Chapter 20: To Cure a Thief
"Ahh!" I yelped and toppled out of the bed as loud horns blared down the hallway of the palace. "What is that?!"
"Someone broke into the treasure room!" Iago said loudly from above me and I blinked up at him from under the tangle of sheets. "That had to be some talented thief!"
He flew down from the flat perch above my bed that he used for his own bed and toward the door. "Let's go see!"
Scrambling out from under the blankets, I stood up and grabbed my vest from the dresser. "Wait!" I ran after him as he flew out the door. "Iago, wait up!"
He only paused long enough for me to get close and then we headed for the treasury.
We met Al in the hallway just outside the doors to the treasure room and he turned to us, stifling a yawn.
"Woke you guys too, huh?"
"Yeah. So, they get anything?" I asked, rubbing at my eyes tiredly. It was too early in the morning.
"Not that I know of."
Iago landed heavily on my head, some of my hair flattening down into my eyes and I scowled.
"Hey!"
"So, is there a dead guy in there?" He asked, ignoring me, and Al snorted.
"No, whoever he was got away. Come on."
He led us inside and I took a long look around. I had never stepped foot inside Agrabah's treasure room before. It was amazing.
"Wow!"
Iago sighed as he looked around the room lovingly. "Isn't it grand?"
"It's certainly something." I agreed, trying not to laugh at the parrot's greedy and entranced expression. Sparkly, expensive things were Iago's tastes and though I did admire a few things, I wasn't so in love with the piles of gold as the parrot was.
I spotted Jasmine and the Sultan and hurried over to them as they watched Razoul and the other guards reset the traps and alarms.
"Who'd be crazy enough to step in here?" I asked and the Sultan turned toward me.
"I'm not sure, my boy. It's very strange. There's so much here to take and yet it seems they were only interested in that jeweled gauntlet."
Something furry and small rushed past my legs and I rolled my eyes. Abu had obviously heard the words 'jeweled gauntlet' and came scurrying from wherever he had been hiding.
"Oh, no you don't!" I said coming up to him as he leaned eagerly over the golden glove.
"Don't even think about it, Abu." Al stated as he walked over to us, folding his arms across his chest.
'Who me?' The monkey asked innocently, and Iago snorted, flying down to hover above him.
"Yes you, King Klepto!" I snickered as Abu swatted and chased off the offending bird. Iago landed back on my shoulder and we went to follow the others.
"We should all head back to bed." The Sultan said and I yawned.
"Good idea." I smiled sleepily and Jasmine giggled.
We were about to walk out when…The alarms went off again! We whirled around to see the golden gauntlet gone! Jasmine, Iago, and I screeched as a sword went flying near out heads. Iago took off to get away and Al ran into the Sultan as he tried to escape another sword. Rasoul jumped as the large, spiked ball came flying towards him but he didn't get away fast enough and it took his pants. As much as I wanted to laugh at the guards polka-dotted undergarments, dangerous weapons still flew about the room. Hakim, another guard, fell into the trap door that contained the crocodiles and Iago got caught on a large bed that was made so that when someone laid on it they would be held down by two metal bars. Iago screeched as the top one closed around his body.
"Iago!" I yelped and Jasmine covered her eyes as a large swinging axe almost chopped his head off! Luckily, it only took off a few head feathers leaving him bald. Hesitantly, he crawled out from under the bar and touched his head.
"My-my-ahhhh!" he screamed and fell back in a faint. I sighed. Poor Iago. The Sultan sat up and looked around at the scattered guards.
"Good heavens, this is most peculiar." Jasmine and Al helped him stand up. "I don't understand what could have set it off." Something caught my eye and I looked down and groaned. Abu was holding the glove. He came up to me sheepishly. I took it from him and I heard a gasp turning around I blushed bright red.
"Uh-oh." I said and Al turned to look at me. The Sultan and Jasmine stared at me too. They hadn't seen Abu!
"Alaric?" The Sultan asked in shock and I gulped.
"I-I, um…accident?" I grinned sheepishly and then cast a glare at the small primate that was hiding behind my pants leg. The Sultan frowned disapprovingly making me feel worse and Al took the glove from me giving me a knowing look and handed it back to the ruler. Jasmine notice the exchange and smiled at me grimly.
A little later we were sitting in Jasmine's room. Al was standing above the monkey and Abu was looking very, very sorry. Al could be quite aggressive when he was mad and I should know! Jasmine was sitting on her divan and was watching Aladdin ranting at Abu with slight disapproval. I sat along the wall, to stay out of the line of fire and Iago sat on Al's shoulder looking just as angry if not more so. Rajah came and laid his head in my lap nudging my hand. I smiled and started to pet him.
"I am fed up, Abu!" Al yelled at Abu who cowered in response.
"And I am raw under the toupee!" Iago snarled lifting the top layer of his head feathers. I snort and he looked at me. "You think that's funny!"
"Um…no." I cleared my throat and looked elsewhere to hide the smile that was threatening to come. "Sorry." I added and he scowled at me, knowing full well that I had thought it was funny for him to lift his feathers.
"Aladdin." Jasmine spoke and we looked at her. "Maybe you're being a little too rough on Abu."
