Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Tomb Raider, Lara Croft or any other character from the games. This is for fun, not profit.
Prologue.
Lara did not know why she was here. While she enjoyed Tokyo, this was different. Elizabeth Van Keuren wanted to hire her for a job. While Lara rarely liked working for other people there was something about the way that Elizabeth asked her that had Lara intrigued.
Lara was being led to the back room of the White Lily Restaurant by a man who was at least a foot taller, if not more, than she is. He also took her phone and her pistols. Lara tried to make conversation with him. "How long have you worked for Mrs. Van Keuren?" No answer. "Is there anything that you can say?" Still no answer.
They rounded a corner and came to a door. He opened the door and in a thick accent that Lara couldn't place told her to enter. It was a small room with only a desk and a widescreen tv hanging on the wall. There was no other way in or out, and nobody else was in the room. Lara was not happy. "Where is she?" demanded Lara. Her new friend squeezed around her and turned on the tv.
On the screen was an elegant looking woman in her early forties. "Good morning miss Croft. Sorry about not being there in person, but I had another appointment that unexpectedly came up. I hope this does not bother you?" "No, Not a problem at all." Lara tried not to sound too upset. "I am a little curious as to why you have asked me here?"
Elizabeth waited for what seemed an eternity before answering. "Tell me miss Croft, what do you know of the Fountain Of Youth?" "Not much really. Ponce De Leon searched what is now Florida in the 1500's looking for it, but of course he never found it." "You sound like you do not believe in the Fountain?" "I have seen a lot of wondrous things in my journeys. However, I haven't seen anything that might make me believe in a fountain that keeps you young forever." "About a year ago an employee of mine came across a scroll in a Cambodian Monastery that describes the fountain in quite detail. Then about six months ago he disappeared. I want you to follow his trail and find the fountain." Lara was shocked. "Excuse me. You want me to find the fountain of youth? Why? What about your missing employee?" "He is of no importance. If you find him fine, if not that's fine as well. Why not find it. Most people don't believe in the fountain, even you don't believe in it. What could be more fulfilling than finding an artifact that nobody believes in? I will make it worth your effort if you find it."
Lara was intrigued by the offer. "Where was your employee has been?" "The scroll is still in the monastery. He left notes in a hotel room. Walter will give you everything that I have." The big guy opened a drawer in the desk and pulled out a folder and handed it to Lara. "Is there anything else that you need from me?" "No. I think that's all."
Outside of the restaurant Lara was happy to have her gear back. Lara decided to check in with her friends. "Lara! Great to hear your voice. How did the meeting go?" Lara was relieved to hear the voice of her old friend. "Hey Zip. It went good. I need to make a detour to Cambodia before coming home. Call Alister, I may need his help. Also, find somebody who knows anything about the fountain of youth." "What? Did I hear you right? Did you say the fountain of youth?" "I don't believe it yet either. I'll call you when I get to Cambodia." All Lara heard was laughing.
While driving to the airport Lara had a feeling that she was being followed, but she couldn't be sure. Lara wasn't sure if she would find anything or not. If she did find the fountain of youth she wasn't sure what she was going to do. She didn't quite trust Elizabeth Van Keuren. Until she found anything she would just play it by ear.
