Aladdin And The Lord Of The Black Sands
Chapter 10: Taken
Sadira listened to their story in wonder. She looked down at the unconscious young sorcerer now lying on a bed she'd made out of sand. "So, Aladdin owes him his life?" she asked.
"Yep," Genie replied.
She thought a moment then said, "Then I'll help him whether I want to or not." She went to a paper and wrote some things down. She gave one to each of them saying, "Go get these things. The least we can do is make him comfy. Some ingredients are for a medicine I just learned to make." With that they spread out.
When they were gone Sadira looked down at Mozenrath again. "So, the gauntlet is your temporarily zapped power source, huh? Maybe I can get some of its power back," she said to the unconscious man as she reached for it. She looked warily at Xerxes. Seeing he was asleep she put her hand on Mozenrath's gauntlet and began to remove it. Eyes lighting curiously she took a deep breath then pulled it from his hand.
On seeing it she screamed, covering her mouth. Xerxes awoke. Bone! It was bone! His eyes opened at the sound of her shriek, and before she could react his boney hand had clamped on her wrist! "Give, that, back" he icily growled through gritted teeth.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" she quickly apologized dropping it. He let her wrist go then slid the gauntlet back on.
Just then the others burst in. "Sadira, what's wrong!" Aladdin asked.
They saw Mozenrath finishing fixing the gauntlet. Xerxes was growling angrily, "Witch touch gauntlet! Witch touch gauntlet! Sadira die!"
"Hush Xerxes, she's learned her lesson!" Mozenrath sharply shot. The eel fell silent.
"You touched the gauntlet! What, do you have a death wish or something!" Iago asked Sadira.
"N-no, I just was going to try to get some of its power back," she stammered only just recovering. "W-what happened?"
"He, in all his wisdom, gave up that hand for the gauntlet's power," Aladdin replied. "It rotted away his flesh, painfully."
"Oh how clever of you Aladdin. Someone give him a treat!" Mozenrath declared in a snarky tone.
"You forgot the part where it was killing him," Iago said. "How much longer did you have before your and Aladdin's life forces combined so you could live a normal life, a week?"
"None of your business," Mozenrath grumbled as he lay back.
"Here are some blankets Sadira," Jasmine said as she came up to her friend. Sadira smiled at her then awkwardly took them covering Mozenrath. He opened a wary eye to glare at her and the others.
"All right, everyone with medical ingredients bring them here!" Genie declared poofing into a doctor's outfit and materializing an experiment table. Abu, Iago, Carpet, and Genie himself placed items down. "Okay, let's get mixing!" Genie said. Promptly he began to mix.
"No, not like that!" Sadira called rushing to him. Jasmine glanced at an awkward Aladdin then smiled reassuringly.
Aladdin came slowly up to Mozenrath's side. Jasmine backed away to watch from a safe distance, ready to jump in the moment something seemed to go wrong. Aladdin nervously cleared his throat. "Err, uh, Mozenrath…"
Mozenrath looked up at him in a bored yet wary way. "Well?" he finally asked.
"Uh, here, some water and food," Aladdin said.
Mozenrath took the bread distastefully then said arrogantly, "You can't expect me to eat this, this, whatever."
"It's bread, it tastes good," Aladdin said.
"I'm sure. You eat it," he said pompously.
"I'm not the weak one," Aladdin retorted. At once both men's dreams came back to them. They saw the expression in each other's eyes and were shocked. It was as if they'd read each other's minds. "Y-you had the same dream? Two boys wrestling in Agrabah? A man and woman watching?" Aladdin asked.
Mozenrath grimaced then answered, "I saw a second man, but yes. Apparently."
"So, then it's true," Aladdin said, reluctant to accept it.
Covering his head Mozenrath groaned, "Someone please wake me from this nightmare."
"It would explain the similarities and why we work well together, and why you can match me blow for blow," Aladdin said.
"How peachy," Mozenrath growled. "If the oracle was right, I'm arch enemies with my brother.
"We don't have to be enemies," Aladdin seriously said.
