Looking Out for Me.

[Iago]

The Realm of Black Sands.

It was a cold world, a dark one. It was nearly impossible for any sort of life to survive, but amongst the color-lacking minerals would exist a creature with a vile and screechy voice, defiance embodied in the feathered body of a Scarlet Macaw.

"Errrrrrrr-GAH! Can't... get... out... of... this... this..."

The parrot's body was sticking out halfway from the tip of the lamp, the part where his master would slip through when someone rubbed the lamp, but little did the evil Vizer know was his loud-mouthed companion was having other thoughts. It wasn't pleasant being stuck inside of a cramped quarters with a cranky and spiteful sorceror, now genie.

"When I get out of here, I'm calling my lawyer! Then, PETA! This is INHUMANE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS! You hear that Walt Disney? I'LL OWN YOU, AND THAT LITTLE MOUSE, TOO!"

The ear-shattering voice of the bird would fall on deaf ears, at least in this region under Mozenrath's control, but the multi-colored bird lacked that understanding. Lord Mozenrath was just folklore and fairy tales, right? Right.

"Heeeeey, Jafar! A LITTLE HELP HERE?!"

No verbal retaliation, but only a sound that was similiar to a bottle rocket going off, it hit the parrot in the rear and with enough pressurized force was shot out like a cannonball from a cannon. It worked, and now the bird was free to stretch his wings and take a breather.

"Iago! Free me, and then I shall have my revenge on the street rat."

"I! I! I! It's ALWAYS you, you, you! What about me, huh? I was the one who was calling all the shots with the Sultan."

"Stop speaking such nonsense, Iago. I have more important things to do than to listen to mindless babble."

"You know something? You're nothing without me!"

"Whhhat?!"

"Who comes up with all the good ideas? ME! Who does all the work? ME!"

"If it weren't for ME, you'd still be in a cage at the bizarre squawking, "Polly wants a cracker!""

That did it, that was the straw that broke the camel's back.

"That's it! I've had it! I hate to be dramatic, but it it's time for me to fly the coop!"

It was time to deal with this, and deal with it now in the best way he knew how, the only way he know how: taking Jafar and his lamp in his talons, taking to the skies to find some gullible idiot to buy it, to make a few quick bucks and getting the Vizer out of his hair.

"Iago! Let me out of this confinement, immediately!"

"Sorry pal, but from here on out, I'm looking out for me!"

[Lord Mozenrath]

"Must every evening be so dull, Xerxes? I detest that Aladdin and his infernal genie for thwarting my plans. Agrabah was meant to be my new kingdom! Instead... It's home to trash, and souls so ripe for the taking. But first, I must obtain power. Semi-phenomenal, nearly cosmic power!" His magical gauntlet, as always, had become the support for his chin while he continued to pout, staring at the eel which seemed to coil in its usual serpentine manner.

"Yeah, yeah! Power, Lord Mozenrath!"

"But where, Xerxes? Where could I possibly obtain such raw power as to overthrow that fool, Aladdin, and his 'royal family'?"

The eel continued its previous actions of coiling about its Lord's erected arm, still slithering out that forked tongue while it did so. One lazy eye sagging, whilst the other propped open in a bulging fashion. But, it had been interrupted. Quickly, the sorcerer shot up and moved to the opposite wall of the dilapidated castle, toward the cauldron which served as his viewer for various realms.

"It seems that we have a guest, Xerxes. -- Wait. What does that bird have in its possession? Portal!," A swipe of his gauntleted hand would reveal this item, and upon discovery, the rather depressed mage flashed a smirk. The first in some time, "I do believe our new friend is carrying a magic lamp, Xerxes. Perhaps we should greet him properly."

"Yes, Master Mozenrath! Greet the intruder! New friend!" The awkward eel continued its spiral, forming one full circle before its Master raised his gauntlet once.

"A welcoming committee is in order, then, I suppose. Come, Xerxes. I must obtain that lamp."

