"Images of Sand" by Sedeara -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dedicated to all those Sadiras out there; Don't ever give up! : ) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: This story takes place shortly after the episode "Which Way Did She Go?", thus, the references to her "change of character". --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prologue Oh Yes, I have learned Only too well, That all does not always go According to plan. For if it did, You'd see a different person, And I would have my man. I could be the one With everything to gain, I could be the one Who didn't know pain. I would be the Princess On the throne, And never again Would I be left alone. But what do I know? These are only dreams, Made from playing with sand, And harmless schemes. But I read this spell, That I have overlooked, And think about how maybe . . . And I have to smirk. For this time, It will work! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sadira restlessly paced the underground cavern that was now her home, and the place where the Ancient Secrets of the Sand were kept. She held the key to their power, which she knew she would need in its full force. "I have to make Aladdin love me!" she said. Her voice echoed off the walls of the empty cavern. "Never mind that my last spells didn't quite work out as planned. I'm not giving up that easily!" Sadira had tried before to win Aladdin's heart but never succeeded. She had met him before she possessed the Ancient Secrets of the Sand when she had stolen a bite to eat, for she had no money, and he had come to her rescue. He told her that he, too, had been in trouble with the guards for stealing. She had decided then that they belonged together. She had been sure they would be together . . . that is, until she discovered that Aladdin was engaged. His fiancee wasn't just any girl either; she was Princess Jasmine, heiress to the Sultan's kingdom. At first, Sadira felt she couldn't compete with that, but that was before she discovered the Ancient Secrets of the Sand. Though she had tried and failed, now she was sure that she could make him fall in love with her. One way or another . . . "Genie, how do I look?" asked Aladdin as he turned away from a cracked mirror in his hovel. "Oh, Al, you look absolutely dashing!" remarked Genie. "Are you sure? I want to look just right," he said, straightening his turban. Princess Jasmine had invited him to the palace ballroom for a night of dancing. He had been engaged to her for over a year, but he still felt the need to impress her. After all, she was royalty. "You do look just right!" Genie assured him. "Oh, Aladdin, you look soooo handsome!" Iago did his best Princess Jasmine voice. Abu burst out laughing. "You guys, this isn't funny!" said Genie reproachfully. "Can't you see how nervous poor Al is?" "I'm not nervous!" said Aladdin, but the look on his face spoke differently. "Why would I be nervous? We'll just be dancing." Iago laughed and asked, "How well do you dance, Mr. Romantic?" "Well . . . I . . ." Aladdin stammered. "Ha-Ha! You don't know how to dance!" laughed Iago. The Genie put his arm around Aladdin. "Oh, don't worry kid, all ya have to do is move your feet around." "I didn't say I couldn't dance!" Aladdin cried defensively. "Hey, kid, it's time to wake up and face a hard fact: You can't be good at everything," said Iago. Aladdin sighed. "Iago, you're right; I can't dance, and I am nervous. What if I step on her toe, or her dress or something?" "Don't worry about it!" reassured Genie. "I can't help it. Maybe you could teach me now; Real quick!" Aladdin looked hopefully at Genie. "No time Al. You're suppose to be at the ballroom soon," reminded Genie. "But don't worry. Jas loves you. She isn't going to get mad if you step on her dress or toes a few times. Hey, she probably won't even notice." Iago laughed again. "You mean a few hundred times!" Trying to ignore him, Aladdin looked himself over in the mirror one more time, and then left for the palace. Jasmine stopped in the throne room on her way to the ballroom. She stood before the Sultan and straightened her gown. "How do I look, Father?" "Oh, my! You look beautiful, my dear," he replied. She truly did look lovely. She was wearing a magnificent lavender dress of silk. The skirt flowed out, making it perfect for dancing, and was studded with tiny glittering diamonds. Her hair had been pulled elegantly on top of her head. Diamond earrings dangled from her ears, and on her feet were silk slippers. She began dancing around the room. "Oh, Father it will be so romantic! Just Aladdin and me! Lately it's been so busy, we haven't been able to do much together, and when we are together, we're always with Iago, Abu and Genie. I have nothing against them; they are really fun to be with . . . most of the time. It's just that . . . well . . . I don't know." Jasmine blushed. "Of course, I understand." The Sultan smiled. "Well, I'll be in the ballroom! I'll see you later!" Jasmine happily rushed out of the room and down the hall, her slippers not making a sound on the marble floor. Aladdin arrived at the ballroom before Jasmine. It was empty besides the musicians and a table set for two. Candles lit the room, and their flickering light reflected on the walls and floor. Jasmine came up behind Aladdin and tapped him on the shoulder. "Aladdin." He turned around. He knew Jasmine was beautiful, but as she stood before him in the candlelight, he thought she looked more so than ever. "You look beautiful," he whispered. "Thank you." The musicians began playing. Suddenly Aladdin was nervous again. Growing up in the streets had never allowed him the chance to learn dancing . . . at least, not the finer style that Jasmine would be accustomed to. "Come on, Aladdin." She pulled him out to the middle of the floor. He put one arm around her waist and held her hand with the other, but his knowledge ended there. He began to move his feet in time to the music, but he felt awkward, especially compared to Jasmine's graceful movements. Then he did what he'd dreaded: stepped on her toe! Feeling stupid, he glanced at Jasmine to catch her reaction. "Sorry," was all he could think of to say. Jasmine smiled. "It's all right, Aladdin." They continued the dance for a few more minutes, then Jasmine suddenly stopped, bringing Aladdin to a halt as well. "Jasmine, is something wrong?" he asked. "No." "Then why did you stop dancing?" Jasmine laughed. "I stopped dancing because I can't move; You're stepping on my dress." Aladdin couldn't remember a time when he had been more embarrassed. It hadn't even been more than one song, and he'd already proven his lack of grace. He moved his foot. "Sorry again." Iago, who was watching with Abu and Genie from the doorway, roared with laughter. "It's only been five minutes, and the kid's already making a fool of himself!" "Oh, poor Al," said Genie sympathetically. Abu wasn't paying attention to Iago or Genie. He was interested in the diamonds on Princess Jasmine's dress. Abu, whose biggest weakness was sparkling jewels, was sure that she wouldn't mind if he took just one. Even though Genie had made Iago and him promise not to disturb Aladdin and Jasmine, he couldn't resist. He quietly scampered across the floor and stopped beside Jasmine. His eyes wide and shining, he reached out his paw, grabbed onto a diamond and tried to pull it off. But the jewel was sown tight. Feeling the tug on her dress, Jasmine looked down, wondering if Aladdin had stepped on it again. She was surprised and a bit annoyed to find Abu there. Aladdin noticed, too. "Abu! What are you doing?" Abu looked up, startled. He began to squeak out his defense. Just then, Genie noticed that Abu was out on the floor and rushed out after him. "Sorry, Al," apologized