim uttered solemnly as his head hung. He had no tricks up his sleeve to get himself or his son's friends out of this mess.

"Cassim, you've taken us in like a father, we'd follow you anywhere," Babkak replied.

"How do you like this, Cassim!? Defeated by the very thing you gave up your life to seek. What will become of you now?" Sa'luk inquired as he gave the helm to another thief, descending the stairs to where they were tied up. He was the Captain, and he would be obeyed.

"You cannot defeat me," Cassim replied, which caused Sa'luk to scowl.

"I already have. I've taken it all from you."

"No, you haven't," Cassim argued. "I have everything you'll never have. The love, respect, and devotion of my loved ones. My wife died still loving me after all I've done. My son will one day forgive me. All you will have is the gold. Your greed will be your undoing."

Sa'luk was tempted to backhand Cassim with the very item he dangled in front of him. Glancing out towards the ocean as the coordinates he had mapped out in his head should have been exact. "My greed will give me a live above squalor, you idiot. Now tell me how to use it."

Shaking his head slowly, Cassim sighed softly and opened his eyes to see a wild look upon Sa'luk. His eyes were ravenous, hungry for the treasure, which shouldn't have, but it slightly startled him. Rubies and gems were never enough to satisfy this one. It was always gold. He did have a love. Gold was his mistress.

"Tell me!"

Cassim could tell he was losing his patience. He glanced over to Savannah and Babkak, knowing well he had to find a way to free them. He had to give into Sa'luk in order to do that. "Just ask her what you want."

Skeptical, Sa'luk eyed Cassim before his eyes darted to the scepter. It was a simple as asking a question? That was too easy for such a relic, however, he had heard of things far more bizarre in the past. He marveled at the item in his hands, the lust radiated off of him to use her for all of his doing before he would get rid of her, just as he would a common whore.

"Reveal to me the location of the Hand of Midas," he spoke to the scepter.

"You have to ask a question, not command," Cassim retorted.

"Where is the location of the Hand of Midas!? You try my patience Cassim, if you give me false information, I will rid myself of all three of you."


Aladdin had ridden carpet throughout most of the desert, having lost trace of them during a sandstorm that had cycled in seemingly out of nowhere. Genie had darted off ahead, guiding Aladdin through the whipping, stinging beads of sand. While using magic would have been the most logical, Aladdin pressed to not give their position away. The opposite end of the vicious, darkened cloud was the docks where small boats bobbed in the choppy water. A ship had begun to sail away, larger than the bobbing row boats. He dipped down after the boat, certain in his mind that was the ship where his father and friends were located.

After following a while, Carpet stopped short as a blaze of light emitted from the large ship. Judging by the condition of the rotted wood and nearly broken masts, the exploding light should have demolished it and taken all of them under. Aladdin was prepared to free them all, however, let out the breath he had been holding in with the light subsided and the Oracle came forth from it. He could not hear what she was explaining, but the stream of light that bubbled from the palm of her hand was evidence enough that their travel was not yet over. She followed along the strip she had produced and used the carpet to follow. Genie offered Aladdin a worried look as he offered a small smile.

"It's not over yet."

He flew overheard the ship, the captain far too consumed to notice who was above their deck. Peering down, he saw Babkak, his father, and he met the eyes of Savannah. She stared up at him, her eyes smiling that he came for them. She had not lost hope and in return, he nodded. Their nonverbal communication was something he was most grateful for. Babkak glanced over at Savannah, looked up, and nudged Cassim. The moment Cassim made eye contact with his son, a light lit in his eyes. He also began formulating a plan that could save them all.

He jerked his head to Sa'luk, who licked his lips and followed after the Oracle, who beckoned them to keep pace and follow. Her trail led them to dead water, Sa'luk's triumphant grin fading as he looked around. They were in a puddle of light and nothing more. He felt duped, stomping over to Cassim as he hoisted the fist with his claws over his head to strike Cassim. His heart pounded, head spinning as he could not allow this man to live, regardless of saving him all those many years ago. However, as Sa'luk contemplated on how to end his longtime comrade, the ship began to rumble. Sa'luk fell back onto the deck as water began to enter the ship, pouring into newly revealed cracks and showing just how unstable the flooring was. If no one was careful, whatever this was could break this ship and they could all very well die.