"Rough? Rough?" Aladdin yelled getting louder each time. Uh-oh, when he's this mad nothing can stop him from thinking before speaking! "He got Rick in trouble and he embarrassed us! The Sultan thought Alaric had taken it!" He then whirled around to Abu. "I've had it with you and you're stealing! When will you learn?" He stomped out of the room seething angrily and Abu looked at me.
"I'm not mad anymore, Abu." I assured him and he gave me a small smile. "I know you didn't mean to get me in trouble." Something made a noise behind us and we all turned then to see Genie's lamp moving around. In a puff of blue smoke, he exited the lamp. He was on a strange-looking screen thing and was black and white.
"Learning can be fun with Professor Kno-led-led-ledge!" Genie was wearing a strange-looking outfit and as he spoke, he zapped Abu into a small table looking thing that had a chair attached to it. "Put on your thinking fez. Today's secret word…steal. One, to take another's property dishonestly, Two…DON'T DO IT!" He screamed and Abu toppled over. I was laughing now, clutching at Rajah and Genie winked at me. Then he took a coin and held it out to Abu.
"So class what have we learned?" Abu snatched the coin and looked at it in his palm. Genie's face was on it. "Oh, the kid knows the value of a buck." With a puff of smoke Genie reappeared as his normal self. As I was snickering again a shadow fell across Abu and we all looked to see Al standing there holding something in his hands.
"Abu," he said sternly. "You leave me no choice." He held up a leash and Abu screeched. "If you can't control your stealing this leash will!"
I winced and shook my head. "This is a bad idea."
Abu growled angrily and he stomped past Al, slapping at the leash.
"I think you over did it with the leash." Jasmine reprimanded and Aladdin scoffed.
"Oh, he'll be back." He said and I frowned. Abu's fez suddenly flew into the room slapping him in the face.
"Ah, I dunno Al," Genie came up behind him. "That's one mad monkey." Abu stomped completely out of the room then and I grew worried then. Abu couldn't leave, he just couldn't. How could Al let him walk off?
"Iago, maybe you should keep an eye on him." Jasmine suggested and Iago scowled.
"Oh, sure like the bird has nothing better to do!" He started to fly off when he bumped into Rajah. The tiger growled and licked his lips and it would have been funny if I wasn't so upset about Abu. "Uh, nothing good on tonight! Guess I'll go monkey watching!" With that he flew out of the room. "Oh look! There's one now!"
"And make sure he doesn't steal anything!" Aladdin shouted after him.
"Al, calm down!" I said, standing up. "How can you just let your best friend walk off?"
"Rick, he got us all in trouble."
"It's Abu!" I exclaimed, waving my hands in the air. "He's a monkey that gets greedy, he's been that way ever since I've known him." I shook my head at him. "I'm going with Iago to keep an eye on him. You cool off!"
Al rolled his eyes, but didn't stop me from leaving.
"Hey, Iago! Wait up!" I called after him.
"Alaric? Are you sure you'll be okay?"
I smiled at Jasmine. "Of course, I'm going to get Abu and see if I can get him to cool off about Al and that...leash." I shuddered a bit at the object still dangling from my brother's fingers. I had never like leashes for obvious reasons. Al saw my expression and winced.
"Eh, yeah maybe that was too much."
"You think?"
Al rolled his eyes.
Genie snorted at me and I grinned. "Good luck, kiddo."
"Good luck with that one." I pointed at Al who frowned. "He's as stubborn as a mule!" Jasmine giggled.
"Get out, Alaric!" Al growled and I snickered and ran out the door before he could catch me.
I caught up to Iago and Abu and convinced them to go sleep in our old home. It was better than nothing and would give us shelter.
"Here, little jinx." Manito cooed the man waving the leash at the wide-eyed boy. "Come out and I promise not to harm you." The boy moved further back, until his back hit the end of the box and, angrily, Manito snarled and reached for him. Cornered and unable to move much, Alaric growled and bit at him. Manito cursed, pulling his hand back.
"Leave me alone!" Alaric cried the six-year old boy's voice barely loud. "I-I didn't do it!" He flinched as Manito snorted.
"I don't care! You'll make a great addition to my Freak Show!" Alaric whimpered. "Now come out of there!" The boy shook his head and moved further into the box Manito had managed to corner him in. Suddenly, Manito grabbed Alaric's leg and the man jerked him out. Alaric cried out in shock and Manito beamed.
"Got him, boys!" Manito laughed gleefully and Alaric winced and cringed as men leered in his face and held him down to put a leash and collar around his neck.
"We caught the jinx!" The merchant laughed and they all laughed along with him.
"Come on, little jinx." Manito grinned madly and tugged on the end of the leash. Alaric whimpered and whined a like the dog he was made to be. Manito only grinned wider and tugged until Alaric was obediently walking behind him as he waltzed from the alley. The boy struggled to keep up to Manito's long stride as he was paraded down the street for all to see. People laughed and jeered as the boy was tugged along and Alaric eyes welled up with tears. He cried quietly as he was lead towards the caravan of wagons that belonged to Manito. All he could do was cry, for no one could or would save him…
"Hey, kid!"