Genie. "I guess I should be keeping a better eye on 'monkey-boy'." He scooped up Abu and carried him back to the doorway, shaking his finger and scolding him with, "Bad, bad monkey!" Aladdin sighed as he watched Genie carry off Abu. "Jasmine I'm sorry; I told them to stay out of our way." He felt as if all he was doing tonight was apologizing. "Oh, it's fine," she replied. "Come on, let's dance." "Um . . . Jasmine, I'm sorry; I know you love to dance, and you're wonderful . . . but you must feel pretty stupid next to me, huh?" Aladdin said. "What do you mean?" she asked. "I don't feel stupid." "Well, I do. You've probably already noticed that I can't dance. I don't know the slightest thing about it," he admitted. "I'm sorry if I ruined your expectations for the evening--" "Aladdin," Jasmine interrupted gently. "I invited you here tonight because I like to be with you, not to critique your dancing." She kissed his cheek reassuringly. "Besides, I thought you were doing fine." "Really?" "Sure . . . but if you want me to, I could teach you . . ." she offered. "It'll take me forever to catch on," said Aladdin doubtfully. "No it won't; Besides, we have the whole night. Now, watch my feet, and move yours the same way. And count like this: 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4. Each time you say a number, move your feet. I'll count with you. Ready?" Aladdin nodded. "Okay, 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4." Aladdin counted with her and attempted to mimic her movements, but he still felt like he wasn't doing it right. "What am I doing wrong?" he asked. "Go like this. Remember, backward, to the side, other side, forward, backward, to the side, other side, forward. Just keep doing that." She demonstrated. "Okay. Backward, to the side, other side, forward, backward, to the side, other side, forward," he murmured. He kept his eyes on his and Jasmine's feet. Just as he started to get the hang of it, the song sped up. It was harder to keep up with it, and he began to trip over his own feet. Better my feet than hers, he thought. He burst out laughing at his own clumsiness, making it even harder for him to dance. His gaze moved from their feet to Jasmine's face. She was trying to stifle a giggle, but when she saw Aladdin laughing, she couldn't hide it any more. She quickly looked up at Aladdin, to make sure she hadn't hurt his feelings, but she didn't have to worry. He knew she was laughing with him and not at him. Aladdin was laughing so hard that he tripped and almost fell on the floor. The matter wasn't even that humorous, but just that they were sharing it made it that much more funny. Soon they were both doubled over. Jasmine had to lean on Aladdin's arm just to keep from falling down. Jasmine led Aladdin away from the dance floor, and they sat on one of the marble benches against the wall. They stayed there until they calmed down, and then they didn't go dance again because the song was nearly over. The next song started. This one was slower. Aladdin got up, bowing to Jasmine. "May I have this dance?" He held out his hand for hers. "Of course." She smiled and gave him her hand. "Dancing to slow songs is much easier," she assured him. "All you have to do is sway to the music." "Sounds easy enough." Aladdin was ready for something easy. Jasmine wrapped one of her arms around his neck. Aladdin reached for her other hand and clasped his fingers around it. His other arm circled her waist. They slowly began to sway, hardly moving at all. She was right, Aladdin thought, this is much easier. Aladdin pulled her closer to him and held her tighter. Resting her head on his shoulder, she closed her eyes. Aladdin hoped the song would never end. Sadira rushed up the steps of Aladdin's small run-down home. "Aladdin!" she called. "Aladdin where are you?" After reaching the top of the stairs, she surveyed the dark, empty room. "Aladdin?" she called again. There was no answer. "Oh Rats! He's not here!" She stamped her foot. "Rats! Rats! Rats! I wonder where he is." As soon as the words left her lips, she knew their answer. "He must be at the palace with Jasmine." She sighed. "Oh well, I guess I have to deal with her too. If I want to make Aladdin mine, he has to forget her." Sadira ran back down the stairs and out of the building, making her way through the starlit streets to the palace. Once there she stood before the formidable walls surrounding it. On each side of the huge doors stood a guard. One of them recognized her immediately. "What are you doing here street rat?" he growled, moving closer to her. "Um . . . nothing, kind sir . . ." She fished around in her pocket for the magic sand she always kept there. Pinching some of it between her fingers, she threw it at the guards and quickly chanted a spell she had memorized. Their eyes glazed over. They weren't unconscious, but they weren't aware either. Both of them looked through Sadira as if she wasn't there. "That was easy," she laughed. She didn't have trouble climbing over the walls. Experiences in the marketplace had her prepared for that. She dropped down on the opposite side of the wall and began circling the palace, looking in every window she passed for Aladdin. As she came around the last side of the palace, she noticed the light streaming out of the ballroom. Tiptoeing to the window, she peaked inside. The candlelit room and musicians caught her attention first. Then her focus shifted to Aladdin and Jasmine. They were off to the side of the room, holding each other and dancing. She saw Jasmine's closed eyes and the small smile on Aladdin's face. As she took in the scene, she felt a pain in her heart. She knew, though she hated to admit it, that Aladdin deeply loved Jasmine. She could see it in the way he always had a little smile on his face when someone spoke of her. She saw it by the look in his eyes when Jasmine was with him. She heard it in his voice when he talked with such fondness of her. So many things told her it was true, yet she was still convinced that somehow she could make Aladdin love her. After all, she reasoned, people fall out of love all the time, and then back in love with someone new. Why shouldn't he fall out of love with Jasmine, and in love with me? He'll come to his senses; I'll prove I'm the one for him, no matter what it takes . . . She crouched down far enough so that to see her from the palace, someone would have to go very close to the window. Peeking her head above the sill, she could still see inside. As she watched, she developed her plan. It has to work, because this time, I'll get Jasmine out of the way long enough for him to fall in love with me. She kept her vigil for hours, until Aladdin and Jasmine had danced to the last song. That was just enough time for her to work out every little detail in her plan. Nothing would go wrong! As she rose, she blew a kiss to Aladdin through the window. "Soon you will be mine, Handsome," she whispered. Then she turned to leave. She had to prepare in her cavern for the spell she was about to try. Aladdin let Jasmine down from his arms after the last dance. She smiled as she looked up into his eyes. "May I accompany you to your room?" he asked. "I would be honored," she answered. She linked her arm through his, and he led her out of the ballroom, through the many corridors, and up the stairs until they stopped at Jasmine's chamber. "Thanks for inviting me tonight. I had fun, and I think I even learned to dance a little," said Aladdin with a laugh. "I had a great time, too. Thank you for coming. And, I think you danced just fine," Jasmine answered. "Good-night." "Good-night." He kissed her before he left. As he was heading away from her room, she called out to him, "Come again tomorrow, okay?" "Sure," he called over his shoulder. "I'll see