Disclaimer: Aladdin and all his friends are copyright of Disney and were used without permission, but as is always the case with my stories, they were used with love and consideration. This is one of my few stories that takes place during the TV series, so it's not necessary that you have the background from any other stories I've previously written to thoroughly enjoy this one.

Completed June 28, 2002.

~Sindie Presents An Original Aladdin Fanfic~

~Learning Life's Lesson~

Chapter One: What a Mess!

"We get to go on a trip! We get to go on a trip!" sang the overly-excited genie.

"Yes, I know, Genie," smiled Aladdin, shaking his head at his energetic friend. "Save some of that energy for the trip, though, okay?"

"Yes, sir!" exclaimed the blue mass of happiness as he proudly saluted his partner in fighting evil.

"Oh, so we actually get to enjoy a few days of peace and quiet?" grumbled Iago from a pillow on the other end of the room.

"What? You're not coming?" asked Aladdin, confused.

"Whaddaya think?" replied the parrot sarcastically. "The last time I was foolish enough to go on one of those 'diplomatic missions' with you bums, I practially lost my shirt!"

"That's not all your lost in Getzistan!" laughed Genie. "If I recall correctly, since I do because I have a mind like a steel trap, you lost your feathers, too!"

Aladdin laughed with Genie, soon to be joined by Abu.

"Oh, ha ha, very funny!" yelled Iago in his defense, flapping up into the air. "Let's all just make a laughing stock out of the bird! You, Genie, lost a few loose screws from that so-called 'steel trap' of yours long before I ever lost a single feather!"

Before Genie could respond with a comeback, Aladdin cut in. "Okay, guys, it's almost time to go to the palace. Let's get on Carpet and leave."

No one noticed, but as they were walking toward Carpet, Genie zapped Iago in the hind side, just enough to cause the parrot to yelp and send a menacing look in Genie's direction. Genie flashed his innocent "Who, me?" face and moved on. Iago miraculously didn't say anything, but he just got on the back of Carpet and grumbled to himself.

In a matter of minutes, they were at the palace's main doors. Like a kind-mannered gentlemen, Carpet let them off and flew closely behind them as they entered the throne room. Sultan, who was sitting eagerly on his throne, smiled welcomingly at the group and ran toward them.

"Aladdin! Genie! So glad you could make it!"

"It's good to be here," Aladdin replied, "but it's really no big deal. We come here all the time."

"Oh, nonsense, my boy. Ever since you came into Jasmine's life, she has been so alive and happy. Knowing that your company brings her happiness also brings me happiness."

"Gee, sir, I...uh, I don't know what to say..." Aladdin stuttered nervously.

"The kid thanks you, Your Majesty!" chimed in Genie.

"Good, good!" chuckled Sultan lightly. "Come now, let us proceed to the dining hall."

Everyone left the throne room and went to the dining hall. They took their respective seats around the table, which was set elegantly as always. Aladdin couldn't help but to smile at Abu and Iago, because he knew how terrible their eating habits were. The pains-taking effort the servants made to prepare the table was of little importance to the monkey and the bird, who both had appetites like horses.

"We just have to wait for Jasmine," Sultan informed the others. "She shouldn't be long."

"Well, if I may say a word, she'd better not be too long," complained Iago rather loudly. "Why do women always have to get all decked out for every little occasion?"

"Iago," Aladdin said sternly, "hush!"

"But I'm starving!" Iago protested. "What am I supposed to do? Die from starvation?"

"You hardly look like you're starving to me," mocked Genie.

"Oh? And what's that supposed to mean, Blue Boy?" retorted the bird, starting to get up in Genie's face.

"Just what it means," replied Genie calmly. "Just a simple observation, that's all."

Abu rolled in pure laughter on the table at that last remark.

"Oh, you think that's funny, Monkey?" Iago questioned angrily, now charging over toward the monkey.

"Uh-huh!" squeaked Abu, throwing a banana at the parrot.

"Oh, that does it!" yelled Iago, picking up another piece of fruit to hit Abu with.

"Whoo-hoo!" exclaimed Genie insanely. "Food fight!"

Before Aladdin could say anything to stop it, an all-out war of food was well into the works. Sultan, afraid of getting hit by a flying apple in the head, moved out of the way.

"Oh, my!" the old man remarked. "What has gotten into them?"

