Return of Malcho part 2

3rd Pov:

Iago gaped at the spot his best friend had vanished from and turned around to cling to Aladdin.

"Do something! He's got the kid!" He yelped in terror.

"I know! I know!" Aladdin stated and whirled around.

"Finally, the beast is gone." Rasoul sighed, slumping against the door.

"Open the doors back!"

"What for? The beast is gone." The guard frowned, raising an eyebrow.

"He's got the kid!" Iago shouted and Rasoul's eyes widened a fraction.

"Open the doors, men!" He snapped and Aladdin blinked momentarily stunned by the guard's reaction. He had expected a bit of a sarcastic remark. Rasoul saw him and Iago staring at him and grumbled under his breath, turning away to help wrench the doors back open.

"Huh, guess he likes the kid after all." Iago remarked and Aladdin tried not to smirk, but he did anyway.

"Yeah, I guess some people can change."

"When the Sultan gets back…" Rasoul threatened and his face turned a bit red. "The boy isn't as bad as the two of you." Aladdin just smirked more.

They ran out of the palace and down the steps towards the garden, Alaric's shouts echoing against the walls.

"Let me go! Let go you overgrown worm!" Alaric shouted, finally having regained his breath, kicking his feet out and wiggling as much as he could in the snake's grip. There was no way he was just going to be a snack so willingly. Malcho did scare him, but the prospect of being swallowed alive was a bit more daunting and he wasn't about to go down without a fight.

The snake paused and closed his jaw slightly, frowning at the wiggling boy in his grasp. He hadn't meant to grab the boy at first, but he remembered seeing the angry, defiant look on the boy's face when he had mentioned he was going to eat the parrot. Taking out the bird's protector seemed a good idea at the time, but the child was making it difficult to do anything.

"Do you mind?" He rumbled and the boy stared at him, finally ceasing his infernal wriggling. "I can't devour you when you're wiggling and shouting like that. It's distracting."

Alaric looked offended. "Well, excuse me!" He said moodily and blew a raspberry at the serpent. Malcho rolled his eyes.

Aladdin smirked at his little brother's indignant look and hurried to think of a way of freeing him. Movement caught his eyes and he saw Nahbi, playing with his bolas, getting his chance to be untangled from them at last. An idea came to him and he acted on it.

"Ha! Bolas, just what I need!" He declared and snatched them from the unsuspecting guard and unwound the trapped Nahbi. Dizzy the guard hit the ground, while Aladdin leapt into action, swinging the bolas above his head.

"Let my brother go!" He shouted the serpent.

"Al!" Alaric smiled and Malcho noted Iago's terriffed look. Smirking he began to move away from the boy in his clutches.

"How should I phrase this…" He began, moving up into the air. Alaric yelped. "No."

"Al, do something!?" Alaric yelled.

Iago watched Aladdin toss the bolas and smirked when they hit the target. The bolas wrapped around the great serpents wings pinning them to his sides. Malcho smacked the ground hard, grunting at the impact and the bird turned to Aladdin.

"Nice shot!" Rasoul proclaimed and smacked the young man's back. "Maybe leaving you in charge wasn't such a bad idea after all." He praised and Aladdin blinked.

"Thanks… I think."

"See? I told you, you could handle this job!" Iago agreed.

"Uh, hello?!" An irritated voice grumbled at them. Alaric was still wrapped in the snake's tail. "A little help here, fellas? I'm a little uncomfortable."

"I will not be robbed of my revenge." Malcho hissed and uprighted himself, long enough to pick a spot on the ground. He nose dived the soft earth and began to burrow down.

"No, no, no!" Alaric panicked and tried to remain on the ground, backing up far as the snake's tail would allow. "Not good, not good! I don't want to go underground!" His feet skidded across the ground as the serpent tugged on him.

The guards reared back with their spears preparing to strike while the snake was busy and Iago shook his head. He didn't trust the guards' aim to not skewer the kid.

"Al!" he shouted and Aladdin seemed to feel the same.

"No, wait!" He cried and held his hands up to placate a scowling Rasoul. "You'll hit Alaric."

