Here is chapter thirty-six! Sorry it's taken forever. I've actually been working on chapter forty-three. Why? Cause I want it to be perfect. I've already have a basic idea on what's going to happen.
Of course, then I remembered that y'all are waiting for this chapter now. So I'm working on it now! I'm sorry you guys, but I'm just so excited for that chapter. It's gonna surprise you all! None of you will not be surprised! Hehe.
Disclaimer: I don't own this! Now ENJOY THE STORY!
Chapter Thirty-six: 7m3w4d
I love watching the sun set. It's beautiful and has sort of a magical feel to it. Aladdin, Kristy and I, along with the animals and Genie of course, we're on our way home from a trading escapade. I begged them to stop to watch the sun set properly.
Being nearly eight months pregnant meant my temperament was all over the place. It didn't help that my ankles well swollen, I got a head ache every two seconds and I seem to have become good friends with the bath room again. At least it's not morning sickness, but it's still irritating.
So, when I requested something, it was usually provided for me right away. Same for Jasmine, seeing as how her situation was the same as mine. The only difference is she preferred to stay indoors. I wanted to be out and active. It helped a bit with some uncomfortable feelings I might get.
"Need I remind you it is going to be freezing when that sun goes down and we have miles to go!" Iago's obnoxious squawk drew me from my thoughts. I turned to glare at him. He pointedly ignored me so I went back to watching the sky.
"I just love this time of the day in the desert. It's so peaceful." Aladdin sighed suddenly. I agreed with him. Even with Iago's irate complaining, it was still a really nice night. And I loved spending time with my family as well.
Suddenly, music began to play and we all turned to face the source of the noise. Genie stood there, dressed as an organ grinder with Abu as his monkey. I giggled, my husband was such a goof. But I loved him all the same. "Al! You said this was a scenic spot, but tourism is nil!" Genie exclaimed, grinning at my brother.
Iago rolled his eyes. "I'll pay you to stop!" He snapped harshly. I glared at him once more. "Iago, stop sulking over there and enjoy the sunset. It's really pretty if you actually pay attention." I scolded him.
Genie turned into a painter and painted the sunset, complete with a smiling sun. "Take a picture, it'll last longer." Genie chuckled. Aladdin, Kristy and I all laughed and shook our heads. Genie was something else, that's for sure.
" Close, Genie, but-" Aladdin began, but he was cut off by the sudden sound of elephants trumpeting. We all look around confused. "Hey, what's that?"
We turned to see a caravan of people exiting a canyon through the rock formation. There were three men on horseback, followed by an elephant carrying a chest on its back. It really wasn't something uncommon, however. People always used this area for trading. "Tourists!" Genie exclaimed and turned back into an organ grinder. "Not many, though. Must be a no-frills excursion."
"I think they're out there alone." I shrugged. The caravan was beginning to cross the desert in front of us, when the sound of yelling alerted everyone. That could only mean one thing, marauder's. "Not anymore!" Iago shouted.
A group of attackers rode over the dune towards the caravan. Their faces were covered, and they were all wielding spiked maces. The caravan's animals were spooked, but the men ignored the attackers closing in on them."Marauder attack! We've got to help!" Aladdin shouted.
" These are adults! They'll work something out! Just once, can't we look the other way?" Iago practically begged. However, we all ignored him, and were determined to help the caravan. Carpet picked us up and flew us towards the soon-to-be battlefield.
"The Riders of Ramond fear no man!"
That was the greeting we got before the marauders attacked. However, I instantly realized that these guys were good. In fact, they took on the attackers with no sweat, despite the fact that there were more on the opposing side. "I told you, they're big boys, they can take care of themselves." Iago said, his voice shaking in fear.
"All right, so they're tough. They're also outnumbered. Let's go, Carpet!" Aladdin said and we flew towards the group. One marauder rode towards the elephant and managed to knock the chest to the ground with his mace.
The chest opened and a blinding light had us temporarily blind. When the light vanished, so did the riders and marauders. "That's impossible! They're gone! All of them! Genie, what happened?" Aladdin gasped in surprise.
Vaguely, I heard Iago say something to Abu, but my attention was completely on my husband. He however, just shrugged, seeming just as lost as the rest of us. "Al, all I can tell you is… I have no idea."
