//------------------------------// // Arabian Night Part III // Story: The Disney Tales of Equestria // by DreamsCanComeTrue //------------------------------// The Disney Tales of Equestria Arabian Night Part III ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The sun is beginning to set behind the desert hills near Agrabah. Aladdin had rented a camel from the stables before they began to close for the night. He had no need for a camel for it is for the old man to ride on, but he will be able to guide the camel for their trip. Twilight, Applejack, Mickey, and Fluttershy went to the marketplace to purchase some supplies: a compass, rope, food and water, and lanterns whilst Clarabelle, Daisy, and Silver Dream await near the front gate with Aladdin and the old man. "Are we all ready to go?" Aladdin asked. "You betcha, Al," said Mickey. "Looks like we got everything we need to get into that cave." "I really hope this compass will work," said Twilight. "I don't like the way that cartography salesman looks at me when I was browsing his stall." "There is no time for you to all to blabbermouth!" the old man shouted. "We'll be near the Cave of Wonder by next sunrise if we just stand here and talk your lips off before the gates close!" "All right, all right, already!" said Applejack. "Let's go, y'all." "The sooner we find that stupid cave, the better," Clarabelle muttered to herself. The troupe had taken their first steps outside the gates of Agrabah, just in time before the guards began to use their strong muscles to push the gates close. Everyone with the exception of the old man take their one last glimpse of the city and the palace before the gates were tightly shut. The old man had instructed Twilight to lead them northwest as the compass will remind them to keep heading northwest for there is no shortcut or another route to the cave. Everybody had already began to feel unsure and uncertain of his own intentions--their only bet is to keep a close eye on him. The moon had risen and the stars had start shining, yet the chilly gusty winds are blowing all over the desert, the sands getting into their eyes and bodies. Silver Dream uses her brown mane to cover her eyes from the sand, not knowing that the moonbeam had shined on her cutie mark, making it glow and dim. That has attracted the old man's attention but decided that is nothing of importance. Suddenly, he took a hold of the camel's reins, commanding it to halt, making the others do the same. "We've stopped," said Daisy. "What is it?" "Unicorn," said the old man, ignoring Daisy. "We are in northwest still?" Twilight nodded, causing the old man to smile, once again showing his ugly, yellow teeth. He reaches something from under his sleeve--two golden scarab beetles were split into two pieces but can be easily put back together. Before Aladdin can ask about the beetles, the old man joined them together, suddenly coming to life, coming to fly around like a real beetle. "Those must be magic," Aladdin whispered, with Abu at his shoulder staring greedily at the flying golden beetle. The beetle then flew away at high speed, to the direction they were going. "Quickly, now!" the old man shouted. "Follow its trail!" Without a word, the troupe started running, all eager to catch up to the speed-flying beetle. "I would be certain that if Rainbow Dash were with us right now," said Fluttershy, slowing starting to pant. "She would have no problem catching to that thing." The flying golden beetle flew for a further mile and a half, making everyone getting to the point of exhaustion, except for the old man, who is still riding on the camel. Then the beetle has split and disappeared, making everyone reach to a screeching halt. "My heavens, where did it go?" Clarabelle asked. "That beetle thing must've gone haywire like the exterminator's on the loose," said Applejack. "Even with my spectacular eyesight, I can't see where that darn thing went off to," said Daisy. After having suspicions about this whole trip, Mickey and Twilight turned over to the old man and came towards him. "Alright, mister," said Mickey. "Enough is enough. It's time for you to tell us what is going on here and why are you dragging us here in the middle of nowhere." "And we would like to know about that magical artifact you had in your possession," said Twilight. "Where did you get it, does that beetle had anything to do leading to this so-called Cave of Wonders and most importantly--HOW CAN WE FIND THIS STUPID CAVE IN THE HEART OF THE DESERT?!" "Tell us now or we're leaving," said Mickey. The old man had said nothing, only so reveal his smile as he pointed to that sand hill right in front of everybody. All is quiet even with the desert winds until a strange noise is heard, like a tiger growling. Wondering where the growling is coming from, all eyes were turned to that one sand hill, where the beetle was last seen. Fluttershy slowly walks toward the sand hill, putting her ear near the hill to carefully hear the