Writer's note: This is the edited version of the fanfic that I posted earlier, but I accidentally deleted that version and the reviews ):. However, a big thank you to soul and spirit, KyuuketsukiShounen and inutaisho89 for reviewing (:

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of The Bartimaeus Trilogy written by Jonathan Stroud. There are some quotes from his book and I mainly only own the plot.

Chapter 1: A Wave of Death

Bartimaeus

I was back in the Other Place.

What happened? The kid had insulted me ((1)) and then dismissed me.

I admit, I was shocked. With that dismissal, he did for me more than magician ever did. Except Ptolemy of course. But that was Ptolemy. He was different ((2)). The kid. He's another thing altogether. Never knew he was such a self-sacrificial git.

"Bartimaeus…"

Now, THAT was creepy. Where did THAT come from?

A sudden tug at my essence. I don't believe it! Another summons?! That kid had just dismissed me. Had he gotten cold feet and want me to accompany him ((3))?

Another tug. Stronger this time, as though invisible hooks were embedded me. As usual, I resisted to the best of my effort but to no avail. I was once again dragged by the summons to…

Somewhere I could not materialise ((4)) and somewhere that was definitely not Earth.

It was really dark and I felt the tendrils of a biting wind lick me. Strange how there could be a cold wind when the place felt exactly like the Other Place, putting no pressure on my sore essence.

The darkness seemed to clear after some time and a pretty grey place appeared. It was like a world with nothing in it, except I saw something ((5)) that made me freeze and rub my eyes, doubting what I was seeing.

It was the kid. He looked, well ghostly.

"Bartimaeus? Is that you?" he whimpered. Sounding exactly how he sounded when he summoned me five years ago.

I replied in a resounding voice, "I am Bartimaeus! I am Sakhr al-Jinni, N'gorso the Mighty, and the Serpent of Silver Plumes! I have rebuilt the walls of Uruk, Karnak, and Prague. I have spoken with Solomon. I have run with the buffalo fathers of the plains. I have watched over Zimbabwe till the stones fell and the jackals fed on its people. I am Bartimaeus! I recognize no master…"

"Of course I know who you are! ((6))" the kid snapped, back to his usual self.

"Then what do you want, Natty boy? I thought you died together with Nouda when Gladstone's staff broke((7))" I said irritably. Though at the moment I was feeling anything but irritation. I was shocked and well...a little happy. The kid didn't die! Or did he?

"Yes I did. You are in the World of the Dead." he replied.

I blinked and asked, "Then how could you summon me if you are dead?"

He replied, "I didn't. I just said your name, there was a bang, a flash of green light and you appeared."

I pondered this in silence. I had never heard of this World of the Dead, though I was an almighty djinni. However, what mattered was whether there was a way out of it to Earth or the Other Place. I would probably help if he wanted to get back to life and it was possible. I mean, Kitty would be delighted.

"So...is there any way out of this place?" I asked tentatively.

The kid shrugged, "If I knew, I would be out of here and back to life again."

There is…There is…

Another echo.

I admit, all these echoes were freaking me out.

"That sounded like Kitty." the kid wondered aloud.

I shrugged, "Maybe you just miss her too much. After all, I saw your thoughts. If only Kitty knew."

Nathaniel shifted awkwardly and blushed.

There was an awkward pause.

I broke it by asking, "So…how do you know this is the world of the dead ((8))? It doesn't look much."

"Easy. I saw people that are obviously dead here." he replied.

"Like who?" I asked curiously.

"I am not saying their names. It took me forever to get away from them."

Ah, that was interesting. Let me see who is dead…

"Your dear old master…Jessica Whitwell ((9))?"

BANG.

The thin hag appeared.

"The Prime Minister was very displeased that you left without proclaiming your depature." she said in a shrill voice.

I couldn't help asking, "We? You mean there are more magicians? Like Rupert Deveraux, Carl Mortensen, Helen Malbindi, Marmaduke Fry?

A simultaneous series of bangs.

They all appeared.

"Look what YOU have done, Bartimaeus!" Nathaniel hissed. "We would never get away from them now."

"We((10))" I asked incredulously.

I had a brilliant idea.

"Ptolemy?" I asked hesitantly.

There was a pregnant pause.

"Was there anything that necessitated your unannounced depature, John? And is there anything that is supposed to happen? Who is Ptolemy?" Rupert Deveraux cut in.

"I apologise for my sudden depature, Prime Minister. I had accidentally summoned my djinni, which drew me here. Nothing is supposed to happen. Ptolemy has been dead for too long. Only those that have died for less than a hundred years would still be here. He is probably reincarnated or something. " Nathaniel replied.

I swore colourfully in Ancient Egyptian. I had been hoping that I would see Ptolemy again, after meeting people who were already dead. I had never managed to thank him properly ((11)). But this place just had to work that way.

However, something broke my line of thought as we heard…

Nathaniel…I will resurrect you…

This time, there was no doubt it was Kitty's voice.

((1)) Typical of magicians.

((2)) You didn't think I wore his appearance for nothing, did you?

((3)) Strictly impossible, since the staff would have broken moments after he dismissed and he would have…died.

((4)) Mind you, I was about to take Nathaniel's form. Take it as a mark of respect for what he did for me.

((5)) Or person. Whatever.

((6)) Ouch. I just couldn't resist the temptation, ok? He didn't need to be so insensitive.

((7)) The last thing I wanted to be true. Wait. Did I just say that?

((8)) Though it really looked like one. It had this really gloomy atmosphere about it, as though it was a graveyard.

((9)) The obvious person would have been Ptolemy. But I wanted to irritate that kid.

((10)) Oops. Maybe it was not such a good idea to call them after all. Even if it irritated that kid.

((11)) Ok, I admit it wasn't because of that. But he saved my life, so of course I would want to see him again.

ETA: Enjoy (: