The moonlight cascaded across the black sand. The ruins of a vast city stretch around a menacing dark citadel atop a large jut of dark granite. The only light in the city was from the side of the citadel. threw the lit window of the citadel a young dark haired man was pacing by a long table, large books floating around him. With a gesture of his hand the pages of the book he was looking at flipped, another flick and the book was flung against the other that lined the the walls. "Xerxes!"

Threw one of the large wooden doors came a flying grey eel his left eye was significantly bigger then the right. "Master call?" The young man threw himself into the chair at the head of the table. The blue cape he wore fanning out over the chair.

"Its not fair Xerxes." Sitting up straiter his hands curled into fists. "I traded everything for the power to conquer the seven deserts and now I will die before that."

"Nothing save Mozenrath?" The eel circled Mozenrath's head, a look of concern on his misshapen face.

Another sigh, an Mozenrath fell back into his chair, his arms draping over the edges of the chair. "No. It seems that I have tried everything. I'm afraid my time is coming."

"Master not go!" Xerxes circled closer bumping his head against Mozenrath's cheek. Moznrath stroked the eel. It was striking how of the pair the one to die was less moved by his own impending fate then was his companion. A look crossed the eels face and he seemed to brighten. "Magic kill Mozenrath, Mozenrath give up magic, Mozenrath not die."

An impatient smack was delivered to the eel with a gloved hand, sending him flying into one of the floating books. "Fool!" Just as quickly as the anger had flashed it vanished, leaving only a undertone of annoyance as he continued. "You would have me spend the little time I have left living as common street rat? Without my power none of this, would be, I would have no mamluks, no citadel. I would have nothing..." He paused and his annoyance faded into a matter a fact tone, "Even if I did that it wouldn't save me. No Xerxes, the gauntlet's hold is to strong."

Mozenrath got up squatting down and picking up the book Xerxes had nocked out of the air. Glancing at the page, his expression changed from disinterested to intent. "Master find something?"

"Yes Xerxes, I can't believe I over looked this. It is perfect." placing the book on the table and placing his hands on ether side as he read more. "The stone of Neffer Fell. It won't save prevent me from ever dyeing, but it will buy me the time I need to conquer the seven deserts."

Xerxes made a joyful circle "where stone? where stone?"

"It says here that the stone is in the ruined citadel of the Efferl Ast." The books that had formerly been floating around fell to the floor. "Come Xerxes." Grabbing the hem of his cloak he swished it in front of him in a very theatrical manor, both him and Xerxes vanishing into a pop of blew black magic.

At the other end of the teleport, Mozenrath and Xerxes came out in a large room made of brown sand stone blocks with large stone pillars all around the outer edges of the room. The ceiling and parts of the wall had crumbled away allowing sunlight and the surrounding jungle to creep in. Mozenrath felt the effects of his magic and had to steady himself against one of the large pillars bending over slightly. "Master ok?" Taking another breath Mozenrath stood up. "I am fine Xerxes. Lets get the stone and go." As Mozenrath was about to start walking towards the center he and Xerxes heard voices coming threw the door on the other side of the room. Voices they both recognized. "Boy Al, is it just me is this place just screaming Indi? I half expect a large bolder to come down any moment." A poof sound could be heard, no doubt as the owner of the voice changed form for what he hopped would be comedic effect.

"This treasure had better be worth it Al, I could be back in the palace swimming in the Sultan's treasure vault!" There was no mistaking that screech, or the flapping that could now be heard.

"Relax guys we are almost there. When we get the stone we can go back to Agrabah." Mozenrath could feel his annoyance rase. Of course the hero would have to try to come and ruin all his plans. How did he even find out so quickly?

Raising his gauntleted hand Mozenrath readied his magic to be fired as soon as the hero entered the room. But he immediately regretted it. Maybe he shouldn't have floated those books around for so long, and maybe he should have gotten more sleep, but whatever mistakes he made he knew he did not have the strength to fight Aladdin and his friends. Ducking behind the closest pillar he slid down to the floor clutching his right hand. This was bad. He couldn't even find the energy to fight off Aladdin and his band of merry idiots. Xerxes flew in front of Mozenrath, speaking softly as Aladdin and his group flew into the room. "Master not fight hero?"

Taking a breath. Mozenrath looked around the edge of the pillar as the street rat jumped down from his flying blue rug, looking dashing as always in his white harem pants and violet vest. His pet monkey was sitting on his shoulder looking at the blue gem on the pedestal with a greedy expression. the parrot who was flapping just next to the hero's head had the same expression. "I have to hand it to you Al, you know how to pick the good treasure!" The monkey nodded in agreement.

"Well it is a specialty." Aladdin was about to touch the gem when his large blue friend stopped him. The genie was wearing a fedora, a leather jacket with a white shirt and had a bull whip curled over one of his shoulders.

"Let me check this for traps, I would hate for anything to happen to you." There was another poof and the genie was now his normal self but holding a large magnifying glass.

It was now or never, Mozenrath would have to attack Aladdin now or he would forever lose the stone. He tried once again to pull on his magic, his glove glowed with the blue black flames of his power. But if he did this, he knew he wouldn't have enough strength to teleport out of this forest, and probably not enough to deal with Aladdin.

"Its safe Al, you can take this gem back to Agrabah."

"Thanks Genie. I'm surprised it is still here, there were no traps to keep people out."

And that is when it struck Mozenrath. He knew a way to get the gem without a direct confrontation with Aladdin. It wouldn't even take that much magic.

"Just your luck Al."

Aladdin took the gem off the pedestal, and hopping back onto his carpet flew off. "Hero gone, take stone."

"I know Xerxes, but this is only a minor setback. I know how we can get that gem. Now listen closely..."