strange noise. Then the growling got louder, its golden, glowing eyes that opened, frightening everybody. Those eyes, as they look closer is the flying golden beetle they were chasing down before. "What in the name of Equestria is going on here?" Applejack spoke. Before anyone could reply, the earth began to rumble, Fluttershy stood in fear, not moving. Aladdin rushed to her and grabbed her away from the moving earth. The sands were coming down as a head of a tiger rises and opens his mouth, revealing a fiery light right down on the throat. The whole group are stunned and amazed of this fascinating event they have witnessed in front of their eyes. "By Walt," Mickey whispered, his mouth remain opened in shock. "It's a head of some tiger," said Daisy. "It's so fascinating," said Silver Dream, who finally spoke for the first time since they left Agrabah. "So this is the Cave of Wonders?" "Boy!" the old man cried out. "Help me down, please." Aladdin quickly went back near the camel to help the old man get off the camel. After setting him down on the sand, he takes out his cane. "Now it would be the perfect time to tell all of you on this very important quest. Deep down on that cave lies a lamp. That lamp is a dear heirloom which was taken from my family many, many years ago by a group of thieves. Before my ailments came by, I had come across information that the same thieves who stole it years ago had hid inside the Cave of Wonders. With your strong legs and backs, I must rely on you young'uns to retrieve that lamp and bring it back to me so I will have the family's precious heirloom to pass on to my next of kin before I leave this world." "A lamp?" Aladdin asked. "Is that all the cave has?" "I also heard that the cave is filled with such treasures like gold, gemstones, rare and unique items. These treasures are yours to keep as a reward to help an elderly man like me. But that lamp is mine and I must have it back. Now go into the cave, dear young'uns and have yerself to a wonderful adventure." They all looked at each other at a silent moment, as one set of eyes to another take a brief look at the giant tiger's head of a cave were staring at them, and its sounds of breathing makes them tremble. Then they all got together and slowly takes a few steps near the tiger's head. Suddenly, a booming voice, coming from the tiger, speaks. "WHO DISTURBS MY SLUMBER?" Aladdin gets a bit closer to the tiger with Abu on his shoulder, who is shaking and trembling with nervousness. "I am Aladdin and these are my friends Mickey Mouse, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Clarabelle, Silver Dream and Daisy Duck." The tiger lowers his eyes as it observes the characteristics of each of Aladdin and his friends. "YOU MAY PROCEED. BUT KNOW THIS--YOU ARE FORBIDDEN TO TOUCH ANY PART OF THE TREASURE BUT THE LAMP. IF YOU HAD NOT TAKEN IN THIS WARNING, THEN YOU WILL FALL..." The tiger opens his mouth wide open, allowing everybody to finally enter the cave. They all rushed inside the tiger's mouth and they all carefully climbed down the stairs. With the group out of sight, something was moving from the old man's hump. It turned out to be a red parrot with blue feathers at the tip of his wings, a large yellow beak and some busy eyebrows. He comes out of his back, struggling to breathe. Then he has regain his position. "So, they're going down already?" the parrot asked in a loud and gruffy voice. "Pretty soon, that lamp will be in my hands," spoke the old man, who now reveals his true voice. His voice is now sounding regal, yet so cunning and deceitful. "Then I wouldn't have to follow orders from that royal nitwit and his daughter. You must be patient now, Iago, for our dreams are about to come true tonight." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The hour of night came before the kingdom of Agrabah, a full moon shined upon the palace. Apart from the guards performing their night patrol, all was quiet in the darkness. Yet it was at this time that Rarity and her friends decided to enjoy an evening stroll, the six of them garbed in Arabian attire based on their usual colors complete with matching turbans as given by the Sultan as a welcoming gift while staying in the palace. As they walked along the palace grounds enjoying the night air, Rarity and Minnie turned to see someone sitting at the edge of the fountain. Recognizing her as the princess, they approached the girl. "Why there you are darling," said Rarity. "We missed you at dinner." But as the two got closer to the Princess, it was then that they noticed that something was troubling the girl "Oh my," said Minnie. "What’s the matter, your highness?" As Minnie and Rarity attempt to comfort her, Princess Jasmine lifts her head toward her friends. She in fact had been crying for some time, as she wipes the tears from her eyes. "It’s all my fault, Minnie," said Jasmine, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Oh Jasmine, don’t be hard on yourself. The Sultan is just