you then." He hummed as he walked home through the darkness. The night had been perfect. He was looking forward to going back to the palace in the morning. Jasmine could hear Aladdin knocking on her door. She knew it was him, but she didn't want him to come in. Her head hurt terribly. Why is he here so early? she wondered. His pounding on the door had awakened her. It seemed extremely loud. "Jasmine?" he called. "Can I come in?" She wanted to be alone and go back to sleep, but she couldn't turn him away. After all, she had told him to come back in the morning. She really wanted to see him, but not now . . . she was too tired. "Come in, Aladdin," she called drowsily. The door creaked open. "Jasmine-" He stopped and stared at her, lying in bed, the blankets pulled up around her. Her eyes were red. He wondered if she had been crying. "Jasmine," he said walking toward her. "Why are you still in bed?" What a stupid question, she thought. I want to know why he's here so early . . . "Because," she mumbled. "It's early, and I'm tired. Why are you here already?" "Why am I here already? It's early? The morning has already past. It's almost half past one, in the afternoon." At first, Jasmine didn't believe him. How could it be so late? She had never overslept this way, and she was still tired. "You haven't awaken yet? That's not like you." "I know," Jasmine murmured sleepily. "You woke me up. How long would I have slept if you hadn't?" She sat up slowly, and it made her head hurt more. Her hair had come loose and hung in her face. The blankets that had been wrapped around her fell down into a pile on her bed and across her knees. Shivering, she rubbed her arms, feeling someone's gaze on her. She looked up. Aladdin was watching her. Aladdin! She had forgotten that he was there; she had forgotten that he had even come at all. But how could she have? Her head dropped wearily again, and she saw the green silk of her nightgown. I'm not even dressed yet! she realized. And my hair, it must look terrible . . . I must look terrible. Why did I let Aladdin in? I should have been dressed and had my hair done, but I just invited him in, while I was practically asleep. That was disrespectful; I should have been awake already. "Jasmine, is something wrong?" Aladdin asked. He didn't think he should add that she didn't look too good. "Why did you sleep for so long?" "I don't know." She shook her head, hoping to clear her mind. "I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking." "Are you sure nothing is wrong? Are you sick?" She wanted him to leave, so she could crawl beneath the blankets and sleep, even though she knew she should have been awake hours ago. Instead of telling him any of this, she forced herself to smile. "No, I'm not sick. Nothing's wrong. I just overslept, that's all." She didn't tell him how badly her head hurt. Picking up her brush, she began straightening her tangled hair, wondering why her father hadn't waken her up. Her mind wandered as she thought of one thing, then another, but nothing in particular. Thinking about one thing was too hard right now. She heard the brush drop to the floor. She didn't even know that she had let go of it, but she didn't care. She let herself fall back against the pillows, expecting to hear nothing but silence. And then she realized that Aladdin was talking to her. She hadn't heard a word he had said before, hadn't even known he was speaking. "So, I thought maybe . . ." Aladdin's voice trailed off. "Jasmine, you haven't said a thing. Are you trying to ignore me? Do you want me to leave?" Without thinking, Jasmine nodded. "You do want me to leave?" Aladdin asked. "It's just that . . . I'm so tired . . . and I have headache. I'm sorry," she whispered. "It's okay. I'll leave and let you rest." "Thanks." He rose, brushing her face with his finger. "Are you sure you're okay?" "Yes, I'm fine," she assured him. "I just need to rest. Come back later. Knock first, and if I don't answer in a few minutes, just let yourself in." "I hope you feel better. Good-bye." "Bye." She was grateful when he left, needing to be alone in the silence. She buried her face in the pillows and almost fell asleep . . . but she felt someone else's presence in the room. She rolled over onto her back and opened her eyes, expecting to see her father or Aladdin. But no, the shadowy figure leaning over her was that of a young woman. Vaguely, she recognized Sadira, but she was too tired to be alarmed. Her eyes closed and she fell into a deep and dreamless sleep. Aladdin walked through the hall almost soundlessly as he was leaving. He could hear Jasmine's breathing get heavier as she fell asleep. I can't believe she's fallen asleep again so quickly . . . I'm not even out of the palace yet . . . Then the rhythmic sound of her breathing was joined by the sound of something else . . . the sound of movement within the room. But Jasmine wasn't awake, was she? He changed direction and returned to her room. "Jasmine?" He knocked quietly on the door, but there wasn't an answer. "Are you awake?" More noise inside . . . someone bustling about quickly, but still no answer . . . Slowly, he pushed open the door, and his eyes searched Jasmine's large bed chamber. He could see the form of Jasmine's body under the sheets in her bed, and she was definitely sleeping. He walked around the room, but no one was there. I must have been imagining the sounds, he decided. Jasmine's the only one here, and she's asleep . . . the noise must have come from someplace else . . . On his way home he thought about what had happened at the palace. It's not normal that Jasmine was sleeping when I arrived . . . she didn't know what time it was, and she hardly said a word to me. Even though we were up late, she looked overly tired. She said she wasn't sick, so why wasn't she acting like herself? She seemed confused, but she didn't have a reason to be. She knew I was coming today . . . she invited me . . . and she was fine last night . . . He was still thinking about her as he climbed the steps to his home. Suddenly Genie popped out of his lamp. "Why are you home from the palace so early, Al? We'd expected you to be gone a few hours." "Is her Royal Highness already tired of you?" asked Iago mockingly. The Genie noticed Aladdin's worried expression. "Hey, kid, what's wrong?" "I went to the palace, and when I got there, Jasmine was still in bed, Aladdin began. "I asked her why she wasn't up, and she said it was because it was early, and that I had awakened her. But it wasn't early. She said she wasn't sick, but she didn't hear a word I said. She acted like I wasn't even there, and when I asked her if she wanted me to leave, she said yes! So . . . I left." "Oh, Al, that's not a big deal. She probably was tired; you were up late last night." Genie smiled. "But it's just not like her, Genie. I've never known her to sleep so long, no matter how late she was up the night before. And why didn't the Sultan wake her?" He suddenly remembered that he hadn't seen the Sultan at all in the palace. "Something else bothers me," he continued. "When I was leaving, I thought I heard someone moving around in Jasmine's room, but when I checked, no one was there . . . not even Rajah. Jasmine was sleeping, so it wasn't her I heard." "It's a curse!" yelled Iago. "Jasmine has been cursed!" "I don't think so, Iago," said Aladdin, "but it still worries me. Maybe I shouldn't have left her alone in the palace." "Well, didn't she tell you to go away?" asked Iago. He didn't wait for a reply. "Then you did exactly as she told you." "She told me to leave," answered Aladdin. "But she said to come back later." Suddenly an uneasy feeling came over him. "I'm going back right now; something just doesn't seem right." "But you just got here, Al. Maybe she doesn't