Chess by Silvestris

Index

Chapter 1: Part One
Chapter 2: Part Two
Chapter 3: Part Three

Chapter 1: Part One

I took the road of least resistance, I had my game to playI had the skill, and more - the hunger. Easy to get away

Pity the child, but not forever, not if he stays that wayHe can get all he ever wanted, if he's prepared to pay

"I've gone through years of pains and labor to make you the magician you are today, preparing you to join me with your power - and now you say no?! I order you to do it. You can't refuse to obey me.""Watch me. I don't owe you anything.""'You don't owe me anything'...? You owe me everything! You're my son! You wouldn't even exist if it wasn't for me!""Feelings, mother...? After all the years you taught me how to despise and exterminate my feelings, you expect me to help you out of loyalty? I'm not some tool you can pick out and dust off when handy.""I won't let years of preparations slip out of my hands!""Sorry to disappoint you. You made Destane drag me through years of hell, made me study the dark arts from dusk till dawn, preparing me, as you so eloquently put it, to become another of your mindless servants, another pawn to further your plans. However, you forgot that I have a will of my own. And now, to tell the truth, I don't need you anymore.""How dare you! After all the work I've gone through to make you a powerful sorcerer...!""The work you've gone through?!? When did you last sit up all night reading old, dusty books till your eyes bled! When did you have to follow the sick whims of a senile old madman to please him enough to make him teach you anything useful?!"He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down."I'm my own master now. I won't give up my freedom and power to serve anyone again. And definitely not you."

Mirage studied him, and suddenly smiled what was supposed to be a motherly smile. Her voice got cajoling, reassuring..."Maybe you think you know all you need to know, but you still have a lot to learn. If you agree on contributing your magic to amplify my power, I could show you things you haven't even dreamt of! Divine arts no human sorcerer..."He rolled his eyes in disgust and interrupted her."Oh mother, please. Don't be ridiculous. Once, maybe, you could have made me believe such things, but not anymore. I'm the most powerful sorcerer of our age and you know it."She scoffed and eyed him with haughty contempt."Comparing yourself with the puny mortals, are you? Just shows how 'great' you really are. With your heritage, you could have been the ruler of the Seven Deserts by now!""Oh, really?! I've conquered the Land of the Black Sand all by myself, and the others will follow soon enough!""'Conquered'...? Don't make me laugh! You rather stole it by double-faced treason and petty back-stabbing. Destane didn't stand a chance.""Destane got what he deserved. That perverted, utilizing old vulture..."He broke off and his hands clenched involuntarily at the arms of the chair.Mirage gave him a soft, smug look filled with false pity."That still hurts, doesn't it...? Having to learn to obey and play humble goes hard on haughty pride. Sometimes I wonder how you can possibly be my son, sensitive as you are. You know there's always a price to pay for the power.""I know," he said shortly, his voice hard."Ah, well. You were never good at following orders either. He had such problems to make you do as you were told...""Some of my revered master's orders weren't very pleasant to follow. Can we talk about something else?"She smiled maliciously at him."Of course, darling. I wouldn't want to upset you.""Of course not.""But you know, you really should concentrate more on this conquering of the Seven Deserts of yours. No one will take you seriously if you don't. So far, all the results I've seen are some quite embarrassing disastrous defeats on your part."Mozenrath bristled and glared at her, his eyes blazing. "Why, look who's meowing. I can't remember when you last managed to conquer a country. How many times have you failed to conquer or destroy Agrabah by now...?"He gave her a smile that could have been taken directly from 'Jaws'."You do know that there are people calling you 'petty annoyance incarnate', don't you..?"Her glowing cat's eyes flamed and she slashed at him with her sharp claws. He ducked with practiced ease and tsked."Losing your grip, mum...?"She growled deep in her throat."Dear son, I really don't think you if anybody should be mentioning Agrabah. You've failed so miserably in taking over the place. Aladdin has really made you look ridiculous. Just consider Dagger Rock...or the 'Scirocco incident'...""Then what about that nice obelisk of yours? Or Chaos' visit...?""I could have conquered Agrabah, if I had only been a little bit more interested in really succeeding instead of only playing with them!""Sure.""Don't you dare being sarcastic to me! I bet I could conquer or destroy Agrabah within the next 24 hours!"He cocked an eyebrow at her."What an interesting idea. How much are you willing to bet...?"She suddenly realized what she had said. She gave him a flat look."A lot more than you can put up with.""Don't be too sure. Watching you make a complete fool out of yourself would be worth quite a lot to me. How much..?""Arrogant brat! Are you challenging me?""No, I'm discussing the weather. Do you want to back out? You don't dare to stand by your words...?"She hissed at him, her pupils thin slits in her balefully glowing eyes."I will conquer Agrabah before sunset tomorrow, and you'll pay for your arrogance by becoming my obedient servant, young man - using your magic as I order you to! If loyalty won't do it, respect will!""And what are your stakes...? The same? If I win, will you dance to my tune for a change?""Since I'll make sure you won't win, I can risk anything. If that's what you want to sacrifice your freedom yearning for, I don't care."He gave her a thin smile, watching her with heavy-lidded eyes."Fine - then go ahead and make your first move in this game of chess..."Well, do get started mother dear. Time's ticking."

The cool night wind swept in from the desert, dancing across the streets to finally caress the palace before it swept away towards the sea, for a romantic evening together with the soft sea breeze. Princess Jasmine stood at her balcony, leaning against the cool stone and watched the starry sky. The mild desert wind, scented with spices and perfumes after it's way through the city, made her raven hair fly and surge behind her. Dark skies stretched outwards, embracing the world like a mother cradling her child. The stars glittered like diamonds, so close and yet so far away. She sighed, let herself drown in the eternities of the night sky, her large, expressive eyes reflecting the starlight as if filled by stars of their own. The moon crescent, almost copper-red in color rose above the soft shapes of the rocky hills towards the sea, spreading a soft pink light over the sand and waters.Although she loved her friends and never wanted to have to live without them, she treasured these moments, all on her own, when she could open her soul to the sky and just feel the calm of the sleepy moonlight. The moon was an old friend, an ever-present thing in her constantly changing life. When she was younger she used to think the moon was the face of her mother's spirit, looking down and smiling at her daughter. And still, after all these years, she felt close to the great gemstone in the night sky."Good night," she whispered. With a final soft smile, she turned around to go inside.

"But Princess, the night has only just begun..."Jasmine started and gasped as the shadows formed a dark shape that moved towards her. Glowing green cat's eyes met hers from the depths of the solid darkness. "Mirage!"She started to back away, but the feline creature stood between her and the doorway, blocking her only escape. Behind her was only the balustrade and the several hundred feet down to the garden. Mirage saw her glance and laughed a throaty evil laugh."Don't try anything foolish, Jasmine. A dead princess would serve my purposes just as good as a living one. You can't escape me.""What do you want?!"She tried to slid past the approaching shadow, but a clawed hand snatched out and grabbed her wrist."At the moment - you. I've finally decided that I want this puny little city, and you are the bait I need to spring the trap."She struggled and kicked at her attacker. Screaming for help, she felt her feet lift from the ground. Suddenly a bright light flared before her eyes, and the last thing she heard before the following darkness swallowed her was Mirage's evil laughter.

