Chapter 10: Close Call
Aladdin struggled against them, but it wasn't enough to deter Ajan from biting into his shoulder, at least in part.
What stopped him from completely sinking his fangs into Aladdin with the full effect of the venom was Safir's magic suddenly working at once. A flash filled the area, catching all of them off guard.
Carpet, Abu, Iago, and Safir suddenly all found themselves freed, even as Safir slumped forward from exhaustion.
Jasmine took the moment of distraction to stomp her foot hard on Mozenrath's. Mozenrath grunted, releasing his grip on her. At the same time, Daleel felt Xerxes grip on his neck loosen, and he took the opportunity to grab hold of Xerxes body, unwrap him, and throw him against a nearby rocky wall, stunning the creature into silence.
That's when Daleel took the opportunity to play a short melody on his flute, which made all the U-serpents hiss with pain. Aladdin took the opportunity to slip out of the chaos, stealing Genie's bottle without a second thought from Faran's doubled form.
Clutching his shoulder, spotted with his own blood, Aladdin ran to Safir's side.
"Safir, you okay?"
Safir might've been slumped over, but he was wide awake. "Me? Fine, Prince, I just can't move. You should be more worried about yourself."
"Only thing I'm worried about is getting us out of here. Carpet, come on!"
At Aladdin's words, Carpet showed up as Abu - who took Genie's bottle, Iago, and Aladdin - while helping Safir- boarded him.
Jasmine grabbed Daleel's hand and they raced forward away from Mozenrath and Xerxes, but there wasn't far to run as they came close to the cliff's edge. Mozenrath readied his magic to aim a blast at the two, to keep them from escaping, but Daleel was quick to offer a suggestion.
"Jump, Princess!"
The two leapt off the cliff, which had Jasmine screaming "Carpet!" as they descended quickly. Carpet came and caught them even with a full load.
"Carpet, let's move!" Aladdin said, and the lot of them sped out of the area, and out of the Cave of Wonders.
"They're not following us, so I'm guessing we did something right," Aladdin said, wincing as they sped through the desert skyline back to Agrabah.
"Aladdin, your shoulder," Jasmine began, but as she pulled back the torn fabric of his tunic, she saw that the wound was almost nearly healed.
Genie, freed from his bottle, used an oversized magnifying glass to peer. "It looks like the wound is healing itself, but Al, you don't feel funny at all?"
Aladdin shook his head. "No. I mean, it stings, but since it's healing, I don't feel like I'm having a hard time breathing or anything. Not like they said it would."
"I don't think Ajan's venom had a chance to enter your wound, Aladdin," Safir offered. "That's one of the reasons why the wounds heal themselves - to trap the poison inside one's body."
"Well, I guess I'm lucky your magic kicked in right when it did. I should thank you both." He looked between Safir and Daleel, who winced and whose shoulders fell.
"It was my fault you guys were in this situation to begin with," Daleel said in a low voice.
Iago started to say "You've got that right", but Genie and Abu clamped hands over Iago's beak and grinned sheepishly.
"I wouldn't say that, m'boy. I actually owe you an apology. I should've taken your claims more seriously," Safir said, ruffling the boy's hair.
"You're not mad at me, Safir?"
"Oh trust me, I was angry a little, but more worried about you. And I think it was a noble thing you did for Aladdin and the others back there. So knowing that you are well and things worked out - I suppose I can't be angry anymore."
Daleel threw his arms around Safir. "Thanks Safir."
"It's just too bad I can't feel you hugging me. This always happens with my magic."
That got a low laugh from Aladdin and Jasmine both. Jasmine leaned her head on Aladdin's good shoulder.
"So does this mean Mozenrath's probably second guessing working with the U-serpents?" Jasmine asked.
Aladdin shook his head. "I don't know. Somehow...I don't think we've heard the last from those guys."
"They've gotten away, the wretches!" Ajan hissed.
"At least your bite connected. Perhaps-s the Prince will s-suffer the fate of the boy, since you bit him." Garan offered.
"No, I didn't even have time to let the poison s-sink in. Those fools were too fortunate."
Mozenrath rolled his eyes and sighed. "Outwitted by a boy with magic and a Prince and Princess who still get under my cloak. Let's just say I was intrigued by the display you three put on for a time, but you highly disappointed me."
"You can tell yourself that s-sorcerer, but you allowed them to escape just as well!" Ajan protested.
Mozenrath shook his head. "No, they'll be time to get them. More than enough. But next time, I'm going to call the shots."
"Next time?" The three U-serpents looked puzzled, but intrigued at the same time.
Xerxes didn't look too happy with that announcement. "First let them go, and then work with snakes again?" He hissed in Mozenrath's ear.
"Trust me, Xerxes. I may have let Aladdin and the others go this time, but next time, they won't be so lucky. This was the snakes show to play, and it was their failure, not mine. I have a feeling that these snakes might be the key to getting rid of them, if the magic's played right."
Mozenrath turned away from the chattering snakemen, chuckling low under his breath.
THE END