Hello 90's Disney fans and everyone else! I wanted to write this for one of my favorite old time Disney animated series which I thought ended with a lot of loose ends left untied. Since the Aladdin TV series took place between 'The Return of Jafar' and 'The King of Thieves', I noticed how with the last episode 'The Return of Malcho' (I believe that was the last episode), a lot of questions were left unanswered regarding some of their most dangerous villains, such as Mirage, the evil elemental incarnate, and of course, Malcho, who swore revenge on Aladdin following the end of the episode when he broke free from the volcano. Both characters were never seen or heard from again, despite still being active, unlike the others Abis Mal (exiled in the desert) Mechanicles (fled back to Greece after rainforest fight) Mozenrath (sent adrift into sky with Xerxes) and Ayam Aghoul (forever banished to the netherworld).
I was also disappointed that there was never an episode where Jasmine got to meet Genie's girlfriend Eden, for I had no doubt those two would have instantly become good friends upon first meet. Then, I got this idea to write a lost episode that would fulfill all those requirements, and this was the result! To clarify, this story takes place after the end of the Aladdin TV series, and just before the 'King of Thieves' movie, just to keep the chronology of the series intact.
With that, I conclude my explanation, now on with the show!...
...Arabian Night Opening Theme...
ALADDIN TV SERIES LOST EPISODE: Double Trouble
As the sand blew across the dunes, a group of nomads on their route from Agrabah to Gezistan kept their coverings as tight as possible to protect them from the harsh elements. The leader of the caravan turned to his five companions handling their covered carriage behind him to say in encouragement, "let's keep going, Gezistan isn't far now, we keep this pace, we will be there before daybreak."
The whole lot of them were glad they had rested well the day before, otherwise this trek would have been a lot more exhausting than it already was! However, their weather trouble had only just begun, as the wind slowly started becoming stronger, forcing them to cover their faces. Soon enough, the winds became so strong they felt like a whirlwind, forcing the group to halt their advance, and their leader called out the emergency order, "into the carriage!"
They quickly mounted inside and shut it up to keep themselves protected from the sandstorm. But it escalated quickly, as they felt in horror, themselves being lifted into the air inside the carriage! The wind storm had formed into a sand twister, sucking up the carriage and its occupants into it! They all screamed at the top of their lungs as they spun around…and around…AND AROUND…AND AROUND!
Finally, the twister spat out the carriage, causing it to fly across the desert sky, landing in a thundering CRASH!
Thanks to the soft blankets they had stored inside, their fall was cushioned allowing the nomads to slowly crawl out from underneath the ruins of their destroyed carriage while groaning in pain. Free from the wreckage, some sat on their posteriors while the others held their heads, and one even tried shaking the stars out of his head as his eyes turned over and over trying to regain his bearings.
"Ooohhh…what manner of storm was that?"
The nomad's question was answered, unfortunately, at the sight of a wind funnel that just appeared in front of them, causing them all to gasp in terror! To frighten them more, a long serpentine figure appeared from within the funnel before disappearing into it, followed by the sand within the funnel slowly reforming into a giant monstrous face with fangs!
"AAAHHH!...GAAAHHH!...LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!" they all screamed as they ran in the opposite direction, where hopefully Gezistan was closer rather than further. It mattered not to the true figure behind the storm, who slowly revealed his form as he spoke aloud to himself…
"HeheheheheheHahaha! Aahh, I forgot how vexing it was to wield astonishing power, and using it to terrorize such meager creatures."
"Don't get ahead of yourself, remember, all that you have now, is but a loan."
The figure growled at the bodiless voice he heard through the black pendant around his neck. He threw back, "I am well aware, and I have not forgotten our deal. But I needed this little test run to ensure it would work properly."
"You dare think there's fault with any of my creations?"
"On the contrary, I needed to reacquaint myself with handling such an immense source of power, for it's been so long since my old reign…and it's nice to see I haven't lost my touch."
"Well playtime is over, it's time to get to our REAL target. Make way for Agrabah, or do you need directions?"
"Now you dare to think of myself so easily lost? You wound me, my lady," the figure said dryly before turning around to head in the opposite direction, where Agrabah was located.
"Don't tempt me Malcho, now go and fulfill our bargain! What we both desire most!" His sorcerous partner declared with her malicious voice echoing all the way from Morbia.
"Yeeesss…and I assure you Mirage, Aladdin will soon suffer a fate…most…maliciousss" the wicked flying serpent hissed as he flew toward the desert city under the cover of night.
As morning came over Agrabah, the scene shifted to the palace where a former thief and street rat waited by his magical blue friend's side in the palace plaza.
"Are they here yet? Are they here yet?" Genie kept asking nervously as they stood outside the palace entrance. Aladdin attempted to soothe his anxiety.
"No not yet Genie, relax, they'll be here when they do. Don't worry, this is gonna be great!"
"Ohhh how can I relax? This is the most incredibly anticipated stupendous most momentous moment of my several thousand year old life…" Genie ranted on before concluding, "a double date with…Eden." He swooned as he took out a picture of him and his girlfriend cuddling together.
"Oh every time we're together, sparks fly, birds sing, and pigs play croquet! Ahhh…not to mention trouble seems to follow us everywhere." He finished vaguely while remembering the incidents with Abis Mal and Mozenrath.