want you back so soon," Genie said. "Maybe she's still tired. You mustn't wake her from her beauty rest!" "Has it occurred to anyone that maybe she doesn't want you back at all?" questioned Iago. Aladdin didn't answer. He was already heading out the door. The halls of the palace were silent when Aladdin arrived, as if no one lived there at all. Once again he saw no sign of the Sultan, but instead of letting it worry him, he decided he'd ask Jasmine about him when he found her. He arrived at Jasmine's room and knocked on the door. When there was no answer, he knocked again, remembering what Jasmine had said earlier: Come back later. Knock first, and if I don't answer in a few minutes, let yourself in. His waiting for a reply was answered by silence, so he pushed the door open. Jasmine wasn't there. Her bed had been perfectly made, without one wrinkle in the fine silk. No one would have guessed that less than an hour ago the princess had been sleeping in it, because there was no sign of her now. As he walked to her vanity, he noticed that everything was in perfect order there, too. It was empty besides the brush Jasmine had dropped earlier, a vase, and a small piece of folded paper. A letter. He picked it up and turned it over in his hands. Aladdin. It was for him. He opened it slowly, immediately recognizing Jasmine's small, delicate hand-writing. He began to read. Dear Aladdin, Thank you for coming back. Although I appreciate it, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave. If you are wondering where I am, don't bother looking for me. I'm going through some problems; don't worry, they have nothing to do with you. It's just something I have to deal with myself, without any help from anybody. Jasmine He carefully refolded the letter and slipped it into his pocket, wondering: What kind of problems could Jasmine be going through that she doesn't want my help? Maybe she doesn't know what she wants . . . maybe she thinks she doesn't want help, but would be grateful if she received it. I have to help her . . . but I can't if I don't know what the problem is. I'll find her and see what's wrong; what kind of person would I be if I didn't support her? We'll be married soon . . . we have to learn to help and understand each other. He ignored what the letter said and decided to find her and see what was wrong. Unsure of where to begin, he went home, hoping the Genie could give him advice. But to Aladdin's surprise, the Genie was gone. So were Abu and Iago. Aladdin had no choice but to head back to the palace. Once there, he searched the halls again. He wanted to ask someone where Jasmine was, but no one was around. He began to climb the flight of stairs that would bring him to her room. "Jasmine!" he called. "Where are you?" "Rasoul! Sultan! Phasal?" he cried out. No one answered. Where was everyone? Aladdin couldn't remember a time when the palace had been so deserted. First he had thought it unusual that he hadn't seen the Sultan or Rajah in the palace. Then the guards couldn't be found, and now he didn't know where Jasmine was. Even Abu, Iago, and Genie were gone. It didn't make sense. He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't even notice that someone else was rushing down the steps, until she collided with him. Apparently, she was caught up in her own thoughts, too. She had fallen down and was sitting on the steps. Aladdin looked down. It was Jasmine! He bent to help her up. "Jasmine! I'm sorry," he apologized. "I should have been watching where I was going." She didn't say anything, just stared at him blankly as he pulled her up. "I'm glad you're feeling better, Jasmine." "How do you know I feel better?" she asked. He shrugged. "I assumed that since you were out of bed, you felt better. You look a lot better, too." "Are you saying that I looked bad before?" "No, it's just that-" She interrupted him. "Have you been in my room?" He nodded. He began to speak, but she cut him off. "Did you read the letter?" Again he nodded. "Then why did you come looking for me?" she asked angrily. "I told you not to." "Jasmine, I want to help you," he said. She turned around and started heading back up the stairs. He followed her and grabbed her arm, keeping her from going any farther. He whirled her around to make her face him. "Jasmine, please tell me what's wrong; let me help you." "I don't want any help." "It might make you feel better if you talked to someone," he said. "Maybe I will talk to someone then, but not to you. I told you, I do NOT need your help." Jerking her arm out of his grasp, she continued up the stairs. He ran ahead and stood in her way. "Jasmine, we're going to be married! You have to let me help you." "Aladdin, no." "Why not?" She pushed him out of her way and kept walking, then looked over her shoulder at him. "Aladdin, that whole letter was just . . ." She paused. "Never mind." He ran after her. "The whole letter was just what?" She didn't stop. "Where are you going in such a hurry?" "It's not any of your business, but I'm going to get ready." She rushed to the top of the stairs. "Get ready for what?" Aladdin asked. She didn't answer. She didn't even turn around. Aladdin sighed. What was wrong with her? He had never seen her like this. By now she was so far ahead of him that he couldn't see her, but he continued up the stairs intending to visit her room. He stopped at her door; he knew she was inside by the sound of her movements. He knocked hard, so she couldn't give the excuse that she hadn't heard him. "Jasmine, will you open the door?" "No!" came her voice from inside. "Leave me alone!" "Jasmine, why are you acting like this? What made you change?" he asked. "I haven't changed one bit!" "Yes you have, Jasmine. You're not yourself." "You're the one who's not acting right. You should respect my privacy and leave me alone!" she called. "Why don't you just let me in?" "Because, this is my room and you have no right to be in here." "I have a right to know what's going on!" Although he was trying not to let it, his voice was beginning to rise. A long silence followed, neither of them speaking to the other. Finally, Aladdin asked, "Jasmine, can I please come in? I hate talking to you through the door." "No." "Why not?" "Aladdin, go away! Sometimes a girl needs some privacy. Can't you accept that?" "What are you doing?" "I'm getting dressed in here! Is that all right with you? Or do you have to come in to make sure I'm telling the truth?" "I'm sorry. I didn't know, because you wouldn't tell me. What are you getting ready for?" He waited for her to say something, anything, but she maintained her silence. He turned and walked away from her room. She won't even talk to me now. What is happening to her? he wondered. He went down the steps, stopped halfway between the top and bottom, and sat down. I'll wait here until Jasmine comes out; she can't stay in there forever, and I'm not giving up until I learn what's happened to her. Aladdin stayed there for what felt like hours, and still Jasmine didn't come out of her room. He was about to head back upstairs, when he caught sight of the Sultan on the floor below him. Perfect! he thought. The Sultan will know why Jasmine is acting like this, and if he doesn't, he'll help me get to the bottom of this. "Sultan!" he yelled, rushing down the remainder of the stairs. "Sultan, I need to talk to you." The Sultan looked up at Aladdin, clearly surprised. "Oh my! Aladdin! I didn't expect to see you this afternoon!" "Where have you been?" asked Aladdin. "I haven't seen you all day." "My boy, it's been a very busy morning." The Sultan had a hurried air about him, as if he had been caught in the middle of running errands.. Just as Aladdin was about to question him further, the Sultan interrupted with: "What are you doing here?" "I