Yes, I know it's been a LONG time but hey! I prefer to read than write I
guess and I didn't have the patience to sit infront of a computer screen
and actually have to think about what I'm writing it make sure it all fits.
Who wants to do that after all the other brain work you've had to do in
school and at home? Not me that's for sure! But I'll stop making excuses
and let you get on with the story. I'm utterly sorry for the delay and hope
that you enjoy it!
Disclaimer: refer to first chapter. I still don't own it
The Return of Right
The bright light assaulted sensitive eyes as they struggled to adjust to the drastic change in light from the dim bulbs of indoors. Even though fall was finally started to show its true colours, it was still a remarkably beautiful day. Sparrows spiraled overhead in the cool, crisp air and even the sound of wailing cars seemed to have taken a break for the moment Taking a deep contented breath, Presley smiled. He was finally out of the hospital and it was about time. 'I think they told me that I'd be out in a day so that I wouldn't complain anymore. One day.HA! One week more like it!' Presley sighed but was satisfied. 'Well, least I'm outta there. I don't think I could've handled another HOUR in there. I was gonna go crazy! How do people manage to work in place like that?' The youth blushed slightly when he remembered how the nurse who had come in a few days before had told him that he was cute. 'Ok, not everyone is crazy.' Presley had been in the hospital a week longer than he had hoped because he was hardly able to move his ankles let alone get up and leave on them. He still wasn't able to walk on them, being stuck using a wheelchair of which he was _very_ unhappy about. It was going to be at least another six weeks before his sprained/bruised ankle bone was healed enough so that he could use crutches and his fractured ankle would take more three more weeks after that. The bruises, for the most part, had begun to turn the yellowish-green of healing compared to the sickening blue/black of when he had first acquired them. As for his other injuries, they were healing as well as could be expected. His friends had come to visit him as soon as visiting hours had begun the following day after his admittance to the hospital. Elaine had brought him all of his homework from school saying that he had to keep up with his stuff unless he wanted to have Mr. Huxley breathing down his back about the upcoming term project. Plus, she had insisted, by bombarding him with questions, it was a good excuse to come and see him during school hours because she had told her teacher that she was writing an article for the school paper on 'Patient care in emergency medicine'. Walter had come in every day after school just to joke around and laugh but also to keep Presley up to date on the latest school happenings. It seemed, according to what Walter had told him, that Tiny and Chuck (the school bullies) had been given a months worth of detention because they had put worms in Miss. Lugmens' (their English teacher) lunchbox. The two bullies had, apparently, been dragged down to the office by they ears whining the entire way there. At this information Presley had laughed so hard that he had started gasping for breath because of his aching sides. When Presley had stopped wheezing and Walter had apologized profusely, the nurse kicked Walter out saying that he was 'preventing her patients' recovery'. Presley's mother had been in every day and staying for as long as the hospital workers would let her, for the two days that the curator at the museum, Mr. Heppelwhite had let her have off. When those were over she would spend all of her free time there as well. After she had gotten over the initial shock of her 'precious baby' being hurt in the hospital she was determined to see the animals that had put him there thrown in jail. She and the nice police lieutenant had practically interrogated him over who had attacked him. Presley knew that he had to stick with the innocent 'act stupid' routine so he kept saying that it had happened so fast that he didn't quite realize what was going on. His mother continued to pester him until she finally saw how much it bothered her son. Presley's mother had gotten hold of his father who was apparently in Brazil doing who knows what. So much for him staying in touch.but that's beside the point. He had tried to come back to San Francisco but some tropical storm had prevented all planes from leaving the country. Presley had to be satisfied with talking long-distance over the phone; it was better than nothing. The mummies hadn't been around the entire week probably partially because they had to look after Prince Rapses but what was more likely is that the hospital was so busy that they couldn't get in without being caught. What Presley didn't know is that he every night since his arrival in the hospital there had been a mummy watching him through the window from atop the apartment building across the street. It was just to make sure that Presley remained all right.
Finally being able to leave the hospital was a relief for Presley who continued to daydream underneath the clear blue sky. Even though he had to stay in a wheelchair for the next few weeks at least he was out of that dreary place.
"Presley?" His mothers' voice broke through his revere. She had appeared beside him just coming from collecting his files from reception.
Presley turned his head around so that he would have a better view of his mother and smiled. "Yeah?"
Amanda Carnavon handed her son the file so that she could steer him and his wheelchair to their car. She was ecstatic that her son was out of the hospital but was even more thrilled with the fact that he seemed to back to his ordinary self. His sense of humour had returned, he no longer sighed as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders and his eyes had regained their bright spark.
She smiled, happy. "Are you excited about finally going home?" The mother stopped as she let a pick-up truck pass on the right.
Presley let out an exaggerated groan. "By Ra, yes!" His mother raised an eyebrow mouthing 'By Ra?' as her son continued to speak. "I couldn't wait to get out of there but I'd be even happier if I didn't have to be in this _stupid_ wheelchair!"
Amanda smiled gently and shook her head having already had this conversation in the waiting room. "Now, Presley you know that you can't walk on your ankles and you can't possibly use crutches so I suggest that you take this time to enjoy the time off of school." She paused knowing that her next statement was going to ruin whatever good mood her son was in. "Because tomorrow you have to go back to school."
Presley whipped his head around. "WHAT?! Back to school? Mom, are you absolutely insane?! I can't to school with this!" He gestured angrily at the chair. "People will see me, I can't. Why can't I just get Walter to bring me my work?" The youth was practically begging now and turned up the wattage on his innocent, helpless look. "Please?"
Presley's mothers' eyes softened her voice full of hard earned motherly patience. She learned long ago how to resist those eyes, the expression and the pleading voice. If she hadn't she would have been suckered into countless thing and wouldn't consider herself a very good mother. "No dear, I'm afraid not. You have to go back to school." She continued with more authority as she saw that he was trying again. "I don't want to hear anymore about it, you're going and that's final."
The former prince sighed, defeated. No one, not even a prince, could beat his mother at something when she didn't want to change her mind. Even her boss, Mr. Heppelwhite, didn't like to have to disagree with her. His mother was a very persuasive women and he didn't want her any other way. Well, maybe sometimes but only sometimes.
Presley folded his arms over his chest and huffed. "Fine, I'll go." Then he groaned as he say their car remembering that he had to try and get into it. "If I can get there."
* * * * * *
Six weeks passed quite quickly in comparison to what Presley thought, he was expecting some long drawn out time period that would practically have him begging to be taken out of the chair. But it had turned out better than expected. His friends at school had taken care of everything while he was gone, the teachers even were nicer, the other students treated him like he was a minor celebrity always wanting to find out what happened (which really made Presley mad because he had to keep lying) and the best part of it all was that Cynthia Lu had personally made sure that he was doing alright. That in itself had carried him through I week of his healing time.
Around Wednesday after he had gotten out of the hospital his father showed up but was immediately attacked by Presley mother as he entered the house because she was furious that he hadn't gotten there sooner. She had finally calmed down when Presley had pointed out that at least he came and just didn't continue to talk over the phone. She had grudgingly settled but became a raging torrent when he said only three days later that he had to go back to Brazil. She had then accused him of being a bad father and not caring but Presley had to once again intervene and convince is protective mother, yet again, that it was okay and it let it go. Presley was grateful that his father had even shown up. It was at the time that the youth realized that he never wanted to be on his mothers' bad side especially when someone she cared deeply for was injured. He hadn't heard from the mummies, and although it hurt him slightly he of all people understood. But there was an odd phone call that his mother had mentioned the machine getting one day after they returned from the grocery store. Another strange woman had called and had begun to ask for someone but was cut off. When Presley had heard the message he recognized Rath hissing at Nefer-tina to hang up the phone because they shouldn't be calling. Presley had to chuckle when he had listened to that. Yet, although the mummies themselves were unable to visit it didn't stop Kahti from appearing on night on top of his skylight scratching to be let in. She had spent as much time as felinely possible with Presley, with the regards to school and what had perked the youth up more was that she had the amulet around her neck that allowed her to see what was going on; so Presley knew his friends were keeping an eye on him. The most remarkable thing about Presley down time was that there was absolutely no trouble. Scarab must have taken Ja-Kal's threat very seriously because nothing even suggested one of his schemes. Of course Presley didn't know what Ja-Kal had said to the evil sorcerer, being unconscious at the time, but he _was_ sure that whatever his former guardians had worked. So, tucked away in his glass pyramid Scarab had just finished getting his windows fixed from his late night encounter with the mummies and was brooding to himself as Hekka tried to make him a cup of tea.
Despite all of the good things that happened during the last six weeks, Presley still couldn't wait until it was over. He had been waiting so get off his crutches so that he could go and visit with his mummified friends. The only problem was that he could probably bet his skateboard that his mother wasn't going to let him waddle down to the sphinx with the simple excuse that he needed some air. He also couldn't use the excuse that he was going over to Walters because he was being the friend and coming over to Presley's house instead. When the long awaited day came for the final uncovering of his ankle, Presley was practically bouncing with energy. He had only come back from the hospital an hour before and his mother had just left having left the office during her lunch break so that she could take him; even though it was a Saturday she couldn't even get the day off. The former prince was practicing walking around the house in his crutches so that when he had to go back to school on Monday he didn't make a complete fool of himself. As he walked, or more appropriately hobbled, through the living room the phone rang. Presley hopped as quickly as he could to get to it hoping that it was Walter calling to see if he wanted to do something.
