Whoop-whoop! Another chapter! Thank you to all the people who reviewed, and who read!
And a special thanks to my beta, Ella Unlimited!
All of the parade was marching its way to Agrabah, and Al and I were hidden by what looked like feathery fans. My stomach was turning slightly from nervousness, and the swaying motion of Abu wasn't helping all that much. I turned to Al, trying to distract myself with conversation.
"Hey, Aladdin..." He looked back towards me automatically. I never called him Aladdin unless something was bothering me… somehow… he knew that too well. "About that… uh… conversation we had in the dungeon..." His face immediately softened, and I instantly knew he wasn't mad at me; but that didn't mean I wasn't still feeling guilty.
"Hey, its fine, Randi. I really did ignore you when she was around, didn't I? I'm sorry." He said. I sighed.
"No, Al, I'm sorry. I was just jealous. You found me the day my parents..." I still had to choke out this sentence, "...died. And you've been here for me ever since. Maybe if you hadn't been so nice, I wouldn't be so attached to you, eh?" I smiled, trying to lift the depressing mood I had created. Al pulled me into a hug.
"Aw, Randi, you know I wouldn't of done that. You're my little sister, I would never abandon you." I smiled, happy again, and hugged Al back. "Besides, your female, it's only natural that you'd get jealous over another female, especially a princess." He continued, smirking at me. I pulled back.
"Excuse me?" I said, a dangerous note in my voice and a raised eyebrow to accompany it. His smirk grew, and I tackled him.
After a few minutes of play-fighting, we were both in much better moods, and our clothes were completely messed up. Genie poofed in to tell us we were almost up, and he shook his head then snapped his fingers. We were once again in perfect order, our clothes shimmering.
"Alright, 'Ali' and 'Amir', your cue in five!" he shouted, then turned into a regular human major, and dashed off. We looked at each other slyly, until we heard an 'ah ah ah!' from Genie outside. We both rolled our eyes and did nothing, like good little royalty.
"So, 'Amir', what was the reason again why you chose that name? You do realize it's a boy name." 'Ali' asked me, knowing that it would bother me that he wasn't paying attention.
"I told you! We need to have a background story! You're the full-blood royal, and I'm the one made by… a… scandal. My 'father', the king, was dying, and he wanted a boy that was just like you, a little prince. He begged my mother to name the child 'Amir' for prince, before I was born, a baby girl. She wanted to honor his wishes, so she named me Amir, before she died. The queen—your mother-took pity on me, and we grew up together. After we got older-" 'Ali' finally cut me off.
"You had too much fun making this story up. Do we really need all of it?" He asked me, smirking. I frowned, and then swung my arms out dramatically.
"Of course! We could tell a whole bunch about our lives as street rats, so we should be able to say even more about our 'lives' of royalty!" I reasoned, while 'Ali' just rolled his eyes. I huffed and let it go for the moment, turning around.
After a while, I heard the theme music from 'Prince Ali' start. 'Ali' looked at me, confused. I gestured for him to keep his pose and pay attention, grinning. He raised an eyebrow, but turned around and got himself ready. 'Yes! Two songs in a row! Jackpot!' I thought, shifting excitedly.
Make way for Prince Ali!
Say hey! It's Prince Ali!
The marchers and swordsmen sang first, showing off their movies and pose. I could hear Genie singing.
Hey, clear the way in the old bazaar,
Hey you, let us through, it's a bright new star,
Now come, be the first on your block to meet his eye!
He sang, mingling in the crowd as he did so.
Make way, here he comes,
Ring bells, bang the drums.
You're gonna love this guy!
He rapped on pots and banged on some random merchants stomach as he sang, then
hopped in the merchants arms.
Prince Ali, fabulous he, Ali Ababwa!
The fans pulled away, revealing us to the streets of Agrabah. Tons and tons of people were watching us, and I felt my stomach do a nervous flip. Al and I kept our facing in a picture-perfect smile, waving to everyone. I could tell he was just as nervous as I was, but enjoying the attention.
Genuflect, show some respect
Down on one knee
He pulled a rug out from the guards that chased us earlier, making them bow to us. I grinned evilly. 'I could get used to this.'
Now try your best to stay calm
Brush up your Sunday Salaam
And come and meet his spectacular coterie.
Genie pulled one man onto his hands, then wheel barrowed six men up to 'Ali' and me. They stood on each other's shoulders and took turns shaking his hand.
