"Nathan…where are we?" I said as I blew my bangs out of my face.

We were outside of an under developed neighborhood that wouldn't start building houses till 2020. We were standing on dirt in a vast area. There was nothing in sight besides the sign that said, 'WELCOME TO FUTURE HOMES ESTATE!'.

"Damn. I guess, I'm nine years early." Nathan scratched his head and slid out a watch. He began playing with the silver knob on the side. "Prue, we're heading to the past. 2650 BC.

I raised my eyebrow. "What happened in 2650 BC?" I remember in world history we had gone over Ancient Egypt…but, what is so significant about that year?

Nathan chuckled. "The birth of Vampires." He grabbed my hand and looked into my eyes. "2650 isn't a great place to be roaming anywhere. We'll have to stay close. I mean it."

I felt sick. Vampires? Those don't exist. There isn't even any evidence of creatures like that. I looked at Nathan. He seemed…fearless. How could he? How long has he been time traveling? I was confused but, I had to do this. For Red.

Time travel wasn't what I thought it would be. I closed my eyes half the time as dirt circled around us. I held my breath and squeezed Nathan's arm. It felt as if we were spinning forever until I lost grip of Nathan's hand.

.~.

I coughed. Sand. The only reason why I hated going to the beach. I pushed myself up and brushed the sand off my dress. What happened to my school uniform? The dress flowed all the way down to my knees where it was rimmed with gold. Upper arm bracelets were fastened to my skin on both my arms, and my hair had been disguised with a short black bob. It felt odd but, it was possibly to fit in with the people of Egypt.

"Prue!" I heard Nathan's voice.

I looked around and winced my eyes. It was difficult trying to spot someone in this heat. I turned around and screamed. He was right behind me! How? His voice echoed from far away a moment ago now, he was right there. I glanced at him, his clothes were different too. Way different. A pale blue skirt wrapped around from his waist to his knees, hieroglyphics were drawn onto it as if telling a story. On his head laid a tall gold crown with curvy designs. He looked like one of the Pharaoh's in my textbook.

"Didn't know you were such a girl, Prue." Nathan said.

I stood up straight and rolled my eyes. Nathan ignored me, or at least it seemed and pointed to a large pyramid in the distance. It looked huge with the night sky behind it. I hope we aren't going there. It looked precarious since it was half finished. I frowned; in this heat, it'll take hours. I guess Nathan could tell what I was thinking. He shook his head.

"Prue. We aren't going there quite yet." He began. " They will think we're intruders if we go straight to their Pharaoh's tomb. We have to become friendly of the king and his family."

I raised my eyebrow. "How is that going to work? He's a Pharaoh. We won't get close to him without getting killed or questioned."

Nathan smirked. "Easy. Be Pharaoh's ourselves. You can be Queen Jamila. If anyone asks, I'm your husband, Sefu. We're from a distant land and hope to create trade of a mystical jewel. Oh, and don't talk…at all."

I ignored the last part. "You made that up all on the top of your head?"

"No. Every move we make, I planned it out. There's no way this plan can fail. Now shush, the Sand Guards will be here any minute."

Sand Guards? I never heard of them before. Possibly, another creature that doesn't exist. Sand Guards and Vampires…yeah, that's believable.

.~.

Sand Guards are real. They were headless, floating…guards. I've officially lost my mind. Of course, Nathan is calm. Pfft. They were guiding us towards a small village north of the vast pyramid. I could see fire lit everywhere and I hear their wild screams of happiness from miles away. As much as they sounded like rampaging Indians, I wanted to warm up near their fire pit. The temperature had dropped dramatically and I was freezing.

"Who are you?" One of the guards groaned. "What brings you to our land?"

I looked at Nathan. I couldn't answer…not until I was told. It felt like ages went by until Nathan looked as if he was going to say something. Please, don't say anything stupid…

"You dare speak to Pharaoh Sefu like this? I demand to meet your king for trade."