Mamlucks rose from the ground in all various points of the Realm of Black Sands, a few of which had formed in a tight-knit circle around the flying eel and its Master, he standing a short distance from the Macaw with his arms draped loosely across his chest.

"Feel free to welcome our guest now, Xerxes. But be sure you don't lose sight of the lamp, or else... It will be your head."

[Iago]

The sudden change in the enviornment was a pretty good indication that this was not good, but even worse was the arrival of a floating eel and the figure it accompanied. Could this be the one called Mozenrath? Only one way to find out.

Looks like we have ourselves a sucker...

By this time the Mamlucks rose and were beginning to surrond his flying figure, it caused his sudden tone and intentions to change as drastically as his loyalties.

"Ahh! What's THIS?! Are you INSANE?!"

The Scarlet Macaw flapped his wings harder, taking to the air, moving a bit in reverse from Mozenrath and Xerxes's location, now able to see the entire situation and area for what it was. It was not favorable to him, but nonetheless it would not stop him from bluffing, or doing something to attempt dominance.

"Look, pal! I don't have time to be wasting, so I'll make you and your little... whatever they are, a deal."

His tone of voice lowered, becoming more casual and mischievious, matching his descent from the sky to come to a more reasonable level with Mozenrath. However, the snakeish creature would present a problem, something the macaw would take care of easily with his over exaggerated yelling.

"HEY, BUDDY! I'M TRYING TO MAKE A DEAL HERE, CAN'T YOU SEE?"

With that done, it was time to focus back on Mozenrath, the black lamp of Jafar's clutched tightly in his talons.

"As you can see here... I have a genuine, one-of-a-kind genie's lamp!"

"Iago! How DARE you!"

"Hey, evil genie, would you mind shuttin' your trap?! I'M TRYIN' TO MAKE A DEAL HERE!"

The genie inside was quiet for the moment, most likely ready to explode into a fiery rage.

"Like I was saying, this would make quite the gift for, say, the little lady in your life, huh... huh?"

He had somehow found himself perching on Mozenrath's right shoulder, now able to hold the lamp in his finger-esque wing tips, and speak easily to the magical male. If anything, it made him more determined to bargain his way out of this tight spot.

"I'm sure an overly handsome guy like you has the girls on him like a lost nomad in an oasis! This could progress things along, you know? I mean... THREE wishes! You could make her dreams come true."

"Iaaaaaago! I'll get you for this, you'll REGRET the day you crossed Jafar!"

"A-heh..."

With that soft bit of laughter, the bird kicked the lamp, only inciting an agitated 'ow' from the inhabitant within. It would silence him for another moment or two, just in time to conclude the deal he was trying to make.

"So, how about it? Magic genie for.... oh, I don't know... lots of dough! I'll take anything that's valuable! I think it's a fair deal."

[Lord Mozenrath]

"Jafar? Where have I heard that name?" He stared at the Macaw in disgust, with but one thought on mind: Who does this insipid little bird think he is? It couldn't seem to take first priority, however. Jafar, Jafar... That name seemed so familiar.

"Xerxes. Fetch my tome whilst I keep our feathered friend entertained."

"Yes, Lord Mozenrath!" It had swept away without a single blink, though its jealous rage was rather obvious.

"Perhaps, you and I can make an arrangement? Such as... Well, what do you believe is a fair price?" It then hit him; why had he not realized it before? A talkative Macaw, and a obsidian lamp - Jafar had been the Grand Vizier of the Sultan.

He would play it dumb.. for now.

"Oh, yes~ I have an idea! ... You give me the lamp and I allow you to leave my realm in one piece." A calm voice soon rasped once, such a vile smirk outlining fleshed lips. If that wasn't enough indication, he could display visual aids. "Capture the bird, and bring me that lamp. Now!"