"Jasmine!"Alerted by her desperate scream, Aladdin slid out through the doorway, just in time to see the soaring shapes glow and then wink out, swallowed by thin air. Helplessly he heard the evil laughter, echoing mockingly at him long after Mirage and the princess had disappeared.

The gigantic shape of the sphinx towered above her, the almond shaped, enigmatic eyes staring into nothingness as if keeping the answers of every question, every riddle ever asked with their depths (...except maybe 'Why is a mouse when it spins'). Flickering fire light played across the stone face, made her feel dizzy. Mirage let go of her, almost disdainfully. Both of them knew that once here, she couldn't escape. Couldn't come home again. She looked around, desperately searching for somewhere to run, but in vain."Poor little Princess. Where is your hero now?"She backed away and glared at the beautiful, feline woman before her."Aladdin will stop you, Mirage! Whatever you want from me, you won't get it!"Mirage only smiled evilly at her, her lips drawn back to reveal the sharp fangs."But I already have. As long as I have you, Aladdin will do exactly what I tell him to. As will your father. It's the most basic plan of all.""And it has always failed before! Somehow, we'll stop you!"Mirage slowly approached her, her pace as graceful and sensual as a cat's. She touched the princess' chin with her claws, lifting her face to meet her eyes."Don't you worry, Princess. Before sunset tomorrow, Agrabah will be mine, and this time, nothing can stop me from taking what I want!"Jasmine's eyes went wide and she tried to back away from the touch of the lethal claws. Mirage caught her wrist again and pulled her close. The princess struggled against her grip, but couldn't break loose. She felt the forms of the catwoman's lithe, lush body against her own, felt the faint scent of exotic incense and perfume as Mirage twisted her arm behind her back and started dragging her towards the temple's entrance. Laughing scornfully at the princess' helpless struggling she bent closer and purred in her ear."Until then I'll do my best to make you really comfortable. After all, you're my guest here, now aren't you? I wouldn't want you to think I'm inhospitable to my dear visitors. And I think I know just the place for you..."

"You know Xerxes, if that's how she intends to take over Agrabah, I've already won. Of all worn-out, hackneyed busted plans, she chooses the oldest and most predictable one. 'Kidnap the princess'. Sheesh!"

The night was cold, the full moon's light icy and gloomy, without any warmth. At least it felt that way. Aladdin sighed and let his hand run absently over the marble balustrade where Jasmine had been standing many hours earlier. Mirage's demand that Agrabah should be turned over to her before dawn if they wanted the princess back alive was unprecedented, impossible...The entire city, all of the people in exchange for Jasmine's life. She wouldn't want them to give in, but just the very thought of losing her... He shook his head - he felt so helpless! If there only was something he could do! Genie had done his best trying to bring him to Mirage's palace, but the constantly changing location of Morbia, mirages and concealing spells, and the magical currents of the black hole outside time and space where it was, had finally forced him to give up. They wouldn't find the place if Mirage didn't want to. Which meant all he could was wait. Wait and see what the Sultan decided. Wait and see what dawn would bring...

"Jasmine... My child... my beloved daughter..."The little man sat alone in the enormous throne room, almost disappearing in the gigantic throne, emptiness and silence his only companions. He wrung his hands in despair, tears running down his chubby cheeks to disappear in his snow-white beard. What Mirage demanded was impossible, he couldn't give up the city, leave the defenseless people to her mercy - as if she knew the meaning of that word. And yet, how could he possibly be asked to sacrifice the life of his only child, the one he loved more than anything else on earth...?"What shall I do...? Allah have mercy on us, what shall I do?!"Only silence answered him. His tears kept falling as the end of this endlessly long night was mercilessly approaching, the eastern sky already beginning to change from black to deep blue, the stars fading before the promise of dawn.

