Disclaimer: This story is written out of enjoyment for Mummies Alive, property of DIC. My characters mean no harm to the show! Marianne Ellis is the creation of me Trynia Merin. If you want to use her in a fanfiction, let me know and send me a copy of the story! :-) Sohkarra is the creation of Naomi Capulano, and is a unique character, and used with her permission.

Elementary my dear Talos!

A story by Trynia Merin

Through the city echoed a loud cry. It was not a fleshly cry, but a hollow metallic bellow. As if a cannon had come to life and found itself a voice. That eerie metal plated tone cut right through San Francisco's evening rush hour.

Close beside the glass pyramid Scarab called home the voice drifted. Heka glanced up from her gilded urn. "Uh oh, company," she shivered.

"Can't I plot and scheme in peace?" Scarab grumbled. "Honestly it's getting so a criminal mastermind cannot even destroy his enemies without a wretched racket!"

Several explosions and crashes reached his ears. Summoning his Shabti he ordered, "See what that is and deal with it!"

The Shabti bowed, and proceeded to Scarab's private helicopter. Before long the black whirling craft's whirring split through the metallic cries. Scarab gripped Heka in his hand as he rushed onto his balcony. Immediately there was a roar as the helicopter crashed against the side of the building. Scarab winced, as Heka commented, "Well, there goes another few stocks and bonds..."

"Shut up you sniveling serpent..." Scarab began as his voice was choked off in his throat.

"What..."

Their view of the street below was blocked as a flashing figure suddenly rose into view. Its metal fingers dug into the glassy side of the pyramid structure as if it were paper. To his horror Scarab realized the figure had climbed the outer framework of his home as if it were a jungle gym. On the one shoulder was a darkened hunk of metal that resembled his erstwhile helicopter. A hand clamped around Scarab at lightening speed, belying its massive bulk. "You sent this gift I presume," the voice boomed.

"Er... Talos... long time no see..." Scarab coughed. "What is the meaning of this intrusion?"

"I was looking for those responsible for this outrage! It was you who interrupted my quest... you who failed me once before!"

"What? Why do you waste your time with me then?" Scarab coughed as Talos began to squeeze the air from his ancient lungs.

"My love does not move any longer," Talos boomed. "That mummy who built her... has given her life only to take it away! I seek revenge. Upon him and all who get in my way!"

"Is that all," Heka said to him, slithering out of Talos' grasp. "Girl problems?"

"Mighty Talos, have mercy," Scarab coughed. "Take your anger out on Rath... he built that thing... I mean your girlfriend..."

"If you wish to live, take me to him!" Talos thundered.

"I do not know where he lives," Scarab said. "But I do know of one other person who may be able to help your girlfriend," he laughs. "One who can transmute elements. If you bring her to me, I will force her to help you... and I will make sure your girlfriend is restored to perfect health..."

"But the last time you tricked me, Scarab," Talos growled. "I cannot forget that..."

"But you clearly have me at a disadvantage," Scarab said to him as Talos was ready to squeeze the last life out of scarab.

"Look at this..." Scarab said, and flipped to a videotape feed. Upon it showed a picture of a woman in a white lab coat touching Shabti. "See how she turned my servants into air..."

"Of what good is that to me?"

"She can also turn nonmetal to metal!" he said. "For she once turned my armor to lead!"

"How can I be sure she can help?" he asked.

"Doesn't it make sense to you, that a woman who could turn nonmetal to metal could heal your girlfriend? Bring her to me, and I will force her to save your love."

"The last time you tried to bring my love to live you betrayed me!"

"There is another reason... you should capture her!" Scarab wheezed.

"Why?" Talos laughed.

"She is the love... of the wizard Rath!" Scarab coughed. "If you... have her...you can force him to do your will... all I require... is the girl when you have finished... now... let me go..."

"You are a fortunate man, Scarab," Talos laughed, as he released the wizard. "But I will be back with her... or with your doom!"

"Well, that went well," Heka said as she slithered up to the prostrate scarab. He was too winded to reply to her quips. Heka smiled to herself with glee. Perhaps it would be a quiet peaceful night after all.

Rath and Marianne were having a fierce argument regarding science. Marianne walked out of the Sphinx in a huff when Rath did not believe that a person could truly "clone" one life form from another. "It is simply not possible," he said.

"But it is... by modern science..."

'You must be joking," he laughed.

"Oh, you're impossible sometimes!" she cried. Clearly she had enough of his superior attitude lately.

She stormed out before Rath could stop her. "Wait... I'm sorry..." he said, seeing the hurt look in her blue eyes, which had filled with tears.

"What the..." Sohkarra said, coming into the lab. "What was all that shouting about?"

"Oh nothing," Rath grumbled, throwing down his scroll in irritation. "Just the fact that I have made a fool out of myself... and hurt the one I love... dearly..."

"What is it with you and your attitude?" Sohkarra asked him. "My tutor, you have been arguing much lately! Is something going on between you?"


"I... cannot say," Rath sighed deeply. "Sometimes she drives me to madness..."

"Have you done anything to make her mad? Have you sent her flowers lately... or forgotten to call..."

"I have been rather obsessed with trying to strengthen her powers of transmutation. But she insists upon speaking in riddles!"

"But this is her time Rath? Don't you want to learn about the new science of the time..."

"Yes, that's all very well.. but she can be so..."

"Arrogant, and insensitive?" Sohkarra put in. "Sounds like somebody else we know?"

Rath was about to object when JaKal came in. "Rath, we have problems. I just saw on the news that a large friend has returned..."

"Who?" Rath asked.