"Which is all the more reason Jasmine and I are joining you this time," Aladdin assured, "and we've planned this for weeks, so we know what we're doing. Plus, Jasmine has been wanting to meet Eden for a long time, and now she finally can!"
"You bet Al! Haha, you know, if it weren't for the fact that they're several thousand years apart in life, one could say they were sisters! You know?" Genie asked.
"I certainly wouldn't rule it out," Aladdin said with a smile, knowing how Jasmine and Eden were a lot alike in certain ways, from their kind hearts, generous personalities, and both being downright beautiful, there was no doubt in the former street rat's mind or his big blue friend that their two girls would get along immediately from the first meet. Before they could talk any further, they were interrupted by an approaching Hakim, who wore his usual droopy expression and spoke in his usual dismal voice…
"Ahem…I believe you have a visitor…said that she was called to the palace by Princess Jasmine herself…I naturally didn't believe her…until she gave me the letter with the Sultan's seal of approval," he dismally finished by holding up said letter before standing off to the side to reveal the young peasant girl behind him…"DHANDI!"
"Aladdin! Genie!" she cried in joy at seeing her old friends again. The two of them quickly noticed the familiar bottle Dhandi had in her backpack as they gave her a quick hug.
"Welcome back to Agrabah kiddo!" Aladdin greeted while patting her head.
"Always great being here!" Dhandi replied.
"Hehehe, yes yes, always pleasant having old friends over to visit. So what's new? Any new updates? Is a certain someone ready fooor you know?…." Genie kept beating around the bush trying not to seem rude, however Dhandi saw right through it without offense, knowing who he was most anxious to see.
"Heeheehee, no worries Genie," Dhandi said, taking her backpack off and pulling Eden's bottle out, "she's been ready." With a quick rub, a plume of green smoke erupted from the bottle before exploding into a dramatic stage, followed by a familiar female voice giving her introduction.
"LADIES AND GENTS, PRESENTING THE POWERFUL, SENSATIONAL, AND THE ALL TIME GLAMOROUS GENIE OF THE BOTTLE, EDEN!"
The fair and green-skinned lady genie appeared in a dazzling spectacle, posing on the stage in a flowing pink dress that matched her usual top. Genie drooled at the sight of his girlfriend, and the dazzling smile she was throwing at him. Eden threw him a wink before speaking directly to him in a loving tone, "Miss me big boy?"
Genie regathered his nerves as poofed on a tuxedo and wrapped up Eden in his arms, and spoke in a manner fitting James Bond (any of them) "only every hour of every day my lady." They approached each other, preparing to kiss…except…
"AHEM," Aladdin stopped them with a stern eye, "could you two save that for a more appropriate setting?" He gestured toward Dhandi, reminding them to keep it PG for the child that was present. The genies blushed in embarrassment before poofing back to their regular attire.
"Heeheehee, apologies, couldn't resist," Eden said, giving Genie's chin a tickle before swooping down to wrap up Aladdin in a big friendly hug, "Ohh, so good to see you again Aladdin! Both of you here, and at the same time!" She said, breaking from the hug to address both Aladdin and Genie.
"Yup! Any date that doesn't start with a kidnapping deserves top marks!" Genie commented, before he bent down to whisper in Dhandi's ear like a private eye, "of course, there's many other things on the list that could ruin it, but for the sake of you kids, we'll keep it close to the vest."
He winked at her making Dhandi giggle at his silliness before nodding back. It was certainly never a dull moment when these two were together. Technically, no day had ever been dull since the day she found the bottle and first released Eden, but we digress.
"Did I hear someone give a big dramatic entrance or did I not?" The odd quartet turned around toward Jasmine's voice as she and her father walked down the palace steps toward them, followed by Iago and Abu on Carpet.
"If not then there's another parade going around town we don't know about," Iago groaned before gripping his face with his wing, "I swear I'm never gonna get a good night's sleep again if this keeps up." Abu just chuckled at Iago's misery, which earned him a stink eye from the bird.
Eden whispered to Dhandi, "royals! Quick, do the curtsy!" Dhandi quickly replied as she and Eden gave said gestures toward the palace royals.
Sultan chuckled, "Now now, no need for that, today you're here as honored guests and friends!"
Jasmine then said, "you must Dhandi and Eden, Genie's told us all about you two."
Eden smiled in a blushing Genie's direction before approaching the princess, "indeed we are! And you must be Princess Jasmine, can you call you Jazz? I think Jazz just suits you!"
Jasmine giggled and said, "of course Eden…and your Dhandi, Eden's master?"
Dhandi nodded and said, "yup! Though I prefer to think of her as my sister instead." The female genie gave a friendly hug to her young master/step-sibling.
Everyone enjoyed the tender scene until Sultan cheerfully laughed, "hahaha, how delightful! Now if I recall, I believe you all arranged plans for the day?"
"Yes Sultan," Aladdin answered, as he walked up alongside his girlfriend and said, "Jasmine and I have planned a little getaway at this new place we discovered the other week, and we would like to invite you, Eden and Genie, to join us?"
"Ohh Absolutely!" Eden cheered in glee before cupping her hands with Genie's, "do you hear that? Our first double date!"