I jerked awake to see Iago and Abu looking down at me. Sweat drenched my face and hairline and I ran a hand over my face, covering my eyes briefly. The animals were looking at me with worriment when I lowered my hand again.
"You okay?" Iago spoke again, his usual cynical tone gone. So, I must have freaked him and Abu out. "You were calling for help. And, uh...crying."
Flushing, I wiped my face, realizing that it was more than sweat.
"Sorry." I muttered and sat up as I ran my hand through my sweaty hair. "Nightmare."
"I'll say."
Abu swatted at him with angry chattering before he turned and tugged at my arm.
"It's okay. Sorry I woke you."
Iago shifted. "Wanna talk about it?" He looked like he'd rather not but would listen I needed him too. It made me smile.
"Nah, go on back to sleep."
Abu watched him shrug and go back to his pillow.
"Rick?" He chattered and I shook my head. I think he was contemplating going to get someone. He'd probably put his anger at Al aside for me.
"I'm fine." I said again and shuddered at the remembrance of Manito's voice. I had a deep fear that he'd come back someday soon. I didn't get the whole story of what happened to him, but I knew he was still out there. And he wasn't likely to forget being humiliated by Al and Genie and losing me in the process.
"Memories."
"The Freak Show guy?"
Abu jumped at Iago's voice and I turned around. he was looking at me from his bed.
"Yeah."
"What brought that up?"
I shifted, embarrassed at the reason I had even drug that up from my memories. "Nothing. It's stupid."
Silence.
"Don't make me go get Al." He warned sharply, implying that he would go tattle, and I rolled my eyes. "Or the Genie." I grimaced at the thought of waking Genie to hear a nightmare. He wouldn't care, but I would still feel bad about it and then he'd think about that memory too. It was bad enough Al knew it. "Better yet, I'll go get Rasoul. And you know he's your biggest fan."
"Shut up!" I laughed and tossed a stray pebble in his direction. He was putting in humor to take out the sting of the threat and I appreciated that he wanted to not hurt my feelings. "Rasoul would rip your feathers out if you went near him or breathed in his direction. 'Sides he likes me more than you."
Abu prodded me.
"Fine...It was the leash."
"He made you wear one." It wasn't a question.
"Yes." I laid back down and chose to stare at the cracked ceiling. The familiar lines and runs in the stones and mortar were comforting and I followed their paths with my eyes as I spoke. "It's how he caught me. He paraded me through the city like a man walking his pet. I know it wasn't aimed at me and that Aladdin wouldn't really do that to Abu, but it was the thought, I guess. A stupid thought that invaded my dreams."
"It wasn't stupid, kid." The parrot said quietly. "Things can trigger memories. Bad and good."
I turned to see him with his back to me, avoiding looking at my face which I had been doing moments ago and smiled.
"Night, Iago."
"Night, kid."
"Night, Rick." Abu chattered.
I stayed awake listening to them snoring a bit and then finally closed my eyes.
The next morning, Iago and I on an awning. Abu was still too angry to go talk to Al, so I decided that maybe he needed a few more hours away from the palace. At the moment, we were watching the crowds and we were all hungry.
As I looked around, I suddenly smelled something really good. Looking around I soon spotted it, a date pastry. My mouth started to water as my stomach gave a growl. As I pondered the prospect of getting one, a small brown monkey grabbed both that the vendor had in his hands. Groaning, I looked over and sighed. Yep, he was gone.
"Oh, no." I said aloud and Iago glanced at me in confusion.
"What?"
I didn't answer him verbally, I just pointed at the small primate that was clambering his way over the side of the awning.
"It's about time!" The parrot said irritably and I rolled my eyes at his laid back posture. "I'm starving!" he snatched one the date pastries from Abu and I gave jim an incredulous look. After taking a bite he paused at the expression on my face. "I can't believe you stole this date pastry!" He shouted and I rolled my eyes. "I told you I wanted blueberry!"
"Iago!"
"What?!" He scowled at me and then after a minute he shrugged. "Eh, free is free." I snorted and turned to Abu.
"Abu, look-"
"Here." Iago interrupted and so I was was stopped by a very tasty pastry that was rudely shoved into my mouth to stop me from lecturing the monkey.
"What was that for?" I demanded after I swallowed, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. "You trying to kill me?!"
"You didn't choke, you ate it." He said simply, smirking and I scowled. "Besides, now you have eaten the evidence."
"But-"
Abu made a tsking noise, his finger wagging at me and I gaped.
"But-"
Iago shrugged. "You might as well tell on yourself for eating it."
I scowled. "I don't think they would get onto me for have a date pastry shoved down my throat, Iago. Although-," I frowned and scratched my head. "-Al may think otherwise. He's been crabby lately." Abu nodded in agreement.
"You know you have a definite talent, Abu." Iago said conversationally after awhile. Abu grinned and nodded before pointing at me energetically and I shook my head rapidly at the little monkey. I hadn't exactly told Iago everything about my past. Even Al didn't know everything I had gotten into before running into Jasmine months ago. I had a bit of a reputation down in the thieves' part of town. That's conveniently how I learned about Abis Mal before Al had...but I had pretended not to know. Which I hadn't met him at the time, I met him the same night Al had, I had just heard about him and his bumbling ways.