He practically ranked the phone off of its hook and said partially out of breath. "Hello?"
A feminine voice answered him. "Presley? It's Nefer-tina."
Presley's face threatened to break his smile was so huge and just as he was about to answer one of his crutches became tangled in the cord and he fell; making a loud thud and yelping. "Oww!" Presley glared at the offending piece of the phone. "Stupid cord!" grumbling he untangled himself and sat on the floor with his back against his arm chair in the living room.
He picked up the phone again as he had unintentionally dropped it on the floor on his way to the ground. "Ah, sorry 'bout that Nef! Hi! How are you guys? Is everything okay? Sorry I wasn't here when you called the first time but my mom and I went grocery shopping so I wasn't home and it's not like the sphinx has a phone number or anything. Maybe you guys should install something like that so that I could call you guys instead of waiting for you to call me. Well, but before I always just sorta came over and didn't really ask."
Presley stopped to take another breath seeing as he had said that entire miniature speech in one breath. But before he could continue Nefer-tina interrupted laughing. "Presley slow it down! I'm not going anywhere. We're all fine; everything's okay; it's alright that you were out grocery shopping that day and no the sphinx doesn't need a phone then we would have delivery boys stopping by every hour for Armon." She chuckled. "Actually no body else knows that I'm calling you right know. I wanted to keep it a surprise but first things first, are you alright?"
After his little outburst the youth had settled down so he continued more calmly but the excitement was still clearly apparent in his voice. "Yeah I'm fine! I just got out of that stupid wheelchair and I can finally walk around. It was about time I think I was going to go crazy." He grinned but Nefer-tina couldn't see that, obviously. "I don't think you could survive that let alone Rath and everyone else."
Nefer-tina couldn't help but laugh loudly at that. "Yeah your right, I think Rath would probably go crazy. Well, crazier than he is already." Presley chuckled from the other end. "Actually I thought that since you got out of your crutches today and that I'd pick you up so you could come to the sphinx. I didn't kno-" A loud whoop, clatter and another "OW!" interrupted her proposal. She shook her head fondly. "I'll take that for a yes. Tell you what; I'll be there as fast as I can. Just be waiting for me."
Presley sat up rubbing his sore backside. "Sure Nef! Sounds great! See you in a few minutes." He smirked before he continued. "And Nef, try not to go through _too_ many stop signs kay?"
He heard her gasp in false shock. "I _never_ go through the red signs Presley, have some faith." She heard the former prince muttered "Sure, whatever" before she concluded. "I'll be there in a few minutes."
Presley chirped happily as he tried to stand yet again. "See ya!"
Just as he was going to hang up the phone he heard. "And I won't go through the red signs but the flashing red beacons!" Presley just sighed and chuckled, ecstatic that he was going to visit his friends; even if Prince Rapses was there. Who knew, maybe he would like him. He hobbled into the kitchen to write a note to his mother to say where he was going out (but he didn't tell her it was to the sphinx) and that he had gotten a drive. He also said in the letter that he would be home by dinner meaning not to worry. Worrying, however, was something that mothers' do best. Presley grabbed his backpack, gingerly put on his sneakers and grabbed some money so that he could pick up some beefy burgers for everyone, especially Armon, on the way back to the sphinx. Presley was ready but now all he had to do is wait he sighed it seemed he had been doing a lot of that lately.
* * * * * *
The sphinx was a sight for sore eyes and when Nefer-tina saw the look on her young friends' face she realized how much he had missed it and the people who lived within it. When she had picked Presley up in front of his house he was already waiting at the edge of the sidewalk. The cat guardian felt a small twang of guilt when she had pulled up watching him as his struggled to get in to the Hot-Ra. Nefer-tina had wanted to help him in but she knew that he hated to be treated as if he wasn't capable of doing things on his own so she simply watched his efforts. She had seen the wince when he sat down and how he tried to cover it up with a smile. But despite all of his injuries he was once again the boy that she had become such good friends with; his melancholy had disappeared and his eyes smiled. They had stopped at a Beefy Burger drive threw when Presley had mentioned he had money to pay for it. Nefer-tina couldn't help but laugh when he ordered 10 double cheeseburgers, just for Armon. The teenager that worked at the counter stared at them in shock partly because of the order and partly because he was awed by the car that they drove in. After he had gotten over it, and given them their order, he had asked where they got it. The mummy had answered truthfully when she said that her mechanic had made on request and it had been the request of the prince. Presley and Nefer-tina talked all the way back to the sphinx and simply enjoyed each others company. Presley didn't even barter Nefer-tina's driving as much just being happy to be back.
When they got back to the sphinx the garage was empty. Presley, who had been expecting to at least see someone when they came in was slightly lost. The rooms actually were neater than usually and there seemed to be more Egyptian things as well in comparison to before when it was a comfortable mixture of them both.
The former prince turned to Nefer-tina who was hanging the keys to the Hot- Ra on a hand shaped hook by the door. "Hey Nef, where is everyone?"
Nefer-tina nodded her head in the direction of the hallway that lead to most of the adjoining rooms. "There in there teaching with Prince Rapses." She noticed Presley as he tried to hide his disappointed face. "We have had to continue his lessons that he had in Egypt. He hasn't really left the sphinx other than to go for a few drives in the Hot-Ra." The charioteer walked over to Presley and leaned over. "I think what turned him off was that nobody, other than us, would listen to him. I don't think that royalty is very used to getting ignored." Nefer-tina straightened as Presley snickered. "I know I didn't tell you this on the way here but the guys didn't know you were coming. I though it could be a surprise." She started to walk towards the tunnel she had indicated earlier, grabbing the paper bag with Beefy Burgers on the way. "We have a little surprise for you too."
Presley's hear perked up at that bit of news. "A surprise, what is it?" When the mummy shrugged he moaned. "Oh come on Nef, please? I'll act surprised, really I will."
Nefer-tina stopped at the entrance to the darkened tunnel and waited for Presley to catch up. "Nope, not a chance I'm telling you." She smiled mysteriously. "It'd ruin my fun!" She turned to continue but paused. "Oh, try to be as quiet as you can. I don't want anybody to know you're here."
A shadow meowed before Kahti appeared. Presley looked at her confused. "How did she get here? I thought I left her at the house?" Kahti purred happily and rubbed Presley's good leg.
"Shhh!" Nefer-tina hissed. "I though I said to be quiet. That includes you Kahti and she jumped in the Hot-Ra just after you did, Presley."
The two, well three including the sacred cat, continued quietly down the hallway until the lights and noise from the 'living room' caused them to stop just before the light. Nefer-tina signaled for Presley to stay put until she said and then went into the room herself trying to look as casual as possible. Presley was slightly confused when she motioned this but stayed put if just to satisfy his curiosity at her strange actions.
Nefer-tina entered the room to see everyone. Armon and Prince Rapses were watching the Magic School bus on television learning about the intricacies of volcanoes, Rath was reading a book that Presley had brought him a long time ago about space travel that Rath had deemed ridiculous at the time but had picked it up on a whim the other day and couldn't put it down, finally Ja-Kal sat on the floor polishing and sharpening his boomer-ra for when it would be need again.
Ja-Kal looked up when Nefer-tina came in the room she had been gone longer than he had expected. He noticed the Beefy Burger bags she held in the hand. "Did you go out just for food? I didn't think we had many funds left."
Armon practically leapt off of the stone couch when he heard this. "What food? Where?" He spotted the bag and grinned widely. "Yes, Beefy Burgers! Nefer-tina you shouldn't have." By now he was off the couch and reaching for the bag.
The rest, excluding Rath who still had his nose stuck in his book, watched in amusement as the agile mummy snatched the paper bag from out of their larger friends grasp. "Your right, I shouldn't have and I didn't."
Armon made another attempt to get the delicious smelling burgers and failed. "Aww, come on Nefer-tina. I want to have some; can I at least have one?"
Nefer-tina dodged and leapt lightly on the top of the couch. "Nope, they aren't mine to give away. I'm just carrying them."
Rath had looked up from his book annoyed as Armon hit him trying to get Nefer-tina. When he heard her last comment he glanced at Ja-Kal who had the same puzzled look on his face and turned to his female companion. "What do you mean they are yours? Whose are they?"
Nefer-tina smiled teasingly. "Somebody who I decided to drop by today." She flipped off the couch and landed gracefully beside the couch.
Armon crashed head long into the wall shaking the floor. "Hey!" The large mummy heaved himself off the ground and rubbed the back of his head. "Well, do you think whoever bought them would mind if I had one?"
Nefer-tina opened her mouth to answer but a muffled laugh filled in the gap. She looked at the questioning group and improvised. "Tell you what Armon, why don't you ask him yourself."
Realizing that was his queue Presley came into the room. Becoming quite competent with his crutches Presley could now manage walking without looking like a complete and utter idiot but he still needed work. He didn't think it were even possible to look at all cool while hobbling around using two sticks of wood.
Presley flashed a grin at Armon as he reached the couch. "Sure Armon you can have one. I bought eight. I thought since you haven't had any in a while you'd want a lot so four of them are for you but leave the other four for everyone else I'm sure your not the only one that gets hungry." He stood for a spilt second making sure that he could balance on his good foot for a moment before leaning his crutches on the stone wall and sitting down in the couch's vacant spot that Armon had vacated only a moment before. Presley looked around at everyone else. "So guys what's up? Long time no see." He hadn't really meant to inject the last few words but they had come out nonetheless. Presley almost wished he could take them back because he saw Ja-Kal and Rath both wince slightly but not enough for anyone who wasn't looking for it to notice.
