Chapter Twenty Three

Two Fathers

Three days later I returned to Agrabah. I wanted to be sure that things really were safe there. Nowadays, Agrabah is considered third world compared to the rest of the world, but Aladdin somehow managed to get some modern amenities like electricity, phone service and indoor plumbing.

But other than that Agrabah was definitely a cutthroat town, crime was at an all time high and the breaking and entering numbers were threw the roof, higher than murder or poverty, which had been steadily increasing over the past few years.

Heading over to the palace, I didn't bother going to the balcony. Instead I headed over to the main chamber. In the middle of the room was a large gazebo, which only meant one thing. Aladdin and Jasmine were finally getting married.

Feeling both extremely happy and sad that this was happening, I sat one of the several high pillars that lined the room and watched the situation unfold.

Aladdin was pacing the floor, making sure that everything was ready, "What else, what else? There's got to be something else?" Genie laughed, for he had already taken care of everything, "Don't worry Al. Just go get ready for your big day." Aladdin sighed and turned to Genie, "Do you think he'll be here Genie?" He? For a second I hoped that he was talking about me, I was technically still considered dead by the community. Genie sighed, "Honestly kid" Genie never called him kid, "I doubt that your Dad is goanna show up." Aladdin nodded and walked out of the room.

I couldn't believe it. Aladdin still cared for his father who he barely even saw. What am I chopped liver? I guess there are worse things to be to someone. In his defense, he never really cared for me anyway and he saw me die, so I guess I can catch the rope falling off the cliff one more time.

It was then that I saw Jasmine in her wedding dress. I was glad Aladdin was out of the room, because not only would it be breaking tradition, but he probably would've heard my heart exploding. I give props to whoever Disney's wedding designer is, they get the job done every time and every time it's the most beautiful thing that I've ever seen. But Jasmine's easily trumped all the others in my opinion.

The Sultan was standing up at the gazebo, looking as proud as he always had been when it came to his daughter. "How I've been waiting for this day" he said as he grabbed Jasmine's hand lovingly, "If only your mother were here to see this. She would've been proud, more than proud" Jasmine smiled, "Thanks daddy"

But when there's a wedding to be had there are wedding crashers, and when there are wedding crashers something has to be broken. In this case, the wedding crashers were thieves, there were forty of them and not only did they break things, but they broke everything. Yeah, it's time for that. Introducing, The Forty Thieves.

They came dressed in full on ninja gear, robes, swords and all. Why a guy needed forty of them is beyond me, but it makes almost no sense. Trying to do the chivalrous thing and protect Jasmine, I flew around holding a sword that hung on the wall. I wasn't very good at fighting with it, but it made me feel better knowing that I had it.

Aladdin then came bursting in the room with a full squadron of guards. Swords drawn, they looked ready to fight, but a war was the last thing that anyone needed, besides The Thieves weren't looking for a fight, they were looking for a small green scarab, said to house an Oracle.

The guards engaged in an inevitable standoff, with the obvious leader of the group escaping towards the treasure room and Aladdin following him. Staying behind to protect Jasmine, I dropped the sword and began searching for a shield, it worked once before as my battle strategy, although not wide ranged, was effective. So if it ain't broke, use it again and again and again until the guy's brains are splattered all over the room. Which is essentially what I had begun to do.

The details of the last part were greatly exaggerated, for amazing, no one died in the battle all they managed to get were a few bruises and I had a yet another broken wing, but I had become a master of one winged flying so it didn't bother me. Jasmine didn't a scratch on her, so you're welcome Aladdin. I'll be waiting for the thank you card that you'll never send me, because you're an asshole.

Once the guards surrendered, the thieves tied everyone up and led us into the treasure room. The King Of Thieves stood over Aladdin, who was tied up against a pole, holding the scarab in his right hand, he spoke, "Thank you your generous donation, Your Majesty" Aladdin looked towards Jasmine and the Sultan, once again I had gone unnoticed. Turning back to the King, Aladdin began to plead "Why do you have to drag them into this. Let them go!" The King only laughed, "I will" he answered "Once I have what I want." Standing Aladdin up, The King carried him to the balcony, I initially feared the worst. I looked around and noticed that one person was missing from our group, Genie. I felt the slight loosening of my bonds, I turned my head slightly around and saw a small bug, who winked at me and spoke, "Stop him" It could only be Genie.

