MnK: Well, how are things? Still wondering about that charm in the prologue? Well to keep things interesting, I got this chapter up next. Now, just a little confession, I admit that I have made some errors in the past with this story. So, I have decided to get more creative with this than I should be.
Joey: Anyway, so how about it, Kaoru?
MnK: How about what, Joey?
Joey: You know, that hint to that charm?
Yugi: Woah there, Joey! You should keep in mind that there are those in the audience who are sensitive about spoilers.
Joey: What's the harm?
MnK: A number of things, Joey. Now then, let's get this part underway. Yugi, will you be the first to do the disclaimer?
Yugi: Oh, of course. Kaoru doesn't own Yu-Gi-Oh or Aladdin. The story belongs to Disney and the cast (except her original character) belongs to Kazuki Takahashi.
MnK: Than you, Yugi. And now, places everybody! Quiet on the set, and. . . action!
Chapter 1: Finding the "Diamond in the Rough"
One night, in the middle of the desert, five cloaked figures on horses were waiting on one of the sandy hills. They were met with another figure who is also riding on horse back. Once he arrived, he jumped off his horse. He is a bearded man with sharp looking eyes and wearing a bandanna over his head.
Then, the first of the cloaked figures revealed himself by removing his hood. He had long light turquoise hair and bi-colored eyes. One is blue and the other is gold. Worn around the crown of his head is a small fragment of a certain green stone. He spoke firmly, yet impatiently to the bearded man. "You are late. I have told you that we meet at the time we agreed with, Keith. . ."
The man in front of him, Keith, lowered his head and replied in a humble manner. "Yes, and I owe you a thousand apologies for my delay, Dartz."
Dartz asked him. "So, do you have it with you?"
Keith grinned as he reaches into his saddle bag to pull out what he's got. "Heh! I have to slit a few throats, but I got it!" He opens his palm and shows him a half piece of what's supposed to be shaped into a solid gold scarab beetle. Dartz began reaching out for it but, Keith pulls his hand back, hiding the item behind him. He waves the first finger of his other hand with a smug. "Uh, uh, uh. . . We're not finished yet. First, we have to talk about the treasure. . ."
Before he knows it, another shadowy figure quickly dashed right behind his back and swiped the scarab half away from him! "D'oh!" He guffawed when he found out it is taken away.
The one who took it chuckled with mischief and handed it to Dartz.
The bi-colored eyed man smiled and said. "Trust me, my eager friend. . . You can guess what's coming to you."
"Yes! Yes! What's coming to you will be coming to you alright!" Laughed the one who did the swiping.
"Exactly!" So did his partner.
The last two figures in the group behind Dartz only nodded their heads slowly, yet there's uncertainty and uncertainty in their eyes.
Now, Dartz pulls out his other half of the golden scarab and to his satisfaction, both of them are the same size. With Keith watching him anxiously, he slowly joins the two halves together.
Once both halves are connected, it became a whole scarab beetle and it begins to glow a bright light around it! With its powers, the beetle had come to life! It flew around Dartz and his horse, then swiftly flew out into the desert!
He commanded while pulling the reins of his steed! "Quickly, all of you! Follow the trail!"
So, he, Keith, and his other followers ran after the beetle on their horses, following its light across the sandy plain! "Faster!" He shouted to his horse again!
Once they've managed to catch up with the glowing beetle, its light grew brighter and split into two again, throwing themselves upon two sides of a big hill of sand.
After Dartz, Keith, and the others stopped in front of the hill, the ground starts to shake! Rumbling sounds can also be heard! The shaking became more vigorous as the sand hill started to rise up to the sky and change shape! In this situation, wind begins to pick up and sand is swirling around and about! Even the horses are terrified of what's happening!
When the rumbling is starting to subside, everyone on the ground looked up to what they saw! The magic of the scarab had caused this sand hill to take the form of a large cave in the shape of a rather ferocious looking sphinx with its mouth opened as the entrance and the two scarab halves are used for its eyes! From deep inside the cave, a glowing flame colored light can also be seen!
While he is staring at the cave in deep awe, Dartz gasped. "At last! After all of my years of searching. . ! The Sphinx of Wonders!"
The other follower from seconds ago also exclaimed while removing his hood, revealing his short green hair. He even had glasses over his eyes. "Woah! So this is it! That's the legendary cave!"
"Yup!" Agreed his partner, who also removed his hood, revealing his long brown hair. "That's what it is, all right."
Lastly, the other two removed their hoods as well. One had short sandy gray hair and lavender colored eyes while the other had snow white hair and brown eyes. They both gaze at the sight of the cave too.
Keith gasped with his jaw hanging low. "Well, I'll be a. . ."
There is a pause of silence. Then, Dartz grips Keith by the collar of his robe and growled. "Now. . . Listen well! Bring me the 'Ninth Millennium Item'! The rest of the treasure is yours, but that item. . . is mine!"
As soon as the demand was said and Dartz released him from his grip, Keith began to make his way to the cave. He is chuckling slightly with greed in his eyes and his head filled with high hopes of being surrounded by absolutely nothing but riches.
