Natla: Aftermath
By: Angel.9 Rakou Cobra
*I began this story BEFORE Tomb Raider Underworld was released, so therefore its plot does not affect my plot… this fanfiction takes place directly after Tomb Raider Anniversary.*
CHAPTER FOUR (written May 2009):
Alone
"My, I do love Egypt," stated Lara, stretching as she stepped off of the plane. She glanced playfully at Natla. "Do you the pyramids remind you of home?"
"A little," replied Natla, her mind elsewhere.
"Oh right," said Lara. "They need to be destroyed or whatnot first, like what you did to your people?"
"Hmm," mumbled Natla.
"Are you listening?!" demanded Lara.
"Not until you say something useful," Natla laughed as she stalked off to gather her luggage.
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The two sat in a fancy hotel room in Cairo, Egypt. Outside, sun scorched the land as a particularly arid day continued. But inside, an air conditioning vent gurgled and growled as it cooled Natla's face.
"Natla, stop hogging the air conditioning," complained Lara, moving around her belongings. "It's your own fault you won't get out of that damn suit."
Smirking, Natla glanced over her shoulder at Lara. "What, did you want to see me in shorts?"
"Sweet lord, no!" shouted Lara in horror.
Natla's eyes narrowed. "Well, then fuck you," she hissed, turning back to the cool air.
"Look, I understand that your nose is big, and therefore needs more time to chill, but you haven't moved since we got in here," Lara continued. "And I'm hot!"
"You're telling me," chuckled Natla.
"Natla!" scolded Lara.
"Oh, bitch, bitch, bitch," said Natla, rolling her eyes. She moved her chair over to the side and asked with a sneer, "Better?"
"It's about time," sighed Lara, seating herself on the edge of her bed, allowing the cold breeze to finally reach her. "Now let's talk about the Scion."
"Let's get me lemonade," suggested Natla.
"Natla, I tried to talk to you about the Scion on the plane, but you were too busy harassing the stewardesses to listen," Lara stated sternly.
"It's not my fault they didn't stock any pudding," said Natla with a pout. "It's my damn plane; there should be pudding!"
"I know what you're doing, and I don't like it," spat Lara. "Stop trying to leave me in the dark."
"And I know what you're doing!" whimpered Natla. "You're trying to kill me!" She collapsed on Lara's shoulder, moaning, "Ohh… the dehydration is setting in…"
"You horrible, lazy woman!" grumbled Lara, shoving Natla away. "All you have to do is call room service."
Lara's glare met Natla's attempt at puppy-dog eyes.
"Okay, FINE," she hissed as she stood up and walked to the phone.
Natla quietly removed a small scrap of paper from her pocket and looked at it hungrily as Lara ordered the lemonade.
Never thought I'd say it, but thank the gods for Angel.9.
"Happy?" said Lara expressionlessly as she seated herself once again. Her eyes caught on the paper in Natla's hands, creating the question, "Is that from Angel.9?"
"Mmm," replied Natla.
"Can I please see it now?" begged Lara.
"You can't read it," Natla said, eyes darting back and forth.
"Now don't be so childish!"
"It's in Atlantean, you idiot," snapped Natla. "You literally CAN'T READ IT."
"Then you read it to me," said Lara, relaxing a bit on the bed's edge.
"What the hell is this? Story time?"
Lara grimaced, saying, "Stop avoiding this."
"Alright, alright," muttered Natla reluctantly. "It basically says Angel.9 set us up with a guide to show us to where the Scion piece is locked up. There are also some other notes about the location itself… you know? How it's guarded and so on… Nothing to bother telling you now."
"Natla, you're obnoxious," said Lara bluntly.
Before Lara could press further about the contents of the note, a knock came on the door.
"Room service," called a voice.
"Oh good," Natla said with a smile. "My lemonade."
She looked at Lara.
"I hate you, you know," Lara huffed, making her way to the door.
"You're my sweetie, too," responded Natla, slyly taking over the air vent again.