Rath was the first to answer being the partially only appropriate one to answer since Nefer-tina had seen him before the others, Armon was stuffing his face, Prince Rapses wasn't really who Presley was talking to and Ja-Kal was being even more quiet than was characteristically normal. "Indeed it has been a while since.well." The scribe ran off as he tried to cover his blunder of bringing up subjects that were still delicate. He cleared his throat as he attempted to continue. "How have you been Presley? You seem as if you are managing quite well."
Presley shrugged his shoulders gently, still slightly sore. It was too awkward in the room; it was as if they were all people who were meeting for the first time and had already come across that invisible wall that new people always came too and couldn't get over until someone could breech it. Still, although Presley knew it was slightly uncomfortable he knew that the source of it wasn't that they were unfamiliar with eachother but it was just that they had recently been through rough times and that none of them had yet discussed the outcome of event that had perspired. So in answer to Rath's rather formal question he shrugged his shoulders gently, since they were still sore, and tried to be the one that would force the wall to topple over. "Not bad Rath physically but aside from the fact that I have plenty of homework to keep me busy and everything, I've been bored out of my mind! It's not like I can just get up and go somewhere now." He sighed. "But hey, I can't complain completely, one bonus for being busted is that you get so much sympathy its funny. I even had Cynthia ask me if I was alright. Now if that's not sweet I don't know what is!"
Nefer-tina laughed at that as did Armon who almost choked on his fourth burger. Even Rath couldn't help but chuckle at Presley's last comment; they all knew how much Presley practically drooled over his best friends' older sister.
Armon looked once more longingly at the paper bad that had once held eight burgers but now only held four of which were beyond his stomach to eat, then turned to look at Presley. "Are you still looking after that girl? I would've thought that all the advice that I gave you would've caught her attention by now."
Presley flushed as the heat rose quickly to his face and he stumbled over an appropriate response. "Well, I.You know.er.I just.she.you guys.Argh!" He threw his arms up in exasperation and let out the breath in his chest in a huff. "Yeah I've still got a crush on her but come on! And yeah your advice has been great it's just that." Presley tried to search for the right wording that wouldn't upset his large friend of cause him to give anymore advice. ".some things take time and I'd rather take things slow then have them go too fast and then wipe out cause I didn't look around the corner."
Rath snorted from his perch and mumbled quietly but loud enough for Armon to hear. "It's not as if its bad advice it's just that, in my experience, advice based on food isn't the most appropriate."
Armon grinned as he swelled up his chest. "Yeah that's right Ra-" The large mummy cut himself off as his let up a burst of air causing his chest to resume it's normal position. "Hey, that's not very nice!"
Nefer-tina laughed coming to Armon's aid. "It's not like you have much experience anyway Rath so what do you know?"
The scribe sputtered outraged until a muffled laugh stopped him in mid speech. Presley had both hands over his mouth in an attempt to keep his laughter silent but he was failing miserably. Finally with the looks of bewilderment that he was being given by the mummies and Prince Rapses, Presley broke down and burst into full blown laughter. The others lasted for perhaps five seconds before the laughter became so contagious that Nefer-tina, Armon, Rath couldn't help but laugh. Even Ja- Kal who hadn't even cracked a smile for countless weeks, began to chuckle along with Presley if for no other reason than because the youth was happy. From the sidelines Prince Rapses watched the laughing mummies. This was the happiest he had seen them yet. Even thought he had wanted a friendly free relationship with his guardians he knew that it could never be anything close to what Presley had with them. The past six and a half weeks the young prince had silently noticed that the mummies weren't acting like they normally would. He discovered this not because he was familiar with their relaxed behaviors but because they seemed restrained as if they had to be on their best behavior at all times. In theory they had to be; Prince Rapses was royalty, their prince and so they were attempting to treat him and act the same as what it was like in ancient Egypt. There was only problem, the attempt was far from perfect. Besides the fact that his guardians were having a difficult time readjusting to having a 'real' prince around, they missed their young friend; they missed Presley. On top of this, no one mentioned the trouble that Scarab had caused and no one even mentioned anything to do with Presley but Prince Rapses noticed the soft sighs and forlorn glances an one of the mummies pasted an item that belonged to Presley; a textbook on a desk, a half eaten lunch in the fridge that Armon wouldn't touch, a soccer ball that was left behind or even a note that was taped to the wall outside of the Hot-Ra telling Nefer-tina to stop at red lights. It didn't take a genius to see their dysphoria when it was around even when it was partially hidden; and Prince Rapses was no idiot. So, now listening to the laughter of both his guardians and Presley Prince Rapses knew what had to be done. He had known it for a time now but he was unsure on how to go about it. This kind of problem, however, was one of those that was best handled on the spur of the moment. Sometimes if responses are too planned they are no longer from the heart but from the head and if they are simple whatever rolls out of your mouth they are the words that are closest to your heart.
As Nefer-tina slapped Rath heartily on the back causing him to cough and sputter, the young prince leaned close to Presley whispering in his ear. "Can we talk for a minute away from the others?"
Presley had stopped laughing and now turned to face his royal counter part. "Sure." He whispered back and together they both rose, Presley reaching for his crutches simultaneously and started to quietly leave the room.
Nefer-tina, the second to notice their departure (Ja-Kal being the first but remaining silent) tapped Rath on the shoulder with her right hand and pointed to the retreating backs with her left. Rath shrugged his shoulders and Armon finally caught on looking at the youths as well. The charioteer cleared her throat. "Where are you two going?"
The Prince turned around while Presley just halted. Prince Rapses knew them less likely to challenge him if he gave a vague answer. So they young prince flashed a smile. "We're just going to out to talk for a minute. We'll be back before you now it."
Nefer-tina shot them a dubious glance but after silently converging with Rath and Armon she looked back at her prince and nodded. Grinning again Prince Rapses slid out of the door with Presley right on his heels.
Once the two 'twins' had walked far enough away that their whispering voices wouldn't be heard Prince Rapses stopped, leaning back against one stone wall and crossing his arms while Presley chose to lean on the opposite. In a way that was what they were, opposites. They were so different yet so similar. Somehow even though they were born and raised in different times, under circumstances they still managed to maintain, oddly enough, similar views and ideals. Both boys were loyal to their friends, clever in odd situations, valued the same morals and above all still managed despite all the pressure and evil sorcerers to stay above it all and be happy. Where Presley had gotten used to the idea of having had an ancient spirit residing within him, Prince Rapses hadn't has such a luxury, he had all of a sudden arrived. Although it was not unlike what had happened to Presley that one fateful day at the museum when he had been attacked by Scarab and met his four (five including Kahti) guardians. But still, Presley tended to be more open-minded, growing up in the modern age with computers, television, video games and all the possibilities that technology has to offer. Given the fact that he had 'grown out of' fairy dust and Nevernever land he accepted the facts better than was expected. As a result of the fact that Presley accepted these types of situations better he was more adaptable to changes going on around him that could happen suddenly and without warning whereas the royal prince was only witness to change when he, or his father, ordered it. So Prince Rapses couldn't help but in slight awe at his modern counterpart, but he would never tell him that. Presley had been waiting, albeit rather impatiently, for Prince Rapses to explain what he wanted. As it was he was the one who wanted to talk yet the Prince seemed to be staring of into the far reaches of space. Presley groaned inwardly at having to jump start the conversation. "Hello? Rapses, is anybody home?" The Prince uncrossed his arms blinking rapidly as if coming out of deep thought. "Huh? Wha." Presley cleared his throat trying to cover his chuckle. "Are we here just so that we can daydream in quiet or didn't you say that you wanted to talk?" Glad that the hallway was only sparsely lighted so that his blush wouldn't be seen he crossed his arms once more over his chest and sniffed. "Hmph. Royalty doesn't need to answer to anyone or explain our actions." Presley rolled his eyes shaking his head and Prince Rapses heard him mutter 'Sure there bud, whatever.' The Prince became serious. "So, as to why I wanted to talk to you.it's about joining back together." Presley forgot about the Princes' earlier arrogant comment in an instant and stared at the other in open mouthed astonishment. "Excuse me?! Did you just say that you wanted to join back together?!" He paused waiting for a confirmation or dispute and when he received the conformation Presley's expression changed from one of astonishment to suspicion. Presley narrowed his eyes, studying the figure before him for hidden motives. "Why?" Prince Rapses noted Presley's expression but his face remained blank, unreadable as he answered in a low voice. "Because I know why you did what you did in the first place but it is no longer necessary." Presley tilted his head to one side he was pretty sure he knew what the Prince was implying but still wanted to make sure that he was right. "Are you saying that I didn't need to separate us?" The royal prince once again showed his affirmation and watched as Presley passed a hand through his unruly hair sighing before continuing. "So, your saying that they would've.they could've." "Yes. No matter what you thought I'm sure that you now realize that you are who they wanted to all along. Despite what lives that they had led in the past doesn't mean that they want to change what they have now." Prince Rapses hesitated before continuing. "I don't know if you have noticed this but you have made them happy. You treat them like you don't care that they are dead or your subordinates. Although you have all the rights and authority to order them to fulfill your almost every whim, as long as it doesn't endanger you, you chose not to enforce that right." The royal youth smirked as he saw Presley glance away in embarrassment. "Well, most of the time."