"Do something!" The parrot shouted. "The kid doesn't want to go underground. It's all dark and clammy!"

"Al!" Alaric yelped and then his brother was at his side, tugging him free and moving them back from the hole in the ground. Malcho continued to dig down, seemingly unware of losing his victim.

"Talk about cutting it close, Al." Alaric stated, leaning against his brother for support. Aladdin held onto him, relieved that he was back with them safely.

"Hey, he's gone." Malcho's voice rose from the dark underground and they looked over there.

"Must'a just noticed." Iago muttered, flying up to sit on the boy's shoulder. "You okay kid?"

"Yeah, sure. Almost being eaten by a giant freaky snake, not a problem." The parrot snorted and shook his head.

"I'll be back! Mark my words, I'll get my revenge." Macho warned and then he was gone.

"You're not getting my parrot you creepo!" Alaric called after him and Iago grimaced.

"That snake is mad crazy."

"And he's loose in Agrabah." Rasoul suddenly snapped at Aladdin. Alaric was safe and out of harm's way. Now he could be himself again. "Now the whole kingdom's in danger because of you!"

"What?!" Aladdin and Alaric yelled at the same time.

Fazal huffed. "We could have got him if you hadn't stopped us!

Hakim nodded. "You let him get away!"

"Hey, morons! You woulda hit the kid! Ease up would ya?" Iago shouted the angry guards. "He had to save the kid!"

"What about my bolas? Who's going to be saving them?" Nahbi retorted.

"Who cares about your bolas?" Alaric retorted and Aladdin frowned at the gang of angry guards.

"Look, I'm the Sultan here,"

"Temporarily." Rasoul interjected venomously. Iago gave a loud whistle and got everyone's attention.

"Malcho is after me, remember? This gives you guys a couple of options. One, you lock me up nice and safe in the palace where nothing can get me. Or two, I can wander the streets."

Alaric smirked at the bird and then gave Rasoul a challenging look. "And Malcho will crush half the city tracking him down. Now do you want to have to explain how the city was crushed or do you want to keep everyone safe and sound?"

"Destroyed cities don't look good on a resume. Lock me up, safe and sound. It's what the Sultan would do…" Iago trailed off temptingly and Rasoul grumbled, turning beet red with anger.

"Look Rasoul, I know you don't like this, but it's the only choice. As long as Iago is inside the palace with us, Malcho can't get him." Alaric said soothingly and the guard actually looked a little less hostile. Iago stunned. He was always impressed by the way the kid turned the charm on when he wanted something. He just never expected Rasoul to fall for it. "And thanks for coming to help me. The Sultan would be glad to hear about that."

"Nice job fellas." The boy continued, nodding at the other guards and he turned on his heel and headed for the palace, Iago on his shoulder.

Aladdin hid a smirk and followed after his brother and Iago.

Alaric's Pov:

As I knew he would Iago took the "safe and comfy" lockdown a little too far and was currently propped up in the throne on several pillows. Bowls of food surrounded him and he was stuffing his face with wingfuls of it.

The guards were boarding up the spaces between the pillars, hoping to keep out the giant serpent. I wasn't sure how this was going to be any safer. We couldn't stay in the palace forever, but it was true that Iago was better off inside. I was a little concerned with the fact that no one had even come up with a plan to do something about Malcho when he returned, but I trusted Al to come up with something to keep that snake out.

"I don't think the Sultan would have done all this though." Al commented and I turned in my seat to look at him.

"That's what I tried to tell him." I said when my brother looked at me for an explanation.

Iago rolled his eyes. "Lighten up, Al. What's the fun of being Sultan if you can't pamper your friends?" Al snorted. Iago felt eyes on him and he paused, a grape hanging above his open beak to look at us.

"Hey, don't watch me, keep an eye out for Malcho. That snake ruins my appetite." He said in annoyance. I shook my head and Al sighed, turning away from Iago in exasperation. Iago glared at Nahbi who had stopped working on the boards to watch us. The guard went back to work under the bird's scrutiny.