The guards laughed. "Pharaoh Sefu? And who is this, your queen?" I felt one of them kick my butt. "Where are your men?"

"We didn't want to pose as a threat. We came alone to bring jewels for the king in honor of friendship."

I nodded. They had to believe us. Their IQ looked like the size of a grain of sand.

"Pose no threat. The king wants no visitors at this time. It is the night of the moon."

I frowned and looked up. The moon shined brightly over the village. I glanced back to Nathan who was mouthing me to run. Obviously, he could tell this was going nowhere. What was he going to do? These things weren't even human. And Nathan didn't look like he could handle this by himself. He kept eyeing me to go. I looked toward the town and took off. The sand between my toes was slowing me down but, when I looked back I was far away from them. They looked like dots in the background of the pyramid. I faced ahead, I just had to keep this pace for a little longer. When I peered ahead I nearly tripped and fell. Nathan? B-b-b-b-but, he was right behind me! Now he's in front of me, waiting. Was I that slow or was he that fast? I saw him waving me over probably telling me to hurry up. I jogged the rest of the way; perplexed.

"You look like you've seen a ghost, beautiful." Nathan said.

"Nathan…you were…and now you're…how?"

He laughed. "Look, over there. We can talk to the king and get what we came for. We just have to leave as quick as possible after.

I raised an eyebrow. "Why the rush?" I questioned.

Nathan smiled weakly. " You'll find out if we don't get out of here in the next hour."

It scared me how he said that as something was going to happen in the next hour. Nathan was keeping something from me. I didn't know what but, I could see it in his eyes. How could I trust someone that is keeping something from me? I followed Nathan towards the howls and laughter. I stood up straight and made sure I looked presentable, I was meeting a pharaoh and I had to look like an obedient wife. As we neared that celebration site, the guards standing there had slid out their spears. Nathan smirked and bowed. He said something to them in an odd language. The guards lifted their spears. He grabbed my hand as we walked into their celebration. Kids were running around in cloth underwear, the wives were sitting and chatting while the husbands drank and danced. And this was all in celebration of the moon. Why?

Nathan was already ahead of me. He was in front of the Pharaoh, bowing and talking once again in that secret language. They looked as if they were joking about something. I raised my eyebrow and started to walk over. When I felt someone grip my arm.

I turned. "Erm…hello."

It was one of the women who were chatting. She didn't look too happy with me standing around. I tried to wiggle out of her grasp but, she was built! I honestly wish I could speak that stupid language so, I could ask what she was doing. She pushed me near the fire and I almost fell in. What was her problem?

"We want none of your kind here!" She growled.

I've never been so frightened. The woman flipped her tangled black hair and came at me. I shut my eyes and felt a sting on my right cheek. I couldn't hear anything for a moment. All I saw was her yelling and crying. She kicked sand in my eyes and I was huddled over trying to realize what was going on. My hearing was off , all I could hear was this painful ring.

"STOP!" I could hear from the non-stop ringing in my ears.

I kept my eyes shut. The sand was burning my eyes, to the point that I was crying a river of tears. I heard Nathan's voice saying something. I felt around and heard Nathan speaking to me. I couldn't hear anymore. Was I deaf? How hard did she smack me across the face? Nathan comforted me and wrapped his arms around me. At least…I thought it was him. I felt a wet cloth being wrapped around my eyes. I felt a bit of relief.

"…Pharaoh's Palace…stay."

That's roughly of what I heard. I couldn't stay here! We have an hour before something horrible happens. Was Nathan insane? I frowned as my eyes stung even more. Before I knew it, I was being carried by someone. Nathan wasn't this strong…or was he? I suppose it didn't matter at the moment, I just wanted this sand out of my eyes!

.~.

I squeezed my eyes as I felt something sniffing me. I was too scared to open them and find out what was doing that.