"The kid too?" Iago asked skeptically and I rolled my eyes.
"Yes."
"No way, goody two shoes."
"It's true."
"Prove it." The parrot challenged. "Go ahead. Betcha can't."
"Iago," I snapped. "I am out here to convince Abu, we don't need to do that anymore. Why would I do the exact opposite!?"
"Because I don't believe you."
"Well, it's true!"
"Is not."
"Is too!"
"Is not."
"Is too, shut up, Iago!"
"Then prove it, Einstein!"
Scowling and feeling irrigated, I pulled out a card that I kept tucked in a secret vest pocket.
"Here!" I exclaimed as Iago snatched it and his beak dropped open.
"You're a bona fide thief!"
"Shh!" I said and snatched the card back. "Be quiet! It was a while back." I shoved the card back and saw him staring at me. "What?!"
"You never mentioned that!"
"Well...there are certain things I don't say. Al doesn't know, so you can't tell! Abu knows cause he caught me one day, but he's never told." I glanced at the monkey. "Have you?"
"No." He chattered and I nodded.
"Good. but I don't use it anymore. I haven't since moving into the palace."
"You mean you coulda been getting me free stuff!?"
"Shut up, Iago!"
"That's the problem with Al. He's always stifling your creativity. Anytime you or Abu want to steal pastries, go ahead I'm behind you fellas all the way."
"Uh, Iago, I don't think you should-"
A frightened screaming caught our attention overhead and we looked up to see a thin, tall man flying through the air. He crashed through the awning and the small animals and I jumped back in fright on either side of the newly formed rip. I cautiously moved to peer down, but the man's head appeared and I yelped.
"You stole those pastries!" He accused and Iago spat out the last of his.
"I'm innocent it was all them!" Iago pointed at Abu and me. "He's the Kelpto! They both are!" I swatted at him.
"And brilliant ones at that." The man said as he snatched the last pastry from Abu. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Damoola, Amin Damoola." As he spoke Iago flew around to get a better look at the guy. "The way you snatched these pasties was poetry in motion!" He yelled and as he did he squeezed the pastry spraying Iago with the insides. I stifled a snicker. "And you my young friend, you must be a great theif to be friends with this little fellow." Amin praised and I arched an eyebrow. Who praises someone they didn't know? And for something that they had no idea I could do.
The man was very familiar, but I wasn't sure where I had heard his name before.
"Taught them everything they know!" Iago announced after cleaning himself off and Damoola shoved him out of the way.
"You?" I whispered to him and he shrugged.
"What?" He hissed back.
"We have much to discuss you and I." Damoola told Abu. "And you too, boy." He eyed me critically and a bit greedily, which made me suspicious. "Join me for dinner? My treat…" He tempted and Abu bit his lip in thought. I didn't like this guy, not only was he clumsy but he was sly. Something was up. I just wasn't sure what.
"Free dinner!" Iago stated and I frowned.
"Are you sure about-" Iago slapped a wing over my mouth stifling me.
"We accept! We accept!" He said and I frowned behind the wing. I shoved him away as Amin grinned.
"Fabulous!" Amin shouted and then he toppled backward through the hole he had created with a shriek. "I'm alright!" He announced seconds later. I then and there decided to go. I didn't trust that man, but there was no way I was leaving Abu and Iago alone with him. We soon left the awning and went down the crowded streets.
I trailed behind Amin, as we approached a large doorway that was in shape of a skull. I stared at the building with a small frown and Iago flew off my shoulder to talk to Amin.
"Are you cracked?" He asked Damoola loudly. "That's the Skull and Dagger! Headquarters of the thieves' guild! They'll eat us alive in there!" Abu made a gesture and Iago nodded. "Yeah, cutthroats only! There's no way we are going in there!"
"You got a card?" I asked almost skeptically and Amin showed us something. Iago's jaw dropped and I arched an eyebrow.
"Not to worry my new friends. I'm a member." He said smoothly and Iago recovered.
"Lead the way." As Damoola walked past Iago whispered to Abu and I. "A member. This guy is a legitimate thief!"
I frowned. "Or a really bad actor." I muttered and grabbing Abu and Iago as we followed the thief inside. Thieves ran around the dimly lit room all of them tough looking men.
"Just stick by Amin and let me do all the talking." Iago murmured and I rolled my eyes even as I sped to keep up with the skinny thief.
"I won't say anything, but there's something very wrong here." I said and the parrot looked at me in concern.
"Should we leave?"
"No, let's find out what he wants first."
Amin ordered us food and Iago and Abu stuffed their faces. I ate a little still feeling a little bad that I had taken that coin pouch. I needed to figure out how to give it back and when I could. Abu and I sat across from either other and Iago sat next to Abu. Amin sat at the head of the table.
"Don't trust anyone in here." He said leaning forward, tucking arm around behind me and Abu. I tried not to cringe. "Well except me, of course. Heh heh." I exchanged a look with Abu who shrugged.
"Kill the melodrama, Damoola. Why do you need the kid and the monkey? Planning a big pastry caper?" Iago asked and I rolled my eyes at him. Damoola pulled Abu and I closer.