"I know!" Genie exclaimed before pulling out a bunch of random items from behind his person, "...and I packed everything we'll need for a romantic two pair getaway! Camera, snacks, sunblock, radio, roses, blankets, picnic baskets, rowboat, row that goes with the rowboat, and lets not forget the…" he went on and on, casting incredulous faces upon everyone except Eden who was thrilled, and Iago who was getting irritated beyond measure by Genie's nonsense, making his headache worse as he gripped his temples tighter.
Iago muttered to Abu next to him, "any chance they can go on this date and STAY on it?" Abu however wasn't listening, as Genie's endless talk was making him dazed. Iago facepalmed and muttered to himself, "this is what I get when I look for support from a primate!"
"...and to finish it off, the kitchen sink!" Genie said literally pulling out and holding a kitchen sink with one hand.
With dumbfounded expressions, Aladdin asked on his and Jasmine's behalf, "why would we need that?"
"To wash our hands of course!" Genie answered him before saying to Eden, "personal hygiene matters right?"
"So right!" Eden agreed enthusiastically, "you're so thoughtful. Ohh, you're too sweet, my big blue lug!" She gave him a tight squeeze which made Genie go red in the face.
Jasmine gave out a light giggle at the cute moment and whispered to Aladdin, "you were right, they really are a pair. Not unlike us in fact."
Aladdin shrugged and humbly jested, "told you." ZIP! Suddenly, Carpet appeared right behind him, ready to fly.
Aladdin nodded to his other magical friend and said, "Right Carpet, we better get going, we got a whole day ahead of us."
Aladdin and Jasmine boarded Carpet while Genie and Eden took positions sitting right behind them. The remaining palace party walked up to the two couples allowing Dhandi to say, "have a great time Eden!"
"You too sweetie!" Eden waved her little 'sister' goodbye, "be sure to follow all of the Sultan's rules and regulations while I'm gone, ok?"
Dhandi nodded as Sultan walked up behind her and consoled them both in a fatherly manner, "no worries, we'll take good care of her until you get back."
"Thank you, your highness!...Thanks Father," Eden and Jasmine said back to back before the princess turned toward her boyfriend, "ready when you are."
"Alright Carpet, let's fly!" Aladdin ordered aloud and the flying carpet took off into the sky with the palace party of Dhandi, Sultan, Abu and Iago waving them goodbye.
Iago stopped first and wiped his brow before venting, "finally! Maybe now I can get some peace and quiet! I don't know about all of you, but I'm going back to bed. I didn't get ANY sleep at all last night with Genie carrying on and on about this double date thing! Ugghh…" the parrot flew back into the palace to find a secluded spot to nap. The others watched him leave with exhausted looks, until Abu huffed and jumped up onto Dhandi's shoulder with a joyful squeak.
"Haha, sure Abu, you can stay with me," Dhandi said to the monkey, giving him a pat.
"And you can stay with me," added Sultan, "so Dhandi, what would you like to do?"
Dhandi was at a loss, "Umm, I don't know your highness, I've never spent a day in a palace before, so I'm not sure?" She may have stayed in the palace momentarily during her and Eden's last visit before the Mozenrath incident, but that didn't really count all things considered.
"Well if I can make a suggestion, I do have an antique toy collection," Sultan said.
Dhandi's eyes lit at the word 'toy', "TOYS? Really?! That sounds amazing! I'd love to see them!"
Sultan chuckled and said, "well then let's go."
As they walked back into the palace, Dhandi had to ask, "could I play with some?"
"Of course you can," Sultan happily replied, "I do have experience looking after young children after all. In fact, when Jasmine was your age, she was so rambunctious we had to chase her all over the palace just to bring her to dinner…"
The palace group disappeared back inside leaving the plaza vacant again, thus allowing a certain intruder to pull up his head from behind the garden bushes that concealed him. Malcho had heard everything up to when Hakim arrived with Dhandi, and growled with narrowed eyes at the newfound complication. Now, instead of dealing with just one genie, there were now two! Malcho remembered how resourceful Aladdin could be, though he never expected the street rat to befriend another genie master! He knew Mirage wouldn't like this anymore than he did, but he did what he had to do.
He spoke into his amulet, "Mirage, I have news to report."
"Good, tell me everything, and leave nothing out."
"Aladdin has left the palace for the day, along with the princess and the Genie."
"They've left Agrabah undefended?"
From her abode in Morbia, Mirage sat upon her throne gazing at her crystal ball in front of her where she could see all of Agrabah. That city had been a thorn in her side from day one, having been unable to raze it, erase it, burn it, not even scratch it, all because of that meddlesome Aladdin foiling her every scheme to spread her malice over it, so was her nature as evil incarnate. Now hearing that Agrabah's hero had left it unguarded intrigued her, though she had to question why.
Malcho continued speaking through the crystal, "It appears so, but that isn't the only unforeseen development."
Mirage asked with a raised eye, "really? What else is there?"
Malcho explained, "it appears Aladdin has befriended another genie master, and now, there's two of them."
Mirage was seethed, "WHAT?!" she quickly activated her crystal ball to confirm it. The images shifted to show Genie and Eden together at the palace, embracing one another in a loving manner that sickened Mirage to her core.
The evil elemental hissed before saying, "...so it is true, Hmph! And worse yet, she appears to be the girlfriend of Aladdin's pet genie, eeww!" She stood up to slowly approach her crystal ball.
