Chapter 13: Unexpected Aides

Jasmine had to thank her luck following through the portal that Nefir created without getting caught. She also arrived at the space where Nefir, his group, and Aladdin had gathered, standing just outside of the hidden entrance between sand dunes. She'd overheard everything, had to cover her mouth to keep from calling out when Aladdin was put under the painful headache spell. There was very little that she could do to stop the events as they unfolded, but she wondered if there was anything that she could do to help Aladdin after.

At this point, Aladdin had been in the passage for a while. It wasn't anywhere close to dawn, but she wondered if there was any reason why the imps wanted to get this done before sunrise. Unless they simply wanted to get to their plan to harm Getzistan before the thick of the day.

Instinct told her to stick around to listen to the idle chatter of the imps, though. At least long enough to learn what else they might be planning.

One of the imps wasn't holding back on a string of complaints, none of which Jasmine could understand. But she definitely understood when Nefir responded to his comrade.

"The headache spell won't kill him. The worst it will do is delay his progress, make it a little more painful for him than it should be unless he crosses a trap in the process. But I don't intend to let Aladdin leave this place alive. Once he brings us the summoning stone, I'll tell him how to use the healing flower. The wrong way that is." Nefir's earlier annoyed mood melted away, replaced by a mischievous grin as he rubbed his hands together. "The method of getting rid of that spell is to place a part of the flower underneath the tongue. The leaves are what will rid Aladdin of his malady. But I will tell him to use the flower's petals. The petals technically can be used to make a topical salve that would cure another sickness spell. But if you place the petals of the flower under the tongue, it's poison. It will kill him very quickly. After that, we can use the summoning stone to amplify the power of the tome, use the spell to turn ourselves human. Not to mention use some of the other more destructive spells. Our conquering of Agrabah and Getzistan will be glorious."

One of the imps complained of having to get his hands dirty, which made Nefir smack the imp on the back of the head.

"Not that way, you baffoon. Aladdin's the only one we're trying to directly kill. I'm not going on some rampage facing off against a whole kingdom with Sultans whose armies could make mincemeat out of us! We're trying to make money. Money! When I say conquer, I mean from a business sense." Nefir rubbed his hands together greedily. "Once we turn human, neither the Sultan of Agrabah, nor Sultan Al Dente will recognize us. The destructive magic spells in this tome can be used to make inanimate objects come to life, which will destroy parts of Agrabah and Getzistan. The Sultans will be seeking help to repair the cities of course. That will give us profits beyond our wildest dreams, especially for how profitable our business will be. Then we can orchestrate the kingdoms to turn on each other, sneak into the first one that falls, and build from there. If I become a Sultan, I'll make you my counsel, and only the wealthiest citizens will be there to give us all the riches that we could ask for!"

All of the imps cheered that plan.

Jasmine, on the other hand, felt her stomach turn, both fearing them getting whatever Aladdin had to retrieve and the trap they planned for him. The plan sounded like something Nefir had wanted to go for all along, but she was determined not to let any part of the imp's plan succeed. She balled her fists at her sides. I have to find a way to warn Aladdin before he gets back. Can't exactly walk in now. Not unless I want them to catch me.

But something else in the imps' conversations caught her attention. Something very useful to her from where she hid. One of the imps had said something very quickly that she missed, but Nefir was quick to follow up.

"Yes, I'm aware there's a separate hidden entrance to this passage. Doubt Aladdin would want to take that path if he has unfinished business with us. Nor is it a good idea to send any of you in after him. This particular summoning spirit is...temperamental." Nefir frowned, his forehead creasing. "It will react to ANY hostility or attempt to deceive it. Including those entering the passage with ill intentions. I went alone the last time for that reason and still got kicked out when I reached the chamber. If Aladdin knows what's good for him, he won't try anything. I think he'll get out of this much better than anticipated, which means a win for us. Fortunately, also a loss for him."

All of the imps, including Nefir, laughed.

Another hidden entrance? Jasmine mused over the thought. As long as I don't have any hostility towards or attempt to deceive the spirit guarding that summoning stone, I could probably follow Aladdin inside. She nodded to herself, knowing what she had to do. That entrance has to be somewhere close. Once I find it, then I can find the path Aladdin went on.

She carefully stepped away from her hiding place, and navigated her way by the light of the moon, searching for the other hidden entrance to the passage. She only hoped that she'd be able to find it and meet up with Aladdin before things really turned for the worst.

