Hi again, here is another chapter. This chapter will involve a deleted song from the Aladdin remake. I don't own this song. Credit goes to Disney. Just wanted to use it for this chapter as it's set in a desert.

The Midnight Desert Part Two

Ezran wandered through the village of his kingdom, looking at everyone solemnly. He couldn't bear to see any of his people being slaughtered in cold blood. But he couldn't bear to see Carol, Raylan, Zym and Felix be endangered by a vicious army of angry human invades coming to Xadia. He made his way back to the palace and to his surprise, Corvus and Caldor had been waiting for him. Gren was with them too with a horse. He had returned from something.

"King Ezran. I've seen the other three kingdoms myself. Over 10,000 soldiers altogether," Gren said grimly. "Our kingdom though was trained by your mother and your aunt to be the strongest army in the five kingdoms,"

"There still would be too many lives lost," said Ezran solemnly. "My sister included. It wouldn't be a victory. It's obvious what I need to do next,"

"Ezran, you cannot let Kasef win like this," said Caldor.

All the boy king could say: "Trust me. Call for Corvus,"

The party on the Ambler remained where they were. As they did, Carol took the opportunity to keep learning more spells by heart. She mastered the ice spell, the wind spell, the fog spell and the lightning spell. Her next spell was…

"Manus. Pluma. Vilantis," She couldn't draw the ruins. She had to hold her arms out and allow feathers to grow from her arms. She stood up and held out her arms, closing her eyes. "Manus. Pluma. Vilantis," Nothing happened. "Manus. Pluma. Vilantis!" her raised voice didn't make it work.

"Nice try human," mocked Nyx from above.

"Shut up!" shouted Raylan up to them.

Carol decided to give this spell a miss and take a break.

"We're here!" shouted their guide. The passengers peered over and saw the oasis, surrounded by obelisks creating an energetic-like field around the area. Raylan recognised it. So did Ethari. It brought back some dark memories. They passed through and the Ambler gently lowered them down in front of the palm trees with the mounts. Carol took a moment to walk around and look at the palm trees with all the tents. Felix, Zym and Adoraburrs went over to the pool to have a swim and splash around.

Ethari fed the mounts and Raylan laid out the sleeping bags. Meanwhile, Carol decided a swim was what she needed to get read of that smell. She went into one of the empty tents and got changed out of her clothes. In her undergarments, she went into the water and swam about, pulling all her hair out as well. Not realising that Raylan was watching her the whole time. He heard a cough of the throat and saw an unimpressed Ethari.

"What did Runaan and I teach you?" he asked.

Raylan turned away and the men left the pool. Once Carol was cleaned up, she dried herself with wind magic and then gave her clothes a well-needed wash as well. Soon she was all smelling lovely again and she tied her hair back in a plait. As the sun was setting, she pulled out her sketchbook again and sketched all the animal companions playing around in the water. She stared around wondering what Raylan was doing. She saw him sulking on the top of a tree. Ethari meanwhile was cooking some food whilst Nyx was feeding the Ambler. They were so close to reaching the Dragon Queen now. She just hoped her brother and sister could hold on. But if only she knew what was happening back home.

Ezran walked to Barius's bakery without his crown or came. He knocked. The door opened. "My king," Barius bowed.

"Barius, I need to ask you a favour,"

"Of course,"

"I need you to take care of Bait," Ezran held up his glow-toad who croaked.

"It would be a pleasure," Barius took him without hesitation. "But why?"

"I'm about to do something. And…I feel that things are going to go bad very quickly. So, if that happens, I need Bait to be safe,"

"I promise you nothing will happen to him," promised Barius. Ezran sniffled, wiping a tear away which Bait shed as well. "How about a jelly tart?" He offered one.

"I don't think I feel like one," he confessed. "thank you Barius," Ezran left the shop and made his way back to the castle, the remorseful baker and heartbroken glow-toad watching out for him. He came back and Caldor was here waiting for him.

"He is here," the advisor said. "Whatever it is that you do Ezran, I will support you in any way,"

Ezran smiled a little. "Thank you Caldor,"

"Your mother was the bravest woman I ever met. She is so lucky to have such beautiful, committed children like you and your sisters,"

Ezran sniffled. Escorted back inside, he found the prince waiting for him, tapping his foot on the throne stairs repeatedly to contain his impatience.