"Well no matter, since my first encounter with Aladdin, I've learned that it pays to plan ahead, and while he and his friends have thwarted me before, he always had his precious genie as his secret weapon. Well after today, he won't be a problem anymore, and neither will his little green girlfriend!"
"I presume you have an alternate plan, for dealing with two genies instead of one?"
"Indeed I do, here's how we'll do it…" Mirage purred before giving him instructions…
Far away from Agrabah, on a secluded tropical island that Aladdin and Jasmine recently discovered on one of their Carpet rides, the two couples settled themselves onto the beach to enjoy the beautiful weather and scenery.
"Ah, now this is the life, a nice calm normal day of peaceful companionship," Aladdin said as he laid down on his blanket with Jasmine cuddling next to him.
She giggled as she cooed to him, "Heeheehee, and I certainly wouldn't want it any other way."
"Ditto," Aladdin said softly as they touched foreheads. The two palace lovebirds were interrupted from their moment by a thumping behind them. The sound was the sight of a tennis ball flying back and forth on a court conjured up by their magical friends who were enjoying a game of tennis. Genie hit the ball with his racket over the net, then Eden hit it right back with a backhand, then Genie rebounded with a push shot that tied up the game.
"Haha, alright! That ties it! Match point baby," Genie cheered.
Eden smirked before setting herself and playfully responded, "bring it big boy, I've got a whopping forehand and I'm not afraid to use it!"
Genie served, and by serve we mean he threw it into the air, spun himself around like a rolling wind blind, and slam-shot the ball over the net. It hit in Eden's court, though she responded by spinning a pirouette and fore-handing the ball back over, right at Genie! His eyes popped out in panic seeing the incoming projectile and pulled his head into his body allowing it to zoom over him, and embed itself in the tree trunk behind him. He slowly pulled out one eye to see the smoking ball in the wood, before turning to see Eden with a sheepish look.
She stuttered in embarrassment, "uh, hahaha…I guess I lost the advantage?"
Genie slowly popped his head out and stuttered, "Haha, well, beats me losing my head." He recovered himself and pulled back up to regular height before saying calmly, "ahhh, maybe we should call this one a draw, all things considered?"
"Sure, though do I still get my consolation prize?" Eden asked flirtatiously with batting eyes.
Genie smirked and said suavely, "as long as I get mine." The two genies met in the middle and exchanged a loving kiss. Their moment was interrupted by Jasmine clearing her throat.
"Ahem…Heehee, having fun you two?" Jasmine teased them.
"Haha, do they ever not?" Aladdin playfully added.
The genies blushed before floating over to the young couple, and Eden said, "sorry guys, got a little wrapped up in our fun. But I have to say Aladdin, you picked a PERFECT spot for us to spend the day out!"
"No problem, Jasmine and I found this place on one of our previous dates, and it was her recommendation to come back here with you and Genie one day."
"Well Jazz, I gotta say, we may have just met, but I can honestly say you have a great eye for real estate!" Eden complimented which Jasmine accepted.
"Thank you Eden."
Eden quickly zoomed around to Aladdin's other side and whispered into his ear with a serious tone and gesture, "I like her Al, so shoot straight and court her right and you'll live and end up a happy man."
The friendly warning given, Aladdin merely nodded as Eden zoomed back to Genie's side before saying aloud, "well, now that the game is done, who's ready for the picnic?"
"Ooh Ooh Ooh! I am! I am!" Genie cried bouncing up and down with his hand raised like a kid. He enveloped them in a cloud of blue smoke before it faded away, the tennis court having changed into a makeshift kitchen with Genie at the counter and Eden on the stove.
"Alright honey, what's on the menu for today?" Genie asked her. Eden shifted into a pink latino dress and spoke in an Hispanic accent (From 'Some Enchanted Genie').
"I am preparing my famous fajitas! Prepared and marinated in my own fabulous spices homegrown in rich soil south of the border!"
Genie shifted into a man dressed in a mariachi outfit and spoke in a similar way, "gracias senorita! I'll add my homemade salsa and guacamole fashioned from the freshest herbs and spices south of the Rio Grande!"
"ARIIIIIBA!" The two hispanically dressed genies cried together as they engrossed themselves in their cooking fun with Aladdin and Jasmine witnessing.
"Haha, nothing like dinner and a show right?" Aladdin asked, making her giggle.
"True…By the way, where's Carpet?" Jasmine asked.
"Genie conjured up an ironing massage for him, it's the least we could do with him being the odd one out here," Aladdin answered her.
Several yards away, said scene was taking place as Carpet had himself spread out on an ironing board with a self hovering iron going back and forth over him as he enjoyed the treatment. After finishing another pass, Carpet flipped himself over so the iron could do the other side. But before the first pass was finished, the silent magical entity saw to his horror, thick black smoke emitting from above the trees! Fearing the worst, Carpet leapt from the board and flew back to the others.
Genie and Eden had just finished their first batch of Mexican cuisine and were now sharing it with Aladdin and Jasmine.
"Mm…mmm!" said Aladdin after the first bite, "delicious you guys, I give it five stars!"
"Gracias Aladdin!" Eden cheered, "we live to serve, and we aim to please." She finished as she and Genie shared a loving gaze.
