The Disney Tales of Equestria
Arabian Night Part II
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"All of this commotion for a loaf of bread?" Twilight asked, rasing her eyebrow.
"The simplest yet cruel law to follow if you decide to live in a desert," said Clarabelle. "A thief who steals even the pettiest of things gets the harshest punishment. You can get sentenced to death if you steal something as small as a loaf of bread."
"Why, that's terrible!" Fluttershy gasped. "That young man shouldn't die over bread! I'm sure he had to steal because he probably doesn't have the money to buy food."
"You're right, Fluttershy," said Daisy. "We have been hearing a lot about Agrabah having the highest poverty rate because there were hardly any places to find a paying job and the prices for food have been too high. And it's been going on for a long time."
"Why hasn't the Sultan done anything to solve these issues?" Applejack asked.
"I have two possible theories," said Mickey. "Either the Sultan is in denial of the situation or something is keeping him from solving it."
As Silver Dream looks around the streets, pondering the situation, she couldn’t believe the things she has seen. Everywhere she looked there were orphaned children running across the streets, most scavenging for food in the trash. One of the merchants attempted to swindle from a rich customer just passing through, only for that very same customer to kick dirt in the merchant’s face as if aware of his scheme. While at a nearby tavern, a drunken passerby was thrown out by an angry bartender, casting him out like yesterday’s trash.
"Guys, I think this is what the peddler is trying to show us," Silver Dream spoke. "We got to help these people and we got to confront the Sultan and remind him that they are praying for answers, miracles, and, above all, happiness."
In unison, Mickey Mouse, along with Twilight, Clarabelle, Applejack, Daisy, and Fluttershy smile to Silver Dream. As they turned to face each other, they realized they each shared the same idea and acknowledged their agreement with a firm nod.
All of a sudden, a loud crashing sound from behind them shook their attention. Before they could turn to investigate, the same young man burst out a cloud of dirt, running through the group. He pressed his fingers to his lips and lets out a whistle, as a monkey hopped onto his shoulder and let out a victorious squeal for escaping the guards. But their celebration was short-lived, as the dust cloud subsided and the guards recovered just enough to see the young man and his monkey make their escape.
"Don't let them get away, you idiots!" the Captain shouted.
Getting up as quickly as they could, the guards pursued the escapees thus resuming the chase. All this occurring as Mickey and his friends took witness to what occurred in those past few seconds.
"Just out of curiosity," Applejack spoke. "What do ya reckon would happen if we get involved?"
"We run the risk of receiving a charge of aiding and abetting a fugitive, possibly a few years in prison and community service," Twilight explained.
"We can live with that," said Mickey assuredly. "Come on!"
Despite the risk, the rest of the team follows Mickey Mouse, who runs off to help the thief. All, except for Daisy, who’s eyes were drawn by a stall full of beautiful silk.
"Daisy, come on!" Mickey shouted.
Mickey’s shout snapped Daisy to her senses, turning around to discover her friends just left her behind.
"Hey, wait for me!" Daisy shouted, and then sighing with complaint. "Oh, to think I was ready to shop..."
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Meanwhile, having just arrived at the palace, Rarity, along with Donald, Goofy, Pinkie Pie, Minnie and Rainbow Dash stood before the front gates. As they neared the gate, two of the palace’s royal guards approached the group. One was fat, dark-colored and the other was short, with a pale complexion. These were Fazahl and Zagoolien, both astounded by the sight of such a strange group of characters. Using her magic, Rarity displayed the summons letter from one of her heavy luggage.
"Excuse me, gentlemen," said Rarity. "I have here a summons from the Sultan. I am Rarity, the dressmaker from Ponyville who has brought a present to Princess Jasmine. These folks here are with me."
Zagoolien, the short guard, took the letter and read it carefully. Though while reading it, he kept turning his eyes over to the group, particularly the pony who spoke to them. But regardless, he understood the Sultan’s orders very well.
"Miss Rarity, you are expected," spoke the guard. "We'll allow your group in as guests. You may follow me to the throne room. Open the gate, Fazahl."
With a nod, Fazahl steps toward the gem-encrusted lever and pulls it. As the gates opened, Zagoolien lead the group inside the palace, it’s beautiful interior and rich décor enchanted and dazzled the group. As they continued to admired the palace work, the guard led them straight toward the throne room.
