Disclaimer: I do not own Malcho, or any of the original Aladdin characters or settings included in this story. I do own my own original character Tala.

Special Thanks: Credit to my wonderful beta reader, Eternal Sidekick, formally known as Brisco County Jr., who helped me with this chapter.


Chapter 4

Over a week had passed since Malcho and Tala had discussed their pasts, and they had spent that time resting, recovering, and planning what to do next.

Malcho's wounds were healing well. His smaller injuries were almost gone and the few larger gashes had scabbed over enough that he could move freely without the constant need of Tala's improvised bandages. It would take a while longer for him to heal completely, and his missing scales to re-grow, but in the meantime, he found he could move around much more freely.

In the time they'd been together, Malcho had watched and analyzed Tala closely, and he now felt he better understood her habits and personality. He found her to be a kind, cheerful, and honest person. He supposed that came hand in hand with youth and inexperience. Crucially to him, her kindness and desire for companionship made her easy to manipulate, and he would continue to use that to his advantage in the future.

Tala was also quite resourceful and adaptable, useful traits that Malcho guessed she had been forced to acquire in order to survive on her own for so long while being pursued. The only things that seemed to irritate or shake her were mentioning the warlord in her past or the threat of exposure and capture, and Malcho made sure to avoid these topics when he could.

One thing that did bother him was that her goodwill towards him didn't abate over time as he thought it would. And, for some reason, the longer this went on, the more he had started to feel…uncomfortable.

It would be easier, he mused to himself one day, if she wasn't so trustful. With other creatures, he was always certain of the fact that if he did not use them first, they would use him. But with her, somehow that logic didn't seem to apply.

As for her habits, Malcho had noted that every morning after waking and every evening before sleeping Tala would check the horizon for signs of approach, and would only go about her business after being satisfied the coast was clear. She would also occasionally leave the oasis for a few hours to practice her spells as best she could, never straying very far, but maintaining a distance that would keep him and the oasis safe in case a spell went wrong.

He had also noticed on the third day, as she used some magic to control the water from the pool to wash his wounds, that her eyes were blue. It took some encouragement to get her to use her magic in the first place; for it seemed a year of constantly hiding her powers made her reluctant to use them unless necessary. In any case, as he had been staring fascinated at the way her eyes changed color to gold as she'd used her powers, he'd noticed as they changed back they weren't the normal brown of other humans he'd met. Tala had explained that her father was a traveler from the west that had fallen in love and married her mother. It was from him she'd inherited her magic and her eye colour. Unfortunately, it seemed he had died a few years before her power emerged, leaving only his book behind for help and guidance. Malcho had filed that information away carefully, he had a feeling it might become important somehow.

After a few days of rest, Malcho had gotten strong enough to go hunting. He'd immediately set out in search of more substantial fare then Tala and the oasis could provide. After a few hours searching, he had discovered a group of camels wandering around aimlessly in the desert, and a small family of jackrabbits scavenging for food. He made short work of the camels, and brought a few rabbits back for Tala, in way of compensation for the food he'd taken from her. It seemed like the first substantial meal either of them had had for a long time, and they'd both laid about feeling full and satisfied for a long time that night, chatting idly until they'd fallen asleep.

Also, despite the fact Tala refrained from using spells, Malcho did end up seeing more of her magic, though not in the best of circumstances.

The day after they'd had their long discussion, he'd crept up on her while she was reading, forgetting that to a human his approach was probably unnoticeable. He'd reached out to her, touching her shoulder with a wing, and she'd jerked and her eyes had suddenly flared gold. The next second there was a loud explosion and Malcho's head snapped around to see a tree go up in flames to his immediate left, bathing his flank in a sudden brilliant heat.

Tala spent the next 10 minutes alternating between apologizing profusely and attempting to calm down enough to douse the flames before the whole oasis went up in smoke.