He hadn't the time for this. It would be irony to obtain this lamp, and hold control over one such as Jafar, and he intended it as payback. For constantly being mocked by his peers, by Destane. He was superior to Jafar, yet was compared and scrutinized as the lower being. No longer!

"Hu---Huff! Muh--!"

"Quiet, Xerxes. Hand me the tome, then be a good little slave by getting that lamp." Three pages in, and the picture of a younger Jafar stared back at him. "Ah, yes. The all-powerful sorcerer Jafar. Reduced to a confined fool by Aladdin of all people."

[Iago]

"Fair price? Oooooh, I don't know... maybe... a few thousand pounds of gold."

The Scarlet Macaw took to flapping his wings, returning the black lamp to his talons as he zoomed about Mozenrath's head, keeping his precious cargo close.

"It isn't every day you come across a genie, is it?"

It was at this time he heard the commands given by Mozenrath to Xerxes, immediately causing him to flutter about wildly as he avoided the eel-like creature with slight difficulty, especially due to the weight of the lamp being calculated into his movements.

"Whoa, HOLD IT! Is this anyway to TREAT A RESPECTABLE BUSINESSMAN? ... Though, being allowed to leave does sound kind of nice..."

The parrot continued to avoid Xerxes some more, quite determined to keep Jafar's lamp to himself, and just then remembering it decided to land and grabbed the lamp, holding it as if he were about to rub it.

"Get back! Or, I'll... rub this lamp AND SEND YOU ALL TO WHERE YOU BELONG!"

It seemed he was slightly serious, but logic speaking why would he awaken Jafar, someone he was seemingly betraying and trying to, of all things, sell to make a quick buck. Regardless of Mozenrath bought or took the lamp, it was the thought that counted.

"Do you have ANY idea how cranky this man gets?! NO, YOU DON'T! Well, let me tell you! If ANYONE knows Jafar, IT'S ME! You'd be dead without a specialist such as myself, I know EVIL VILLAINS!"

Despite Mozenrath being a villain, there was some logic to what the bird was saying. Jafar was quite powerful, probably ten times or more as a genie, but if the bird knew what irked and amused the Grand Vizer, then perhaps it could serve to be as an intermediate form of communication between Mozenrath and Jafar. If anything, an ambassador of sorts between the two parties.

"You think YOUR morning breath is bad, well, wait until you get a load of AN EVIL GENIE'S! IT ISN'T PRETTY, LET ME TELL YOU!"

[Aladdin]

From just beyond a blackened sand dune Aladdin laid on a floating magical carpet, keeping himself out of view. "Stay low, Carpet." He ordered the magical device, the last thing he wanted was for that wizard or...eel thing...to spot him.

"Hey Al! What're you doing all the way out here?"

"Ah! Genie!" He exclaimed in a hushed but startled voice, reaching out quickly to tug the good meaning but forever clumsy Genie down. A big, loud, blue magical being in the middle of the black sands...this was not spelling out stealth. "Be quiet," he instructed as they, carpet, Genie, and Aladdin, ducked down behind the dune not that far off from where Iago squaked around. He hoped the noise the parrot was making would be enough of a distraction to keep the man they were spying on busy.

"So...ah...hey Al...who's the big magical dude in blue? I thought they already filled that role." His arms crossed over his barrel of a chest with that signature grin on his face.

"I don't know...never seen him before. He looks like trouble if he's talking with Iago, that's for sure. So let's try and -not- get caught, okay Genie?"

"Awww...c'mon Al...you know me. I am the master at stealth!" In a poof of blue curling smoke the Genie was now standing beside Aladdin dressed in full combat gear sporting a helmet, goggles, a rifle, combat boots, and covered everywhere else in camo. "C'mon boys! Let's start digin' the trenches! Put your backs into it!"