Sitting in his throne was a short, pompous old man playing with a small set of action figures, having his fun with a laugh. This was the Sultan of Agrabah, though the group was rather surprised meeting him like this.
"Pardon for the disturbance, Your Majesty," said Zagoolien, bowing before the Sultan. "Miss Rarity of Ponyville has arrived with the Princess' gift."
"Oh, how wonderful!" spoke the Sultan. "Thank you, Zagoolien. Now, would you please bring my daughter here? I’d like for her to meet our guests personally."
"As you wish, my Sultan," said Zagoolien.
As the guard leaves, The Sultan jumps down from his throne and approaches the group. As he looks upon them, particularly towards the ponies, he smiles with glee once again. For this was the first time he had seen the ponies since the merge.
"I’m so glad you could come," said the Sultan. "I was worried about you arriving safely.
He begins to study the ponies’ appearances.
"I find it very fascinating to meet those as wondrous as you all are. Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Rainbow Dash--An earth pony, a unicorn, and a Pegasus all in one room--how exhilarating! And I’ve also heard of many great tales from the rest of you: Donald Duck, Goofy, and Minnie Mouse. What a delight to meet you all."
"Gawrsh, we are honored by your grace, Your Majesty," said Goofy, bowing.
The others follow Goofy, bowing down in respect toward the Sultan. As they got up, they saw that Goofy was bent so low that he couldn’t pull himself back up. Donald Duck, seeing this, rolled his eyes in response as the Sultan continued.
"There's no need for formalities," the Sultan chuckled. "Feel free to call me Hamed."
Just as Donald gets Goofy back into shape, lightly kicking his rear to reel him up, Princess Jasmine emerged from behind the curtain with Zagoolien carrying a sack of gold beside her. The moment the pair saw the Princess, they became enamored by her appearance--A beautiful hourglass figure, donning a teal cropped top with sewn-in sleeves, matching billowed pants and shoes. Her black hair, long and lustrous, tied in a ponytail held by two bands. There was no doubt that this was the Princess of Agrabah, neither Donald or Goofy could take their eyes off her.
"You wish me to see me, Father?" asked the Princess.
"Jasmine, I like you to meet our guests--Rarity, Donald duck, Goofy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Minnie Mouse. Everyone, this is my daughter, Princess Jasmine."
"Pleased to meet you, Your Highness," said Minnie Mouse.
"Oh, that reminds me," Rarity gasped.
She rushed to her luggage, digging through all of the suitcases until she found the one suitcase that contains Jasmine's gift. She summoned 2 human mannequins and she quickly dressed it. Then, she presented the dresses to Jasmine.
The first is an elegant light teal bedlah dress with pale aquamarine organza shoulders, sewn to the off-shoulder top portion. The dress had the billowed pants, but with a matching organza overskirt, which covered much of the pants to resemble a blooming flower. To compliment the dress, two sapphire brooches along the top and the navel of the pants. Overall, the dress was a beautiful array of sparkles.
The second is also a bedlah dress, but with a formal and royal touch. It is pale aqua with the entire material made with silk carefully dyed by the indigo flowers. A flowing silk cape stood attached by drape sleeves with golden laces and a small colorful variety of gemstones line around the top and the navel of the pants.
"I present to you these fine dresses commissioned by your father," Rarity spoke, presenting the dress. "Both I have designed and assembled from the Carousel Boutique at Ponyville. I hope you like them."
Rarity stands nervously, while the others share the same anxiety while Jasmine stood staring at the two dresses. Finally, after a moment’s watch, Jasmine extends a gentle smile to Rarity. The unicorn took it as a sign that the Princess admired the dresses she worked so hard for.
"These dresses are very lovely, Miss Rarity," said Jasmine. "You did a wonderful job making them. I will add those to my wardrobe and I will wear those to our upcoming events..."
Rarity's eyes and mouth widens with excitement, but being a lady of etiquette, she closes her mouth and tries to hold a squeal. Pinkie Pie bounces in excitement and the others smiled and gave her a pat in a back.
"...if one of the upcoming events isn't my wedding."
The group pause, standing silently in the throne room as the situation grew awkward quickly. Seeing trouble, the Sultan approached his daughter.