Matching the tone Mozenrath asked, "Can you honestly picture us as anything else?"
Aladdin thought a moment then answered, "No… I can't. Begrudging allies if anything. It's too late for us now. Whatever happened it's over. Whatever relationship we had as kids is long gone now."
"Glad to have that cleared up, now shoo. I'm tired," Mozenrath dismissed. Aladdin sighed then rose leaving the room, not turning back.
The others had watched the exchange in silence. Suddenly the medicine blew up, for Genie hadn't ceased to pour. Sadira scowled at him. He backed away grinning nervously. "Yes, well, oh look at the time, we have to go! Come on guys!" Genie said. With that, he poofed himself into the lamp.
"Finally," Iago said.
"We really should go," Jasmine replied looking to Sadira who had quickly finished the medicine with an intent look on her face, tongue sticking out. She then said, "Take care of him Sadira."
"Hmm, oh, yeah, don't worry Jasmine," she answered. With that they left.
Sadira cautiously went to Mozenrath. "It's just you and me now sorcerer," she said.
Not expecting him to be awake she jumped when he said, "Oh joy." Xerxes chuckled. Sadira frowned insulted. Nonetheless she lifted his head to help him drink the medicine which he at first looked suspiciously at.
"It's not poison," Sadira said.
"This from a witch? Not comforting," Mozenrath replied.
"Drink it Motzenroth, rith, whatever!" she ordered.
"Mozenrath you insolent girl!" he tantrumed. The motions, however, made him cry out in pain. He fell back with a gasp. "Fine," he then replied allowing it to pass through his lips.
"How will you tell father?" Jasmine asked as they flew away.
"I thought we agreed not to tell," Aladdin replied.
"Aladdin, haven't you learned to stop keeping secrets yet? I thought we could let this one slide, but if he finds out another way… Aladdin, I'm afraid for you," she answered.
"Jasmine, my father is the King of Thieves; my brother is the Lord of the Black sands, wanted by the guards and execution under your father's orders. I don't think it's looking too good for me either way," he said.
"If father knew that…" she began.
"He'd never talk to me again?" Aladdin finished.
"No, maybe he'd grant him an appeal if he were caught or never look back on it again if he escaped. You'd never have to see him again," Jasmine said. Aladdin didn't reply.
Unbeknownst to them, someone had been watching. Someone with the name of Abis-Mal, and behind him was the thieves. "We followed them from the castle to that clearing and now here. He'd better be inside and still powerless," Abis-Mal declared.
"Is this really a good idea?" the fat one asked.
"Yes, if the guards find him our plan will be set in motion. We must deliver the young ruler to his executioners," the charmer replied.
"It's all in the plan," the swordsman said.
"It had better work, or it'll be our heads," Abis-Mal stated. "Let's get this over with. One powerless sorcerer coming up." With that they drew their weapons and neared Sadira's secret home.
Mozenrath was watching his protector cautiously. He didn't trust Aladdin's friends. She was bustling around minding her own business though, once in a while looking over at him with a worried frown, then turning back to making food and humming. He felt his guard going down. He didn't want it to, but her annoying, beautiful, singing was getting to him. He felt tired. Slowly his eyes closed though he resisted, feeling completely protected. So he'd fallen asleep to her humming huh? At least he wasn't giving her a death glare every few seconds now. She thought it was cute. She finally stopped to sit by the bed and observe her wicked guest. He really did look like Aladdin. A smile was coming to her face. On realizing it she forced it back.
Xerxes noticed the sand witch scrutinizing his master and became defensive. He growled at her. She reached down to brush the young sorcerer's hair from his face, and Xerxes nipped. "Whoa, hey, calm down little guy. I'm just trying to help," she said as she quickly retracted her hand. What was she just about to do?
Xerxes suddenly froze, lifting his head. His growl ceased. He began flying by her. She watched confused. After a moment he turned saying to her, "Someone here. Protect Mozenrath?"
"What?" she asked. "Someone's here? But how, this place is secret!" she added in shock.
