Shades of Panic
AbeoUmbra
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Disclaimer: -Authoress grumbles and pouts-I've decided my muses (and plot bunnies) are evil – lovely to play with – but very demanding little beasties. I don't own "Harry Potter" – "The Mummy", or "The Mummy Returns", if I did I'd get muses with time zones that match mine.
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The Night They Stole a Child from Death's Sight
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-Previously-
The double-decker bus suddenly screeched to a halt, jolting all of them. Jonathon had stood, staring down at the seated Ardeth, paying no attention to his family, Ardeth knew he was furious. Though Ardeth did not know why.
"What the hell, Jonathon?" Rick growled, seeing they were not close enough to be considered 'over' the water which they had long ago agreed might offer some protection from evil as Evelyn's myths hinted at.
"Well – that's all a very nice tale and all, Ardeth – or should I say Death? But…where is Harry." The words were spat out, for all that Jonathon normally played at being the joker – Harry had been his friend – and it bothered him that Ardeth – who was Harry's lover, had told this so calmly to them. Ardeth's gaze met Jonathon's and the first hint of steel that was Death peered back at Jonathon.
"I do not know." Death's sorrow washed over them – almost touchable, but certainly more real then anything else they had heard or seen from Ardeth that night.
It was then that Meela's men attacked.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Ardeth had quickly flinched to alertness, for after hearing a burst of gunfire shatter the silence of the night- before he was quite aware of what was going on - he found he had turned swiftly to see out of the window at his back – and found himself crouching under the window as more gunfire erupted – shattering the glass which fell onto him, spilling blood as small bits of glass nicked his neck and exposed skin.
From the front of the bus came Jonathon's cursing ("Bloody Hell, I do believe those filthy mongrels are trying to kill me!"), as the first shots had likely been aimed for him – and the engine. It was quite an accomplishment of fate that Jonathon had not died. Evelyn shouted a warning ("Get down, Jonathon!"), while pulling Alex down beneath the seats, shielding his smaller frame with her own.
In the silence of the gunfire – and knowing there would be more to come, Ardeth's eyes met Alex's very wide ones – the boy was scared, and had every right to be with Death sitting across from him. Instead of pointing out that he was one Alex's side – Ardeth, feeling a quick pull on the sleeve of his robes - turned away from the boy. Rick had somehow managed to get beside him – Rick met his eyes, and Ardeth knew without a doubt the man would take his help, as he was determined to protect his family.
Very slowly, Ardeth nodded his agreement to the plan he saw in Rick's mind; although seemingly started at the appearance of this ability, Rick was not one to "kick a gift horse in its mouth" and proved it by lifting his own gun to fire out the window. In quick succession he fired off several shots out of the shattered window, in the confusion, Ardeth took the time to peer out the broken window.
Quickly, he scanned the houses and buildings for signs of their attackers – all the buildings were one or two stories, and mostly solid brick masses, save for the rare alley. Seeing no way to count the hidden men in the dark, he pulled at his Immortal abilities – using it to count now many "not dead" men had surrounded them.
Twenty. Ardeth felt his heart sink, though he hid his emotions well when he ducked back beneath the window, only to meet Rick's demanding gaze.
"Twenty." Ardeth reported, feeling cold inside as he saw Rick swallow, looking to his family with worry.
"Well, can't you do something about them – kill them maybe?" Jonathon demanded from where he crouched in the front. Ardeth inhaled, closing his eyes as he "felt" the men – mercenaries were rarely healthy – they hadn't the luxury for it. Ardeth's breath hissed out in surprise – feeling Imhotep's newly developing Immortal powers coated them.
Not just giving them protection from other Immortals – but giving them 'luck', which would unbalance chance enough to give them near misses from firearms, even at close range. Even facing one with a sword would be at a disadvantage – for every moment you fought them, you would feel all the aches and pains over the years come upon you unexpectedly. Also –most predictably, he saw a curse in his minds eye, the curse was one Death had used in the past, that whomever fought in this battle against these men, would have injuries that would not heal – that would bleed until the person died, or was healed by a Immortal. Any Immortal that was not Death – even his sisters, or Sirius – would be advised not to heal them, as to do so – if not already a breach in a peace treaty – would break it entirely.
"You can not fight these men." Ardeth told them abruptly, a cold feeling settling in his stomach as he opened his eyes to meet Rick's narrowed gaze. Ardeth knew Rick saw him as something like a betrayer, but he could not afford to worry about hurt feelings just now.
"And why is that?" Evelyn demanded before Rick or Jonathon could.
