**DISCLAIMER This is for the whole story, just so I don't have to write this EVERY time! It's a pain! Anyway I DON'T own Mummies Alive! Or the characters etc. However, the storyline IS mine. Have a nice time reading this, I put some time and effort into it.**
Choices
By: Lilianna
Chapter 1-The Decision
It was early evening in San Francisco when a young boy with unruly brown hair walked towards the Sphinx that was silhouetted by the crimson coloured setting sun; a breath taking sight that radiated a multiple of other colours because of the approaching fall equinox. The boy passed a group of tourists who seemed to have gotten separated from their tour guide. However, this boy was no tourist, he had a destination. He drifted over to the Sphinx, casually looking around to see if he had watchers, of which there were none. Sliding his amulet into a slot on the Sphinx and turning it slightly allowing a passageway to be revealed. As soon as the boy disappeared into the shadows the door closed silently behind him, once again obscuring the passage from the rest of the world.
* * * * * *
The young boy, named Presley, walked down the entrance of the Sphinx to be greeted by the noise of a television and the laughter of a deep voice. Presley poked his head into the room where the laughter originated. A large man came into view; covered in bandages from the mummification process he had undergone 3500 years ago. The sight of an ancient mummy sitting on a couch laughing at the television would terrify anyone. Anyone (that is) except for a reborn 3500 year old Prince Rapses better known as Presley Carnovan. To Presley this figure was one of his closest friends as well as one of his guardians.
"Hey Armon, what's so funny?" Presley asked walking into the room.
The large man looked up, still smiling. "Good evening young prince. I was laughing at a man on the magic box who was dancing around dressed as a Beefy Burger." He grinned then frowned, rubbing his stomach. "I'm hungry, now I want a Beefy Burger."
Presley chuckled shaking his head. "Armon do you ever stop thinking about food?"
Armon smiled again. "No."
Presley grinned. "Okay, I'll see you later."
By the time Presley had finished his sentence Armon was continuing to laugh at the television.
Presley continued his travels into the interiors of the Sphinx when he caught a glimpse of someone sitting away in the corner. It was Ja-Kal, yet another of Prince Rapses guardians. Presley quietly walked over to the silent form so as not to destroy his concentration. When he reached the figure from behind he saw that Ja-Kal wasn't concentrating, he was stroking a piece of cloth that had a child's handprint upon it. Presley could practically see the pain and sorrow that was radiating from Ja-Kal like smoke from a fire.
Feeling that he had to do something for his crestfallen guardian Presley bit his lip and said, "Ja-Kal?" in a low voice.
Ja-Kal spun around, once again concealing the cloth in one smooth movement. He blinked twice in surprise. "My Prince! What are you doing here?"
Presley knew what he meant but he only smiled. "Visiting friends." He stopped smiling and his green eyes clouded with concern. "Ja-Kal, what's wrong?"
Ja-Kal smiled but it didn't reach his pain filled eyes. "Why nothing my Prince, where did you get such an idea?"
Putting on a fake innocent smile Presley answered. "No where Ja-Kal, never mind." Why won't you talk to me? He added in his mind.
Ja-Kal stood. "Do you want to continue your lessons with the boomer-ra?" He had changed the subject.
Snapping out of his thoughts Presley replied. "Yeah. Yeah, sure let's go."
With that both falcon guardian and prince rose and left the room to a depressing silence.
* * * * * *
Sleep didn't come easily to Presley that night because although his body was still and relaxed his mind was churning. He lay on his back staring at his ceiling and watching as the shadows from the streetlights danced on the wall as if they had no worries in the world. He sighed. Ja-Kal. Nefer-tina. Rath. Armon. They've been through so much pain. All of it because of Rapses; me. I don't want them to suffer because of their duty to protect me. They all died protecting Rapses 3500 years ago now they have to do it again. I saw Ja-Kal today and the sadness that went through him mourning for the life he lost. It's my fault, if it hadn't have been for me they would have had happy lives. Amenhotep, Rapses father, gave them the honour of protecting his son. Honour, I find it hard to believe that it is honourable to give their life to someone who you hardly know. Duty...they died because it was their duty to protect their prince. What about the princes' duty to the common people?