"Yeah! Don't come back up without that item if you want your treasure!" Shouted the second assistant of Dartz's. He then turned to his leader and asked. "Geez, when did you pick up this sucker, master?"
"Sssh. . ." Dartz only wanted him to remain quiet for now.
When Keith made it to the mouth of the cave, he slowly looks down to see what's inside. He couldn't see or make out what's beyond the bright yellow light that is shining from below, but he can see that the steep slope had formed into a set of stair steps which will lead him to the chamber under the ground.
Just when he is about to take the first few small steps in, the cave lets out a loud roar, causing him to fall backwards thus, sending him tumbling back outside!
Then, the Sphinx began to growl with a rather low, thundering voice, asking. "Who disturbs my slumber. . . ?!"
Keith gasped at the sight for a bit. Never before did he hear or see a cave talk before! He swallowed a lump down his throat and answered slowly, yet a little uneasily. "It. . . It is I. . . Keith. . . A humble thief. . ."
The Sphinx examined him for a short while and bellowed firmly. "Know this! Only one may enter here! One whose worth lies far within! The Diamond in the Rough!"
Dartz and his other followers exchanged each other looks when those words surprised them before turning back to Keith's situation. He can see that he's giving him a rather nervous look. But, he wouldn't give into it. "Well, what are you stalling around for? You do want your treasure, right? Go on!"
Keith gulped slightly again. He turned back and he slowly walked back to the cave's entrance, although he is truly frightened by it.
Now, a few seconds have passed and Keith hadn't gotten further inside. He had just climbed only six steps down already. Having the urge to panic, he winced his eyes shut, thinking something bad is about to happen. But, nothing occurred. He reopened his eyes and sighed in relief. However, his chance to relax didn't last for long!
The cave suddenly made another loud roar and Keith notices that the ceiling is starting to shake and crumble above him! He panicked and he starts to try running back to the doorway in order to escape! Before he is able to reach the surface, the Sphinx's mouth quickly closed up, trapping him inside! Only his scream of despair can be heard!
When the cave's shape reversed back into its previous form, a violent gust of wind blew!
"No!" Dartz cried as he braced himself. He had wasted his chance to get what he's after.
Before the cave drifted back to its silent sleep, its voice echoed. "Seek thee out. . . The Diamond in the Rough. . ." Of course, the gold scarab's power wore out. The two halves tumble down from their positions on the sand.
At that moment, Dartz's four acquaintances got up from the ground and dusted themselves from all the sand.
The first two were coughing on some of it too.
"Phew! Sand is. . What's the word? Sandy." Said the one with brown hair.
But, the one with green hair scoffed. "Oh! I can't believe it! I just don't believe it!" He continued yelling as he went over to pick up the two scarab pieces for Dartz. "Master! We'll never get a hold of that stupid "ninth item"! Oh! Forget it!" He also notices that there's still some more sand on him. "Look at this! Look at this! I am so ticked off, I got some sand in places I didn't know that I have! I even got some in my eyes! I should have worn some contact lenses!"
"Well, so do I!" Said the other one. "Also, I even had to tell you boss, that this is the third peasant we have hired to find that scarab, this week! We've even wasted him as a sacrifice to that cave!"
After the pieces were given back to him by his subordinate, Dartz reminded them. "Patience, Weevil and Rex. Patience. . . Besides, Keith is obviously less than worthy."
Weevil yelled again. "Oh! That's a big surprise! That's incredi. . . No! I think I'm gonna suffer a heart attack and die! We're not surprised!"
While watching his ranting, Rex just shook his head.
He continued to shout. "What are we gonna do?! We got a big problem here!"
Before he can say anything else, Dartz covered his mouth and thought aloud. "Yes. . . Only one may enter. . ." He then uncovered his mouth when Weevil is able to calm down and ready to listen with his partner. "I must find this 'one'. This. . . 'Diamond in the Rough'. . ."
The last two members of the group looked at each other. The lavender eyed one asked. "Do you think you know who he's having in mind, Ryou?"
The other one, Ryou, shook his head. "No, Malik. I don't. . ."
Dartz does know what the 'Diamond in the Rough' is supposed to be. But, he must find out who it is.
MnK: And. . cut! That's a wrap.
Joey: Those guys sure are a shady bunch.
MnK: Indeed. Like any story set in a place like Ancient Egypt, danger lurks around every corner and ugly bad guys as well.
Weevil & Rex: We heard that!
MnK: And the both of you are meant to. :p Now. I will be keeping everyone posted as the story goes on. Feel free to review and comment. Until the next chapter comes, see you! ;)
Weevil: Hey! What about our request?!
MnK: Beg your pardon?
Rex: You know what we're talking about, we need to have a bigger role in this! Our contract clearly states that. . .
MnK: *She pushes Dinosaur Boy and Insect Brawler out.* We can talk about this another time. In the mean time, practice your scripts and be ready to rehearse when your cue is called for. *Then, she closes the door behind them.*