Jasmine, having only heard about the magical couple's combinations, gave her own comment, "well consider us more than pleased, this is fabulous!"
"Aw thank you Jazz," Eden said gratefully, and Genie added…"you should try our Italian combinations someday, believe me, they'll ROLL you over." His eyes turned into pizza for a moment while remembering the falling tower of pizza from the first time he met Eden, which made all four of them laugh aloud. The joyful moment ended as Carpet zoomed onto the scene.
Genie asked his magical friend, "Yo rug man! Enjoy your treatment?"
Carpet responded with a series of gestures that indicated panic. His behavior concerned the rest of the group, especially Aladdin.
He said, "I think he's trying to say something is wrong."
Eden asked, "like what? Iron too hot?"
Carpet flew above them with a gesture that said 'NO WAY' before pointing above the trees in the direction he came from. Only when they looked where he was pointing did they see the smoke and gasped at what was making Carpet panic.
"Fire!" cried Jasmine causing Aladdin and Genie to gasp.
"Woah! But I thought we were the only ones on this island?" Eden asked.
"So did I," Aladdin said standing up, "we'll figure that out later, let's go!"
The five of them ran through the trees toward the source of the smoke, in hopes of extinguishing it before it set the whole island aflame. Breaking through the trees, they were horrified to see a group of palm trees burning from top to bottom, ready to spread to its neighbors.
Aladdin said, "we've gotta put it out! Genie?"
"On it Al!" Genie saluted before addressing his girlfriend, "Shall we extinguish this flame while alighting ours my lady?"
She giggled saying, "heeheehee sounds epic! And romantic…just the way I like it!"
In a cloud of blue and green smoke, Aladdin Jasmine and Carpet stood to watch as the genie couple conjured up a fire hose attached to a fire engine. Dressed as firefighters, Genie held the firehose while Eden handled the engine valve.
"Hit it genie woman!" Genie signaled. She turned the valve, and a powerful wave of water spat out of the hose toward the flaming trees. The propelled water washed over the whole trees top to bottom. In less than a minute, it was all out.
"Whew, and that's why you can always count on emergency response," Genie said aloud. His contentment was short lived, as the trees sprouted on fire once again, shocking the whole dating party.
"Woah! Did we use the right mixture?" Genie asked Eden.
Eden answered with her own rhetorical question, "is there one for palm trees?"
The reason for the trees set aflame was revealed as a pack of four firelit felines jumped out from behind the trees and stalked towards them with venomous growls.
"Fire Cats!" Aladdin recognized them immediately.
Jasmine narrowed her eyes, "this can only mean one person."
"Person?" a bodiless familiar voice mocked Jasmine before she appeared above her feline minions in her usual eerie fashion with a sinister laugh, "hehehehehehe, you should know by now I'm far from being a mere person, hehehe."
"Mirage," Aladdin seethed as he and Jasmine glared at her.
"Mirage?!" Eden exclaimed in terror as she and Genie poofed back to normal, "as in evil elemental incarnate Mirage?!"
"You know her?" Genie asked, pointing toward the evil sorceress.
"I updated my magical entity roster when Dhandi released me from the bottle," Eden explained.
"Pleasing to know my reputation speaks for itself," Mirage cut in as she sinisterly grinned toward the magical pair, "especially among genies."
Eden narrowed her eyes and got in her face, "look crazy cat lady! I was enjoying my day out with my man and his friends until you and your flaming fatales came along and interrupted it! So why don't you put them and yourself back in a cage and beat it!"
Mirage was unintimidated by the female genie's retort and replied dryly, "a feisty personality eh? Hehe, as much as I can admire that…I detest it even MORE." she finished the sentence with venomous contempt.
Genie got in between them, "you heard her Mirage back off! Don't force me to get medieval on you…" he conjured up a giant club with his left hand and slammed it into his right one.
Mirage scoffed and said, "please, your pitiful threats are as weak as your taste in women, Genie."
All four of them shot glares at the sorceress for that insult, none more so than Eden who declared, "Weak?...Weak?!...I'll show you weak, you foul lipped feline!" She turned herself into a bodybuilder and flexed herself in a threatening manner, ready to tear Mirage apart.
Mirage remained unmoved, "oh you'll soon find out how weak you all really are, now that I've got you all right where I want you."
"You've never been able to take us before Mirage!" Aladdin said pointing at her, "today will be no different!"
"On the contrary Aladdin," Mirage corrected him, "I've never been able to take you and Genie together before, so this time…I'm splitting up the team!" She conjured up a new device into her hand, it was shaped like a lantern, with golden etching along the edges of its shape, and shined like a crystal.
"A lantern? Really? That's the best Ms. Evil Incarnate can come up with? Haha!" Eden laughed before changing herself into a mockup of Paul Revere on his horse holding a lantern, "Look out! The British are coming! The British are coming!"
"Hmph, as amusing as your boyfriend I see, how shocking," Mirage said unamused, "well I can promise you this little trinket will be the last thing you two see as free genies."
"Uhh, technically only Genie is free, I'm still hooked to my bottle, not that I'm complaining," Eden said with a shrug.
"Not anymore you're not," Mirage said sinisterly, which worried them, "and all it takes is one little word, stop me if you've heard it before…IXTALA!"