The golden torch-light flickered over the walls, made the alien, stylized figures dance and move before her weary eyes. The manacles felt like jaws, gnawing into her skin and she moved restlessly to find a more comfortable position. The chains clanked softly and the echoes rang hollowly through the darkness beyond the firelight. She sank back against the wall, the dark fingers of hopelessness reaching out to strangle her."The Hall of Despair" Mirage had called this place. Maybe it was true - she did feel helpless and empty. Once again dark forces threatened those she loved and she was unable to stop it from happening. Dark despair made her blink away tears. Sometimes she felt that ever since she had finally found true love and happiness in Aladdin's arms, her life had been one long struggle against the evil that threatened to drown the people of her beloved Agrabah. Even now, while she was caught here, chained to the walls of the unworldly temple, Mirage had gone to trade her life for Agrabah itself. She clenched her hands to fists, desperately wishing she could tell Aladdin and her father to refuse to give in. One last glance of their faces and then she would be content to face whatever dark fate the Cat had planned for her, knowing her sacrifice would have saved her city. Helplessly she jerked and struggled against the cruel chains, then fell back, hanging limply towards the cold stone, standing up only because the chains wouldn't let her fall. It would take a miracle to get out this time..."Good evening, Princess."She started as the soft voice, smooth as silk whispered in her ear, cutting through her noble self-pity. Not until now, when the subtle spell was broken by that voice, she realized how deeply she had been caught in her own despair. A little while longer, and Aladdin and her father would have gotten nothing back but a broken wreck. With an enormous effort she broke free from the threatening darkness to turn around and face her savior, though she had already recognized his voice."Mozenrath," she whispered. He leaned casually against the wall, so close she could feel his breath against her skin, shadows of light and darkness dancing across his beautiful features. His eyes glittered and he smiled at her, a haughty smile that made her inexplicably angry. She tilted her chin and gave him her most royal look of disapproving contempt. His smile widened into a nasty grin and he came even closer, reaching up with his gauntleted hand to play with the chains that bound her. She recoiled from his touch and would have turned away if the chains hadn't held her back."So you are involved in this too? I should have guessed," she said coldly, trying to keep her voice from shaking."Of course I am. I'm always involved, one way or another, when evil is around. That's one of the universal laws. I thought you knew that."She stared at him, not certain if he was serious or only mocking her. She felt the leather gauntlet brush against her skin as he fingered at the manacles around her wrists, and she started to fight against the pull of the chains."Will you stop that!" he snapped at her, jerking her hands back."This is complicated enough as it is, without you flapping about.""What are you doing?" she demanded. He didn't answer, but muttered a short word. Suddenly the manacles turned hot against her wrists, then with a metallic click they fell away from her. She lowered her arms, they felt stiff and numb. They itched and tingled as blood came rushing back into them and she rubbed her wrists. Slowly she looked back up at him."What are you doing??" she whispered. He waved his hand at her impatiently. "Never mind, I don't have much time. I must get you back to Agrabah before Mirage convinces your beloved street-rat and the Sultan to give her the city, all wrapped up in red ribbons, served on a silver platter."She blinked, trying to catch up the missing parts of what he had just said. "What? You mean you don't want Agrabah??""Of course I want Agrabah. But I don't want Mirage to have Agrabah, and that's an altogether different thing. Are you coming or not?"She backed away from him and crossed her arms across her chest, eyeing him suspiciously."Not until you've told me what's going on!"He sneered at her and approached her, his gauntleted hand beginning to glow. "Darling Princess, do you really think you have a choice...?"Knowing she was helpless before his magic, she thought very fast. Suddenly feigning fear, she backed away from him. His smile grew malicious as she suddenly stumbled and cowered before him. When he was only a step away, reaching out with his flaming hand to grab her, she moved as fast as a striking cobra. Grabbing his outstretched hand, sweeping his legs away under him, she pulled him down on the floor. She hung on to his right hand, not strong enough to snatch the gauntlet away from him, but determined to keep him from using his magic. He snarled at her, trying to shake her off, but she put her knee against his chest and refused to let go."Now...will you tell me...what's going...on...?"she gasped, struggling to pin him down. He glared at her, then suddenly he started to chuckle. She felt very ridiculous, hanging on to his hand like a mouse to the cat's tail. Laughing helplessly he stopped struggling and gasped for breath. With a shove she released his hand and stood, mercilessly telling herself that if she so much as smiled...He sat up and flicked away a tear from the corner of his eye. With a crooked smile he looked up at her."I yield, your highness! Have mercy!"Still chuckling, he shook his head and stood up beside her. She glared at him. He brushed some imaginary dust from his sleeves."Since you are so determined, and since I suppose it will be a bit easier to do this with your cooperation, I guess I can tell you the basic story line. "You may consider yourself a valuable piece in a game of chess. My piece. By getting you away from the chessboard, Mirage intends to rob me of all my rooks and knights in one strike. You, my dear Princess, is my queen."He smiled maliciously at her. She narrowed her eyes at him."'A game of chess'...? That's it...?"He shrugged."That's it. A full scale war or a game of chess is the same thing when you get down to it. With you out of the way, Mirage will undoubtedly win. And I don't like losing.""Really? What a surprise," she muttered. She studied him suspiciously, trying to find any hidden meanings in his words. He gave her a reassuring smile, looking as innocent as an angel."Think of it this way. For the next 13 hours, I'll be the most devoted defender Agrabah's ever had."He reached out his glowing hand again. Reluctantly she took it."May Allah have mercy on us..." she muttered.

The blue-black lightnings died away, and she found herself standing at her balcony again. The soft, iridescent light of dawn cast blurry pastel shadows on the white marble, and dew made the polished floor slippery. She turned around to ask Mozenrath if he knew what had happened while she was gone, but there was no sign of him. Like a fading shadow in the approaching dawn he had disappeared into thin air. She looked around, then shrugged and moved towards her rooms. Obviously, she'd have to find it out by herself.

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Chapter 2: Part Two

"Seems your little songbird has escaped the cage.""You're cheating!!""But mother dear, surely you didn't expect me to play by the rules...?! Fair play and honesty is a hero thing, just as well as feelings, remember?" "It's not fair!""You say that so often. I wonder what your basis for comparison is.""I'm terribly disappointed in you.""You shouldn't be. After all, it was you who taught me."And such a dedicated teacher you were too, he added to himself."If I were you, I'd try to get something done instead of sulking over this little drawback. You've lost some precious time here, you know," he said conversationally."I'll get you for this! Don't think for a second you can interfere with my game and get away with it!""Of course not, dear mother. I shiver with fear and grovel at your feet, begging for mercy. And oh, next time you might consider a more elaborate plan. Kidnapping the princess was just too pathetic."She hissed at him, her cat's eyes narrow slits of green fire."That's enough! If you don't start showing some respect, I'm sure I can find another powerful wizard with a taste for little boys, who could take over where Destane left you..."She disappeared in a shower of green sparks before his furious blast could hit her, the echo of her mocking laugh the only sign she'd been there at all.

"Aladdin!""Jasmine!"She rushed over to Aladdin and embraced him, holding him hard. The Sultan came over to them, taking her hand, tears of relief in his eyes."Dear child! Thank Allah you're all right! What happened? How could you escape from Mirage?"She smiled at them."You will never believe this..."

The lithe figure flowed over the ground, it's paws soundlessly touching the sandy street. It's body gleamed like polished copper in the first sunlight, reflections running like fluid flames over it's body. It's eyes glowed like coals of fire, the whiskers shivered as it smelled the man-things nearby. It felt hunger rage inside it's slim body, like a physical pain, a need, an obsession...Another shape slid out of the dawn's shadows, and yet another, and yet another... the feline animals came flowing out from the lingering darkness, like a pouring river of gold and cinnamon, their fangs gleaming and their eyes burning with unholy fire. Impatiently hissing they spread through all of the city. There would be mice enough for all of them to hunt.

"Sultan! Your highness!"The guard came stumbling towards the little group by the golden Elephant throne. They looked down at him in surprise."Your majesty, the city's being invaded by monsters!""What?!""They're demons, your highness! Gigantic quick-silver cats, blood-thirsty as wolves!""Then call out the guards!""They're already out there fighting, but the monsters are everywhere! Swords can't kill them! We're doomed!"Aladdin turned to Jasmine."Another of Mirage's ideas I suppose...?"She jerked her eyes away from the terrified guard and forced herself to concentrate."It must be. Aladdin, we have to stop her!"He nodded."But I want you to stay here. I don't want to risk losing you again!"She started to protest, then thought better of it. He took her in his arms, holding her close, she clung onto him as if she never wanted to let go. Gently he stepped away and started to descend the stairs down from the throne."Genie, Carpet, let's go!""Aladdin!"He turned and looked at the princess, she looked so small and vulnerable."Be careful," she whispered. He nodded and gave her a reassuring smile, then the magic carpet swooped away with him, carrying him out of sight.

Their bodies were feline shapes formed by fluid metal, like ginger quicksilver. The large strange cats were everywhere, their fangs and claws slashing at the panicked people who ran blindly, trampling their own as they desperately tried to get away. Mirage studied the disastrous scene in the glowing crystal sphere that soared before her. She chuckled evilly. Chaos, carnage and conquering... she hadn't had this much fun for months."Poor Aladdin... Seems like you and your beloved princess are about to perish along with your little city. And poor Mozenrath, too. I think I'm winning this game..."She threw her head back and laughed, the insane echoes ringing through the temple.

