Introduction
Aladdin watched the night sky in horror as heaven tore itself apart. Fire already danced in the hollows of the people's homes and stone statues, turned by the moon beasts of Mirage, littered the streets. For twenty nights Aladdin, Jasmine, Carpet and Genie fought alongside the entire host of Agrabanian might against The Five Demons of Mirage and for twenty eight nights they achieved nothing but a great series of defeats.
The demons appeared as five-cat like entities who's eyes burned green with the fires of envy and whose bodies were forged from the ivory flames of hate. Each night when the moon was at its highest the beasts would take shape beneath the light and wreak unrelenting havoc throughout the city of Agrabah. Never before had Aladdin faced such a foe, for try as he might he could not defeat them and never before had he experienced such a deep level of hopelessness.
It felt as if, within his heart, a pit had formed that led straight to the abyss and he could feel the icy hands of the damned reach through to pull the mighty Aladdin to his knees. In his mind Aladdin stared blankly into oblivion.
The demons had taken everything and it seemed as if Mirage had finally reached the goal that had so long eluded her. Jasmine was gone and with her went the last of Aladdin's fighting spirit.
The Fall of Mirage – part 1
Centuries earlier.
There are secrets mankind has never chosen to share with its fellow creatures of the world, much to the envy of those not of mankind. Secrets so powerful and so great that man himself sits as both master and apprentice, writhing and crumbling beneath each test it sends his way. So powerful that it could unlock the gates to paradise itself or, just as easily, plunge one into an endless void of broken despair. It acts like a bridge, often drawing the fine line between salvation and damnation, purification and corruption. In its truest form it possesses the power to conquer the gods and all of hell if it chooses. Many of the ancients who've lived from the dawn of creation call this secret an inner power, but many who are enlightened enough to see it for what is really is; not a sword but a shield, not a sin but a blessing, not passing inspiration but an everlasting entity unto itself, and not a nameless power for it has a name. Love conquers all.
Mirage appeared in a flash of bright white light at the edge of a prosperous growing desert city. It was about midday and she arrived in her natural form for in those days it was common for one of her kind to be seen walking the streets alongside the populace. Normally Mirage was not in the habit of keeping company with mortals, not due to some deep seeded hatred for them nor was it because of their various ignorances. She merely found mortals to mainly be pathetic and uninteresting, like walking into a herd of camels that have been in the sun all day; not an appealing idea at all. Hardly would she ever choose voluntarily to spend time among mortals, but today was a special day.
Today was the birthday of Phasir, the man who loved her and whom she loved in return. She often found it baffling how much he took interest in mortals and had more than once felt the touch of jealousy during the occasions when he chose to spend more time tending to the dealings of men than to her own troubles. Despite Phasir's divided attention Mirage thought that something mortal made would be a wonderful gift for a man who wanted nothing. The downfall was that she hadn't a clue as to what to buy, but was determined to look at everything the shops had to offer until she spotted something that felt right. So from merchant to merchant she browsed through their wares, completely unaware that something was about to take place that would shape her future and change her life forever.
Elsewhere in the city a young girl franticly made her way through the crowded streets. No older than ten years old and dressed in simple rags and a hooded cloak she appeared as a normal everyday street rat running through the streets from one angry produce salesman or another. The scene was commonplace, so much so that no one else paid much attention to the child running for her life.
The girl's heart pounded in her chest as every limb in her body ached, each begging for her to stop but, she knew to rest would mean certain death so, on she ran. Through the streets, around corners, and over carts the girl bolted yet she could feel her pursuers close behind.
Just when she thought of letting them capture her, the girl felt the presence of her attackers fading away, but when she glanced over her shoulder to make sure, she felt her body slam into something and the resulting force sent the girl crashing to the ground.
"Ooof!" the girl let out as she hit the dirt and peered at who or what she ran into, a bolt of guilt already piercing her heart. Even though her life was in danger she had no intention of hurting anyone, so with an apology already forming inside her throat she searched for the victim of her carelessness only to be immediately made speechless at what she discovered.
Mirage suddenly found herself sitting on the filthy dirt road, looking into the eyes of the small mortal girl who had just knocked her down.
The two stared unblinkingly at each other for a moment but, before either could speak a word, the girl once again glanced over her shoulder and continued her dash for freedom.
The cat-like enchantress turned her head as the little girl wisped by her, now feeling both annoyed and confused by the whole affair.
"Honestly...the things I put up with..." Mirage whispered to herself as she stood back up and brushed the dust from her clothing.