He'd made a large mental note to never spook her, but even so, he found with his instinctive stealth and her apprehension that someone might find them, he couldn't help occasionally making her jump. The results were strange to say the least. Half of the time he found himself bracing for nothing, her powers were frozen in shock just as she'd described, and for a few minutes she could cast nothing. The other half of the time it was…interesting. Apart from the fire, she'd made the water in the pool shoot up like a geyser, a rain cloud form overhead spontaneously, and caused 3 saplings to grow to full sized palm trees in about 10 seconds. Her powers, though uncontrolled, were indeed amazing; he could see why the warlord wanted her so badly.

Malcho hadn't just been learning about Tala, though. After months of isolation in the volcano, he was glad to have some intelligent conversation. Tala was the perfect audience; always eager and attentive to his monologues, lapping up his tales. He spoke to her of his rainforest home, of its grandeur and beauty, of the creatures that lived there, and of the struggles and battles he had faced throughout his life. (The later usually ending up somewhat edited.) He had also given her a much needed crash course in Spanish, so that now he could talk with her more freely.

"And Calmarse means?" He asked, late one evening as they sat around after a meal of freshly caught camel.

"Calm down." Tala smiled.

"Si! Bueno, mi amiga! You learn fast!"

"I have a good teacher" Tala grinned. "What does amiga mean, by the way? You've used the word quite often, you know. Actually, in just about every other sentence."

"Ah, amiga? It...it means friend, chica. Mi amiga, my friend."

"So...were friends?" Tala asked cautiously, worried at how he would react. Would asking so openly drive him away?

"I-"

He had never really thought about the implications of the term before. He called most people amigo, and most of the time he was being sarcastic. But somehow it was becoming different with her. Perhaps because he'd never spent time with an individual who treated him with such respect of their own accord. Perhaps it was because she had saved him. Maybe it was because of the trust she showed him.

Maybe it was because-. He paused, his thoughts slowing as he was struck by a thought. Maybe it was because…he was actually enjoying spending time with her. Wait, enjoying, spending time with her? What was he thinking? She was a tool, a method to obtain his goals! Nothing more, right?

…right?

He shook his head to clear his thoughts. He didn't know if he needed, let alone wanted a friend, but for now he did still need her on his side.

"Si...we are."

She beamed "That's great! I haven't really had a good friend since I left my village, what with moving all the time so the guys sent after me don't catch up."

"Si, I suppose you would not." He responded quietly. He was agitated by the thoughts and feelings churned up by the conversation.

"Are you OK?" She asked, worried by how distracted he looked.

"Ah, I'm fine chica, bueno, si?" He shook his head, carefully put back on his façade, "This serpent has not had one to call a friend before." He forced a smile, he had to play his role until the time came.

"Well you've got one now" Tala smiled, patting his wing tenderly.

It was after that conversation that Malcho started to feel a strange stabbing sensation in his chest whenever she gave him that innocent, trusting look, whenever she smiled at him like that. It was a slight change, but one that he noted, and it would turn out to be the first of many in the days that passed. In any case, he was left unsettled and uncomfortable for some time that evening.

That wasn't the only significant occurrence between them in that week; there was also the nightmare, a most embarrassing occurrence for Malcho. He had been plagued one night by a most vicious dream, watching as the faces of his tormentors; Thundra, Iago, and Aladdin, jeered at him as he was pinned helplessly by some unseen force and slowly encased ice. As the ice grew and finally closed over his head, he felt complete terror as his heart started slowing, his mind clouding as his body tried to save itself. He hated the cold, he hated it for this reason, he had no control! He couldn't stop this, he could do nothing, all his strength was rendered meaningless as the cold started to shut his body down against his will.

As he was held there, pinned tightly as his tormentors laughed and jeered, he suddenly caught sight of something red outside the ice, just on the edge of his vision. Red was usually a bad sign, but for some reason it encouraged Malcho, as though it was a beacon of hope. The red moved and Malcho saw it was Tala standing on the other side of the ice, looking down at the floor. Tala, his friend! No wonder he thought it a good sign! He tried to reach out, to call to her, but he couldn't move, encased as he was.