XxRebelWriterxX
We decided to camp out that night. Aladdin wanted to check it out tomorrow night, see if it would come back tomorrow- whatever it was. Everyone, except Iago of course, agreed and here we were. Kristy built us a fire and we were all currently sitting around.
"It couldn't have been a mirage. We all saw the same thing." Aladdin sighed. We'd all been trying to figure out this whole mess with the marauders and the riders. However, none of us had an explanation for it,
"You've all been in the sun too long! I didn't see a thing." Iago huffed. Then he turned to whisper to Abu. "You know, these little reality detours can really follow a guy."
I rolled my eyes. Iago could be annoying. "Total denial. Works for me." I snorted sarcastically. Genie suddenly let out a scream and I turned to see Fasir standing behind him. "Fasir! Don't you ever knock?" Genie asked.
"Tell me what it was you saw in the desert today." Fasir said, not bothering to answer my husband. Aladdin straightened and explained how we saw the riders attacked by marauders before their sudden disappearance.
"Allow me to be a little more specific." Genie spoke up. He turned into a rider and a marauder, who began to fight. "And then, all of a sudden!" He disappeared in a puff of smoke while humming The Twilight Show theme. "Ring any bells?"
"You have witnessed one of the great mysteries of the desert." Fasir nodded. Aladdin perked up and asked him to tell us what he knew. I had to admit, I was curious as well. "Years ago, the Riders of Ramond were guarding a magical cargo. Deep in the desert they were attacked by marauders, and something went wrong."
"No kidding." Iago snorted. Kristy and I both turned to glare at him. Neither of us wanted to listen to Iago's sarcastic comments. We were trying to enjoy the story, no matter how spooky it was.
"Neither the riders or their cargo ever arrived at their destination. All that is known is that the riders are doomed to repeat their mission over and over again. Their fate is sealed." Fasir ended, completely ignoring Iago.
"There must be a way to break the spell!" Aladdin straightened up in determination. Iago huffed. "To quote the mystic man, sealed! As in, cannot be broken!" Aladdin ignored him. "Fasir, tell me more about the-" Aladdin turned around and saw that Fasir had vanished. "We've got to help those riders. There has to be a way to break this weird cycle."
"You can't mess with fate!" Iago pointed out. He really did not want to be dragged on another crazy adventure. However, when you're with this group, there's no avoiding it. "Well, Iago, I guess it was fate that we showed up to help." Aladdin smirked, proving my point.
"You're missing the point entirely!" Iago groaned, but he knew there was no stopping Aladdin. The boy had a knack of getting in trouble.
XxRebelWriterxX
"They'll be back. I know it."
Aladdin was determined to find out what was going on and find a way to put a stop to it. So, he dragged us back here again. It was the next evening. We were currently waiting for sunset. I sighed from the chair I had Genie conjure for me. Hey, its tiring when you just stand there for someone who's almost eight months pregnant.
"How do you know it happens every day? What if it's a bi-monthly thing?" Iago asked. He was still determined to get out of this crazy affair. But he was getting no where, of course. Once Aladdin decides something, there's no stopping him.
Which is something I learned when we lived together in the old hobble. And he was determined to get them to see him, which he told us. " Oh, they're probably just waiting for a guy like you to direct 'em!"
"Sunset, Al!" Genie pointed out. I looked up at the horizon to see the sun barely peeking out from the sand. The Riders emerged from the canyon at that moment. We watched them for a second, Al saying their name quietly.
I vaguely heard Iago say something sarcastic, but I focused my attention on the marauders riding towards the riders. I think it had something to do with blind dates. Anyway, that doesn't matter. Why, cause Aladdin and Kristy took off running towards the riders.
"You have to turn back! Those are fierce marauders!" Aladdin tried to warn them. However, they were arrogant and simply told Aladdin and Kristy that they were not afraid of any attack before throwing them out of the way.
"You don't understand, you have to stop!" I also tried to warn them as I ran over to help Aladdin and Kristy up. I was ignored, however, and the fight between the marauders and riders began. "It's too late, guys!" Genie told us.
Aladdin didn't seem to care, however, and neither did Kristy. The two of them ran between the riders and marauders horses. " Stop! You can't!" They shouted, before ducking when a marauder swung a mace at them. I bit my lip when a rider swung a sword at them. They just ducked and fell to the ground. "Listen to me!"