"It's Talos," Armon said, rushing into the lab next to his leader. "I saw him on the Magic box..."

"Talos..." Rath gasped. "But Marianne... is out there!"

Instantly Rath rushed, but was stopped by his two friends "Unhand me!" he shouted. "I must go warn her..."

"We must watch and wait to see what his plan is..." JaKal said. "The lion does not chase the herd until he spots the weak antelope..."

"This has nothing to do with animal behavior!" Rath exploded. "I've got to protect her..."

"With her temper right now she might not want you around," Sohkarra muttered.

"Do not worry," JaKal said. "I was just going to scout ahead. Get a feeling for where he's headed."

"Besides can't you ask the Pyramid where she is?" said Armon.

"Armon, you are wonderful!" Rath beamed as he rushed to his magical device. Armon shook his head.

Talos was wreaking general havoc as he shouted for the Mummies. People cried out in fear as he started to absorb vast amounts of metal into his body.

Marianne was riding home in a cable car, clearly still annoyed at Rath. She loved him dearly but sometimes he had the sensitivity of a bull. Somehow she wondered if she should just wait and let things subside. It would give her some sense of satisfaction to make him sweat for a change. For as obstinate as Rath was, he often apologized profusely when he found out he was in the wrong.

Talos was about twenty five feet tall now, trampling far into the asphalt pavement. His roars echoed on the narrow streets. Marianne felt the cable car come to a halt. Just then she saw a child scurrying helplessly into Talos' path. Leaping out of the cable car, the Scientist rushed to the child's rescue. She grabbed the child out of the way just as Talos' huge foot came crashing down. Screaming, the child held tightly to her. "It's all right, luv," she said to it trying to soothe the little girl. "Where is your mother?"

A woman rushed up to Marianne, and thanked her for saving her daughter's life. Marianne glanced up at the tall figure as he smashed into a car. He grabbed the cable car, and was about to wrench it off the track. She had to do something. She summoned her powerbolt and threw it headlong at Talos.

He turned and saw her at his feet, a figure in colorful clothes. "What... who dares challenge Talos!"

Marianne knew she had to act quickly. What was good against something that massive? Then she raised her hand and rushed between his massive legs as he stopped to bellow again. She transmuted the air about her to iron, just before his one foot. Talos tripped as he tried to step forwards. He stumbled, and suddenly caught his step. Marianne then reached for her bracelet, to try and summon help. But Talos saw her nearby his feet. She rushed away after the crowd. Angrily Talos smashed a nearby building. The resulting rubble fell towards the screaming mass. Marianne rushed to the midst, throwing up her hands as she transmuted the air just above their heads to hard smooth aluminum. The rocks fell, and slipped to one side. Seconds later the aluminum faded as Marianne caught her breath.

"You are the one I seek!" he roared. Before she could run, he gripped her in his hand. She screamed in anger as she was raised to stare into a metal face.

"Let me go or I'll transmute you!" she shouted. Reaching for his hand she struggled to change his hand to something nonmetal. Talos roared in pain as she touched his thumb and tried to turn it to oxygen. But the metal flowed around her reforming into a new thumb. She struggled again, but Talos began to squeeze.

"If you try that again I will crush you!" he said.

"I... cannot... breath..." she gasped, before feeling herself pass out. The mummies heard her mental warning. Talos pounded his way to Scarab's domain.

Within minutes the Mummies responded to her mental cries. Rath and Armon hung onto the seats of the Hot Ra. Sohkarra had the Skycophagus, and JaKal flew. Nefertina was with Presley at the school, for it was her turn to protect him. JaKal spotted Talos before him.

Before he could fire, he heard Sohkarra shout, "Don't! You'll hit Marianne!"

"My aim is sure!"

"I'll catch her," Sohkarra said. They saw Talos as he roared. Marianne looked a bit down for the count. JaKal flew with his arrows, and Sohkarra tried to fly the Skycophagus to intercept Marianne should she fall.

"Let her go!" JaKal cried, hovering just before Talos. "She is under out protection..."

"You fools dared give me a love that would not last! Now this woman will restore her..."

"What has gone wrong..." JaKal said. "Surely your love is alive..."

"She walks no more!" Talos shouted, raising his hand to swat JaKal. "And it is your fault..."

"Wait... let us help you!" Sohkarra cried form the Skycophagus. But he swatted JaKal like a bug. Sohkarra threw her telekinetic cushion to break his fall.

"Why do you attack us!" she cried. "We helped you!"

"She is no longer alive! You will pay!"

Rath and Armon pulled up. Rath's feelings surged seeing his ladylove in Talos' hand. "Let her go!" he shouted waving his khepesh threateningly.

Armon slammed the ground. "What he said! The girls with us!"

"Die you fools a second death!" he roared, and kicked Armon aside. Sohkarra was desperate to use her power against this bronze giant, but feared hurting Marianne. Suddenly the scientist came around and glanced down at her friends.

"What... leave them alone..." she cried to Talos. "What do you want?"

"You will help save my love..." he said. "Bring her to life..."

"But who is your love?" Marianne asked him.

"A woman of metal they have built and she no longer works. But Scarab has said you can help her!"

"Wait... you must mean the robot..." Rath suddenly realized. "Mighty Talos... I can help you... if you would just release that woman..."

"I don't trust any of you!" he shouted. "She will help me or die!"

'But she cannot do what you ask!" Sohkarra cried. "she is a scientist of this time..."

"She can turn things to metal..." Talos said. "And since you will not get out of my way..."

"I can rebuild your love!" Rath shouted. "Just let me..."