"You smell…so nice. Like the Nile in the spring…"

I jumped up and stared. It was a man! He bowed on the floor. "I apologize, Queen Jamila." He spoke. He stood then. " I am Prince Adio. I am sorry to have awaken you."

I took a deep breath and smiled. "It's an honor to meet you Adio." Where on Earth is Nathan? Why did he leave me with this psycho prince!

"I was just admiring your beauty. You remind me of a girl I met in the village." He explained.

I nodded. When I find Nathan, I'm going to kill him!

"I hope you did not mind Queen Jamila but, I had removed the sand from your eyes and bathed you in milk to relieve your stress."

…He what? Did he just say what I thought he just said? I guess in Ancient Egypt it was okay. He must really think I'm that girl from the village. "No…" My voice was shaky. "I-I don't mind." Where was the nearest door? I'm going to make a run for it.

"I want you to meet my father." Adio spoke quickly.

Anything…to get away from him.

.~.

"Prue! You're alright. Great!" Nathan ran up to me.

Adio had escorted me to the main throne room where his father sat on his emerald throne chair. A swarm of girls came out of nowhere and started surrounding us, speaking in that language again. It seems like they were talking to Nathan, they kept repeating, "Sefu! Oi, Sefu!" I managed to crawl out unfortunately, next to Adio.

"Father, this is the girl I was talking about…Jamila."

The Pharaoh nodded. It seems he didn't quite understand. But, how did Adio know English? Unless, Nathan had taught most of the people the language before…that's why he's so friendly with the Pharaoh and his people.

Nathan had walked over with the girls giggling behind. "Are you ready to leave…uh…Jamila?"

Adio stared at Nathan. "Leave? Pharaoh Sefu…we cannot allow that."

Nathan raised his eyebrow. "I don't mean to sound rude, Prince Adio but, my queen and I must return home. We need to find where to put the jewels in the Pharaoh's tomb then, we take our leave. What is the problem with that, Adio?" His brown eyes glared at Adio.

"Because…" Heels clicked from the other side of the room.

We all turned in sync to see a woman with long black hair and in a red cat suit. She smiled and slowly walked towards us. Nathan stood in front of me but, I could look past his arm.

"What are you doing here, Talia?" Nathan growled.

Talia shrugged. "I was just about to ask you the same thing. But, I suppose we're both here for the same thing."

For the first time, Nathan looked speechless and a bit scared. How could he let this woman walk all over him? He was usually calm in this kind of situation.

"I'm not here to work against you, Nathan. I want to work with you to retrieve Ahmose's emerald earrings. Why can't you see that we're supposed to work together? We're both the greatest treasure hunters in the world."

"I don't work with two-faced women. And I don't brag about my finds."

"Oh! Is that why you continue to stay anonymous every time you discover something? What's the fun in that? Anyway, we're going to need you to enter the tomb with us."

"Who's 'we'?" Nathan took a step back. My eyes widened. Men began to climb out from the floor as if it was water! They looked strong…really strong. They made Nathan look like a mouse. "I'm guessing that's we…" He muttered as more started appearing around us.

"Now, let's get this straight. You are coming with us to get the jewel." Two guys appeared from under us. I moved away and fell to the ground and Nathan nearly followed me but caught his balance. The guys behind him grabbed his arms and led him out the palace with Talia.

"Oh! I forgot. Kill them all!"

.~.

I groaned as I slowly opened my eyes. The area was blurry and all I could see was a figure hanging upside down with his feet in the air hung by rope. I looked to see that I was too. My head felt as if it was on fire. I blinked to realize it was Adio who was crying. I suppose it was alright for a twenty year old to cry in a situation like this.

"Adio." I tried to yell. All that came out was a high pitched whisper.

"Queen Jamila…I am…sorry." Adio frowned. "Talia had…promised to release…my mother. She killed her and my…sisters. My father had his head sliced off by one of the guards…"

"I'm sorry for your loss Adio. I know what it feels like to lose someone…" I almost started crying myself. I missed Red so much that I did this for her. I didn't realize that I would soon join her in the next few minutes. "Adio,"

"Yes, Jamila?"