"Iago…" I said and he looked at me. "Knock it off would you? They are trying to help you."

"Who does he think he is, the Sultan?" I heard Rasoul remark quietly behind me and I looked over my shoulder at him and Al.

"Tell me about it." Al griped just as lowly.

"I hear murmuring." Iago called out in a sing song voice and I hid my face to stifle the laughter that threatened to overflow.

"Why I oughta…" I lifted my head to see Rasoul, unsheathing his sword.

"Easy, Rasoul. Save it for the flying snake, okay?" Al stated, pushing the guard's and back down. The guard growled and sheathed his sword, stomping away to go out the door. Al sighed and smiled at me humorously before moving away to follow after him.

"Where do you think you're going?" Iago asked loudly and sat up abruptly. "You're not leavin' me here all by myself, no, no, no!"

"Iago, you're locked up safe and sound. And Alaric's with you. Besides, what are the chances of a giant monster attacking, hmm?" Al told him, bringing up his earlier words. Iago glowered at him.

"You're a funny guy, Al. A real laugh riot." The parrot grumbled. "And have we forgotten that 'Laric almost got eaten? Who's he gonna protect?"

"Hey!" I frowned at him. "It wasn't my fault! It's you he's after!"

Al rolled his eyes at us. "Relax, guys." He told us and left.

"I…I guess he's right." Iago murmured and I smiled at him.

"Of course he is. You're safe here with me. I'm not going to let that overgrown worm get you."

"Really?"

"Yeah. You're my best friend." I grinned at him and he grinned back looking more relaxed. "I promised to protect you remember?" Iago nodded and gave a yawn, settling in for a nap. I watched him until I was sure he was asleep and then I went back to reading the scrolls I had taken out of the Sultan's study.

The floor underneath me jerked and I frowned. The ground began to shake and Iago woke up.

"Hey, what gives?!" He shouted and then suddenly we got our answer. It happened so fast that I wasn't really aware of what was going on until I was on my back, sprawled on the floor staring at the large, long, violet colored back of Malcho. All around him and me were bits of the floor.

"You broke the floor, you dummy! You made a mess!" I said and Iago looked around Malcho to stare me incredulously. "What?"

"You think we got something a little more important to worry about?"

"Well he did…" I trailed off and Iago rolled his eyes.

"My, Iago, I see you're moving up in the world." Malcho sneered and I frowned.

"ALADDIN! HEEEEELP!" Iago screamed and I scrambled up from the floor, darting around the snake and snatching Iago out from under his nose literally. It creeped me out entirely that I had been that close to his mouth and that nasty forked tongue, but I had to get Iago away from him. With the parrot in my arms I sprinted for the door.

"Al, Rasoul, get in here!"

Al ran into the throne room, sliding though the double doors just as Malcho slammed the door shut, blocking us from leaving.

"Get the battering ram!" I heard Rasoul shout behind the thick doors and I turned around slowly to face the snake looming ahead of us. Al frowned at the serpent.

"Relax, he says!" Iago whined from behind me and Al grimaced. Malcho launched forward and nabbed us all. Al and I were held in one of his large wings and Iago was wrapped in his tail.

"Now what?" I asked and Al swallowed.

"Um, I'm working on it."

The guards finally busted in with the battering ram, unfortunately they kept going and slammed into Malcho.

"Yes? May I help you with something?" He chuckled and they dropped the ram and fled.

"Real nice!" I shouted after them and wiggled faster.

"That's almost tickling me. Not quite, though."

"Stop talking, you're creeping me out!" I shouted and Al frowned.

"Alaric…"

"Sorry, but he's scary." I whispered and Al looked at me knowingly. All the sudden Malcho jerked and I looked over my shoulder to see Rsaoul ad the other guards, carrying the battering ram towards the balcony that overlooked the garden and tied to it was Malcho's tail. I smiled widely and looked for Iago. He was safe and sound on the throne, waiting for the snake to disappear.

The guards tossed the battering ram off the balcony. "What is happening-" Malcho began only to be cut off. He shouted as he was pulled out of the room rapidly, dropping Al and I, and crashed to the ground below. I ran over to the side of the balcony to see where he was and found him lying in a dent in the ground. He lifted his head with a groan.