Presley remembered that Ja-Kal had said something similar to him when he had been in the hospital on his way to recovery and he had to admit it was what he had believed deep down in his heart but was honestly, not that he would say aloud, scared that it wasn't true it would mean that his relationship was only one-sided. His ancient twin was quite observant when Presley thought about it; he grinned cockily. 'Of course he is we're pretty much the same person.' He looked at Prince Rapses who was waiting for some sort of response. 'Ah, hell why shouldn't we join together again? It's not like I can say I haven't felt as if I was missing something or someone. Plus, I remember how to get us back since I sorta memorized it. Which also proves that I didn't _really_ want to separate.'
Presley smiled at Prince Rapses who was just about to ask him if he planned on staring off into oblivion all day. "Sure, let's do it. You're sure, I'm sure so let's go back to the guys.and girl.and get it over with!" With that said he readjusted his crutches and headed back to the room that held their mummified friends.
Prince Rapses watched Presley's retreating back for a short moment as a slow smile spread itself across his face then he followed, checking up to walk just behind the recovering youth. The royal prince was contented. 'Finally, things are going to go back to the way that they were.' Truth to be told Prince Rapses wanted to go back to the way things were before the whole traumatic incident occurred. Things had been so much easier and he didn't have to worry about all of the modern nuisances that seemed to plague him in this modern world.
As the bright light of the desired doorway came closer the two counterparts thought the same thing. 'I wonder how much trouble their going to cause when we tell them what we want to do.'
* * * * * * *
"You WHAT?!" Nefer-tina and Armon shouted at the same time directly after Prince Rapes had announced Presley and his intentions.
Beside Prince Rapses Presley winced as Nefer-tina's voice reached higher decibels. Rath was staring at them open-mouthed, in shock, Presley supposed and Ja-Kal had dropped the whet stone he was using to sharpen his boomer- ra, attempting to look as if nothing had perturbed him in the slightest; of which he wasn't doing a very passable job at.
Rath, finally getting a hold of his slack-jawed expression, stammered an intelligent question.of sorts. "I-You-But.w-which one of you knows how to.to perform the spell that will do, well, what you want it to?"
Prince Rapses and Presley glanced sparingly at eachother. Presley licked his lips and looked at his flustered friend, trying not to giggle as he did so because a flustered Rath was not something that you saw often. "I know what Rapses and I have to do. It's not that hard really, it's just a couple of lines." He smiled as the scribe, along with Nefer-tina and Armon were slowly beginning to gather some resemblance of control. "Don't worry, it's not like it requires some bloody and gory sacrifice like I know some rituals require." Presley laughed at his own attempt at humour and even Prince Rapses chuckled along with him but when they realized that no one else was laughing with them the Prince stopped his chuckling and Presley coughed awkwardly.
Ja-Kal, who had yet to say something throughout the entire duration of Presley's visit, finally spoke quietly. "Are both of you sure about what you are planning to do?"
Prince Rapses who had explained that it was both of their desires to fuse together again looked at Ja-Kal with only slight irritation. The ancient prince knew that it was Ja-Kal's concern and worries about his duty that brought him to ask the question. "Yes, Presley and I are _absolutely positive_ about this there are no doubts, insecurities or any strings that need tying. This is what we both want to do."
Presley listening as Prince Rapses answered Ja-Kal looked at the hunter with some anxiety. If the mummies' leader put forth any kind of effect to attempt them to rethink their plans then Presley would be hard pressed trying to convince Ja-Kal that it was for the best without voicing all of his hidden wishes. So, slowly, as if the inner thoughts that had caused him to choose his answer he long searched for, Ja-Kal nodded his head in acceptance of what Presley and Prince Rapses wanted to do. Even though it wasn't really as if Ja-Kal or any of the other had a say in the matter; whatever Prince Rapses said was, as far as they were concerned, a law that they had to obey. Yet, such as it was it was still a relief to have the mummies agree and not have to force them into accepting an action of which they didn't approve. Prince Rapses turned to Presley and grinned lopsidedly. "So are you ready?"
Presley cast a quick look around at the five mummies, including Kahti, who were settling into comfortable positions in order to watch the upcoming events. Satisfied that they were all ready, not just himself who had been ready for the past five minutes, he mirrored Prince Rapses smile. "Let's get this show on the road." Prince Rapses snorted lightly in both confusion and exasperation at Presley's answer but moved into position facing Presley. The Prince raised his arms so that they were outstretched, parallel to the floor with his palms out, fingertips splayed and reaching for the sky. Presley set his crutches awkwardly on the ground while trying to maintain his balance on one leg. Managing but not without his extra wooden arms making a small clatter against the floor. Balancing on his one semi-good leg Presley mimicked his ancient twins position, reaching so that both of their palms were pressed tightly together. Then as the mummies watched Presley began to speak in a low voice full of control and power that they had never heard before. This was only one of the reasons that this youth had been chosen to be the one to share his spirit with their Prince. "Battle's waged and wars one, Under twilight's sun it once was done-" As Presley spoke the first verse a tension seemed to fill the room emitted from the two forms that now had their eyes closed in concentration. Prince Rapses recognized the words from somewhere deep inside him and without conscious thought began to mouth the words of the spell along with Presley.
"-Options given and choices made, Now all prices have been paid-" The pressure grew until it felt as if there was an invisible force pushing at the mummies forcing them to drop their gaze from their Prince and their modern friend. Escalating, the force climbed to it's climax and light began to spread outward from the connecting hands of Presley and Prince Rapses; growing until that it seemed as if their entire bodies were radiating light. Coming on the final verse Prince Rapses' voice joined Presley's in unison. "Old and black with new and white, Will now entwine, infused with light."
A magnificent crack of sound and burst of light blinded the mummies to both sight and sound leaving them without any information of what had just happened. Spots danced in their vision and ears rang with noise as they tried to distinguish anything from the room around themselves. As their bodies finally began to regain their proper functioning the world slowly came back into focus. Still blinking rapidly and shaking his head to rid himself of the irritating little pixies of light that refused to leave him alone, Ja-Kal looked to where the light and sound had originated.
Presley sat on the stone floor, alone, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands in what looked like the same attempt to bring his world back into perspective. Prince Rapses was nowhere to be seen but an internal instinct told those in the room that he was back where he belonged, inside of Presley. Ja-Kal walked over to the youth and helped him to his feet giving Presley the support he needed in order to stand and the much needed comfort that Ja-Kal was yearning for since that terrible night not far enough distant.
Presley looked squinting as the other mummies gathered around and Kahti rubbed gently up against his good leg. The youth gazed around at the ring around him smiling at them all. At the end of the round Presley raised his eyes to the man holding possessively onto him and beamed with all that he was worth, the light once again twinkling in his emerald eyes.
Ja-Kal couldn't help up smile with joy in response to the look on Presley's face. A man of not many words the falcon guardian squeezed the youth's shoulder his voice rent up emotion. "Welcome back my Prince, I missed you."
Presley's eyes began to glisten and he had to swallow quickly as he saw Ja- Kal's unfathomable happiness in the sapphire orbs. But the moment didn't last as Armon gently flicked Presley in the side of the head with one massive finger and chuckled. "It's about time you finally realized it." Presley who didn't really know what Armon had meant looked at him in puzzlement and opened his mouth to respond but the mummified warrior beat him to the punch. "I mean, come on, how long did you think that we would be able to live without you helping us to buy food?" Now Presley was even further confused, that is until he saw Armon wink.
Nefer-tina stepped up next and ruffled Presley unruly hair. "Great to have you back kiddo. It hasn't been any fun without you." She grinned lopsided. "Plus, it's not as much fun trying to pull pranks on people when you're all by yourself. I needed my partner back!"
Rath snorted indignantly. "Of course Nefer-tina all we need is your annoying little shenanigans." The ancient scribe smiled at Presley. "What is a teacher without his most prized student?"
Kahti meowed her undoubtedly happy comment then went back to rubbing her head affectionately against Presley ankle who acknowledged the gesture with a gentle smile to the feline.
Armon fidgeted in the comfortable silence, not being one who simply liked to stand for no apparent reason whatsoever. The ram guardian looked quickly at the group. "So, I guess things are going to go back to the way they were before. Right?"
Over Presley's head the other mummies shot eachother anxious expressions. The renewed young prince, oblivious to what his friends were thinking, stepped away from Ja-Kal. He awkwardly reached grabbing his crutches. "Things are never going to be as they were before." Presley spoke with such surety that Ja-Kal, Rath, Nefer-tina, Armon and Kahti stared at him in a display of confusion and shock.
Presley just grinned crookedly and laughed. "They'll be better!"
After a short moment of stunned silence, everyone broke into peals of laughter for the first time in weeks. Nefer-tina was laughing so hard that she crumpled to the floor dragging Rath along with her; which only caused the others to roar with greater mirth.
'Yes' , thought Ja-Kal as he studied his new family through rapidly watering eyes, 'things are defiantly going to be better.' The hunter looked at the boy who was holding onto his aching sides one-handedly and attempting to help his friends to their feet simultaneously. Ja-Kal's heart smiled too. 'Much better'.