Natla heard the sound of the door opening, and then nothing at all. She waited for one to greet the other, a splashing sound from the lemonade swirling in its glass… anything, really. After a moment, a second knock was heard.
"Room service," said a different voice.
Natla spun around. The door was gaping open, revealing a hotel staff member waiting sheepishly outside the threshold with a tray of refreshments in hand. However, Lara was nowhere to be found.
Carrying On
Natla was on Cairo's streets in the blink of an eye. Gun pressing into her side, she scanned the area furiously. People rushed here and there, ducking into buildings, or purchasing food and souvenirs. None of it concerned her. In fact, it only proved to be aggravating as it blocked her view and ruined her chances of finding Lara.
Damn it! I really hate to think it, but… without her…
Natla shook the idea from her head.
I depend on no one.
Her head dipped in a mix of frustration and disappointment. Lara had been kidnapped from right under her nose, and Angel.9 was off in search of the final fragment of the Scion, all while Natla found herself stranded in a faraway land…
Where do I go now? Do I meet the guide and go after the Scion?
"Lara…"
Or do I try to find Lara? And how?
Natla thought it over.
"Lara," she whispered.
But I can't. I don't have a lead. Besides, I-I need to concentrate on the Scion. I DO know where to go to get it.
She set off at once.
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"Can I trust you?" asked Natla skeptically.
"If you want to look at a pile of sand, I won't stop you," said a meek Egyptian woman. "I don't even know what that crazy lady wants out there."
"I suppose, if Angel.9 considers you safe, I should too," thought Natla aloud. "She's not as stupid as she looks."
"Shall I take you to the destination, miss?" asked the lady.
"How much are you being paid for this?" questioned Natla, suspiciously.
"More money than I ever hoped to have," the woman answered. "The pink glasses woman is very concerned for your safety. I tell her, 'There is nothing there but a few snakes,' but she insisted I stay by your side. Should I be cautious of something?"
"Nothing at all," replied Natla coolly. "I'm… afraid of snakes, is all. Very afraid."
"I see."
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A pair of camels appeared on the horizon as the scorching sun beat down upon them relentlessly. On their backs sat cloaked riders, making their way into the desert's vast nothingness. After a long trek, the great beasts came to a halt.
"Is this really where you want to be left? What of the snakes your fear?" asked the guide.
"Don't worry about any of that and leave," stated Natla sharply. "This is the place."
"Are you sure I shouldn't stay?" the guide questioned.
"Leave," hissed Natla.
"Of-of course!" the woman sputtered.
With that, she was off. Natla peered out across the sand until the guide was nowhere to be seen. A moment later, she started out further into the burning hell of a desert.
From this point, I still have to travel as far as my note tells me.
Adjusting the robes that covered her, Natla kept a sharp eye out for any movements around her. There were none, but the emptiness and isolation were terrifying enough. Nonetheless, she pressed on, holding the image of the next piece of the Scion in her mind. And also…
Lara…
Her thoughts had begun to travel away from her surroundings, when a crude structure appeared before her. There, in the midst of never ending sand, sat a strange, little building. As she neared it, she found it be barely larger than a hut.
Guess they made do with what they had.
She smirked, but the memory of Angel.9's note flooded into her head. It warned of a base of miniscule size, yet awesome power. Apparently, it was extremely well-guarded.
I wonder why Angel.9 wouldn't get it herself...?
Natla laughed to herself.
I suppose she was afraid to go alone. Little did she know, now I'M trapped by myself.
She stopped her camel and climbed down.
This is aggravating me.
Natla pulled the heavy cloak off from herself and draped them over the camel's back. Quickly, she thumped her hand to the side of her jacket. The gun lay exactly where she had tucked it. A dark smile came to her lips as she realized the little pistol was all that stood between thousands of years of planning and certain death.
She sauntered forward.
I'm Jacqueline Natla.
She stopped before the small building's door.
I'm Jacqueline Natla!!