"Alright my little comrades, listen." Abu looked at me and I shrugged. It wouldn't hurt to listen.
"There exists a magical gauntlet." He started standing up. The lighting in the room cast a glow on him that seemed to set his dramatic mood. "The Five Fingers of Discount." He held up four fingers before he realized his mistake and grinned sheepishly. Add dumb to my list of what I thought of him. "It is written that he who wears the Five Fingers will gain the ultimate thieving ability." Abu looked bored. He wasn't buying it apparently and neither was I.
'Oh, yeah, sure.' He scoffed, causing me to snicker, but Amin continued.
"With but a gesture jewels fly into the gauntlets grasp." He finished with a crazy look in his eyes.
"You see now this guy's smart." Iago commented to me and Abu. "He's got vision."
I snorted and then frowned. "What does this gauntlet look like?" I asked warily, having a sinking feeling.
"The gauntlet is about, yay-high." Damoola held his hands up to show us. "And is kept in the Royal Treasure Room." Iago and Abu spit out what they were eating and I grimaced.
"The Royal Treasure Room? Whoa, whoa, whoa! We don't do the palace!" Iago yelled at Amin and he walked across the table to get in front of him. "They know me there. I'll lose my special status. Worse I'll lose my head!" I rolled my eyes.
"I was talking to the monkey and the boy!" Damoola said angrily. Abu looked at me with wide eyes. He knew that was pushing it. It was one thing to steal from a random person, but from the people you know? I shrugged at him helplessly. If there was a way to stop him, we'd have to risk it.
"Look, Amin, bubby you don't want to go in there." Iago said casting me a glance. I didn't respond to it, trying to appear aloof about it. "They've got flying swords, a giant mace…"
"And a really really, big axe." Iago and Amin said together, Iago lifted his 'toupee' at the same time Amin lifted his hat showing missing hair, and suddenly it came to us. He was the thief that had tripped the alarm last night!
"You're the guy who blew the heist last night!" Iago shouted as he came to the same conclusion. A dagger flew into the table in front of him and we all jumped in alarm. We looked up to see Hamar one of the leaders of the thieves of Agrabah. He had a reputation for beating up those who disappointed him and he ran the Skull and Dagger with a clenched fist. I had had my fair share of run-ins with him.
"Thieves only in the Skull and Dagger." He said and Amin stood up pulling the dagger out irritably.
"I am a thief!" He snarled as he waved the dagger about, accidentally cutting the post that held the awning above us. It fell over him and he made muffled noises.
"This guy is a nut." I said and Abu nodded in agreement.
"Did you say thief?" Hamar lifted the blanket and grinned at Amin. "Hey, it's Butterfingers!" He lifted the thief up and held him by the back of his vest. The rest of the thieves burst into laughter.
"No wonder he needs your help." Iago muttered to Abu and I. "He's the resident thieves guilds' geek!" I snorted.
"My name is not Butterfingers!" Amin snarled slamming his fists down upon the tabletop, sending forks, plates and food flying. Hamar winced as a fork landed in the person behind him. "And these," he continued lifting Abu and taking my arm at the same time. "My new partners! The greatest thieves in all of Agrabah!" he set the monkey down so everyone could see him. Then he turned me to face the other thieves.
'Oh, boy'. Muttered Abu.
"We're in trouble." I muttered and Abu looked at me for help. But I couldn't give it.
"A minkay? And a boy?" Hamar said and I almost snickered at his accent. "Heh, heh, Butterfingers new partners are a minkay and a little boy!" They started laughing again and this time Abu and I got angry. We could be great thieves! Abu got up and ran over to climb up the man. He went up his pants leg and through his shirt and climbed down to get the thief's sandwich he stole it and scampered back up Hamar's arm, back through his pants leg and up onto the table.
At the same time, while everyone was watching Abu I weaved through the crowds taking this and that from every pocket in the room. No one was the wiser. Abu headed back to the table at the same time I slipped back up there and he held the sandwich up triumphantly as well as Hamar's pants sash. His pants fell and whispers started about the room. Hamar lifted Abu off the table and I put a hand on the dagger I had stolen in case I would need it. Everyone in the room was in shocked silence for minutes and then Hamar spoke.
"He is the greatest thief in all of Agrabah!" Then he eyed me. "What you do?" I grinned evilly and dropped small coin sacks and odds and ends. It was hilarious to see the thieves feel their pockets and then look back at me in bewilderment. They had never seen me do it at all.
"Come on, Hamar. It's been a few months, but surely you haven't forgotten me." I held up my own club card and the thief blinked.
"Great boy thief!" He exclaimed and I paused.
"Still?"
Iago snorted and I rolled my eyes.
"They are greatest thieves!" Hamar announced. Everyone gave a cheer then and Iago relaxed. They tossed Abu and me in the air as if we were grand heroes. It was pretty great actually. Not this many people liked me before!
Amin finally got us away from the crowd and herded us towards the door and I looked behind me at Iago. He was nowhere to be seen. When I voiced this to Amin, he shrugged and said that he decided not to come. I wondered at this but if I was to keep an eye on Abu I had to go with them. I was also pretty sure Amin wasn't about to let us out of his sight. I sighed internally as Amin pointed at the window that we were going to get in. Rasoul was going to have a field day with this!