Princess Jasmine could only watch the horrible scene from her balcony, seeing the demons play mercilessly with the homeless people, the defenseless ones who had nowhere to run. As she watched helplessly, a man dove around a street corner, followed by a group of the cats, and a second later a horrible flow of red ran out from the alley, mingling with the dust of the street. A young mother with a little child stumbled and fell under the cats' attack, disappearing under a mass of golden bodies. The child just stood there, staring at the monstrous scene, to shocked to even run away, tears running down his little face drawing white lines in the dust and dirt on his cheeks. Nauseated she turned away, fleeing into her rooms. There must be something she could do, something someone could do...!

"Mozenrath!" she called halfheartedly. She felt utterly stupid, standing there talking to herself. Then the image of the little crying child appeared before her eyes, how his tears had run down his dirty cheeks. Anger and despair gave her voice strength."Mozenrath!"Silence. She let out a broken-hearted sigh and her shoulders fell. What had she been expecting anyway...?"What is your command, O revered Princess...?"She whirled around. He sat comfortably outstretched at the window-ledge, leaning his back against the window-frame, his arms crossed over his chest. He bowed at her with mock humility."You must stop Mirage!""I must do what...?"He polished his fingernails on his tunic. She bit her lip as she realized she had offended his touchy ego. She gave him an appealing look."Please! She's slaughtering the people out there!"He glanced out through the window uninterestedly, then went back to examining his nails."I know. So?""What do you mean 'so'? You said you would protect Agrabah from her!"He shrugged and cocked an eyebrow at her."You can't play a game without sacrificing some of the less important pawns. As long as she's wasting time working of her annoyance on the street beggars and thieves, I don't have to go out of my way to protect my main chessmen - you and your beloved father, that is.""But what about the people?! You can't just let her kill them all!"He smiled coldly at her, and she shuddered before the indifference in his eyes."I don't care a bit about the people. To me, you are just pieces in my game, and that's the only reason I'm willing to help you. I'm a chess-player, not a saint.""You're a monster!""Whatever. Besides, never fear. I'm sure that a thousand of her lionaras couldn't clean out the rat's nest you call your city. Those street-rats usually shows an irritating reluctance to die, you know."She just stared at him, shaking her head before his impassive, emotionless voice and the merciless words he spoke. He stood, pushing away from the window and approached her, his eyes hard and cold."And don't call me again, unless you have anything more useful to say. I don't like you blowing your dog-whistle at me."She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could draw her breath he raised his gauntleted hand and disappeared in a cascade of blue-black flames.

"Genie! Isn't there anything you can do?!"The carpet hovered above the older, poor parts of the city, where the beasts had chased everyone away. Everyone, that was, that could still run. The limp forms of the ones who hadn't been fast enough lay slumped in the alleys and street corners. In the street below him, a large pack of the big, copper red felines were gathered around a fallen man - Aladdin felt grateful their bodies concealed what they were doing, but their red, blood dripping fangs gave him a pretty good clue. The djinn looked down at them too, loathing and uneasiness written across his face."The lionaras of Röda Döden - the red death. I've heard of them.""Magical beasts...?"The genie nodded morosely. Aladdin shook his head in disgust."Why am I not surprised? It would be nice to face something not magical - just for once. Well, let's see what these kitties can do..."He drew his sword, carpet swooping down and he slashed at the silky-furred bodies. With an almost human cry the cat closest to him fell, but now the others had seen him and turned away from their monstrous meal to face him. They seemed to press closer to each other as he charged again, their golden bodies melting together, the surging pack moving as one single animal...He gasped as he realized they actually were merging together, forming a gigantic creature, easily three times as big as Rajah. With high, slim legs, a whip-like tail and an almost human face, framed by a silky, golden mane, the creature fell upon him, slashing at the carpet with long, razor sharp claws. He barely dodged the attack, made an insane maneuver and managed to cut deeply into the fore-leg of the maroon lion. His eyes went wide as the cut-off limb fell to the ground, only to transform back to it's cat shape, leaping towards the large lionara and disappearing into it like a drop of water into a the sea. The beast immediately faced carpet to attack him again. His surprised hesitation would have cost him his life, hadn't something distracted the large lion. A blue-black lighting flaring in the corner of his eye made him turn around, as his attacker suddenly shrieked with pain, scorched by a magical blast. Mozenrath floated easily in the air beside the hovering carpet, watching him with contempt."Can't you do anything by yourself? Whatever happened with the invincible hero stuff?"The cat growled and eyed the two of them suspiciously, lashing the long tail hesitatingly. Aladdin looked even more suspicious and hostile than the monster, as if he'd rather face the lionara than the sorcerer."What was that about?! Exactly what are you up to, Mozenrath?"The sorcerer scoffed and crossed his arms over his chest."Don't get any ideas, this isn't anything permanent. But at the moment I need you - you're too valuable a piece on this chessboard for me to lose right now. You've defeated Mirage before - I would be terribly disappointed in you if you couldn't do it again.""Why don't you fight your own battles, Mozenrath - and leave us alone?""Don't be ridiculous. That wouldn't be half as much fun. Besides, this isn't a battle, it's a game, and you are my pieces. I shouldn't even be here, my interference is really against the rules."Aladdin opened his mouth to let the sorcerer know just how much he cared for this pervert game of his, when the lionara finally decided to attack. Screeching with fury, the claws aimed at his heart, the beast threw itself at him. The carpet barely avoided the fangs. He stabbed at the monster with his sword, but it caused no harm as the lionara dissolved into the many smaller cats while the blade passed through only to melt together again once it was gone. He couldn't hit the thing, couldn't hurt it - couldn't stop it."At this point a piece of advice might be worth considering..."Mozenrath's soft, calm voice cut through the lionara's furious hissing. Aladdin whirled around and waved his sword at him, with something between an impatient gesture and a pure threat."All right, what?!"Mozenrath glared expressively at the sword in front of his nose. "I'm actually trying to help you save your puny little city here you know, so how about a more humble attitude?!"Aladdin lowered his sword, trying to keep an eye at both the evil carnivores, sorcerer and beast, at the same time. Mozenrath finally deigned to continue."There's one thing lionaras just can't stand.""And are you going to tell me what it is, or just stand there being smug about it all day...?""It's simple. All you need is salt water. Sticks at them and keeps them from merging together. They hate it.""Salt water? That's it?""Do I really have to explain everything twice? Are you hard of hearing, or don't you just understand plain Arabic?""Mozenrath, why don't you just follow the rules for a change, and get the heck out of here?!"The thin sorcerer somehow managed to look hurt, giving him a reproachful look about as sincere and genuine as a chameleon's color."Don't mention it. You're welcome. Just let me know when you need my help again...""Oh, please, give it up. Just who do you think you're fooling? Genie, do you think you can fix some salt water?"The djinn disappeared in a puff of blue smoke, only to come back a fraction of a second later, armed with a fire-hose which he aimed significantly at the sulking sorcerer. Mozenrath's eyes went wide, and with a hiss he disappeared just before the violent jet of water hit him. The lionara had been sneaking up behind them and the water drowned it. It stiffened and screeched, writhing inside the shower of water as if scorched by it's touch. Grotesquely falling apart, the lionara dissolved into the smaller cats again. They growled and clawed at the others to get away from the water. Genie transformed into a gardener with a straw-hat on his head, holding a watering-can in his hand, watering them tenderly. Like clay, they melted, forming awful bizarre shapes as they slowly disappeared, their growls dying away in gurgling moanings. Finally an oily shimmering at the surface of the water puddles was all that remained, shifting in rainbow colors over the water as the midday sun shone at it.

