Magi Magi Magician Gal (MMMG): Okay, almost 8 years after the original posting, I decided to go through this story and fix as many spelling and grammar mistakes as I could… and I completely rewrote the story, but most of the Author's Notes have stayed the same. Anyway, this story was co-written with CuriousMidnightHeart (CMH), originally VampiressBeauty20 (VB20), and was originally posted on CMH page, but someone thought it was going against the rules, (no clue how), so they reported it.
CMH: So, my co-writer is posting it here for us.
MMMG and CMH: We don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! or Aladdin. This is non-profit, so we're just having fun.
CMH: Except Selene, she's my Own Character (OC).
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Chapter 1: Egyptian Nights
The sinking sun beamed down from the bright orange sky as the desert winds slowly began to pick up. A figure riding a camel could be seen in the distance, approaching the large city before him. His dark blue eyes took in the sight, glad to see Cairo once again. A smile formed upon his face as the sand blowing in his face suddenly cleared, giving a much better view. Many of the people this stranger had come across on his way there had been very kind, giving him directions to where he needed to go.
He hadn't been home in so long, and was looking forward to seeing some old friends again. Traveling over much of the known world in less than a year, he had seen many grand sights. But his favorites were the pyramids, silent as glass, great monuments built for the Pharaohs of Egypt, many for their final resting place. The wealth of Egypt hidden with them, for one could not pass into the Afterlife empty handed.
A cool breeze began to blow, as the sun began to sink below the horizon, night falling upon the great city. Torch light illuminated the large city as the man continued his journey slowly into the local marketplace, before his camel collapsed from exhaustion. Shadi sighed, and tended to his beast of burden, making sure that the trip hadn't done any lasting damage. Seeing it was only a case of needing food, water, and rest for a length of time, the man's dark eyes looked out into the distance before he turned to the nearby townspeople and spoke.
"Hello and good evening to you worthy friends." Shadi gave a short bow, and beckoned to them. "Please, come closer. That's a little too close!"
The turbaned man then waved his hands frantically, as it became very apparent that the people obviously didn't know the meaning of personal space. They backed up a few paces, making them close enough to see what was going to happen, but not enough to overcrowd the man who had just obviously completed a long journey.
"Much better." Shadi nodded, and unpacked a rug that held a few common items within. "I thank you kindly for your welcome to the fair city of Cairo, also known as the City of Mystery and Enchantment. A place for the vendors with their finest merchandise this side of the Nile River."
The crowd began to disperse, not really seeing the point of the new man in town. He had some exotic wares on his camel, but they were mostly common everyday items like an oil lamp or some hair beads, not rare items that can only be found in a foreign country. Shadi knew he was losing people, but he also knew how to bring them back.
"I am a collector of tales, and every item that I have has a tale of its own." Shadi lured the crowd again, mostly children who wanted to hear new stories and dragged along their parents. "I can see that you're only interested in the exceptionally rare. I do believe, then, that you would be most rewarded to consider something a little more interesting."
Shadi reached down to the carpet and picked out the oil lamp. It was a battered thing made of brass. There were no elaborate designs carved into it, and looked as if it could use a good polishing. Just what was so special about this lamp? Many people wanted to leave, but their curiosity made them stay right where they were.
"Don't be fooled by appearances, for it is what is on the inside that counts." Shadi continued to weave the tale. "This was no ordinary lamp. It once changed the course of a young man's life, a young man who was far more than what he seemed: A Diamond in the Rough, so to speak. His tale began on a dark night, where a dark man waited, with an even darker purpose…"
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The shadow of two figures on horseback had been waiting for what seemed like hours. One of the shadows was growing very impatient with the thief he was supposed to meet. Dartz had been waiting for this event to happen for a very long time, to be handed the last piece of the puzzle that would give him the power to ruler over the most prosperous kingdom in the world: Egypt. The man knew that he had very little time to spare for matters such as these, but tonight was important, and fate was riding on one person to show up. A few seconds later the sound of another horse could be heard riding towards him. His eyes narrowed as the figure approached him. The rider was dressed in a long dark cloak, which covered his blue-green hair and blue eyes that stared out into the barely lit darkness.
"You're late, Esperoba." Dartz growled, anger and frustration evident in his eyes.
"A thousand apologies, oh patient one." Esperoba replied sarcastically as he pulled back his hood.
"Do you have it?" Dartz growled, his deep voice sounding fearsome as he jumped off his horse and onto the sand, his feet sinking slightly.
"I had to slit a few throats, but I got it." Esperoba replied.
Esperoba reached into his robe, withdrew his hand, and showed Dartz the object that he was talking about. A small golden shaped beetle sat inside his palm. However, it was just half of the object. Where the other half was, Esperoba didn't know, but he was only being paid to produce this half of the scarab beetle shaped relic.
"Excellent." Dartz said, reaching to take the precious object from Esperoba, but the thief had other plans.
"Nuh-uh." Esperoba said as he pulled it away before Dartz could grab it, as if scolding him. "First the treasure you promised me."
Esperoba suddenly jumped in fright as a green and yellow parrot flew right at his face, the bird's talons grabbing the object from his hand and dropped it into Dartz's. The second person on horseback dismounted and stood in the shadows next to the tall man, wearing a dark black cloak.
"Master, is it upon the hour yet?" asked the hooded figure of a young woman.
"It is time Selene, not to worry, my dear." Dartz nodded, ignoring the breathless thief. "This fool will be tested in order for him to enter the Cave of Wonders."
"Good." Selene nodded as well.
"Patience, my slippery friend." Dartz said to the thief as he pulled an object out of his own robes. "You'll have your reward soon enough."