Yay! That was the final chapter! ^-^! I hope ya'll like it and everything. But just to wrap it all up there's a prologue comin up hopefully tonight or early tomorrow but don't worry I have it done I just don't have the time to upload it right now soon though.thanks for small privileges eh? Lol (
Disclaimer: refer to first chapter. I still don't own it
The Return of Right
The bright light assaulted sensitive eyes as they struggled to adjust to the drastic change in light from the dim bulbs of indoors. Even though fall was finally started to show its true colours, it was still a remarkably beautiful day. Sparrows spiraled overhead in the cool, crisp air and even the sound of wailing cars seemed to have taken a break for the moment Taking a deep contented breath, Presley smiled. He was finally out of the hospital and it was about time. 'I think they told me that I'd be out in a day so that I wouldn't complain anymore. One day.HA! One week more like it!' Presley sighed but was satisfied. 'Well, least I'm outta there. I don't think I could've handled another HOUR in there. I was gonna go crazy! How do people manage to work in place like that?' The youth blushed slightly when he remembered how the nurse who had come in a few days before had told him that he was cute. 'Ok, not everyone is crazy.' Presley had been in the hospital a week longer than he had hoped because he was hardly able to move his ankles let alone get up and leave on them. He still wasn't able to walk on them, being stuck using a wheelchair of which he was _very_ unhappy about. It was going to be at least another six weeks before his sprained/bruised ankle bone was healed enough so that he could use crutches and his fractured ankle would take more three more weeks after that. The bruises, for the most part, had begun to turn the yellowish-green of healing compared to the sickening blue/black of when he had first acquired them. As for his other injuries, they were healing as well as could be expected. His friends had come to visit him as soon as visiting hours had begun the following day after his admittance to the hospital. Elaine had brought him all of his homework from school saying that he had to keep up with his stuff unless he wanted to have Mr. Huxley breathing down his back about the upcoming term project. Plus, she had insisted, by bombarding him with questions, it was a good excuse to come and see him during school hours because she had told her teacher that she was writing an article for the school paper on 'Patient care in emergency medicine'. Walter had come in every day after school just to joke around and laugh but also to keep Presley up to date on the latest school happenings. It seemed, according to what Walter had told him, that Tiny and Chuck (the school bullies) had been given a months worth of detention because they had put worms in Miss. Lugmens' (their English teacher) lunchbox. The two bullies had, apparently, been dragged down to the office by they ears whining the entire way there. At this information Presley had laughed so hard that he had started gasping for breath because of his aching sides. When Presley had stopped wheezing and Walter had apologized profusely, the nurse kicked Walter out saying that he was 'preventing her patients' recovery'. Presley's mother had been in every day and staying for as long as the hospital workers would let her, for the two days that the curator at the museum, Mr. Heppelwhite had let her have off. When those were over she would spend all of her free time there as well. After she had gotten over the initial shock of her 'precious baby' being hurt in the hospital she was determined to see the animals that had put him there thrown in jail. She and the nice police lieutenant had practically interrogated him over who had attacked him. Presley knew that he had to stick with the innocent 'act stupid' routine so he kept saying that it had happened so fast that he didn't quite realize what was going on. His mother continued to pester him until she finally saw how much it bothered her son. Presley's mother had gotten hold of his father who was apparently in Brazil doing who knows what. So much for him staying in touch.but that's beside the point. He had tried to come back to San Francisco but some tropical storm had prevented all planes from leaving the country. Presley had to be satisfied with talking long-distance over the phone; it was better than nothing. The mummies hadn't been around the entire week probably partially because they had to look after Prince Rapses but what was more likely is that the hospital was so busy that they couldn't get in without being caught. What Presley didn't know is that he every night since his arrival in the hospital there had been a mummy watching him through the window from atop the apartment building across the street. It was just to make sure that Presley remained all right.
Finally being able to leave the hospital was a relief for Presley who continued to daydream underneath the clear blue sky. Even though he had to stay in a wheelchair for the next few weeks at least he was out of that dreary place.
"Presley?" His mothers' voice broke through his revere. She had appeared beside him just coming from collecting his files from reception.
Presley turned his head around so that he would have a better view of his mother and smiled. "Yeah?"
Amanda Carnavon handed her son the file so that she could steer him and his wheelchair to their car. She was ecstatic that her son was out of the hospital but was even more thrilled with the fact that he seemed to back to his ordinary self. His sense of humour had returned, he no longer sighed as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders and his eyes had regained their bright spark.
She smiled, happy. "Are you excited about finally going home?" The mother stopped as she let a pick-up truck pass on the right.
Presley let out an exaggerated groan. "By Ra, yes!" His mother raised an eyebrow mouthing 'By Ra?' as her son continued to speak. "I couldn't wait to get out of there but I'd be even happier if I didn't have to be in this _stupid_ wheelchair!"
Amanda smiled gently and shook her head having already had this conversation in the waiting room. "Now, Presley you know that you can't walk on your ankles and you can't possibly use crutches so I suggest that you take this time to enjoy the time off of school." She paused knowing that her next statement was going to ruin whatever good mood her son was in. "Because tomorrow you have to go back to school."
Presley whipped his head around. "WHAT?! Back to school? Mom, are you absolutely insane?! I can't to school with this!" He gestured angrily at the chair. "People will see me, I can't. Why can't I just get Walter to bring me my work?" The youth was practically begging now and turned up the wattage on his innocent, helpless look. "Please?"
Presley's mothers' eyes softened her voice full of hard earned motherly patience. She learned long ago how to resist those eyes, the expression and the pleading voice. If she hadn't she would have been suckered into countless thing and wouldn't consider herself a very good mother. "No dear, I'm afraid not. You have to go back to school." She continued with more authority as she saw that he was trying again. "I don't want to hear anymore about it, you're going and that's final."
The former prince sighed, defeated. No one, not even a prince, could beat his mother at something when she didn't want to change her mind. Even her boss, Mr. Heppelwhite, didn't like to have to disagree with her. His mother was a very persuasive women and he didn't want her any other way. Well, maybe sometimes but only sometimes.
Presley folded his arms over his chest and huffed. "Fine, I'll go." Then he groaned as he say their car remembering that he had to try and get into it. "If I can get there."
* * * * * *
Six weeks passed quite quickly in comparison to what Presley thought, he was expecting some long drawn out time period that would practically have him begging to be taken out of the chair. But it had turned out better than expected. His friends at school had taken care of everything while he was gone, the teachers even were nicer, the other students treated him like he was a minor celebrity always wanting to find out what happened (which really made Presley mad because he had to keep lying) and the best part of it all was that Cynthia Lu had personally made sure that he was doing alright. That in itself had carried him through I week of his healing time.
Around Wednesday after he had gotten out of the hospital his father showed up but was immediately attacked by Presley mother as he entered the house because she was furious that he hadn't gotten there sooner. She had finally calmed down when Presley had pointed out that at least he came and just didn't continue to talk over the phone. She had grudgingly settled but became a raging torrent when he said only three days later that he had to go back to Brazil. She had then accused him of being a bad father and not caring but Presley had to once again intervene and convince is protective mother, yet again, that it was okay and it let it go. Presley was grateful that his father had even shown up. It was at the time that the youth realized that he never wanted to be on his mothers' bad side especially when someone she cared deeply for was injured. He hadn't heard from the mummies, and although it hurt him slightly he of all people understood. But there was an odd phone call that his mother had mentioned the machine getting one day after they returned from the grocery store. Another strange woman had called and had begun to ask for someone but was cut off. When Presley had heard the message he recognized Rath hissing at Nefer-tina to hang up the phone because they shouldn't be calling. Presley had to chuckle when he had listened to that. Yet, although the mummies themselves were unable to visit it didn't stop Kahti from appearing on night on top of his skylight scratching to be let in. She had spent as much time as felinely possible with Presley, with the regards to school and what had perked the youth up more was that she had the amulet around her neck that allowed her to see what was going on; so Presley knew his friends were keeping an eye on him. The most remarkable thing about Presley down time was that there was absolutely no trouble. Scarab must have taken Ja-Kal's threat very seriously because nothing even suggested one of his schemes. Of course Presley didn't know what Ja-Kal had said to the evil sorcerer, being unconscious at the time, but he _was_ sure that whatever his former guardians had worked. So, tucked away in his glass pyramid Scarab had just finished getting his windows fixed from his late night encounter with the mummies and was brooding to himself as Hekka tried to make him a cup of tea.
Despite all of the good things that happened during the last six weeks, Presley still couldn't wait until it was over. He had been waiting so get off his crutches so that he could go and visit with his mummified friends. The only problem was that he could probably bet his skateboard that his mother wasn't going to let him waddle down to the sphinx with the simple excuse that he needed some air. He also couldn't use the excuse that he was going over to Walters because he was being the friend and coming over to Presley's house instead. When the long awaited day came for the final uncovering of his ankle, Presley was practically bouncing with energy. He had only come back from the hospital an hour before and his mother had just left having left the office during her lunch break so that she could take him; even though it was a Saturday she couldn't even get the day off. The former prince was practicing walking around the house in his crutches so that when he had to go back to school on Monday he didn't make a complete fool of himself. As he walked, or more appropriately hobbled, through the living room the phone rang. Presley hopped as quickly as he could to get to it hoping that it was Walter calling to see if he wanted to do something.
He practically ranked the phone off of its hook and said partially out of breath. "Hello?"
