Chapter 7: Against the Odds

Jasmine, Genie, Iago, and Abu all arrived on Carpet just as the sun started to disappear bellow the horizon.

"Wow, this place looks busier than usual," Genie said, looking around, until he saw a familiar figure running up to greet them. Sultan Pasta Al Dente, the head of Getzistan, seemed very happy to see them.

"Oh, welcome to Getzistan, old friends. I trust you've heard of our traveling festival tonight. We have a wonderful array of activities for you all. Come, come!"

"Not right now, Sultan Al Dente. We're looking for Aladdin. Have you seen him?" Jasmine asked.

Noting her serious expression, the Sultan frowned. "Oh, I didn't realize he would already be here without you. I haven't seen him myself, but I'm sure he's somewhere around, just a matter of looking."

Jasmine started to say more, but Genie stepped in. "Uh, well, if you see Al anywhere around, just give him a heads up that we're looking for him. We'll probably run into him somewhere along the way."

The Sultan's smile returned. "O-of course! I certainly will. Ooh, I do hope you have fun. Such an honor to be graced with Agrabah royalty and company. You're among many of our colorful guests this evening."

Iago grinned as he flew from Jasmine's shoulder to the Sultan's. "Since you're courting us as Agrabah royalty and company and all, you wouldn't happen to have a discount for participating in certain activities tonight? Like the gambling dens?"

Abu rolled his eyes. "Oh, brother."

Sultan Al Dente nodded vigorously. "Of course! Participation is cut at 50% of the rates tonight. Feel free to indulge as much as you want, my fine feathered friend."

"YES!" Iago looked at Genie and Jasmine to see them frowning at him. He winced, taking to his wings. "On second thought, maybe I'll join after we find the kid."

When Sultan Al Dente left, Jasmine turned to Genie. "What was that all about? We could've told him the truth."

Genie winced. "As much as I'd like to have him and his men involved in the search, if we had too many people searching for Al around here, Mirage might get tipped off. Better we try to find Al without letting her know we're here looking for him."

Jasmine sighed. "Good point, but it's just going to be that much harder finding him through this crowd."

Genie put his hands on Jasmine's shoulders. "Don't worry. I guess if we're going to find him, we'll have to split up into teams. Let's see..."

Iago's eyes widened. "Ooh, ooh! I'll volunteer somethin'. I can go look in the gambling dens while you guys search the other display tents and taverns."

Genie gave Iago a firm glare. "Why does that not surprise me?"

"Oh come on! Give me a little credit. If I find the kid over there, I can send him to find you guys!"

Genie looked down at Abu. "How about I go with Iago just to make sure he doesn't get himself in trouble, while you go with Jas and Carpet thataway, monkey boy?"

Abu screeched and nodded in agreement, giving Genie a salute.

Iago groaned while Genie gave him a smart, knowing grin.

"Are you okay, Prince?" Fitz asked as Aladdin dusted off his sleeves.

Aladdin nodded. "For the moment, but I have a feeling things just got a lot more complicated." Given what Mirage had told him, Aladdin wasn't sure how to approach the news. He couldn't say whether she was bluffing, or if her threat had been real. He wasn't going to take any chances though. Aladdin decided he wanted to go through with the play, because if Getzistan, Agrabah, and any of the other kingdoms were really at risk, he'd have to take the chance entertaining the demons in the hall. As for himself, he'd have to figure out how to turn back to his normal form in the meantime.

"So what exactly is this play we're supposed to be rehearsing?" Aladdin asked as he saw the puppets and various toys re-emerge from their hiding places.

Fara - the puppet who bandaged Aladdin's palms - sighed heavily. "Quite a bit of a song and dance, and we do some of the same routines in our travels. But our last play didn't go over so well with the crowd. They didn't find it amusing enough, and while the city wasn't destroyed, the demons' anger did do significant damage." She winced at the memory. "Mirage wasn't happy with us, either."

Darbin, the tall puppet soldier, slumped his shoulders. "They weren't even impressed by my respective puppet march. I've the finest army to show their moves, and even that held a low reception."

Fara scowled at him. "That's because you always do it during Act 2, and it's the longest section of our play. Even I'm starting to tire of it."

Darbin glared at her, but didn't say anything.

Fitz held up his drum mallets. "Well, you know what they say - you've gotta play a different tune at some point."

Aladdin nodded. "I agree. Maybe you guys just need a different muse. Something to make them laugh or engaged in the story you're telling that's different from what you had before. If Genie were here...he could probably come up with some good ones." Aladdin bowed his head, his hair falling over his eyes.

Fitz nudged Aladdin with his shoulder. "Aww, come on, Prince, don't be like that. I think we've got more than enough inspiration with you around."

"Me?" Aladdin looked up at him.

"Well yeah. Your adventures tell their own stories, ya know? Give yourself a little credit, kid."

Aladdin rested his chin in his hand, musing deep in thought. "That's something similar to what we were going to do for Agrabah's Art Festival. I bet the guys are still kicking that off and don't realize I'm gone." He grimaced at the thought. "But if I can't be there, then I don't see why I can't use some different ideas here to help you guys."

"Atta boy!" Fitz wiggled his brows.

Aladdin grinned. "All right then, let's give them a show! I have a few stories in mind, and an opening act..."