"Imhotep gave them some of his power – if I fight them, it would go against laws that have been in place sense Chaos was sealed. If you fight them – you would have to overcome fate and chance – for these men have luck on their side. For every minute you would fight – you would feel, at best, aches and pains – at worst death wounds – as any injury you've acquired in the past will come to haunt you all at once. Also – minor or great, the wounds you get in this battle will not heal without an Immortal greater then Imhotep to break them." Ardeth explained softly, but as quickly as he could – knowing the men outside would not wait forever to fight them.
"Wait – you're Death, itself. Aren't you stronger then Imhotep?" Alex asked in a confused tone. Ardeth nodded slowly, his grip on the sword he carried tensing as gunfire again erupted.
"For now, yes," Ardeth answered simply as the gunfire ceased, "but if Imhotep continues to gain power, I do not know which Immortal he would become, he was once a servant of Chaos – he may replace Chaos if I act too soon directly against him." And that, Ardeth knew – was his greatest fear, to unleash another Chaos upon the world.
"Damn-it, Ardeth – can't you at least do to us what Imhotep has done to them?" Rick demanded as he heard the men daring to approach closer, the metal soles of their boots clanging against the cobbled road.
"If I do – there is a chance you would become Immortal as well." Ardeth answered shortly before he and Rick fired off more warning shots – sending the men scattered to the shadows.
"Do it." Rick demanded of him then, grasping Ardeth's arm in his hand as Ardeth began to reload. Ardeth met Rick's eyes, and very slowly, he nodded – in some amusement he watched Rick squeeze his eyes shut – Ardeth let out a shuddering breath summoning his Immortal power, and letting it wash over Rick. Rick would not feel it – though he obviously expected it to.
"It is done." Ardeth announced as Rick opened one eye, a surprised expression washing over his face.
"That's it?" Rick asked his tone somewhat doubtful.
"That's it." Ardeth assured him thought not at all happy at what he had done, Rick grinned wickedly. Something dark - that Ardeth feared he had placed within his friend - flashed in Rick's eyes as he reloaded, and fired at their would-be attackers. The men let out yells and screams as Rick hit his mark, taking down three of them.
"Protect my family – I'm going to get rid of these guys." Rick instructed, Ardeth, feeling somewhat drained, merely nodded in agreement, watching as Rick crawled down the aisle of the bus (pausing only briefly to kiss Evelyn, who told him to be careful, and ruffle Alex's hair) to meet their attackers from the back, where he would likely have the advantage.
Then, Ardeth lost track of everything as the fight erupted in earnest, for with Rick openly attacking them, they became bold – remembering Imhotep's promise that they would be invincible. Even finding it false when Rick took them down one-by one, they fought on.
In time – Ardeth was sure of only a few things, blood was being shed, for Death leeched power from the deaths as he had not done since days of old. He was also aware that Rick was doing well – but Imhotep's men had seen that Ardeth was the only one protecting their target, and as their focus narrowed onto him – yet luring Rick further away from his family, waiting for the perfect time to strike.
Ardeth was aware of all of this – it was whispered into his mind as his Immortal powers urged him to turn fully to Death – to take the lives of the men that threatened him with only a touch or a word.
Ardeth did his best to battle both his opponents and the Immortal urge – for he knew if given half a chance he could turn to the "dark" of Death, letting the urge to kill and maim take over, and influencing mortals to do the same. It was the very real truth to the reason he needed Harry – so to keep a balance between those extremes – to trust someone would pull him back if he went too far.
The only thing that kept him sane – the only reason he remained "mortal" – was the memory of his promise to keep Rick's family safe. Ardeth stood in front of them – fighting against the men who had surrounded the double-decker bus, crawling in through the windows; a few even bold enough to go through the door. Evelyn and Jonathon were just behind him, they had decided to attempt to rejoin Rick at the back of the bus – and Ardeth merely followed, hoping Rick would be there.
Despite his best attempts, while holding back three men, two managed to get behind him and Evelyn and Jonathon found themselves facing them – Alex shuffled even further behind as they slowly made their way to the back of the bus, all to escape what had been their sanctuary only moments before.
Ardeth could never later be sure how it happened – and for that matter, neither could Rick – but somehow the path Rick had hacked through Imhotep's men, was not enough to deter Lock-Nah who was quick to grab Alex from behind them.
At Alex's yelp ("Mum! Dad! Help") their attackers fled, and though Evelyn and Jonathon held onto the boys ankles ("Don't let go Jonathon –!") when Lock-Nah pressed the blade against the boy's neck ("If you do not want to see what your own flesh and blood looks like spilled onto my knife – I would advise letting go.") they let go, Evelyn shaking as Jonathon held her watching helplessly as Alex was dragged off.