"Hear him!" Sohkarra cried, landing the Skycophagus. "If you let her go, you have the word of Sohkarra that your love will be restored..."

"Sohkarra?" he asked. "You... are that princess are you not?"

"Yes... now please! You have my word we will not rest till your love is restored..."

Talos appeared to consider it. "If you are lying this woman will stay with me. She might be useful to make me strong! If she can turn nonmetal to metal... I might keep her for myself..."

"Talos, listen to her..." Marianne said. "I cannot help you! Scarab is lying to you!"

"Where is your love?" Armon bellowed. "Give us a chance... she's our friend... and you are too!"

"Please..." Rath begged, putting his sword away.

"You have till dawn," said he. "if my love is not back at my side, restored to life, then you will never see this woman again!"

"Very well," Sohkarra muttered. "but if she dies, you die..."

"She will be given food and nourishment," Talos said. "Now go!"

Rath was fair near fuming when they withdrew. "I cannot believe we just left her..."

"We had no choice he could kill her if she's dropped..." JaKal said as the Hotra and Skycophagus pulled into the Sphinx. "And he could well crush her..."

"Why didn't she use her power to stop him?" Armon asked. Everyone looked at him. "I mean can't she just turn him into a stone statue or something..."

"Armon, her powers are not that well developed," Sohkarra said. "she's still learning to use them..."

"But we don't have much time... remember Talos didn't tell us where his love was," said JaKal. "We must find the robot and repair it."

"One of us must stay and make sure Marianne is all right," Rath said.

"I'll go... you are the one who can fix that robot..."

Rath opened his mouth to protest, but JaKal silenced him. "Armon, you take Marianne food. And keep watch on Talos. If he moves, let us know..."

"Right..." Armon rumbled. Sohkarra and JaKal left once more to their respective duties as Armon took a jetcycle. Leaving Rath to stew in his laboratory.

Just then Nefertina and Presley came back. Automatically they had received a call from JaKal telling them to remain at the Sphinx for further directions. Presley wandered into Rath's laboratory to find it unusually quiet. Not that Rath ever made a huge racket. Yet there was no sound of his gentle muttering to himself. Not even a sound of bubbling flasks or singing spells. Usually there was something. Instead they found the Scribe sitting alone on a stool before his document table. He wasn't even writing spells. Just staring off into space.

"What's wrong... you look like you went to a funeral," he said to Rath.

"Marianne is in danger and it's all my fault!" Rath sniffed. "If only I hadn't been so foolish..."

"Uh oh, did you two have an argument again?" Nefertina asked.

"She is in the grip of Talos, literally," Rath said. "And I am made to sit here and wait to play fix it to a robot! While the woman I love... is in mortal peril!"

"Wait, slow down," Nefertina said. "Give us a newsflash or something..."

Rath told them both of the events of the afternoon. JaKal had not bothered to fill them in over the amulets, so both Presley and Nefertina were surprised. "Well, what are you gonna do about it?" Presley asked.

"What do you mean, oh Prince..."

"Just sit there and feel sorry for yourself?" Presley said.

"JaKal has told me I am to remain here..."

"You look like that's the last thing you wanna do," Nefertina said.

"Nefertina, I must obey JaKal, even if my heart tells me otherwise..."

"That sucks," Presley said.

"Such language from the future Pharaoh," Rath chided. Still that look of conflict was on his face. They exchanged glances as Rath rose from his funk. He turned and picked up a vial, then threw it against the wall in a rage. "That's really swift," Nefertina said.

"JaKal actually chose Armon over me to watch over her! The very idea!"

"Whoa Rath, you're losing it man!" Presley said. "Calm down..."

"How can I calm down when Marianne is in danger!"

"Hey, now," Nefertina said. "the Prince is right! This will tear you up if you don't stop acting like an idiot! Chill, okay? We're all doing what we can to help..."

"Are we," Rath muttered. "If only I had helped her learn to use her powers better..."

"Don't hold onto that guilt, Rath," Nefertina said. "give it a rest already!"

"What... did you say?"

"I said give it a rest..."

"No... before that..."

"Don't hold onto the guilt..." Nefertina said.

"That's it!" he cried. "Nefertina, you're beautiful!"

He seized Nefertina and kissed her on the cheek as he rushed off. "What's he up to?" Presley wondered.

"There's one way to stop Talos..." Rath said. "and I know how! And how to save Marianne in the process..."

"Could someone tell me what's going on?" Nefertina asked.

"Oh... it's simple," Rath explained.

By the time Armon had taken his watch, he noticed that Talos had moved. He had gone to the deserted airplane hangar to replenish his supply of metal. Armon remained true to his word, and kept a careful watch on everything. What he saw sickened him. His brown eyes caught site of Marianne in a strange metal container, this time a square cage of interlacing trigonal bars. Talos sat nearby, laughing loudly. Each metal container he had placed her in she had transmuted to some thing or another. This became a game to Talos, for he would try a new sort of metal each time. And each time Marianne had managed to alter it enough to escape. Only to have him reform another.

It was a cruel situation. Armon was furious but JaKal had ordered him to only watch, not interfere. So he kept to one side, concealed.

"This is enough," she said, exhausted. "I refuse to perform anymore for your amusement!"

"Your power is strong," Talos laughed as he absorbed more metal. "But it is a pity that you are exhausted so easily."

"What is the point in my trying to escape anymore..." said she. "You will just keep creating new traps for me..."

"You can turn things into metal... with you I can be mighty... invincible... no my pretty you will not be out of my site..."