"Oh, my spine!" He moaned. Served him right!

"Are you alright, Sultan?"

I turned around at Rasoul's tone. It was actually filled with concern.

"Yeah!" Al said defensively before he realized what the guard had said. "Uh, yeah! I am, actually. Great job, Rasoul." He said and shook the guard's hand.

Rasoul bowed to him. "Good! By the way, Sultans should not punch their guards." I wanted to ask if I could punch the guards, but Al sent me a look telling me not to. I pouted and eh rolled his eyes.

"What're you standin' around here for, Malcho's gettin' away!" Iago cried, pulling at my vest. I followed him to peer over the railing again. Malcho was slithering away or trying, dragging the battering ram.

"Oh, man, that really hurt. I'll be back, you just wait!" He hissed at us and I scowled. Iago left me to attach himself to Al's face.

"Come on, you gotta slay'em!" He shouted, crushing Al's cheeks and Rasoul snatched him.

"The beast seems interested only in you. Why don't we just feed you to it and our problem will be solved?"

"How about we dress you like a parrot and send you out there?" I retorted, taking Iago back from the guard, and Rasoul glared at me.

"How you got to be a royal guard is beyond me." Iago raged at Rasoul and looked at Al. "Al, you want to fire this guy?"

"You enraged that monster, it's your fault he's here!" Hakim snapped at the parrot, taking him from my hands.

"Hey!"

"And what about my bolas?!" Nahbi pointed out, snatching the parrot from him.

"Would you forget the bolas? You're not getting them back!" I rolled my eyes and freed Iago from the guards, backing up against the railing to glare at them. They followed me, glaring at the parrot.

"Aladdin, listen to me, give up the bird!" Rasoul shouted reaching for my best friend.

"You touch that parrot and I'll slug you, Rasoul. I mean it!" I snapped, clutching Iago to me. "Al, tell him to back off!"

"Give me up? Give up your mama!" Iago shouted from my arms. "It's your duty to protect the kingdom and I am-"

"EVERYBODY! SHUT UP!" Al yelled and we all fell silent, staring at my brother. "I'm through listening to ANY of you. I'm the Sultan for now, I'll make the decisions. No backtalk. Anyone got a problem with that?" After a few moments debate we answered back.

"No."

Al nodded. "Okay, then."

"I assume this means you have a plan then?" I asked and Al nodded.

"Of course."

An hour later, we at a dormant volcano outside the city limits. Al had worked out a plan that involved using Iago as bait. I wasn't that impressed with the plan, but I trusted Al to out think the snake.

The guards were hammering in a large wooden stake into the ground in the middle of the volcano.

"Ah, ok, that's good!" Al called to them and they backed away.

"I'm tellin' you Al, I don't think this is gonna work." Iago said worriedly and he glanced at me for support as Al took hold of him.

"Look at it this way, you're completely safe up here." My brother said and tied my best friend to the post.

"Odd definition of safe, Al." I shook my head and then glanced up at the sky. A purple dot was headed for us.

"Here he comes!" I yelled as we braced ourselves as he flew overhead and landed nearby.

"Ah, there he is." Malcho hissed.

"Eh, guess I'm right again, huh?" Al winked at Iago and walked away. "He's all yours, Malcho. In return for leaving Agrabah alone!"

"What?! You're just gonna give me to him?! I thought I was gonna be you know, bait or somethin'." Iago glared at me, while the guards laughed. "How can you just stand there?!" Malcho looked at me too and I swallowed at the attention.

"Sorry, Iago, but Al says we have to keep Agrabah safe." I thumbed at my brother and Al nodded solemnly.

"Yes. The tiny bird is a small price to pay to avoid the everlasting wrath of Malcho. You are a wise leader." Malcho told Al and leaned down to sniff at Iago. Yuck.

"You're just gonna watch me get eaten?" Iago shrieked at us and Al moved forward.

"Hey, hey, wait a second!" He called out and approached Malcho.

