Disclaimer: I don't own "The Mummy", "The Mummy Returns" or any characters from those movies.

A/N: Well here's chapter three. I hope you like it! Please review after you read!

The Beginning of the End

The Sorcerer

The city was very crowed around this time of day. Yet it was part of her training to do this. She thought it was crazy. Her instructor, Anck-su-namun had said that as part of their training, she and Nefretiri had to blend into the crowd. With their status, they were easy targets. She was brought out of her thoughts by the sound of Nefretiri arguing with Anck-su-namun.

"Really! I think that this is absurd. I understand why my father wants me to learn how to defend myself but I don't understand why he can't have the Medjai teach me. I'm not saying that your incapable of it but the Medjai are taught to fight from an early age. It is one of the only things they focus on."

"Your Highness, may I point something out?" asked the girl timidly, fearing that Anck-su-namun and the Princess were going to fight out in the open.

"Of course, Relafetiri," said Nefretiri.

"Well, the Medjai are taught the art of stealth. It helps them to avoid a fight and also helps them gain the advantage of surprise. I believe that this is what Anu is trying to teach us. And, also, your Highness, you know that as part of this exercise, you are supposed to call me Rela, Anck-su-namun Anu and we're supposed to call to Fae. It keeps us safe from attack and kidnapping."

Nefretiri smiled at the fourteen-year-old. Then she turned to Anck-su-namun. "I'd say she passed this exercise, Anu," said Nefretiri.

"Yes, definitely," then seeing Rela's confused face added, "Sorry, Rela, but we had to see if you were actually learning anything from my teaching. This test was to see if you would be unafraid to stand up for what you knew was right. And also to see if you were listening when I explained the exercise. I can see that you did both."

"You mean that you two weren't actually fighting?" asked Rela, still slightly confused.

"Of course not! We never were really fighting. We were just setting the stage for this outing. Now," said Nefretiri, "We'd better get back to the palace. My father said that he had something important to tell us after we go to the Medjai inducting ceremony."

Rela's eyes lit up. "You mean that the newest bunch of Medjai's that started training ten years ago are finished?"

"Yes, and you have also finished the training you need to be equal to any Medjai in combat," said Anck-su-namun.

"I owe it all to you and Fae, Anu," said Rela as she hugged both ladies. "But Fae isn't done is she?" asked Rela.

"No she must still learn and entertainment martial art. You will learn this later," Said Anu.

"Well let's get going!" said Rela, and she took off almost running toward the palace.

"So, do you think she's excited about my father's announcement or the new Medjai?" asked Nefretiri as she and Anck-su-namun headed up to the palace.

"The Medjai. Why didn't you tell her that she wasn't allowed to go to the inducting ceremony?" asked Anu.

"I'm still hoping that my father will change his mind. I mean, he knows how close Rela was to Anix."

"Yes he does, but he's been acting strangely lately. Ever since he went to stay at the Northern Palace almost eight years ago."

"I know. I think it might be because he is getting older. I wonder what his surprise is."

Meanwhile, the Medjai were getting ready for the ceremony. It was a huge affair and only the most prestigious people in the kingdom were allowed to attend. That is why Rela wasn't allowed to go. Even though her father was high priest and the pharaoh let her consider Anck-su-namun as a motherly figure, she was still technically just a servant. She sang for feasts on holidays and also helped her grandfather, the chief scribe, get materials whenever needed. She was almost a part of the royal family, so the pharaoh almost let her go but then another issue was brought before him: her age. To attend any Medjai competition, a person must be at least fifteen. Rela was only fourteen.

As he prepared for the ceremony, Anix was thinking of his mother, the Princess. He hadn't seen her for almost ten years while he trained. It was forbidden for anyone from the outside to disturb a Medjai's training. He smiled as he remembered his mother. He remembered when she said goodbye as he went to go train. Then suddenly he remembered Rela. Rela and he had been inseparable as children She had been his best friend and confident. He had even told her the secret that he had sworn never to tell anyone. This was who his mother actually was. In turn, she had promised not to tell and had also told him a secret. His grandfather's future wife was actually in love with Rela's father, Imhotep. Of course, at the time this had seemed not that important. Now, though, he realized the full magnitude of the situation.