"Rick…" Evelyn, seeing her husband who had been mere feet away spun around only to see his son being carried off, and took a jerky step forward. Lock-Nah, smugly, only shook his head warningly, Alex whimpering when the knife against his neck jerked and his blood shined in the dark, dripping onto his shirt collar.
"I would not advise coming any nearer, O'Connell..." Lock-Nah hissed warningly, even Ardeth's own efforts were throttled when, after rushing though the double-decker bus (remaining low to the ground, in hopes that though Lock-Nah knew he was on the bus, he would not see him coming) he emerged from the entrance – mere inches from Lock-Nah and Alex.
"Ardeth, I trust we will meet again some other night." Lock-Nah purred, watching as Ardeth who had been about to call on his Immortal power found himself confused when he 'saw' that Lock-Nah's life force mixed with Alex's and if Ardeth were to summon up Death, and whisper for Lock-Nah to die, he could not be sure if Alex would not suffer as well. It was a subtle spell, but one that confused his limited "mortal" power as Death.
"We'll get you back, Alex!" Evelyn promised from behind Ardeth as Lock-Nah, seemingly unstoppable, took several more steps away. It was then that the car screeched to a stop beside Lock-Nah, and after forcing Alex into the back, he fired off several warning shots before leaving in a screech of tires.
Absently, Ardeth heard them come up behind him.
"Were you shot Ardeth?" Rick demanded softly, his tone broken, Ardeth's gaze flickered to his hand – and slowly, he uncurled his fist – three shells rung out against the concrete. He heard Evelyn gasp softly in surprise; Jonathon took his fist and opened it the rest of the way – only to find it unmarred.
Ardeth's appearance seemed to "flicker"- then shatter, and where once he had stood, now stood another – where once he had had short (if wavy) black hair, it was now longer, smoother and fell to his waist. Where once the sun had touched his skin and turned it dark – it was now pale, his lips were deep blood red – and his eyes as alien as the night sky.
Slowly, Ardeth breathed in – his breath an audibly soft hiss, and then they saw the fangs.
"…Ardeth, you with us?" Rick choked out, feeling - for the first time - the waves of power that were he had let be wrapped around himself. They drew closer to him as the night seemed to react to his fury, the darkness deepening as if a fog surrounded them.
"They are doing to die, painfully, Evelyn – they will not know rest after death…I give you my word in this." The night-sky eyes blazed sliver, and Ardeth – no, Death, took a step forward, crossing the distance in a foot step that it would have taken them days to travel – the world seemed to flicker before them as they were taken with Death in that step.
It took Rick a moment to recognize the place, when he did – he smiled grimly. Who said Death didn't have a sense of humor, Evelyn (who had been clinging to his arm) relaxed, seeing that they were in a desert.
"I believe, you wished for a "magic carpet" to save your son with." Death spoke, seemingly more in control now. In the horizon, the sun was rising – all across the desert; Death knew seers of the Ma-jei would dream of the danger swiftly approaching and make the journey to Ahm Shere without delay.
"Well, if you can do this – why not take us strait into Ahm Shere?" Jonathon asked then, his tone sulky. Evelyn elbowed him sharply in the side as Death glanced to Jonathon and ice seemed to freeze the desert sand Death stood upon.
"Only, Harry – the Keeper, could do that and expect you to survive it." Death answered simply – and Jonathon swallowed uneasily, knowing that – for the moment Death was not "here" – he was thinking of Harry. As Rick left with Evelyn – trusting in Death to protect him, Jonathon wished dearly that Harry was with them – if only to keep a "leash" on Death.
Uneasy, Jonathon followed Rick and Evelyn, Death at his heels and Jonathon found himself cringing. For, every time Death took a step, the eerie sound of ice breaking on the sand followed.
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Note - some of you might remember a while back when I issued three "The Mummy/Harry Potter Challenges" – well… #2, which is – if you've forgotten; After defeating the Dark Lord, Harry Potter travels to Egypt with Bill to break a curse on a tomb, the Ma-jei know that Imhotep was laid within that tomb – and if the 'curse' is broken, he will be free once more. So, in hopes of warning off Bill and the rest, they kidnap Harry Potter, who is far more powerful then they expected – and so Ardeth is instructed by the Elders of the Ma-jei to keep watch over him. Instead, he falls in love.Has been answered!
SesshomaruFan552014 ( / u / 895135 /) has answered #2 in their story, you can find it at this link; http / www . fanfiction . net / s / 4032031 / 1 / (please remember to remove the spaces)!