"Whew, thank heavens!" Iago exclaimed and I wanted to tell him not to worry so much, but Malcho was near.

"Let's make sure he can't get away!"

"Al!?"

I smirked and moved closer with a hammer hidden behind my back, ready to make the exchange. Al untied Iago and pressed a finger to his lips to make him stay quiet.

"Look at that! The sneaky jackal had already gotten through the ropes!" Al exclaimed to the snake, holding Iago up.

"Yes, you have to be careful with that one. He'll suddenly banish you to the Frozen North if you're not careful." As Malcho was speaking, I traded the hammer for Iago and backed away with the parrot safely in my arms.

"Run!" Al yelled at us and I turned around to follow Rasoul. I heard the sounds of rock cracking and knew that Al had made the stake drive down far enough to make the lava appear. I turned to look and saw Al running for it, lava rising up from the cracks behind him.

"Don't stop." Al took my arm and turned me around. We reached the wall and started climbing for higher rocks and I turned around in time to see Malcho sink beneath the rocks into the lava below.

"Al!" I yelped as a rock went out from under my foot when I started climbing again.

Rasoul grabbed me by the vest and hauled me upwards as the volcano exploded.

"Uh, thanks." I said giving him a pat on the arm. He rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"Street rats." He muttered and I grinned at him.

"Alright!" Iago cheered. "Now that's what I call leadership ability! You can be my Sultan any day. Even if you do have poufy hair!"

"Now, there's no more monster." I said to Rasoul who rolled his eyes at me. Al and Iago just laughed.

"Put that tile there, it fits." I pointed out and Iago jumped up and down on the tile to make sure it stayed.

"There. All finished." Al announced and we admired our handy work. The floor was fixed so it didn't look a monster snake had burst through it. Iago nodded.

"Looks good if I say so myself. Not bad fellas." I just snickered at the look on Al's face.

"They're back, they're back!" Rasoul called from outside and I grinned.

"Finally."

Al smiled and stood up. "Phew! Just in time."

"Just don't look at the floor the whole time and they'll never know." I retorted and Iago snickered.

"Shut up, Rick." Al smirked.

"Aladdin!" Jasmine called out and she, the Sultan, and Abu entered the room on Carpet.

"Jasmine!" Al ran towards her and took her hands as he helped her off of Carpet.

"Hey, Rugman, have a good time?" I asked and got a thumbs up in return. I smirked and then waved at the Sultan. "I set your scrolls back up in your study."

"Thank you, my boy."

Genie popped up next to Al and Jaz. "Word of advice, Al. Never, never play charades against Carpet. He'll whoop you every time."

"Genie!" I smiled and ran towards him. "You're back!"

"Kiddo!" He hugged me too him and laughed.

"I'm so glad you're back Genie."

"Me too, shorty." He said and ruffled my hair. He slung an arm around my shoulders and we turned to see Abu run over to Al, running up to sit on his shoulder. Iago fell over and hit the ground from the impact.

"Hey, watch it!" He snarled, but the monkey paid him no mind. Grumbling Iago flew over to land on my shoulder. "Stupid monkey."

"Now, Iago. Admit it. You missed him." I smirked and Iago glared up at me. He didn't comment though and I felt Genie trying not to laugh behind me. The Sultan patted me as he passed and came over to shake Al's hand.

"How did you like being Sultan, my boy? Everything run smoothly while we were away?" Iago launched forward and knocked Abu off his shoulder, taking his place and grinning at the Sultan.

"It was, uh-"

"No problem," Iago interrupted. "The boy's a born leader! He wore the hat, he sat in the throne, it went fine." He lied and the Sultan nodded.

"Good! I knew you could do it."

"Uh… uh, yeah! Everything went great. Everything is… safe and sound." Al nodded and Jasmine looked at me. I grinned at her with a nod of my head. She smiled happily and hugged Al's arm. The less they knew the better.

"So," Genie stated as everyone walked away. "What really happened here?" He held up a piece of tile and waved at me, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Huh?"

"You don't want to know." I said with a grin. "Trust me."

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