"Could you excuse us for a moment?" The Sultan asked politely.
The Sultan motions Jasmine aside, while the others stood nervous. With The Sultan’s attention toward the Princess, Jasmine could see her father was not pleased… As usual.
"Jasmine, please," said Sultan Hamed. "I thought we talked about it this morning. You only have three more days 'til your next birthday. And if you don’t find a suitor soon--"
"Father, I hate being forced into this. I wanted to marry only for love, and I don't love any of these spoiled princes you kept inviting here. The law is wrong!"
"But, Jasmine, you are a princess!"
"Then I don't want to be a princess anymore!"
The group gasp in horror, as Jasmine storms out in anger. Releasing a disappointing sigh, the frustrated Sultan bounced back up in his throne before returning his attention to the group.
"Forgive me for witnessing this," said Sultan Hamed. "Dear me, her mother wasn't merely so picky."
"What law is she talking about, Hamed?" Donald asked.
"The law states that when an eligible princess like Jasmine is turning sixteen, she is required to marry a prince only from royalty so our family's bloodline will continue to reign this kingdom for many generations. For a whole year, she has turned every suitor I summoned to win her hand and she always turn them down aggressively. The last suitor who came for Jasmine's hand got the seat of his pants ripped out by her pet tiger."
"The seat of his pants ripped out by her pet tiger!" Pinkie laughed. "I hope nobody saw his boxers!"
Unable to control herself, Pinkie collapsed to the ground clutching her stomach as she continues to laugh hard. Rainbow Dash just shook her head knowing it was Pinkie just being… Pinkie.
"No offense, your majesty, but I have to agree with Jasmine," said Rainbow Dash. "Forcing your own child to marry is SO wrong because she want to fall in love and she want to have the right to make her own decisions. What's so wrong about having an opportunity to be independent?"
"I can relate," said Rarity. "One time, I met this handsome stallion who was from royalty, whom I expected to be a charming gentle-colt, but turns out he was rude, disrespectful, spoiled, self-centered, irritable and above all...NOT GENTLEMEN-LIKE MATERIAL!"
"Uh, Rarity," said Goofy, trying to calm her down. "I think he got the idea."
"I only wish she'd respect the law I much as I did," said Sultan Hamed. "Nowadays, I turn to Jafar for guidance and support."
"Jafar?" Donald asked.
"My most trusted adviser for many years. He is normally here with his pet parrot, but lately, he's been absent in my time of need. I think it's because he's been busy sorting out the mess we're in because of Jasmine's reluctance to marry. I truly respect his work because I am a good judge of character."
"Hamed," Minnie spoke. "Forgive me for changing the subject, but on our way here, we got separated from our friends. We want to ask you if you would help us find them."
"Separated from your dear friends? Gracious me. Yes, I will sent my finest men to aid you in a search for your friends at once."
"Thank you very much, Hamed," said Minnie, bowing down. "You are a kind-hearted man."
"In the meantime, you all are invited to stay here in our royal guest chambers. So please make yourselves at home."
The group bows as Sultan Hamed summons a guard to lead the group to their chambers. As they walked down the hall, Rarity noticed Jasmine sulking near the open window, petting her pet tiger, Rajah. The pony couldn’t help but feel sympathetic toward the princess, silently wishing there was something she could do to help the princess gain the freedom from this ridiculous law. All while hoping that her friends were not getting into too much trouble.
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The cries in the street erupt, as the young man and monkey, the former carrying the loaf of bread, continue to evade the guards. He knew that in order to defeat these authority figures, he had to be fast, clever, quick-witted, and above all, able to outsmart them. At one point, the guards relentlessly pursued the two, only for Aladdin and Abu to stick their heads out of a set of pots, which the guards passed. Seeing the coast is clear, they climbed out and cautiously made their way through the streets knowing they weren’t through yet.
"C'mon, Abu! Let's get out of here!" said the young to his monkey named Abu.
Young Man:
Gotta keep one jump ahead of the bread line
One swing ahead of the sword
I steal only what I can’t afford…
That’s everything!
Guards appear, as they unsuccessfully attempt to swipe his’s head off with their swords. In between the lyrics, the thieves are observed by Mickey and his pals, each dressed with a piece of burlap or run-down cloth wrapped so their faces wouldn’t be seen by the guards.