Shouldn't the prince put their happiness' above his own? Shouldn't the pain the people feel be his own? My guardians are more than just guardians; they're my friends. Ja-Kal is the closest thing I have to a father but he has a son of his own he doesn't want another. He had a son of his own, not anymore. If only I could let them be with their families, their loved ones. Then I know that they would be happy. If it wasn't for the spirit of Rapses being reborn inside of me then they would still be with their loved ones in their afterlives. That's it! I have to do something, but what? If only there was one way that they could keep Rapses' spirit safe in the Sphinx so that they could defeat Scarab sending him beyond the Western Gate. Then all of them, including Rapes, could `live' their afterlives in peace knowing that their mission was completed. It would take magic to do that.........that's it! Oh, I'm so smart! Rath had been teaching my how to read hieroglyphics. Then I could
find a spell in his scrolls that would separate Rapses' spirit from my own letting the mummies guard him in the Sphinx and not have to worry about me...er...him walking around the city by myself. Then they could destroy Scarab and go back themselves. I'll miss them. They've been more then friends to me I don't know what I would have done without them these past months. But just as it is their duty to protect me it is my duty to make sure that they are happy. Their happiness comes before mine. But as long as their happy I know I will have done the right thing. Presley swallowed the lump in his throat and blinked back the tears that were threatening to overflow his eyes.
He finally fell asleep wondering why life had to be so cruel in the way that it forced people to do things that will never make everyone happy.
* * * * * * *
The four guardians stepped out of their sarcophaguses almost simultaneously. But unlike every other morning where there was no one to greet them, this time they were greeted by Presley who sat on the stone floor of the Sphinx waiting for them.
"My Prince, why are you sitting there?" asked Rath who had just come out of his snake sarcophagi.
Why do they always ask the same question whenever they see me? Presley grinned falsely. "Actually Rath I thought that it was about time that I finally learned all of my hieroglyphics."
This comment caught Rath off guard. "You want to learn? On a Saturday?" He said dubiously. "All right, I'll meet you in my study."
Presley nodded his head in agreement, picked himself off the floor and walked towards the room Rath had mentioned.
Nefer-tina stood with her eyes following Presley out of the room. "I wonder what's wrong with him?" She asked more or less to herself.
"Maybe he just wants to learn, there's nothing wrong with that. You guys have been bugging him about it for weeks." Armon's carefree personality answered. "Anyway I'm starving, I wonder if we have anything good to eat..." He walked away towards the fridge with a hopeful look on his face.
Rath straightened. "Maybe he just appreciates a sharp mind, like mine." He smirked at an inner thought. "Either way I can't ignore the Princes' wishes." The scribe glanced around the room taking the route that had just recently been used by Presley.
Nefer-tina shrugged. "Well whatever, all I know is that my baby needs a bath." She ran of towards the garage and the Hot-Ra.
The remaining guardian, Ja-Kal, knew that something was not right with his young friend. Presley never willingly wanted to study and Ja-Kal could tell that everything was not alright by the look in his emerald eyes. However, he couldn't quite place the emotion. He sighed, if Presley had something wrong with him it would disappear, the young boy never stayed sad for long.
* * * * * *
In the following weeks Presley continued to come to the Sphinx every spare moment he had. Despite the fact that he tried to put on a happy face and act like his normal self, the sad look never left his eyes and as each day passed the look deepened with an inner sorrow. The lessons from Rath became a daily exercise and his dedication astounded even the scribe. It remained this way until two weeks later when none of the guardians could take it any longer.
The four guardians sat in the room where the television was just after Presley had left after his hieroglyphic lesson from Rath. The room was silent and no one spoke of the topic that was on all of their minds, Presley's sullenness.
"That's it!" Nefer-tina sat up breaking the silence. "We have to find out what's wrong with him. Guys he's never been like this before, never. I can't stand it anymore it's driving me wild!" She threw herself against the couch with a thump.
Rath furrowed his brow. "I know Nefer-tina but every time I bring up the topic during his lessons he just changes the subject." He sighed admitting his frustration.
Ja-Kal looked up from his study of the floor. "I'll talk to him and maybe I'll have some luck with him." He paused. "Something is really wrong and for some reason I feel that we're involved in it somehow."
Rath stared at his friend. "Why do you say that Ja-Kal?"
Ja-Kal didn't want to tell his companion the look of pain and concern that he had seen in Presley's face when he had found him in the corner those days ago. "I don't know Rath, it's just an instinct."
Rath sighed. They all knew better than to doubt Ja-Kals' instincts because they were always right. Then how, Rath wanted to know, are we involved?
Armon spoke up for the first time. "As long as the young prince feels better that's all that matters."