Iago glanced at me. "But you weren't even gone that long?! How'd you do that?!"
I wiggled my fingers. "Magic." I responded and he snorted.
"Sure, kid."
Amin was extremely incompetent. We were on top of one of the many golden tops of Agrabah's palace and were right across from where we needed to be. He had just shot a rope across and managed to get tangled in the bow. I sighed and then looked at Abu.
"Where's Iago?"
The monkey shrugged.
I frowned a bit. It wasn't like Iago to take off without us, but maybe he was going to get Al. Or he had gotten himself into trouble. That was the option that was more likely to have happened.
"After you my nimble cohort." He told Abu and the little monkey looked at me. I sighed and nodded. He was thinking along the same lines as me. Are we really going to do this and disappoint Al? I couldn't tell him my hopes of getting Amin caught and us in the clear, I just had to hope we could pull it off.
"Go on, Abu." He sighed too and started across the rope. He got to the other side fairly quick, and Amin waved me on. Gulping, I blew out a large amount of air and started across to the other side. As long as I didn't let my eyes linger on the ground below, I was able to walk pretty straight across the rope.
Abu cheered silently as I stepped off to the ledge and I grinned at him. Then we turned to watch the spectacle of Amin.
He started off across the rope gracefully but then started to wobble. Abu and I watched the rope warily as it jiggled. This wasn't going to end well. Amin struggled to stay up and Abu and I flinched as he almost fell off barely grabbing the rope as he did. I let out a sigh of relief. I may not like him but I don't want him squished in the ground. Then the rope broke. Amin swung back and slammed into the wall of the palace and Abu and I exchanged looks.
"I'm alright!" We heard him call faintly and I slapped my forehead. This was going to be a long night.
Meanwhile back at the Skull and Dagger….
Iago was still inside the pot that Amin had stuffed him in and was trying his best to get out. And as luck would have it, the jar was suddenly knocked over and it rolled off to burst open in the floor.
"That was annoying." He groaned and then dusting himself off looked about the room. "Abu? 'Laric? Hey!" He yelled looking around. "Well, how do ya like that? The kid just left me!" He started to fly around the room. "If those two get caught…If the monkey gets caught I'll be advocated. Dead meat! And the kid? Well…that genie will rip my feathers out!" Iago was headed for the door when someone yelled for a peasant sandwich. He was instantly plucked from the air by the thieves' chef and was then plopped down onto a piece of bread. The cook took a jar of mustard out as he held Iago down.
"One pheasant sandwich coming up!" The cook hollered and Iago panicked.
"Wait just a second-" he was cut off by mustard smearing his face and he spat it out. "I'm a live bird! Hello!" But the cook never heard him, he just slapped another slice of bread on him and set him on a plate that one of the servers had. As the server went towards Hamar, a thief came up and stole the sandwich and then another from him! This one made to take a bite but Iago thought fast.
"I am the genie of the sandwich!" he hollered quickly and the man paused mid-bite. "Release me and I'll grant you three lunches!" The man's one eye widened, the other had a patch, and then gulped. Timidly, he reached down and lifted the edge of the sandwich…Iago burst out covered in mustard and soared over the man's head.
"Jerk!" Iago hollered before making a very hasty exit. But as he flew more thoughts of punishment went through his head. "If Al finds out I put Abu up to this, he'll be maaaad. I better devise a clever alibi. And he'll blame me for the kid too!" As he talked he suddenly flew into a pole and slid down it. "Maybe later mother…." He muttered before blacking out.
Back at the palace…
Whilst waiting for Amin to come up the rope, Abu wandered off and I went in search of him. I found him outside of Jasmine's bedroom, eavesdropping.
"I think you should go after them if you're so worried, Aladdin." Jasmine said for the umpteenth time. "We haven't heard from Alaric all day."
"I am not worried!" Aladdin shouted, getting angry that Jasmine was still bringing it up. "And could we please stop talking about Abu!"
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah right."
"It's not your fault you know." Jasmine whispered.
"She's right, Al." Genie added. "I mean how were you supposed to know that one little leash would drive your best friend away?"
I snorted at his words and then winced as Aladdin shouted angrily.
"I didn't ask him to leave! I'm glad he's gone! He can stay away forever! And if Alaric wants to be on his side, let him stay out there too!"
I had a good mind to go in there and brake up his little hissy fit, but I heard something near me.
The little monkey sniffled from near my ankles and I sighed. "Abu, he doesn't mean it." I said, but the little monkey was walking away in a mope. "Abu, wait!" I glanced back at the door, already hearing Al take his words back. "Al, you gotta control in your temper."
Amin was climbing in the window as we approached him and I rolled my eyes to see him step into a jar.
"We're in!" he shouted as we got closer and I grimaced. He was so loud! "You and me my little companions!" He slapped me on the back and I almost dropped Abu. He, to be safer, climbed down and I saw how dejected he really looked. Poor Abu…
"We're a team!" Amin draped an arm on the both of us and I scowled at him.