A feminine voice answered him. "Presley? It's Nefer-tina."
Presley's face threatened to break his smile was so huge and just as he was about to answer one of his crutches became tangled in the cord and he fell; making a loud thud and yelping. "Oww!" Presley glared at the offending piece of the phone. "Stupid cord!" grumbling he untangled himself and sat on the floor with his back against his arm chair in the living room.
He picked up the phone again as he had unintentionally dropped it on the floor on his way to the ground. "Ah, sorry 'bout that Nef! Hi! How are you guys? Is everything okay? Sorry I wasn't here when you called the first time but my mom and I went grocery shopping so I wasn't home and it's not like the sphinx has a phone number or anything. Maybe you guys should install something like that so that I could call you guys instead of waiting for you to call me. Well, but before I always just sorta came over and didn't really ask."
Presley stopped to take another breath seeing as he had said that entire miniature speech in one breath. But before he could continue Nefer-tina interrupted laughing. "Presley slow it down! I'm not going anywhere. We're all fine; everything's okay; it's alright that you were out grocery shopping that day and no the sphinx doesn't need a phone then we would have delivery boys stopping by every hour for Armon." She chuckled. "Actually no body else knows that I'm calling you right know. I wanted to keep it a surprise but first things first, are you alright?"
After his little outburst the youth had settled down so he continued more calmly but the excitement was still clearly apparent in his voice. "Yeah I'm fine! I just got out of that stupid wheelchair and I can finally walk around. It was about time I think I was going to go crazy." He grinned but Nefer-tina couldn't see that, obviously. "I don't think you could survive that let alone Rath and everyone else."
Nefer-tina couldn't help but laugh loudly at that. "Yeah your right, I think Rath would probably go crazy. Well, crazier than he is already." Presley chuckled from the other end. "Actually I thought that since you got out of your crutches today and that I'd pick you up so you could come to the sphinx. I didn't kno-" A loud whoop, clatter and another "OW!" interrupted her proposal. She shook her head fondly. "I'll take that for a yes. Tell you what; I'll be there as fast as I can. Just be waiting for me."
Presley sat up rubbing his sore backside. "Sure Nef! Sounds great! See you in a few minutes." He smirked before he continued. "And Nef, try not to go through _too_ many stop signs kay?"
He heard her gasp in false shock. "I _never_ go through the red signs Presley, have some faith." She heard the former prince muttered "Sure, whatever" before she concluded. "I'll be there in a few minutes."
Presley chirped happily as he tried to stand yet again. "See ya!"
Just as he was going to hang up the phone he heard. "And I won't go through the red signs but the flashing red beacons!" Presley just sighed and chuckled, ecstatic that he was going to visit his friends; even if Prince Rapses was there. Who knew, maybe he would like him. He hobbled into the kitchen to write a note to his mother to say where he was going out (but he didn't tell her it was to the sphinx) and that he had gotten a drive. He also said in the letter that he would be home by dinner meaning not to worry. Worrying, however, was something that mothers' do best. Presley grabbed his backpack, gingerly put on his sneakers and grabbed some money so that he could pick up some beefy burgers for everyone, especially Armon, on the way back to the sphinx. Presley was ready but now all he had to do is wait he sighed it seemed he had been doing a lot of that lately.
* * * * * *
The sphinx was a sight for sore eyes and when Nefer-tina saw the look on her young friends' face she realized how much he had missed it and the people who lived within it. When she had picked Presley up in front of his house he was already waiting at the edge of the sidewalk. The cat guardian felt a small twang of guilt when she had pulled up watching him as his struggled to get in to the Hot-Ra. Nefer-tina had wanted to help him in but she knew that he hated to be treated as if he wasn't capable of doing things on his own so she simply watched his efforts. She had seen the wince when he sat down and how he tried to cover it up with a smile. But despite all of his injuries he was once again the boy that she had become such good friends with; his melancholy had disappeared and his eyes smiled. They had stopped at a Beefy Burger drive threw when Presley had mentioned he had money to pay for it. Nefer-tina couldn't help but laugh when he ordered 10 double cheeseburgers, just for Armon. The teenager that worked at the counter stared at them in shock partly because of the order and partly because he was awed by the car that they drove in. After he had gotten over it, and given them their order, he had asked where they got it. The mummy had answered truthfully when she said that her mechanic had made on request and it had been the request of the prince. Presley and Nefer-tina talked all the way back to the sphinx and simply enjoyed each others company. Presley didn't even barter Nefer-tina's driving as much just being happy to be back.
When they got back to the sphinx the garage was empty. Presley, who had been expecting to at least see someone when they came in was slightly lost. The rooms actually were neater than usually and there seemed to be more Egyptian things as well in comparison to before when it was a comfortable mixture of them both.
The former prince turned to Nefer-tina who was hanging the keys to the Hot- Ra on a hand shaped hook by the door. "Hey Nef, where is everyone?"
Nefer-tina nodded her head in the direction of the hallway that lead to most of the adjoining rooms. "There in there teaching with Prince Rapses." She noticed Presley as he tried to hide his disappointed face. "We have had to continue his lessons that he had in Egypt. He hasn't really left the sphinx other than to go for a few drives in the Hot-Ra." The charioteer walked over to Presley and leaned over. "I think what turned him off was that nobody, other than us, would listen to him. I don't think that royalty is very used to getting ignored." Nefer-tina straightened as Presley snickered. "I know I didn't tell you this on the way here but the guys didn't know you were coming. I though it could be a surprise." She started to walk towards the tunnel she had indicated earlier, grabbing the paper bag with Beefy Burgers on the way. "We have a little surprise for you too."
Presley's hear perked up at that bit of news. "A surprise, what is it?" When the mummy shrugged he moaned. "Oh come on Nef, please? I'll act surprised, really I will."
Nefer-tina stopped at the entrance to the darkened tunnel and waited for Presley to catch up. "Nope, not a chance I'm telling you." She smiled mysteriously. "It'd ruin my fun!" She turned to continue but paused. "Oh, try to be as quiet as you can. I don't want anybody to know you're here."
A shadow meowed before Kahti appeared. Presley looked at her confused. "How did she get here? I thought I left her at the house?" Kahti purred happily and rubbed Presley's good leg.
"Shhh!" Nefer-tina hissed. "I though I said to be quiet. That includes you Kahti and she jumped in the Hot-Ra just after you did, Presley."
The two, well three including the sacred cat, continued quietly down the hallway until the lights and noise from the 'living room' caused them to stop just before the light. Nefer-tina signaled for Presley to stay put until she said and then went into the room herself trying to look as casual as possible. Presley was slightly confused when she motioned this but stayed put if just to satisfy his curiosity at her strange actions.
Nefer-tina entered the room to see everyone. Armon and Prince Rapses were watching the Magic School bus on television learning about the intricacies of volcanoes, Rath was reading a book that Presley had brought him a long time ago about space travel that Rath had deemed ridiculous at the time but had picked it up on a whim the other day and couldn't put it down, finally Ja-Kal sat on the floor polishing and sharpening his boomer-ra for when it would be need again.
Ja-Kal looked up when Nefer-tina came in the room she had been gone longer than he had expected. He noticed the Beefy Burger bags she held in the hand. "Did you go out just for food? I didn't think we had many funds left."
Armon practically leapt off of the stone couch when he heard this. "What food? Where?" He spotted the bag and grinned widely. "Yes, Beefy Burgers! Nefer-tina you shouldn't have." By now he was off the couch and reaching for the bag.
The rest, excluding Rath who still had his nose stuck in his book, watched in amusement as the agile mummy snatched the paper bag from out of their larger friends grasp. "Your right, I shouldn't have and I didn't."
Armon made another attempt to get the delicious smelling burgers and failed. "Aww, come on Nefer-tina. I want to have some; can I at least have one?"
Nefer-tina dodged and leapt lightly on the top of the couch. "Nope, they aren't mine to give away. I'm just carrying them."
Rath had looked up from his book annoyed as Armon hit him trying to get Nefer-tina. When he heard her last comment he glanced at Ja-Kal who had the same puzzled look on his face and turned to his female companion. "What do you mean they are yours? Whose are they?"
Nefer-tina smiled teasingly. "Somebody who I decided to drop by today." She flipped off the couch and landed gracefully beside the couch.
Armon crashed head long into the wall shaking the floor. "Hey!" The large mummy heaved himself off the ground and rubbed the back of his head. "Well, do you think whoever bought them would mind if I had one?"
Nefer-tina opened her mouth to answer but a muffled laugh filled in the gap. She looked at the questioning group and improvised. "Tell you what Armon, why don't you ask him yourself."
Realizing that was his queue Presley came into the room. Becoming quite competent with his crutches Presley could now manage walking without looking like a complete and utter idiot but he still needed work. He didn't think it were even possible to look at all cool while hobbling around using two sticks of wood.
Presley flashed a grin at Armon as he reached the couch. "Sure Armon you can have one. I bought eight. I thought since you haven't had any in a while you'd want a lot so four of them are for you but leave the other four for everyone else I'm sure your not the only one that gets hungry." He stood for a spilt second making sure that he could balance on his good foot for a moment before leaning his crutches on the stone wall and sitting down in the couch's vacant spot that Armon had vacated only a moment before. Presley looked around at everyone else. "So guys what's up? Long time no see." He hadn't really meant to inject the last few words but they had come out nonetheless. Presley almost wished he could take them back because he saw Ja-Kal and Rath both wince slightly but not enough for anyone who wasn't looking for it to notice.