For ten years, fighting techniques, stealth, loyalty to the Pharaoh, and also class divisions had been pounded into his brain. He now knew that if anyone found out who he was, se and his father would be killed. And as for Rela's problem, if the pharaoh found out about his future wife's true love, Imhotep would be killed and Anck-su-namun would be imprisoned as an adulteress and a traitor. Not to mention that if anyone found out that Rela knew she would be banished from Egypt or sold to another country as a slave.

Even though these had been the customs for years and he had been taught that they were right, Anix still knew that they were wrong. In any case, he couldn't wait to see his mom and Rela. Actually, he didn't know why but he missed Rela more than he missed anyone else.

Back at the palace Nefretiri and Anck-su-namun were talking to the Pharaoh.

"But father, why? She is more like family than most of those people who will be there," said Nefretiri.

"It is against customs. I would let her go if she was older but I cannot break two customs in one day for a servant," said the Pharaoh.

"My lord, she acts more mature than most people who are my age. Plus who would know her real age?" asked Anck-su-namun.

"I'm sorry, but she can't come."

"But-"

"Don't worry about me," said Rela. Then she turned to the Pharaoh. "May I have the time up until your announcement free to do as I please?"

"That would be fine, Relafetiri. Now we must be off. My announcement will be after dinner tonight." And so Anck-su-namun, Nefretiri and the Pharaoh headed toward the building where the ceremony was to be held.

After the ceremony, Anix went up to his father, who was standing near the Pharaoh, Anck-su-namun, Imhotep, and Nefretiri.

"I'm very proud of you, young man," said the Pharaoh. "Of course, I would like to believe that my daughter's motherly care of you has something to do with your success, yet I know that you inherited some of your skill from your father."

"Thank you, your Majesty," said Anix. He wasn't really paying attention though. Of course only the Pharaoh didn't notice this and continued to talk as though everyone was listening.

"Your Majesty, someone is here to speak to you," said a messenger.

"Ah well I must go," said the Pharaoh who then turned around and left.

"I must go," said Imhotep.

"I must go, too," said Anck-su-namun. "I am very tired. I must rest before his Highness' announcement." Then she, too, left.

Left alone, Nefretiri, Osun and Anix went outside away from the commotion.

"I'm so proud of you," said the Princess, hugging her son.

"Thanks mom," said Anix, trying to look happy, instead of preoccupied and failing miserably.

"Alright, now what's the matter?" asked Nefretiri.

"Nothing, mom, I'm just a little out of it. I'm gonna go take a walk to clear my mind. See you later." Anix walked away into the night.

"So what do you think is actually wrong with him?" asked Nefretiri asked the Medjai.

"I'm sure you noticed that while Pharaoh was talking to him he was looking for someone," said Osun. Nefretiri nodded. "Well, I bet you anything that he was looking for a certain friend he had ten years ago. They were really close, you know."

Meanwhile, Rela was getting really bored. She didn't like to be cooped up in the palace. Looking out her window at the town, she smiled mischievously. Getting up off her bed she went onto her balcony and looked down towards the ground, calculating the drop. Smiling, she climbed up onto the railing. She took a deep breath and jumped. Being on only the third floor, she easily landed. She had become accustomed to jumping down from higher heights than this. Brushing off her outfit, she headed in the direction of town, singing quietly the whole way there. The birds seemed to sing with her the whole way.

As she entered town, she headed toward the dock. Anyone who was over twelve and under twenty was at the dock after the sun started to set and the sky started to turn red, pink and purple. Everyone there knew Rela well. She came there whenever she could. She got along with everyone there.