"Genie!" Came Aladdin's hushed exclamation, yanking the magical goof back down again with a strained kind of sigh. He was a good friend to have at his side, but blast it if he wasn't a liability too. "We'll be seen at this rate." A resigned sigh. "Maybe we should just head back before we get caught." He didn't want to though, anything with Iago meant something crafty was at foot and Aladdin wanted to be in the know. He was also very aware of the black lamp in the feathered one's talons and didn't want anyone getting a hold of that kind of power. "Then again, maybe we had better stay and make sure Iago doesn't do anything stupid. I want to know who that man is too."

A chittering caught his attention as the small monkey seated on the rug decided to put his two cents in. "I know Abu...I don't like the looks of him either."

[Lord Mozenrath]

Hmm... Perhaps he's correct. Perhaps it's best to let him live for now. After all, he's familiar with that sorcerer.

Both of his arms were lifted and slowly draped across his chest, brow lifting in interest as he looked the parrot over. "For now, you may live. But it would be best to remember this, bird: Sooner or later, you will no longer be of use, and then... my Mamlucks will have you for dinner."

"Mas---"

"What is i-- Xerxes? Xerxes! Come back here this instant!"

Behind the closest dune, the eel flicked its tail and attempted to escape, fine grunting noises made beneath the monkey's miniature palm. "Master Mozenrath! Mmph!" As it's struggle continued, it further alerted its Lord to the situation.

It was immediately that he gestured toward the direction which the sound eminated, gauntlet illuminating before several more Mamlucks rose from the sand and tracked toward their ordered destination, dragging limbs all the way.

[Aladdin]

When the eel creature came too close for comfort Aladdin signaled the little monkey to take care of the problem. Unfortunately he didn't do well enough to get it to be quiet. Who ever thought an eel could talk?! Then again, Iago proved that some animals could be more vocal and annoying than others. This was a problem though, and he saw how much of one when a handfull of undead soldiers started making their lumbering, groaning way toward them. "Genie! Look out!" Nudging the carpet he brough himself up out of range of the bumbaling undead, confident Genie could handle them without too much trouble. He had his eyes on the one called Mozenrath and on the squaking mccaw. The lamp. Narrowing his eyes he made a dive at the bird, sitting low to the carpet for balance and with one arm outstretched to try and capture the object held in its talons.

"You got it Al!" The enthused Genie gave a thumbs up before thin blue smoke curled yet again with a poof sound. "Alright you crazy, squirmin' critter!" He was dressed in woodsy outing clothes this time. Big black boots, tan pants, and a white shirt. What caught most attention was either the netted misquito hat or the net he brandished as a weapon. "Alright Abu! Release the beast! Lemme at him!" When Abu let go of the eel he brought his net down over it, holding it up like trophy. Immediately he changed outfits and looked like a fisherman, complete with a flannel shirt, overalls, and the same big boots. "This one here is a prize winner!" he spoke with a flamboyant drawl. The chittering and pointing of Abu drew his attention to the oncoming Mamlucks. "Uh oh...time for some fancy moves!" Immediately the scene around them changed and the Mamlucks found themselves standing not on black sand but upon a slick wooden alley. They had stopped moving and now resembled pins with their arms stuck at their sides and standing stiffly upright. Genie was now dressed in slacks and a bowling team shirt with his name emblazoned on the back in cursive writing. "The last shot of the game...Genie steps up...he's gotta make 10 pins to win. That's right Jeff, let's watch as he makes the shot." He used two different voices as if announcers were commenting on the game. Sweat theatrically dripped from his brow as he wound up the shot. But what was he to use for a ball? Xerxes of course! Releasing the eel he threw it hurtling down the alley and with a crash the scene went back to desert with Genie doing a touchdown dance. "Steeeeeeeeeeerike! OH YEAH! Who's da man! High five monkey boy!"

[Iago]

This was all too much, and with Aladdin and his clique it could only get worse. It was time to do the honorable thing, at least to him, and take flight... in the opposite direction, but not before snatching the black lamp in his talons, using Aladdin's distracting personality as a diversion.

