Chapter 5 - Ambush
Aladdin, the carpet, the sultan and Iago rested at the spot the latter picked. The sultan was trying to skip stones with poor results. Aladdin joined.
"Sultan," he began, "I hope you can forgive Jasmine and I for keeping Iago a secret from you."
The sultan huffed after failing to skip another stone.
"I guess I showed some good in him," Aladdin continued, picking up a stone, "just like you showed some good in a street rat."
Aladdin threw his stone, and it skipped, impressing the sultan.
"The good I saw in a…" the sultan repeated. "Well, yes I suppose." He patted Aladdin on the shoulder. "Well said, my boy. You'll be a fine vizier."
Aladdin's status was just saved. He found a still-guilty Iago and congratulated him.
"This was a great idea, Iago," he said. "Thanks."
"Oh, don't thank me," Iago replied, resignedly. "Really."
Suddenly, a horse's neighing interrupted the moment. Masked bandits on horseback surrounded the sultan and grabbed him.
"Sultan!" Aladdin called.
The horses trampled the carpet if not tearing it. Iago flew away. Aladdin glared.
"Iago," he concluded. "He knew this would happen."
"Aladdin!" the Sultan called, getting his attention. The bandits were getting away with him. "Help!"
The carpet got back on its tassels and flew to Aladdin.
"Come on, Carpet," Aladdin said, hopping on. "I'll have to settle with Iago later."
The horses were running to the end of the cliff.
"Look, the bandits are trapped on the cliff. When they stop, we'll… What?"
The horses jumped off, and they sprouted wings.
"They know magic?"
The sultan moaned in fright, as if scared of high places. Aladdin and the carpet dashed off. They plucked the sultan off of the lead bandit.
"Hang on, Sultan," Aladdin addressed. "This is where we lose 'em."
Aladdin turned back and ducked under the horses. The lead bandit chased them to the edge of the waterfall. He aimed his sword at a patch, and a whirlpool formed over it. It grabbed the sultan.
"Sultan!" Aladdin called. We have to go back, Carpet."
Aladdin tried to grab him, but he was knocked off. The carpet was caught in the whirlpool. Aladdin fell into the river. He grabbed onto a rock. The lead bandit booted him off it. As Aladdin was about to fall onto the bottom of the waterfall, one of the bandits fired energy from his finger. It caught Aladdin as he was about to land on to the jagged rocks. Aladdin floated to another patch of water. Unconscious, he floated away.
The bandits regrouped with the carpet and the sultan captured. One of the bandits hopped off of his horse, while the rest formed into Jafar. The remaining bandit's garments were magically replaced with Mozenrath's robe.
"Mission partially accomplished," Mozenrath said. "But why spare Aladdin?"
"We need him alive for the plan," Jafar replied. "Soon, my revenge will be complete, and your remaining two wishes shall be granted." He then turned to Iago, who guiltily descended on a rock. "And you, Iago, you have done well."
"Please, don't mention it," Iago replied, hanging his head in shame.
Aladdin awoke later that night, after the river carried him to the surface. He coughed, getting up.
"Sultan," he said, realizing he failed to save him. He clenched his fist in rage. "Iago," he seethed.
Aladdin walked off, on his way back to the palace.
"Jafar, you fiend!" the Sultan addressed, awakening in the Land of Black Sand next to Jasmine, his feet trapped in the black sand. "I should have known that this was your treachery."
"But I couldn't have done it without Iago," Jafar replied, looking at the guilty parrot.
"Unh," Iago gulped. "I played a minor role, really."
"I thought there was some good in you when I saw you rescue Aladdin, Iago," Jasmine cried. "I guess I was wrong. I swear one day you will pay for your double-cross."
Iago chuckled nervously. "I really think you're making too big a deal of this."
"Hmmm," Jafar complimented Jasmine, "such spirit."
Jasmine was about to bite Jafar's hand.
"Perhaps after a few more days in the Land of Black Sand," Jafar continued, "you'll be more kindly disposed toward me." He threatened to use his snake staff on her. "Especially if you want your father to remain healthy."
The sultan moaned. "When Aladdin returns…"
"Gee," Mozenrath said, holding the black lamp and getting the sultan's attention. "Being the sultan of Agrabah must be an important job for you. Sure wish I could become sultan of Agrabah."
"Wish granted," Jafar replied, snapping his fingers.
Suddenly, the sultan's robe and turban were replaced with ordinary Agrabanian citizen garments. Mozenrath now wore the sultan's robe and turban.
"All part of the plan," Mozenrath complimented, "in case you're wondering."
"What do you plan to do to Aladdin?" Jasmine feared.
"Don't worry, Princess," Jafar replied, smoke swirling around him. "His fate will be sealed soon enough."
Jasmine's jaw dropped.
