Chapter 19: Never Say Nefir
"Hey, Genie, can I ask you another question? Just one more?" I pleaded, practically dangling off the tree branch I was lying on above him.
I had been pestering him with questions about his trip around the world nonstop for the past week. He had shown me on a globe in the library where he had gone and then a few pictures of the places so that I could see them too. It was fascinating to me how different everything was from the Seven Deserts. There were so many different cultures and I found myself wishing that I could fly so that I could visit them too.
I don't think my questions bothered him. He seemed happy to talk about it and even happier that I was asking him. Al said that I was going to talk his ear off eventually and I got worried that maybe I was bothering him, but Genie had snickered and shook his head.
"He's a kid, Al. Let him be curious."
"Curiosity killed the cat you know." Iago had smirked and so got sand dumped on his head in retaliation.
From his strange seat of comfy colored fabric and wood, which he called a "sun lounging" chair, Genie turned his head in my direction.
He looked up at me, lowering his dark glasses, and grinned. "Sure kiddo."
I faltered a moment, not sure how I wanted to ask, but then just shrugged and said it anyhow.
"Have you ever met another jinni before?"
He tensed almost instantly, and a strange look appeared on his face that I had never seen before. I winced when didn't answer for several minutes and started to think I had crossed a line on my questioning. I sat up on the branch I was lying on and gave him an apologetic look.
"You don't have to answer. It's okay. I'm sorry."
He gave a little shake of his head and smiled at me, though he was still tense, and his smile was strained. "Don't be sorry, short man. I didn't mean to ignore you. It's just I have thought about that in a long time." I waited and he frowned a little in thought. "Yes, in answer to your question. I have."
"Judging by your reaction...it's not a pleasant memory." I guessed and he shook his head.
"No." He said softly. "Not really."
"Oh...Bad master?"
He shook his head again. "No. Just a bad jinni."
Confused, I jumped from tree and stood near his chair. "You mean like Jafar?"
"In a sense." He answered. "Like humans, jinni have personalities too and the same chances to do good. Not all jinni's want to do good for their masters. Some are too selfish for that."
I wasn't sure what to say that. I really hadn't given it that much thought that jinni weren't all like him. Funny, big-hearted goofballs. I figured only Jafar had been the way he was because that was his personality. To be manipulative and evil. He was wished into a jinni body that took his persona.
"Same with masters, you get all kinds. Those who want more, those who want nothing, and those who are susceptible to manipulation."
"So, that other jinni was a manipulator?"
"Yes, but that master wasn't so easy to fool."
"Unlike Abis Mal."
"Right." Genie nodded with a small smile.
"So, what was that master like?" I regretted asking as I saw his face fall. "Sorry."
Genie ruffled my hair.
"It's fine, short stuff. Just a story for another day. When we have more time."
"Hey, kid! Blue Boy!"
Iago's voice called from the steps that led back into the palace.
"Let's get a move on, daylight's wasting!"
"What's he yelling about?" I asked and Genie shrugged. He stood up and made the chair disappear.
"Must be time to eat."
I laughed and we headed inside. I still felt bad for bringing up Genie's past by my questions and decided it was better not to bother him any more for a while.
"So where are we going again?" I asked, looking out at the expanse of sand before me as Carpet sped across us the desert. Iago turned to me, excitement in his eyes. Whatever this place was he was super happy about it. He had practically dragged us of the palace, exclaiming that Al and I were about to get a "wonderous first experience".
"Getizistan, kid. The best place in the world."
"Really?" I sat up straighter. "What's so great about it?"
"Big shows! Cheap food! And twenty-four-hour casinos!"
"Casinos. Gambling, huh?" I smirked at him. "Guess you have a favorite casino."
He nodded and his eyes got that wide greedy expression when thinking of gold or any kind of treasure. Al was shaking his head behind him.
"There's this place." He said dreamily. "Club Nest Egg. I'm gonna make a mint!" He rubbed his wings together greedily and I rolled my eyes. Abu shared my feelings. Of course, he just wanted to gamble.
"Puh!" He stated and Iago tossed a wing around his shoulder.
"I've got this system, see?"
Al smirked at me and cocked an eyebrow. "Tell us about this 'system' most enterprising friend of mine."
I laughed as Iago shot him a look.
"What? Give away my trade secrets? Never." He said offended and I started laughing again.
Genie's lamp hopped about near Al's foot, catching our attention, and the blue being sprang out carrying an armload of items.
"Okie doke, Iago." He announced. "I've got the marked cards, the loaded dice, and x-ray specs." He showed Iago, the cards, dice, and a strange pair of glasses with swirly green lenses that he put on his own face. "Sign here." He handed the parrot some paper and a pen and after looking at it he signed it.
"What do you need this stuff for anyway?" Genie asked, looking at around with the glasses on. I was curious to see what he was seeing with the spectacles on.
"It's his system." I told him and Genie arched an eyebrow as Al snorted.
"That's quite a system."
"Ah, ah, ah." Abu scolded at Iago from beside Al. Iago looked at each of us.
"What?" He asked indignantly, his eyes narrowing. "I'm trying to be practical!" He flew up and sat on Genie's shoulder. "We've got a genie with phenomenal, cosmic power!" Genie held his hand up and examined it.
"Oooh, look at the bones."
I burst into laughter and Iago made a face.
"Or semi-phenomenal, nearly cosmic power…" He trailed off with a wave of his wing and shook his head. "Okay, I was cheating! Sue me!" As I was still laughing, Carpet suddenly started to flop about underneath us gaining our attention.
"Carpet, what's wrong?" Al asked and we glanced ahead of us.
