Disclaimer:- I don't own Tom Sawyer, Mina Hawker, Skinner, Captain Nemo, Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde or anything else used in the fic, except Smith and Mr. Big. Whoa, so many lovely reviews for the last part, thank you all so much! =) Glad people are still sticking with this. I don't like this part, esp the fight scenes so please let me know what you think! And now, the shout outs;
Clez:- Cruel ending? Humm... yeah, I guess I agree with you - btw, just wait till you read the end of this part ;) - so, does that mean a I get a cookie? Lol, glad you liked Skinner's line, been waiting 18 parts to make him say that.
angelic katty:- Yeah, Skinner's 'Trigger happy' line does seem to be popular. I'm glad you liked it.
Capt.Cow:- Of course, I would end a part of a cliffhanger, what do you take me for? ;)
Silent Bob:- (All right if I just call you Silent Bob? Or do you prefer the numbers at the end of your name?) Yay Mina! ;) Egypt's one of my many obsessions (LXG is another... can you tell?). Lol, everyone likes that Skinner line for some reason!
Angharad:- Skinner's cool isn't he. =)
Steffi:- *Is slowly edging away from Ammut* Ahh... when you threaten to feed my sin ridden soul to her, you don't really mean it do you? *laughs nervously* You mean, you read the whole thing in one sitting? Wow... that's... wow. *looks behind Steffi at all the fangirls and blinks* Glad you are enjoying this.
Funyun:- ... Normal Tom? Well... Evil-servant-Tom hasn't done anything yet so... *gives an evil laugh*
Silversnow:- You spent 2 hours reading something I wrote? I can't decide to be flattered you bothered to read it or worried you wasted your time reading it. Humm... hunger strike... or whine a little... you can whine, 'cuz I want you to up-date your own story and you can't if you are doing a hunger strike.
Freedom:- Ah, Freedom, where would I be without your threats about not sticking dear Tommy down a Well... *laughs* Just wait and see, just wait and see... *wards off the Evil Eye*
LotRseer3350:- *taps foot* I know, you have not up-dated in ages! Ages I tell ya! Yep, everyone likes the Skinner line.
Graymoon74:- umm... well, I hadn't planned to stop writing, so please, please don't carry out your threat about kicking me. Hate Smith... yeah, he's a bugger. As for Mina's battle with him... well, read on to find out ;)
Whoa, that was a lot of blabbing wasn't it! Now on with...
The Bodyguard.
~~~
Part Nineteen:- Race Against Time
~~~
The great cavern that housed the Well of Souls had a single entrance. From that entrance there was a thin ledge of rock to walk on, gaping blackness on either side. The narrow ledge led to the Well, a large section of ground around it creating a comfortable platform to stand on. As Big and Sawyer entered the cavern through the stone arched entrance they could see four flaming torches, one placed at each corner of the platform. The two walked along the narrow ridge at a rapid past, neither looking down at the never ending abyss below them.
Big was in the lead walking confidently towards the well. Surrounding it were four figures robed in a rich blood red color. The leader turned a hooded face towards Mr. Big.
"Mr. Big. Sir. We received your message and have prepared for the ritual... is this the sacrifice?" The leader asked. Big nodded and the robed man stepped forward, staring hard at Tom Sawyer from under his hood. The man pulled his hood down after a few moments and crossed his arms. The human face that was now uncovered reveled that the man was European in origin, a thin beard clinging to his chin. The other three robed men followed suit, four pairs of brown eyes staring intently at both Big and Tom.
The leader moved closer to Tom and slowly lifted Tom's face with the palm of his hands. Spy and robed man looked at each other, neither one showing what they felt. Suddenly the man pulled his hand away and slapped Tom, hard, across the face. Tom's head snapped to the side then slowly returned to it's original place.
Apart from a small trickle of drool leaving Tom's mouth there was no facial reaction.
"He seems ready." The man said, turning away. Mr. Big took the bag Tom was holding and opened it, pulling out the objects from inside.
"Sawyer, wipe your face. We must start the ritual, even without Smith." Mr. Big commanded.
~~~
The League moved through the darkened corridors of the maze at an agonizingly slow pace. Nemo had found a torch near the entrance was was using that to lead the way, his men following him, Hyde after them and Skinner bringing up the rear. Yet again, Skinner mentally cursed himself for staying to stare at those grand stone doors for so long, thereby letting Hyde move in front of him. The giant almost completely blocked off the flickering light of the fire Nemo was carrying, meaning Skinner had to use all his skill not to wall into walls or trip over loose rocks.
Nemo reached a crossroads, three tunnels, all going in different directions. Each was the same to the last, each pitch black with no sound or movement.
"This would be a lot easier with Mina." Skinner muttered from his position as last. