Rating: PG13 prolly eventually
Author: Angel - http://www.geocities.com/ninthsaturn
Summary: The ending of the Scorpion King changed and expanded upon. The O'Connells meet up with some strange people that look very familiar. Almost too familiar.
Disclaimer: I don't own The Mummy or it's characters. But I would give a whole heck of a bunch to own Imhotep and Ardeth. ;-)
*
Ardeth was weary. That couldn't be argued. Standing in the darkness and ready to accept death at any moment. He'd been that way all day. It was getting tiresome, waiting for it to happen. Not that he by any means wanted to die, but the expectation was irritating and nervous. Another Anubis creature came at him at full force. The thing sent it's blade down Ardeth in an attempt to slice into his head, but that was easily deflected.
Unfortunately, holding a scimitar over your head with both hands to counter so rough a chop tended to leave certain parts of your body open for attack. The Anubis warrior kicked Ardeth's stomach and sent him flying. He hit the ground with a thud and momentarily saw stars. But there was no time to sit back and admire the pretty twinkles. Rolling over to his feet quickly, the Med-Jai warrior managed to stand up just in time to dodge a thrust from his attacker.
The Anubis creature howled and sent a clawed hand towards his scimitar to rip it away from him. The weapon left Ardeth's hands before he could even think and he was defenseless. The creature laughed and started towards him. Ardeth ran through the clashing of swords behind him, but was immediately set upon by another Anubis monster. It knocked him to the ground and laughed, waiting for it's fellow soldier to finish the job.
Suddenly the first warrior's head went flying. Behind it's still standing body stood his brother Med-Jai, a warrior that wore a grin in the heat of battle. "Thank you, Isfahan," Ardeth called, quickly crawling to get his scimitar as the second Anubis warrior headed towards him. He grabbed the blade and got to his feet.
Striking at a third opponent, Isfahan laughed and put his back to Ardeth's. "You know me. Love a good fight." Ardeth heard the warrior's sword clash with another.
He crouched down, keeping his black eyes on the target ahead, keenly waiting for another strike. "It is good you enjoy this, my friend, for we might be at it all night." He deflected a blow aimed for his chest. His companion grunted behind him. "They seem weaker," Ardeth commented.
"Yes, they do," Isfahan agreed, then leapt at an adversary. Whatever he might be thinking about this situation would have to wait to be revealed.
Ardeth exhaled and saw an open window. He took the opportunity offered and cut down his foe, only to have it replaced by another. Yes, they did seem weaker, but would that be enough? Already he could see a great many of them breaking off attack and heading towards the oasis of Ahm Shere. Something had diminished their strength, but what? His heart grew sad when he realized that his friends must have failed. Why else would he still be here, fighting? They should have defeated the Scorpion King by now and sent his army back to hell.
Yet neither Imhotep nor the Scorpion King himself had come to view what was happening. Ardeth could only hope that was a good sign. Perhaps it was possible that O'Connell, Imhotep and the Scorpion King were still locked in some sort of battle. He was going to have to find out just what exactly was happening somehow.
Ending the unlife of yet another creature, Ardeth was relieved to have a momentary rest where one of the hideous beings weren't coming for him. They weren't fighting passionately right now. The numbers fighting were decreasing. Ardeth looked over the slowly clearing battle field with sad eyes. His people were also lessening as the bloody battle wore on.
*
The camp they made was located beside a small oasis. Not that Rick could really sleep. This whole situation was weird. Of course he was used to weird situations, that was basically what his life seemed to revolve around. If it weren't for a 'weird situation' he would never have met Evy, never married her and never had his beautiful son.
But what gift would this situation give? Michael and Alannah acted enough like Ardeth and Evy to make him feel almost at ease, but he just couldn't give his trust so easily. What if this were some sot of ruse? When it came right down to it, faces or no, they really didn't know these people. They had saved Imhotep from certain doom. Why? The thought occurred to Rick that once everyone was asleep he could very well just get a knife or something and end the priest's existence right then and there. But that would likely end up badly once everyone awakened.