Prince Ali, mighty is he, Ali Ababwa!
Strong as ten regular men, definitely
All the men fell on Ali and I, and Genie used a little magic to make Ali lift them all up and slide down Abu's trunk. They were all in a circle-like formation, and I was on the top, balancing on my hands perfectly.
He faced the galloping hordes
Genie sung as an old man, near a random guy in the crowd.
A hundred bad guys with swords
Now he was a kid with a wooden sword, swinging it around wildly.
Who sent those goons to their lords, why Prince Ali!
He turned into a regular man, next to what looked like merchants.
He's got seventy-five golden camels!
The men holding the camels sang, swirling their platters around. A typical parade commenter popped in on the side. "Don't they look lovely, Jude?"
Purple peacocks, he's got fifty-three!
The women on a parade float holding purple peacocks sang as the aforementioned birds flaunted their feathers. Another commenter popped in. "Fabulous Harry, I love the feathers!"
When it comes to exotic type mammals
I imagined the giant balloon gorilla continuing down the parade, with the one guy off the ground swinging behind them, and giggled.
Has he got a zoo, I'm telling you
Genie went down to some children as a goat, then transformed into a leopard.
It's a world class menagerie!
Genie poofed in as a harem girl in a balcony.
Prince Ali, Handsome is he, Ali Ababwa
That physique, how can I speak
Weak at the knee
Well, get on out in that square
Adjust your veil and prepare
To gawk and grovel and stare at Prince Ali!
Genie and the harem girls from 'One Step Ahead' sang, but I didn't really pay attention to the girl's verses. Al' blew a kiss to them and they all fainted.
Genie caught them before they fell off the balcony.
He's got ninety-five white Persian monkeys!
(He's got the monkeys, let's see the monkeys!)
Tons of monkeys on top of bells were carried and displayed in the parade.
And to view them, he charges no fee!
(He's generous, so generous)
Al and I tossed out gold to the ground, and people dove in to collect as much as they could. 'Greedy.' I thought, rather rudely. 'All they care about is our money.'
He's got slaves; he's got servants and flunkies!
(Proud to work for him)
They bow to his whim, love serving him
They're just lousy with loyalty to Ali! Prince Ali!
The palace doors were closed, but that didn't stop us. We burst through the doors and into the palace, all grinning like mad men and ladies.
Prince Ali!
Amorous he! Ali Ababwa
Heard your princess was a sight lovely to see!
Genie danced with the Sultan, then threw him into his throne.
And that, good people, is why
He got dolled up and dropped by
Everyone in the parade, except 'Ali' and I, started singing now.
With sixty elephants, llamas galore
With his bears and lions
A brass band and more
With his forty fakirs, his cooks, his bakers
His birds that warble on key
Make way for Prince Ali!
'Ali' flew around in Carpet in a flashy and impressive display, before he flew back and swooped down to get me, who was still on Abu. Carpet did a couple of spins flips, then stopped suddenly in front of the Sultan, Al and I bowing. Jafar slammed the door shut after pushing the entire parade outside.
"Splendid, absolutely marvelous." The Sultan looked like a little kid at Christmas, clapping away at our flashy display. I had always liked him for his energy throughout the whole Aladdin series. Al stepped off of Carpet.
"Ahem. Your majesty, I have journeyed from afar to seek your daughter's hand." Al took on a deeper voice, flipping his cape away. I kept my eye-roll to myself.
"Prince Ali Ababwa! Of course. I'm delighted to meet you." He ran over and shook Al's hand. "And your...lady friend..?" He let the sentence trail off, looking at me. I curtsied, much better than before, and kept it less exaggerated than Al's bow.
"This is my younger sister, Princess Amir." Al said, placing a hand on my shoulder as he spoke.
"It's an honor to meet you, your majesty." I said, smiling kindly at him. He looked confused.
"It's lovely to meet you too, my dear, but your name..." He trailed off again. I smiled again. He had probably noticed it was a guy's name.
"My father expected a son, but he died before I was born. My mother decided to honor my father and keep the name he gave me." I lied convincingly. The Sultan smiled.
"Of course, you poor dear. Let's not speak of it again. Anyway, I'm delighted to meet you, too." He shook my hand as well. "This is my royal vizier, Jafar. He's delighted too." He gestured over at Jafar, and I had to fight not to run behind Al. My knees buckled and I grabbed onto him for support. Panic filled me, my heart stopped beating. He was the man who killed my parents was right in front of me. For some reason… when I saw him in the dungeon hadn't bothered me too much, because I hardly recognized him, but now there was no disguises, no magic. Full scale panic attack.
