Chapter 3: Dead Sorcerer, Fast Awake
Aladdin sat on the edge of the courtyard fountain, with Rajah looking discontent at his heels.
"Oh come on, Rajah, it's not that bad. I know you wanted to be at the banquet, but Jasmine said she couldn't risk scaring the guests coming in from the other kingdoms."
Rajah growled, baring his teeth at Aladdin, who drew back.
Aladdin held up his hands. "Hey, those were her words, not mine! The Sultan said the same thing. Even considering it all, I think she really wanted to bring you anyway, but couldn't. Sorry."
Rajah gave a firm snort that managed to make the hair above Aladdin's brow flare up. The beast's hot breath made Aladdin's eyes reflexively close. Aladdin frowned, smoothing his hair back in place. "Fine, if you want to be that way, be that way."
Genie materialized beside Aladdin on the fountain. "Hey, Al, you're missing the par-tay!" He donned a birthday hat, started throwing confetti around Aladdin and Rajah, and blew into several streamers unexpectedly. The sound made Aladdin wince, but he managed a small smile.
"No worries, Genie. I figured I'd keep Rajah company tonight."
Rajah snorted again and started walking away from both Aladdin and Genie, moving towards the palace gardens.
Genie frowned. "Well, he doesn't seem to want you around. You'd think after all this time, he'd get used to you."
"I think he's just in a bad mood since he wasn't invited to the party."
"Which begs the question - Why aren't you there? Iago, Abu and Carpet and me - we were having a blast. You missed the dance-a-thon." Genie materialized into a Flamenco costume, dancing vibrantly.
He had to ask me that, Aladdin thought, groaning. He stood, pacing around the fountain. Genie noticed and frowned, materializing back to his usual self when he realized Aladdin looked more troubled than usual.
"I just...got the feeling I wasn't wanted," Aladdin managed, his head dipping down as he turned away from Genie.
Genie put his hands on Aladdin's shoulders. "And why would you think a silly thing like that?"
Aladdin groaned. "I heard two of the other leaders of a distant kingdom talking. They said they still couldn't get over the fact that Jasmine married me. Me. Of all the royal suitors she could've chosen." Aladdin's brow narrowed, his fists clenched at his sides. "They still think I'm a street rat, just dressed proper. It's like they don't recognize me at all, not even for the things I've done since training with the Sultan."
Genie's expression matched Aladdin's completely with frustration. "Well, that's not a very nice thing to say."
When Genie saw Aladdin still had his eyes closed, he stood in front of Aladdin, tilting his face upward. "Al, look, I can't speak for anyone, but you've been doing a fine job as prince so far. And if they can't see that, then they're horny toads."
Aladdin opened his eyes, unclenched his fists, appearing puzzled as he looked up at Genie. "Toads?"
Genie materialized into Aladdin's hands, into the very toad he mentioned. "I could turn them into toads for you, you know. Just say the word and my semi-phenomenal nearly cosmic power will have them converted in no time. Ribbit."
Aladdin snorted, his lip curled in a half-smile at the sight of a talking frog Genie in his palms. "As much as it might make me feel better, I don't think that would help with our interkingdom relations, Genie. Thanks for the offer anyway."
Genie frowned. "I was kinda hoping you'd say yes. I haven't turned anyone into toads lately. No fun."
Before Aladdin could say anything, a loud crash resounded from above them, coming from the Palace. Iago's loud voice echoed from the palace to the courtyard. "Genie, we've gotta problem up here!"
Genie transformed back into his usual self, slapping a palm against his forehead and running his hand down his face. "Looks like the shah who brought the 100 cats as a gift for the Sultan isn't doing a good job of keeping them contained. I'd better see if I can round them up." Genie transformed into a cowboy with boots, spurs and a lasso. "Take care kiddo. You know where to find me if you need me."
"Good luck, Genie." Aladdin laughed a little watched as Genie disappear into the palace, shooting up like a rocket onto one of the balconies before going beyond the palace walls.
Sighing, Aladdin turned to follow wherever Rajah went in the gardens. He knew that the mighty cat didn't really feel at his best. Aladdin pulled one of the fruits he'd picked at the Moonstone Oasis. It wasn't much, but it could serve as a peace offering.
Aladdin found Rajah laying on his stomach in one of the turns of the garden, his head rested on his paws, brow furrowed.
"I brought you something, Rajah. Might make you feel better." Aladdin offered it to Rajah, who eyed him with a side glance.
"Come on, it's good. Abu and I had several of them earlier when we found the merchant that was missing. Took a while to get back, but he gave us a lot of his wares as thanks. For a good price, too."
Rajah sniffed at the fruit Aladdin held, then gobbled it down in his powerful jaws as Aladdin drew back his hand. When finished, Rajah stood, stretched, and started walking away as if he hadn't a care in the world.
Aladdin's shoulders fell. "Aww, come on. You're really going to be like that?"
Without warning, Rajah turned and tackled Aladdin playfully to the ground, licking his face. Aladdin laughed.
"Okay, okay! Easy big guy. You had me worried there, for a sec."
The rustle of some leaves nearby made Aladdin and Rajah both tense. Rajah sniffed the air, then Aladdin noticed the beast growling, his fur standing on end.
"What is it? You think something's there?"
Without answering, Rajah shot forward, running away from Aladdin to the sound in the distance.
"Hey, wait up!" Aladdin scrambled to his feet and rushed after him.
That's right, you infernal beast. I know you can smell me, but I move faster than you. Jatika used his powers to stay one step ahead of the beast pursuing him. He wasn't afraid of Rajah, but rather watching to see if Aladdin could keep up with the tiger.
That's right, lead him just a little further away, then I can make my move in my new identity. And the fear that comes will be the sweetest to taste.
"Rajah!" Aladdin called, catching his breath. Rajah had run a fair distance into the palace gardens, heedless to Aladdin following him and even causing Aladdin to lose track of the tiger.
Aladdin groaned, running a hand down his face. "He can't have gone that far. He was probably chasing some random rat or something."
"The only rat I see here is the street rat standing before me. Just a little more dolled up."
Aladdin felt himself stiffen at the sound of the other voice, muffled, but clear enough to settle on his ears. So Rajah had been chasing something - or someone.
"Who's there?" Aladdin demanded.
"You don't recognize me, boy? I'm offended. But I suppose the skeletons in your closet don't just up and walk back into your life very often, now do they?"
That voice... Aladdin felt his breath draw as the voice came from a distance behind him, among some of the garden's trees and shrubs. A shadowy figure emerged into the miniature courtyard. The dark robes, turban, and even the snake staff the figure held were revealed in the moonlight.
Aladdin stepped back, his brow narrowed, though his voice betrayed his nerves. "It can't be."
Jafar smiled ruefully. "Greetings, Aladdin."