Young Man:
One jump ahead of the lawmen
That’s all and that’s no joke
These guys don’t appreciate I’m broke.
As the thief passed by during this lyric, Applejack bucks a wagon full of fruit baskets, knocking the three guards out like bowling pins. Struck down, the fruit-covered guards angrily turn to Aladdin, who scampers up a flight of stairs.
Guards:
Riffraff!
Street rat!
Scoundrel!
Take that!
Young Man:
Just a little snack, guys!
He turns around, only to be confronted by another set of guards, who stalk towards the street rat, while Abu clings to his head with fear.
Guards:
Rip him open,
Take it back, guys!
All of the sudden, a huge dirty blanket piles atop the guards like a net. As the guards struggle to untangle themselves, Aladdin looks up briefly to see it was Mickey and Twilight who saved him. He gives them a thumbs up and runaway.
Young Man:
I can take a hint, gotta face the facts
We could use a friend or two!
Mickey and Twilight:
True!
As Aladdin and Abu continue with their escape, he passes a group of Harem women, who watch him flee. For them, this bears no surprise this would happen.
Harem Women:
Oh, it’s sad Aladdin’s hit the bottom.
He’s become a one-man rise in crime.
Daisy awaits in position when she sees the Captain of the Guards approach near her target spot, just underneath the balcony she stood on.
Daisy:
I’d blame parents, except he hasn’t got ‘em.
Daisy drops a big pot onto his entire body, except for his ankles. He walks around blindly, as Silver Dream waits behind a corner.
Aladdin:
Gotta eat to live,
Gotta steal to eat,
Tell you all about it when I got the time!
Silver Dream sticks her leg out, trip the guard and he falls to the ground now more stuck than before.
In the meantime, the guards rush past a muscleman flexing to a crowd. Little did they know, Aladdin and Abu are behind the muscleman, matching his moves until he makes a mistake and are discovered.
Aladdin:
One jump ahead of the slowpokes
One skip ahead of my doom
Next time gonna use a nom de plume.
One jump ahead of the hitmen
One hit ahead of the flock
I think I’ll take a stroll around the block!
A chase sequence occurs during the lyrics. Aladdin and Abu, pursued by the guards, race through a flock of sheep and hurdle a man sleeping on a bed of nails. Of course, one extremely large guard lands on him. Unfortunately, neither get far, when more guards surround the two in front of a door.
Crowd:
Stop, thief!
Vandal!
Outrage!
Scandal!
Aladdin:
Let’s not be too hasty!
The door opens revealing a large, ugly lady who hugs Aladdin much to his chagrin.
Lady:
Still I think he’s rather tasty.
Aladdin tumbles away, then puts his arm around a guard, acting like they’re all chums.
Aladdin:
Gotta eat to live, gotta steal to eat,
Otherwise we’d get along!
Guards:
WRONG!
*Aladdin runs. As he makes his escape, he passed Clarabelle, who peels and eats a piece of banana. She throws a peel to the ground, right along peels from the other bananas. The guards slide through crashing into a set of pottery.
"Bananas are an excellent source of potassium.," Clarabelle spoke to herself. She then calls out to the guards. "You boys wouldn’t wanna get a charley-horse!" She lets out a heavy chortle.
Regrouping with the others, Mickey and his friends turn to see the thief and the monkey ran towards a tower, where the guards proceed to surround the duo.
Aladdin:
One jump ahead of the hoofbeats!
Crowd:
Vandal!
Aladdin:
One hop ahead of the hump!
Crowd:
Street rat!
Aladdin:
One trick ahead of disaster!
Crowd:
Scoundrel!
Aladdin:
They’re quick--But I’m much faster.
Crowd:
Take that!
The guards chase Aladdin up a staircase into the tower. Aladdin grabs a carpet, looks out the window, and crosses himself.
Aladdin:
Here goes, better throw my hand in
Wish me happy landin’
All I gotta do is jump!
Mickey and the gang see Aladdin fly out on the carpet, relieved to see Fluttershy supporting it from underneath. The last group of the guards follow out the window, but they go straight down to the street.
The guards land into a smelly pile with a sign “Crazy Hakim’s Discount Fertilizer”. Aladdin and Abu looks down to see Fluttershy supporting the carpet and smiles.