Ja-Kal stood up. "I'll speak with him tomorrow." Then he walked out of the room.
**I will been posting the other chapters every couple of days or so. Be patient!!**
Choices
By: Lilianna
Chapter 1-The Decision
It was early evening in San Francisco when a young boy with unruly brown hair walked towards the Sphinx that was silhouetted by the crimson coloured setting sun; a breath taking sight that radiated a multiple of other colours because of the approaching fall equinox. The boy passed a group of tourists who seemed to have gotten separated from their tour guide. However, this boy was no tourist, he had a destination. He drifted over to the Sphinx, casually looking around to see if he had watchers, of which there were none. Sliding his amulet into a slot on the Sphinx and turning it slightly allowing a passageway to be revealed. As soon as the boy disappeared into the shadows the door closed silently behind him, once again obscuring the passage from the rest of the world.
* * * * * *
The young boy, named Presley, walked down the entrance of the Sphinx to be greeted by the noise of a television and the laughter of a deep voice. Presley poked his head into the room where the laughter originated. A large man came into view; covered in bandages from the mummification process he had undergone 3500 years ago. The sight of an ancient mummy sitting on a couch laughing at the television would terrify anyone. Anyone (that is) except for a reborn 3500 year old Prince Rapses better known as Presley Carnovan. To Presley this figure was one of his closest friends as well as one of his guardians.
"Hey Armon, what's so funny?" Presley asked walking into the room.
The large man looked up, still smiling. "Good evening young prince. I was laughing at a man on the magic box who was dancing around dressed as a Beefy Burger." He grinned then frowned, rubbing his stomach. "I'm hungry, now I want a Beefy Burger."
Presley chuckled shaking his head. "Armon do you ever stop thinking about food?"
Armon smiled again. "No."
Presley grinned. "Okay, I'll see you later."
By the time Presley had finished his sentence Armon was continuing to laugh at the television.
Presley continued his travels into the interiors of the Sphinx when he caught a glimpse of someone sitting away in the corner. It was Ja-Kal, yet another of Prince Rapses guardians. Presley quietly walked over to the silent form so as not to destroy his concentration. When he reached the figure from behind he saw that Ja-Kal wasn't concentrating, he was stroking a piece of cloth that had a child's handprint upon it. Presley could practically see the pain and sorrow that was radiating from Ja-Kal like smoke from a fire.
Feeling that he had to do something for his crestfallen guardian Presley bit his lip and said, "Ja-Kal?" in a low voice.
Ja-Kal spun around, once again concealing the cloth in one smooth movement. He blinked twice in surprise. "My Prince! What are you doing here?"
Presley knew what he meant but he only smiled. "Visiting friends." He stopped smiling and his green eyes clouded with concern. "Ja-Kal, what's wrong?"
Ja-Kal smiled but it didn't reach his pain filled eyes. "Why nothing my Prince, where did you get such an idea?"
Putting on a fake innocent smile Presley answered. "No where Ja-Kal, never mind." Why won't you talk to me? He added in his mind.
Ja-Kal stood. "Do you want to continue your lessons with the boomer-ra?" He had changed the subject.
Snapping out of his thoughts Presley replied. "Yeah. Yeah, sure let's go."
With that both falcon guardian and prince rose and left the room to a depressing silence.
* * * * * *
Sleep didn't come easily to Presley that night because although his body was still and relaxed his mind was churning. He lay on his back staring at his ceiling and watching as the shadows from the streetlights danced on the wall as if they had no worries in the world. He sighed. Ja-Kal. Nefer-tina. Rath. Armon. They've been through so much pain. All of it because of Rapses; me. I don't want them to suffer because of their duty to protect me. They all died protecting Rapses 3500 years ago now they have to do it again. I saw Ja-Kal today and the sadness that went through him mourning for the life he lost. It's my fault, if it hadn't have been for me they would have had happy lives. Amenhotep, Rapses father, gave them the honour of protecting his son. Honour, I find it hard to believe that it is honourable to give their life to someone who you hardly know. Duty...they died because it was their duty to protect their prince. What about the princes' duty to the common people?