"You would go back against their word?" she asked. Anger built up in her. "But you promised..."

"I promised nothing, little one. You are an intriguing commodity... and I will not be cheated either way."

"But you cannot trust Scarab..." she said.

"I trust no one. No, my little one... you amuse me far too much to let you slip away. But I shall go to Scarab and tell him I have you. But I warn you if you try to escape I will not hesitate to find you again..."

"You cannot..." said she.

"Your friends hold you in high esteem. I would hate to harm them... for your mistake to run away..."

"You wouldn't stoop so low..." she said.

"I would do what I want to have my happiness," he said. And laughing he strode away. Marianne cursed to herself as she huddled in one corner of the new cage he had constructed. What was the use anymore?

Armon gritted his teeth as he hid behind a large pile of crates by the front door. This was not fair!

A few hours later Armon watched as Talos provided food for the exhausted Marianne. It had been three hours and he was hungry. Then he heard a whisper from Nefertina. "Feeling hungry old friend?" Nefertina asked as he handed a Beefy Burger to Armon.

"I'm starving!" he said. But Nefertina held the burger just out of arm's reach.

"Just the way you like it..."

"Why are you here? Why are you not with JaKal..."

"JaKal is making us take turns. He needs you at the Sphinx to protect Presley," Nefertina said.

"But JaKal did not say anything..."

"Dontcha wanna eat something... there's lots more of these at the Sphinx..." Nefertina said.

"But Marianne..."

"Shh," Nefertina said. "Watch and wait..."

For they noticed Rath in his serpent armor had suddenly arrived. He brandished his weapon, looking left and right. Armon was a bit miffed. Hadn't JaKal ordered Rath to stay behind?

"What is this?" he said to Nefertina.

"We've all been looking for this stupid robot," Nefertina said. "And haven't found anything! Rath said that maybe it was hidden here, where Talos had his last 'girlfriend...' "

"That statue he'd fallen in love with?" Armon asked, mouth full of Beefy Burger.

"Yeah. Rath suddenly did what you did. Thought of the most obvious answer..."

"Wow, that's scary," Armon said. "He's really acting weird."

"He's in love you big lug," Nefertina said. "In case you don't know..."

"Love makes everyone act weird," Armon chuckled as he watched Rath approach the cage. It was composed of gleaming bronze, that seemed to be alive. Or was it his imagination. Surely Talos, once he had left, could not control any metal. Or could he?

Like his namesake animal totem, Rath moved with complete silence. He approached the cage, and examined it. "Marianne..." he whispered softly.

She jumped, startled out of her stupor. "What... oh it's you..." she sighed.

"That's a fine greeting..." he began, then shut up. "Are... you harmed in any way..."

"Except for the fact I'm trapped here... and I'm completely exhausted..."

"My dear I am so sorry," Rath said, softening his voice as he approached the part of the cage at her side. He stooped on one knee and pressed his hand to the bars near hers. "It's my fault you are in this predicament..."

"What on Earth are you talking about Rath?" she asked, a bit confused and tired.

"If I hadn't raised my voice in such a foolish argument with you, you never would have come into harm's way..." he began.

"Oh, for Pete's sake Rath," she said, holding her head. "It's not your fault!"

"Don't you see I'm trying to apologize..." he said, his voice indicating an argumentative tone that suddenly stopped in the silence. "Ptah curse it here I go again..."

"I know... and I appreciate it..." she said, as she saw his eyes gleaming beneath his serpent mask. "But sometimes I wish you wouldn't be so... so..."

'Stubborn and foolish?" he completed. "Brash and argumentative?"

"Yes, if you like..." she agreed, and lay her head against the bars.

"I'll have you out of here in..."

"Rath... you must not..." she said. "for your own sake as well as mine..."

"What do you mean?" Rath asked, producing his own wicked looking weapon, his serpent khepesh. Already he had raised it high in a glistening arc to slice through the metal.

"If I am released, he'll hunt me down... he said so... he has no intention of letting me go! It will be my fault if you are harmed..."

Rath lowered his khepesh, and stooped to press his shoulder against the side of the cage. "Marianne, don't be ridiculous," he scolded gently. "You would not be at fault... no more than I am... for getting you captured to begin with.... Because of my silly pride..."

"I don't know what in blazes you mean by that... but it sounds... like a good apology to me..." she laughed softly. "But Rath, you cannot just cut me loose. What if he comes back..."

"Let him return. If he truly wants to keep you, it won't matter if he does have his robot back! He will find a way...."

"Rath wait..." said she as he raised his sword, and suddenly sliced through the metal. She jumped back as the blade split metal like mere cheese. Rath came within the interconnecting web of triangles. Towards Marianne he quietly walked, khepesh in hand.

"You idiot..." she shook her head as she scooted back into one corner. Slowly he dropped to one knee, and examined her. One hand leaned on the inverted serpent weapon for balance.

"I have been called worse," said he, raising one green gauntleted hand. The emerald cased fingertips caressed her pale cheek with the precision of a scribe examining a hieroglyphic laden wall. He noted how exhausted she was, with her torn clothes and the dark circles under her blue eyes. Carefully he slipped hands under her and lifted her, despite her protests. "Set take such danger, Marianne. You're spent and cannot take much more punishment. I'm getting you out of here!"

"But didn't you hear a word I said..." she said to him as he carried her free. "You could end up dooming us all!"

"I cannot just leave you here, Marianne! This is fine thanks for my concern..."

"Oh, you pompous twit!" she fumed. "Trust you to worry about me hurting your blasted ego at a time like this!"