"Mozenrath protect!" Xerxes said, pleading with her. "They're close!" The eel instantly flew to Mozenrath saying fearfully, "Master, wake up!" Mozenrath groaned as he stirred, then batted the eel away. Sadira nervously looked towards the entrance then backed away.
Just then the intruders dropped in! "There he is!" Abis-Mal cried.
"Who's the girl?" the swordsman asked.
"Who cares! Get her too!" Abis-Mal retorted. With that the group attacked!
Sadira screamed then instantly summoned a wall of raging sand. She saw the determined thieves trying to struggle through then ran for the bed. She could probably take them, if she didn't have to protect Aladdin's brother too! Mozenrath was in no condition to fight! She shook him desperately, crying, "Get up, come on get up. Oh what was your name? Mozenrath, Mozenrath, wake up!"
His eyes flew wide in surprise. Furious he seized her clothes demanding, "What do you want now!"
"Get him!" the two heard Abis-Mal shout.
They both looked. "That! Come on, run!" Sadira cried, dragging a shocked Mozenrath from the bed. "They're after you!"
"Me, why?" he asked.
"How should I know," she demanded. She then summoned a sand monster to attack the charging men.
The triplets, though, pulled off a team move. The first and third threw the second into the air right over the monster. The other two split around it as it was distracted. The others were left to deal with the sand creature. Swords drawn and giving battle cries, the three ran at Sadira and Mozenrath. Sadira dove forward and rolled, kicking up at one, making him collapse. Xerxes growled at another then promptly attacked his face making him scream like a girl, drop his scimitar, and bat at the eel like he was a fly.
Mozenrath was completely lost in the events, but he knew that these people weren't supposed to be here. He knew he was in danger. Why, he had no clue, but as the third triplet struck he ducked down under a blow, caught his sword wrist, then kneed him. The triplet doubled over then Mozenrath violently kicked him back. What was he doing! He was no good at physical fighting! Thank goodness it wasn't the fat thief or the Asian attacking him. Sadira took that opportunity to seize his wrist and drag him along. Xerxes, though, saw the oracle. Something drove him to fly back. He stole it from Abis-Mal who cried, "Hey, no fair!" Xerxes laughed then flew after Mozenrath and Sadira.
They tore through Sadira's home, but the attackers were right behind. "Why are they after you!" Sadira asked again. "They're not guards! They look like thieves!"
The oracle began to glow at this question. Mozenrath saw a place where they could duck out of sight then pulled her into it. Sadira reached out then pulled in Xerxes cradling him in her arms as the oracle floated upwards then materialized. The thieves ran cluelessly by. "It looks like we'll get our answer," Mozenrath said, gasping. His head was throbbing and he felt ridiculously weak. That blast he was hit with was stronger than he'd first thought.
"The seven remaining ones of the forty thieves, and their ally, Abis-Mal, learned of you and Aladdin's relationship. Every one of them has a grudge on Aladdin. To lure him in they chose to go after his brother, for as they reason, blood is blood. Whether he goes to save you from your fate, for they plan on delivering you to the guards to be executed in secret, or if he simply goes to your execution out of obligation, he will come, and they will be ready," the oracle stated. "They will catch you Mozenrath, and whether or not Aladdin and his friends plead for you by mentioning you saved your brother's life, your sentence will be carried out; even if Khartoum must disguise himself as Sultan."
"No! He's defenseless against them without his powers! That's not fair!" Sadira cried.
"That's my line!" Mozenrath shot. Turning to the oracle he repeated, "It isn't fair!"
"What will be, will be," the oracle replied, fading away.
"There they are!" the charmer called. They looked towards the voice only to see the thieves running for them.
Mozenrath dramatically sighed then said, "This is what comes from being Aladdin's brother huh? How typically unhelpful."
"Get them!" the swordsman said.
"Oh really? Well take this!" Mozenrath shot as he tried to use his gauntlet. It didn't work. "What! Oh of course! What else!" he sighed saying, "This isn't my day."
"Run!" Sadira exclaimed.