Taking a heeled foot up, Natla booted the door as powerfully as possibly, and down it came! She already had her pistol drawn and a cocky smile on her face as she took a step in. But, to her surprise, the building was abandoned.
This isn't the place! The guide stopped me at the wrong point! This is all a set---
Metal pressed to the back of her head.
"You bastard," she muttered. "How did you get here before me?"
"I just circled around while you waited for me to get far, far away," laughed the guide.
"And why?" asked Natla, her mind racing.
The woman played with the gun behind Natla. "Sure, your crazy lady promised me plenty for your safe journey, but someone else is paying me more."
"To kill me."
"No," toyed the woman. "No, they want you to make a safe journey as well. Just to someplace else."
Natla smiled and spoke calmly, "So, you can't kill me?"
The guide's face dropped, and Natla sensed the change. Taking the opportunity, she swiftly turned and knocked the gun from the woman's hands. Raising her pistol, Natla's eyes lit up with vile excitement.
"But I sure as hell can kill you," she hissed joyously.
The guide's eyes widened.
"No!" she cried. "I know where I was supposed to leave you! I can tell you!"
Natla frowned.
"Then do it!" spat Natla.
"Yes, yes!" stuttered the woman. "I brought you only about a mile south of your destination!"
"Thank you," Natla said with a cruel smile as her gun fired.
Into the Shifting Sands
I'm getting impulsive.
Once again out in the unbearable heat of the desert, Natla was headed towards the next piece of the Scion. Aggravated, she kicked the side of her camel, hoping to get a little more speed. The camel jumped a bit, but then steadied its pace once again with a mere grumble.
Maybe I shouldn't have killed the guide yet. What if she was lying? I should've made her come with me.
Natla shook her head angrily. Her eyes fell onto the slow camel, and she huffed as she realized the futility in trying to get it move any faster. It was quite old, and considerably older than the guide's.
I guess that's how she beat me to the first building. I should've looked for where she hid her damn camel.
She sighed. Too many mistakes made in such a short period of time. She was beginning to believe she had lost herself somewhere along the way. Where was the old Natla?
The new Natla is wandering aimlessly in a desert.
Natla grimaced. Ready to just get off the camel and walk away from it all, she noticed a little blur in the distance. Either a mirage or the building housing a piece of the Scion, she booted the camel again in an effort to reach it. The great beast grunted as it attempted to move its aging feet forward.
Slowly, very slowly, the blur came into focus. It was no mirage and, though tiny, was still larger than the previous structure. Natla's eyes locked onto its shape. As the building grew closer, little figures pacing around it became visible.
Well, this is the place.
Natla stopped the camel, much to its relief.
Now, how should I approach…?
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A shriek pierced the air. Startled, the guards around the little building scanned the area. The sands lay empty; the sky was barren… until a little dot appeared above them. One guard squinted at it curiously.
"Do you see that?" she asked another guard.
By the time the other guard could turn, the little dot had grown into a large frightening shape. Whatever it was, it was approaching at an alarming rate. The guard gave a signal to the others, and they quickly stepped into formation, machine guns in hand.
But before a single shot could be fired, the monster from the sky swooped down and grabbed the first guard. Terrified, the others watched on as she was taken high up into the air, screaming. She and the beast disappeared into the great blue abyss…
"Was that… was that her?" whispered another guard.
"Of course it was," hissed Natla, grabbing the guard from behind.
He gasped, and the remaining guards turned around sharply, only to see their teammate in Natla's powerful grip. She was smiling wickedly as they opened fire. Swiftly, Natla dashed behind the building, the guard still in her clutches. A terrible scream of agony was heard a moment later.
Wary glances were shot all around as the remaining guards stepped towards the back of the building. They approached from both sides, in an attempt to surround their Atlantean nightmare. On a silent count of three, everyone burst around the edges of the structure, guns readied. However, they ended up face to face with one another, greeted by the body of a fallen comrade.