"Too much energy, I'm afraid," replied Aladdin in disgust.

Just as Aladdin was about to say something to stop the food fight, Jasmine came elegantly strolling into the room with some of her finest evening wear on. She gasped at the scene before her, and to her dismay, she was hit by accident with several pieces of flying fruit. She ran over to Aladdin, shocked and confused, and said, "Aladdin, what on earth is the meaning of this?"

"I wish I knew," Aladdin mumbled, and then he yelled at the top of his lungs. "Guys, stop this at once! What do you think you're doing?!"

Genie was the first to quit. He shrunk down into a smaller version of himself and said in a little voice, "Oopsie."

Abu ran off the table and hid behind Aladdin's legs, but Iago kept in his rage and threw a piece of fruit, not paying any attention to where it would land. It hit Aladdin right in the nose. By this point, Aladdin had had enough. He stormed over to where Iago was standing on the table and picked the bird up by his tail feathers.

"What are you doing, Iago?" he demanded. "And why?"

"Hey, if that stupid genie hadn't said anything nasty to me and that stupid monkey hadn't laughed at me and thrown a banana at me, this wouldn't be happening, so don't you dare go blaming me!"

"Be quiet already!" Aladdin yelled. "Thanks to you and Genie and Abu, dinner is ruined. Is it too much to ask to spend a little quality time with the sultan and Jasmine without your crazy fights breaking out?"

"Crazy fights?! Ha!"

"Aladdin," said Jasmine calmly, "it's not worth your agravation. It was just a silly food fight. It did, however, ruin one of my nicest dresses, but look, we can clean it up and still have time to eat dinner."

"Why should we clean it up?" Aladdin asked with some lingering anger in his voice. "You and your father and I did nothing wrong."

"Never mind that, Aladdin. Come on, let's just clean this place up."

Aladdin sighed, trying to relieve his anger, but he looked with some contempt at his friends. He didn't bother to say anything, for he didn't want to start another fight.

After the mess had been cleaned up, the rest of the meal passed calmly. Everyone hardly spoke at all, though, which was a shame, considering there was a lot on Aladdin's mind.

"So, Aladdin," Sultan began at the end of the meal, "Genie and you will be staying here tonight, correct?"

"I think so," Aladdin said, eyeing Genie.

"Your caravan leaves early tomorrow morning," Sultan continued, "so you may want to go to bed early."

"Good idea, Sultan. Thanks."

"Very well then," yawned Sultan, standing up. "I will be retiring to my bed chambers myself."

"Good night, Father," said Jasmine, who then turned to Aladdin. "I'll be in my room, Aladdin, if you would like to talk later."

"Thanks, Jasmine."

Aladdin helped his princess out of the chair and escorted her to the exit. He sighed exhaustedly after she had left and turned to face his friends.

"I'm sorry, Al," said Genie sincerely. "I know things got a bit out of hand."

"'A bit out of hand?'" retorted Aladdin. "You call that 'a bit?' Genie, what you guys did was just downright embarrassing. What do you think Jasmine and the sultan must think of me?"

"It's not your problem," remarked Iago sarcastically.

"You're right, Iago," Aladdin said, ignoring the parrot's sarcasm. "It's not my problem. I shouldn't have to feel responsible for your actions."

"Awaddin," whimpered Abu, "I sowwy."

"Yeah, Al," added Genie. "We're sorry. I promise it won't ever happen again."

"Hmph, well, we'll see. Genie, I know you're coming with me tomorrow, so I guess I can expect you to behave, but as you you two, Abu and Iago, you need to learn a lesson."

"Oh, great! Here he goes again with this whole needing to learn a lesson bit again," complained Iago.

Aladdin wanted so badly to tell Iago off, but he knew it wouldn't do any good. He just continued, "Iago, you and Abu will be staying here in the palace while Genie and I are gone, but-"

"Oh, the palace!" exclaimed Iago excitedly.

"But," Aladdin said sternly, "you two won't be partying. You will be doing your fair share of work around here. I'll talk to the sultan about that in the morning."

"Yeah, whatever," mumbled Iago. "Good night, Aladdin," he mocked.

Aladdin ignored his rude comments as he walked away. "Genie, I'm going to be with Jasmine for a while. You may want to go to bed."

"Okay, Al."