"Uh oh." I muttered.
The city of Getizistan was in ruins. Most of the building weren't upright except for one or two scattered along the mess.
"What happened?"
"Dunno, Rick." Al murmured as Carpet flew us further into the city and past the ruined gates.
"Ahh, say it ain't so!" Iago wailed dramatically, falling across my legs. "My hopes and dreams smashed like an overripe….no wait…" He paused in thinking as Carpet flew us further in. "Like a bug! Smashed like a crawly bug!"
"What would have caused this?" I asked. "We would have heard if a war had happened. The whole place is demolished!"
Al nodded, frowning. "Yeah, it's weird. The Sultan would have known about it if it wasn't here anymore."
Carpet let us off him and we stood in the middle of the mess of stones, looking for any sign of life. Where were all the people? Were they all destroyed too or had they simply left?
Iago flung himself onto a flat stone and began lamenting of loss of his precious casino.
"It's just flat! Oh, it's flat and has ants! Dragging this flat possum away!"
I wanted to ask what a possum was and started to, when a man that was a twin in height to the Sultan appeared from behind some of the rubble. He had regal clothing on, frayed, but he was definitely royalty. He had a pleasant looking face, sporting a thin black mustache that curled out on both ends and a curly black goatee. His turban was slightly frayed as well, and the large red feather was split down the middle.
"Welcome to Getizistan!" He announced proudly, smiling at us warmly as if standing in the middle of rubble was completely normal. Did Getizistan always look like this?
"Do you mind?" Iago asked irritably from his spot on the stone. "I almost had it." I shook my head at his dramatics and Al walked over.
"Uh-oh, civilian." Genie muttered and popped into his 'human form'. He had told me that it was probably better to not appear as a jinni, but the human flesh color just didn't suit him. The tiny man came up to us, still beaming.
"I am your host, Sultan Pasta al Dente!" He looked at us each in the face before continuing. "Smiles everyone! Smiles! In Getizistan, everyone smiles!" I looked up at Genie who shrugged at me and Al's eyes widened at the sultan's comments. "It's the jolliest place on earth!" He gave a wild laugh and then Iago landed on Sultan al Dente's head, causing his turban to slide down over his eyes.
"It's ground zero, that's what it is!" He squawked loudly and then he leaned over to peer into his face. "What happened to Club Nest Egg!"
"Wh-what? Is something wrong? I'll have it fixed immediately! In Getizistan service is keen."
I moved forward and lifted Iago off the man's head. "I think what my friend means is the rubble, sir."
"Oh, that." The sultan waved it off before continuing. "It's…that is-um-" He trailed off as loud noises came from behind him and we looked to see strange creatures headed our way. Genie stiffened and got closer to me. Iago moved from my arms to shoulder, eyeing the creatures too.
"There's the problem." He hissed in my ear. "Imps!"
"What are imps?" I whispered back eyeing the strange creatures that had made Genie uneasy. They didn't look that horrible, but if it made Genie nervous maybe it was something dangerous. They were about the same height as me with strange clothing and each had an animal head and long thin stretchy wings. The four creatures stopped, and they tripped over each other, landing in a heap beside Sultan al Dente. I wanted to laugh at their goofy expressions, but held it in.
"Oh, imps are bad news, short man." Genie muttered and Al glanced at him too. "I've seen them strip the flesh off a cow in less than fifteen seconds!" He held up a hand with fifteen fingers for emphasis. With wide eyes, I looked over at the imps and took an involuntary step back. Iago shuddered too.
"Or is that piranhas?" Genie continued and I frowned up at him for worrying me for no reason, Iago snorted and muttered lowly under his breath.
"In any case," He shrugged. "I say we lay some traps!" He held up two metal animal traps and then quickly hid them as Sultan al Dente came towards us. I heard Genie give a yelp as one of the traps clamped onto his hand and he held out a sore finger.
"That won't be necessary." The sultan informed us with another smile. The man seemed very happy, but I felt it was put on. "These imps are the best contractors money can buy." One of the imps saluted at the compliment and Genie scowled darkly. "Wh-why they were just remodeling a showroom or two." Sultan al Dente continued.
"What are you doing just standing around?" A loud, bossy voice hollered from above us. We looked up to see another imp atop one of the left-over pillars, gazing down at us with a frown.
"Every idle moment is money out of my pocket-" He flew down and landed in front of the other imps, so I could see him better. He was a bird-like imp and had greedy eyes that flickered around sneakily. I instantly took a dislike to him. He looked shifty. "-food out of my mouth, blood from my veins!" Very dramatic too.
"That's Nefir." Sultan al Dente whispered to us. "Nefir Hasenuf. He's the head imp." As soon as the words were out of his mouth, the imp turned to face us. I didn't like the way he was eyeing us and it made me dislike him all the more.
"Ah, I see we have some guests." I frowned as he came marching up towards us with a pompous air and felt Genie push at me until I was behind him. I wasn't scared of that imp, and Genie obviously thought he'd hurt me. Nefir came closer and started sniffing the air. "Ah, a genie." He said smugly and Genie frowned.
"I am not a genie, I am a human being!" He hissed towering over Nefir. The imp poked him in the stomach and Genie popped back into his normal self with a small 'poof'. A fake look of surprise crossed Genie's features then. "Hey, I am a genie!" He announced lifting his tail. "This is gonna be a surprise to mom and pop." I laughed despite the situation and Nefir sneered at us.
"Genies." He said nastily and I scowled. "There goes the neighborhood."
