Valley of the Kings
Plot Summary: Mutant X is called in to investigate the theft of an Egyptian artifact, and uncover a plot to steal mystical stone, believed to exist only in myth. This story takes place about a month after the events of "A Deadly Sin". Brennen/Shalimar relationship. It's probably a good idea to read the first three installments in order to be caught up with the characters. Any feedback, positive or negative is truly appreciated. My stories are gonna get a little more adventurous from now on, since I've already established Shalimar and Willow's relationship. To be honest, I'm looking forward to writing this one, because I love mythology. Enjoy! This story takes place a month after "A Deadly Sin". I took liberties with Egyptian history, timelines and mythology for creative purposes, so please don't linch me (lol).
Prologue
He sort of knew what he was looking for. The streets were full of merchants, bartering with tourists, while the heat was mind numbing. Slowly making his way through the crowded streets of Cairo, he glanced at a piece of paper.
He was a strikingly handsome man, blonde hair and deep blue eyes, unshaven and perspiring from the heat.
"Shit! Where the hell is it?" He said to himself. Glancing at his watch, he continued on through the crowd.
For several minutes, he wandered through the streets, desperately trying to find his destination. He looked upwards at a small sign hanging on the side of a building.
"Finally," he smiled to himself as he approached it.
Coming to the door, he knocked three times. A small slit opened, to reveal a pair of dark brown eyes staring him down.
"What's your business here?" came a voice from the other side.
"I'm looking for Napier," he answered.
The door opened to reveal a small dark haired man, smoking a cigar. "Professor Malone?" He nodded in response. "Follow me."
The small man led Malone through the smoke filled bar. Several people looked up from their drinks and to scrutinize the strange visitor. Malone looked around the area, his head almost exploding from the smell of marijuana. He was led down a dark hallway to a small room down at the end.
Several people were sitting, around a table playing cards. Texas Hold'em Malone thought to himself.
"Ah, Mr. Malone. So kind of you to join us," a small man in glasses said as he looked up from his hand. "I require punctuality from all my employees, old and new. As you can understand my boss is a very impatient man."
"Many apologies. You're Napier I presume," Malone approached the table cautiously. "As you can appreciate, navigating through the streets of Cairo aren't an exact science."
The man inhaled his cigar. "Well no matter. I would think that an archeologist of your reputation would have no troubles. I take it this is your first time in Cairo."
Malone just continued to look at him, "So are we gonna deal or not?"
"Don't be so hasty, Malone. You'll get your money," Napier just stared at him, studying his eyes. "I take it your looting of the Egyptian Museum was successful. Breaking into a museum is not becoming of an archeologist."
"Desperate times. I need the money. My grant ran out and in order to continue my search for the Eye, I need the financial backing," Malone shifted in his seat, unsure of whether he was making the right decision.
"Money does make the world go round. Do you have the piece?" he asked, not taking his eye off his hand. "Raise." He threw in several chips.
"It's right here," Malone reached into his bag and pulled out a small stone carving.
"Fantastic. My boss will be pleased. And the location of the other three pieces?" Napier inquired.
"I'm still working on that," Malone was getting nervous. He knew that his clients weren't the patient kind. "The translation of the scroll is going slower than I intended. The hieroglyphics predate the first Dynasty."
"Time is a luxury Mr. Malone. A precious luxury you're running out of. I want the locations of the other three pieces in five days. No longer. Am I making myself clear?" he glared at Malone as he squirmed in his seat.
"Crystal. Can I ask you why your organization is so interested in finding the Eye?" Malone wasn't sure as to the intentions of his new employer.
"Same as you, Mr. Malone. Changing myth into history," Napier winked at him as he revealed his hand. The others just threw down their cards in disgust, as he took the pot. "And I always get what I want."
Chapter 1
I Dream of Egypt
Sanctuary…
Willow had been on the mend for several weeks now. She healed pretty quickly considering her leg was nearly shattered and that she suffered a concussion. Much to her dismay, she had to stay in Sanctuary to recover, while the others went out on missions. Basically, she was starting to climb the walls and itching to get back into action.
That morning, she was up early working out with Shalimar in the dojo.
"You're looking a lot more like your old self," Emma smiled watching the two.
"I feel like I could take on the entire GSA myself," Willow fainted left and lunged at Shalimar. She instinctively spun around, nailing Willow on the back, causing her to fall forward.
"Well, you're not gonna get very far fighting like that," Shalimar teased.