"Mmrrreoww! They shouldn't know about that! I think someone's been sidestepping the rules again...!"She hissed and spat, carving deep furrows in the stone wall with her claws as she slashed furiously at the innocent Egyptian figures there."I will win this game, no matter what it takes! And when it's over, I'll make my little insubordinate son pay dearly for defying me like this! If he thought obeying Destane was bad, I'll convince him it was a paradise compared to what I'll make him do..!"The image of Agrabah and the heroes slowly morphed into a chessboard, the people becoming stylized chessmen. Opposing them, spreading out like a pile of bleached skeletal bones over the black and white squares at the horizon, more of her own pieces stood passive, waiting for her to play them. Her expression smoothed out, the distorting anger being replaced by smug evil and she stretched out her clawed fingers, touching some of the different bleached ivory shapes to ponder her next move.

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Chapter 3: Part Three

"Mozenrath keeps calling it a game of chess. Did he say what it was all about?""He just said I was one of his important pieces, and that he'd protect Agrabah from Mirage because he didn't want to lose the game."Aladdin and Jasmine sat in the garden, the scent of sun-warm flowers heavy and sweet. The secret of how to destroy the lionaras had been spread through the city and almost every one of the monsters had been melted to oily puddles, the last ones being chased by the guards even as they spoke."Sounds reasonable. He would never help us if it wasn't because he would gain something by it.""When he brought me back here, he said ' For the next 13 hours, I'll be the most devoted defender Agrabah's ever had'. This game of theirs will only last till about sunset tonight.""Which means they'll both grow more and more desperate to win. It will just get worse and worse here. And some defender he turned out to be - hundreds of the homeless people are dead or wounded!"Jasmine turned away, her fingers absently playing with the leaves of a flowering brush beside her. Her voice was low and strained when she spoke."He said one can't play a game without sacrificing some of the less important pawns. He just didn't care..."Aladdin laid his hand on her arm."Jasmine..?"She turned and looked at him, suppressed pain in her large eyes."It's inhuman! They're both as ruthless. What sort of monsters can play chess with people, sacrificing human lives to satisfy some evil whims?!""I can think of quite a few I've met, but the description 'monster' definitely fits both Mozenrath and Mirage perfectly."She smiled sadly. He shook his head and reached up with his hand, played with a silky strand of her hair."Don't worry. We'll get through this somehow. And at least this time one of them is on our side...""Considering it's Mozenrath we're talking about, I don't know if I wouldn't rather have him as a reliable enemy than a volatile ally...""True. True."

"Why, thank you, Mr. Hero! This is what you get when you're trying to be helpful. And people wonder why I chose the villain career..."Mozenrath waved his right hand irritably and the scene within the blue-black soaring flames froze and disappeared to be replaced by a chessboard, the black pieces having familiar features and shapes. Nothing had changed, none of the bone-white chessmen had moved since last time he looked, and not being able to predict and forestall Mirage's next move unnerved him more than a little. He studied their positions, trying to figure out what she possibly could try next. At the moment, he seemed to be leading, all of the important pieces still safe behind his elaborate defenses, he had only lost a few pawns. But it was difficult to say for certain, anything could still happen, change the course of events to cause his defeat. He suddenly shuddered. Whatever plans Mirage had for him and his magic, it wouldn't be pleasant. Having to serve her, obey her, do whatever she ordered him to... He suppressed a twinge of fear and disgust. He mustn't lose this game. It was as simple as that.

He glared the chessboard, the ruthless clinical squares, ice-cold alabaster and chilly obsidian, with their frozen figures. He had to play a defensive game, not having the proper set of pieces to attack, which bothered him quite a bit. Mirage was a sly player and even if he would never admit it even to himself he had quite a respect for her merciless moves, knowing his opponent well enough not to be a fool and underestimate her. The white pieces' provoking refusal to move made him tense and irritated. The ice-cold blacks and whites of the chessboard was slowly about to give him a splitting headache. He rubbed his temples, sensing he was close to losing his concentration - which was probably exactly what she wanted. He scowled and shook his head, this wouldn't do at all."Xerxes! Stay here and keep an eye on the chessboard for me. Let me know as soon as anything changes. I'll go have a closer look at my pieces in Agrabah."

The marble statue of the lion headed goddess slowly opened her eyes and looked down at the beautiful catwoman in front of her. Mirage, dressed in ceremonial Egyptian finery bowed deeply before the statue."Why have you called me, Mirage? I was just having a cup of tea with Bastet, you know."The mighty resonances of her voice rang between the marvelously decorated temple walls. Though powerful and commanding, it held a tone of curiosity."Oh? I'm terribly sorry. Sekhmet, divine one, I need your help."The goddess leaned forward, resting her chin on a perfect hand, the cream and golden marble suddenly as ductile as flesh and blood."Never mind. Bastet can be very tedious sometimes - being a good and noble goddess and everything. What sort of help are we talking about here?""You know my son - Mozenrath, don't you?""Pale, thin boy? Unendurably self-satisfied and arrogant - thinks he's a sorcerer?""That's Mozenrath alright. Perfect description.""I thought so. What about him?"Mirage made a gesture and the soaring chessboard appeared in the air between her and Sekhmet. She motioned towards the pieces."We made a bet - he didn't think I would be able to take over or destroy Agrabah before sunset tonight and I began to prove he was wrong. It would have been an easy task, but my dear little boy has gotten it into his head to protect them against me. It has all turned into something of a game of chess, and now I would need your help to make my next move.""A game of chess, you say? I guess that could be an interesting challenge. Is your son a good player...?""I hate to say it, but he is one of the best I know of. I rather not want you to let him know I've said that, though.""Of course not. Children are fractious enough in themselves, without parents having to let them grow self-righteous by praising them. So, he's a good player, is he? I suppose I could make a try to make him a little bit less certain of that ability of his. What move did you have in mind?""I'm grateful, goddess. I was thinking maybe we could influence his pieces a little...""I see.... I'll have a talk with some of my friends, and we'll see what we can do."Mirage bowed before the goddess, her expression smug and evil."I'm curious, Mirage - what are the stakes? What will he lose if I help you...?""Everything... If he loses he will become my slave - and once I get my claws on him, I will never let him go."An evil grin spread across the lioness' features of stone and the jewel lion's eyes glittered. Then she remembered something and sighed."I'll have to go try to explain to Bastet why I can't finish that cup of tea, listening to more of that beloved sickly sweet music of hers. She'll be put out for years."