'Help me, amiga! Help me!' He screamed to her silently in his mind, willing her to understand, knowing she could easily free him with her magicks.

Tala slowly looked at up at him, and if he could have moved, he would have jerked back. It wasn't the Tala he knew. She was different, and he was startled and unnerved by the change. Physically she was the same but…but her eyes, they were red as if she had been crying, and they were cold. As though someone had sucked all that youthful idealism, all her cheerfulness from her, and all that was left behind was bitterness and regret. It scared him; that she could be changed so much.

'What happened to you?' He wanted to ask, and as if in response to the silent question she spoke.

"Liar. You're just the same as him."

And then she turned her back on him, and hope left.

"NOOOOOOOOOO!"

His mental scream turned into a loud bellow of pain and panic as the Lord of the Rainforest surfaced violently from his dream. Tala jerked awake at his cries, a nearby tree exploding in the process, which only served to panic the already terrified Quetzalcoatl more.

"Malcho-wha, what?!"

Her last word turned into a shriek, and she backed away as she saw her friend bucking and writhing, still trying to escape the prison that now only encased him in his mind.

"Malcho what's wrong!" Tala called, worry for his safety and well being now starting to override her fear.

Malcho was talking now, but in Spanish, fevered and panicked Spanish. Tala could only make out a few words. "Ice" and "enemy"

It didn't take her long to work out what was going on, knowing about his past.

"Malcho, it's OK! Your here with me, Tala!"

He carried on screaming and it occurred to Tala that if he was only talking in Spanish he might not be awake enough to understand anything but Spanish either. What could she do? She didn't know nearly enough to say anything reassuring. Watching as he continued to panic, she decided she'd just have to do her best.

"AMIGO! Calmarse! Calmarse, Malcho!" She yelled, dodging his wildly flapping wings and running over to his side. As she approached, he snapped around to focus on her, and she yelped as his tail whipped over and wrapped around her waist with blinding speed. She was immediately lifted up into the air and tightly constricted, driving the air from her lungs. Malcho lowered his head to her and hissed, and Tala felt her body and her powers freeze in terror. She knew Malcho was a predator, but she'd always known him firstly as an intelligent being, as a friend. Seeing him like this, so completely taken over by his instincts, glowering and hissing at her, it made her blood freeze.

She felt something wet roll down her face, and wondered when she had started to cry? She shuddered, forcing her fear down into a tight ball inside her. She had to get through to him, his instincts must have overridden his rational mind in his panic.

"Malcho, amigo, its me, Tala!" She managed to choke out.

He hissed at her again, his tongue flickering near her face…and then he paused. Tala realized he must have caught her scent and hurriedly kept talking to him in her limited Spanish. His eyes seemed to clear as he threw of the last of his nightmare and finally came to his senses.

"Amiga...que...what...what is-ah!" He stuttered, finally focusing on her and realizing what he was doing. Tala gratefully sucked in air as he quickly relaxed his hold on her, hurriedly setting her down on his coils where she immediately collapsed, gasping for breath and clutching her side, letting out a choked sob and a shudder.

"Amiga!" Malcho fretted, leaning down "I'm sorry-I"

He reached out to check on her, freezing as she recoiled away from him. Now he was worried. In all the time he'd known her, she'd never flinched away from him before. He must have shaken her a great deal. She looked up at him then, and he registered the tears in her eyes, the wide eyed terror, and felt cold again, it was like he had fallen back into the dream.

No. No. He shook himself, it was not the same, she was scared, but her eyes still had hope, this wasn't a dream. This was real, and Tala was Tala, scared, but the same.

"Amiga, are you alright? Did I hurt you?" He forced himself to speak to her again, trying to reassure her even though he himself was still in turmoil.

She took a breath, shook her head, obviously trying to compose herself, unaware that even if she hid her tears he could still smell her fear, could feel her shaking as she spoke.

"I'm fine, I'm OK. Bruised but not broken."