"Do you have any idea of how to escape this place?" I asked quickly.

"No…but, I have been thinking of a plan. But, that requires you to know information you are not ready to know." He spoke.

"What? Look, if you have a plan than do it! Our heads are going to explode if you don't do anything!" I whispered furiously.

Adio sighed. "Has Master Drake said anything to you yet? About his…family?"

Master Drake? So, Adio does know that Nathan and I aren't Pharaohs. That means, Nathan had set this whole thing up to make me believe him! I'm such an idiot. Why didn't I see that before? "No. Please, enlighten me."

"Master Drake's great-great-great grandfather, Perilous Drake had ruled a kingdom at the side of the Nile. He was in his eighties and he knew time was up. Instead of giving into old age, he had spent most of his time trying to find this Immortal Box that has said to be locked away by the Gods themselves so that no one can live longer than them. Perilous was ninety-two when they had finally found it. He had taken the box to his secret chamber and opened it. He was cursed and turned into this horrid creature that sleeps during the day and hunts at night. When the curse had taken over his brain his frail body couldn't handle it so, he killed himself. Leaving only ashes and bones. One of the maids that Perilous had slept with had found those bones and ashes. She was cursed herself along with the infant inside her. When the baby was born, the maid had started hunting for food for it. Nothing satisfied it…except blood which she drank from the guards outside. This spread all over the kingdom. They all formed together to serve her. It was like that for centuries until she met her time and died. The newborn baby, now a man had continued until they were all wiped out from the heat at nights. Only one survived and kept seducing little girls to come over from neighboring villages to tell them stories. The one that survived was Xander Drake. He survived and century after century the vampirism spread and into the future. Master Drake was one of the victims but, he doesn't rely on blood to live. In the future vampires had changed. Master Drake is an evolved Vampire. He steals energy from the body by touch and since the human body is always giving off energy you don't ever realize that he's using that to suppress his hunger. The best thing about being an evolved Vampire is that, the sun barely hurts him compared to his ancestors, he has more strength and speed. Master Drake is the first evolved Vampire in history. He is feared but, not by Talia. She is the second evolved Vampire, but, she has more advanced powers than Master Drake will probably ever have. Master Drake doesn't like his form since he turns a different age every twenty-five years or the fact that it hurts him inside to be around you and anyone else. It drives him insane. Vampires are drawn to other Vampires, it's like two opposite magnets are attracted to each other. No matter how you put them, they'll always attach to each other. That's how Talia found him."

That bastard! I knew there was something about him. How could I have been so blind No wonder he touches my hand a lot. There were so many questions I wanted to ask but, I wanted Nathan to answer them. Not Adio."How do you know so much English? You sound like a professor…" I said in awe.

"Master Drake had taken meto the future and I learned English fluently. Too bad no one here speaks it well enough for me to interact with them. A majority of the village folk think it's the Devil's language. Yet, some speak it."

I snorted. "Like that woman who tried to kill me? Yeah, she looks like she ate the majority of your village."

"Please, my people are non-violent. Do not think of them as violent people. That woman is the Mother of the Village. She keeps the children in order and makes sure the girls know what to do as their job as women, that is, when they grow older. When she saw you, she thought you were a horrible example to the girls. Mother doesn't approve of queens. Queens like to look nice and royal and that ruins the girls' self-esteem. Mother loves all the villages' children; she just doesn't want them sad and asking to look like the queen. She hit you because she thought you were trying to purposely upset the girls."

I finally saw her reason but, I wasn't ready to forgive her not when I was hanging like this. "So, are you a…you know?" I asked.

Adio nodded. "I'm a poupée de sang…yes."

Shocker. "So…mind using that super strength to get out of here?"