He exhaled and glanced up at Imhotep, who had been forced to make his bed near the fire where everyone could see him. Michael himself had tied the mummy's wrists. Thinking of which, O'Connell looked up at the Med-Jai who wasn't and said, "What's this all about, anyway?"
Michael stood, checking his guns. He didn't look down when he replied, "I suppose it's time." The future incarnation of his friend looked around at the others and Rick followed his gaze. Evy was still awake, sitting with Alannah and talking softly. Jonathan and Alex were fast asleep, side by side. Imhotep was gazing at the stars and Izzy was drinking. Michael sat down and Rick watched his wife get quiet in expectation. "The simple truth is that in the future the Scorpion King will again be risen from the dead by a woman we know nothing about. Alannah is a respected Egyptologist who got wind of the fact that something strange had happened in the desert."
The blue haired woman grinned. "We're accustomed to strange things in the desert, so I thought it was important we investigate."
"Yes," Michael continued, nodding his head. His expression was a bit ironic at her statement for whatever reason, Rick noticed. "So, we investigated because Alannah and a few of her colleagues have certain knowledge of the old ways that are unknown to the modern world. She seems to feel an overwhelming sense of duty when it comes to Egypt." He glanced at her, a small teasing smile on his face that spoke of some private argument Rick decided he'd probably had with Evy for the same reason.
The man began spoke on. "We found out about the Scorpion King and a friend of ours stopped him from carrying out certain plans. Unfortunately, the woman who had raised him somehow knew we had a scroll containing the spell that would allow time travel. She stole it and the Scorpion King vowed to us that he would return to this time and kill our past incarnations in some attempt to change the fate of our spirits, not to mention helping his 1930's self to defeat you instead of the reverse."
Exhaling, Rick rubbed his head, breathing, "Oh man. Tell me this doesn't get any more complicated."
Evy smirked at her husband and looked attentively at Michael. "What do you mean by 'change the fate of our spirits'?"
"The King reasons that if he can kill off our previous incarnations, our spirits would reincarnate elsewhere instead of say me being me and so on," Michael replied thoughtfully. "It's an interesting theory, I'll grant him that, but I'm not too sure it would work."
Rick frowned in thought, then looked up, coming to a realization. "So, Ardeth's in danger? And Evy?" That was something he most certainly did not want to think of. He'd just got his son back and didn't need to worry about losing his wife and friend.
But Michael nodded gravely, thrusting a new worry upon Rick's shoulders. He pulled a gun from the belt at his side and checked it. "Ardeth Bay is in danger, as well as your wife and the priest directly, however he may also choose to kill you and Evelyn's brother along the way. Even your child could be in the path of his anger and this pilot."
Izzy looked up from his bottle long enough to snort, "Thanks, Rick. You sure do know how to show a friend a good time. Bring me into all these dangers and for what? I took a bullet in the..."
"Izzy," Rick interrupted, thoroughly not in the mood. "We all know where you got shot. Please, try and remember that." He looked to Michael. "So, you and Alannah and...Imhotep? You three stopped him from doing whatever and now he's out to change the future?" The mirror of his friend nodded. Rick cursed, looking at the fire. "So, to keep him from succeeding, we're gonna have to keep Evy, Ardeth and this monster safe? Not to mention my son of course."
"And me," the pilot mumbled.
Michael and Rick chose to ignore that. The dark haired man looked a little concerned for a moment, glancing at Imhotep. "In the real past the priest should have died. We've already changed the future somehow. Alannah, I know you don't want me to harm him, but it's important that he does not side with the Scorpion King against us. To win he would do anything, including forsaking his revenge and turning our friends against us. I believe it is better that I take this priest to Ahm Shere and kill him."
O'Connell grinned and rubbed his hands together almost excitedly. Finally, something he wanted to do. "I am so for that."