"What's his problem?" I asked Iago who shrugged. I made to confront the imp, but Genie grabbed the back of my vest and pulled me back behind him, so I glared at Nefir instead as he turned back to his workers.
"Back to work!" He snarled at them. "Time is money!" They scrambled off and Nefir muttered something under his breath before stomping off after them.
"What a jerk." I snorted and turned toward Genie. He was gazing after the imp, like his words had bothered him.
"Don't let that guy bother you, Genie. He thinks he's better than you, but we know better. Right, Iago?" The parrot rolled his eyes, but didn't say anything.
Genie brightened up and ruffled my hair with a grin. "Thanks, shorty."
"Yeah." Al chimed in. "Come on, you're a genie. Remember, phenomenal cosmic power."
"Weeell, semi phenomenal, nearly cosmic, but yeah!" He agreed and I was glad to see that he felt better.
"Let's get out of here." Iago said, getting off my shoulder and starting to fly off. "I know landfills more entertaining than-" Smash! He suddenly hit a wall that hadn't been there seconds ago. Confused we ran over to peer over a low wall. Buildings were springing up quickly and every few seconds you could see blurs of something rounding each side of the tall towers. It was the imps. We 'ooh'd and ahh'd as the imps made big beautiful buildings and walls pop up like trees. We backed up a little as one of the imps went by fixing the low wall we had peered over.
"Nice spackle work." Iago commented and touched the wall.
"How are they doing that so fast?" I asked and looked back at Genie.
He was practically seething with anger and a jealous glint was in his eyes as he eyed the imps, arms folded across his chest. Was he jealous of the attention we were giving the imps or he just didn't like them? I wasn't sure.
"Pfft. Sure they build fast." Genie snorted with a jealous mock. Yup, he's jealous. "But let's see them paint." He challenged and Iago let out a shriek as one of the imps came at the wall he was near with pink and blue paint, painting over him and sticking him to the wall. I couldn't help but snicker as Iago was now blue and pink colored and I reached up to help him down. The parrot spit paint out of his mouth and he peeled himself off the wall, falling onto my head. Both of us fell to the sand.
"Big deal." Genie scoffed and pointed at the Iago shaped print on the wall. "They missed a spot." Seconds later an imp appeared and filled in the spot with a brush. Genie and the imp glared at each other before the imp took the brush and copied the design from the wall onto his chest. Angry, Genie growled.
"Imps! Why did it have to be imps!"
"Ah, they're just showing off, Genie." I said, but he ignored me and went off to mutter somewhere. "I can see why he doesn't like them. That Nefir is shifty."
"What do you mean?" Iago asked and I looked at him as he landed on my shoulder.
"Well, sometimes I can tell when people are off. He's hitting all the right notes."
He looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "You ever been wrong?"
"I could be." I shrugged, but I really didn't think I was. "Maybe I'm just getting weird vibes from him, but I don't trust him." I stood up and went to find Al. I heard his voice and saw that Al was walking with Sultan al Dente and I ran up to them.
"You're remodeling the entire city?" I heard Al asked and the sultan nodded. Whoa, the whole city?
"There is one disadvantage." Nefir flew up to him as he spoke and put something down on his finger. The sultan took one look at the paper before grimacing and folding it up neatly. "It gets very expensive doing this every day." He then clapped and three large burly men came into view with large wheelbarrows full with gold and jewels. Al and I could only gape. But as I stared at the golden piles I thought occurred to me and I whispered to Al.
"Wait, he did he say he does this every day?"
Al frowned and gave a nod. "Yeah, I caught that too. Wonder what's going on."
We watched as the wheelbarrows were brought to where Nefir was. He was standing a stair railing leading up to a large palace. He took out a strange-looking thing with beads and after moving some around, grinned widely.
"Yes!" he yelled and with a flourish he leapt from the stairwell into the first pile of gold.
"Oooh," Came a voice from behind me and even if I hadn't turned I would have know who it was. Iago and Abu both looked about ready to leap off of Carpet at any given moment. "We gotta go into construction." I laughed and Al rolled his eyes.
'Uh-huh.' Abu agreed and I grinned wider.
"Your highness," Al began gaining Sultan al Dente's attention. "You rebuild the city every day?"
"I-I-um, eh…." He stuttered and Al plowed on.
"This isn't just a little remodeling. What's going on here?"
Finally, the man sighed. "You got me." He relented. "It's because of Samir the destroyer."
"Who?" Al and I asked at the same time.
"Samir the destroyer. He destroys our town every night. It's a curse! Or something…like warts or a brother-in-law that moves in with ya! That kind of thing."
I frowned in thought as sultan al Dente led us further into the rebuilt city.
"It's lucky for us the imps repair things so fast." He continued conversationally as we followed him. He gave a heavy sigh. "Now if we could only get back the tourists." As the sultan walked, the imps built steps so we were literary walking on things just made. It was odd to step on air and then a stone step seconds later.
"Why don't you just get rid of Samir the destroyer?" Al asked.
"And the imps." Genie muttered behind me and a thought occurred to me. It was awful convenient that the imps appeared to "help" when the city was destroyed. Frowning, I wanted to ask the ruler a question about the imps, but he suddenly whirled to face us.
"Oh, what a brilliant idea!" The sultan announced happily at Al and we looked at him in confusion. "Hey, Nefir!" He called leaning out the window of the tower that was now built around us. "Yoo-hoo! Aladdin is going to get rid of Samir!"
"What?" Al asked in shock. I leant out the window and saw that Nefir did not look happy. Now I was very suspicious of the little imp.
"Uh, Sultan al Dente? I-I didn't mean that I-" My brother stammered, but Genie cut him off by grabbing him in a hug.