She remained where she stood, pondering as to whether she should try another city or maybe another venue all together, when she felt her ears flick on their own, alerting her at once to a fast approaching anomaly; something evil was dangerously near.
Mirage had begun darting her eyes back and forth attempting to locate the source of the sensation when a breeze rushed by her with such strength that it threatened to send her tumbling into the dirt a second time.
"Wind demons?" Mirage asked herself in surprise as she realized that they must have been what the girl had been running from. That was yet another thing about mortals that bothered her, their willful blindness to simple things like spirits and their complete contentment in staying neutral to the events happening around them.
This was not the day Mirage had in mind when she set out that morning. She did not plan to be dragged into the affairs of a foolish human girl whose curiosity had sired the wrath of demons, but she couldn't in good conscience allow the child to be torn to pieces. Someone had to step in.
Meanwhile the fleeing girl sensed the malicious spirits coming closer while her legs burned from rigorous and continuous use, until she could no longer take it and decided to hide in a nearby ally to either lose her pursuers or wait for death.
Each passing moment felt like an eternity and all she could feel was the rapid pounding of her own beating heart. Soon enough small clouds of dust began dancing about in the air and the howling of the demonic winds gradually grew louder.
Alone, cornered, exhausted, and certain of her doom, the girl pressed her back against the wall and shut her eyes tight. She listened as the swirling hum of her enemies closed in on her and she felt tears fill her eyes as fear gripped her entire body. She did not want to die.
Just before the three entities were within reach of her, they halted abruptly as if something was blocking them.
Mirage had placed herself between the girl and the vile demons, her eyes glowing an ominous emerald green and claws ready to attack should the need arise. In truth the cat-like enchantress hoped that her arrival would be enough to deter the demons from their current course of destruction.
Mirage and the monsters stared at one another for several minutes, neither party giving any indication of surrender and it became clear that a battle would be necessary. The beasts were grotesque beings that seemed to be made of nothing but mud colored skin and fragile bone with a small cyclone of circling wind serving as their legs. Although physically frail, Mirage knew that wind demons could be quite crafty when pitted against an adversary which potentially could pose a threat to them. They were cowardly yet tricky things.
"Fools! You have no power here." Mirage taunted with a confident half-smile.
The middle demon unleashed an ear shattering high pitched roar in response and led his brethren in a charge against the newcomer.
Being elementals of the wind and air, the three moved almost faster than the eye could see. They could have easily caught up to the girl at any time during their chase, but like most demons the deep seeded need to instill terror in others had gotten the best of them.
It was that specific necessity Mirage hated most about their kind and it would be that same thirst she would use to destroy them.
The enchantress braced herself for the impact for she could not move faster than her adversaries however; she was not without a means of defense.
The demon struck their target in unison, hitting her from all sides. Each one of the three hit their mark exactly and so it came as a shock when they found themselves thrown to the ground while Mirage stood unscathed.
By this time the girl had been looking on at the confrontation with great interest. Although she felt relief, the girl couldn't help but wonder what kind of person could fend off three demons without touching them. It was worth wondering if she was really better off, especially since the person fighting the evil spirits was the same person she had previously knocked down and left in the dust without so much as an apology.
"Oh...what's wrong?" Mirage asked with mock pity in her voice. "Didn't you know that your kind cannot hurt someone who isn't afraid of you?"
The three demons looked helplessly at their enemy, their mouths agape with utter disbelief. They had never encountered someone who did not fear them before.
"Now I suggest you leave before I get angry." she raised a claw high into the air ready to strike, her confident smile stilled present.
Not a second later the demons fled as quickly as the power of wind allowed them and vanished from the city completely.
Mirage watched as the dust trail left by the wind beasts faded away and placed her hands on her hips, quite proud of herself.
"That'll teach them not to prey on mortals." she whispered to herself.
Seeing that her pursuers had fled the girl took a deep breath, swallowing her fear before timidly walking toward her rescuer.
"Um...ex-excuse me?" she managed to ask, although barley.
Mirage's smile vanished as she looked over her shoulder at the little girl.
She leaped backwards and froze for a moment when her eyes met with enchantress' gaze, but she eventually composed herself enough to relocate her speaking voice.
"I...just wanted to say...thank you." she smiled shyly. "For saving me."
The girl paused for a moment, but continued when her gratitude was met with silence and her rescuer began walking away.
"My name is Jaihera...what's yours?" the girl inquired, trying to prevent the woman from leaving.
Again she paused in hopes of hearing a response.
"Can I at least give you a reward?" the street rat asked, when Mirage continued on.
