Well, inspiration finally hit you guys! Hope you enjoy this chapter! Don't worry, this won't be the last you see of Alaric! :)
If you have any ideas or suggestions I'd like to hear them! I might do them!
Disclaimer: I only own Alaric! Oh, and he's twelve and three months in this story! One of the episodes I'll do will have his birthday in it!
Chapter 1: Wedding Jitters
"Wakey, wakey!" Genie shouted, bouncing my bed. I groaned and kicked at him with my feet, burrowing back under my pillows and warm blanket.
"…too early!" I moaned and he clicked his tongue before grabbing a good hold of my blanket and tugging it away from me. I curled into a ball to shield myself from the cool morning and air and opened an eye.
"Come on, get a move on!" Genie grinned at me and I frowned. "You don't want to be late for your brother's wedding do you?"
"Genie, its six hours away!"
"All the more reason to get up and get ready!"
"Do I have too?" I moaned and he sighed.
"Well, you are the groom's brother…"
"Go tell Al to get up then."
"Would you lugs…PIPE DOWN!" Iago snapped at us from his perch and Genie and I looked at him. "It's too early to be shouting!"
"Look whose shouting!" I shot back and he rolled his eyes.
"Touché." Genie shouted and beamed. Iago shot him an annoyed look.
"Come back later, when I'm awake." I moaned and tried to hide. Genie sighed and grabbed hold of me, pulling me up and out of bed.
"Get out of bed, mister! I need help making sure everything is perfect!" I felt guilty then, knowing that all the preparations for this day, had come from Genie alone and I hid a groan.
"Okay, okay." He set me back down and I ran a hand through my hair with a yawn.
"Great! Meet me down the hall in a few minutes!" I sighed as he disappeared and then turned to Iago.
"So….today's the big day, huh?" He nodded thoughtfully and looked out the now open-curtained balcony that Genie had so graciously flung open. "I'm a little nervous."
"What for?"
"Well….I dunno it's just a feeling I guess."
"Oh, no, if you had a feeling than this means we should all run and hide!" Iago mocked and I shifted, ignoring the sarcasm.
"Or maybe it's just because…." I trailed off and walked out to my balcony. I heard wings flapping and Iago landed on the railing beside me.
"Maybe what?" I didn't meet his eyes and he didn't speak for a moment. "You know sometimes…change is good." I smiled a little as I felt him nudge my arm. He denied that he knew me as well as I knew him, but he did.
"I know…I know that." I said, more to convince myself than Iago. "I do….But, this is a really big step for Al. Where does that leave me?"
"Here, as usual." Iago answered wisely and for once without any cynical remarks. "Come on, kid, they might kiss a lot more than usual, but nothing major will change."
"It will though." I stated, leaning on my elbows on the cool balcony railing. "Sooner or later…it will." Silence fell over us again and Iago shifted.
"Has, uh, big blue said anything to you lately?"
"About what?" I asked curiously, looking over at him. "He's been hung up on Al's wedding for like a month now." Iago shifted again, looking uncomfortable and looked at the sky to avoid looking at my face directly.
"Nothing at all?"
"Um, well…it would help if I knew what it is you're talking about." I laughed and he shook his head.
"Trust me, kid, you'd remember this conversation." I looked at Iago, my curiosity peeked, but he waved it off. "Never mind." I was about to ask what he was talking about when I heard something knock on my door.
"Oh, Alaric?" Genie's sing-song voice came from the outside of my room and Iago rolled his eyes.
"Better run along, kid."
"Yeah, I'm going." I stated and pushed off the railing. "Hey, Iago?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for talking with me." he waved me off with a slight smile that he couldn't hide.
"Go on, and stop that mushy stuff!" He responded and I laughed as I went out to help Genie. As I shut the door I heard Iago mutter to himself. 'Big blue bozo….'
Hours later...
Genie put me on gift duty with Iago. It was fun to say the least, since I got to meet and greet everyone that came in. The only thing I didn't like was my outfit.