"I didn't see her take off," whispered one guard to another.
"Because I didn't," laughed Natla, perched on the low roof.
Her wings slowly stretched wide, eclipsing the sun.
Frozen in terror, the guards saw her leap from the rooftop. She landed heavily on one guard, digging her heels in as her pistol blasted away at the others. Bullets skimming her sides, she dodged with a beautifully graceful back flip. Mustering her reduced strength, a blazing fireball grew in her hands. Lovely wings flapping to keep her afloat, Natla flung the fireball, instantly knocking away multiple guards like bowling pins.
Didn't think I had it in me!
Only one guard remained. Eyes wide, she shook in terror.
Natla landed lightly before her. Like a deer in headlights, the guard remained still, watching in awe as Natla's mighty wings flexed on her back. Approaching gently, a cruel smile on her lips, Natla spoke calmly.
"Say hello to Tihocan for me."
Unable to react, the final guard was taken up by the throat…
Shot Down
Her heart pounded; her blood pulsed through her veins. A feeling of power and satisfaction unlike any other coursed through every inch of Natla's being. She looked at the door before her. Seeing such a tiny building, she fancied that Angel.9 had been wrong. There was no way it was as well guarded as she had warned. The guards simply could not fit inside such a place, and Angel.9 had been overly cautious for her queen.
Cocking her head to the side, she smiled and pointed her pistol at the lock on the door. BANG! She shot it, laughing. Placing a long-nailed hand on the door, she gave it a little push. The door opened slightly, and a gun poked out through the slit into Natla's face.
Laughing again, Natla smashed it to the ground as it fired. Quickly, a hand appeared to reclaim the dropped weapon. Equally quickly, Natla stepped on it, snatched up the gun, and flung it out into the desert. Smiling ear to ear, she whipped the door open and took in her surroundings.
Her face paled.
Every inch of the room was packed full of darkly clothed gunners. Each carefully took aim. Natla suddenly felt her courage drain, only to be replaced by a feeling of aloneness and vulnerability. Nevertheless, she clutched her little pistol and took a wild dive forward.
Wings unfurled, Natla attempted a rapid aerial approach… but, bullets instantly whizzed through her wings, and she crumpled to the ground with a scream. Eyes tearing, she pushed herself onto her hands and knees to inspect her bloodied wings. She hissed, suppressing an outraged shriek.
A lone guard stepped forward and put a gun to her head.
"Lock her away."
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Apparently, the small building had an even smaller room hidden behind a back wall. In it sat two steel boxes. The one to the right was a nondescript cube that held the Scion piece. The one to the left had a few circular holes in it, each about the size of a golf ball. This one contained Natla.
Angry and disarmed, she grumbled and prodded at her torn wings. They hurt terribly, and being mortal now, Natla thought it seemed worse than previous injuries. She thrashed around, looking for any weakness in her prison. But, alas, she could not find one, and ended up hurting herself further.
Eventually, she gave in and rested her head in her hands. Fuming, Natla peered out an air hole at the box across the room from her. She knew what it contained, and the mere idea of it tormented her.
So close to me!!
Natla was racking her brains for an escape plan, when the secret wall panel opened and someone stepped in. Pressing herself to one side of the box, Natla spied on the stranger. Much to her surprise, this new person was not a darkly clothed guard. In fact, she apparently was not even armed.
The woman walked over to Natla's little prison, a colorful dress fluttering around her thin form. Natla backed away from the hole as the woman crouched down and peeked in. She was absolutely stunning. Fair skinned and dark-haired, she looked like a model for a fashion magazine. Her gray eyes studied Natla.
"Well, hello there, Miss Natla," she said.
Her voice was even cute. Natla was caught off guard by her gentle demeanor. Confused, she tried to glare at the woman. She didn't know what to make of her.
"Not speaking to me?" she asked, pouting.
"Who are you?" hissed Natla.
"Your new best friend."
"What the hell does that mean?!" demanded Natla.