The problem was, I wasn't sure what I was going to do when I was free, unfortunately Genie didn't give me enough to think anything through, because I was on the floor in pain seconds later. But the good thing about not being noticed, is that you're not noticed. I literally had the upper hand, now I had to save Aladdin again, hoping that this time would be the last.

Just as I was about to make my move, the Oracle came, "What do you seek?" The King started to speak, but Aladdin cut him off, "Where is my father?" The Oracle turned to the King and then back to Aladdin, "Your father is the King of Thieves" I stopped in my tracks. So this was his father. The King sighed and then removed his hood and I immediately saw the resemblance, it was like looking at a portal through time.

Then the Oracle, as soon as it appeared it disappeared. I took this as my chance. Flying in front of Aladdin, I turned towards the King, "Listen you cheap, low life. Take whatever you want, but leave them alone" Aladdin stared at me, "Iago? You're alive?" his voice was half shock and half sincere, but now was not the time, "Of course I am" I replied, "It's a long story. I'll tell it you later." The King smiled at me, "Who are you?" You've got to be kidding me. I got right in his face, "I'm the guy who swore to protect your son! The one you abandoned on the streets after you survived the so called assassination attempt in search of God knows what!" The King then laughed, "So you're the one I've heard so much about?"

The Forty Thieves then turned released Jasmine and the others, leaving me extremely confused. "What's going on?" I asked, to which the King answered, "Call me Cassim" I shrugged, "Alright, what's going on?" I repeated, more annoyed now than ever. Cassim placed his hand on my shoulder, "You should be commended for your service, bird." He pulled out a small amount of gold and handed it to me, "I may be a thief, but that doesn't mean that I don't have honor." Aladdin stared at his father in utter confusion, "What the hell is happening!" he pointed to me, "Are you telling me that he's getting recognized? He tried to kill me" Cassim laughed, causing the Thieves to laugh, "Kill you? Hardly. He's been with you since the beginning Aladdin" Aladdin was the one laughing now, "You're joking right?" he looked around, "please tell me this is a joke!"

Cassim's face got serious, he grabbed Aladdin firmly, "Listen Aladdin. I may not have always been there, not like how I would've liked." He then picked me up, "But this bird has, think about it! How many times as he been there, how many times have you noticed him always watching your back? Too many to count I'd wager" Aladdin sighed, "Actually, I never noticed it. I always thought it was me." Cassim then slapped his son dead in the face, "Then you as blind as your heart is cold"

I turned to Cassim, "I know that he's an ungrateful bastard and has issues. But that's not saying that he's completely heartless" I was now just spewing out bullshit to pass the time. Aladdin was an asshole through and through, but that doesn't mean that I don't love him any less.

Cassim then turned to Aladdin, "Come with me boy" he then led Aladdin out of the room to have a much needed heart to heart. Standing in the hallway, Cassim patted his son on the back and began to speak, "Look at you" Aladdin looked at himself, "You're a mess." Aladdin stared at his father, "You're one to talk. You were never there! You expect me to just up and forgive you like nothing ever happened?" Cassim shook his head, "No. But it's what he expects. Iago raised you better than that" Aladdin punched the nearest wall, hurting his hand, "Iago didn't raise me. I was on my own"

Genie appeared out of nowhere, and took Aladdin by the hand, "You were never alone" Aladdin turned to Genie, "Stay out of this! No one asked your opinion" Genie nodded but spoke again anyway, "If only you could listen to yourself right now. You might hear things that you never expected."

I was listening from behind the door. It seemed that Aladdin was dead set in his absolute denial and/or hatred for me. I knew that nothing I could say or do would get him to change his mind. So, I decided that it would be easier if I was out of his life completely, he was stressed enough as it is to have to deal with me. So I left and I was never coming back.