They all gasped as the familiar incantation once used by Mozenrath made her lantern glow a familiar glow. It shot two beams at Genie and Eden which made them freeze in place before pulling them in. They struggled to pull themselves free, but it was too strong, and both of them were sucked into the lantern!
"GENIE!...EDEN!" Aladdin and Jasmine cried back to back.
The glow ebbed away and revealed the two genies now imprisoned within Mirage's trap. Genie and Eden together pressed on the magic proof walls but it was to no avail.
"How do you like it now sweet Eden?" Mirage mocked as she brought the non-vacant lantern to her face, "I forged this little wonder from a piece picked from the most fabulous gem! Does the Crystal of Ix ring a bell?"
The horrified expressions on their faces answered for them, and Mirage continued, "apparently it does, and you know what that means, you two took the only one way in, and with no way out!" Her mocking gave way to a sinister laugh which Aladdin interrupted.
"Let them go right now Mirage! Or else!" he and Jasmine threw her death glares which didn't even faze her.
"Or else what street rat?" Mirage mocked, "you and the princess are far less of a threat to me now without your little genie friends. In fact, you're both now less THAN NOTHING!" ZAP!
Mirage fired a magical blast from her free hand at Aladdin and Jasmine who jumped away avoiding it. Carpet flew away avoiding the blast's concussion before flying down to scoop up Aladdin and Jasmine onto him. Mirage fired another blast at the magic carpet and his passengers only for him to fly out of the way. Soon, he flew out of reach, leaving Mirage and her fire cats behind.
"Hmph, no matter," Mirage said to herself, "those two are mere mortals even with their flying rug. I, on the other hand, have the real problems right here in the palm of my hand, locked up tight as a drum."
"You filthy witch! You'll never get away with this!" Eden shouted pounding on the crystal walls.
"What she said, you mad woman!" Genie shouted, shaking his fist.
"Ohh, you two are so adorable together, especially when you're pathetically ranting," Mirage taunts them, "but THIS is only the beginning, now it's time for the climax, one that my new colleague is set to begin."
"Colleague?" Genie and Eden questioned.
"Next stop, Agrabah," Mirage sinisterly declared, "and it's inevitable DESTRUCTION! HAHAHAHAHAHA!..." her wicked laugh echoed through the island as she and her firecats faded away in a fiery smoke cloud. In less than a minute, it dissipated and she was gone. Meanwhile, having snuck up from behind, Aladdin and Jasmine on Carpet had heard everything prior to her leave, and were sick with worry about what the evil elemental had planned for their city, especially with both genies now her prisoners.
"Genie, Eden, no…" Aladdin muttered aloud as he and Jasmine hugged one another in comfort.
Currently at the palace, Sultan, Dhandi and Abu were present in the toy room at Sultan's target game that he and Aladdin once played a friendly match with. Iago had even finished his earlier nap to 'grace' them with his presence. Dhandi pulled the catapult back and released, hitting her intended target head on!
"Yes!" She cheered.
"Excellent shot Dhandi! You're a natural," said Sultan.
"Thank you Sultan sir!"
Abu chirped before he jumped up to take his turn. Dhandi and Sultan watched as the monkey pulled back the catapult, took aim, and released it. He hit his target, but just off the side of the bullseye as it failed to fall down.
Abu grumbled at his miss, and Sultan tallied up the points. "Well Abu, according to the count, Dhandi wins this round."
"Good game anyway Abu, it was fun!" Dhandi said, patting his head which he happily chirped too. Only when she stopped did Iago fly up to him in playful mockery.
"Losing to a child, how dreadfully embarrassing," Iago dramatically ranted, which Abu glared at him for, "I guess those extra fingers you carry on your feet really are just for show huh?"
Abu angrily chirped back trying to swipe at the parrot which he flew over and dodged to the other side. "Now now that's not very sportsmanlike, if you can even call yourself one. Why don't I show you how a real crack shot does it?"
Abu merely grumbled before throwing him a gesture that said, 'whatever.'
Iago turned to Dhandi and said with a self gesture, "alright kid, you've made it past the monkeys, you think you're ready to play with the big birds?"
Dhandi turned to Sultan who merely gave an exhausted shrug before she said, "sure Iago, let's play!"
"Oh this ain't playtime kid, it's sport!" Iago corrected as he took aim with the catapult, "now, watch and learn, I was a dead shot at Darts in Gezistan." He bragged while conveniently leaving out the part how he lost it big in their casinos that one time during the Samir incident. He took aim, pulled it back, and released!...
RUMBBLLLEEE…except the entire room shook, throwing the shot completely off course as well as everyone else off their balance. Sultan and Dhandi fell to the ground, while Abu struggled to keep his balance, and Iago held onto the catapult anchored to the table for dear life.
It ended as soon as it began, and once settled, Iago ranted, "FOUL! I call a foul! That's a clear do-over if there ever was one!"
Nobody got the chance to reply to his request as Razoul immediately ran into the room with a terrified look, "your highness! We have an emergency!"
The party of five made it outside to the palace balcony, where everyone looked up horrified at the sight of dark menacing clouds grouping together above the city. Whatever was going on, it was clear Agrabah was about to experience nature's wrath.
"Oh dear," Sultan gasped.
Dhandi hugged Abu as they shook with terror at the sight of the approaching storm. Sitting atop Sultan's shoulder, Iago said in a mutter gripping his head, "dang, now I wish I checked the weather forecast this morning."