The woman giggled like a child, then continued. "It means I have two pieces of the Scion… you have the last one."
"And you want it?" growled Natla. "What do you think you'll be doing with it?"
"Creating the Seventh Age, of course," the woman said happily. "And you're going to do it for me."
"Never," spat Natla. "I don't work for anyone."
"Isn't this what you want?" asked the woman sweetly.
"Not if it's for you," stated Natla. "I'll do it for myself."
"Pity you see it that way," the woman sighed. "I guess I should just kill you."
She pulled out a knife.
"I'm shaking," taunted Natla.
"You see," she went on, "I want to rule the world too. I know you can make it happen. And if you do it, I'll spare you."
"I bow to no one."
"Except me," replied the woman with a smile.
"And just who the hell do you think you are?" huffed Natla.
"Well, my name's Elise," she said.
"Okay, Elise," Natla spoke calmly. "I don't think you understand who I am."
"Yes, I do, silly!" exclaimed Elise. "You're Miss Jacqueline Natla, founder and CEO of Natla Technologies, ex-Queen of Atlantis, and my new servant."
"I'd die first," hissed Natla.
"I can make that happen too."
Suddenly, loud crashing and screaming came from the main room. A guard went flying through the open panel and slammed into the wall, groaning. Lastly, someone howled a screechy, playful howl.
"Oh boy!" said Elise with a mean smirk. "It seems you'll have company in there soon!"
A moment later, a woman in platforms and pink sunglasses dashed in and slammed the wall panel shut. Gunshots rang out and attempted to pierce it, but to no avail. The black-clothed, black-winged woman panted as Elise watched over her shoulder.
"Damn," stated Angel.9.
Elise turned back to Natla, saying, "I take it she knows you, Miss Natla?"
Angel.9 inspected Elise.
"Shit, that's an ugly dress."
"Charmed to meet you too," Elise giggled.
"Who the hell are you?" demanded Angel.9.
"Miss Natla's best new buddy."
"Where is she?!"
Elise tapped her knife on the steel box next to her.
"Aw, Your Highness, I'll get you outta there!" called Angel.9, rushing over.
Quietly, Elise stood up and walked out of Angel.9's way.
"Okay, I know I don't stand a chance against a big, strong woman like you."
Raising an eyebrow, Angel.9 remained wary. Carefully, she crouched down and looked in the box. Angry blue eyes stared back.
"Don't just stand there, stupid," hissed Natla.
"Um, how does it open?" questioned Angel.9, looking the box over.
"The top! Just tear it!" screeched Natla. "I'm just not strong enough right now!"
"Okay, okay," said Angel.9, standing up.
Digging her claws into the steel, she began wildly shredding the box apart. Soon, the middle was giving way, and Natla saw her chance. Getting herself together, Natla gave an enormous push to the ceiling of her prison. Bursting out, she was met by Angel.9's overjoyed smile… and a horrifying sight.
Picking up on Natla's change in expression, Angel.9 curiously faced around. There stood Elise, Scion in hand, just about to open the wall panel. Angel.9 made a desperate dash for Elise, but it was too late. She had waited until the exact moment Natla was freed to open the panel, allowing all of the guards to teem in.
"Kill the one in the stupid glasses and take Miss Natla out of here," Elise commanded, and then sauntered out.
There were far too many guards for the two to take on. Despite the odds, Angel.9 readied herself for a fight. Natla slowly pulled herself free and stepped up beside her servant. Smiling and laughing a bit, the guards assumed this would be an easy fight.
However, they assumed wrong.
Knowing they would not kill her, Natla stood in front of Angel.9 as they charged forward. Frantically, Elise's guards attempted to find a clear aim at Angel.9. Natla left no opening. Keeping behind her queen, Angel.9 clawed and punched with all her might, only leaving herself open to a guard or two at a time. Meanwhile, Natla tore at and threw guards as she kept her battered wings spread wide, shielding Angel.9.