"Stop tugging at your collar and pay attention." Iago grumbled. I rolled my eyes and looked at him. He was trying on various jewelry.
"Ooh, how does this one look?" Iago asked me and I rolled my eyes. He was wearing fancy golden turban. I shook my head.
"Nah, too flashy." I answered and he nodded.
"Yeah, what about this one?" He held up a crown and I grinned.
"That suits you, your highness." I teased and he preened himself in the reflection in a golden drum. "Why do they give gold anyway?" I asked curiously, Iago glanced at me.
"Well, they have to give something. It's respectful and gold strengthens a countries bond."
"Oh." I shrugged and eyed a very odd looking present. It was a large intricately designed chest. Odd markings were all over the lid and sides of the dark mahogany wood. "What about that one?" I pointed it out to Iago and he shrugged.
"Someone obviously has no taste." I snickered and then turned to look outside as fireworks shot off in the distance.
"What's Genie up too?" I asked and Iago snorted.
"Probably something stupid." I rolled my eyes and a familiar giggle came from the archway of the guest entrance. There stood Sadira in a long purple satin gown. I grinned at her and met her at the doorway.
"Wow." I stated. "You look beautiful." She blushed and waved off my compliment.
"Oh, don't start with me. I know I look like a mess. Where's Jasmine? I have to help her get ready." I pointed her in the right direction and she hugged me before walking off. She had volunteered to be one of Jasmine's brides maids and she was excited I could tell.
"I saw that." Iago stated and I whirled to look at him.
"What?"
"You still like her, don't you?" He asked sneakily with narrowed eyes and I backtracked.
"Wha-Nooo! I-"
"Yeah, right. Yeah, sure. Go outside, lover boy!" He cut me off with a teasing grin and I tossed him an irritated look before I walked out of the palace, leaving him with the gifts. Probably not the best idea, but I really did want to see what Genie was up too. I didn't go far, still near the entrance to greet more people and I found him at the gates. I grinned at his 'news team' set up.
And now we take you down to the palace
Where everyone has celebrated all night long
I heard news man Genie say and I snickered as another genie appeared in front of him and in the camera guy's face. He was wearing a Jafar mask which he lifted with a wink in my direction.
Without Jafar and all his malice, everybody's happy
The news man irritably pushed Genie away and turned back to the camera.
What could possibly go wrong?
I shook my head at his antics and turned back around in time to bump into one of the guests. The blue cloaked man stumbled a bit and I chuckled nervously.
"Sorry about that." I told him and he nodded. His mouth was covered by a cloth, so that I could only see his eyes, but as I looked at him I had an odd feeling of déjà vu.
"No harm done, boy." He answered in a deep voice and I watched him walk away. It was odd that he seemed familiar to me when I had only seen his hood, but I couldn't help but feel like I had seen him before. Still wondering who that man was I went back into the grand entrance to see Iago taking things from the guests and separating them into piles of what he liked and didn't like. Most of the gold sat on his side.
There's a party here in Agrabah, and the loot is pouring in.
I like this wedding stuff so far.
Maybe if I'm pleasant, I'll get to keep a present!
"I wouldn't count on it." I snickered at him and he stuck his tongue out at me.
"Oh, shut up!"
"Oh, my goodness!" I heard the Sultan exclaim from behind us and I turned to see him fleeing down the hall. Iago and I looked at one another and I shrugged.
"Maybe I should go and check it out." He nodded and turned back to the shimmering gifts. "And don't even think about it." I added over my shoulder. He only grumbled and continued tossing gold around him like a shower. I shook my head and went to find the Sultan. He was standing in front of the pavilion doors looking anxious.
"Something wrong your highness?" I asked and he jumped.
"Oh! Alaric my boy, you startled me." he said putting a hand on his chest.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean too. Are you all right?"
"Well, actually-" He was about to ask me something when Genie poofed between us with a large grin and behind him was a large Genie dump truck.
We've ordered just a few tasteful flowers
And valets who will carefully park for you.
