It felt like just two hours later since Hara had led me to the guest room,when I felt someone shaking my shoulders to wake up. I rubbed my eyelids and sat up. Aladdin was looking down at me. "What's going on"?

He smiled. "Time for training".

"What?! I got up, and opened the curtains near the bed. It was pitch black outside. "It's like one O'clock in the morning".

"I told you you wouldn't get complete rest until you master your skill. Now get changed and come and meet me in the living room when you're done".

I groaned, slamming my face back into the pillow. "Just five more minutes...PLEASE".

"I've seen that before". Aladdin threw the blanket off of me, making me squeal and curl up in a ball. "They say five more minutes...twenty minutes will pass and they still won't get up. Now come on"!

"Alright, alright"! I snatched the blanket from him. "But I can't get changed with you in here, can I? Can't a girl get some privacy"?

He had an amused look on his face, as he strolled out of the room. "You love winding people up, don't you"? I called after him.

"I live for it". He replied, before shutting the door.

------------------------------------------

I dragged my feet, as I followed Aladdin through the city. The place was still empty, as everyone was asleep. I felt weird walking around without Stormy close by me. I had decided to leave him to sleep.

We entered the tent, and went through the magic passageway. "Um...Aladdin"? I said, as we entered the other side. "Mhm"? 

"I was wondering if you're story is anything like how they tell it in my world".

"I doubt it".

"Me too. Do you have a magic lamp with a genie in it that grants wishes? Do you have a magic carpet? Do you know someone called princess Jasmine"? 

Aladdin stared at me, his eyes widened. We were both standing just outside the entrance. "Well...there is a magical lamp in our city but it is in the White Tower of this city, gaurded by the royal family. it is the heart of magic here in Morgiana. As for the genie...well, that's me".

"No way. YOU'RE the genie? So you can grant wishes and stuff"? I asked, as more excitement builds up inside me. 

"Something like that". Aladdin replied, not looking at me in the eye. "And about the magic carpet, they do sell some around here, but I don't have one".

"Wow. That is so cool. So how about the Princess"? I asked. 

Aladdin's face darkened, suddenly. "Yeah, I know her. Now enough with the questions, we have training to do".

"Fix your stance". Aladdin ordered, as I stood before the sand-filled punching bag on the compound. I widened my legs a bit more, and bent my knees.

"Like this"? I asked. He nodded.

"Now".

I punched the bag, and it didn't even budge. Instead, my knuckles hurt. 

"Wow, I really am weak". I said, rubbing my hand. "Why can't I just instantly have magical powers like in the movies and the other stories"?

"Doesn't work like that, Jess". Aladdin replied. "This is your story. It's never going to be the same as someone else's".

I sighed. "That's true".

The sun was high in the sky when Aladdin let me take a break. We both sat together on the step of one of the buildings. He took out something wrapped in brown paper from his pocket, and handed it to me. "Eat something to gain your strength". He said.

I thanked him and unwrapped the paper. Inside were some baked goods which looked like churros. I squealed and took a bite in one of them. 

It tasted nothing like churros.

It tasted way better.

It had this sort of cake-like taste, but a flavour I had never tasted before. It sweetened my tastebuds, and I sighed lovingly as I took another bite. "These are delicious! What are they"?

"My grandmother makes them. They're called churros".

"Churros! They have the same thing back home, but nowhere near as good as these".

Aladdin smiled. Suddenly, Hara burst through the entrance and comes running towards us.

"Hara? What's wrong"? I asked, standing up.

She panted, and it took a few moments for her to get her breath back. "Sorry...This old age is not doing me any good...I don't suppose Stormy is here with you"?

My eyes widen. "Trust me, if he was here right now, he would be next to me". I said. "He's missing"?

"Yes. I couldn't find him this morning. We thought he had gone out for a walk or something, and would come back, like he used to. But he's been gone for ages. I thought that maybe he came here to find you". 

"Oh no". I stood up. "We have to go and find him".

"Robin is on the other side of town, looking for him now. Maybe we can try the market place". Hara suggested. I nodded and followed her.

"I'll check back at the house to see if he's come back, and maybe the woods as well. We'll all meet back here in an hour". Aladdin said.

Hara and I walked around the market place, looking under the stalls, and behind baskets. "A small wolf like him could end up anywhere. Let's only hope a Tamer hasn't caught him".

I stopped walking. "What's a Tamer"?

Hara looked at me. "A Tamer is someone who uses wild and rare animals for business. They don't go by their names, at all. They torture the animals while they are not up for sale. They force them to breed and do all kinds of horrible things".

I gasp, as I suddenly remember something.

"Yesterday, when we arrived here, I saw this mean looking freak sitting at a stall full of caged animals. He was giving Stormy this weird look". 

"Oh god...then that must be it"! Hara said in horror.

"What do we do? How do we find a Tamer"? I asked her, trying to think of something. 

This couldn't be happening. 

This seriously couldn't be happening. Stormy would be so scared right now.

"Calm down, dear. By now, after capturing another animal, he could be packing up and leaving to the next city to sell. Now take a deep breath. We can't do anything in a panicked state. We also can't jump to conclusions. Let's wait for the others".

"But as we're waiting he could be getting further away"! I yelled. "Don't worry, Jessika. The next city is not far from here".

Once we all met outside Aladdin's tent, everyone had solemn looks on our faces. After Aladdin and Robin both said they didn't find any trace of Stormy, Hara and I both told them what we thought might have happened.

"Of course. That's the only possible explanation". Aladdin said, a worried expression on his face.

"That bastard", Robin cracked his knuckles, and scowled, "wait til I get my hands on him".

"He would be making his way to East city right now. We need to take a horse route, as I'm sure that's the easiest path for someone with a carriage". Aladdin suggested. "We need to move now".

"I have to stay here and manage the stall". Hara said. "But I know you three will find him. Take my pegasus. You'll get there faster".

My eyes widened at the mention of a pegasus, but there was no time to dawdle about. I followed Aladdin and Robin to the back of the stall, where the stable was.

I gasped, as Robin led out a large white stallion. It looked like any normal horse you'd see in the normal world. except of course, it's unusual feature.