Xerxes watched the chequered table, sniffing hopefully at one of the figures spread across it's surface, then sighed disappointedly. It hadn't become edible since the last time he looked at it. He made a flip of his fins and soared higher above the chessboard. He had waited here for an eternity, or so it felt, watching the black and white chessboard. It was very boring, he'd rather go see if he could find more tasty mice in Mozenrath's new library...But - no! He would be firm, would be faithful! His master had ordered him to keep his eyes open, to report as soon as anything changed. And so he would! Never once letting himself get distracted by the thought of fresh, yummy mice, crunchy little mice, juicy, fat little mice...He started to drool. He gave the chessboard calculating look, nothing had changed so far, probably nothing would happen during the short while it would take him to swim down to the library and have a quick look... And what Mozenrath didn't know, he couldn't punish him for. With a final glance at the chessmen, Xerxes flipped away as fast as he could, zipped out through the doorway like a lightning. And thus he missed how the white queen slowly changed, her lioness' face becoming more discernible as she moved to check the black king.

It was hot and uncomfortable in the early afternoon sun. His headache wouldn't go away and some long hours attacked by the shouting of the merchants and the constant cacophony of the people outside the palace walls didn't do much to make him feel better."How can anyone stand to live jammed together with other people like this?!" Mozenrath muttered as he rubbed his temples. He leaned against a marble pillar, grateful for the coolness of the shade it provided."And how can they stand the sunlight? It's like a sledgehammer, for Iblis' sake!" he added, wiping his forehead. He shook his head in disgust and went back to watching the little group who sat gathered in the shade of some large trees, with a little fountain playing cheerily nearby. The glamour of invisibility he kept wrapped around himself made it possible for him to keep an eye on things without having to announce his presence...For a second he was tempted, just to see their expressions if he suddenly popped out of thin air in their midst, then he irritably told himself to concentrate. Maybe the first seconds would be funny, but having them glaring, swearing and shouting idiotic questions at him would just be too much for him to stand at the moment, and he would only play into Mirage's hands if he started to annihilate his own pieces.Everyone was there, Aladdin, the princess, the Sultan, their flea-bitten pets - even the rug and the ridiculous Genie. They spoke seriously and intensely, discussing his game no doubt. And just as indubitably, what they said probably wasn't very flattering. He sighed miserably and moved away from the shade of the pillar to get close enough to hear what they said without using his magic - the invisibility-spell made it difficult for the result of magical eavesdropping to reach him. The sun slammed down on him mercilessly and he winced, having to conceal not only himself but his shadow as well. His dark clothes wasn't a suitable choice in the sunlight - he felt like walking through a furnace, the heat mercilessly lingering at his clothing. When he reached the blessed shade of the large trees, only a few steps away from Aladdin and the others, he let out a quiet sigh of relief. Unaware he was there, they kept talking. Princess Jasmine squinted at the afternoon sky."It's not very much time left till the sun sets now. Maybe three hours at the most.""Which means Mirage will probably try something again at any time. I wish we had any idea at all what it could be - it's hopeless to try to make up any plans of defense when we don't know what's going on," Aladdin said and shook his head in disgust. Iago lay outstretched comfortably in the grass, picking some grapes from the tray of fruit beside him."Why don't we just have the princess here ask our Devoted Defender about it? That spoiled brat is bound to know something about what's happening."Mozenrath narrowed his eyes at the brightly colored parrot, briefly considering to chop the head off the insolent bird with a magical blast."I don't know if that's a very good idea, Iago. Mirage is bad enough, but having Mozenrath hanging around here right now would just be too much.""Yeah, better be grateful as long as the creepy kid stays away."Is it just my imagination, or are they a bit anti-me here...?"What do you think, father? What shall we do now?"The Sultan shook his head and looked at the princess with a confused expression at his face."What? Oh, excuse me - what did you say, Jasmine?""I just wondered if you have any ideas to what we ought to do now... Are you all right?""Oh, yes, yes - I'm fine. I just have a headache is all. Must be the heat."Aladdin squinted against the sun and shook his head."It must be. I feel a bit dizzy too. Maybe we should go inside."Iago grabbed the entire bunch of grapes and jammed them into his mouth, chewing violently, then swallowed loudly."Yeah, why don't we?"

There was something that wasn't right here, Mozenrath thought as he watched the group disappear into the palace, all of them rubbing their temples or wincing."I think I might want to have another look at my chessboard at this point," he muttered to himself. Concealed by the shadow of trees he let go of his invisibility-spell and gathered his power, slipping through a rip of space to re-appear in his own throne room.

Iago glanced at the little Sultan on the elephant throne, then at the genie and finally at Aladdin. He frowned and flew over to the princess, waving his wings in front of her eyes. Sleepily she blinked at him, only to close her eyes again and lean back against the throne. Iago narrowed his eyes and landed beside Abu."I tell ya, something's wrong here! They're all halfway to never-never land!"Abu chattered suspiciously at the others. They were all drowsing, muttering in their sleep, strange alien words, their voices not quite their own.

The first thing that met his eyes was Xerxes who gave him a terrified look, smiled hysterically and tried to keep himself between his master and the soaring chessboard. He shoved the eel aside and approached the chequered table, then he stopped short. He hissed and his eyes went wide as he stared at the white queen, the lion goddess who stood opposing the Sultan of Agrabah. With an oath he whirled around, a bolt of flaring magic nailing his familiar to the wall."You were supposed to tell me when anything happened, Iblis damn you!"Furiously he clenched his right hand harder and harder until Xerxes screeched with pain. Almost disdainfully he let the lightning die out and the eel slumped into a heap on the floor, whining miserably."If I wasn't in a hurry, I'd skin and fillet you and use you to feed my magical beasts! And if I lose this game because of you, I'll take the time to make you wish that I had!"He checked the white pieces again, memorizing their positions, then he raised his gauntleted hand. He gave the sniffling, shivering eel a last burning glance."Pray that I won't come too late to amend what your failing may have has cost me...!"Then the blue-black flames engulfed him and he disappeared.