"Don't worry, Al. Remember semi phenomenal, nearly cosmic power."
"Uh, okay I'll do!" Al finally relented and in puff of magic, he now was wearing a pair of striped shorts and boxing gloves. Al's gloves were moving about in wild punches.
"Alright kid, it's the big time." He said and I saw that he was wearing an outfit too, though his was sweaty. "Let's show this lightweight, Samir, what we've got!" I guffawed loudly and Al shot me a look that made me laugh harder. Genie grinned and Sultan al Dente cheered.
Later in the afternoon, we sat outside the gates of the newly rebuilt and refurbished city of Getizistan. We were waiting for Samir to come. Al paced back and forth in slight nervousness, Abu upon his shoulders and Carpet hovered behind Al copying him. I stood beside Genie and Iago came flying towards us.
"I can't believe you let, Carnac here," he gestured at Genie, who made a face at Iago. "-talk ya into this." He came and landed on my shoulder, staring at Al. "You do your civic duty into being smashed to a pulp and I am headed to Club Nest Egg!" He paused mid-flight and looked at me. "You wanna come? It'll be fuuuuun." Genie cleared his throat and eyed Iago.
"I don't think gambling is a good thing to teach him." He said and Iago rolled his eyes.
"Oh, and getting smashed to a pulp is?"
Genie sucked in a breath and I got in front of him before he could explode.
"It's alright, Iago." I intervened before a war could start. Ever since Iago started living at the palace with us, he and Genie clashed over anything that had to do with me which I found both funny and odd. It was odd in that I never had anyone that invested in what I do. I mean Al was concerned for me obviously, but having these two watching out for my wellbeing was still confusing. Both thought the other gave bad advice.
"I'm gonna stay here and help out Al. I'm sure he and Genie can handle it, but I can be the backup."
He shrugged and then eyed me in that "You're up to something" way. I just shrugged back with a mischievous smile.
"Don't get squished." He said and I knew he meant to be careful. He stuck his tongue out at Genie before flying off.
"And no cheating!" I hollered after him and Genie laughed. After that I turned and saw the worried look on Al's face.
"Ah, don't worry Al. I've met this Samir character. Little fella, I can take him easy!" Genie said smugly suddenly have large muscles.
"Shh." Al said suddenly and we grew quiet. "Do you hear…music?"
I heard it then, softly playing, but growing louder by the second. The ground began to shake as the loud steps of something humongous came toward us. Genie put an arm around me as we looked up in shock to see a large...pink rhino? Samir stopped before us and we looked up in alarm.
"That's a little fella?" I asked Genie and he grinned sheepishly at Al and I.
"Oh!" He exclaimed, slapping his forehead. "Samir the destroyer! I thought you meant Ned! Ned the destroyer!" Al him a flabbergasted look and Genie gave a brief sheepish laugh. "They're very similar. Except Ned isn't quite so…LARGE!" Samir looked down at us then and smirked before he started to dance. I gave a shriek as he suddenly pirouetted towards us and Genie pulled me out of the way as Samir crashed through the wall right where I had been seconds ago.
"That was close! Thanks, Genie." I looked up at him and he winked down at me.
"No problem. Can't have you turning into rhino toe jam!"
I laughed and then Al came up. We looked over the crumpled part of the wall.
"He's dancing, Al." I said as we watched the giant pink rhino dance about.
"Yeah." he agreed eyeing Samir with confusion.
"He's destroying!" Genie corrected as Samir twirled and knocked over one of the buildings.
"He's dancing and he's destroying." A voice said from next to us and we turned to see Sultan al Dente, leaning against a wall, arms folded. "The biggest floor show on earth and I still can't get the tourists to visit."
"You have to admit that he's kinda good at it. The dancing, I mean."
Al snorted and I shrugged at him. The Sultan of Getizistan nodded at me.
"Yes, I think so too."
Genie moved and I looked over to see him wearing a hunting outfit and carrying a weapon that Genie called a "gun".
"After I tranquillize the rhinoceros, Jim will tag the beast so we can track its migration." He spoke in a deep voice and then he shot the gun. Something flew out towards Samir. But instead of sticking into his rear, it bounced back off. "The thick skin of the rhinoceros provides a natural defense against predators such as myself." Al came over to him and I saw that the dart Genie had shot was now sticking out of his arm.
"Oops."
"Genie…." Al fell over then rather woozily. The dart fell out of his arm and I was careful not to touch it as I bent over my brother.
"Al!" I called trying to shake him awake. "Al?"
"Heh, unfortunately Aladdin's thin skin sucks up the tranquilizer like nobody's business." Genie gulped hanging over us.
"Will he be okay?" I asked and Genie nodded.
"Oh, yeah he's just going to be out for a while."
"Maybe we can try something else then." I said. "There has to be a way to
"Pretty good job," Came a voice to our left and we saw Nefir standing there holding the dart by his fingertips. "For a genie." He tossed the dart at Genie, who fumbled to keep it from poking himself.
"Oh, who asked you?" I retorted and he just smirked at us.
"You haven't begun to see semi phenomenal, nearly cosmic power imp!" Genie growled and I grinned.
"Show him, Genie." I encouraged and he left to get rid of Samir with a smug smile toward Nefir. I stayed near Al, patting his face to try and wake him.
"You really think that buffoon can save the city?" Nefir asked, coming closer and I frowned.
"Yes, I do." I said automatically.
"You think highly of that genie. One wonders why."
"Because he's my friend." I turned to face him completely, eyeing him suspiciously. "It's pretty convenient that you happen to be around after Samir has destroyed the city. One wonders why." I mocked and he arched an eyebrow.