Do we have a deal? Asked Kasef.

Ezran sighed. "You do," the pompous prince pulled up the plumpest smile anyone would be disgusted to see. "Free my sister and that dragon. Spare my kingdom. But let those who don't wanna be in this war return to their families,"

"As you wish, King Ezran," he bowed with a disrespectful face.

"But that is not all," Ezran refused to be seen as weak. Kasef was put in his place and he raised his head again, red rage engulfing his colours. "My army will only attack the Sunfire elves to save my aunt and the Moonshadow elves for murdering my father. And no harm is to come to Carol, our elf friend, or the dragon prince should we encounter them,". Hidden from sight, Saleer was outraged. So was Kasef. "I will not harm an elf who has protected my family or a baby dragon that is responsible for the crimes the Dragon King committed against our people,"

The prince of Neolandia was still getting what he wanted. "As you wish," he bowed. "The princess will be returned to you by tomorrow but the dragon will only be returned to you once the invasion is done. In two days', time, we march onto Xadia. Good choice. When you're grown up, you'll realise that I was right. Let's hope you remember next time," he turned his back and walked out of the hallway.

Ezran sighed. His insides tingled out of control. His advisors glanced at him with concern. "I've let you all done,"

"My king…you could never let anyone down," Opeli shook her head.

"I only hope this plan works,"

"What plan?" asked Corvus curiously.

Ezran took in a deep breath. "I want you guys to send a message to the Border to deliver to the Sunfire elves. Tell them that we have information about the invasion and the baby dragon and in exchange I want my aunt released. Once they know, they'll be prepared,"

"Are you sure this will work?" Opeli asked, concerned.

"It has to. Once Willow is safe, we can proceed with our plan. And Caldor…I know you'll be able to find a way to free our dragon friend so she can fly and warn Carol and Raylan of the invasion,"

Caldor smiled. "Though young you are Ezran, you are very cunning. Your father would be so proud of you,"

He sighed. "I only hope this works. I can't give up. Or my dad died for nothing,"

Saleer snuck away through a secret passageway. He walked through the tunnels and in the courtyard, he met up with Kasef and told him what he had heard.

"Dang it," cursed Kasef. He checked around to make sure there were no guards watching them. "It was your idea to kidnap the princess and yet the king still plans to betray us for Xadia for a foolish dream. He must be dealt with. Immediately. We need a leader who will rule this kingdom properly,"

"I know exactly who," said Saleer. "Don't worry. I'll take care of the prince. Just pretend you know nothing,"

"Do what you must,"

Willow was crying in her bonds. Pyrrah beside her. She knew Ezran was gonna give in. She didn't want to fall asleep. She was terrified of seeing a dreadful future in her head again. She couldn't bear it. She looked up to the stars. "Mum, if you were here…what would you tell us to do? How do we prevent this?"

Raylan was quiet around the campfire. He had barely touched his food. Carol sitting opposite him was very quiet too.

"Very quiet you two," Nyx remarked. Felix growled at her. "Very bad pet,"

"He's not a pet. He's a companion," defended Carol, not looking up at her.

"You okay lassie?" Ethari asked her.

"I'm just worried about my family. I'm dreading what Ezran is facing right now. He shouldn't have had to inherit this crown too young. I just wish I was back there helping him,"

"You'll be back with him soon," Ethari took a bit out of his chicken. He saw Zym giving him baby eyes and he tossed a piece of it to him. He nibbled on it piggishly.

"Zym. Remember your manners," said Carol gently.

Sorry. He burped making her and Ethari laugh. They took a sip of water.

"So miss Caroline…how did you get magic?" asked Nyx curiously.

"I made my own connection to the Sky Arcanum," said Carol.

"How?"

"None of your business,"

"Such hostility," she feigned offensiveness. "Not very trusting are you,"

"Only to strangers who appear out of nowhere,"

"Well, now we should get some sleep," said Nyx. "See you all in the morning. Let us hope we don't have to deal with a powerful sandstorm on the next stage of our journey. If we do, we'll have to stop at another oasis and take another night to get to the other side. Good night," she walked off and laid out her sleeping bag.