came to talk to Jasmine," he answered. "Then you'd best find her," the Sultan commented. "First I need to talk to you." "About what?" "Jasmine." The Sultan frowned. "Oh dear, come with me. We'll sit down." Aladdin was led into another room, where he and the Sultan plopped down on huge pillows. "Now, Aladdin, what seems to be the problem?" he asked. "I'm not sure where to begin," Aladdin admitted. "Earlier this afternoon, when I came to see Jasmine, she was still in bed--" "In the afternoon?" repeated the Sultan. "My boy, she's been as busy, indeed busier, than I, all day. She was up with the sun." "But--" Aladdin grasped for words. He knew he had seen Jasmine . . . and she had told him to leave . . . Had her headache and fatigue been an act? "She told me to leave," stammered Aladdin, "but to come back later. And when I did, I couldn't find her . . . but she left me this note . . ." He searched for it in his pocket and handed it to the Sultan. "Hmmm." The Sultan's brow creased as he read the letter, and he muttered something to himself that Aladdin couldn't decipher. "I wanted to help her," continued Aladdin. "I was looking for her, and I ran into her on the stairs. She wasn't acting like herself. She kept pulling away from me, saying she was going to get ready. I followed her upstairs, but was locked out of her room." Aladdin sighed. "Do you know what she's doing?" "Well," said the Sultan thoughtfully, "I imagine that she's preparing herself for the Prince." "The Prince?" echoed Aladdin. "What Prince?" "Jasmine hasn't talked to you about him yet?" Aladdin shook his head. "Where is this Prince from? And when is he coming to Agrabah?" "He arrived from Egypt this morning," answered the Sultan. "Jasmine said he'd written her and announced his plans for visiting . . . but she didn't inform me until today; she can be very careless sometimes . . . " "Yes," murmured Aladdin absently. "Haven't you seen him?" asked the Sultan. "No." "Oh dear, I think I've said too much!" the Sultan exclaimed. "I didn't realized that you didn't know about the arrangements yet." He sighed. "Jasmine said she was going to explain it to you; she was just waiting for the right time . . ." "Explain what?" Aladdin asked impatiently, thinking, Jasmine has never kept anything from me before. "It isn't my place to tell you. Even if I did, you wouldn't believe me . . . and I think you should hear it from Jasmine anyway." He paused, a sad expression on his face. "In fact, I didn't believe it at first. I tried to talk her out of it, but it's what she said would make her happy. I'm sorry, boy." "About what?" The Sultan placed his hand on Aladdin's shoulder. "Go talk to Jasmine, Aladdin. She'll have to tell you sooner or later." He left the room. This is getting stranger and stranger, thought Aladdin, as he headed back upstairs to Jasmine's room. First, she slept much longer than usual . . . but the Sultan said she was up with the sun. And now a mysterious Prince from Egypt has entered the picture, and something Jasmine is suppose to tell me . . . but hasn't . . . He returned to Jasmine's room, knocking on the door and calling, Jasmine!" But there was no answer. Pushing it open, he peeked into the room. When he didn't see her anywhere, he walked inside. On the dresser was another letter addressed to him. Aladdin, Why do you keep coming back? You know I want you to leave me alone for a while. I wasn't going to tell you this yet, but if it's the only way to get the point across, so be it. When I wouldn't let you in, I was getting ready to meet Prince Yonaton. He holds a very high position within his monarchy. It's important for you to be out of sight when I meet him, because in all honesty, I can't afford to be seen with a street rat like you. Princess Jasmine Aladdin read the letter again, his hands shaking with pain and anger. I can't believe Jasmine wrote that . . . Most of it didn't bother him much; what really hurt was Jasmine's referral to him as a street rat. If there was anything in the world he didn't want to be called, that was it. But Jasmine knew he hated it. She had never even come close to saying anything of the sort to him. Ever since they had become engaged, Aladdin had heard less and less of the old name. Most people stopped using it out of respect for his position as the Princess's fiancé, but Jasmine never used it out of respect for him. In this day, Jasmine had surprised him many times by behaving like someone completely different . . . but still, he didn't want to believe she would try to deliberately hurt him. Perhaps, he thought, grasping for hope, she didn't write this letter. Finding the one she had written before, he compared the handwriting. It was the same. Deep down, he had known it would be. Very often Jasmine had to meet monarchs of other kingdoms. She was the princess, and it was her responsibility, but Aladdin had never been excluded from her meetings before. She had never seemed ashamed or embarrassed to be seen with him, nor did she deny that she was engaged to a man who wasn't of royal blood or even the child of wealthy parents. So why is it, that suddenly she doesn't want to be seen with me, and doesn't want me around when she's with Prince Yonaton? wondered Aladdin. What makes this prince different from the others? Aladdin was going to find out. Even though Jasmine didn't want him to meet Yonaton, the Prince seemed to be the only one who could give him the answers. His memory drifted to when he had first come to the palace, hoping to win Jasmine's love. Everyone had believed that he was a prince, and he was given one of the most comfortable suites in the palace. The room was in the same hall as Jasmine's, but it wasn't near hers. It was the very last room in that wing of the palace. He didn't think he would find the Prince there, because that room was usually reserved for himself. However, unoccupied chambers filled both sides of the hall, and Yonaton could be staying in one of those. Aladdin searched the entire section of the palace and didn't find a trace of a visitor. As he was about to leave that wing and search another, he heard voices coming from inside Jasmine's room. Walking nearer to the room, he distinctly recognized Jasmine's voice, but her male companion's wasn't familiar. For a moment both voices fell silent . . . at least, that's what Aladdin thought before he crept close enough to hear the whispers. Jasmine's laughter followed, but there was something about it that made it seem not her own. "Now, Jasmine, we need to talk," the man said soberly. "About what?" asked Jasmine. A hint of light-hearted giggle touched her words. "You know . . . that other man. Have you told him about me yet?" "Actually. . . no," she answered slowly. "Jasmine . . ." "Yonaton, try to understand," she pleaded. "I'm looking for the right time." She's talking to the Prince! Aladdin realized. And the 'other man' had to be him! Moving closer to the door, he pushed it open a crack and peeked inside. Jasmine was dressed in her finest robes and was seated on the bed, the Prince sitting comfortably beside her. He had long, silky black hair, unblemished skin, an even smile, and sparkling dark eyes. Aladdin felt a twinge of jealousy. "Jasmine," persisted Yonaton, "you have to tell him soon. You can't hide it from him forever." "I know." Jasmine slid closer to him. "But why should you care? Are you afraid I'm going to change my mind if I put off telling him any longer?" When he didn't answer, Jasmine laughed. "Well, if you are," she said playfully, "you have nothing to worry about." Her arms slipped around his neck. "Once I've made up my mind, I usually carry it out." His unnaturally perfect smile flashed, and he murmured, "Good." The word was quickly muffled by Jasmine's lips covering his. Aladdin watched in