He eyed a clipboard in his hands and the truck dumped yellow, blue, and pink flowers all over us. I sputtered out a few and shook loose of the plants in order to stand back up. Genie ran around looking panicked for a moment.
The bridesmaids have been dressing for hours!
He appeared beside them looking like an older woman.
Girls you look just lovely and so grown up too.
He stated, patting Sadira and she giggled before swatting at him with her flowers. Genie then came through, wearing a tuxedo and he still had his clipboard.
There's a party here in Agrabah
Guests are filling up the room
But there's something missing, yes, ah-ha!
"Where is the groom?"The Sultan asked and everyone exchanged confused looks.
"I think I know where he is." I replied softly and they both turned to me. "Well, it's where I'd go if I needed to be alone." When they still looked confused I elaborated. "Our old place." Genie whistled for Carpet and we sped off towards the hovel.
I got off of Carpet and we went inside to find Al and Abu near the window. He was kneeling over a box that I had seen many times before, but had never really thought much about until now. The way he was holding it, meant it was something important and I suddenly felt like I was intruding.
"Hey, Al." I said reluctantly bringing his attention to me. He smiled at me gently though and I relaxed.
"Hey, Rick. Genie's looking for me isn't he?"
"Yep." Just then Genie's eye looked in the hovel from outside and I laughed.
"Hello?" Giant Genie called and Abu screeched in terror as he caught site of Genie's huge face looking at us. "Somebody's going to be late for his own wedding!" He yelled at us playfully and we were blown back a little by his actions. Al snickered quietly and then cast him a smile.
"Hold on Genie, there's something I need."Aladdin said looking at the box in his lap.
"Um, what's in the box?" I asked curiously, coming closer and Al opened his mouth to say when Genie grinned.
"I gotcha!" he winked and the biggest cake I have ever seen in my life appeared in the middle of the room. Carpet, Abu, and I were zapped into wedding hats and in Carpet's tassels was a mug of a frothy drink. Suddenly the cake erupted and out popped Genie…as a large…woman. I groaned and laughed in my hands as Genie shook his chest at Al.
"It's a bachelor party, big boy!" Genie beamed and I ended up laughing aloud at his display. Al rolled his eyes as I rolled on the floor. Carpet touched his foamy drink and Genie came up to him.
"None for you, you're the designated flyer."Genie scolded taking the drink from him and then he tapped my nose. "And none for you, you're under age." I laughed again.
"No," Al laughed. "This is for the wedding." He opened the mystery box to reveal a very awesome looking dagger.
"Wow." I murmured and he showed it to me better. It was a descent sized one with gold laid into the handle and sheath.
"Well, uh, that's a nice dagger. Interesting nuptial accessory. It's a bit... sharp." Genie said, dressed as an odd looking nervous man with glasses.
"It belonged to my father."Aladdin stated quietly, something hidden in his voice, and I stiffened. His father? Al had never spoken about him before and I shifted uncomfortably. Was his father still….alive?
"Your father?" Genie repeated, turning back to normal. From the way he looked, he was nervous just by saying the word. "You never said a word about your father. Oh, I've got to let the caterer know!"Genie turned into what I assumed was a caterer. "Chicken or sea bass?"
"He's not coming to the wedding," Al murmured. "... he died a long time ago." He looked down at the dagger in his hands and I touched his arm briefly. He patted my hand in thanks.
"Sorry." Genie winced, turning back to normal.
"That's okay, I never knew him. Maybe if I did, I'd feel ready for this." Al sighed heavily and I was surprised to hear that.
"Al, are you getting cold feet?"Genie asked teasingly, as pink bunny slippers appeared on Al's feet.
"No, Genie. It's just that... I've always been a street rat." Al explained, sliding down the wall to sit in thought. "Stealing what I need to survive, running from the guards... Living my life alone," He looked at me and I nodded. Al was talking about before he met me and even then, he wasn't really ready to be a lone guardian to a kid. "I'm taking a big step today, into a new world." I had nothing to say to that, because I wasn't sure how I felt. I had never really given my own father much thought, knowing that he was dead.