Shouldn't the prince put their happiness' above his own? Shouldn't the pain the people feel be his own? My guardians are more than just guardians; they're my friends. Ja-Kal is the closest thing I have to a father but he has a son of his own he doesn't want another. He had a son of his own, not anymore. If only I could let them be with their families, their loved ones. Then I know that they would be happy. If it wasn't for the spirit of Rapses being reborn inside of me then they would still be with their loved ones in their afterlives. That's it! I have to do something, but what? If only there was one way that they could keep Rapses' spirit safe in the Sphinx so that they could defeat Scarab sending him beyond the Western Gate. Then all of them, including Rapes, could `live' their afterlives in peace knowing that their mission was completed. It would take magic to do that.........that's it! Oh, I'm so smart! Rath had been teaching my how to read hieroglyphics. Then I could
find a spell in his scrolls that would separate Rapses' spirit from my own letting the mummies guard him in the Sphinx and not have to worry about me...er...him walking around the city by myself. Then they could destroy Scarab and go back themselves. I'll miss them. They've been more then friends to me I don't know what I would have done without them these past months. But just as it is their duty to protect me it is my duty to make sure that they are happy. Their happiness comes before mine. But as long as their happy I know I will have done the right thing. Presley swallowed the lump in his throat and blinked back the tears that were threatening to overflow his eyes.
He finally fell asleep wondering why life had to be so cruel in the way that it forced people to do things that will never make everyone happy.
* * * * * * *
The four guardians stepped out of their sarcophaguses almost simultaneously. But unlike every other morning where there was no one to greet them, this time they were greeted by Presley who sat on the stone floor of the Sphinx waiting for them.
"My Prince, why are you sitting there?" asked Rath who had just come out of his snake sarcophagi.
Why do they always ask the same question whenever they see me? Presley grinned falsely. "Actually Rath I thought that it was about time that I finally learned all of my hieroglyphics."
This comment caught Rath off guard. "You want to learn? On a Saturday?" He said dubiously. "All right, I'll meet you in my study."
Presley nodded his head in agreement, picked himself off the floor and walked towards the room Rath had mentioned.
Nefer-tina stood with her eyes following Presley out of the room. "I wonder what's wrong with him?" She asked more or less to herself.
"Maybe he just wants to learn, there's nothing wrong with that. You guys have been bugging him about it for weeks." Armon's carefree personality answered. "Anyway I'm starving, I wonder if we have anything good to eat..." He walked away towards the fridge with a hopeful look on his face.
Rath straightened. "Maybe he just appreciates a sharp mind, like mine." He smirked at an inner thought. "Either way I can't ignore the Princes' wishes." The scribe glanced around the room taking the route that had just recently been used by Presley.
Nefer-tina shrugged. "Well whatever, all I know is that my baby needs a bath." She ran of towards the garage and the Hot-Ra.
The remaining guardian, Ja-Kal, knew that something was not right with his young friend. Presley never willingly wanted to study and Ja-Kal could tell that everything was not alright by the look in his emerald eyes. However, he couldn't quite place the emotion. He sighed, if Presley had something wrong with him it would disappear, the young boy never stayed sad for long.
* * * * * *
In the following weeks Presley continued to come to the Sphinx every spare moment he had. Despite the fact that he tried to put on a happy face and act like his normal self, the sad look never left his eyes and as each day passed the look deepened with an inner sorrow. The lessons from Rath became a daily exercise and his dedication astounded even the scribe. It remained this way until two weeks later when none of the guardians could take it any longer.
The four guardians sat in the room where the television was just after Presley had left after his hieroglyphic lesson from Rath. The room was silent and no one spoke of the topic that was on all of their minds, Presley's sullenness.
"That's it!" Nefer-tina sat up breaking the silence. "We have to find out what's wrong with him. Guys he's never been like this before, never. I can't stand it anymore it's driving me wild!" She threw herself against the couch with a thump.
Rath furrowed his brow. "I know Nefer-tina but every time I bring up the topic during his lessons he just changes the subject." He sighed admitting his frustration.
Ja-Kal looked up from his study of the floor. "I'll talk to him and maybe I'll have some luck with him." He paused. "Something is really wrong and for some reason I feel that we're involved in it somehow."
Rath stared at his friend. "Why do you say that Ja-Kal?"
Ja-Kal didn't want to tell his companion the look of pain and concern that he had seen in Presley's face when he had found him in the corner those days ago. "I don't know Rath, it's just an instinct."
Rath sighed. They all knew better than to doubt Ja-Kals' instincts because they were always right. Then how, Rath wanted to know, are we involved?
Armon spoke up for the first time. "As long as the young prince feels better that's all that matters."
Ja-Kal stood up. "I'll speak with him tomorrow." Then he walked out of the room.
**I will been posting the other chapters every couple of days or so. Be patient!!**