Everything was quiet - too quiet. Iago glared at the unconscious people sprawled across the dais. Abu sat on Aladdin's motionless body, unsuccessfully trying to shake him awake. With a moan the Sultan suddenly moved. Slowly he sat up and shook his head. Then he opened his eyes and Iago reared back. Instead of warm brown his eyes flickered with golden flames, no pupils or whites, just mindless shifting shades of gold. Iago flapped over to the awakening princess, opening his beak to scream at her when his words died in his throat. Her eyes were as empty as her father's. Aladdin, the genie and the guards came around, slowly, one by one - all of them staring mindlessly into thin air, like dolls waiting for someone to make them move. Abu rushed over to him, gesturing wildly."Calm down, banana breath! What is it?!"Abu chattered at him, making another series of gestures and pointed at Aladdin's face. Or rather his eyes, Iago realized."You're right. They said when Mozenrath was possessed by the storm god Setech, his eyes flamed like that too - something's controlling them...!"Suddenly all of the zombie-like persons on the dais turned around, facing the gigantic doors. In a mighty shower of green light, Mirage appeared before them. She studied her enemies, their empty, absent eyes and laughed aloud, a sound that sent shivers down Iago's spine."What a nice little bunch of toys...!" she exclaimed, approaching them slowly. She mounted the dais and stopped before the group smiling evilly at them."Bow before your new mistress! On your knees!" she ordered.Stiffly, mechanically they fell to their knees, bowing before her. She laughed again, triumphantly approaching the empty elephant throne."Ridiculously easy. And by this I win the game...."she said and placed a foot on the last steps to the throne."I shouldn't count on it if I were you."The throne room suddenly started to shake violently, heavy blocks of marble and masonry raining down from the ceiling to bury the elephant throne - and almost Mirage along with it. She hissed and stumbled backwards, whirling around to face the intruder. Mozenrath lowered his glowing hand and the quake reluctantly died away."Foolish boy, don't you know when you're defeated?!" she growled."This is far from over. If you don't realize that, you're the fool. Which of course does not come as a revelation for anyone."Screeching, she made a slashing motion with her clawed hand."Get him!" she howled at Aladdin and the others. Slowly, stiffly they started to move forward, their arms outstretched. She suddenly smiled evilly."How do you like my zombies, Mozenrath? Why use dead bodies when living ones works just as well...? And if you try to fight them, you'll sacrifice your own pieces...This will be fun."

When Aladdin came within reach, making a clumsy try to grab him, Mozenrath levitated himself out of reach, scoffing contemptibly down at him. He recognized the flickering within their eyes and shuddered in spite of himself, remembering the dark, soiling presence of the evil got Setech when the storm god had tried to take over his soul. It confirmed his suspicions, though. One could overthrow the choking presence of the ancient gods - he if anyone knew how difficult it was, but it could be done. What he needed was a distraction. A brief moment when Mirage and her divine friend were so absorbed by something else that their grip slipped just a little...His eyes met Iago's and he realized the animals were still unaffected by the spell. Which either meant Sekhmet hadn't bothered to take care of them - or that she was strained as it was, keeping the others in check. Promising.He made a gesture and muttered a short word, directing all of his power against Mirage and the dais where she stood. She was engulfed by blue-black fire and again, the floor started to tremble and move under her feet. More and more violently it shook, the marble pillars splintering and falling, large pieces of the roof collapsing and falling. The last thing he apprehended was Mirage's yell of fury and the shower of green sparks as she disappeared, then he gathered his power and translocated himself and his human chess pieces out of the throne room before they got buried in the rain of stone and dust."My rooks for your queen, Mirage. Status quo."

Aladdin moaned and put a hand to his head. He slowly blinked and winced. Blurry memories of what had just happened slipped away when he tried to catch them, like sand through his fingers. He looked around, they were in the garden and Jasmine and the other were coming around as well now. He spotted something and blinked again, squinting at the dark-clad figure who leaned casually against a tree nearby."Need an aspirin, Aladdin? You look out of shape today."Aladdin climbed to his feet and with a commendable effort he managed to resist an overwhelming urge to scream and shout at the sorcerer."What happened...?"he said and rubbed his temples."Oh, you just had a close encounter with another of the Egyptian gods. Or rather a goddess actually. A nice lot, aren't they? Their partiality for taking over people's souls tend to become a bit irritating after a while, though.""And you acted like our guardian angel again, I suppose...?"Mozenrath glared at him."Don't be insulting. I'd be glad to let Mirage have you if it wasn't because of our game. But the stakes are too high - I can't afford to lose.""My heart bleeds for you, really - but don't you think you could settle for a normal game of chess, with inanimate pieces of wood or gemstones or something like that, and leave us out of it...?"Mozenrath drew his breath and was about to deliver a withering retort, but he never got the chance to even start.A roaring wind sent them staggering backwards, the sky suddenly turned gloomy and the earth started to move under their feet. An eerie glow in the sky made the spinning clouds iridescent. Like a sea in storm, the ground heaved and groaned, as a living thing breathing heavily and shuddering with pain. A glowing, gigantic image of Mirage appeared in the sky above them. Her eyes flashed like fire, and her voice cut through the howling of the wind."I will not lose! If subtle scheming and conquering doesn't work, I'll have to use the second alternative... We said conquer - or destroy!"The ground cracked and puffs of flame and smoke exploded upwards, like fingers of fluid fire around them. A hollow growl came from deep within the earth itself and the ground kept moving violently, large pats of the palace and it's towers collapsing. Mirage looked down at Mozenrath with contempt."You're not the only one who knows how to start an earthquake, you know."He stumbled to his feet, shoving his cloak out of his face."You can't win this game by toppling the chessboard over!" he yelled at her, but the wind jerked his words away. He gathered his power around him, shielding himself from the violent shaking and storming till he was standing in a bubble of silence. He levitated himself until he soared in the air opposing the glowing shape of his mother."And you're not the only one who knows how to stop one," he muttered, taking a deep breath, closing his eyes, forcing himself to concentrate. The insanely howling of the wind and the hollow thunder of the buildings collapsing under them melted away, as if heard from a great distance. He would need lot of power to break the goddess' destructive spell - dark power, ice-cold fury, hatred... He opened his eyes, black pits of darkness and looked at his mother.

With preternaturally slow and soft movements he started to weave the first shimmering threads of magic, his gestures as graceful as a dancer's. He started to chant, the words quiet but clear, and their power mingled with the flowing gestures, warp and weft in his spell. He stretched out with his undersenses, forming his magic into an invocation, calling the secret names of the Lord of Evil."Master..."There was a moment of complete silence, emptiness and darkness cold as death. Then, with a twinge of pain he felt Ahrimanius' divine, inexpressibly dark mind link to his own, his sinister master's power the only weapon he knew was strong enough to match Mirage's goddess's. He kept weaving the spell, the pressure of power growing so strong he could barely breathe. This would go hard on him, he was close to the limits of what he could take, still he pushed further, deeper down through the magic. Sekhmet was a powerful goddess, only a impossibly powerful strike could defeat her, and he would only get one chance. But if he lost the game now, he would have lost everything anyway. And anything was better than becoming Mirage's slave. With a final whispered word, he sealed the gathering of power, his hair sparking with static electricity and tears of pain in his eyes.Then he flung out his hand towards his mother, letting go of the built-up magic inside. The flow of magic rushed through him, the pleasure, pain and power slowly and mercilessly tearing him apart. For one brief second he was one with the soul of magic itself, and he screamed with triumph and agony. Then the pain became unbearable, the furious flow drowned him and threatened to overwhelm him, tear his very soul away.