A marauder went for the chest again and Aladdin noticed this. I saw him nudge Kristy before the two of them ran after the marauder, jumping on the back of his horse. However, the marauder pushed them off, throwing Aladdin into the chest and knocking them to the ground. Kristy landed beside him with a thump.
The chest was also knocked to the ground and there was a glow from inside it. I gasped when the marauders, riders, Aladdin, and Kristy all disappeared. "Al! Kristy! Al! Kristy! Al! Kristy and Al's in way over their heads on this one!" Genie shouted.
"I wouldn't worry. If we stick around long enough they'll be back." Iago shrugged as if it was no big deal. However, I realized he was right and sighed in relief. I wouldn't know what to do if my best friend and brother disappeared like that.
"Yeah! They disappeared with those riders, so they're bound to turn up with them for the next performance! Every day they come from that direction. Come on!" Genie laughed before picking me up bridal style and flying off.
XxRebelWriterxX
The next day, I was so relieved to see Kristy and Aladdin stumbling dizzily at the bottom of the canyon. They were alright and that was all that mattered to me. "There they are! Let's get down there and find out what's going on." Genie pointed them out.
"Oh, I can't wait for this story." Iago said sarcastically. I watched as Aladdin and Kristy walked along the canyon. They turned to face the riders as they approached from behind them.
"Stop! Move and you die!" One of the riders told the two. I followed their gazes as they turned to spot a giant cobra, fangs bared and ready to strike. "Who wants this one?" The rider asked the other two riders with him.
"I took the last one. It's your turn." The second rider replied. The third rider laughed and jumped off his horse. He then fearlessly walked towards the snake. He grabbed it, tied it in a huge knot and then threw it away. "Wow…" Aladdin and Kristy said in awe.
The men laughed and rode away. That was when Genie flew us down. After he set me down on the ground, he flew over and tapped Aladdin on shoulder. "Whoa, those guys are the best snake charmers I've ever seen." He chuckled. Iago snorted. " Oh, they're charmers, all right…"
"Do I know you?" Aladdin asked, still dizzy. Kristy also seemed to be having trouble focusing. Genie smashed cymbals in front of their faces. "Genie! What happened?" Aladdin gasped finally coming back. Kristy looked around confused. "And where are we?"
"Fate! You messed with it, and you took a ride on the cuckoo caravan!" Iago snapped sarcastically. Aladdin ignored him.
"The riders are starting their journey again. We've got to stop them!" Aladdin gasped and jumped on Carpet. Kristy and I joined him and we flew in front of the riders. "Wait! You're going right into an ambush!"
"Nice rug." The first rider said, ignoring Aladdin's first statement. I rolled my eyes. "There are six marauders up ahead! If you keep going, something bad is going to happen." I tried to explain. However, the rider snorted. "Only six? We are the Riders of Ramond! And the Riders of Ramond fear no marauders!"
"They don't know they've done this all before. Better come up with something else." Genie pointed out. Aladdin nodded. " I know a shortcut! Take the southern route; it's easier!" Aladdin added, causing the riders to frown and say easier as if it was a bad thing.
"Wrong approach, professor…" Iago snorted. Kristy and I glared at him. "Wait, he didn't mean to say easier. My brother forgot about all the hazards there are. Only the toughest people take the route." I threw in, hoping they'll accept that answer.
Much to my relief, they did. "The Riders of Ramond fear no hazard. To the south!" The first rider commanded.
Later that day, the riders are out of the canyon and riding through the desert. We followed them closely, wanting to make sure everything would go smoothly. Aladdin seemed to be getting too much out of this however. " Yeah, there's nothing that can't be done if you put your mind to it." He bragged cheerfully.
" A mind can be a dangerous thing to put." Iago reminded him, annoyed. I agreed with him, Aladdin's boasting could get annoying. And we weren't out of it yet, the sun had yet to set. Anything could happen, especially if faith was involved.
"The fact is, we're on the southern route and the marauders are on the northern route. What could happen?" Aladdin smiled with a shrug. That was when a sandstorm started up. "A sandstorm!" He gasped. "Nice going, genius! You jinxed us." Kristy huffed and I nodded my agreement.
"The Riders of Ramond fear no wind!" The rider said as we continued through it. The storm only seemed to get worse however. Then, we suddenly appeared back in the place where the battle occurred.