Willow huffed in frustration. Shalimar laughed and offered a hand. Willow quickly grabbed Shalimar's arm and moved around, pinning her arm behind her.
Willow chuckled. "First thing you taught me, Shal; never let your guard down."
"Clever. But…" Shalimar elbowed her in the gut and flipped her over. Willow landed on her back with a grinning Shalimar standing over top of her, "You forgot the second rule; never get cocky."
Emma sat back, amused at the playful exchange between the two.
"Morning everyone," Adam came in, just finishing his work in the lab.
"Hey Adam."
"Morning."
"Well Willow, looks like your feeling a lot better today," Adam smiled, approaching the dojo.
"Yeah, the migraines seemed to have stopped. I'm feeling much better," Willow sighed, coming down the stairs of the dojo.
"Great, I want you in the lab, so I can run some tests," Adam motioned for her to follow him. "Just want to make sure that your injuries have completely healed, so that you don't cause any more damage."
"Alright," Willow went to leave, but turned to Shalimar. "We're not done yet."
"Don't I know it," Shalimar winked as she watched Willow walk towards Adam.
"Hey Adam. There's a transmission coming through. It's coming from an Alexander DePaulo." Jesse shouted from the computer console.
Adam looked somewhat surprised and turned to Willow, "Just wait for me. I have to take this."
Willow went to the lab, while Emma joined Shalimar in the dojo for some exercises.
Adam's Office…
Adam sat down at his desk and activated his view screen. A balding man bearing a goatee and a rounded pair of glasses appeared and Adam smiled.
"Hello Adam. It's been a long time."
"Too long Alex. What do I owe the pleasure of your call?"
"Well, I wish the call was under more pleasurable circumstances, but I need your help."
Adam had a look of intrigue on his face. "What can I do for you?"
"Well as you know I've been working for the Egyptian Museum in Cairo for about ten years looking for rare antiquities. Turns out two nights ago, an unknown group broke into the museum and stole an exceptionally rare piece of Egyptian art."
"I'm sorry to hear that. What was it?"
"It was a tablet of magnificence. Truly unique and priceless. Until we unearthed it last year, nothing like it has ever been found." He held up a photo of the piece to the screen.
Adam stared at it, in awe that with all his knowledge in the subject, he had never seen the likes of it before.
"Exceptional, isn't it?"
"Were did your people find it?"
"In Abydos, in the Temple of Osiris. One of the project leaders was examining a stone sarcophagus we had just dug up. He found it inside one of the coffins on the inside next to an unidentifiable mummified body. Carbon dating discovered that the body pre-dates the First Egyptian Dynasty."
"I read about it in the papers. It was the oldest mummy found to date. Have you been able to decipher the hieroglyphics on it?"
"It was difficult, but we able to read part of it. It tells of a stone made of gold and a man named Tutak. The rest speaks of deserts and valleys, pretty vague."
"Any idea of who might have taken it?"
"Well one of the guards who came across the thieves seems to remember being levitated into the air. After that, he doesn't remember much. When I heard that, I thought of the possibility that it was a new mutant and I immediately sought you out. If new mutants are involved, I know that this is you're area."
"I understand."
"So when can you be here?"
Several moments later…
Adam had called everyone to a meeting. They all sat around waiting for him to join them.
"Any idea why Adam gathered us together?" Jesse asked anxious to get working on a computer project he had been planning for weeks.
"Maybe it has something to do with that call he got," Willow entered from the lab.
Just then Adam walked in. They all turned to him, anxious to find out what was going on. "Sorry to interrupt your morning exercises everyone, but something important has come up and I have offered our services."
"What's going on Adam?" Shalimar asked.
"Well, I just received a call from an old colleague of mine, Alexander DePaulo from back in the Genomex days. He now works for the Egyptian Museum in Cairo as the head archeologist."
Willow's ears perked up when she heard this.
"Anyways, a couple of days ago, a group of thieves broke into the museum and stole an extremely rare artifact. Alex has reason to believe that the act was carried out by a gang of new mutants."
"Why would new mutants wanna steal an old artifact?" Brennen inquired.
"Well that's why Alex called me. He figured we could help in his investigation. So basically, whatever plans you've made for the next few days, you'll have to put them on hold."
Willow could hardly contain herself. She was about to explode. "Oh my god! You don't mean…"
"Yep, pack your things, we're going to Cairo."
End of Chapter 1