"Sorry, pal! But I wouldn't feel safe intrusting an evil, cosmic, all-powerful GENIE with someone LACKING A DEPENDABLE SECURITY SYSTEM!"

The sound of fluttering feathers filled the air, it was as if he had overlooked everything Mozenrath had just said to him. However, little did he realize that, by looking back to make his previous comments he had lost his range, thus failed to see a few straggling Mamlucks blocking his path, and crashed into them.

"Umpf!"

In a spiraling display of feathers and groans, the multi-colored bird crashed into the sand, kicking it up and being soaked in it. It caused a few coughs, and in a few more moments a slight agitation problem. It was typical of the parrot.

"Hey! Watch where YOU'RE GOING! Would it KILL YA to USE your eyes and LOOK OUT FOR FLYING OBJECTS?!"

Of course, the Mamluck only moaned and swatted him aside, causing him to spin more, flying a few feet away from his precious prize: Jafar's lamp. He bounced on his bottom a few inches, then used his right wing to grab his head to recollect himself from disorientational dizziness.

"... Geez, some people just can't take GOOD advice!"

In those fleeting moments, the dark colored tool was out of his sight, it caused a slight panic. How was he going to make his millions and millions of dollars? He was a bird with a mission: to get rich and fulfill his destiny as Sultan of the world! He had to find that lamp, and now!

"HEEEEEEEY! JAAAAAFAR, WHERE ARE YOU?!"

The evil Vizer had said nothing, at least not now. If that arrogant sorcerer was not going to speak, then the Scarlet Macaw had to pull out all the stops to obtain his ears that ragged voice, using it to find and locate the fresh genie.

"JAAAAFAR! You know... it's okay if you're... SCARED! It doesn't take much to hide in silence, does it? I mean... I AM just TOO MUCH, aren't I? The GREAT Iago! I wouldn't speak in my presence either!"

This struck a nerve with Jafar, and he let out a nominal red-colored zap that crackled with accuracy and annoyance at the bird, it barely hit him, but it was felt. Ouch.

"Ah-ha! THERE YOU ARE! Coooooome to papa!"

The parrot extended his talons, moving into formation like a dive bomber would during an aerial combat mission, coming in low to grab it. However, mere seconds before those sharp instruments could snatch it, a Mamluck appeared out of the sand and slapped him away, hard and directly back towards where he was moments ago: Mozenrath.

"Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!"

The bird slammed into the backside of Mozenrath head-first, groaning a bit as he slid down the man's figure, finally coming to rest bellyside down on the cold sand. He coughed a bit, shook his head and stood up to dust himself off.

"This... JUST ISN'T MY DAY! FIRST, I NEARLY SUFFOCATE INSIDE A LAMP! Second... I RUN INTO THIS MANIAC, AND FINALLY, ALADDIN IS HERE! I'M A VICTIM OF SOCIETY, WELL NOT ANYMORE!"

The blue-tipped wings of the bird flapped, allowing the wind to be collected and him to take to the air, heading directly towards Aladdin.

"Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaangwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!"

The Scarlet Macaw shouted, loud and proud. He was also releasing hints of frustration and anger, using that as the German Stukas of World War II would their shrieking to strike fear into the enemy.

"I've had it UP TO HERE WITH YOU, the BOY IN BLUE, and... THAT STUPID HAIRBALL OF AN ANIMAL!"

The parrot was letting them have it, but before anything else could be done Xerxes, formed into a bowling ball, slammed into him and being stuck like a piece of lint to a shirt, the bird was spinning wildly with the eel-like creature.

"Whoawhoawhoawhoawhoawhoawhoa~!"

That took care of the bird, at least for now. By this time, during all of this, the few wandering Mamlucks would have surely presented their master with the lamp the macaw had dropped a few moments ago, now granting Mozenrath a potential Godliness.

[Luxord]

The mere seconds before Mozenrath's could hand over the black lamp containing Jafar, a single swooshing resolved that, canceling out any chance of Mozenrath's fingers even brushing across its smoothly polished surface. The few surronding Mamlucks were cut to ribbons, rendered totally useless.