I looked around in disbelieve. Well, I guess you really couldn't change fate. "It can't be!" Aladdin gasped from beside me. I shot my brother a sorry look, but I had a feeling something like this would happen.
"You can't change what's meant to be! Sorry, Al. Looks like Iago's right." Genie told my brother. Iago gasped then and pointed to the horizon. " Although I wouldn't mind being wrong right about now!" He said and we turned to see the marauder's approaching us.
"Surround them!" The lead marauder shouted. Well, this was going to be interesting.
"It'll all happen again if we don't do something!" I pointed out. Aladdin groaned and nodded in agreement. "We have to do something." He added. I wanted to agree with him, but I really did not want to make the situation worse.
"Better keep your distance! You've seen this battle before and it gets ugly!" Genie suggested. However, Kristy and Aladdin ran towards the battle. I bit my lip before following them. I wouldn't fight, but I could at least try to stop the chest from falling.
" I'll just hang back and monitor the body count." I vaguely heard Iago said. Aladdin tried to intervene in the fight with Kristy at his side. However, they weren't having much luck. Aladdin picked up a fallen mace and Kristy a sword. "Not bad!" He said as he studied it.
"Fight with the riders? So shall you fall with them!" The marauder growled before attacking the two of them. I had just made it to the elephant with the chest. I patted it's trunk and got prepared to catch the chest.
I watched as Aladdin and Kristy were knocked to the ground. The second rider picked them up with a glare. "Begone, boy. The Riders of Ramond have a victory to claim." He warned the, before tossing them away one by one. Aladdin landed on top of the chest.
Two marauders tried to knock the chest down, but Aladdin fought off one while Kristy and I fought off the other one. We cheered until a third marauder rode to the chest and knocked both Aladdin and the chest down. The chest fell open and the crystal flew out, shattering the second it touched the ground. Last I saw was a blinding light and then nothing.
XxRebelWriterxX
(3rd POV)
" Al! Al! Did you see it? The magic glowing crystal thingie?" Genie exclaimed once the bright light had gone away. He looked around and noticed then that the three humans had all disappeared, leaving him stuck with the parrot and Abu. " They got 'im again. It's okay, we know where he is!"
The next day, Genie, Iago, and Abu were all waiting in the canyon for the Riders, Kristy, Kendra, and Aladdin to show up. They were also a little bored. "Here they come!" Genie suddenly exclaimed, pointing ahead. "Right on… wait a minute."
The three humans were dressed up exactly like the Riders of Ramond. Kendra and Aladdin were sharing a horse while Kristy rode with the first rider. "Looks like they stopped at a tailor's shop on the way to infinity." Iago said.
A cobra, the same from from the day before, was poised in front of them
and ready to strike. "I'll take this one." Aladdin smirked. He kissed Kendra on the cheek before hopping off the horse and walking up to the snake. He tied it in a knot and tossed it away.
"Good work, lad." The first rider said. Aladdin chuckled and said it wasn't nothing for a Rider of Ramond. "Our mission awaits!" The first rider said with a smirk. Genie flew down to them on Carpet.
"Al, I think I figured it out!" Genie said with a smile. Aladdin and Kendra looked at the genie in surprise. "A blue genie? Nice rug." Aladdin nodded and Kendra giggled. She'd never seen something so interesting before in her life.
"Mission control to Aladdin! You are cleared for your return to reality!" Genie chuckled. "Hey Kendra! Are you and the baby alright?" he asked his wife in concern. Aladdin glared at him, not impressed anymore.
"Begone! You may not speak to my wife and you block our path!" Aladdin snapped before he threw Genie into the canyon wall. "Goodbye strange blue man." Kendra waved as they continued their way through the canyon.
"New attire, new attitude, new Aladdin, Kendra and Kristy. I warned them about getting involved. Now what do we do? And did Aladdin just call Kendra his wife?" Iago asked, his confusion mirroring Abu and Genies.
"Get involved! And yes, he did. We got to fix whatever this is." Genie said, determination replacing his usual happy-go-lucky self.
At dusk the next day, Genie, Abu, Iago, and Carpet were waiting in the desert. The battle had just began. This time, however, Aladdin and Kristy were fighting while Kendra sat back, watching the conflict and protectively covering her stomach.