It was revealed that the object was the opposite half of the golden scarab beetle Esperoba had brought. The thief and Selene watched Dartz as he carefully put the two pieces of the beetle together. A bright orange light surrounded the beetle, and it came to life. With wings flapping, the magical object shot out of Dartz's hands and took off into the night!
"FOLLOW IT!" Dartz shouted as the parrot leapt off his shoulder to fly, and the three took off chasing it deep into the desert. "FASTER!"
The three of them quickly chased the brightly flying beetle before coming to a complete stop when the two parts separated and flew into the side of a cliff. The earth underneath them began to quake, making horses rear in fright. The riders were sent flying of the horse's backs before the equines fled into the night, sensing danger. Dartz, Selene, and Esperoba watched as a humongous shape emerged from the cliffside, its head appearing to be that of a male lion. The two sides of the beetle had become its eyes, glowing red as its mouth opened to reveal very sharp teeth and a glowing golden light coming from inside.
"At last, after all the years of searching… the Cave of Wonders!" Dartz said, his voice filled with awe.
"Is that really it?" Selene whispered to Dartz as she pulled down her hood, ocean blue eyes taking in the sight before her, and her teacher nodded.
"Yes it is, and it's marvelous, isn't it?" Dartz turned to the thief, who was jaw dropped astounded. "Now remember our deal: bring me the lamp. The rest of the treasure is yours, but the lamp is mine."
Esperoba began walking towards the cave's entrance. He let out a low laugh as images of infinite wealth filled his mind. He'd never have to steal again! He could become his own Pharaoh! He who has the gold makes the rules, after all.
"Geez, where did you dig this bozo up?" the parrot once again resting on Dartz's shoulder squawked.
"Weevil, hold your tongue." Dartz scolded. "We must see what happens to this fool."
Esperoba drew nearer to the entrance. As he stood at the mouth of the Cave of Wonders, Esperoba peered down the throat. The rocky floor inside turned into stairs, as if sensing his presence. Moving closer to stepping inside, the thief startled and fell back as the lion head roared loudly. The momentum of the roll caused Esperoba to stop several yards away before he could look up again.
"Who dares to disturb my slumber?" the lion snarled.
"It is I, Esperoba." Esperoba staggered back while trembling in fear, his heart pounding from inside his chest before he bowed. "The humble thief."
The lion's brows furrowed, and his eyes narrowed. It appeared to be judging the one before him. After a quick study, the lion growled.
"Know this: The only one who may enter here, is the one who is worthy." the lion snarled. "One whose worth lies not on the outside, but from within them: A Diamond in the Rough."
Dartz and Selene exchanged a puzzled glance. a "Diamond in the Rough" had certainly not been mentioned in the scrolls they had studied to find this well-hidden place, only that those who entered had to do so of their own free will. Esperoba stole a glance at the two, not really sure what to do. The lion hadn't said that he could enter… that only the one who could enter the Cave of Wonders was a 'Diamond in the Rough', whatever that was.
"What are you waiting for?" Dartz hissed, and gestured for the thief to get moving. "Go on!"
Esperoba slowly made his way back towards the entrance of the cave. The mouth of the entrance moved, as if the lion was really breathing. Esperoba carefully slipped inside, placed one foot on the top step, and cringed as he waited for something bad to happen. When it didn't, the thief let out a sigh of relief as he relaxed. The cave roared in anger, for the wrong person had entered the forbidden domain. Rocks fell from the ceiling as Esperoba screamed and tried to escape, but was trapped as the lion head snapped its jaws shut, and vanished back into the cliffside.
"NO!" Dartz screamed as sand was flung into the faces of the ones who were waiting outside.
"Seek thee out… the Diamond in the Rough." the voice of the cave spoke one last time, echoing. "The Diamond in the Rough… the Diamond in the Rough… the Diamond in the Rough…"
When the sand finally cleared, Dartz and Selene were half buried in pure white sand, while Weevil was completely buried. But the parrot quickly popped his head out, hacking up a sandstorm of his own while trying to clear his lungs and unbury his body at the same time. It took a little time for the group to gather themselves, but their tempers quickly made themselves known.
"I can't believe it." Selene snapped as she finally stood up and dusted herself off. "I just don't believe it. We are never going to get our hands upon that stupid lamp."
"Just forget it." Weevil squawked as he grabbed the two pieces of the golden beetle that had ceased acting as the eyes off the lion, leaving a flurry of feathers behind. "Look as this. I'm molting. I'm so ticked off about this whole mess that I'm molting."
"Patience, you two, patience." Dartz soothed as Weevil handed back the pieces with more grumbles. "Esperoba was less than worthy."
"A thief that is less than worthy, what a big shock." Selene rolled her eyes, the sarcasm evident in her voice. "A huge surprise."
"Not!" Weevil said from his perch on Dartz's shoulder. "I think I'm going to have a heart attack and die from not surprise!"
"But what are we going to do?" Selene demanded. "We have a big problem. Only one may enter."
"That is true." Dartz agreed as he turned his eyes back towards Cairo. "We must find this one. This… Diamond in the Rough."
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Noteworthy changes
· Format and grammar changes so the entire story flowed better, (this is a co-written story).
· More background details so it's not quite so dialogue filled in some places.
· Shadi's personality is less Robin Williams, (may he rest in peace), and is more of a storyteller than a merchant.
· Domino City was changed to Cairo.
· The Cave of Wonder's head was changed from a tiger to a Barbary Lion, which was more common in Egypt during ancient times. It was also changed to be in a cliff (so it's an actual cave) instead of a sand dune.
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MMMG: Chapter 1 is up.
CMH: Now to get up the other two.
MMMG: While I do that, how about you go work on your small part for Chapter 4?
CMH: Please Review and make me happy!
MMMG: She means, make us happy.