Jafar observed the princess with a crafty grin, feeling a great deal of satisfaction upon seeing the absolute terror written plainly on her pretty face.

"Long time no see..."

"Guards! Anyone! Help!" Jasmine continued to scream, hoping Razoul, Dalia, her father, anyone could hear her cries…

"Stop that insufferable noise," Jafar demanded with a sneer. "No one is coming for you."

Jasmine, having screamed her throat raw, quieted… and she glared unfalteringly at Jafar.

"Aladdin will come for me."

"Oh I'm counting on it, my dear."

Suddenly, there was a beastly snarl. Out of the corner of his eye, Jafar saw a flash of orange and black, and outstretched claws swiping at him. Rajah had awoken from his cat nap, and was ready to do some damage!

But Jafar wasn't having it. "Play nice, kitty!" He zapped the roaring tiger with his magic, and a large circus ball manifested beneath the big cat's paws. Rajah yelped, struggling for balance as the ball rolled him backwards into a large steel cage, which Jafar promptly shut. The tiger groaned in distress, flailing a swatting paw through the bars uselessly.

The sorcerer let out a huff, relieved… then began to advance towards Jasmine.

Jasmine jerked away, pressing herself against the wall like a cornered animal. "Don't you dare touch me, you snake!" Jasmine spat at his feet.

"Don't flatter yourself, princess."

Jafar could remember a time when he lusted after Princess Jasmine. He'd always quietly admired her beauty and strong will, despite how much she angered him, and he had wanted to make her his. But she was a meaningless object to him, and always had been. She meant even less to him now that he'd met someone far more desirable.

"You could have accepted me a long time ago princess, and saved yourself from this fate. You would have had the honor to be my queen…"

He gave a dismissing wave of his hand. "But I am so… over you."

Then, with a sudden jerk of his staff, there was a flash of fiery magic – and Jasmine found herself tightly bound at the hands and feet by glowing red rope. Struggling in vain to free herself, she fell with a thud against the floor.

"What are you planning to do with me?" Jasmine cried, her fear of Jafar having overcome any defiance left in her.

Oh, what a lovely sight it was, to witness her spirit die. Jafar stepped closer, the dark slender figure of him towering over Jasmine like a demonic shadow.

He responded only with this.

"It will bring me a greater pleasure to cause Aladdin a greater pain."

The corrupted maniacal laughter that followed echoed through the halls of the great palace.

MEANWHILE . . .

Far from the palace, in a humble makeshift abode tucked away in the busy streets of Agrabah, Aladdin lay resting on a threadbare rug using the magic carpet as his pillow. His monkey Abu was curled up on his bare chest, asleep.

Aladdin knew he didn't have to stay here… Jasmine and her father had offered to let him stay in the palace, and were now even insisting upon it. But after lying to Jasmine for so long about his identity… he felt he had to prove that he wasn't in this relationship just for a shot at palace life. Jasmine knew he loved her, and he knew she knew… but he just wanted to be sure.

Soon he'll finally accept the invitation, though… maybe when they get married.

Thoughts like this, about his future with Jasmine and the very real possibility of becoming the future sultan, were running through his head - but they were interrupted when he inexplicably got this sense of… dread. Like something bad was happening.

Like something bad was happening to Jasmine. Something scary.

"Abu, wake up," Aladdin patted his primate companion awake. Abu chittered in protest.

"I got this feeling that… something's up with Jasmine."

The young man stood, mustering his courage. He really hoped he was wrong about this… but he had to check it out.

"I've got to get to the palace and check on her. Let's go, Carpet!"

Back in the throne room, the Sultan spectated as the guards trained their new recruit for his pleasure. But the Sultan was exceedingly disappointed by the lackluster performance… because Sobek was doing a terrible job. He didn't have the heart to say anything however, and instead let his guards handle the disciplining.

Sobek, as impressive a man he appeared to be, lacked all coordination as he engaged in a sword fight with another guard. His opponent's attacks were confident and agile, while his own were faltering and clumsy.

"I thought you said you know how to fight? You're awful!" The guard ridiculed, snickering as he struck down with his weapon again. "It's like you've never wielded a sword in your life!"

Panting, Sobek staggered backwards… but he showed no sign of embarrassment. Instead, his full lips curled into a fiendish smile.

"You're right, sad to say." Sobek replied venomously. "But I assure you, I can fight…"

And with that, the image of Sobek melted away to reveal the sorceress beneath. Mirage relished in the horrified gasps of all who witnessed her transformation. Her vivid green eyes glittered with anticipation as she regarded them.

"I just prefer magic to swordplay!" Mirage finished with a dark chuckle.

The Sultan bristled, springing to his feet. "Imposter! Guards, guards! Arrest her immediately!"

Mirage snorted at that. They can try.

The guards drew their weapons and advanced towards Mirage… but they were halted by the sight of a crack tearing through the palace floor at their feet. The sound of splitting marble and crumbling mortar made the soldiers shriek in horror, and they shrank back. As the crack widened, the ground beneath gave way, creating a deep void that seemed to stretch into the depths of the Earth itself. The gaping chasm yawned open, revealing fiery magma that surged up from beneath, casting an eerie orange glow onto the soldiers.

They were trapped, separated from the enemy and the Sultan by a pit of roiling, smoldering lava.

"Guards!" The Sultan screamed despairingly at the top of his lungs.

"Tsk-tsk, Sultan, Sultan… isn't it past your bedtime?" Mirage lifted off the floor, floating leisurely over to Agrabah's ruler.

The Sultan glared up at Mirage, his pudgy face beet red with rage. He didn't notice a tall golden sarcophagus appearing from thin air right behind him, a coffin meant for Pharoahs…

"Oh it is. I can tell by how grouchy you are, aww!" Mirage stuck her bottom lip out at him in a mock-pout. "Here, allow me to put you to rest…"

Violently she kicked the Sultan into the sarcophagus and slammed the door shut. "Permanently!"

The Sultan's muffled screams and the pounding of his fists from inside the sealed coffin delighted Mirage, and she couldn't resist a good laugh.

"Ah ha-haha ha ha!" She thrust her fists skyward in victory, being her own best cheerleader… well, besides Jafar. She hoped he would join her soon.

"I'm too good. Now… which one of you dumb oxes want to try and face me next?" Mirage demanded, her green eyes aglow as she scanned the terrified group of soldiers. Oh, their fear was so delightful…

"I will!" a familiar voice called from above.

Mirage jolted, tilting her feline head up to see him, Aladdin, hovering on his magic carpet and staring down at his enemy, his eyes shining with courage and determination.

Mm, it's laughable how predictable heroic types can be, Mirage thought with satisfaction.

Now the real fun begins!