"We've gotta stop 'em from hitting that chest!" Genie exclaimed. Abu jumped onto Carpet and they flew into the battle. Carpet wrapped himself around a marauder's face while Abu bit his arm. The marauder threw Abu off him and into the chest. "No, Abu! Not the chest! Stay away from the chest!" Genie yelled.
He was too late, however, and the chest fell to the ground. It fell open and the crystal broke, causing everyone to disappear once more. This time, Abu and Carpet went with them. "And then there were two. Any other bright ideas?!" Iago asked sarcastically.
'Okay, let's not panic here. So Abu and Carpet got a little too close. At least we know they're with Al, Kristy, and Kendra." Genie chuckled nervously. Iago frowned. "Well, what a relief knowing they're one big happy family… stuck in time!"
A black cloud appeared over Genie's head with lightning bolts shooting out of it. "I just had a brainstorm!" Genie gasped, suddenly feeling hopeful. Iago rolled his eyes and told Genie to tell him. "Since we can't stop the riders, we'll stop the marauders!"
The next day, Iago and Genie waited almost impatiently in another canyon. Iago was looking down at the marauders. They were headed towards the site of the battle.
" Looks like they're dressed up and ready to go. You better-" Iago began. However, he was caught off guard when Genie landed on Iago from a pogo stick. He apologized quickly. "You're supposed to be dealing with those marauders. Go bounce on their spines!" Iago groaned.
"I'm on top of the marauder situation. Observe." Genie said and he began to bounce higher. That caused a rock slide. Iago cheered slightly when the rock slide blocked the canyon. "We did it! They can't get out of the canyon! And if they can't get out of the canyon, they can't attack the riders! Let's go tell Al!"
"Well, I didn't think it could be done, but…" Iago trailed off when the leader of the marauders suddenly rose over the fallen rocks on Carpet. Abu was on his shoulder, dressed as a marauder. He swung at Iago and Genie with a sword, but they flew away.
"Okay, you were right about fate. Fate is one tough customer!" Genie chuckled nervously. Then had just gone from bad to worse and neither were sure on what they would do. "See, little one? They all fear the sword of Zarasto the Marauder!" The leader said and the two of them laughed.
XxRebelWriterxX
That evening, Iago and Genie were waiting at the exit of the canyon where the rider's would come out. "What do the words "fool-proof plan" mean to you?" Genie asked Iago. Iago shrugged and told him to just say hat would happen if it failed. " Al, Kendra, Kristy, Abu, and Carpet are doomed to live a perpetual rerun, locked in eternal conflict on opposing teams."
"Just checking." Iago nodded as the riders exited the canyon. Genie appeared in front of them in a giant, muscular form and he threw lightning bolts.
" Stop! I am the genie of the desert! I command you to go back to… uh…" He stumbled over the right words and Iago told him to tell them to go home. "Uh, go home! Or face my semi-phenomenal, nearly cosmic wrath!"
"The Riders of Ramond fear no genie! Who wants him?" The first rider asked. Aladdin jumped off his horse and said he'd do it and asked for a lamp. The rider with Kristy handed him a bottle and Aladdin nodded. "Narim kept his last genie in there for two years. I hope he cleaned it out!"
"Any genie can hurl lightning bolts from the sky! Come face me, man to man!" Aladdin called out. Iago's eyes widened and he shouted to Genie that it was a trick. However, Genie shook his head and said he's never refuse an invitation before turning into a sumo wrestler. "We are on an important mission, there is no time for a nasty battle. What say we flip for it? I win, we continue on. You win, we retreat. Fair?"
" No, no! It's not fair! You're not up against him, you're up against fate!" Iago warned Genie, but he just snorted. "I've had about enough of your negative attitude! No guts, no glory. Heads." Genie said and Aladdin flipped the coin, it landing in the bottle.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Aladdin chuckled sheepishly. Genie shrugged it off and said he's get it. He flew into the bottle. Aladdin put the cork in it, trapping him. "Foolish genie!" Aladdin smirked at the trapped Genie. "
"I should have seen that coming." Genie sighed. Iago shook his head and said that he should see what's coming now. The marauders had just arrived. Aladdin tied the bottle to his saddle and climbed back on his horse. " You're our last chance, Iago! Keep that chest from opening or we're all goners!" Genie shouted and the battle began again.