"You should listen to her," boomed a voice as a shadow fell across them both. Marianne and Rath froze as they saw the lumbering form of Talos overhead. Rath considered making a break for it, but realized Talos could simply crush them underfoot. As strong as he was, carrying Marianne in his arms made it much more awkward to flee or fight. And he couldn't fight something Talos' size.

At least not alone. "You see what I mean," Marianne said to Rath, arms around his neck tightly.

"Er... quite," said Rath, gripping the handle of his weapon as he held her with his other arm and serpentine tail This was not going according to plan, he reflected.

"What was your brilliant plan then?" Marianne asked, folding her arms over her chest much as he did.

Armon and Nefertina were both touched and annoyed at this scene. Rath was being completely silly, romantic, and debonair all at once! And now he'd gotten himself captured as well. "What are we going to tell JaKal now?" Armon said to her.

"Uh... I just hope Sohkarra's around when you tell him..."

"Me? You were the one who distracted me with a Beefy Burger!"

"Me? I was just helping Rath..." said Nefertina.

"You were helping him get in trouble!" Armon accused her.

"It was Presley's idea..." Nefertina said. "and he is the Pharaoh!"

"That's no excuse," Armon said. Then they sighed. "I guess nobody can argue with the Pharaoh..."

Sohkarra and JaKal were at their wit's end. So far neither of them had found a trace of this robot of Talos. The couple was beginning to despair of ever being successful. "I just don't understand where this woman of mechanical metal is..." JaKal grumbled.

Beside him keeping pace in the Skycophagus was Sohkarra. She was getting the hang of flying this sprightly craft. "JaKal, there is something really fishy about all this..."

"How so?" he asked.

"Why would he ask us to fix this robot when he didn't bother to tell us where it was?"

"I was worried about that to, Sohkarra. And I think that he wants more than just to have us help him... there is something else..."

"You sensed it to," Sohkarra nodded.

Just then they heard the voice of Presley over their amulets. "JaKal! Sohkarra! The guys need your help right now!"

"What?" Sohkarra asked, grabbing her amulet.

"Rath knows where the robot is! And he's gone to help Marianne!"

"What?" JaKal exploded. "He did what?"

"JaKal, don't go flying off the handle..." Sohkarra cautioned him. "Listen to the Prince!"

"Rapses... what is going on here! I expressly ordered Rath to stay put!"

"I know... but he had a plan... and I was just thinking..."

"What?" JaKal said.

"It was my idea, okay, so don't go nuclear!" Presley's voice came. "But ya gotta come to that abandoned hangar! The robot's there..."

"Where are you?" Sohkarra asked him.

"I'm there... staring right at it..."

"Rapses! You are not safe! Get out of there!" JaKal shouted, more loudly then necessary.

"No way JaKal! We've been tricked! Talos doesn't only want Rath's help, he wants t' keep Marianne for his own plans or something like that!"

"We'd better get over there," Sohkarra said, turning the Skycophagus. JaKal had no choice but to streak after the small craft.

"You cannot escape me!" Talos said. "You will pay for trying to escape, little fools! I will crush your love against you as you have failed to make my love live!"

Talos gripped Rath and Marianne in one hand as he punished them both for their escape. Rath grunted as he was squashed against his ladylove. She choked and wheezed. Automatically Rath used the magic in his armor to constrict his own body so she could breathe. Fortunately because he was a mummy, the Scribe did not require air as she did.

"I... cannot... move..." she gasped, writhing.

"Don't... struggle..." he urged her. "Relax... and don't fight. The more you do the more... he'll constrict..."

"What... do you mean..." she grunted again, as Talos' hand seemed to squeeze more tightly. Rath turned around till they were both chest to chest. His arms slipped around her body, folding close behind her back and waist. If not for the fact they were about to be crushed, this would be quite pleasant. Her legs he wrapped around to one side of his hip to conserve even more space. Conserving what space there was to be as compressed as possible.

"Listen to me..." he said softly, positioning his head close to her ear. "We... must work together..."

"If only I could use my own power on him..." she said. "But he's too massive..."

"Concentrate... on just the metal... surrounding us..." he coughed. "Your perception... is what is limiting you... just as... it was... when I refused... to believe that your modern science could be just as probable as my Egyptian magic..."

Her heart leapt when he admitted his wrong. It was a shame they might not survive to see the outcome. Yet she had to trust him now more than ever before. Both had to admit they were in the wrong, and had to depend upon each other. Pressed so uncomfortably close she couldn't help but forgive him and thank goodness he was there. There was no one she'd rather perish with, if it came to such cases.

From their hiding place Nefertina and Armon exchanged glances. Orders or no orders from JaKal, they had to help their friends. "With the Strength of RA!" they shouted in unison. Armon and Nefertina stood enveloped in the embrace of powerful energies.

Armon raced out first, waving his huge golden arm. Yet this time he charged Talos head first. Talos shook from helmet to sandals as he felt the impact. Then a ripping sensation tore into his back as Nefertina dug her claws into his bronze flesh. With one hand he tried hard to reach her to swat her off.

"Miserable insects!" he roared.

"Even an insect can bite!" Nefertina growled, her claws more firmly embedded than ever.

"Now..." Rath said to Marianne. "We must... combine our powers!" To her surprise he kissed her deeply. She was pressed ever closer to him, her body squashed between his own copper alloy armor and Talos' huge bronze hand. Marianne felt the pressure of his mouth upon hers. Suddenly she felt the exchange of power at this unexpected gesture. When the Scribe had said to combine their powers, this wasn't what she had in mind.