"Amiga, I'm so sorry..."

"It...it wasn't your fault." She said simply, wiping her face hurriedly to remove the tears before looking up at him again. He fear was forgotten for a moment as she finally caught sight of him. She'd never seen him like this before; he always seemed so tall and proud, untouchable and unshakable. Now he looked pitiful, he was still shaking from the after effects of the nightmare, his face was lowered, his wings drooped, and he wouldn't meet her gaze as she tried to speak to him. It was the first time it occurred to Tala that Malcho could be hurt emotionally, the same as anyone else.

It's strange how the human mind works under stress. If anything, Tala should have still been scared and frightened, but as she saw him looking so pitiful, so sad, her heart was moved. He needed someone right now, and she wanted…no, needed to remind herself that he wasn't just some scary predator, he was her friend.

And so, without really thinking it through, Tala moved forward and threw her arms around Malcho's neck, hugging him tightly and burying her face in his hair. Malcho let out a soft gasp at the touch, too shocked at the sudden action to respond.

"You scared me." Tala shuddered. "I couldn't see you, it's like you weren't there."

"Amgia? Que-"

"I'm sorry you had such a bad dream." She said, moving the subject away from herself quickly, suddenly ashamed she was trying to reassure herself that Malcho was himself again, when he was the one who needed the support. She took a deep breath and spoke firmly.

"I don't know what you were dreaming, but it's all over now, alright? You're safe. It was just a dream and it can't hurt you. I'm here now, OK? I'm not going anywhere."

She let go of him for a moment, so she could move back and look him in the eyes, trying to reassure him with her gaze.

Malcho's mind told him firmly to shove her away and to stop acting so weak; it was completely pathetic to have fallen so low a human child was trying to comfort him. He didn't need her pity, nor her help, after all, he was Malcho the great, Malcho the magnificent!

But...he could still feel the ice surrounding his body, still hear the taunts...and her arms...were warm, and real, and there. For once in his life, no one was trying to gain anything from him. In her eyes, he only saw the desire to help mend the hurt, nothing more, no hidden motives, no agendas, just wanting to be there for him.

It was a strange feeling, and without quite realizing what he was doing, moved by something long buried inside him, he found he had given a shudder and wrapped both his wings firmly around the tiny girl, tugging her close to him and resting his cheek against her back. She was warm, and alive, and REAL. A firm reassuring presence that kept the chill of the nightmare away. Tala put her arms around his neck again and hugged him back, whispering the odd occasional reassurance when she felt him start to shiver again, her hand running through his hair like that night not so long ago.

Eventually, emotionally exhausted, Malcho had fallen back into a deep dreamless sleep. Tala was left trapped in his hold, unable to move. So she had stayed with him till morning, when he woke and found she'd stayed awake all night watching over him in case he fell back into a nightmare.

After that night, more things started to change. The strange stabbing sensation he got in his chest shifted and intensified, it now felt like someone was twisting in an imaginary blade. Perhaps it was for that reason that he found himself changing the conversation when he realized it was taking a track that would force him to lie. Perhaps that was also why he found himself bringing back extra meat for her, even when he knew she didn't need it. Maybe that was even why when he woke in the night he would check that she was all right, even before checking himself and the surroundings.

Something changed, and it unsettled him. Perhaps more so because he found…he didn't truly mind these changes, even if they worried him sometimes.

Though these changes were not enough to keep him from his thoughts of revenge.

After all, nothing was more important to him then the long and bloody retribution against those who had wronged him. He'd spent a long time planning it, and he wasn't about to give it up for anybody, especially not some human child he'd just met.

Now, 8 days since he first awoke under the palms and met Tala, he decided it was time to move on. Moreover, he'd already thought of a good plan to get him inside the palace in Agrabah, using Tala's skills.

And so, that evening he approached her with his proposal.

"Tala?" He called, slithering over to her.