Iago began to walk away. "I told you, you can't beat fate! Just don't look back. Whatever you do, don't look back." Iago said, however he looked back before covering his eyes. 'If you don't see them, your conscience won't bother you."
He looked back again and saw Abu and Carpet fighting Aladdin. "At least I'll always know my schedule." Iago sighed before he flew into the battle. He got between the first rifer and Zarasto. "All right, break it up!" They both swung at him. "What was I thinking? Don't let me interrupt! Yeah!" Iago chuckled as he landed on Aladdin's shoulder.
"Hey, kid, glad I caught you, these guys are wound way too tight!" Iago told him but Aladdin gave him a funny look. "I forgot! It's contagious!" He shrugged. Abu, who was riding on Carpet and wielding a sword, dived at Aladdin again. The two of them ducked. " Enough with the pointy weapons! You could put someone's eye out!"
Aladdin knocked Iago away. " Silence, winged vermin! You will distract me from battle!" Aladdin growled. He continued his fight while also protecting Kendra. She was doing the same thing that she had done the last battle.
"It would be easier to save them if they weren't trying to slice and dice each other!" Iago pointed out. Genie shouted at him to get the chest and keep it from opening. "Yeah, right. I'll just stand in front of it and ask them politely to surrender. Well, here goes."
Iago flew up to the chest and landed in front of it, just as a marauder was climbing up to get it. " Excuse me! The chest is off limits!" Iago told him. The marauder smashed the lock, but Aladdin ended up tacking him to the ground before he could knock it down. "Yikes!
Abu swooped down and stabbed at the chest with his sword. The sword got stuck in its lid, and Iago and Abu both tried to pull it out. " Give it up, monkey!" Iago warned as he pulled the sword out, landing on the ground.
Abu was knocked backwards. The chest opened but didn't fall, it was just balanced sideways on top of the elephant. "The chest! Hey, nothing happened." Iago asked and he noticed that the crystal was falling out of the chest. "
"The crystal!" He yelled and caught the crystal before it hit the ground. "I did it! I caught the magic… eh, whatever it is!" Iago cheered. The crystal glowed and Aladdin and the others returned to normal. The marauders left. Kendra, Kristy and Aladdin cheered.
The first rider took the crystal from Iago. "This was a fortunate day, boy." He said and Aladdin nodded and started to say something, but the second rider cut him off. "Saved you and your pitiful band." He said.
"WHAT?!" Iago suddenly shouted, not at all impressed. The first rider waved him off, saying it was nothing because they were the Riders of Ramond! Aladdin rubbed the back of his neck and thanked them awkwardly. The Riders of Ramond rode away. " Yeah, thanks for nothing, you-"
Genie covered Iago's mouth, and they all waved goodbye to the riders. It had certainly been an interesting few days for the group. They wanted nothing more than to finally get home.
And done. I seriously thought I was never gonna finish this! But I was determined to get this done before I went on vacation tomorrow. And you guys don't have to worry about me giving up on this story. I have no intention on doing so. I can just be a little slow sometimes.
Anyway, time for some clarification. When Aladdin, Kendra, and Kristy were with the riders, Aladdin and Kendra were married. Kendra never saw nor met Genie, she only knew Aladdin. I guess you could also say she was never apart of our world either. The baby was, in fact, Aladdin's for that short period of time. Everything went back to normal, however, when Iago saved the crystal. Kristy was with the second rider.
I wasn't sure if anyone would be confused on that part or not. It's better to have a little clarity sometimes. Anyway, I hoped you enjoy this story. I probably won't update til I get back from vacation. After that, it all depends on my work schedule. I'll try not to take too long, though.
Also, if my calculations are correct, this should hit 200,000 words! This is my longest story ever! I should also hit two hundred reviews. Again, the most I've ever had! All I need is five reviews. So, whoever that fifth reviewer is, I was thinking about bringing them in for a chapter, of their choice. I'll give you a list of a few possible chapters and you can pick one. Plus the 198th, 199th, and the 200th reviewers will be given a special recognition on my next chapter.
So get to reviewing people! Anyone could be the winner. It could even be you. Or you. Maybe even you! Hehe. So, yep. Send in a review for me. Do it now. Go on. Don't be shy. The little box thing is just right down there!