"Oh, sorry." It took Adio no longer than two minutes to get us both down. I fixed my dress and ran up the stairs back to the throne room. I gasped as two guards pointed at me and started running towards me. I looked for the nearest door and that was the front. I pulled it open and slid through. I saw Adio behind me, running onto the sand with me.

"WE HAVE TO SAVE NATHAN!" I yelled back at him.

"I KNOW! BUT, WHERE IS HE?" Adio asked.

"I think I know." I peered at the giant pyramid.

There lies Ahmose's emerald earrings. I have to find the earrings first before they do then save Nathan. But, how can I distract them? I'm only human. Maybe I can go through the top of the pyramid. A fourth of it wasn't even finished so, this would be the perfect opportunity.

.~.

Adio and I finally arrived at the gigantic pyramid. The only entrance that looked safe was the front. We both ran inside only to find that the hallway was extremely narrow.

"There is a map at the end of this hallway. You can find the treasure room there." Adio explained. "Unfortunately, I cannot join you, Jamila." He grabbed my hand and kissed it delicately. "When historians find this pyramid they'll look for my footsteps. Yours will disappear when you leave."

I nodded. "Thank you, Prince Adio. I'm glad to have met you…"

"Go on inside. You don't have much time left. When you find those earrings, whatever you might do with them…be careful."

Adio had turned back and I was led by the lit torches on the side of the wall. It was hot and stuffy in here and it became harder and harder to slide against the walls. The map was illuminated ahead and I slid faster so I could read it quickly. When I got there of course it was in that language again but, I could tell where I was and which hallway I should go through next. The left seemed like a tiny room but the right was huge. The Pharaoh might have had a lot of treasure. The right room had seemed more ideal. The hallway was wider and I was able to run through it easily. The room had lit torches everywhere only to make the gold treasure reflect off it. I gasped. I've never seen gold so beautiful. But, where were the earrings? I searched around the room for them but they were nowhere to be found. I bit my lower lip. I was making this harder than it should be. The earrings must be in a box if they are so valuable. Adio had seemed so concerned for them before I left him…if there were so valuable to him then, they must be for his father and mother. My eyes widened…so valuable to their family that it deserves its own room near the Pharaoh's resting place. Of course! How could I be so stupid? I got up and ran to the opposite side to the left room. No torches were lit in this room, I walked back outside and grabbed one of the torches out there. When I walked back inside, I could see a chest in the middle of the room. I got on my knees and opened it. I smiled widely.

"Why hello, gorgeous…" I whispered.

The emerald earrings were jaw dropping. The two emeralds were surrounded by small diamonds and the hook looked as if it was made of silver. No wonder the family adored it, the queen wanted it buried it with it near her. I know I would. The emeralds were the size of my palm…amazing. I closed the box. I wanted to give it to Adio to hold until we got out there. I walked out and slid against the wall. There Adio sat in the sand waiting patiently. I handed him the box, "I'll be back."

I went back inside next to the map…where could Talia have taken Nathan? There were only two rooms as the map have shown. But, where was the Pharaoh's tomb? I looked at it more carefully, there were scribbles in the right room. That had to mean something. I hurried outside to ask Adio but, when I walked outside there was Adio handing the box to Talia.

"I don't know who you are but, you are very clever. Unfortunately, you aren't very smart." Talia said. "What's your name?"

I eyed her. "Where's Nathan? Bring him here and maybe I'll tell you." I spat.

She nodded. Guards appeared out of the sand with Nathan struggling out of their grasp.

"You can have him." The guards threw Nathan at the pyramid breaking a part of it off. He weakly stood only to fall over again.

"Your name, little girl?" Talia asked.

"Daphne Blake." I muttered.

"Well, I guess we'll meet again ." Talia slid out a similar watch that Nathan had and disappeared.

I ran over to Nathan. His scalp was bleeding and he looked dazed. "Are you alright?" I asked, not touching him.