Rath was the first to answer being the partially only appropriate one to answer since Nefer-tina had seen him before the others, Armon was stuffing his face, Prince Rapses wasn't really who Presley was talking to and Ja-Kal was being even more quiet than was characteristically normal. "Indeed it has been a while since.well." The scribe ran off as he tried to cover his blunder of bringing up subjects that were still delicate. He cleared his throat as he attempted to continue. "How have you been Presley? You seem as if you are managing quite well."
Presley shrugged his shoulders gently, still slightly sore. It was too awkward in the room; it was as if they were all people who were meeting for the first time and had already come across that invisible wall that new people always came too and couldn't get over until someone could breech it. Still, although Presley knew it was slightly uncomfortable he knew that the source of it wasn't that they were unfamiliar with eachother but it was just that they had recently been through rough times and that none of them had yet discussed the outcome of event that had perspired. So in answer to Rath's rather formal question he shrugged his shoulders gently, since they were still sore, and tried to be the one that would force the wall to topple over. "Not bad Rath physically but aside from the fact that I have plenty of homework to keep me busy and everything, I've been bored out of my mind! It's not like I can just get up and go somewhere now." He sighed. "But hey, I can't complain completely, one bonus for being busted is that you get so much sympathy its funny. I even had Cynthia ask me if I was alright. Now if that's not sweet I don't know what is!"
Nefer-tina laughed at that as did Armon who almost choked on his fourth burger. Even Rath couldn't help but chuckle at Presley's last comment; they all knew how much Presley practically drooled over his best friends' older sister.
Armon looked once more longingly at the paper bad that had once held eight burgers but now only held four of which were beyond his stomach to eat, then turned to look at Presley. "Are you still looking after that girl? I would've thought that all the advice that I gave you would've caught her attention by now."
Presley flushed as the heat rose quickly to his face and he stumbled over an appropriate response. "Well, I.You know.er.I just.she.you guys.Argh!" He threw his arms up in exasperation and let out the breath in his chest in a huff. "Yeah I've still got a crush on her but come on! And yeah your advice has been great it's just that." Presley tried to search for the right wording that wouldn't upset his large friend of cause him to give anymore advice. ".some things take time and I'd rather take things slow then have them go too fast and then wipe out cause I didn't look around the corner."
Rath snorted from his perch and mumbled quietly but loud enough for Armon to hear. "It's not as if its bad advice it's just that, in my experience, advice based on food isn't the most appropriate."
Armon grinned as he swelled up his chest. "Yeah that's right Ra-" The large mummy cut himself off as his let up a burst of air causing his chest to resume it's normal position. "Hey, that's not very nice!"
Nefer-tina laughed coming to Armon's aid. "It's not like you have much experience anyway Rath so what do you know?"
The scribe sputtered outraged until a muffled laugh stopped him in mid speech. Presley had both hands over his mouth in an attempt to keep his laughter silent but he was failing miserably. Finally with the looks of bewilderment that he was being given by the mummies and Prince Rapses, Presley broke down and burst into full blown laughter. The others lasted for perhaps five seconds before the laughter became so contagious that Nefer-tina, Armon, Rath couldn't help but laugh. Even Ja- Kal who hadn't even cracked a smile for countless weeks, began to chuckle along with Presley if for no other reason than because the youth was happy. From the sidelines Prince Rapses watched the laughing mummies. This was the happiest he had seen them yet. Even thought he had wanted a friendly free relationship with his guardians he knew that it could never be anything close to what Presley had with them. The past six and a half weeks the young prince had silently noticed that the mummies weren't acting like they normally would. He discovered this not because he was familiar with their relaxed behaviors but because they seemed restrained as if they had to be on their best behavior at all times. In theory they had to be; Prince Rapses was royalty, their prince and so they were attempting to treat him and act the same as what it was like in ancient Egypt. There was only problem, the attempt was far from perfect. Besides the fact that his guardians were having a difficult time readjusting to having a 'real' prince around, they missed their young friend; they missed Presley. On top of this, no one mentioned the trouble that Scarab had caused and no one even mentioned anything to do with Presley but Prince Rapses noticed the soft sighs and forlorn glances an one of the mummies pasted an item that belonged to Presley; a textbook on a desk, a half eaten lunch in the fridge that Armon wouldn't touch, a soccer ball that was left behind or even a note that was taped to the wall outside of the Hot-Ra telling Nefer-tina to stop at red lights. It didn't take a genius to see their dysphoria when it was around even when it was partially hidden; and Prince Rapses was no idiot. So, now listening to the laughter of both his guardians and Presley Prince Rapses knew what had to be done. He had known it for a time now but he was unsure on how to go about it. This kind of problem, however, was one of those that was best handled on the spur of the moment. Sometimes if responses are too planned they are no longer from the heart but from the head and if they are simple whatever rolls out of your mouth they are the words that are closest to your heart.
As Nefer-tina slapped Rath heartily on the back causing him to cough and sputter, the young prince leaned close to Presley whispering in his ear. "Can we talk for a minute away from the others?"
Presley had stopped laughing and now turned to face his royal counter part. "Sure." He whispered back and together they both rose, Presley reaching for his crutches simultaneously and started to quietly leave the room.
Nefer-tina, the second to notice their departure (Ja-Kal being the first but remaining silent) tapped Rath on the shoulder with her right hand and pointed to the retreating backs with her left. Rath shrugged his shoulders and Armon finally caught on looking at the youths as well. The charioteer cleared her throat. "Where are you two going?"
The Prince turned around while Presley just halted. Prince Rapses knew them less likely to challenge him if he gave a vague answer. So they young prince flashed a smile. "We're just going to out to talk for a minute. We'll be back before you now it."
Nefer-tina shot them a dubious glance but after silently converging with Rath and Armon she looked back at her prince and nodded. Grinning again Prince Rapses slid out of the door with Presley right on his heels.
Once the two 'twins' had walked far enough away that their whispering voices wouldn't be heard Prince Rapses stopped, leaning back against one stone wall and crossing his arms while Presley chose to lean on the opposite. In a way that was what they were, opposites. They were so different yet so similar. Somehow even though they were born and raised in different times, under circumstances they still managed to maintain, oddly enough, similar views and ideals. Both boys were loyal to their friends, clever in odd situations, valued the same morals and above all still managed despite all the pressure and evil sorcerers to stay above it all and be happy. Where Presley had gotten used to the idea of having had an ancient spirit residing within him, Prince Rapses hadn't has such a luxury, he had all of a sudden arrived. Although it was not unlike what had happened to Presley that one fateful day at the museum when he had been attacked by Scarab and met his four (five including Kahti) guardians. But still, Presley tended to be more open-minded, growing up in the modern age with computers, television, video games and all the possibilities that technology has to offer. Given the fact that he had 'grown out of' fairy dust and Nevernever land he accepted the facts better than was expected. As a result of the fact that Presley accepted these types of situations better he was more adaptable to changes going on around him that could happen suddenly and without warning whereas the royal prince was only witness to change when he, or his father, ordered it. So Prince Rapses couldn't help but in slight awe at his modern counterpart, but he would never tell him that. Presley had been waiting, albeit rather impatiently, for Prince Rapses to explain what he wanted. As it was he was the one who wanted to talk yet the Prince seemed to be staring of into the far reaches of space. Presley groaned inwardly at having to jump start the conversation. "Hello? Rapses, is anybody home?" The Prince uncrossed his arms blinking rapidly as if coming out of deep thought. "Huh? Wha." Presley cleared his throat trying to cover his chuckle. "Are we here just so that we can daydream in quiet or didn't you say that you wanted to talk?" Glad that the hallway was only sparsely lighted so that his blush wouldn't be seen he crossed his arms once more over his chest and sniffed. "Hmph. Royalty doesn't need to answer to anyone or explain our actions." Presley rolled his eyes shaking his head and Prince Rapses heard him mutter 'Sure there bud, whatever.' The Prince became serious. "So, as to why I wanted to talk to you.it's about joining back together." Presley forgot about the Princes' earlier arrogant comment in an instant and stared at the other in open mouthed astonishment. "Excuse me?! Did you just say that you wanted to join back together?!" He paused waiting for a confirmation or dispute and when he received the conformation Presley's expression changed from one of astonishment to suspicion. Presley narrowed his eyes, studying the figure before him for hidden motives. "Why?" Prince Rapses noted Presley's expression but his face remained blank, unreadable as he answered in a low voice. "Because I know why you did what you did in the first place but it is no longer necessary." Presley tilted his head to one side he was pretty sure he knew what the Prince was implying but still wanted to make sure that he was right. "Are you saying that I didn't need to separate us?" The royal prince once again showed his affirmation and watched as Presley passed a hand through his unruly hair sighing before continuing. "So, your saying that they would've.they could've." "Yes. No matter what you thought I'm sure that you now realize that you are who they wanted to all along. Despite what lives that they had led in the past doesn't mean that they want to change what they have now." Prince Rapses hesitated before continuing. "I don't know if you have noticed this but you have made them happy. You treat them like you don't care that they are dead or your subordinates. Although you have all the rights and authority to order them to fulfill your almost every whim, as long as it doesn't endanger you, you chose not to enforce that right." The royal youth smirked as he saw Presley glance away in embarrassment. "Well, most of the time."