"Mmmm! Rath... what in blazes..." she gasped, breaking off the kiss suddenly. Not that she minded this, but it was an awkward place to kiss her love, before an enemy.

"Relax my love," he said. "Don't think of the danger immediately around us... mm-mfff!" Rath urged her as his lips parted from hers for a brief second. Marianne couldn't help but think this was the craziest place she'd ever kissed and made up in her life! Again he kissed her, infusing her own body with the peculiar properties of his own armor. Her own arms came free as they slipped around his neck tightly. Marianne merged her own alchemical power to protect them both as she transmuted. Her hands slipped to touch his face beneath the serpent helmet.

As Rath constricted even more, he struggled to wiggle out of the grasp. Marianne closed her eyes, and thought of making the metal a liquid state. For she could do this. Her power radiated out from her entire body. The scribe wrapped himself bodily around her, amplifying her power as he struggled to use his own to alter her own body shape. The harder Talos squeezed, the more they seemed to compress. Till at last he howled in immense pain.

For Marianne had transmuted the inner surface of his hand to carbon. The inflexible material crumbled away as Rath wormed their way free. Both slipped downwards out of the immense metal fist. Armon rammed Talos' ankles again as Nefertina hung on for dear afterlife.

Flinging his hand up, Talos roared. Marianne and Rath went flying bodily in two separate directions. Just then Rath threw his bandage out, snaring Talos' arm as he lowered himself to the ground. Yet he could not snare Marianne in time. "No!" he cried.

Marianne landed firmly in Armon's sturdy arms. She was never so glad to see the Fighter as she was then. "Gotcha..." he rumbled.

"Good job you were here to catch me," she gasped.

Talos thrashed, and Rath artfully flipped as he was thrown clear. As for Nefertina, she jumped from Talos' back. Safely she landed on all fours like her namesake. "Let's get out of here..." she said.

Carrying the exhausted Marianne, Armon followed her. Rath was close at his friend's side. "Thank you..." he said to them as they leapt into the Hotra. Gently Armon set Marianne in the seat next to Rath. She lay against his shoulder as he extended his arms to help her sit. Nefertina had the good sense and forethought to bring the vehicle with her. "I... could not have done it without you..."

"No problem," Armon said. "You're our friend Rath!"

Nefertina floored it as she raced away. "Uh oh, here he comes!" she said. "Don't celebrate yet guys!"

Indeed Talos had recovered, his hand intact. Livid anger blazed his eyes as he rushed out of the hangar. "I will crush you to dust for that!" he roared.

"Oh no he'll never stop," Marianne gasped, putting her head in her hands. Rath slipped his arms around her comfortingly, leaning over in his seat next to her to do so. At first she accepted his comfort. "He said he wanted... to have me... and would harm all of you if I escaped..."

"Don't you dare blame yourself my dear," he chided gently. "I did, and look what was the result!"

"I'm still cross with you," she said, emotions conflicted. She pushed away from him in anger. Despite the well intentioned "joining of their powers" and the gentle kiss, she was still feeling as if he were overlooking her true abilities. "I'm touched deeply that you came to rescue me and all that sort of thing. But that won't make up for that little comment this morning... or that little stunt in the hanger! You practically stole a kiss, making an intimate gesture when you bally well knew I was compromised."

"You did not object as I recall," he spat back. "I was simply trying to help you relax and use your powers more effectively... as well as attempt to atone for my insensitivity... as I recall I was every bit as compromised as you!"

"Perhaps," said she. "But a simple kiss doesn't make up for a superior attitude!"

" I am sorry Marianne... I simply thought that a gesture of my affection for you would be a pleasant way in which to combine our respective abilities... and as for my outburst this morning.. it was said in haste!"

"That's all you presume to do, but don't you think that sometimes you think too much about your blasted magic when what you should be thinking about is how your eloquent words may sometimes hurt the ones you love..."

"Marianne... it is not easy to find words! I am a Scribe of Amenhotep, and I am most careful with the use of them!"

"Rath, I'm a scientist of this time! I am grateful you teach me magic, but I want as much to share what I know with you... and how can I when you just dismiss my own theories so casually sometimes! You make me mad!"

"Can't you two knock it off!" Nefertina interrupted them in disgust. "In case you haven't noticed, that guy is still after us... save the bickering for later, huh?"

"That was awesome what you did back there," Armon said.

"I beg your pardon," Rath said, raising one eyebrow. For a moment he thought Armon was referring to his public display of affection.

"You really ticked him off all right," Nefertina said. "What did you guys do to him?"

"I... transmuted his hand," Marianne said. "Rath had told me that Talos couldn't absorb anything that wasn't metal. Carbon black was the best thing I could think of on such short notice..."

"Uh oh! Our friend's right on our tail!" Nefertina broke in as the car juddered and shook. Rath and Marianne gripped each others hands as the car bounced over the shaking earth. At each pounding footfall of the giant it quaked like a 4 on the Richter scale.

"How do we stop him?" Armon asked. "We cannot get him to absorb concrete... for he knows better..."

"If I can just somehow transmute him completely... into something that is nonmetal... but that would be killing him..."

"Look, it's the Princess!" Armon said, pointing to the figure of the Skycophagus. JaKal and Sohkarra flew headlong at Talos, weapons blazing. JaKal's arrows exploded against his bronze chest, and Sohkarra's armaments made no impression.

*We got to stop him!" echoed Sohkarra's voice in their minds. *Do what I say, and we can get his attention..."

"We got his attention," Armon shouted. "Now how do we stop him!"

*Nefertina... use your whip... take another pass right at him!"