"I'm gonna keep watching," said Ethari. "You never know what kind of dangers might appear when we least expect it," he picked up his bow and arrow and walked off to a nearby spot to keep an eye out.

Carol tried to talk to Raylan again but once again he gave her the cold shoulder much to her rejection.

He'll get over it. Comforted Felix. She smiled and stroked him.

"Missing Willow, Ezran and Bait?" He whined. "I know. I miss them two,". The Adoraburrs jumped over to her blinking at her. She pulled out her sketchbook and flipped the pages over to a mural of them. "That's Willow," she pointed to Willow with her braided dreadlocks. "And that's Ezran and Bait," she pointed at her only brother and his companion. "They will really love you guys,"

They jumped for joy. She yawned. "Best we get some sleep,"

She went over to her sleeping back and rolled it out. Felix curled up and the Adoraburrs laid under his furry tail like a furry blanket. He purred. Carol hummed her mother's lullaby to lull them to sleep. Only Zym was awake. He sensed how homesick she was feeling. She had never missed home more than she did now. She stared up at the hanging moon, wondering if either her brother or sister were doing it as well.

When the shadows unfold
When the sun hides its gold
When the wind and the cold come calling
When the path isn't clear
And the stars disappear
As an endless midnight's falling

She stood up and stared up, shedding a tear. How she longed to give Ezran and Willow the biggest hugs in the world once they were reunited. As she had sung, she walked over to the oasis pond as it glittered with the reflection of the beautiful constellations high above. She remembered a night when they had stayed up late to look for patterns in the sky. Raylan watched her from behind a tree, enchanted by her singing.

In her cell, Willow was staring up at the moon, wondering if her sister was doing the same thing. How she missed her deeply.

At the edge of the sky
There's a moon hangin' high
When you're lost, it'll try to remind you

At the pond, Carol touched the surface and it ripped

On a dark desert night
You can look to the light
'Cause it's shining there to find you

Thinking of each other, the sisters sang a song that their father had taught them, which his grandmother had taught him when he was young.

Desert moon light the way
'Til the dark turns to day
Like a lamp in the lonely night
Bright and blue

Desert moon, wild and free
Will it burn just for me?
Shine down, shine down
'Til I find my way to you.

Pyrrah purred and Willow closed her eyes and fell asleep, wondering if her lyrics echoed across the air. Carol wiped her eyes clean and Zym hugged her tightly, promising her that they would be together with the rest of her family very soon. She departed to bed and laid on her sleeping back, closing her wet eyes. Raylan watched her fall asleep. No matter what would happen, he was going to keep his promise. He wouldn't fail anyone else.

A girl and a boy with two dragons. One, a reptilic pussy cat black as midnight. One, a serpentine water defender blue as the purest water. The pair were deeply in love. They were from two different nations but fate had brought them together. And through their union came a bloodline of protectors who would risk everything to ensure everlasting peace and prosperity.

A boy and a blue dragon with eyes as bright as sapphires. They were from a faraway land, long torn apart by war. Leaving to train a new age of mighty riders.

Willow woke up again. What she had seen made no sense. They were not beings from either the human kingdoms or Xadia. Who were they? What did it mean? She prayed it was nothing to do with the impending doom of war. She had to get out somehow.

For a few hours, Carol had slept peacefully when she heard sniffling from nearby. She held her head up and saw it was Raylan, crying. He had slept a wink. "Raylan," she crawled over carefully to him as he pushed himself up. "You okay?" Raylan couldn't bare to turn to her and see him so grief-stricken like this. "Ray, it's okay," she tried to touch his shoulder.

"Get away from me!" he shouted, swiping his pillow at her. He dashed off.

"Raylan!" Carol threw her blanket off and dashed after him.

Ezran was escorted to his quarters by Corvus. "Thank you, Corvus for standing by me. I just hope that no one dies because of me. If I lose Willow or Carol…" he began to cry. "I'll never forgive myself,"

"Ez…you could never let your sisters down. And if either of them is harmed in any way, we will bring our enemies to justice," he promised. "I swore an oath to your aunt I would protect you all and that is what I intend to do,"

"Do you really think they'll realise her if exchange for the warning of this war?"