"Yes, amigo?" She called back. He smiled at how in just a few short days she'd taken to inserting bits of Spanish into her speech, it was odd, but he was somewhat proud of her for it. He shrugged inwardly; he supposed he was a very good teacher.

"I have had a thought." He said, slithering to a stop next to her.

"Oh?" She asked, hanging her one spare shirt up to dry on an overhanging branch.

"Well, my wounds are almost healed, and I can move freely now, so I shall be taking my leave soon."

"Oh." Tala paused, visibly faltering. Of course she'd known eventually he would heal and leave, but she'd gotten used to his company. It would be lonely to be on her own again. Even so, she couldn't stop him from doing as he wished, she'd sworn a long time ago she'd never try to control someone like that.

"Well, it's good you've gotten better." She said, suddenly aware she'd been silent a bit too long.

Malcho grinned, he'd expected such a response from her. He knew her well enough to know she didn't want to be alone again. Now he'd shaken her, he only had to offer her some hope and he was sure she'd jump at any chance to escape being left behind, no matter what it entailed.

"Ah, well amiga, I was wondering, since we seem to both be going in the same direction, if you'd care to accompany me?"

"...Me? Really?"

"You wish to go to Agrabah, yes? I also wish to return to…straighten things out with Aladdin.

"You'd really let me come with you?" She asked, hopefully.

"Si, amiga, you'd actually be doing me a great service if you would. You see, after our last disagreement, I suspect the royal guards will not let me anywhere near the palace. But if you would go in and speak on my behalf, I'm sure I could get an audience with the Sultan."

"Really, you think so?"

"Si, amiga, would you mind? I hate to ask more of you, after all you already saved me, but this would help me out a lot."

"Of course, I'll help Malcho. I'll be glad to! I'll definitely make the Sultan and Aladdin realize what a mistake they made-oh, but…how am I going to get in? I'm not royalty, and I doubt the guards are going to be any more likely to let a common girl like me in the palace."

"Ah," He grinned, coiling around her and leaning down so there faces were level, "But using your powers mi amiga, it would be all too easy too sneak in."

"Using my powers?" Tala looked hesitant "You know I don't like to do that unless I've got no other choice, it's risky."

"Si mi amiga, but just think! All you need to do it use your powers to move the rocks in the palace wall and create a slight opening for us to pass through. Then I can hide in the palace garden while you talk to the Sultan and Aladdin, and come out and speak my piece when you've cleared the air."

"But won't they just throw me out as soon as I get in?"

"You said yourself, mi amiga. Aladdin is a just man, I'm sure if you could just speak to him, he'd happily help you in your plight. Your cause is a most worthy one after all."

"I don't know…it sounds a little dishonest…"

"Ah, but it is for the greater good, mi amiga! Think of all the people you would help! And no one would be harmed. You could even put the wall back exactly as it was after we'd entered, so the royal family would not be put in danger."

"I, I suppose…"

"Por favor, mi amiga, please? It would help so many people."

He knew she felt guilty about the people being hurt by her long absence as she searched for help, playing on it was all too easy.

Tala paused, then smiled "I guess it can't hurt, and I would like to make sure you got a chance to explain everything to Aladdin like you got to do with me."

"Si! Si! Gracias amiga, gracias!" He said, leaning down and nuzzling her side. Tala laughed at Malcho's enthusiasm, patting him on the head happily.

"Glad to help, so, when do we leave?"

"Tomorrow, mi amiga. Why waste time?"

"Wow, that's great! After all this time, I'm finally gonna free my village. I was so lucky to run into you, Malcho. Thanks for everything. You're a really good friend."

"Ah, no need to thank me, amiga." Malcho faltered in his jubilation, feeling that twisting blade all of a sudden.

"Of course there is, I would have never thought of this on my own!"

"Perhaps." He hurriedly moved the conversation on, "But now, we must get busy, mi amiga. There is much to do and prepare before morning, we must devise a way to carry water with us on our journey. I do not wish to crash land again."