The blue haired version of his wife shook her head softly. Her expression was sad and intent. Rick could recognize that look a century away. She wasn't going to budge. "Michael, he'll remember that. If he wakes again in our time and remembers that you killed him, he won't be the same Imhotep we know."
They knew Imhotep in the future? And were on good terms with him? The present day priest sat up, obviously frustrated at hearing his name being spoken with words he didn't understand. He frowned at Alannah and growled a question at her in his own tongue. She answered smartly, Rick could tell by her tone, and he had to grin. Beside her Evy noticed his smile and mouthed, "Never you mind." He spread his hands innocently.
O'Connell leaned back on his hands and looked at Michael. "You just know we're gonna have to go into the middle of that battle field and drag Ardeth out of it," he said with a note of irony in his tired voice.
With a small grin, Michael shrugged once. His eyes weren't certain what he should do, a strange expression for Ardeth's usually very confident face. "I don't believe it's a wise course of action, but he must be kept safe somehow. If the armies of Anubis are still engaged in battle with the Med-Jai at the time we go for him, it could prove very dangerous. I would not wish to bring Alannah and Evelyn and the child into such an environment."
Rick nodded his agreement and looked out over the sky. It would start to get light again in a few hours. "No, I wouldn't want to leave the women without protection either, though." He saw Alannah roll her eyes, but ignored it. "I could take Jonathan and Izzy. You could stay here and keep an eye on them and the priest."
"Don't be stupid," Alannah said point blank, making Rick gape a moment. She winked and smiled softly. "It would be far too dangerous to send you in there alone with those two. I've got weapons. Besides, no one knows we're out here. I'll keep Imhotep tied down and we'll be fine."
Michael looked at Evy speculatively. "Are you good with a gun?"
"Whoa, whoa," Rick broke in, shaking his head. "You're not suggesting we leave them alone with this guy, are you?" He motioned to the now sleeping - or faking sleep - Imhotep.
Shrugging, the other man looked his companion over with a soft smile. "Woman, do you think you could handle this big, tough monster? Can you keep your wits about you if an emergency arises?"
Alannah rolled her eyes and slapped his shoulder playfully, taking a drink from a cup she'd been holding. "You know primeval doesn't look very good on you." She looked at Rick. "I am more than capable of handling a situation if one even comes up. To rescue Ardeth Bay you will have to enter a very large battle and find him among the many people out there. The more of you there are, the better your chances for quick success. No one is out here in the middle of the desert. We'll be fine."
O'Connell sighed, seeing his wife watching him with considering eyes. He smiled at the girls. "Hey, if you say you're able, I believe you. Just promise me one thing before I agree to leave."
"What's that?" Alannah asked him.
He grinned. "If I give Evy my guns, please don't return them to me painted pink." Laughing, he ducked as Evy hurled her own cup at him. "Just joking, sweetie."
Michael straightened his bedroll out and smiled at Alannah, then looked to Rick as he laid down. "So, we leave at first light? The four of us?"
Yawning and laying down himself, Rick nodded his head. "Sure thing," he confirmed, looking at the stars before closing his eyes. All joking aside, Rick was nervous about leaving Evy and Alex alone, not because he doubted their abilities, but because if anything happened and he weren't there to be with them through it, he'd never be able to forgive himself. But like Alannah had said. They were out in the middle of nowhere and no one knew it. They would be fine.
*
LOL...but Buffster, this isn't an Ardeth/Evy story...Evy's perfectly good and well with Rick. :) Good Lord...you aren't gonna like what I do with Alannah in the next chapter. *winces* :D
Anyhow, thanks to Marcher, Lula, Buffelyn, Deana, Lani, Mija, Kat and everyone who's reading! :) Yes, Marcher, I love time travel stories too...muahaha. I've got a Star Wars one that involves such running through my mind just now, all that talk of Episode 2 we've been doing. ;)
You guys rock!!! :D