They began to flee again, but suddenly, right in front of them, appeared Khartoum! They gasped, but before they could stop he blasted them back onto the ground! Sadira rolled, stopping on her stomach. Mozenrath slid into a pillar and cried out in pain.
"Master!" Xerxes cried, but right then the Asian seized his throat!
"Come here you," the Asian growled. Xerxes struggled. Khartoum lifted the powerless sorcerer right up into the air with his powers!
Sadira weakly tried to rise. She saw this then cried, "No! Let him go!" She called on some of her most powerful spells then sent them at Khartoum. Khartoum dispelled them like nothing then shot Sadira with a powerful attack she couldn't dodge! She cried out in pain then collapsed, gasping.
"Khartoum, let me go or else!" Mozenrath yelled angrily as he tried to escape on seeing Sadira's unconscious form.
"Or else what? Your gauntlet is powerless," Khartoum replied. He then used his other hand and summoned the gauntlet from Mozenrath! He tried to hold it on his hand but couldn't. "And now it's gone," Khartoum said with a chuckle as it came into his fist. He then tossed it at the thieves. The fat one caught it.
"No!" Mozenrath exclaimed. "Give that back!" Khartoum sent out a surge of power that made the young ruler cry out in agony. Sadira's eyes meekly fluttered open. She saw her charge writhing in pain. She saw as Khartoum let him drop to the ground, then as he struggled up bind his ankles and wrists with his magic. The young man was on his knees, head bent, panting, weak.
"Mozenrath!" Xerxes choked. This wasn't like his master to accept defeat! Sadira tried to move, tried to say something, but her body wouldn't work. She could only watch helplessly. He glanced at her with his dark eyes as Khartoum neared him. He then defiantly, pompously, looked up at Khartoum.
"You're just like Jafar. You think things will always go your way, think you're all powerful, only to be proven wrong," Khartoum said.
"All I know is that I'm much better than you," Mozenrath retorted. He had nothing to lose. He was dead either way. He might as well derive some satisfaction from his present state. Khartoum steadily zapped Mozenrath. Until he finally collapsed to the ground panting, his agonized cries filled the hideaway.
"He's yours now," Khartoum said, looking at the thieves. They approached the weak man. Khartoum looked to Sadira's barely conscious form then moved towards her, hands glowing, as he said, "As for the girl…"
Mozenrath's eyes opened. Teeth clenched he muttered, "Not if I can help it."
As the thieves neared, Mozenrath struck his bound legs out, tripping the Asian! Xerxes broke free and zipped around the room as the thieves gave chase. Khartoum looked towards the scene outraged, and at that moment Mozenrath struggled up to his feet with all the skill he could muster, then threw himself against Khartoum sprawling him onto the floor! Khartoum, furious, yelled, "Foolish boy!" With that he sent Mozenrath flying back. He neared the boy, hand raised to kill, but he soon got control of himself. Mozenrath boldly faced him. Slowly the man's hand fell to his side. He chuckled, having long forgotten about Sadira, then whirled to the thieves yelling, "Forget the eel! Take our young ruler here! His executioners await!" The thieves reluctantly stopped giving chase to the annoying familiar then obeyed.
"I'm beginning to regret this," the charmer muttered to his swordsman friend as they each took one of Mozenrath's arms then lifted him, dragging his legs behind.
"Well then I have a brilliant idea," Mozenrath said, on hearing this. "Let me go and give me the philosophers stone!" he demanded. Annoyed, the fat one struck the young man's head with the butt of his sword, and Mozenrath fell unconscious.
Though in her semi-conscious state Sadira knew she could do nothing for him, she watched helplessly feeling useless, as the thieves and Khartoum took the young sorcerer away. She heard her pulse in her head. She was barely aware of Xerxes flying up fearfully then saying, "Sadira, wake up!"
She groaned, eyes closing. "Xerxes find Aladdin," she muttered in barely a whisper.
"Oh no, I go get Aladdin's help!" he declared, quickly flying away. It was then that all conscious thought left Sadira.