Genie picked up his lamp and left, leaving the two animals alone in the dining hall. Iago glanced over toward Abu, only to find him looking back.

"What are you looking at, you stupid monkey?" muttered Iago.

Abu stuck his tongue out at the parrot and ran off. No one, it seemed, was interested in pursuing a "conversation" with Iago.

"What's with everyone today?" Iago asked himself. "Why is everyone acting so crabby?"

He yawned and decided it was time for him to go to sleep as well. He flew to the room that he had to share with Aladdin, Genie, and Abu. Genie was already in his lamp, which was resting on a table next to the bed. Over in one of the corners was a pile of pillows. Abu was sound asleep on one of them. Aladdin wasn't there yet, and that caused Iago to think that he was still talking to Jasmine. Being the sneaky bird that he was, Iago flew over to the doors of Jasmine's chambers. The doors were open a crack, just wide enough to see in. Iago eavesdropped quietly on their conversation.

"I guess I just don't get it," Aladdin was saying. "Sometimes the guys are really fun to have around, and other times they just get in the way."

"Aladdin, it's not your fault. You can't control them."

"I know, Jasmine. I guess I just wish they would be more considerate. At least Genie and Abu both said they were sorry, but Iago didn't even say it sarcastically. I feel bad having to leave Abu and Iago here under your care, but I don't trust leaving them alone at the hovel. Iago would just wind up talking Abu into stealing something, and I'll come back with a mess to deal with."

"It's okay," Jasmine reassured him. "Father and I will look after them. Besides, they'll probably more than enjoy their stay here."

"Oh, that's another thing. After what they've done, I don't think they should just be allowed to lounge around the palace. They should do honest work for once."

"Like the servants? Aladdin, isn't that a little extreme?"

"Extreme? Hardly. I'd say the way they acted tonight was extreme. I hardly ever have a moment to enjoy in your company until one of them ruins it."

"Well, if you think that's what needs to be done, then so be it," sighed Jasmine.

"Hey," said Aladdin gently, placing his hand under her chin. "Enough about them. It's just us now, so let's enjoy our time together before I have to leave tomorrow."

"This," smiled Jasmine, "I like."

She leaned over and kissed her fiance on the lips. Aladdin embraced the princess with his strong arms and tenderly held her small body in his loving grasp.

"I love you," he whispered in her ear.

"And I love-"

"Ew, gross...not this mushy stuff," groaned Iago from the door, not knowing they could hear him.

"What?" asked Jasmine.

"Hey, wait a minute!" exclaimed Aladdin, standing up and marching over to the door.

Iago didn't have any time to move. Before he knew it, the door was opened, and Aladdin looked down angrily at him. Aladdin reached for Iago, but Iago tried to fly away. Aladdin firmly grabbed Iago be the wing and pulled him into the room.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" Aladdin demanded furiously. "Can't I ask for a little privacy with my love?"

"Um, I was, uh, just passing through," lied Iago.

"Liar!" yelled Aladdin. "I don't believe this. First you ruin dinner, then you don't apologize, then you listen in on our private conversation, and finally you have the nerve to lie to me. Iago, I've had just about enough of your attitude today. What is your problem?"

"I don't have a problem!" Iago cried. "Kindly let go of me!"

"Aladdin," Jasmine said, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Try to calm down."

"But how can I, Jasmine? He just doesn't learn."

"I don't know..." Jasmine trailed off.

"Fine," Aladdin said, still a bit angry. "You can go, but go to bed, for heaven's sake. I'll deal with you later."

Iago didn't say anything, but when Aladdin let go of him, he just flew off. Aladdin turned to Jasmine and sighed. He looked completely worn out from everything that had happened those last few hours. Jasmine smiled and placed her hand on hair cheek, softly stroking it.

"You should go to sleep, too, my darling," she tenderly whispered. "You've had a crazy day, and you're tired. You'll feel better in the morning if you get some sleep and get this off your mind for a few hours."

Aladdin couldn't help but to smile at his dear princess, for she always knew the right words to say to make him feel better. "As always, Jasmine, you're right. I'm sure that even Iago didn't mean for things to get so out of hand at dinner, even though he's just too stubborn to admit it."

"Give him time," Jasmine reassured him. "They are your friends, too, Aladdin."

"Yes...well, good night, my princess."

"Good night, my prince."