"Nope, count me out." Iago was firm in his resolve. Carpet was also awake, nervously looking between all of the former animals and grappling with the fact that both Jasmine and Aladdin were possibly (probably) in trouble. But when Abu put forth the possibility of helping out - notably Iago or Rajah, Iago flat out rejected the idea.

"That leaves me as the only viable candidate willing to go, if what you say is true, Abu," Rajah said. "But I would not want to compromise Aladdin or Jasmine for what they're trying to do."

Abu sighed. "Big Guy, you're more of the muscle among all four of us and the only one who could take any and all of those imps in a direct fight. But I guess if you went, you'd blow Jasmine's cover and it's one of those things where stealth might be the best thing. You're tall, so you would definitely stand out." Abu lay sprawled on a cluster of floor pillows. They were all in Rajah's room having an emergency meeting, ever since Abu realized that every single one of them had ended up awake - not able to sleep. He hadn't anticipated the meeting, but when all of them looked to him once he returned to the hall they were on, Abu had to explain the situation. Still - the one thing they did agree upon? No one was happy with the present state of events.

Carpet signed with his hands. "Do you think Jasmine will be able to stay with Aladdin for whatever Nefir and the others have him doing?"

Iago shrugged. "Wonderkid's been through these kinda situations before. We should just leave it to him and Jas. What exactly can we do?"

"I feel like there should be something!" Abu snapped. "It doesn't feel right. It doesn't seem fair that they're on their own for this, especially when they're doing it to protect us."

"None of this has been fair," Rajah said calmly. "And Genie can't be interrupted while he's working. And Aladdin tasked you to keep track of things with the Palace in his absence. I'm inclined to think that the only thing we can do is what Iago suggested - trust Aladdin and Jasmine to do what they need."

Iago raised his eyebrows. "Hey, the furball actually agreed with me, for once."

Rajah gave Iago a side-eye glance. "Perhaps the only time."

Iago rolled his eyes and slumped back in a similar position to Abu, sprawled out on floor pillows. "I spoke way too soon."

Carpet thought for a brief moment before an idea came to him. "Maybe something we can do is at least figure out where they are. We definitely know that Nefir and the other imps are going to be somewhere near Getzistan to start their scheme with the tome. That's what Aladdin said, anyway."

Iago perked up. "So maybe we should head over to Getzistan and meet up with them? I'd go if that's the plan!"

Abu was quick to shoot down that idea. "We are not going to Getzistan and have you gamble your pockets empty while we're waiting for them."

"It was a nice idea, especially since if Nefir and his lot wanna level the city, I could get one last good game in."

"You're not exactly helping with the vote of confidence," said Carpet, who gave him a pout that made the former bird recoil. "We want Aladdin and Jasmine to succeed, not fail!"

"Exactly, Carpet. Way to tell him!" Abu gave the kid a high-five in solidarity.

"Why is everyone going against me? It's too early for this!" Iago groaned loudly.

Rajah hadn't said anything for a long moment, falling silent in the measure of the disagreement between Abu, Iago, and Carpet. He appeared lost in his own thoughts and Abu definitely noticed.

"You okay over there, Rajah?"

Rajah nodded slowly. "I was simply thinking that Iago's plan might have merit. We would not be able to aide them directly, but there were no restrictions set upon any of us to be within range to meet with them. And if they are to succeed in thwarting Nefir's plan, it isn't lost on me that the imps will still try to harm them. We can support them if they know we're in Getzistan. And we can do so while Genie continues to work on the cure. Genie being here also ensures that the imps will not likely try anything regarding the Palace. At least if Aladdin and Jasmine stop Nefir from following through with his plans."

Iago perked up. "See, see?! What did I say? Listen to the furball, he's right!"

Rajah growled at him through his teeth. "Try calling me furball again and see what happens."

Abu and Carpet both had been too stunned to speak at Rajah's admission, but they both laughed at Iago who quickly made a motion with his hands as if to say "Down, kitty."

Abu looked between all of them. "Rajah has a good point. If you're all in favor of going to Getzistan, provided Carpet can give us the power to fly, then we can go immediately."

Carpet grinned. "I definitely can do it."

Iago nodded. "You already know my answer. Though I'm in favor of takin' some time for spoils while we wait on the sidelines."

Rajah rolled his eyes at the bird, but turned to Abu and nodded. "I am fully supportive of this plan."

Abu's grin widened as he not only realized that his friends were all on board, but that they also had a firm plan to go by. True, the details still were a work in progress, but it was something to help Aladdin and Jasmine. That made the venture well worth it. "Let's move, guys."