"I would not advise you to keep your back exposed, Mozenrath."

This mysterious figure knew Lord Mozenrath's name? How odd, but more so was the solid black cloak he wore, it covered his entire being, especially the most notable of areas, that where his facial features would be revealing in a most amused grin.

"You could be of some significance to us, at least for the momentarium. Yes..."

By this time, the swooshing exposed its identity, it was the King of Hearts, a personal favorite of his for what it embodied and represented: something he lacked, something he sought: a heart.

"... this will do quite nicely, won't it?"

He seemed to be talking to no one inparticular, unless you counted the floating card, but that would be insane, wouldn't it? Maybe, but in this interlinked world it was possible, it always had been.

"Hmhehhehheh."

His laugh was so soft and confident, but polite at the same time. However, anyone who knew better could sense the arrogance leaking from his vocal cords, but for the moment next-to-nothing could be done about it.

"Shall we play a game of chance? Surely you will have no quarrel, considering this... lamp... is of most importance to either party, but refuse and it will become an incorporation to my intentions -- make your choice."

The robed individual wasted no time, and bringing his right hand to the inside of his hood, the other limb rested across his chest, it looked as if he was stroking the bottom of his chin, where facial hair would reside if it could be seen. However, this activated some sort of hidden link with the surronding area, and to join alongside his King of Hearts came the other three Kings: Clubs, Diamonds, and Spades.

"Of course, as with every game there exists rules."

Just what did this stranger mean? Only their response and time itself would tell, but little did the others know was that time was a literal essence to him, being a manipulator of such an element.

[Lord Mozenrath]

More games? From a foolish, and impudent piece of trash that dare enter his realm? Without his permission!? Preposterous! He was the Lord of the Black Sands! A kingdom he took with his own hand after destroying that tyrannical sire that had made his life a nightmare.

“And just what is it now!?”

The sneer upon his face only made the venom in his voice all the more clearer, the leather-clad fist raised toward the offending eloquence to his rear. It was enough to make a Lord insane, this incredulous and constant offense of invading his kingdom.

His realm of the Black Sands!

“Oh... Perfect. Aladdin, and his team of worthless ‘friends,’ and now this? Just precisely how do you simpering imbeciles make it into my realm so easily!?”

But, what was this? The cloaked one. He had Jafar's lamp. Despite there not being very much that this cloaked buffoon could do with the lamp, it was still rightfully his! His power! And there remained his opposition; all a constant sore on his backside.

“And just whom may you be? I'm sure that, with your current attire, you're awaiting an introduction befitting such a flashy entrance.”

A... game, was it? And that giant playing card. Quite an intriguing one this man had become. He surely wasn't of this world; no source of magic could unfold the wonders which he had already done. And his ability to sneak up on Mozenrath? Unimaginable!

“A game, huh? Hn... And let's say, I agree to the rules of this ‘game’? Perhaps... I win? Then, not only do I receive the lamp, but I become a rightful inclusion of these ‘intentions’ you've with the it.”

Oh, yes. What a wonderful game this would be. Lord Mozenrath NEVER lost. Especially not to morons the caliber of Aladdin and his gang! It was only a matter of crossing his arms, and settling his chin into the perched digits which now housed his face.

“Hm... Ah, yes! And Aladdin dies! How ever could I forget about that? Despite her fashionably late appearance, I also wish that you would eliminate that insufferable Princess Jasmine, as well! Oh, how I do like when a good plan comes together...”

Ah, yes... and how it did come together.

“Hmeh... Hah... Hahahahah... Hmeh... Do you agree to my terms, cloaked one?”

That's when his leather-clad fist raised once more, light blue waves of magic permeating the aura of it. It was a sneer that replaced his smirk, countenance turning angered.

“And I assure you, it would be in your best interests to agree... I am not a tolerable person when people disagree...”