Suddenly everyone was mind linked by the Princess. A faint tingle indicated her mental presence within each of their minds. Through the mindlink she transmitted JaKal's orders. Nefertina roared back, and passed the Hotra controls to Rath. Armon leapt out, and raced at Talos, fist upraised. JaKal flew directly before his face, taunting him. He stopped cold to deal with the twin threat.

Tumbling out of the Hot Ra, Nefertina she snapped her whip around Talos' ankles. As he tried to step forwards to swat JaKal, Armon reached from behind and levered up under Talos' one foot. Sohkarra used a mental push to pivot the giant forwards. With a crash he landed headlong, Nefertina's whip encircling his ankles.

*Rath, Marianne, now!" she telepathed. Rath carried her, too exhausted to walk on her own to his ankles. She reached out with her power, touching his foot as he howled in pain. "Don't think of an entire transmuting," Rath whispered to her. Slowly the foot changed to a form of germanium... a semiconducting substance that was neither a metal or a nonmetal. It had the properties of both. He gasped in pain as he struggled to move, but could not stand. The effect started to spread up his leg.

Talos then tried to reduce his mass to compensate. More and more he shrank as Marianne's power reached out to transmute more of him. It seemed far easier to convert his metallic form into a solid substance than directly to gaseous elements. Germanium and silicon merged and blended as he constantly reformed his body.

Till Talos was only the height of a normal person. Then Sohkarra indicated Marianne should stop. She stood right before Talos, and spoke a very ancient spell. Talos felt mystical energy shackling him, that was impossible to break. Rath added his power to his' pupils, till they formed a cage of energy betwixt them to hold him. Talos found a force immobilizing him temporarily. He could still speak and see, but could not move for Sohkarra's spell held him fast.

"Release me!" he shouted, a pale shade of what he once was before.

"Rath, it's time you got to work fixing that robot," JaKal said as he landed. Guiltily Rath headed towards the building to get to work. Only to see that Presley had already beat him to it. For out of the building walked the metallic form of Talos' love.

"What..."

"She's okay, she just needed new batteries," Presley said to them. "You wouldn't' believe how many double DD's it takes to run her..."

"Batteries?" the others said, looking at each other. It was unbelievable that Talos' whole problem was caused by dead batteries. The robot glanced down at Talos, and spoke its greeting.

"My love," he said, reaching for her with one hand outside the bars. "You live!"

"That's right," Sohkarra said. "She had been restored. But instead of asking us for help, you attacked us. I have a good mind to cast a spell on you so you can't move! It wouldn't be that hard for Marianne to do that to you."

"No, I beg of you..." he said.

"Feels a bit different on the other side of the cage, doesn't it," Marianne said weakly. Armon gently supported her with Nefertina on her other side.

"If we release you, will you go away and not bother us again?" JaKal said to him.

"I... shall trouble you no more... but what if she loses her life again..."

"I can take care of that little problem guys," Presley said with a smile. "Hey Talos, does the sun shine a lot where you like to be?"

"Indeed...." he said. "What do you mean?"


Presley explained his idea to Rath, who nodded. It could be done.

Before long the project had been completed. Marianne had fallen asleep in the seat of the hot Ra, completely exhausted. Rath worked efficiently despite his concern for Marianne. The robot could now work off the power of the sun itself, with solar batteries.

Sohkarra and JaKal stood before Talos in his imprisonment. "Now if I let you go, will you not bother us anymore? Do you swear not to attack again..."

"I... swear," he said reluctantly.

"You had no right to hurt Marianne so," JaKal said to him. For Armon and the others had told him all about Talos' little game with the scientist.

"Her power would have made me strong..." he said.

"Not so," Sohkarra said. "For you are weak to torture those less powerful than you... and in the end you will not win if you are a bully!"

"Release me and I will do anything you ask... just let me have my love..."

"You almost killed my love," Rath said angrily as he led the modified robot out of the hangar. Presley followed at a distance. "If Sohkarra did not stop me I would not hesitate to melt you down!"

"I... apologize," Talos said, stiffly.

"Good. Now here she is," Presley said. Talos was reunited with his robotic love, and was most pleased. Sohkarra restored his freedom to move. But she still kept the energy cage around them both.

Armon brought Marianne from the Hot Ra. Still he needed to carry her, for she was so tired.

"One more thing. You must apologize to our friend for your behavior," Sohkarra added.

"I... am sorry..." he said to her. "But your power intrigued me. If you had joined me we could have been an unstoppable force."

"I have no desire for power," said she. "When I was your captive you treated me shabbily... I want nothing more now than to turn you into a pile of charcoal. But being a decent person I will accept your apology... just as long as I never have to see you again..."

"Agreed," Talos said. Taking his love he left the safety of the cage, and walked away from the Mummies. He did not look back for one second.

Everyone gathered back at the Sphinx once more. In the grand chamber, Rath came forwards and bowed down before JaKal and Sohkarra. "I... humbly apologize for going against your orders, JaKal," he said, prostrate.

"You did disobey a direct order," JaKal said sternly. "And that could have cost us the safety of the Prince."

"Wait... don't be angry at him," Marianne said weakly. "Please. He did what he had to do. For if he had not acted, I would be dead from exhaustion, or far worse."

"That may be so, but Rath must suffer the consequences of disobedience," JaKal said.


"Wait, hold on here," Presley broke in. "He didn't disobey you. He was obeying me. I'm the Pharaoh here... and what I say goes..."

"But you didn't have to go against JaKal's orders," Sohkarra told him.