"Are you accusing me of something little boy?"
"If the shoe fits." I retorted and he seemed to find that comical. A wide smile went across his face.
"Indeed." He glanced toward Genie. "We'll see if that genie is good enough to get rid of Samir." I only glared as I turned to watch Genie
The blue being popped up in front of Samir in a strange outfit.
"'Ello, 'ello, 'ello, what's all this then?" He asked, an odd accent. "What's all this?" Samir stepped on him. I winced as he pulled himself from the ground. "He broke my hat." He said and I couldn't help but laugh at his expression for the loss of his hat. Nefir only snorted. Then Genie changed into an outfit similar to the one that he had worn when he had rescued the baby bird. With a rope he wrapped it around Samir's ankles and stopped him from stepping on a building.
I noticed a flash of red and shook my head. Iago was on the steps of the building and I immediately knew that had to be his beloved casino Club Nest Egg.
"You-you saved the Nest Egg!" He hollered. I glanced at the imp to see his reaction and found a surprised look on Nefir's face. Glancing back at Genie, I saw when Samir grinned. Uh-oh that's not a good sign. He started to wiggle his hips about and then began to bounce and knock over buildings with his butt.
Now Nefir grinned, completely at ease.
"Yes!" He shouted and then caught me and Sultan al Dente looking at him. "I mean, No..." I rolled my eyes and turned back around.
Genie tried to get Samir again and I turned to help Carpet wake Al up.
"Wake up, Al!" I started to shake him. "Come on!" Carpet slapped him back and forth and finally he started coming too.
"He's leaving." I heard Iago say and looked to see that Samir was heading away. However, he stopped and with a twist freed his ankles from Genie's rope, took a running leap right towards Club Nest Egg. Genie and Iago shrieked as the giant pink form smashed belly first into the casino.
"Iago! Genie!" I looked worried at the pile of what was left of Club Nest Egg. And then Samir left. He had done his job for the night by destroying most if not all of the buildings. I sighed with relief when Genie and Iago, who was worse for wear, come out of the rubble.
"Did we get him?" Al asked a little groggy.
"Well, uh, almost?" Genie gulped and Al took in the damage.
"Well at least there's more of the city than last time?" I offered and Genie nodded.
"That's true, Al." Aladdin sighed and stood up, Carpet helping him balance.
Sultan al Dente sighed. "Well, you tried."
"We're not giving up just yet." I said, making sure Nefir could hear me. He glanced in my direction, tilting his head. "We will get to the bottom of this and stop it." I saw a strange look pass over his face and then it went away. A smug smile in its place. I didn't like how he was looking at me. I probably shouldn't taunt him until I knew it's him for sure. All the signs were pointing at him, but I couldn't tell anyone until I was sure.
The little ruler smiled at me. "My you are certainly a brave little fellow. I hope you and your brother are up for the job." I just smiled back at him reassuringly. "If you'll follow me, I can show you a place to sleep. If it hadn't got completely destroyed that is."
The next morning, I was woken up by loud tapping outside the building we slept in. Getting up, I sleepily wandered outside to see a big metal something in the middle of the stones. I jumped when flames suddenly came from the end of it. The definitely woke me up.
"That ought to take care of the Destroyer." I heard Genie mutter and I went over to see him sitting in the machine.
"Um, Genie, what is that?" I asked and he grinned at me.
"Morning, shorty, where's your brother?"
"In there sleeping still, I guess. Why?"
"Well, let's go get him." He hopped from the machine and walked past me.
"Um, Genie, wait. I want to tell you something." I tried to pull him back. I needed to tell him about my suspicions about Nefir. He had to hear them. I would tell Al, but I figured Genie would believe me first. "Genie, it's about Nefir. I think he-"
"Now where's Al?"
"Genie, would you listen?" I asked, scowling at him. "It's important. Last night I talked to Nefir and I got a feeling that he's the one who-"
"Hi, Al!" He cut me off and practically toted me with him over to where my brother was standing and looking at the machine with curiosity. He was so eager to make up for last night that he just ignored my grip on his arm and floated me along with him.
"Hi, Al!" He said and Al stopped walking as we approached him. "Sorry about last night, but I've got the ultimate answer to all your dancing rhino needs." He pointed at the machine and went over to it, shaking me off his arm slightly. I couldn't help but feel a bit hurt by it.
"Three hundred million pounds of thrust. Laser guided targeting. Chrome wingtips. And pull out cd player." Al just looked at him. I think he was still half asleep.
"Thunderbirds are go." Genie said and he got back into the machine. Before I knew what was happening, the machine exploded. I shielded my eyes and head and then peeked out when it got quiet again. the entire machine was gone.
"Come, boys." Nefir said coming up to us. "I'll help you out with Samir. My men are the ultimate in efficiency." His men gathered in front us in heap. They were no longer funny. Now I was just annoyed.
"Yeah, right." I muttered at their lack of grace.
"We'll build you a nice reliable catapult that will fling Samir the destroyer clear into next week!" Nafir finished with a flourish and I scowled at him. Al seemed to be buying it and I wanted to smack my forehead for not telling him about my suspicions last night. Maybe it wasn't too late to tell him.
"Hm," Al said in thought. "That makes more sense than rebuilding the city every day."
"No, Al!" I said pulling on him. "I don't think that is a good idea." I said through clenched teeth, pressing on words to get him to understand what I was getting at.
I could see that it wasn't working. He was shaking his head. "Come on, Rick. Nefir is just trying to help us."