At the end of the dock was a small tavern. If you wanted to know anything you went there. Anix wanted to find out where everyone he knew hung out. He had made quite a few friends while training to be a Medjai. Of course, he saw some of them after entering the tavern.

"If you're looking for some fun, Anix, I'd come onto the dock with us. We've been told that that's where all the girls are. I think we can impress them with some of our heroic tales," said Lubu, one of the other new Medjai. All the others laughed.

"Well, let's get going!" said Anix.

Meanwhile, back on the dock, Rela was talking to some of her friends.

"Come on please Rela!" said Canus-Nam-Akim.

"Kim, for the last time NO!" said Rela, laughing.

"But you sang so well last time. Everyone loved it. And this time the new Medjai might come. Please sing!"

Rela sighed. "Ok fine." She started to hum and sing a song; it was not one she had sung at the palace. It was a love song.

Farther down the dock, Anix and his Medjai friends heard the singing and began to walk more quickly toward the voice.

I know I've heard singing like that before, thought Anix, Could it really be her?

As Rela finished, everyone applauded. Then Rela saw a face that looked somewhat familiar to her.

"Anix!!" she yelled and ran over to the poor boy, almost knocking him down with a hug.

"Rela, I thought it was you!" said Anix. "I thought I'd never get to see you! When you weren't with the Pharaoh at the ceremony-"

"Oh no the Pharaoh's announcement!" Rela gasped. "I have to get to the palace. I think you Medjai have to be there, too. Come on!" Quickly she ran toward the palace, dragging Anix with her. The other Medjai followed reluctantly.

They made it to the palace with just enough time to get ready. Dinner was in the great hall. It was a huge feast in which the Pharaoh congratulated to new Medjai. After dinner, he asked everyone to quiet down,

"Eight years ago, I took a journey into the far north. While there, I was almost captured by enemies. I was saved by an acquaintance I met along the way. His name is Wumanu, he is a sorcerer. Sorcerer, come out at meet my guests." At this command a man in a long robe with greasy hair and shifty eyes came to the table. "This is the man to whom I owe my life."

"My lord, I see many friends are assembled at this table. Yet I see some enemies as well," said Wumanu.

"Who would dare to oppose me?" said the Pharaoh. As he said this, the sorcerer began to walk around the table. He walked past everyone until he reached a man who was a good friend of Imhotep and Osun and new of the secrets they kept. There he stopped.

"Ekcu! You have kept secrets from your pharaoh. This shows disloyalty. If you tell the secrets, I'm sure his majesty will go more lenient on you."

The room went quiet. Imhotep, Osun, Anix, Rela, Nefretiri, and Anck-su-namun began suddenly uncomfortable. They managed to look indifferent though.

"I know nothing," said Ekcu.

"Then you have sealed your fate," said the sorcerer. With a swift movement he sent a bolt of magic through the poor man's chest, leaving a rather large bloody hole.

"Please, someone get him out of here," said the Pharaoh, looking as though he didn't care. Nefretiri looked at her father. She was shocked he could be so heartless, but what he said next made her fill with shame for being his daughter. "Thank you, Great Sorcerer, for exposing that traitor. I am just sorry he did not tell us who his accomplices were so that they could have shared his fate."

"It is of no consequence!" said the sorcerer.

"Oh, of course. You are right," said the Pharaoh.

Why is he letting that sorcerer disrespect him like that? I wonder, who is really in control of this dinner, Pharaoh or Sorcerer? Anix thought. He looked across the room at Rela. She nodded. Obviously there was something wrong with the Pharaoh. He was like a pawn of this sorcerer. The only thing was, what was he planning?

TBC…

A/N: Well, that's the end of that chapter. I hope you liked it! Anyway, I probably won't get the next chapter out as quickly as I got these ones out. I'm afraid I have a slight case of writer's block. This may seem like it's not gonna fit in with the movie but I assure you it will by the end of it. It is going to end with the capture of Imhotep after the murder of the Pharaoh . Then I'll start on my next fic. Well please review!!