disbelief. That's not a kiss of courtesy. . . that's the way she kisses me. Without thinking, he flung the door open. Jasmine jerked away from the prince and her eyes darted to Aladdin, surprise clearly showing on her face. Unbearable anger welled up inside Aladdin . . . anger such as he had never felt before. How can Jasmine kiss Yonaton as if he means more to her than I do? What right does Yonaton have for barging in on our life? And why couldn't I piece this together sooner? His anger was so strong he couldn't speak. Almost as one person, Jasmine and Yonaton rose from the bed. Finally, Aladdin found his voice. "Jasmine, why were you kissing him?" he demanded. She didn't answer. Instead, she glanced over at Yonaton, but he was backing into the shadows. Jasmine turned back toward Aladdin, opened her mouth to speak, and then closed it again. "And don't tell me that kiss didn't mean anything, Jasmine, because I could see that it did," Aladdin said. "I'm not going to lie to you anymore," she admitted. "You're right. It did mean something. Aladdin . . . I'm sorry . . . I didn't want you to find out this way . . ." Jasmine sighed before murmuring, "I've fallen in love with Prince Yonaton." "What?" Aladdin whispered. "But you. . ." He wanted to say that she was in love with him, but the words stuck in his throat. As if reading his mind, she said, "I'm sorry, Aladdin. I'm not in love with you anymore . . . not the way I used to be. When I first met you, I thought you were the most wonderful man in the world . . . but that was over a year ago, and I've changed a lot since then . . . we've changed a lot since then. Perhaps what we felt was no more than a crush." Aladdin stared at her, unable to believe her words. "Jasmine, you and I are engaged to be married!" Jasmine looked at the floor. "Not anymore." "What?" Her head shot up. "Aladdin, I've already talked to my father. All the wedding arrangements have been canceled." Suddenly Aladdin knew what the Sultan had been talking about. His throat tightened painfully. "Why, Jasmine?" "Aladdin, you know I believe in marrying for love. I won't marry anyone I don't love . . . I could never be happy with him. And I don't think I love you anymore. That's why the engagement has been called off." Aladdin felt as if she'd driven a knife through his heart. "How could you?" he asked. "How could you be so heartless?" Anger flamed in Jasmine's eyes as she cried, "Do you think this is easy for me? Do you? Do you think it was easy for me to admit to myself that I didn't love you anymore? I can't help the way I feel!" "Is this the "problem" you spoke of in your letter earlier?" he asked. She shook her head. "Aladdin, that letter didn't mean a thing. I wrote it so it could buy me some time, give me a while to find a way to tell you . . ." "I'm sorry, but I just don't understand you," he said. How could she have changed so much overnight? Jasmine's voice turned cold as she said, "You're right. You don't understand me. You couldn't possibly, and you probably never will. And I don't understand you. We never really have understood each other. Don't you see? We can't be together. Our upbringings are too different, and it's impossible for us ever to sympathize with each other. I've tried, Aladdin, but it's no use. I was brought up in royalty; you grew up on the streets. I was taught that stealing was wrong, yet you did it every day to stay alive. And there are more differences, so many, I couldn't even count them." She glanced at Yonaton and added, "That's why I'll have a better life with a Prince. He was brought up as I was, and he knows how I feel. And you would be better off with another woman . . . one who would understand you." Her words had cut him, and he didn't know how to reply. He loved her . . . he had believed she loved him. The differences had never mattered before. Why should two people have to be exactly alike to fall in love? How could Jasmine tell him they could never be happy together, when he could recall times when they had spent hours planning what a wonderful life they would have? Didn't she remember everything they had shared? Didn't she care? Did she really want to throw it all away? "Aladdin, please leave," she commanded softly. He turned and left without saying another word. There seemed to be an empty hole where his heart had been, and he walked out of the palace with his head hung down. Smiling, Sadira observed the scene in a small, clear pool in her cavern. She sprinkled more sand into it and repeated the spell to keep the vision in the water from fading away. Her face showed pure enjoyment. Her spell was working perfectly . . . so far. Surely Aladdin would want to forget Jasmine after the way she'd treated him. Aladdin was unaware that the woman he had been talking to was not his beloved Jasmine at all. She was Sadira's creation, an image made of sand, and nothing more. Prince Yonaton was also one of these images. Sadira controlled everything they did without leaving her cavern. The real Jasmine had been taken care of by Sadira, because if she were there, her image would die. Nervously, Sadira began to pace, reminding herself that as soon as the sun set, her spell would be final. The sand images couldn't be destroyed, no matter what. But before then, the spell was unstable, and could be disturbed by a number of occurrences. Mixing magics, such as Genie's magic, could alter the spell. Or, if the real Jasmine were to confront the image of Jasmine, the image would crumble back into sand and be completely destroyed. So too, would Yonaton. Jasmine was locked against the wall, chains connected to her arms. Sadira had also captured Abu, Iago, Rajah, Carpet, and Genie, using the same sleep spell that had allowed her to obtain Jasmine. She wasn't taking any chances . . . what she was working for was too important. Watching Sadira, Jasmine struggled with the chains, the metal rubbing painfully against her wrists. "Sadira, how could you do this?" she cried. "I thought you were our friend!" Sadira turned away from the pool, and suddenly the expression on her face changed from enjoyment to something more like sorrow or regret. "I wanted to be. Really I did." "You certainly aren't acting like it!" Jasmine said. "Jasmine, I tried . . . I really did . . . it's just that . . ." She paused. "How can I be your friend if I'm always competing against you? It can't work." "Then stop trying to compete, Sadira." Sadira looked Jasmine straight in the eye. "That's easy for you to say." "What do you mean by that?" An exasperated sigh escaped Sadira. "Jasmine, you're a Princess! All your life, you've had everything handed to you. You don't know what it's like to be hungry and have to race against others like you for one scrap of food! You don't know what it's like for people to look down upon you because you don't have money! You don't know what it's like being called "street rat" or worse names, every day of your life! And most of all, you don't know what it's like to watch someone else with the man of your dreams. YOU have Aladdin, Jasmine. You have no idea what it's like to constantly have to compete . . . and lose." Sadira turned her back to Jasmine. "Sadira, if you need food or money, fine. But stay away from Aladdin!" Jasmine warned. Sadira whirled around. "I don't need your help, Jasmine. Besides, don't you get it? That isn't what this is about. It's about love." She lowered her eyes and whispered, "I need someone to love . . . someone who will love me in return. You have your father and Aladdin, and half the city. Everybody loves the Princess . . . but what about me? I need Aladdin." Jasmine couldn't help feeling sorry for Sadira, but when she glanced back at the pool, watching Sadira destroy Aladdin's faith in her, her anger returned. Why did Sadira have to