Presley remembered that Ja-Kal had said something similar to him when he had been in the hospital on his way to recovery and he had to admit it was what he had believed deep down in his heart but was honestly, not that he would say aloud, scared that it wasn't true it would mean that his relationship was only one-sided. His ancient twin was quite observant when Presley thought about it; he grinned cockily. 'Of course he is we're pretty much the same person.' He looked at Prince Rapses who was waiting for some sort of response. 'Ah, hell why shouldn't we join together again? It's not like I can say I haven't felt as if I was missing something or someone. Plus, I remember how to get us back since I sorta memorized it. Which also proves that I didn't _really_ want to separate.'
Presley smiled at Prince Rapses who was just about to ask him if he planned on staring off into oblivion all day. "Sure, let's do it. You're sure, I'm sure so let's go back to the guys.and girl.and get it over with!" With that said he readjusted his crutches and headed back to the room that held their mummified friends.
Prince Rapses watched Presley's retreating back for a short moment as a slow smile spread itself across his face then he followed, checking up to walk just behind the recovering youth. The royal prince was contented. 'Finally, things are going to go back to the way that they were.' Truth to be told Prince Rapses wanted to go back to the way things were before the whole traumatic incident occurred. Things had been so much easier and he didn't have to worry about all of the modern nuisances that seemed to plague him in this modern world.
As the bright light of the desired doorway came closer the two counterparts thought the same thing. 'I wonder how much trouble their going to cause when we tell them what we want to do.'
* * * * * * *
"You WHAT?!" Nefer-tina and Armon shouted at the same time directly after Prince Rapes had announced Presley and his intentions.
Beside Prince Rapses Presley winced as Nefer-tina's voice reached higher decibels. Rath was staring at them open-mouthed, in shock, Presley supposed and Ja-Kal had dropped the whet stone he was using to sharpen his boomer- ra, attempting to look as if nothing had perturbed him in the slightest; of which he wasn't doing a very passable job at.
Rath, finally getting a hold of his slack-jawed expression, stammered an intelligent question.of sorts. "I-You-But.w-which one of you knows how to.to perform the spell that will do, well, what you want it to?"
Prince Rapses and Presley glanced sparingly at eachother. Presley licked his lips and looked at his flustered friend, trying not to giggle as he did so because a flustered Rath was not something that you saw often. "I know what Rapses and I have to do. It's not that hard really, it's just a couple of lines." He smiled as the scribe, along with Nefer-tina and Armon were slowly beginning to gather some resemblance of control. "Don't worry, it's not like it requires some bloody and gory sacrifice like I know some rituals require." Presley laughed at his own attempt at humour and even Prince Rapses chuckled along with him but when they realized that no one else was laughing with them the Prince stopped his chuckling and Presley coughed awkwardly.
Ja-Kal, who had yet to say something throughout the entire duration of Presley's visit, finally spoke quietly. "Are both of you sure about what you are planning to do?"
Prince Rapses who had explained that it was both of their desires to fuse together again looked at Ja-Kal with only slight irritation. The ancient prince knew that it was Ja-Kal's concern and worries about his duty that brought him to ask the question. "Yes, Presley and I are _absolutely positive_ about this there are no doubts, insecurities or any strings that need tying. This is what we both want to do."
Presley listening as Prince Rapses answered Ja-Kal looked at the hunter with some anxiety. If the mummies' leader put forth any kind of effect to attempt them to rethink their plans then Presley would be hard pressed trying to convince Ja-Kal that it was for the best without voicing all of his hidden wishes. So, slowly, as if the inner thoughts that had caused him to choose his answer he long searched for, Ja-Kal nodded his head in acceptance of what Presley and Prince Rapses wanted to do. Even though it wasn't really as if Ja-Kal or any of the other had a say in the matter; whatever Prince Rapses said was, as far as they were concerned, a law that they had to obey. Yet, such as it was it was still a relief to have the mummies agree and not have to force them into accepting an action of which they didn't approve. Prince Rapses turned to Presley and grinned lopsidedly. "So are you ready?"
Presley cast a quick look around at the five mummies, including Kahti, who were settling into comfortable positions in order to watch the upcoming events. Satisfied that they were all ready, not just himself who had been ready for the past five minutes, he mirrored Prince Rapses smile. "Let's get this show on the road." Prince Rapses snorted lightly in both confusion and exasperation at Presley's answer but moved into position facing Presley. The Prince raised his arms so that they were outstretched, parallel to the floor with his palms out, fingertips splayed and reaching for the sky. Presley set his crutches awkwardly on the ground while trying to maintain his balance on one leg. Managing but not without his extra wooden arms making a small clatter against the floor. Balancing on his one semi-good leg Presley mimicked his ancient twins position, reaching so that both of their palms were pressed tightly together. Then as the mummies watched Presley began to speak in a low voice full of control and power that they had never heard before. This was only one of the reasons that this youth had been chosen to be the one to share his spirit with their Prince. "Battle's waged and wars one, Under twilight's sun it once was done-" As Presley spoke the first verse a tension seemed to fill the room emitted from the two forms that now had their eyes closed in concentration. Prince Rapses recognized the words from somewhere deep inside him and without conscious thought began to mouth the words of the spell along with Presley.
"-Options given and choices made, Now all prices have been paid-" The pressure grew until it felt as if there was an invisible force pushing at the mummies forcing them to drop their gaze from their Prince and their modern friend. Escalating, the force climbed to it's climax and light began to spread outward from the connecting hands of Presley and Prince Rapses; growing until that it seemed as if their entire bodies were radiating light. Coming on the final verse Prince Rapses' voice joined Presley's in unison. "Old and black with new and white, Will now entwine, infused with light."
A magnificent crack of sound and burst of light blinded the mummies to both sight and sound leaving them without any information of what had just happened. Spots danced in their vision and ears rang with noise as they tried to distinguish anything from the room around themselves. As their bodies finally began to regain their proper functioning the world slowly came back into focus. Still blinking rapidly and shaking his head to rid himself of the irritating little pixies of light that refused to leave him alone, Ja-Kal looked to where the light and sound had originated.
Presley sat on the stone floor, alone, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands in what looked like the same attempt to bring his world back into perspective. Prince Rapses was nowhere to be seen but an internal instinct told those in the room that he was back where he belonged, inside of Presley. Ja-Kal walked over to the youth and helped him to his feet giving Presley the support he needed in order to stand and the much needed comfort that Ja-Kal was yearning for since that terrible night not far enough distant.
Presley looked squinting as the other mummies gathered around and Kahti rubbed gently up against his good leg. The youth gazed around at the ring around him smiling at them all. At the end of the round Presley raised his eyes to the man holding possessively onto him and beamed with all that he was worth, the light once again twinkling in his emerald eyes.
Ja-Kal couldn't help up smile with joy in response to the look on Presley's face. A man of not many words the falcon guardian squeezed the youth's shoulder his voice rent up emotion. "Welcome back my Prince, I missed you."
Presley's eyes began to glisten and he had to swallow quickly as he saw Ja- Kal's unfathomable happiness in the sapphire orbs. But the moment didn't last as Armon gently flicked Presley in the side of the head with one massive finger and chuckled. "It's about time you finally realized it." Presley who didn't really know what Armon had meant looked at him in puzzlement and opened his mouth to respond but the mummified warrior beat him to the punch. "I mean, come on, how long did you think that we would be able to live without you helping us to buy food?" Now Presley was even further confused, that is until he saw Armon wink.
Nefer-tina stepped up next and ruffled Presley unruly hair. "Great to have you back kiddo. It hasn't been any fun without you." She grinned lopsided. "Plus, it's not as much fun trying to pull pranks on people when you're all by yourself. I needed my partner back!"
Rath snorted indignantly. "Of course Nefer-tina all we need is your annoying little shenanigans." The ancient scribe smiled at Presley. "What is a teacher without his most prized student?"
Kahti meowed her undoubtedly happy comment then went back to rubbing her head affectionately against Presley ankle who acknowledged the gesture with a gentle smile to the feline.
Armon fidgeted in the comfortable silence, not being one who simply liked to stand for no apparent reason whatsoever. The ram guardian looked quickly at the group. "So, I guess things are going to go back to the way they were before. Right?"
Over Presley's head the other mummies shot eachother anxious expressions. The renewed young prince, oblivious to what his friends were thinking, stepped away from Ja-Kal. He awkwardly reached grabbing his crutches. "Things are never going to be as they were before." Presley spoke with such surety that Ja-Kal, Rath, Nefer-tina, Armon and Kahti stared at him in a display of confusion and shock.
Presley just grinned crookedly and laughed. "They'll be better!"
After a short moment of stunned silence, everyone broke into peals of laughter for the first time in weeks. Nefer-tina was laughing so hard that she crumpled to the floor dragging Rath along with her; which only caused the others to roar with greater mirth.
'Yes' , thought Ja-Kal as he studied his new family through rapidly watering eyes, 'things are defiantly going to be better.' The hunter looked at the boy who was holding onto his aching sides one-handedly and attempting to help his friends to their feet simultaneously. Ja-Kal's heart smiled too. 'Much better'.
Yay! That was the final chapter! ^-^! I hope ya'll like it and everything. But just to wrap it all up there's a prologue comin up hopefully tonight or early tomorrow but don't worry I have it done I just don't have the time to upload it right now soon though.thanks for small privileges eh? Lol (