'Yeah…' Abu said slowly and I sighed.
We reached the Treasure Room then and I stared at the double doors for a moment. Now how was I gonna prevent this from happening? Do I let him take it and then track him down? Would that be the best idea? I wasn't sure. There was one thing I did know, though. And that was that I had to take back that coin pouch.
A loud crash followed by several smaller ones filled the air and I turned to see Damoola fighting with the spears. I rolled my eyes as he tried to get them to stay in place and just ended up knocking them all over the floor. Stealthy and stupid.
He then caught up with us at the heavy double doors. Amin opened the doors and before I knew it, I was backing away. The coin pouch had to go back. If I went in now and tried to stop Amin on my own it wouldn't work. While he may not be the strongest guy, he was still on the sly side. Not only that but, Al would come as soon as the alarm went off. If he or Jas caught me here, helping Amin, I wouldn't be able to explain. However, I had to see what he'd do so I followed them to the door.
Amin grinned down at Abu greedily as he leaned in the doorway. "Teamwork my little friend. That's what we're all about." He shoved the little monkey towards the golden gauntlet. "Behold!" He held Abu up to look at the glove. "It waits for us to take it!" He dumped Abu unceremoniously onto the floor and I scowled at him. As Abu was about to walk forward, Amin suddenly paused. "One second!" He ran quickly to the other side of the room away from all the sharp objects that were going to fly in his direction, glancing at me as he did.
"Good idea on staying back there." He said to me and I rolled my eyes. "Okay take it!" He hollered at Abu. I winced as the monkey reached for the glove and then sighed as the alarm went off. The ring of swords went down around the pedestal the gauntlet had been on and then Abu made his way slowly towards where Amin was. I winced every time one of the weapons fell past him, missing him by inches. In front of me, Amin was doing a happy greedy dance. I backed up and hid behind one of the large doors, knowing that any second Al would race around the corner. He'd stop Amin with Genie and Jasmine's help.
"Come on! Come to papa!" He said as he danced about arms wide for receiving the gauntlet. I glared at him and then looked back at Abu who was sniffing, tears rolling down his little face. Those words Al had spoken hurt him more than he had let on and I felt sorry for him. Al had never hurt him like that before and I could only imagine what he was thinking.
"Thank you." Amin said snatching the gauntlet from Abu, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Watch this! I will be Butterfingers no more!" He announced and then the gauntlet lit up with a blinding light. Once it faded, he aimed it at a gold elephant statue. I watched with wide eyes as it suddenly flew at him and Abu. It ended up smashing into Amin and sending him flying across the room and I snorted.
"I'm fine really." He muttered coming out from behind the statue, swaying slightly. After he recovered, he handed Abu a sack telling him to catch whatever he threw. Great. "Something more compact." He muttered to himself about the treasure and aimed his gauntlet at a golden scepter. Abu caught it in his sack and pretty soon his bag was filled with golden treasure. As Amin continued grabbing lots of treasure, I suddenly heard Al and Jasmine. I stayed still behind the door, waiting.
Abu turned, giving the group sheepish grins. Uh-oh.
"Abu, how could you!" Al yelled at him and he only looked down sadly. Amin got in front of Abu and glared at Aladdin.
"Excuse me. I'm trying to shop here." He said and Jasmine gave him a look.
"Who's that?" I heard her ask and Iago made a face.
"Him? No idea."
I rolled my eyes, typical save your feathers. What else did you tell them?
Amin aimed his gauntlet at the giant mace and jerked it from the wall.
"Run!" Aladdin yelled and ran towards the others. Genie popped up to defend them and…lost his head? I watched with wide eyes as he stumbled around and the giant mace chased Aladdin, Jasmine, Iago, and Carpet out the door.
Darting out from behind the door, I grabbed Genie's head and he blinked at my appearance. The head disappeared and I was engulfed in giant arms, I almost laughed. I had mostly gotten used to the random and always comforting hugs Genie gave away. He gave them to everyone, even Iago when he caught him, but I think its because he thought I needed them more. Truthfully, I think I do.
"Shorty? Where have you been?!" He said, sounding relieved and panicked at the same time. "Iago, said-"
"No, time Genie, I've got to catch Amin and you gotta help Al. tell Al to get Iago to talk he'll tell you where we are." I ran down the hall and back to the window that Amin, Abu, and I had climbed in earlier.
As I knew he would be, Amin was inside the Skull and Dagger waving the magical gauntlet around. He had already frightened off most of the thieves and was in the process of making an example of Hamar.
"...And don't call me that name! Okay?" He demanded of the cowering thieves.
I gave a sharp whistle. "Hey, Butterfingers!" I shouted and he turned to glare at me.
"I want the monkey."
Iago suddenly landed on my shoulder, but I didn't have time to ask where he came from.
"That is, if it's not too much trouble." He said and I snorted.
"No," Amin began and I knew by the tone of his voice he was about to use his magic on us. "No trouble at all." With his gauntleted hand, he clenched his fist and a the treasure all flew out of the bag. Abu ran over to me and climbed up to sit on my other shoulder.
"Uh oh, that was too easy." Iago muttered.