go after Aladdin, of all people? "I hope you know, you're hurting Aladdin," she remarked coldly. "No, Jasmine, you are," she answered, referring to the image of Jasmine displayed in the pool. "But that's not me!" she screamed. "Aladdin, that's not me! I would never do that!" "He can't hear you, Jasmine." "I know," she whispered. Neither of them said anything. Sadira reached to a nearby shelf, pulled down a small bottle, and dropped it in her pocket. Jasmine was too caught up in her thoughts to notice what it contained. Finally, she broke the silence. "Sadira, I love Aladdin, and he loves me. That's not something you can steal away, like food or money." "That's where I'm going to prove you wrong, Princess." And with that, Sadira left. "Oh yeah, she has her marbles lined up!" squawked Iago from a birdcage hanging right above Jasmine's head. Jasmine looked up. She had almost forgotten about Iago, Abu, Rajah, Genie, and Carpet. Once reminded, she was surprised at how long Iago had kept his mouth shut. "We have to get out of here," she said. "OH, REALLY? Well, I bet that took a lot of brains to figure out! Here's the real tough question: HOW???" Iago demanded. "I'm thinking, I'm thinking." Jasmine whispered. "Wait! If we could somehow get Genie out of that bottle Sadira trapped him in, he could get us out of here with his magic!" "Oh gee, Princess. That would almost work. EXCEPT THAT THE GENIE ISN'T HERE!" Iago shouted. "What do you mean?" Jasmine asked. She knew Sadira had captured Genie and then tricked him into a bottle. "Of course the Genie's here. He's right over there on that shelf." Jasmine pointed and then stared. The spot where he had been was empty! She turned back to Iago. "Iago, where is he?" "You mean you didn't see?" Jasmine shook her head. "Well, you were busy having your little spat with Sadira. While you were fighting, that little Sand Witch took the Genie and put him in her pocket. He's with her now," Iago explained. Of course. Jasmine did remember Sadira taking the bottle now that she thought about it. Jasmine's eyes searched the cavern as she wondered what to do next. In one corner was Sadira's collection of spells, hundreds of them. Near those was a shelf overflowing with bottles, bags, and strangely painted pottery, all which were filled with magic sand. Finally, Jasmine fixed her gaze on the pool. She could see Aladdin walking down the streets of Agrabah, but the picture was disappearing into a foggy mist. Above Jasmine, Iago was complaining about his birdcage lacking a peach. Carpet was strapped against the wall, and Rajah was at Jasmine's feet, his head between chained paws. His tail was tapping the floor impatiently. "I know Rajah," she said sympathetically. He looked up at the sound of her voice. "I'm getting restless too. But we'll be out of here soon, if I can help it. There's no way I'm going to just sit here while Sadira tries to steal Aladdin." Beginning to struggle in the uncomfortable chains once again, Jasmine heard a familiar chattering. Abu was sitting on Rajah's rump. When he knew he had Jasmine's attention, he began squeaking excitedly. Jasmine had trouble keeping up, because she couldn't understand Abu as well as Aladdin, Genie or Iago. "Abu, slow down," she pleaded. "I don't know what you're talking about!" He pointed at his vest with his tail. Of course! Abu's lock pics had gotten everyone out of tough spots more than once. "Oh, Abu, perfect! You can use your lock pics to get us out!" After nodding happily, he tackled his own lock by maneuvering the pic with his tail. Without the use of his hands he was a bit clumsy, and it was a while before he was free. But once he fell to the ground, he worked quickly and unlocked everyone's chains in turn, gladly accepting the praise and pats on the back he received. Jasmine was the first to hop on Carpet, and she motioned for Abu to join her. He scrambled up beside her, Iago flew alongside, and Rajah was ready to follow close behind. Making sure everyone was there, she said, "Let's go!" The carpet shot out of the cavern. Jasmine hoped they wouldn't be too late. Aladdin was walking home at a slow pace when Sadira caught up with him. It was going to be difficult pretending that she was oblivious to what had happened, but she had to try. If all goes well, she thought hopefully, Aladdin will want to forget Jasmine, and therefore, be free for me. She took a deep breath and quickened her pace until she was walking in step with Aladdin. He didn't notice her. "Hi, Aladdin!" Surprised, he looked up. "Oh, Sadira. Hi." He lowered his head again. "What's wrong?" Sadira prompted. He sighed. "It's Jasmine." "Oh. Uh . . . do you need to talk to someone about it?" she asked. Aladdin studied Sadira's face. He knew she could be shifty, and yet she had proven to be their friend. He didn't know where Genie, Iago, and Abu were, and talking to Jasmine was out of the question. He finally decided to trust Sadira. After all, people could change. "It started this morning . . ." He told her everything that she not only knew, but had planned. He started with Jasmine's oversleeping, then went on to tell about the first and second letters, the meeting on the stairs, the way the Sultan had acted and what he'd said, Prince Yonaton, and finally, the fight and wedding arrangements. "Then she said I don't understand her, and that she doesn't understand me. She said it would never work, and that I should find someone different." Aladdin hadn't meant to tell Sadira everything, but once he had started, he found it felt good to let it all out. There was a short silence before Sadira remarked, "Jasmine's right, you know." "What?" Aladdin asked disbelievingly. It wasn't the reply he had expected. "Don't get the wrong idea," Sadira said quickly. "I'm not taking her side. The way she treated you was terrible. What I meant was, some of the points she made were true. Like the part about you not understanding each other." "What do you mean?" "She will never understand you, Aladdin!" cried Sadira. "Don't you see? She may be a great person, but she could never understand how we live! She's a princess and always has been. You and I, we know what it's like to live on the streets." "I just can't believe we couldn't work it out somehow," he said. "I know it's hard, but maybe it just wasn't meant to be." Sadira put a note of feigned sadness in her voice. "But I was so sure we belonged together!" Aladdin sighed, and Sadira was painfully reminded that he did care for Jasmine. Making him fall in love with another wouldn't be easy. "Thanks for listening anyway, Sadira," he said. "I guess I really did need someone to talk to." "Why don't I come to your home with you, and we could talk some more," Sadira suggested. He nodded. "That would be okay." Sadira smiled. The sun would soon be setting. Jasmine swooshed over the city on Carpet, searching until she saw Aladdin. She finally found Sadira and Aladdin walking together. They were both smiling, but Aladdin's smile was sad while Sadira's was victorious. After Carpet had landed, Jasmine stepped off with her animal friends following. Glancing down at herself, she realized that she was still in her nightgown, because Sadira had taken her while she slept, but it didn't seem to matter now. "Aladdin!" she called. At the familiar voice he glanced behind him, astonished to see Jasmine. Remembering what had happened at the palace, he turned away. He didn't want to talk to her. Sadira also saw Jasmine, and a great disappointment came over her. NO! she thought furiously. I was so close. "Aladdin, you have every right to be angry with me, but you have to listen." Jasmine tried to take his hand, but he jerked it away from her. She knew he was upset with the image and not her, but she couldn't help feeling hurt. He had never turned