"Al." I said seriously. "Think about it. If he had the power to build such a thing, why hasn't he before?"
"Well, you have a point, but-"
Nefir got between us, subtly shoving me back and shutting me up. now I knew it was him. without a doubt.
"I didn't think of it until the other night, besides I can't do it on my own. I need a hero to help." He said smoothly and Al fell for it once he said a hero. Crud.
"Okay, I guess we can't afford to fool around with this." He said and he shook the imp's hand.
"But-"
I was pushed away again as Nefir and his imps began to lead Al away.
"You coming, Alaric?" Al called.
"No!" I said, shaking my head. If he wasn't going to listen, I'd talk to Genie. Surely now he'd listen to me.
"Then stay with Genie!" He called back. "And don't get into trouble!"
"I thought he liked it when I fooled around." Genie said sadly when I turned around to look at him.
"Ah, forget him." I came over to him. "I know can do it, Genie. You just need a chance."
"I had a chance." He muttered depressingly. "But I blew it. Literally." Carpet patted him and he sighed.
An hour or so later, I sat near a fountain watching Genie playing a game with Carpet. It had two people boxing and Genie's person was blue and Carpet's was red. They pushed buttons and the men would throw punches.
"Semi phenomenal, nearly cosmic power." He muttered. "I'm nothing but a second-class genie."
"Genie, don't say that." I frowned.
"No, I'm worse. I'm coach!" I sighed as he continued berating himself. "More like economy. I'm an old frills genie. Not even free peanuts!" At this point Carpet's red man socked Genie's blue one and knocked its head up. Carpet celebrated and Genie snorted. "Puh, can't even K-O a throw rug."
"Don't say those things, Genie." I said and he only sighed deeper.
"Genie I need to talk to you. And you gotta listen this time." I said. "It's about Nefir. Look, I think he's behind the-"
"Ah, just the all powerful genie I want to see." A sickly-sweet voice interrupted from above me and startled Carpet suddenly knocked into me and toppling us into the fountain. Sitting up with a sputter I saw Nefir hovering close by. I frowned and shook the excess water from my hair.
"Get out of here IMP!" Genie snarled and I nodded.
"Yeah go away!"
"Don't be like that." He said in a babying voice. "I just wanted to congratulate you on your valiant effort last night." As he spoke Carpet came up from the water beside me and shook water off like a dog spraying Nefir. I snickered as he threw us a brief glare.
"Huh?" Genie gave Nefir a surprised look.
"You almost beat Samir." Genie looked away sadly.
"If only I hadn't knocked out my best buddy he would have seen that."
"Well, what am I, invisible?" I asked, frowning in annoyance. Carpet shrugged and patted me. "I saw it."
"Look not everyone can almost defeat a giant dancing rhinoceros. It's impressive." Nefir continued, moving so that he was blocking me from Genie's view. I tried to get up from the water.
"Yeah, tell that to Al."
"Genie, stop listening to him." I said but no one paid attention. Carpet had flown away after drying off having enough of the imp. I suddenly wished I could do the same, but I had to tell Genie.
"It's all a matter of timing. If I were a genie, I'd go catch the monster while it's sleeping." Nefir coaxed slyly and Genie brightened.
"He sleeps?"
"All day. In a cave in the next valley. Totally defenseless."
"Totally defenseless? I can deal with that! Yeah!"
"Wait, Genie." I tried to get out of the fountain as he stood. "Wait a second."
"That will impress Al!" He plowed through and he changed into a warrior. "Yo, where's that cave?" I got up in front of him and put my hands up.
"Genie, don't! It could be a trick!"
"I wouldn't do that." Nefir said smoothly blinking innocently and ignored him.
"Genie, please listen to me. It's him, he's behind this whole thing. Don't you think it's weird he suddenly appears to have all the answers now? After how many days of getting paid to clean up after Samir? It's a scheme!"
"Maybe I was wrong about this imp." Genie patted my head and I huffed.
"But Genie-"
He waved off my protest and again I felt a jolt of hurt. "I think he's being sincere."
"But Genie-"
"It'll be fine." Finally, I had enough.
"Genie!" I yelled and he arched an eyebrow at me. "You can't leave me here with that imp." I hissed and Nefir gave us a small wave.
Genie rolled his eyes. "I know it's not ideal to stay here with him. But I'll be back, kiddo. There's nothing to be so worked up about."
"There's not?" I mocked. "Only that he's probably, oh I don't know, trapping you!? Don't go. There's a reason he just now mentioned that Samir has a cave to sleep in."
He opened and closed his mouth absorbing my words.
"You've read too many stories. Now go find, Al and wait for me. Tell him I'm taking care of Samir."
"But Genie-" I protested, but he was already gone leaving me with the imp.
"You know," He started conversationally, and I felt myself backing away as he came forward. I didn't like the look he was giving me. "I can't have you running around contradicting me. It's too bad no one believes you."
"You're a double-crosser." I said and he grinned maliciously. "You sabotaged Genie's machine, didn't you?"
"Smart little boy." I turned around to find myself surrounded by imps.
"What's going on?" I asked warily and Nefir only smirked.
"Too smart for your own good I'm afraid. And I can't allow you to go running off to tell Aladdin. Get him boys." I let out a shout as imps jumped me but before I could shout again something smacked the back of my head and darkness filled my vision.
I woke up tied from the shoulders down and a gag was in my mouth. From what I could tell, I was inside a cave of some sort. The imps were hanging around a small entrance and a dim light came from the outside.