They had a simple goal in mind: get the hell out of the building.
Image of the golden sands in their heads, they did everything in their power to reach the exit. Natla had a good idea of her own. She continued to shove Angel.9 against the walls as they moved onward. Angel.9 was kept completely out of harm's way as the frustrated guards grabbed for Natla, only to be clawed by her servant.
After an agonizingly long time, Angel.9 found her back against the door. Crushing herself out, she dragged Natla with her. Using all of their strength, they both pulled the door shut and held it in place.
"How can we jam it?" asked Angel.9.
"Just hold it tight," replied Natla.
Noticing the door and its frame were metal, Natla began forming a fireball in her hands. Holding her hands to the door's edges, she and Angel.9 watched the door slowly weld shut. Smiling, Natla took her time and moved her hands over every inch of the doorframe until it was shut for good.
Angel.9 took her hands down from the doorknob and looked herself over. Apparently, she had been shot in the leg at some point. More importantly to her, though, she checked over Natla.
"Are you okay?"
Instead of getting an answer, Angel.9 got an angry hand around her throat, picking her up off of the ground.
"What are you doing?!" shrieked Angel.9, confused.
"You! You idiot!!" screamed Natla. "That fucking guide you set me up with double-crossed me!"
"I know! And Lara's gone!" cried Angel.9. "I came here as soon as I found out!"
"You fool, Angel.9!" continued Natla as if she hadn't heard her. "Why in the gods' names wouldn't you just give me the location on the note?!"
"You-you told me never to leave sensitive information all in one place!" pleaded Angel.9, hands now wrapped around Natla's wrist.
"It was in fucking Atlantean! Nobody else could read it!"
"I was only doing what you taught me!" cried Angel.9. "Right down to bribing mortals with immeasurable riches! How was I supposed to know the normal plan wouldn't work?! Oh, Natla, let me go! I-I only did what you said!!"
Natla's grip loosened. After a moment of consideration, Angel.9's feet were planted on the sands below. She rubbed her sore neck and looked at Natla sadly.
"Sorry I fucked up."
Natla shook her head and said quietly, "You don't have to be. You have my apologies."
Silence.
"I know where Lara is," said Angel.9. "I think."
Apologies
Legs crossed, Natla stretched back on a comfortable airplane seat. Angel.9 sat beside her, playing video games. The two were headed back to Croft Manor, where they could continue their search for Lara, who, according to Angel.9, was already long out of Egypt. The clouds breezed by gently as Natla stared out the window, deep in thought.
"Dude, you gotta see this."
Natla jumped. "What? What now?!"
"Mario."
"Who's Mario?!"
Angel.9 pointed to her game screen.
"Oh, you asshole," hissed Natla. "I'm thinking about something right now."
"What?" asked Angel.9. "Lara?"
Natla glared.
"Hey, that's a legitimate question," Angel.9 said simply.
"Fine. So I am," replied Natla. "You really think it was someone other than Elise who kidnapped her?"
"Yeah," answered Angel.9. "Think about it. They could a' taken you too when they grabbed Lara. But they didn't, so… yeah."
Natla sighed. "How about the Scion? I know Elise took off with the second piece, but did you find the third piece?"
"Hmm, I almost did," Angel.9 said. "I mean, I've got a good lead, but rushed off to make sure you were okay when I found out what happened."
"You had connections somewhere who were watching me…?" questioned Natla with a raised eyebrow.
"Yep. You know I watch over you," responded Angel.9. "They worked at the hotel."
"And do you think the guide was working for Elise or is there someone else involved?" Natla asked.
Angel.9 continued playing her video game. "Probably Elise."
Natla grew quiet again. "You know I'm really sorry, right?"
"Yeah, I do." Angel.9 looked up at Natla.
"I don't apologize ever, you know."
"Yep. I've been on your side for thousands of years now," Angel.9 laughed.
Natla leaned on Angel.9's shoulder and sighed.
"Thanks for that."
To Be Continued…