This time however, her plan worked and the enchantress stopped but, did not turn around.
"I didn't do it for a reward." the enchantress answered. "I did it to save you from your own mistakes. However foolish you are, no child deserves to be torn apart by demons." walking on the moment she finished her explanation.
The girl frowned as Mirage left, no one had ever been so nice to her before; at least not on their own and she felt compelled to do something to reward the strange woman.
In truth perhaps if the whole event had met its end there in the ally way, a great deal of trouble could have been avoided, but it was not to be.
Offer her the eye. She'll love it.
Jaihera perked up and smiled. "How about this?" the girl reached into her pocket and retrieved a red colored gem.
Mirage turned and immediately her eyes were filled with the glow of the beautiful jewel.
"Where did a girl like you get something like that?"
Jaihera grinned when she spotted the interested expression on her rescuer's face.
"My friend Cha-"
Don't mention me yet. It'll ruin the surprise.
"I mean a friend and I found it lying around...you can have it if you want." the girl said. "I think you deserve it more than I do."
Mirage shook her head as if snapping out of a trance. "I couldn't possibly accept it."
"Why not?" Jaihera frowned.
"Because I did not do it for a reward." the sorceress began. "And because it would be wrong to take accept something for saving the life of a child. Mortals must learn that life is a precious gift...not something to be bought or thrown away like a worthless pebble. I saved you because I wanted to and because children deserve a chance to live past their failings."
"I-I didn't mean to insult you..." the girl looked down, the tinge of guilt returning.
"It's fine...just try to be more careful next time."
"Well..." Jaihera said after a few moments of silence. "What if I gave it to you...as a gift of friendship?"
"Friendship?" Mirage asked quietly as if unfamiliar with the word.
This posed in interesting prospect for Mirage had never experienced a mortal friendship before. Of course she once had family and now the love of Phasir, but never someone like this little girl. Perhaps it was due to her apathy toward the subject of friendship and that Mirage never truly felt the need to seek out individuals merely for their social graces; however just because she never felt the need to form a friendship does not mean she never wanted.
Jaihera nodded in response to Mirage's question, smiling hopefully at the enchantress.
"Alright..." Mirage said to her own pleasant surprise, the frustration of the day's earlier events vanishing away, her cross expression lifted, and her face changed from an unfriendly scowl to a welcoming almost motherly smile which Jaihera suspected was how she normally looked.
Before Mirage could react, Jaihera had already closed the gap between them and had the enchantress trapped in the powerful embrace of a child.
"Then does this mean you'll come and visit me?" she questioned, looking up at Mirage with her undying smile. "Father is always away tending to business and it get's lonely at home all alone with no other children my age to play with."
"I might..." Mirage answered, trying not to get the child's hopes too high, so as to allow the possibly that she might not.
"Great!" Jaihera shouted and jumped back, her grin as wide as ever. "Now that we're friends...I can give you this."
Jaihera offered Mirage the red ruby once again.
Mirage hesitated.
"Go on...you cannot refuse a gift of friendship. It's well...unfriendly. Besides if you don't want it you can give it to someone special who does" the girl teased.
"Oh alright then..." Mirage finally gave in and accepted the crimson gem. "Thank you."
Jaihera nodded in response and suddenly remembered that she had been gone for quite awhile.
She gasped. "I'm sorry...I have to get home!" and with that Jaihera made a hasty exit only to stop soon after beginning her trek. "Oh I forgot...you never told me your name. Friends are supposed to know each other's names."
"It's Mirage." she confessed after a short pause.
"My new friend Mirage." the girl smiled to herself before taking off at full speed again. "Come visit me soon...promise?" she called out as she sprinted away.
"Wait! Where do you live?"
"Trust your heart...you'll find me!"
Mirage watched as the girl disappeared into the crowd again, leaving her alone with a red gem. She looked down at the ruby, wondering what to do. After all she could not bring herself to keep a mortal made object even if she was now friends with the mortal who presented it. There were many times that Mirage cursed her foolish pride, but where it was easy to stand against the shrieks of demons facing one's own flaws is always a difficult task.
No, she could not keep it. Each time she attempted to convince herself to do so Mirage was reminded of the repulsiveness of mortals. How little they cared for their children, how they fight over petty meaningless reasons, and how weak they were both in mind and body. At least when her family fought one another it was for a good reason.
Just then an idea popped into Mirage's head. She could not bring herself to keep the ruby and Phasir saw no value in trinkets, but she did know of someone who would appreciate such a gift.
"That's it!" she snapped her fingers, proud to have formulated the idea and almost giddy at the thought of how much joy it would bring him.
