Sorcerer's Wish

Chapter 1: Farewell

As Prince Ali fell to his death, Jafar's own laughter died. The sorcerer was not sure where it had come from. Such joy was a foreign concept to him, but it did not matter now.

After years of fruitless plans and counter schemes, years of magically-enhanced lies and countless disguises, years of playing nursemaid to monarchs and street rats, years of honest work and underhanded dealings, he finally had it!

The lamp.

"Leave us," the sorcerer called.

"That's right, scram!" Iago jeered.

The guards hurried away until it was just the two of them.

"So, you finally got what you wished for," Iago said.

The sorcerer continued to stare at the lamp as if in holy reverence, a shadow of that same joy was infecting him again.

"Jafar?" Iago pressed.

The sorcerer forced his gaze away from the lamp and looked at his companion. "Iago."

"You know what happens next," the parrot told him. "I...I'm gonna miss you. You crafty bastard."

Jafar put his hand out for the parrot to sit on. "You have been my faithful servant."

"Really? That's all you have to say. I spend nearly a century of my life with you and that's it?"

"I wasn't done," Jafar said with narrowed eyes.

"Oh."

"Though you are loud and...obnoxious, I have grown rather accustomed to you over the years..." Jafar trailed off. It seemed the sorcerer was struggling for words, so the parrot nudged him.

"And?" Iago prompted.

"And I might miss your assistance."

Iago's eyes got big.

"We have been allies of a sort after all," Jafar added.

The parrot started to cry.

"Stop it, Iago," Jafar hissed.

The parrot hugged Jafar's neck. "You're a cold fish, you know that?"

"Iago!" Jafar said, growing disgusted.

The parrot sniffed and then he pulled away. "I know, I know, you hate the mushy stuff. I do too. It's just I got attached, alright?"

"Yes, well, it happens," Jafar said, hoping that would be the end of it.

"You stay safe, okay?" Iago fretted. "I'd hate to see you die five minutes after I left."

"I will be fine."

"Don't take nothing from nobody neither, alright? They're all worms."

Jafar almost smiled.

"And—"

"Iago," Jafar said in a warning tone.

The parrot patted him on the shoulder. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Go ahead and rub the fancy-pants lamp. Get it over with already."

Jafar stared at the parrot who had served him for all these years. So much had happened in his quest and this loyal companion had seen him through the triumphs and follies that come from wanting a near-impossible wish. It was not an over-exaggeration to say Iago was the closest thing to a friend the sorcerer had ever had. Jafar actually started to feel his heart soften.

Fool, a voice told him, He's just a bird

"Goodbye, Iago."

"See ya," the parrot replied mournfully.

Jafar rubbed the lamp. As it began to shake and glow, the ruby ring Jafar had worn on his finger since he was a young man slowly disappeared.

Iago was gone.

It was time for Jafar to make his three wishes.