But no amount of warnings could prepare Agrabah's populace for what was about to befall them, and who was behind it. The people of the city looked at the clouds with dread, before the inevitable came. Rain started downpouring on top of them and the winds started ripping through the streets, tearing the kiosk stands apart as the citizens ran for cover.
Back up on the balcony, the group of five huddled together as Razoul covered the Sultan and Iago while the Sultan covered Dhandi and Abu.
"What's going on?!" cried Dhandi.
"I don't know! But we must get inside to shelter!" Sultan shouted over the storm.
"Music to my ears!" Iago added.
"Come, your highness! I'll cover you!" Razoul shouted out before they turned around, and the loyal guard led his ruler and the others back toward the palace interior. They were halfway there when they were stopped by a swirling vortex of wind that surrounded them, blowing away the rain. It also froze them in place as their way inside was now blocked! They were trapped inside the wind funnel as lightning danced across the sky like a predator ready to pounce. Said metaphor was appropriate given what emerged from behind the dark clouds horrifying the palace party.
"HEEHAHAHAHahahahaha!...Hola mi amigosssss!" The winged serpent announced.
"MALCHO!" Iago shouted in pure terror, "HE'S BACK! Back to destroy me with a vengeance! Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!"
He jumped from Sultan's shoulder, flying around his head once before flying around Dhandi and Abu twice and then flying straight under Razoul's turban, shaking with full horror. Needless to say the guard wasn't pleased, and pulled the parrot out from his turban and held him in his grip.
Iago laughed and said, "haha…sorry, bad aim."
The guard growled before repositioning his turban, and then held up the bird to the snake and said, "if it's the parrot you want, then take him!"
"WHAT?!" cried Iago.
"Razoul! You can't be serious?" Sultan asked sternly with Dhandi and Abu observing in surprise.
"It's a small price to pay your highness, one loud mouthed parrot, for the people of Agrabah," Razoul reasoned.
"Says you!" Iago argued, "I'll have you know in corners of the world, parrots' lives are priceless!"
Razoul sternly argued back, "Not THIS corner."
"ENOUGH!" Malcho roared, ending their argument, "you can keep the bird, I didn't come here for HIM."
"You didn't?!...Then forget this!" Iago cried out before pulling himself free and landed on the floor, "Hah! I told you, us parrots have an important role to play in life!" He mocked Razoul who merely growled at him. An even louder HISS drew their attention again.
"Don't think though, that means you're off the hook, my old friend," Malcho sneered in contempt, making Iago shudder again, "personally, Iago, I consider destroying YOU along with Agrabah a VERY delightful bonus! As I await my true prize…Aladdin."
"Aladdin?!" Iago and Sultan shouted together.
Razoul muttered, "hmph, figures, this is all because of the street rat." He scoffed as he remembered how Aladdin, during his temporary rule, trapped the flying serpent in a dormant volcano, seemingly destroying him. Well so much for that thought!
"You're flat out of luck, snake breath!" Iago smart mouthed, "Al's not here, so you missed your mark!" Sultan, Razoul, Dhandi and Abu cringed at Iago's retort, as if insulting Malcho was going to make things any better!
Malcho merely laughed as he said, "hahaha, oh I'm well aware of his absence, you little big mouth. This is all merely a prelude until he returns, and then, I will have my revenge."
He stretched to his full length so they could see all of him, including the dark necklace he now wore around his neck, which the others finally took notice of.
"A weather medallion?!" Iago cried out before thinking, 'great, he's got another one! He couldn't have gotten it from Thundra though, so where?!' Iago knew well enough that if Thundra ever needed help, she would have sent a cloud to her little jiblet, and there hadn't been any clouds around all week, much less rain clouds, at least until now!
Sultan had had enough and stepped forward, "THAT IS IT! I am the ruler of this city, you foul demon! And as such, I demand you cease with this storm AT ONCE!"
The sight of the Sultan exercising his authority gave the others hope, however short lived it was when Malcho retracted, "FOOLISH MORTAL! Your authority is upended! Now, the only one in charge here…is MALCHO THE MALEVOLENT!"
His necklace glowed, and lightning flashed as it rained from the sky and hit the balcony, scattering them. The evil serpent continued laughing as lightning rained down from the sky, forcing them to take cover.
Meanwhile, as Agrabah was literally surrounded by a typhoon, Aladdin and Jasmine were flying back to the city as fast as they could on Carpet. They had just reached the mainland before Aladdin spoke aloud, "we've got to make it back to Agrabah, before Mirage destroys it! And somehow, free Genie and Eden."
"But Aladdin, how are we going to do that?" Jasmine asked.
"I'll think of something, I always do," Aladdin assured her, coercing her to wrap her arm around his as a sign of faith that he would.
The pandemonium continued at the palace, the storm had forced the group off the balcony and into the palace plaza. Sultan kept Dhandi and Abu close to him with Iago on his shoulder, while Razoul and his guards including Hakim and Fazal kept a close protection circle around the Sultan. They were making their way across the plaza in the hope of reaching the city where they could lead the citizens to fortified shelters while joining them.
Unfortunately, something else was about to get in their way as the winds and rain grew in strength. Iago was barely able to keep himself from blowing away as he shouted, "I'm gonna lose all my feathers in this gust!"