"Well, look who's awake." I scowled as Nefir loomed over me. Suddenly I heard Genie's voice drifting into the room and I struggled to get away. "Now, now. As long as your blue friend in there does as I want, no harm shall come to you." He said and I glared at him. "Bring him." He said over his shoulder and I was hauled up by imps. I was then drug behind Nefir and I heard Genie say:
"But who would want to destroy Getizistan every night?"
"Me." Nefir answered and I saw him look towards us. It was dark where I was at so he couldn't see me yet. I moved my mouth trying to get the gag off.
"And my real funky band!" Three imps disappeared and came out there with instruments.
"Imps!" said Samir and I noticed that he had a deep voice. "Yeah, that makes sense."
"Nefir!" Genie shouted and he grew a second head. "Grrr never trust imps!" Scolded the second head. "Never!"
"Good advice. Get 'em!" Nefir shouted and the imps went to work. They trapped Genie in a wooden thing that had three holes, one for his head and one on either side for his hands. He tried vainly to get out. "Struggle all you want fool." Nefir said and smugly. "Your stockade's been imported from the east and stewed for days in enchanted whale jelly. A sure-fire genie trap!"
"Whoa, this guy does his homework!" Genie sounded surprised and now I was really worried since he couldn't get out of there.
"Here's the bill, Tibetan oak isn't cheap you know." Nefir held it out and Genie read it in a mutter.
"Whale jelly-500 shekels, Genie trapping-500 dinar. Magic shoes-6,000 gold pieces. Hey, what magic shoes?" Nefir pointed down. "Uh-oh." He looked down and indeed Nefir had switched his shoes.
"Like Samir said 'gotta dance.'" Nefir taunted.
"There's no way I'm doing it!" Genie snarled.
and I started struggling harder.
"I'm afraid you won't have a choice."
"What are you talking about?" Genie asked suspiciously and then I was thrust forward, my gag falling out.
"Genie!"
He paused for a moment to look at me before realized what he was seeing.
"Rick!" Genie struggled to get out the stockade faster. "You evil imp!"
"You should have listened to this little guy. He was trying to warn you about big bad me." Nefir smirked at him and pinched my cheek. I tried to bite his fingers, but he moved them out of the way.
"You let him go, you-"
"Ah, ah, ah." Nefir cut him off. "You dance and I swear I won't harm him. If you don't….well let's just say that this is the last time you'll be seeing him. Besides it isn't like you could refuse when you hear the music."
"Alright, imp, you win this time. Just don't hurt him." Genie said looking at me apologetically. I knew what he wanted to say. He was sorry for not listening to me.
"Its okay, Genie." I said and he sighed.
"No, it's not. I should've listened to you."
"Yes, you really should have." Nefir smirked and Genie grew red with anger.
"I'll get you imp!"
Nefir chortled as I was lifted up and carried towards the outside of the large cave.
"Hey, get off me!" I hollered kicking wildly for them to let me go.
"Where are you taking him?" Genie demanded and Nefir smirked.
"Somewhere safe until I decide to let him go."
3rd POV:
Aladdin, Carpet, Abu and Iago waited outside the city of Getizistan. Nefir had told them to come out here at sunset and the catapult would be there for them to use. There wasn't anything around.
"Where's the catapult?" Aladdin asked the group and then he spotted a mailbox. "What is this?" Iago frowned and flew over to it and examined it.
"Ah, well, I dunno. But I don't think it's gonna fling a dancing rhino." He commented and Abu stuck his head in. Aladdin spotted something inside.
"Hey look." He pulled out a scroll and opened it to read from it. "Dear boy, bird and monkey: Sorry we didn't build you a catapult. Something came up. Signed Nefir. P.S. Please remit seven hundred coppers for the mailbox! Argh, I don't believe those guys!" Aladdin shouted angrily and then he got Genie's lamp out. "Come on Genie. We need some of that darn-near phenomenal cosmic power." He rubbed the lamp but only a few sparks came out and died. Iago frowned sourly.
"Wonderful! No catapult, no genie-" Loud stomps came from the distance and looking up Iago's eyes widened. "No way!" Now they all looked and were alarmed to see Samir dancing and beside him was Genie! A tango was playing softly in the background as the two danced.
"Genie?" Aladdin was shocked and so was Abu.
'Wow." The little monkey said in awe. Iago scowled.
"Forty tons of Fred and Ginger is not what we need!" He followed Aladdin as he flew up to Genie on Carpet.
"I'm, I'm so sorry, Al!" Genie panted mid dance. "I really messed things up this time!"
"Genie, just stop dancing!" Aladdin yelled over the music.
"I-I can't! It's Nefir! He used his imps to put magic shoes on Samir!" Genie caught Samir as the dancing rhino leapt gracefully into his arms.
"Hi." He said to Aladdin who only looked at him in shock.
"And now I've got them too!"
"But why-" Suddenly Aladdin knew. "Of course! Nefir's running a royal scam! Alaric was right!"
"Uh, excuse me." Iago interrupted. "But does anyone know where the kid is?" Aladdin then looked up in alarm.
"Genie, where is Alaric?" Aladdin asked suddenly and Genie glared his eyes flashing dangerously.
"Nefir. He used him to get to me!" Then he muttered darkly about crushing an imp.
"What! Where?"
"I don't know he wouldn't tell me."
"Genie, you were right about those imps. And so was Alaric." Aladdin slapped his forehead. "Why did I not listen to him?"
"Same, Al. Kid told me and I didn't listen."
Iago snorted. "Boy Wonder is too smart for his own good."
"We have to get the shoes off!" Aladdin flew off on Carpet and frowned. "Now where's Nefir and Rick?"