"They will if it threatens their lives. And I am certain your sister and your elf friend are closer now more than ever to returning the dragon prince and stopping this war which Viren provoked,"

"I hope you are right," Ezran prayed. "I want you to make sure a secret message is sent to Duren. I must speak with Queen Aanya as well,"

"As you wish my king," he bowed and nodded before retreating into his chambers, guarded by guards. As Corvus left, Saleer peered around the corner and scrunched his eyes.

Carol found Raylan on a log, crying. He noticed her. "Please leave me alone," he begged, pulling his hood over his head. "I don't want you to see me like this,"

"I don't care if you're crying. I don't care if you're gonna push me away again. I'm not leaving you like this," she tried to comfort him again but he stood up.

"I'm a mess,"

"No you're not," she tried to soothe him.

"I've lost everything! My parents. My home…there's nowhere I belong now," he turned his back, hiding his tears.

"That's not true Raylan. You still have Ethari. And we'll find out what happened to Runaan…"

"It's all my fault. The other assassins died because I left them. Runaan could be close to dying because of me. They're right to reject me," he crouched and stared into his reflection. "I'm not good enough and I never will be. I'm a constant, disappointing…"

"Shut up!" shouted Carol, alarming him. "Just shut up you're talking crazy. Listen to me. You're too good to feel this bad about yourself. I know that. And you should know that too," she pulled him up, turning him to face her. "Who's the one who risked his life to protect the innocent?" Raylan didn't answer. "You did! Who's the one who saved my life and Zym from falling to our deaths? You did. Who's the one willing to lay down his life to defend a dragon? You did! You are good enough. I've seen you get knocked down so many times before and every single time you get up again. That's real strength. And…" she paused but she wasn't gonna stop. "…you're ten times funnier than any human I know," at her words, Raylan chuckled and he wiped away his tears. "You see…you know you're amazing. You're brave and smart and kind and…and very handsome," Raylan's sadness dissolved away and he smiled, his cheeks blushing red. "Raylan, you're the most amazing, most incredible person I've ever met,". Their faces drew closer. Unable to hold back what she had been feeling for days, she quickly kissed his lips and pulled back. And smiled. But it dropped.

He blinked. "Uh…is that how humans comfort each other?"

Carol pressed her hand over her lips, suddenly embarrassed. "Oh my…just forget I did that. Just forget I ever did that. I'm sorry if you don't feel…." She paused again. "Just forget what I did. Just pretend I don't…well you get it," she suddenly walked away.

Raylan just stood there, frozen. He couldn't believe it. He had been kissed. And now he had hurt her feelings. He smacked his forehead. He had never imagined Carol to feel this way about him.

She retreated back to her sleeping bag. Zym was awake, having felt her feelings of rejection. You okay? He asked.

I'm fine. I really thought that he….never mind. He only sees me as a friend. I just want to get some sleep and forget about it. She lay down under the blanket and closed her eyes. But she wasn't really asleep. Zym tried to get her to open her eyes but he sighed. He was about to go to sleep when a winged elf towered over him and blew a tranquillizer dart into his neck. He squeaked.

"Zym!" cried Carol waking up to the pain. She gasped and before she could react was shot too.

Raylan walked around in circles, conflicted over Carol's kiss. "Do I like her?" he kept asking himself multiple times. He stopped walking. He looked at his mother's pendant. "Is this real mum?"

He closed his eyes and reflected on everything the pair had been through together since they met.

The two thanking each other for saving each other's lives on the way to the Banther Lodge.

The pair forgive each other as they go to pick out berries.

Him listening to her singing in the town.

Carol treating his hands with the oil she brought him.

Him embracing her tightly as he comforts her over her father's death.

The pair exchanging stories on the ship.

The pair enjoying the sunrise after arriving in Xadia.

The pair watched Zym ad Felix playing with the Adoraburrs together as they smile at each other.

"I do like her," he realised. He felt as if his heart was about to explode with joy. He was going to return to camp and return the feelings she felt for him. "Carol! There's something I need to…" he gasped. He saw Ethari and Felix knocked out, darts in their necks. The Adoraburrs were jumping around in horror. But Zym wasn't there. And neither was Carol. "Carol! Zym!"

That's the next chapter done. What did you all think? Please send reviews and let me know what you all thought. Once again, I do not own the song, Desert Moon. Credit goes to the live-action Aladdin and Disney. Thought it would go well with the chapter. See you all soon