I took a deep breath and straightened my body, trying to present myself with some dignity.
"Ecstatic." He said, and despite my fear and hatred of him, I couldn't help but laugh a little inside at one of my favorite lines.
"I'm afraid, Prince Abooboo's-"
"Ababwa." We both corrected him, and I added. "Princess."
"Whatever." He continued. "You cannot just parade in here uninvited and expect to-"
"By Allah, this is quite a remarkable device." The Sultan tugged at Carpets tassels, and he tugged at his mustache in return. "I don't suppose I might..." He looked hopefully up at us. I smiled.
"Why certainly, your majesty. Allow us." I said, and Al helped the Sultan up onto Carpet. Jafar pinned Carpet down, and this time I flinched back. He didn't notice, too focused on the Sultan.
"Sire, I must advise against this-" The Sultan cut him off.
"-Oh, button up, Jafar, Learn to have a little fun." He kicked the staff away, and Carpet took off. Iago fell down the staff, bopping his beak on the staff repeatedly on the way down. Jafar turned to us.
"Just where did you say you two were from?" Al looked at me, and I gave him a helpless look. He glared. 'Hey, you were the one who made me stop making up our back-story! I could've gotten something so good; people would have to believe it!'
"Oh, much farther than you've traveled, I'm sure." Al improvised. Jafar leaned closer, and I took a step back.
"Try me." He said. I saw the Sultan coming towards from the corner of my eye.
"Look out, Polly!" The Sultan yelled, and then zoomed over us. We all ducked, and avoided getting hit be centimeters. I walked behind Al, keeping him in between Jafar and me.
"Out of the way, I'm coming to land." The Sultan shouted. "Jafar watch this!" He landed, spinning off of carpet.
"Spectacular, your highness." Jafar said sarcastically.
"Ooh, lovely. Yes, I do seem to have a knack for it." The Sultan said, completely missing the sarcasm. Carpet wobbled dizzily over to Abu, and then fell. Abu caught him with his trunk. "This is a very impressive youth. And a prince, as well." Al smiled, his confidence boosted. 'Uh-oh.' I thought, knowing Al doesn't think before he says something when he's this cocky. The Sultan whispered to Jafar, "If we're lucky, you won't have to marry Jasmine after all." Jafar looked upset.
"I don't trust them, sire." Jafar said, trying to get us out of the Sultan's good grace. The Sultan pulled away.
"Nonsense. One thing I pride myself on, Jafar, I'm an excellent judge of character." I heard Iago's 'Oh, excellent judge, yeah, sure...not!' In the background, and threw a rock that had gotten stuck in my shoe at him. He shut up at that.
"Jasmine will like this one!" The Sultan exclaimed. Speaking of the princess, I saw her enter quietly.
"And I'm pretty sure I'll like Princess Jasmine!" Al said, smiling. I shook my head. There's that attitude.
"Your highness, no. I must intercede on Princess Jasmine's behalf." I saw Jasmine get mad at that one. 'Just wait until you hear what my sometimes dim-witted brother says.' "This boy is no different than the others. What make him think he is worthy of the princess?" Jafar got all up in Al's face.
"Your majesty, I am Prince Ali Ababwa!" I gaped at him. Even though I knew he was going to say it, it still ticked me off. "Just let her meet me. I will win your daughter!" 'Oh no you didn't!' I thought, glaring at my idiotic brother.
"How dare you!" everyone looked at Jasmine, surprised. "All you men, standing around, deciding my future?" They all looked sheepish. "I am not a prize to be won!" Jasmine stormed out. Al looked shocked, and looked at me for help. I simply glared at him, and he flinched.
"Oh, dear. Don't worry, Prince Ali, Princess Amir. Just give Jasmine some time to cool down." The Sultan said while walking us out. I heard Jafar behind me.
"I think it's time to say good bye to the Abooboo Prince's." He said darkly, and I shivered. I wound my arm around Al's for strength, and he looked at me, obviously surprised that I forgave him this fast. I just pulled myself closer to him, shivering.
Hoped you liked it! This song was hard ~.~ dunno why. Anyway, review, review, review! How hard can a paragraph be when I write all this crap out for all of you?