That did not bode well with Savannah as the rumbling intensified, beginning her series of prayers to her mother, father, Allah, anyone willing to listen and to protect them. Aladdin was still hovering above them, though backed to a distance. He wanted to be close enough in case the ship did founder. Surfacing was the top of a palace, his face contorted in confusion and watched further. The Oracle hovered above over the palace as it began to unveil its hidden self. Could this have been Atlantis? The Hand was in Atlantis? That didn't make sense, but what other palace was hidden beneath the water? Gold and alabaster, arches and architecture appeared completely unfazed by the salt water.

"Al this thing is on the back of a large turtle," Genie whispered. And he was right.

A turtle head emerged, glancing back at them as the crew gasped and Sa'luk ran towards the ship's siding. He digested all of this information. While he was distracted, Aladdin lowered himself down onto the ship, many of the crew down and some recovering from being pelted with sea water and ocean spray. He began untying the knots bound to his father, Babkak, and then finally Savannah. His swift and nimble fingers skilled in pick pocketing and getting himself out of death defying scenarios came handy for this moment, if only was useful for the nobility of this moment.

Cassim smile as he gripped his son towards him for a crushing hug. His son came back for him, his chest swelled with every ounce of pride, excitement, and love imaginable. This was his greatest treasure, right there. He couldn't believe he didn't realize it sooner, and he felt all the more foolish for it. But now, he would never let his son go. He would find a way to make his family work again.

Once Savannah was free, her eyes were wide and wild with fear and agitation. She could feel every muscle in her body tighten. Fear welled up in her chest, a ball of ice in her stomach. There may not have been a chance for her to have a moment like this again with him. His biceps were also tight, perhaps his mind ran along the same track as hers. Because he leaned in as she pulled him to her, lips inches from one another.

"I'm so sorry," Savannah began. "Aladdin, I-"

He interrupted by filling in the gap between them by pressing her body and her lips to his own. This time she didn't struggle, didn't strain herself. She allowed herself to enjoy the warmth of his body against hers. Her hand curled to the back of his neck, the trueness in her heart forcing her to admit she did not want this moment ending. This was apology enough, and the two were content with it.

"If you two are finished," Babkak said, although could not finish his sentence as the deck shifted beneath their feet. This only caused Aladdin to tighten his hold on Savannah as the flooring unsteadied. Pops and cracks followed, the sea water began to pour in. The ship had finally had enough and had sailed its last voyage to their doom. It was a death sail. Sa'luk leapt off the ship, sure of himself that the ship would take them all down with it as his able bodied men followed. Cassim ran off after Sa'luk.

"Al, we've got to get off. This is the Vanishing Isle," Genie anxiously explained. "This won't be here for that long."

"We can't leave without your father," Savannah urged.

Aladdin nodded and clutched Savannah's wrist, running towards the opening that had formed. Aladdin tossed Savannah onto the lush grass as the main mast came down, Aladdin clutching onto the isle's edge. Savannah quickly grasped his hand as his knuckles turned white with struggle. She used her body weight to pull him up, Babkak took hold of her waist to steady her before leaning down for Aladdin's other hand.

"We've got you," Babkak promised. "C'mon, Aladdin. Man you got fat." He grunted.

"Or maybe you got weaker," Aladdin strained as he hoisted himself up with his upper body strength. He punched Babkak in the shoulder before glancing around. The men were nowhere in sight, either that, or they were in hiding. Placing Savannah in the middle, Aladdin led the way while Babkak protected them from behind. Savannah kept a vigilant eye, hating the idea of being protected as though she couldn't handle her own. She shook her head and reached behind her to the waist band of Babkak's pants. The male perked his brow and stared at her.

"My hand ain't there, sweetheart."

Savannah didn't respond as she unsheathed his sword from his hip and swung out of line, catching one of her brethren in the shoulder. Babkak winced, although had to remember that brethren didn't turn on their own. He took the sword from Savannah as the ambush began, just as Aladdin had predicted. Metal clanged against metal, sparks flying from scraping, and red stained as its sharpness penetrated. Savannah took to her roots and trailed own before swinging around, her leg catching the other in the stomach. She had agility on her side and training strengthened her thighs, which aided in a rather powerful kick. She may not have been a good swordswoman, but nourishment and natural body strength she could manage.

She clipped another in his chin, hearing the crack as his jaw was either injured or broken. She almost apologized for that one before certainly breaking the nose of another to get away in time. She ran towards the entrance into the palace, in awe of the glass intact. Everything screamed perfection, more so than the palace back in Agrabah ever could. She could see herself in every reflection, sure now that there must have been some kind of magic soaked into this place aside from the Hand of Midas. Then again, who was she fooling? This palace was on the back of a sea turtle, of course it was enchanted.