away from her before. "Aladdin, you have to listen." Although she was trying not to let it, her voice was shaking. Aladdin noticed it too, and told himself he must be imagining it. He looked over his shoulder at her, and to his surprise, saw her face filled with pain and frustration. It was hard for him to turn away again. "Please, Aladdin, I have to talk to you." This time he knew her voice was shaking, and when he turned, she threw her arms around his neck. Almost as a reflex, he opened his arms to return her embrace. He couldn't keep walking away now. Over the top of her head, Aladdin saw Iago, Abu, Rajah, and Carpet. But where was Genie? And where was Yonaton? (He remembered Yonaton with mixed anger and jealousy.) Why was Jasmine still in her nightgown, when she had been dressed in her finest before? And most importantly, why did she seem so close to tears? "Oh, Aladdin, I'm so sorry," she whispered. "I can explain everything." Sadira gasped. Jasmine was going to tell! Her images would be destroyed, and Aladdin would hate her. "Jasmine, what happened?" "Aladdin, I'm not going to marry Yonaton," she began, knowing it was what he was most concerned about. "I could never love anyone the way I love you." He sighed. "That's a relief. But you told me yourself, all that stuff you said about finding someone new, and . . ." She cut him off. "That wasn't me." He looked confused. "Then who was it?" "No one, really. That was only an image, created of nothing more than sand!" "Then where were you? And was Yonaton real? Who created these "images?" Who would want to do that? Who knows how?" As soon as the questions tumbled out, he remembered Sadira. She knew every sand spell imaginable. But she was their friend, wasn't she? Jasmine tried to answer all his questions. "Yonaton wasn't real, he was another image . . ." She paused. Strangely, she felt as though she would be betraying Sadira if she told Aladdin the truth, but she knew he deserved to hear it. "Sadira created them, and I was trapped in her cavern." She smiled at Abu and added, "If it weren't for Abu, I still would be." Abu smiled back and began strutting around in circles, happy to have played such an important role. "Thanks, Pal," said Aladdin. Iago rolled his eyes. Then Aladdin turned back to Jasmine. "What about the letters? Did you write them?" She shook her head. "Sadira seems to have a talent for forgery. She wrote them. The only time you were really talking to me was this morning." Aladdin glanced at Sadira, but she wouldn't make eye contact. "Sadira, if this is true, how do we get rid of these images?" Sadira guiltily looked up and whispered, "It's true. Follow me." She led them down the streets and back to the palace, deliberately going slow, half hoping the sun would set and make her spell final. They reached the palace all too soon for Sadira, and she told them they would find the images in Jasmine's room. Aladdin, Jasmine, Abu, Rajah, Iago, and Carpet all rushed upstairs, but Sadira trailed behind much more slowly. Finally they arrived at Jasmine's chamber. After Sadira had caught up, the door was pushed open. The image of Jasmine stood up, as did the image of Yonaton beside her. The real Jasmine entered the room and for a moment stood face to face with herself. Eerie shivers raced upon her skin as the image began to distort itself. Then it lost its shape completely, crumbling to the ground. The same happened to Yonaton. They were both piles of sand, but sand unlike the usual grains found in the desert. It was a fine, almost soft powder, and it sparkled as if filled with tiny diamonds. Jasmine kneeled on the floor and sifted through the sand, feeling it slide between her fingers and back into the pile. "EEEW! YUCK!" said Iago. "That's almost like going through the bones of your own dead body, Princess." Aladdin shot him a look that was meant to silence him. "What?" Iago cried. "Don't I have the right to an opinion?" Jasmine ignored him as she dropped the rest of the powder and brushed her hands on her nightgown. "It's only sand," she said disbelievingly. She found it incomprehensible that only moments ago it had been an exact replica of herself. Jasmine looked up at Sadira. She was gazing out the window, watching as the last orange rays of sun disappeared. If only Jasmine had come a few seconds later! she thought. Then the images would have been permanent. "Sadira?" Jasmine asked. Sadira jumped as Jasmine broke into her thoughts. "Can these . . . images do anything else?" Sadira shook her head. "Not anymore. Once you came and met with your image, you destroyed it. It's just sand now." Just then Aladdin remembered Genie. "Where is Genie?" he asked. Already defeated, Sadira thrust her hand into her pocket and withdrew the bottle. "I almost forgot," she admitted, tossing it to Aladdin. He popped out the cork, and Genie exploded out of the small bottle, slowly taking form from the blue smoke. Confused, he observed the scene and rubbed his head. "Did I miss something here?" he asked. "We'll explain later," said Aladdin. Then he turned to Sadira, still angry with her. She had made him believe that Jasmine no longer loved him. She had hurt and humiliated him. And for what? "Sadira!" he demanded. "Why did you do this?" Jasmine saw Aladdin's anger and jumped between Sadira and him. "Just forget it, Aladdin," she said. Sadira looked at Jasmine questioningly. She was sure she would be more angry than anyone else. "What do you mean?" asked Aladdin. "Why are you defending her? Aren't you upset?" "Of course I'm upset . . . and disappointed. I thought Sadira was our friend." She glanced at Sadira and sighed. "What she did was wrong, but I think I understand." Aladdin's gaze moved between Sadira and Jasmine. "What do you mean you understand? We both know she had no right to do what she did! She's a witch!" Jasmine took Aladdin's hand. "I know what it's like to be in love with you." She looked back at Sadira and smiled. "Look, I'm really sorry," Sadira said. "What I did was stupid. I don't blame you for not wanting to be my friend." "Maybe we could give it another try," suggested Jasmine. "Just no more spells. Okay?" Sadira didn't answer. She knew she should be thankful that Jasmine hadn't called the guards to put her in the dungeon, but all she could think about was how close she had come. Without a word, she turned away and began to leave. Jasmine and Aladdin were talking about all that had happened that day. Their voices followed Sadira down the hall, not letting her forget that Jasmine still had something she wanted . . . and needed. Sadira was grateful for the darkness as she walked home. She didn't want anyone to see the tears that were slowly trickling down her face. She had never felt more alone than when she entered her empty cavern. Why did this always happen to her? Why couldn't it turn out right for once? Sadira knew she could have had Jasmine as a friend if her heart wasn't so set on getting Aladdin. But what did it matter now? She had lost the only friendships she'd ever had. She stamped her foot in frustration. Every time something started to look up for her, it always blew up in her face. And she had been close; if Jasmine hadn't come, it would have worked . . . she was sure of it. "It's not fair!" she cried. "What does Jasmine have that I don't have?" Riches, royalty, and Aladdin. She dried her eyes. "Maybe Jasmine doesn't have to have Aladdin." A spell rolled out of the cabinet and right into her hands. As she read it, her mind went to work once again. Her past failures were suddenly forgotten, and she smiled as she looked up from the scroll. "Next time," she whispered. "It'll work, next time . . ." The End You can e-mail Sedeara with comments, criticism, or questions at: Sedeara@hotmail.com! She'd love to hear from you!