"We'll lose even more than that if we don't get to shelter!" Sultan reminded him before addressing his head guard. "Razoul, where is the closest entrance to the tunnels?"
"Just up ahead your highness! By the front wall!" he said pointing ahead.
"Then let's make haste, and send out your guards to ensure all the citizens get to safety!" The Sultan ordered.
Razoul nodded before turning toward his guards, "you heard him men, move out!" The group of palace guards set off like a trained unit, however… "MROOWWRR!"
"AAAAHHHH!" they screamed as a firecat jumped out of nowhere blocking their advance and forcing them to retreat. Their redirection sent them heading toward another firecat that appeared. One more appeared after that, and then another, totalling four that surrounded them in a circle. The sight of the familiar felines made Iago and Abu cling to Sultan and Dhandi.
"Fire Cats!" Iago whimpered, but then realized something, "wait a minute! How can fire cats be here? In a storm? With rain?!"
"Simple," A bodiless voice answered him, before she appeared in front of the palace party in a momentary blink, an eerie yellow aura projecting from her, "...they all came…FROM ME."
"Mirage!" Iago cried out in horror, with everyone else including Sultan, Dhandi and Abu feeling terrible dread from being in the presence of the evil elemental.
"INDEED," the other sinister voice grabbed their attention, and they turned around to see Malcho descend from behind them, opposite of his evil colleague.
"Pleased to see you made it, my dear," Malcho said to her.
"Wouldn't miss this for the end of the world, so to speak, hehehe," Mirage chuckled sadistically.
"Mirage and Malcho TOGETHER?!" Iago shouted aloud, before gripping his head and muttering to himself, "this is SOOO much worse than Abis Mal and Mechanicles!"
The whole group of guards, royals and guests were horrified at the confirmed fact that two of the most dangerous threats their city had ever encountered had now joined forces. The terrified looks on their faces was pleasing to Mirage's eyes.
"How convenient, the rest of Aladdin's pitiful entourage all gathered in one place, you've done well Malcho," Mirage commented.
"Hehehe, I do provide nothing but the best," Malcho said, for in his twisted mind he believed his acts of malice were second to none. "Of course your little 'gift' was most helpful as well."
"YOU made Malcho another weather medallion?!" Iago pointed to a smirking Mirage, before he facepalmed realizing to himself, "stupid! Of course she did…evil serpent, evil incarnate, duh…"
"Indeed I did, and I must say Malcho has proven to be a very satisfied customer, hehehe," Mirage gloated to him, "and your dear magical friends have as well!" She pulled up the lantern from behind her back and revealed to the group one more reason to be terrified. The sight of Genie and Eden imprisoned horrified them and broke Dhandi's heart.
"Eden!" Dhandi cried sadly while reaching out at the sight of her genie stepsister imprisoned, a role reversal to their first day when Dhandi was the one captured.
Eden saw her stepsister and called out, "Dhandi!"
Mirage interrupted, "oops…did I say satisfied? I meant DISsatisfied, my bad, clearly hehehe."
Genie shouted at the evil sorceress, "you stay away from them you sick kitty! I mean it!"
"Ha! you're in no position to threaten Genie," Mirage gloated, "and now, the next question is what to do with the lot of you? The defenders and rulers of Agrabah?"
"You will do nothing, you wretched sorceress!" Sultan declared, "once Aladdin arrives you will answer for all your crimes against my people!"
"An empty threat from a royal, how cliche," Mirage replied with a bored tone, "well, as much as I'd love to instantly send 'his royal highness' to a plane of utter torment and agony for that little 'quip', it will be much more satisfying to drag it out and let him suffer with his beloved people. Every captain goes down with his ship after all."
Mirage enveloped herself and Malcho in a yellow aura, evaporating from sight. Her firecats disappeared with them, leaving the group wondering what they were up to now. It unfortunately wasn't anything good, as they rematerialized a few miles above the city in the clouds. The wicked elemental had the lantern strapped to her tunic belt before she turned toward her new flying colleague, "alright weather master, turn this storm into a typhoon and raze Agrabah to the ground!"
"Raze it indeed," Malcho said with a hiss, "but a typhoon would be a step below what I have planned, Mirage. Behold, the power of the most feared storm in all of existence! THE MAELSTROM!"
Mirage wickedly cheered, "Fabulous!"
His medallion glowed and the storm increased in power, as the two villains watched the damage it was unleashing below with vile glee, while Genie and Eden watched with utter horror and concern. The storm was pulling kiosks off the ground and even the roofs off some homes, forcing their tenants to evacuate. The citizens were under sheer panic as they rushed to find any form of shelter from the rippling winds that was about to wipe Agrabah off the map.
…COMMERCIAL BREAK...
Had this been a real episode, this would have been the part where we would break into commercial. Fortunately, because this is a fanfiction...I can bypass that!
Before moving on to the finishing chapter, I wish to give thanks to Mr. Gilbert Gottfried and Mr. Robin Williams for bringing both their voices and their own unique brand of comedy that brought Iago and Genie to life, may they Rest in Peace.
Also, I would like to give a shoutout to Dan Castellaneta for his portrayal of Genie in the TV series! He's no Robin Williams, but his voice and comedy still served our favorite big blue genie very well!