Eventually, Fluttershy carefully lands onto a hidden spot where the rest of the group meet up. With no guards in sight, they remove their disguises and discard the rags to a corner. Aladdin and the monkey high-five each other in victory.
"That was a close call!" the boy exclaimed. "Sure took you guys a lot of guts to against Razoul and his men for my sake."
"You're not hurt, are you?" Fluttershy asked.
"You don't need to worry about me; I get chased by the guards everyday. Anyway, thanks for saving our lives. My name's Aladdin and this is my best friend Abu."
Abu makes various noises as a way of saying "thank you".
"Pleased to meet you, Aladdin. I am Fluttershy and these are my friends Mickey Mouse, Daisy Duck, Clarabelle, Twilight Sparkle and Silver Dream."
"Charmed. So what brings you all to Agrabah?"
Mickey and Twilight take turns explaining about the task their friend Rarity takes on issued by the Sultan and shortly after their arrival, they've come across the peddler and he somehow split the group in half and landed in the other side of Agrabah and that's around the time when they first saw Aladdin stealing a loaf of bread.
When they first mentioned the Sultan, he brought the subject of meeting Princess Jasmine for the first time. He and Abu didn't know she was a princess at the time, for she was under disguise so she would escape the palace life. He helped her out when she gave an apple to a hungry young boy and accused of being a thief. He saved her life by pretending to be her brother and told the merchant "she was a little crazy".
"Jasmine and I did learn we had something in common," Aladdin continued. "We both want more out of life, without being forced to do as we’re told and how we feel… Trapped. It’s just as how I feel everyday being here..."
Aladdin:
Riffraff, street rat
I don’t buy that
If only they’d look closer
Would they see a poor boy? No siree
They’d find out, there’s so much more to me
"One day, guys, all that’s gonna change. I’ll be rich, Jasmine and I will live in the palace, and we’d never have any problems at all..." He sighed happily.
"Sounds like someone's in love," Applejack spoke in singsong.
"Yeah," Aladdin sighed happily. "But there's one problem--there's this law that a princess should marry a prince. Let's face it...I'm no prince."
Everyone became sympathetic towards Aladdin.
"I'm such a fool," Aladdin sighed sadly.
Mickey and Applejack came to pat him in a back for support.
"You're only a fool if you give up, boy."
Everyone were startled when they heard a mysterious and suspicious voice coming from behind the walls. They find a very old man with a long white beard holding a cane to support his hunched back.
"Who are you?" asked Daisy.
"A lonely beggar like this boy," spoke the old man. "But if we work together, perhaps we can be more."
The group looked at each other, uncertain about what to do with the old man. But they remembered Silver Dream's ambition to help the folks of Agrabah in need and decided to give him a chance.
"We're listening," said Aladdin.
"There is a cave, located a few miles northwest from here," the old man explained. "It is called the Cave of Wonders--an enchanted cave with wonders, filled with riches beyond your wildest dreams."
All this talk of treasure makes Abu anxious to hear more about it.
"With that treasure, it's sure to be enough to win the heart of your princess, I'm sure."
"But the law said that only a prince can--" Aladdin spoke, but he got interrupted.
"You have heard of the golden rule, do you?" the old man asked.
"I can provide an answer to that," said Twilight. "It's 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' Am I correct?"
"Close, but the golden rule in these parts is 'whoever has the gold makes the rules'."
The way the old man laid out a wide and scary smile makes Twilight feel uneasy.
"So why would you share this treasure with us, if you don't mind me asking?" Clarabelle asked.
"I need the help of young'uns with strong legs and strong backs to come with me on this journey. And you..." he points to Aladdin. "You’re just the one I need. You’re nimble, stealthy, skilled. Do you want to continue abusing those skills? Stealing bits of bread and worthless bobbles? Or do you want to make a name for yourself and do something that would make any ‘mother’ proud?
The group turn to Aladdin, who felt as if a nerve struck with the old man’s words.
"So what do you say, everyone? Do we have a deal?"
For a small period, Aladdin and his friends look at each other neither saying a word so as to understand what they think about this situation. And yet, if they found this treasure, there would be enough to make Aladdin rich as a way to be with the one he loves. What other options is there?
"Which way is this cave of yours?" Aladdin asks.
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To Be Continued...