Tala and Malcho spent the rest of the afternoon gathering food and water. Tala, used to traveling light, had only a few essential items to pack other then her clothes, book, and small dagger. They all fitted easily into a shoulder bag she carried with her.

They made good time, and by dusk everything was gathered ready for the morning journey. As they sat around a small fire after eating their dinners, Tala chatted idly to Malcho.

"How long did you say it would take to get there?" She asked, throwing a bone into the blaze.

"Well, just less then a day flying, amiga."

"Wow, I didn't realize I was so close to Agrabah!"

"Si, we are indeed close. This oasis must be off the beaten path, though. For a place so close to a city, we have seen no one this past week."

"Yeah, I guess the gods are smiling on us."

"I've never really believed in gods amiga, that's more a human thing."

"Well, what do you believe in?" Tala asked quizzically.

"Power." He said simply, one wing clenching into a fist.

"Power isn't everything." Tala replied. "Look at me. I've got all this magic, all this power, but I can't control it and that makes it dangerous. It's this power that landed me in trouble in the first place. If I didn't have it, none of this would have happened."

"Hmm, I suppose." He said, not really agreeing at all, but not wanting to start an argument either.

Tala smiled at him then yawned, attempting to muffle it with a hand.

"You are tired, mi amiga" He smiled, leaning down and nudging her gently towards the spot she slept each night "Sueno, it will be a long day tomorrow."

"I need to go check-"

"I'll make sure all is safe before sleeping. You get your rest." He interrupted her.

"Alright, thank you." She smiled, yawning again and settling down, curling up on the ground in her cloak, her bag once again turned into a pillow.

As he watched her settle down, it occurred to him that this was the second time today he'd caught himself reaching out to touch her without thinking. At some point over the last week it had become… natural for him to interact with her in this way. While before he would only touch another being when necessary, he found himself reaching out to her for trivial things. Nudging her in the side with his snout or tail when it was time to get up or move, lifting her up to reach something high on a tree, even picking her up in his wings and setting her back down when she tripped over some vines. Now he thought about it, she too was returning those gestures. She often patted him on the side for no apparent reason, and once or twice when he nudged her she would laugh and wrap her arms around his neck and embrace him briefly.

Caramba, when did he become so relaxed around her to allow such things?

Some small part of his mind, the part that we all have that watches what the rest of us are doing, commented slyly that perhaps it wasn't just because he didn't mind it, but because he actually liked the attention? He crushed the thought brutally; such things were not possible for a predator like him. At least…they shouldn't be. Why were things with her so confusing? It was never this…emotional before to interact with someone.

He should never have allowed her to comfort him that night.

"Goodnight Malcho, make sure you get some sleep, too." Her words drew him from his thoughts and he hastily replied.

"Si, mi amiga, good night."

Once Tala was asleep, Malcho sat up and shook his head to clear himself of his previous thoughts, allowing him to focus.

Of course, he had no intention of sitting quietly in the garden once Tala broke them into the palace. As soon as Tala left to find Aladdin, he'd make his presence felt by one and all. If he was lucky, in the confusion, he could get Tala to protect him for a few minutes before she realized what was going on. It would be handy to have that magic on his side, especially if that Genie was around. Yes, she was very loyal to him. Loyal enough she might be willing to unleash her powers on his enemies and fight for him. He was sure she suspected nothing, or at least she wanted to trust him so much that she clouded her mind to any sign of betrayal. Either way it worked out well for him. By tomorrow evening they should be in Agrabah, by the next day, inside the palace.

Just two days, he only had to keep up the facade for two more days, then they would part. He would have his revenge, she would get an audience with the sultan, however brief, and they would separate.

Forever.

Good riddance! She was far too much trouble, he thought, crossing his wings over his chest. Right, two days, then goodbye. Then she would know the truth, and perhaps she would finally learn not to be so trusting of others. He was probably doing her a favor in the long run. It would be a good life lesson for her.

He settled down, and pretended that the sudden pain in his chest was from an unhealed wound, and not his small, battered heart.