1st POV:
The bright sunset light filtered into the balcony where Nefir stood overlooking the city of Getizistan. I was sitting tied in a chair behind him, glaring at his back. He cackled hysterically and I rolled my eyes.
"I'm so clever. With two monsters dancing the city will be destroyed twice as fast. Ooh, how efficient." He gloated at me and I only glared at him harder. "I can destroy the city twice a day."
"And what happens when the money runs out?" I asked and he only waved off the comment.
"I'll find a new place. No big deal."
"Don't you think that Aladdin will be asking Genie what happened to me?"
"Don't worry about that. I'll just tell him that blue buffoon allowed you to get trampled by Samir."
"What?" Suddenly I was worried.
"Yes, you see them?" he asked pointing at the dancing Genie and Samir just outside the city. "They will be dancing away and where do you think they will head…." My eyes widened.
"Right here." He smirked at me. "You-you're leaving me up here?"
"Yes, getting rid of an annoying genie and nosy little boy all in one day." I could only gape. "After all I did promise that I wouldn't harm you. never said anything about them hurting you."
I scowled at him and he laughed.
"Now if you don't mind, I need to be going." He headed to the door and I tried to get out of the ropes. "Ta-ta, it's been nice knowing you." He slammed the door shut and I started bouncing the chair.
"Come on, come on!" I paused upon hearing music rising louder through the city. Then I could see them.
"Genie!" I yelled hoping he'd hear me. "Genie!" But the music was too loud. I had to get out of the chair before they got closer. Then I saw Carpet.
"Aladdin! Al! Down here!"
Once again my yells for help went unheard. As I tried to struggle harder the rope around my wrists snapped and fell away, though my wrists now stung from the rope digging into my skin. Sighing with relief I toppled backwards. After untangling myself from the chair and the remaining ropes, I tried the door. It opened without an effort. Heh, thought I wouldn't be able to get away, eh Nefir? Grinning, I took off down the stairwell to find Al. I came out in time to hear Iago begging with the dancers not to crush his casino.
I rolled my eyes and then watched as they were about to step directly onto Iago. I stiffened and then they paused. New music came and they started towards it. Looking up I spotted Al, playing a flute. I waved at him and he swooped down to get me. I hopped up next to him and we started leading the dancers away from the towers.
"Great idea, Al!" Genie said and then he spotted me. He grinned with relief as I waved at him. Suddenly the music changed. A faster more upbeat tune came from the streets behind us and the dancers went right back into the city.
We all jumped as Genie shot magic in our direction and we looked down to find ourselves in strange itchy clothing and we all had tall curly white wigs. We also had instruments. Al was at a piano, Iago and Abu had violins and Carpet and I had cellos. We all looked at each other's strange outfits before shrugging and just going with the music. I honestly had no idea how to play but Carpet seemed to be doing just fine, so I copied him as much as I could although I was pretty sure that Genie was making us play. Once again however the imps changed the tune and it got faster on their side making Genie and Samir destructive again.
"Play faster, Al! Faster!" Genie hollered and Al nodded.
"Faster? Are you sure?"
"Trust me, Al!" Genie called back. Al grinned.
"I get it. faster guys!"
"Get what?" I asked as we got out of the itchy clothes and wigs. Now Al was rocking the piano his fingers flying across the keys in a fast-paced way. Carpet had a guitar and was rocking out and Abu had a drum set and he was smacking those loudly too. Iago and I just danced. I heard the imps play music to join us and we all danced wildly.
"Oh, ah, yeah! Bring it on home! It's hammer time!" Iago sang and I laughed as we danced around Al and the rest. Looking over at the large dancers I saw that their feet were smoking and it then dawned on me what we were doing. We were burning the shoes! With one final loud jam of all the instruments the shoes exploded leaving their owners panting out of breath on the ground. I saw Genie glare at something across from us and I was sure I knew who it was. I was proved right when he held up Nefir.
"Hang on, shorty." He snarled. "You've some explaining to do."
"I wasn't gonna hurt the kid, honest." He said and I frowned.
"Yeah, he was just going to leave me tied in one of the towers so you and Samir would crush me!" I said and Genie's grip tightened on Nefir.
"Well, he's okay isn't he?" Nefir screeched.
"Not like you will be." Genie said darkly and the imp cowered.
"Rick, what happened to your wrists?" Al asked and I glanced down at them.
"Rope."
Genie glared at the imp.
The next morning Sultan al Dente was thanking Al over and over for helping his city. Genie, Carpet, Abu and I were lounging on some chairs nearby and Iago was nowhere to be seen.
"Actually, I couldn't have done it without some phenomenal cosmic power." Al was saying and Genie looked over at him.
"Semi phenomenal nearly cosmic power, thank you." He glanced in my direction. "And let's not forget the one who figured out the plan from the very beginning." He winked at me and I felt ducked down in my seat.
Al smiled as did Sultan al Dente.
"It wasn't hard..." I muttered and Genie laughed. I looked back up when I heard Iago muttering and then burst into laughter.
"What?" Genie asked and I pointed at the parrot. He was completely featherless and had a small barrel around his middle like clothing.
"Hey, what's the problem bird man?" Genie asked teasingly and I just about fell out of my chair trying to hold my laughter in.
"Club Nest Egg, that's the problem!" He snarled. "I lost my shirt! The tables are fixed, rigged I tell ya! Let's get out of this dump!"
"Why?" Asked Sultan al Dente. "And miss the floor show?" We looked over and saw Samir lift a small tent off the ground.
"Play that funky music, imp boy!" He said and a new round of laugher came as Nefir and his imps were made to dance with their newly acquired magic shoes.
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