Mirage vanished soon after; unaware that close by a blue winged cat looked on with a strange fascination before, himself, blinking from sight.
Tricked
Jasmine sat quietly in her room as she had done since Aladdin's departure, her body paralyzed by fear while worry tore at her heart, and she hated herself for it. The princess knew that if anyone could take back the ruby of Falsastan from Mirage it would be Aladdin, after all he has faced evil geniuses, mad magicians, supernatural entities, ferocious monsters, even fate itself, and defeated them time and time again. So why was she so afraid? He had gone on adventures countless times before that posed considerable dangers. So then why did she feel such a powerful notion of impending doom? Why did she feel that Aladdin would not return from Morbia and why did she feel as if they would be separated forever?
The princess kept asking herself these questions over and over in her mind, but each time she asked her mind would answer back with memories of Dagger Rock. What would have happened had she not defied her father and joined in attempt to rescue her love? She knew the answer, and she knew that she knew the answer. If she had not tagged along, Razul would be dead along with his men and Aladdin would have been left at the mercy of Mozenrath.
Jasmine tried to comfort herself through reason. That an incident like that was more of an acception than the rule and that such a situation would rarely present itself again if ever, yet one dark little thought continued to eat away at her confidence from the back of her mind. What if it was happening all over again? At least Mozenrath was arrogant enough to spare Aladdin until he had made sure everyone was aware of his victory. Mirage would not trouble herself with asking for a ransom or anything for that matter. She would likely content herself by killing Aladdin and watch as all of his friends mourned his death, proving that all of their love combined could not save him.
"Princess Jasmine." Razul's voice quietly made its way to Jasmine's ears, rescuing her from her own thoughts.
She stood up and turned her attention to Razul who had a solemn look on his face which made Jasmine's heart skip a beat.
"The Sultan has asked for you to join him in the throne room." the palace guard continued, avoiding eye contact with the princess.
"Is it about Aladdin?" Jasmine managed to finally ask.
"Yes princess...it i-"
Before Razoul could finish his response, Jasmine was already running toward the throne room as quickly as her legs would allow. Tears filled her eyes for Razul's sorrowful combined with her own doubts and fears had instilled in her mind the worst of outcomes.
It felt as if she were running through quicksand and the halls of the palace seemed to grow longer, making them appear like they would go on forever. Perhaps that was a deep seeded desire in Jasmine's heart; maybe she did want these hallways to go on forever so that she could go on running without end. She knew that as long as she kept running then hope remained alive. The halls became a comfort to her as they became a representation of soothing ignorance. In the throne room was the answer to her worry, whether Aladdin had succeeded or failed and she dreaded the thought of his failure.
She imagined all of their friends gathered in the throne room, crying over Aladdin's lifeless body. Her father sitting motionless on his throne as if he too had left this world behind, Abu's often playful antics deadened by the passing of his best friend, carpet's trying his best to console the others even if he too felt an unbearable sadness, Genie's uncontrollable crying, and even Iago who she imagined sitting alone in a corner so that no one could see him cry.
Yes, as long as she kept running down these halls Aladdin might still be alive, might still be there waiting for her with his charming smile and open arms. He might still be there to protect her kingdom, make her laugh, and present her with his undying love.
Jasmine's journey to the throne room did not last forever and stood in front of the throne room entrance, peaking in like a child trying to spy on something forbidden to her.
The princess was shocked by what she saw upon peering into the room.
The sad faces she has imagined, Aladdin's body lying lifeless at the center of the room, her father drowned in grief, a lifetime of feeling a sorrow that would never dissipate, none of it was there.
Instead what she found was a room full of smiling faces and all of her friends as well as many important officials of the kingdom. Omabahd stood at the center holding up the ruby Mirage had stolen. Genie had split himself into an entire band wearing funny black clothes and white wigs yet the music was calming. Iago and Abu were arguing over who deserved the largest fruit in the basket while carpet tried to settle the matter, and lastly Aladdin waiting right next to the throne where her father sat and no doubt praising the boy for a job well done.
The congregation fell silent as Jasmine entered the room.
"Jasmine!" Aladdin shouted with joy as he ran to her, but stopped when he saw the princess' cross expression.
The sharp smack of a slap spread throughout the room as everyone in the party gasped in surprise, gawking at the hand shaped red mark now on Aladdin's cheek.
The moment of shock did not last for no sooner had Aladdin felt the sting of the bow did he find himself in Jasmine's loving embrace. Everyone cheered for the young couple and applauded the whole joyous occasion.