"I'll recover." He smiled and pushed himself up. "So, you found the earrings and Talia took them…great." He brushed the sand off his skirt.

Adio had started laughing. He was on the sand, laughing like a maniac. As we walked over to him. He smiled widely at us. "I can't believe that worked!" He continued to laugh. I joined in, my eyes started to water as Nathan looked at us as if we were insane.

"What happened?" Nathan asked.

I slowly stopped and slid out the earrings out my bra. "She fell for it!" I tried to calm down. "You were a great actor Adio."

Nathan snatched the earrings out of my hand. "Beautiful…I don't know what to say about this…"

"You don't have to say anything. Just be happy that Talia is gone. Now that she knows my name." I stood up.

"Daphne Blake? Sounds so familiar…" Nathan looked up at the moon.

"Scooby-Doo? You know…the beautiful red head?" I explained.

"No. You're the only beautiful red head I know." He said, still staring at the sky. "Let's celebrate. We're going to 1964."

.~.

We appeared in a dirty alley. All of our clothes had changed again. Adio and Nathan wore a traditional suit while my hair had restored back to normal. I was wearing a scarlet long dress with the slide slit, red pumps, and purple opera gloves.

"You look great, Prue." Nathan reached out for my hand. I took a step back.

"Thanks." I whispered.

Nathan looked at Adio and walked ahead.

"You're wearing gloves. He won't be able to hurt you." Adio explained. "You're fine."

I walked with Adio onto the sidewalk. Lights were everywhere making everything look beautiful. There was a clean white-columned building that was on our left hand side. Nathan was waving us inside. Adio grabbed my hand and slowly helped me up the stairs. It wasn't easy walking in heels like these.

When we arrived inside, a chandelier was above us glistering, red velvet curtains were all over the windows, portraits were hung everywhere and the waiter dressed so nicely. He guided all three of us to a table near a stage and microphone.

"Bonjour. A waitress will be here shortly. Please, sit and the band will be playing soon." He informed us and walked back to his position. Instead of a band coming on stage, my favorite oldie song came on.

L, is for the way you look at me.

O is for the only one I see.

V is for very, very extraordinary.

E is even more than anyone that you adore.

"Do you want to dance?" Nathan asked.

I bit my lower lip, peering at Adio who was urging me to go. I slowly stood and join Nathan on the dance floor. He put his hand on my waist, I put my hand on his shoulder. I gritted my teeth. This was so…weird.

Love is more than just a game for two.

Two in love can make it.

Take my heart and please don't break it.

Love was made for me and you.

I looked up and Nathan was staring at me. I quickly looked down, I couldn't do this.

L is for the way you look at me.

"You know, don't you?" Nathan whispered.

I nodded, trying not to look at him.

"Are you scared of me?" He chuckled.

"Would you hate me…if I said yes?" I frowned.

E is even more than anyone that you adore.

"Never."

I was surprised. I thought he would of gotten angry. I suppose not, maybe not, now. We were celebrating and we had to at least pretend we were happy. I smiled at him and finally looked into his eyes, "How long have you been time traveling?" I questioned.

"Since I was nine." He replied.

This was the night I was going to get to know Nathan. Whether I danced with him all night to find out or we ate dinner together for me to find out. I was going too.

"Where are we traveling next?" I asked as he twirled me around.

"1838, The Trail of Tears."

Love is all that I can give to you.

Love is more than just a game for two.

Two in love can make it.

Take my heart and please don't break it.

Love was made for me and you.

Love was made for meee and youuu.

I know I promised that the chapter wouldn't be super long. I didn't know it would take this long. The song near the end is L-O-V-E from Nat King Cole, it's a nice song and fit for this part of the chapter. More will be explained next chapter. Thank you for the reviews! It means a lot. The next chapter, I promise, won't be long like this ever again.

Thanks for reading,

.~.DarkToonLink.~.