The Desert song

Aladdin Returns

The night air was filled with screams. I held the two young children close enough so that we heard each other's heart beats.

And then in a terrifying moment, everything went quiet. Or so it had in my little world I was in, seeing us in mortal danger as the large man yielding a axe advanced towards us.

I thrusted the two behind my back in an instinctive movement. Feeling my heart race in my chest, I tried to take a deep breath.

"Saare!" I yelled, trying and miserable failing to put up a brave front for the children.

The two whimpered and squirmed as the man seemingly tip toed forward, raising his blunt weapon.

"Aria!" I yelled this time.

But no one could hear me. No one could save us. I- couldn't save the children.

I was useless. I always have been.

And in the moment that seemed like an eternity where the man swung at us, I felt regret.

A terrible feeling, really. Swelling up in my chest, and I felt so worthless.

All the things I could have done.

All the things I could have accomplished for Alibaba.

For Saare.

For my family. And my friends.

"Aladdin.." I whispered.

Everyone.

I'm so sorry.

And with that and my short and hard, yet happy life with Saare and Alibaba, and Aladdin, the two princes, Natsume and Sif, the annoying yet funny Magi Judal, and these kind people in this village, raced in my head.

Images of my childhood to my years now were dancing in my head.

And then he swung.

The children gasped and shouted and I closed my eyes.

Waiting for death.

Waiting for pain.

Waiting... for pain? Where is the pain? I don't feel anything. Shouldn't a axe be piercing my body right now?

Why don't I feel any pain?

And then I opened my eyes.

I opened them to the most beautiful light. A kind of light I had sadly convinced myself I'de never see again.

A blue light.

My mouth dropped and the children gaped, and before my eyes could water, our savior who was standing in the midst of the blue misty light spoke.

"You are not worthless,"

"You are not and never have been worthless, Morgiana. I know that for a fact."

I cried out as Aladdin turned to me, smiling faintly as if he was neurotic.

"Aladdin.." I said, grasping the reality that he was standing there.

"I though.." I continued, only to break myself up with pathetic moans and tears.

I couldn't bring myself to look at him. I could tell both he and the children's eyes were glued to me.

"I though.. you were still mad, and was never..."

I muttered as my bangs swept across my face, covering my eyes.

"Morgiana.. I would never leave you." He said softly.

"Honestly, I'm a bit hurt you thought this was optional for me."

I brought myself to look up. Aladdin wasn't facing me at all, he was completely turned toward the already fainted man who attempted to attack us.

I slowly got to my feet, grabbing the children's shoulders so they did the same.

I tried to choke up my bottled emotions. "..But, you didn't answer.. I thought you were mad.. you left.." I looked away again, unsure what to do.

Stella caught my eye and groped for my hand. Slowly he pointed a finger at Aladdin running his other hand over the red gem on the shackles and whispered,

"Genie.."

I stared at him wide eyed. "How did you-"

Aladdin turned quickly as if he noticed the whispering conversation.

"Indeed, as you know tiny magi." He said coldly.

I looked at him, then to Aladdin, and back and forth until I was sure I didn't mishear him.

"Magi?" I asked, pointing at Stella, looking at Aladdin for a explanation.

"Well, yeah! Who else could have been able to lift the spell put on my by a magi other than another magi." Aladdin pointed out curtly.

"More importantly, how long do you intend to hold her arm like that?!" Aladdin seemed turbulent.

My mind finally accepted Aladdin was here, right in front of me. "Aladdin!" I cried, jumping towards him.

The children let go as I latched onto the seemingly young boy, letting myself cry as I held onto him.

"I'm so sorry!" I whined.

"You're sorry? It should be me Mor!" He cried as well, crushing his arms around me in a hug.

"I'm so sorry!"