A wave of mixed emotions ran through the princess' body seeing Aladdin safely returned from Morbia. Guilt for doubting him, shame for worrying like she did, joy for his safe return, comfort for the wonderful party, and relief in knowing that her kingdom was safe once more.
She had been tricked, tricked by her own mind into fearing the worst but, now each new feeling came on so strong and so sudden that all she could do was laugh.
Laugh she did, shamelessly and heartily. Such an act, she knew, was not very princess-like, but she didn't care and laughed as loud as she could. The party members looked at one another in confusion, but eventually joined their princess the moment of immodesty.
"Aladdin..." the Sultan began after the laughing had died down. "My boy, you have done a great service not only for the people of Agrabah, but also for the people of Falsastan. I'm sure I speak for Ambassador Omabahd when I say that both our peoples own you a debt of gratitude that we could never repay."
Omabahd smiled graciously once the Sultan ended his short speech.
"Great Aladdin." the ambassador of Falsastan said as he walked toward Agrabah's bravest hero. "As a token of trust and everlasting friendship between the city of Falsastan and the city of Agrabah I present to you the Heart of Falsastan...our greatest treasure."
The ambassador handed the ruby to Aladdin and a new round of 'hoorays' followed.
Jasmine noticed Razul finally making his entrance into the celebration still looking quite sad.
"Why do you look so gloomy Razul?" she asked him, her question ending in a chuckle. "Aladdin is safe."
"Well princess...the truth is I uh..." Razul rubbed the back of his neck, feeling nervous. "I sort of lost...a bet over whether the street rat would make it back or not."
The following day Aladdin and the others bade farewell to Omabahd and his servants, wishing them well on their long venture home.
All seemed to be going smoothly as the Ambassador's group managed to reach the outskirts of Agrabah only to be confronted with a strange floating eel who seemed to be waiting for him.
"Did master get Eye of Destruction?" the flying monstrosity asked through a malicious grin.
Omabahd smiled as his features seemed to melt away. His wrinkled skin reverted to a more youthful smooth, fire seemed to ignite in his once peaceful graying eyes, and his face restructured itself, revealing none other than the visage of Mozenrath. The servants who had proudly worn the colors of Falsastan changed back into the rotting Mumluks they really were while their master pulled from his sleeve the red ruby Aladdin had taken from the lair of Mirage.
"It all went perfectly." the master of the black sands answered in the superior tone he often used when he was winning.
"Mozenrath tell plan to Xerxes?"
Mozenrath thought for a moment. "Oh...why not? It's far too ingenious to keep all to myself."
Mozenrath's Plan
"I knew that despicable Aladdin could never just stand by and watch his beloved city plunge into war...so what better disguise was there than a powerful Ambassador. Fortunately I still had those prisoners locked away in my dungeon." Mozenrath said with cruel smile as he secretly congratulated himself for having such foresight and knowing that the prisoners deserved their fate in his eyes.
"Mozenrath brilliant! Mozenrath genius! Moze-" Xexes suddenly found a gloved hand tightly wrapped around his mouth.
"Stop telling me what I already know and keep quiet!" his master scolded, throwing him back. "Now where was I?"
"The war..."
"Oh that's right...I wanted the Eye of Destruction but instead of going through the trouble of doing the work myself...I wondered why not get Aladdin to do it for me? I made a duplicate of the Eye and passed it off as the some sacred artifact of Falsastan.
Little did those fools know that I had placed a convenient little spell that would set everything into motion. At exactly midnight my spell activated showing a silhouette of Mirage right before it disappeared from the treasure room and reappeared right in my hands. So, then all I had to do was wait until the next morning and blame the Sultan for everything. As I suspected Aladdin rose to the challenge and volunteered to risk his life to return the gem just to stop his little city from being destroyed by war."
"But what if Aladdin failed?" Xerxes asked
"Why that's the whole beauty of the plan. If Aladdin succeeded then I would get the Eye and ensure his destruction and if he failed...well if he failed I wouldn't really need the Eye would I Xerxes? A win win in my book. Besides...if that witch discovered her gem missing...she'll look to Aladdin to get it back and not me. Don't you see Xerxes after all this time...I'm finally going to rid myself of that troublesome street rat along with his pitiful little city."
Meanwhile, Aladdin stared at the moon from his hovel and out into the city. He let out a sigh of relief, confident that his actions had saved Agrabah from the fate he had witnessed in the vision. Abu, Genie, and Carpet had already gone to bed and Aladdin soon followed still unaware that the wrath of Mirage was manifesting itself beneath the moon's light.