"Today's topic," Genie's voice came from a phone near our faces and I looked behind me to see Genie wearing headphones and talking into mike in front of him. "'Fears of the Future Family Man.' Al from Agrabah share with us."
"I never had a father to show me how to raise a family."Aladdin replied, looking worried.
"No role model? Get a little deeper."
"What do I know about families?" Al continued, growing more and more nervous. "Genie, what if I'm no good at it?"Genie changed back to normal at his worried tone. "If my father were here..." Al trailed off and Genie put an arm around him.
"Al, Little Buddy, if your father were here, he'd be as proud of you as I am." Genie stated, nudging Al's chin with his fist and I hugged Al's middle.
"Come on, Al, you did great with this kid."
"Thanks, Rick." He stated and hugged me back before walking over to the window again. "I just wish he could see this."
There's a party here in Agrabah, and the party's all for me.
Just look you guys at where we are,
And how our dreams have come to be.
"Don't worry, Al. everything will go great!" I stated and he smiled at me.
I never ever had a real family
Someone who could just understand me...
Aladdin makes a motion like he was about to kiss Jasmine and I wondered for his sanity for a moment.
"Hey, come on Aladdin, this mush has got to end!"Iago yelled, getting in his face. I laughed and he came to sulk on my shoulder.
"What's taking you guys so long?" He grumbled and I shrugged.
"You know how it is." I grinned at him and he shook his head.
"You are all such a bunch of weirdos."
"Aren't you glad to be one of us?" I asked teasingly and he actually smiled a bit at the before scowling.
"Oh, shut up."
Genie changed the inside of the hovel to a party themed room. Genie gave Iago a party hat and a party favor in his mouth which he blew in my face and I attempted to swat him. Genie held up a clocked and tapped it's face.
There's a party here in Agrabah
And it's starting right away.
Genie changed into a tailor, and changed A into his wedding attire and he grabs him for a photograph. I was about to laugh when he pulled me into the picture with him and Al.
Let's get you dressed 'cause you're the star
Hey, come on, it's your wedding day!
Genie held his arms out and Al and I took them as he playfully walked us towards the window. Abu and Iago followed, also arm in arm as they copied us. Al and I landed on Carpet while, Iago and Genie flew behind us. Carpet took off for the palace. As we flew away from our old home and to the palace I felt a sense that I would never see the old hovel again with Al. It made me a little sad on the inside to know that those times were over once he was officially married and I shifted a bit on Carpet, trying to block those thoughts out. I was happy he was getting married after all and so thought of the sister I would be gaining. We flew over the marketplace and waved to the crowds of people who looked up at us in happiness and sang.
Aladdin's gettin' married and it's gonna be
The wedding of the century
Amazing how Aladdin could have come so far!
They're finally gettin' married Genie shouted.
Look at all these presents! Iago shouted in happiness and I rolled my eyes.
It's about time, they're finally getting married. I cried and Al laughed, turning to ruffle my head.
I'm finally gettin' married
Aladdin agreed and we finally made it to the palace. I hopped off with Genie who remained outside, and dressed like a Gospel singer, he lead the crowd in as they sang.
They're finally gettin' married at the party in Agrabah!
They're getting married and it's gonna be such a sight to see.
Come on, go with me
The wedding guests are now dancing and I can't help but dance along with Genie.
To the party in Agrabah!
Every clapped and celebrated and then they fell silent. Genie was still singing.
"A party goin' on now, gotta party, gotta party. Help me! Can't stop myself!" Genie begins shaking his butt and dancing awkwardly. "Somebody rub the lamp, somebody rub the lamp." Everyone in the crowd raised their eyebrows and I snickered. "Ah, you know I feel it..."
"Psst. Genie." I hissed at him and he stopped what he was doing and looked around. "Ah, that's enough." Genie slid off in embarrassment and carried me with him as I laughed aloud.
Review? Tell me what ya think!?