"Sis, since when did you always do what JaKal said," Presley said to her. "I say let Rath off the hook! He loves Marianne, and that made him all goofy..."

"Goofy?" Rath said, raising an eyebrow. He folded his arms over his chest.

"Yeah, give him a break," Nefertina and Armon said almost in unison.

"What about it JaKal?" Sohkarra said, sidling up to her favorite guardian and slipping a hand around his waist.

"This is blackmail you know," JaKal said with a warning look in his blue eyes. Sohkarra batted her eyelashes at him and he sighed. A smile came over his face slowly. He helped Rath to rise.

"All right, Rath. Love does make us lose our senses. This time I forgive you... on one condition..."

"Name it," Rath said, sighing with relief. Even though he had clearly demonstrated no need for breathing before.

"Marianne, come here please," JaKal said. She stepped forwards with Nefertina's help. The cat guardian had her arm around Marianne's waist to help her walk. "Stand next to Rath..."

"Whatever it is that has caused discord between you two, please resolve it now," JaKal said, sternly.

"But they were kissing in the hangar..." Armon began before a stern look from Rath and Marianne both shut him up.

"We have resolved... our differences, JaKal," Rath said.

"Oh have we?" Marianne said, raising an eyebrow. Sohkarra grinned. This was going to be a bit interesting. As soon as one argument was solved another was starting. Rath did need to be taken down a notch or two. And JaKal was quite adept at it.

"But I did... apologize... I am terribly sorry for my outburst this morning... I thought I had made that clear... if so..."

"I am still a little mad at you," she said, tapping her foot. "After all you did disobey JaKal, and didn't listen to a word I said! And that little stunt in the hangar..."

"Enough!" JaKal said, sternly. "Now reconcile! For all our sakes let there be no discord today!"

"Rath, get on with it!" Nefertina laughed.

"What are you talking about?" Marianne asked as Rath said, "What in the name of Thoth are you suggesting?"

"Make up already!" Sohkarra grinned. "So we all know it for sure! A gentle reminder..."

"This is most embarrassing," he said to Marianne. She looked at him and couldn't help but laugh.

"You are impossible," she said. "For once today we agree on something!"

"Marianne I am very sorry," he said, prostrating himself before her. "I've been quite... foolish the past few days. I do not wish there to be discord between us."

"It's just that sometimes I get the impression that you don't want to learn about modern science, and you pooh pooh it as soon as I try to explain! I am trying so hard to appreciate your magic..."


"It is very difficult for me to admit that science has progressed," he sighed. "You have so much naturally ability that I only wish you to be able to use it to the fullest extent. And in my haste to improve your powers and understanding of Heka, I fear I have neglected our own relationship..."

"I'll say. Lately you've been in that wretched schoolteacher mode," she said

"I apologize my dear," he sighed. "For it pains me greatly to see you so upset... you mean so much to me... that the thought of losing you before I could say I was sorry... Was quite... difficult to bear... and it is only my concern for your safety that drives me to be so... so..."

"Difficult?" she supplied. "A pain in the rear?"

"Quite," he sighed with a rueful smile. "Perhaps you could tell me about this cloning... and the next time I deem something impossible you have my full permission to call me an utter fool..."

"Rath, that's laying it on a bit thick," she giggled. He rose to his knees, a bit self conscious that his grand apology wasn't going to be so easy. Not with everyone watching.

"I really am sorry," he said again, and applied a kiss to her hand. "And that... er gesture in the hangar... I truly meant it to be a reconcilatory one... but if you would like... we could perhaps... discuss this matter more... completely back at the Sphinx..."

"Get up you!" she laughed, and pulled him to his feet. With a sigh he took her into his arms as she gently kissed his cheek. He responded with a full blown kiss that left her breathless. As intense as the one given her in the constrictor grip. A kiss that assured her he did not take such gestures lightly. Her lips practically ached from the force of his touch as she was leaned backwards in his arms.

"There is such a thing as overdoing it," she gasped as she caught her breath.

"Humph..." he said, and joined her in laughter. It was hard to keep a straight face when she had that look in her eyes again. The sparkle he loved so much was back, and gladdened his heart. "Sometimes the differences outweigh the similarities... but we are both... rather stubborn are we not?"

"An elementary similarity," she smiled, and he couldn't help but feel the warmth in it. No longer did she bristle at his touch, for he had been forgiven. It wasn't so hard to let go of pride once in a while, especially before her.

"Heck yeah!" Nefertina laughed as the two were in each other's arms. She gripped Marianne's shoulder as if to say, "right on sis! Way to go!"

"See it wasn't that hard, was it, Rath?" Armon laughed. He thumped Rath on the shoulder. For a second the huffy scribeness returned to Rath, then was replaced with a warm chuckle.

JaKal and Sohkarra shared a wink as they realized the strength of the Guardians. The family element was present in the greatest adversity. Together they were unstoppable. Even when going against his better judgment they had meshed together and prevailed. For the good of all. And he realized that sometimes Presley's leadership was not to be underestimated either. Even if it did mean the Prince overruled his commands. That was something JaKal had to get used to. He was no longer just the Prince. A young boy was fast becoming a young Pharaoh.

And that was their duty. To prepare him for whatever dangers he may face, and hone the leadership skills blossoming within. Presley was the vessel of Rapses, but was also growing into manhood. They could not ignore his own uniqueness merging into the amalgam as two souls shared one body. They were a powerful alloy, as were the individual traits of the Guardians themselves. Stronger because their elements merged so well into a much greater whole.

The end for now! Thanks to Naomi for some great insight as to the direction of this story! We are da bomb, gal pal!