Amin: How do you like these butterfingers?!" Amin snarled at me and the treasure formed a giant fist of gold.
"Told ya it was too easy!"
Yelping, I ducked as the giant first came at me. I ran to hide, dodging and rolling and Abu and Iago did too. The table I had rolled behind moved and we yelped.
Suddenly a large blue hand was in the way, catching the fist before it could smash us.
"Hey, guys, need a hand?"
I grinned as Genie began to arm wrestle the gold fist. I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see Al. Abu leapt into his arms.
"It's good to have you back. But no more stealing, right?" He winked and handed him his fez.
"I promise!" The monkey chimed and hugged his neck.
"And I promise, no more leashes!" He smiled and looked at me. "Promise." I grinned back at him.
I glanced back to see Genie tickling Amin who laughed and winced away, causing him to lose control. The fist collapses and coins rained from the sky. The other thieves in the den began to shout in delight and ran around to catch them.
Genie flexed his arms. "Over the top, high-five!" He high-fived his giant hand. I smirked and then noticed Amin.
"Genie, look out!" I yelped too late.
Amin blasted Genie, folding him with the magic into a ball and bouncing him on the ground. I winced as he tossed Genie across the room and then Al was shoving my head down.
"Duck!"
Genie, still in a tight ball, crashed through the wall of the Skull and Dagger behind us and made a gaping hole. Coughing from the dust we climbed out to search for our friend.
"Genie!?" I ran over to him and he groaned something unintelligible.
Iago snorted. "Score one for Butterfingers!" He shouted. Not long after that the ground began shaking. "Whoops."
"Good job, Iago." I said and he rolled his eyes.
Amin was in the middle of the street now and we watched with wide eyes as he lifted a building high above his head.
"Uh, oh."
"Don't call me Butterfingers!" He shouted at us and I glanced at Al.
"What do we do?!"
Iago: (begging) Sorry, oh great, powerful, master of thievery!"
"Cut it out!" I exclaimed. "He's nothing without that gauntlet." An idea came to me, and I whispered to Abu.
He turned to Al. "May I?" He squeaked and Al smirked.
"Just this once. Do it."
Abu ran over to Amin and up his pants leg. I laughed as the little monkey made his way out of Amin's shirt sleeve and popped the golden gauntlet from Amin's hand. The glow faded and Amin glanced up in horror at the building above his head.
"Nice monkey!" He shrieked as the building came down, nearly crushing him. I spotted several of the thieves in the dark and ran over to them.
"Get Butterfinger, he's powerless!" I pointed him out and the men stomped over to the thief.
Amin popped up in delight at not being crushed. "I'm alright!" he beamed and then looked over at the angry thieves.
"Butterfingers…" Hamar mocked.
"Come on, fellas, I was only kidding…"
They lunged at him and he ran off with a shriek. The thieves chased him off into the night.
Genie beamed. "Way to go, monkey man!"
Al scooped up the little monkey. "You saved our lives, Abu."
Iago landed on my shoulder. "You know, fleabag, you're lucky to be alive. I told you not to get mixed up with that guy, but would you listen to me? No!" Abu slid the gauntlet on and started towards the parrot who panicked and lfited off my shoulder.
"Abu, what're you doing with that? Put it down! OK, it was my fault. I got you into that mess. You and the kid!" Abu blasted him with the glove, and I snickered as he was flung upward. "I'm sorry! There, I said it! Let me down! Abu! Help me, kid!"
Laughing again, I took the glove from Abu. "That's enough, Abu. I think he's learned his lesson."
The grateful parrot landed back on my shoulder, glaring the monkey.
Hefting the glove up, I turned to Al. "Think we better go put this back."
He nodded in agreement.
"Hey, Genie."
"Shorty."
He sat next to me as I gazed out at the garden.
"It's awful late."
"I know. I couldn't sleep."
He glanced at me and tilted his head. "Wanna talk about it?"
"Guess Iago said something about my nightmare last night." I snorted.
"Only that you had a hard time sleeping. Al seemed a little upset after that. I think he knew."
"Right. Should probably tell him that I'm okay."
"Are you?"
I shrugged. "I've had the nightmare before."
He bumped my arm with his. "Then tell me."
So I did.
When I finished, he was quiet so I looked at him feeling a bit nervous. He had heard my story, but there were still parts that I didn't go into detail about. Like how Manito caught me to begin with. He was looking thoughtfully out at the garden.
"Sorry, kiddo." He said at last and then winced. "That's, uh, about all I can say without sounding patronizing."
Grinning, I patted him. "Thanks. It's enough."
He turned to me with a small smile. "Feel any better?"
"A little." I admitted and then yawned. "Maybe I can sleep now."
"You have any trouble. Wake me." He said, looking almost uncharacteristically seriously. "Anytime, short stuff. I mean it."
I grinned wider, feeling a warmth of safety in my chest. "Thanks, Genie." I hugged him, surprising him a bit and he then he hugged me back. "You're the best."
"Go get some sleep, Rick." He said, pulling back with a small smile. "I'm sure there are more adventures tomorrow."
"I hope so!" I said and hopped up from the fountain. "Night, Genie!"
"Night, kid." He laughed as I ran inside.
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