Author's Notes: It's been a while since I've penned an Aladdin fic, so I thought I'd keep the ball rolling with another story, featuring two of the villains I've featured in previous stories. You don't really need to read "Aladdin and the Slithering Serpents" or "Fear Itself" prior to this story, but it gives more character background to the original characters. This time has Jatika teaming up with the U-Serpents in a rather elaborate scheme. Hope you guys enjoy as usual.
Synopsis: Jatika's plans have fallen through in Agrabah before, but a chance encounter with a group of villains seeking revenge (the U-serpents) gives Jatika a new idea. If he can't fool Aladdin by shapeshifting into his friends, then the only other option is much more sinister: becoming Aladdin himself. Can Aladdin overcome the deadly schemes of this collaboration and warn the others in time of their plans to take over Agrabah?
Chapter 1: All Washed Up
Garan, Faran and Ajan sat amongst the shores of an oasis just on the outside of Getzistan. Garan, the green-eyed U-serpent, had been hungry and wanted to catch a few fish to appease his appetite. The others followed in line, though Faran, the red-eyed-serpent, hadn't wanted to do much else other than watch the waves. The three had just been on the other end of a failed mission in Agrabah, bested by the Genie, Aladdin, and his usual group. They couldn't think of any other ways to take over Agrabah, so it was due time for them to take a break.
"Look, over there - there's s-something glowing in the water." Ajan and Garan looked where Faran pointed to the far distance of the oasis. A creature emerged from of the water, shaking itself off and trying to get its bearings. The three U-serpents determined that it was an imp with large teeth and sunken dark eyes. It seemed to complain every step of the way.
"I can't believe that I was thrown out of Agrabah again!" it said. "Confound it! If I get my hands on Aladdin and his Genie again, it wouldn't be too soon. If I do not, then I am not worthy of the name Jatika."
The three U-serpents didn't hesitate when they heard Aladdin's name. The imp only noticed the group of U-serpents as he looked up and saw them at the shoreline.
"You know the boy Aladdin and his-s Genie? What business-s do you have with him?" Ajan demanded.
Jatika snorted. "That would depend on what business you have with him. I plan to get my revenge on that brat of a prince, and I will do so by peeling the flesh off his bones!"
The U-serpents determined, with a shared look between them, that this imp wasn't bad company to keep. Faran's smile widened as he looked down at the imp. "S-so what would you s-suggest?"
Jatika sighed. "Well, given that I'm an imp who can shapeshift, I've tried to take advantage by transforming into various friends of Aladdin's, but he always sees through my disguises! I don't know what to do."
The four of them were lost for quite some time as they contemplated their goal of revenge, but Ajan found the answer. The U-serpent turned to face the imp at his feet. "Have you considered s-shapeshifting into Aladdin himself?"
Jatika firmly shook his head. "I don't even see the point of..." He stopped, realizing that there was some merit to that idea after all. "Say...I could try to imitate Aladdin. I could try to fool everyone he knows and loves and they wouldn't even know he ceased to exist. I could become him - that would make me one step closer to being able to take over Agrabah!"
The U-serpents looked at each other and for the first time in ages, collectively agreed on something. Jatika was a little taken aback by the mutual companionship of the snakemen, but he waited as Garan became the spokesperson of the group. "We'll help you in any way that we can," he said with a cruel smile that reflected the moonlight overhead.
The laughter of the snakemen and imp could be heard for miles outside the oasis, even by passing cargo men, who were wise enough to turn and run in the opposite direction.