Mirage screamed, an animal's cry of rage and agony as the magic hit her. She writhed and twisted inside the blinding blue-black light, feeling the pure force of it shred the subtle bonds that bound her to the lion goddess. She clung onto Sekhmet's presence, refused to let go, gathering her own power to fight back the maelstrom of magic Mozenrath had released. No longer caring about the game, no longer interested in enslaving but only in defeating she concentrated on breaking his hold on her, indifferent to the fact it might cost them both their lives. Her claws slashed bleeding rips in the very air when she fought, her eyes blazed with unholy fury. Though her magic was all but divine compared to her son's, his attack had come so suddenly and mercilessly she was taken by surprise. Slowly she felt her grip slip, the presence of Sekhmet's power sliding away through her fingers."NOOO!" she screamed, desperately trying to regain her hold, but it was in vain."You were right, Mirage. He is a very good player," the goddess whispered, a voice only she could hear, then the powerful presence disappeared. The magic of the blue-black maelstrom backlashed and exploded, without anything to match it and keep it in check. Like rag-dolls the two opponents were thrown through the air. Mirage managed to gather enough of her power to use her magic, in a flaring green lightning translocating herself back to Morbia. Re-appearing before the sphinx temple, she collapsed on the rocky ground, her powers spent beyond what she had thought possible."Blasted kid!" she hissed and slammed her fist into the ground, just before darkness drowned her.

The spell snapped, the rushing flow exploded and his very being screamed with pain. Barely conscious, he started falling without a chance to gather enough power to keep himself from hitting the ground with killing speed.

"I'd say our guardian angel could use some help here," Genie suggested conversationally. The magic carpet nodded and rushed away, catching Mozenrath just a few feet above the ground. Slowly he flew back to the garden, dumping his passenger on the grass. The sorcerer moaned and put a hand to his head, unsteadily hauling himself to his feet. He looked up and met their gazes defyingly, glaring sourly at them."How come every time I come around after a nasty backlash you're bound to stand there, staring at me...?" he muttered.

The spinning clouds of the insane battle were slowly disappearing, the sky once again clear. The sun soared just above the horizon, spreading a soft golden light over the disastrous scene. Scarred and scorched by the fluid fire, the demolished palace stood in the middle of a fairly ruined city."And who'll pay for this party?" Iago wondered, wincing when he studied the palace. His voice turned peevish and complaining."I bet the baths will be closed for reparations for months!""Send the bill to hangover-man here. It was his party," Genie said, maliciously pointing at Mozenrath. The sorcerer winced, made an effort not to let them see how exhausted he really was. He scowled at the Genie."That's hardly fair! It wasn't my idea - have Mirage clean it up."Aladdin gave the pale sorcerer a mischievous lop-sided smile."Need an aspirin, Moze? You do look out of shape today.""Very funny Aladdin. And stop calling me that!" he snapped automatically."Whatever. Would you deign to tell us how the situation on your chessboard is? Will Mirage come back?"

"Not if she feels half as bad as I do, she won't," Mozenrath muttered under his breath. He wished he could have translocated himself back to the Land of the Black Sand so he could get away from their irritating demands, but he still needed to make sure Mirage wouldn't make a final desperate try - and it would take a long while before his magic had recovered enough for him to leap back and forth between Agrabah and his Citadel every five minutes. He sighed and assumed an air of resignation."I doubt it. She won't be able to get in touch with her goddess for a while now, and she used the last of her own power to get out of here. Besides, the time's almost up."The sun moved slowly towards the horizon, maybe twenty minutes from setting.

Xerxes sighed miserably. He shouldn't have let the thought of food distract him! Now Mozenrath would be angry with him, and when his master was angry things tended to turn very unpleasant. He soared over the chessboard and watched the pieces, almost all of the white chessmen were gone now.The white king, shaped like the Egyptian sun-god Aten, a disc with the ancient symbol for the sun on it's surface, suddenly shimmered and began to move. It slowly sank through the black square it stood on as if had the chessboard been made of water. Xerxes stared at it suspiciously and tried to catch it with his teeth, only to singe his lips. The little miniature sun began to glow, stronger and stronger, until it's disappearing was a perfect image of the sunset outside.

Mirage sat up and shook her head. Swearing under her breath, she rose with cat-like grace and brushed some imaginary dust from her body. She frowned. The game... what had happened with the game? She made a gesture, her exhausted magic responding languidly. She hissed and bent it after her will mercilessly, ignoring the pain it caused her. The soaring chessboard appeared out of thin air before her, vague and indistinct at first, then slowly becoming more and more solid. Her eyes went wide and she stared at it in shock. The white pieces were all either annihilated or blocked, in contrast to the blacks, missing only a few pawns and the rooks."I'm losing! That's impossible! I can't be losing, for Apophis' sake!"She turned the table round and round, watched every single piece, but there was no way she could save the situation.Suddenly the white king changed, the Aten sun-disc beginning to glow. It slowly started to sink down through the black obsidian it rested on, a little sunset of it's own, spreading a warm light over the chessboard. The shadows cast by the black pieces grew longer behind them and they seemed to grow, surrounding the last white pieces menacingly, their solid darkness filtering the white king's final blazing light.She screamed and slashed at the chessboard with inhuman rage, but her claws went through it harmlessly as if it had been made of smoke. Aten's light grew stronger and stronger, like a dying star's and she shielded her eyes, unable to look at it any longer.

"Look."Mozenrath made a gesture towards the descending sun with his gauntleted hand, the golden light giving his pale features a rare touch of warm color."Isn't it beautiful? The last sunlight, desperately clinging onto life, yet slowly dying away to be devoured by darkness..."Blood-red clouds caught the last rays of light, made the western sky flame with red fire. The smooth cliffs of the horizon, black silhouettes against the glowing sky reached up to catch the golden disc of the descending sun. Fighting against their merciless efforts, the sun rested on the horizon for a second, then slowly sank, like a drowning man swallowed by the waves, behind the cliffs. For a second the entire scene were washed with warm light, like a halo of melted gold on the black rocks, then the light went out and only the ominous crimson sky was left. His face indifferent, yet with his eyes burning, Mozenrath took in the scene before him. A slow, sinister smile curved his lips into an evil grin."Checkmate."