under a lot of pressure, that’s all." "It’s not my father. I met a boy in the market place and he’s in trouble." "You went to the marketplace? When?" Rarity asked. "It was long before you and your friends came to the palace. I couldn’t stand having my life made for me, so I decided to leave the palace. Against my father’s wishes, I left the comfort of the palace walls to see all of Agrabah. If I had ever thought of ruling the palace, I felt it would be better to get to know my own people. But I never would’ve imagined how much they struggled in their day-to-day lives: People starving everywhere, business was slow, and many people looked so angry. It seemed so dangerous… And yet I liked it. That was when I saw him…" "You mean that boy?" Minnie asked. "I’ve never met anyone so handsome before in my entire life, up until that day. I don’t know why he stood up for me, but he protected me and treated me as if I was like everyone else. He carried me away to his home, we talked of how we both desire more from life, and never once did he suspect who I truly was. We were more alike than I ever imagined: We both lost our mothers at an early age, we felt trapped in our own worlds, and we both wondered what it would be like to take off, a million miles away from Agrabah, and never looking back." "But then the guards tracked us to his home, I suspected my father sent them in search for me. He separated himself from me, to lead the guards away to keep me safe promising that we would meet again… And I believed him. Eventually they found out who I was and escorted me back to the palace." The story itself intrigued the girls, they had sat in complete silence listening to the end. "That was the last time I ever saw him. My father was furious, of course, he forbid me from ever leaving the palace again. Every day since, I thought about what happened and hoped the boy would be okay. But then earlier today, I overheard the guards talking with Jafar, how they were chasing the same boy I met and how a group of strangers were interfering in their business, believing they were members of the boy’s posse." "You don’t think?" Minnie whispered to Rarity. "It couldn’t be… Could it?" Rarity whispered back. "It gets worse than that," Jasmine continued. "I also heard Jafar told them that if they catch him, the boy’s sentence must be carried out." "What sentence?" Rarity asked. "Death by beheading." Minnie and Rarity gasp, simultaneously. "That’s horrible!" Minnie cried. "But Jafar can’t make that official," said Rarity. "He doesn’t even rule the kingdom. Don’t they know that they serve the Sultan first?" "That’s exactly what I said when I confronted the captain. But he said if I hoped to see the boy free, then ‘I’ would have to tell the Sultan and the boy stays in their custody when they find him." Jasmine let out a heavy sigh. "But what good would it do? Even if I told my father, I’ll never get a chance to see him again because of his stupid law. I didn’t even know his name." "It’ll be all right, Princess," said Minnie, comforting Jasmine. "We know how you feel. Our friends are still wandering the streets of Agrabah and most of them have never been here before." "Yet if they should happen to run into the boy you spoke of, I’m quite certain they are in good hands," said Rarity, smiling and placing her hoof on Jasmine's knee. "Do you truly believe so?" Jasmine said, shedding a tear. "Why of course I’m sure, darling. Now in the meantime, we should have a word about this with your father. We need to remind him that he’s still the sultan and he can’t let Jafar making these decisions behind his back." "And once we get this settled," said Minnie. "We’ll see about helping you find that boy and our friends." "You girls would really do this for me?" Jasmine asked with tears starting to overflow her eyes. "You can count on us, Princess Jasmine," said Rarity with full confidence. "With the six of us, we’ll find our friends in no time." All of a sudden, they heard the sound of Donald’s screams and Goofy’s signature holler. They turn around to see that Rajah was chasing both Donald and Goofy in a comical fashion, which was ironic on Goofy’s part. Riding atop of Rajah was Pinkie Pie, who actually seemed to be enjoying herself. Rainbow Dash, on the other hoof, tried to pull Rajah to a stop by his tail using her tails to slow the tiger but to no avail. "Sit Kitty! Bad kitty! Pinkie, do something!" Rainbow Dash shouted. "WHEE!!!" Pinkie Pie shouts in excitement. "You gotta try this Rainbow Dash; it’s fun!" "PINKIE!!!" Rainbow, Donald and Goofy shouted simultaneously. Princess Jasmine, Minnie and Rarity look on this scene in awkward silence before they turn their attention back to each other. "Well…" Rarity spoke slowly. "Two out of six isn’t bad." "Don’t worry, Jasmine," said Minnie. "I know Mickey used to be very mischievous in the past, but it’s not like he’d let one boy get them in any trouble." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To Be Continued...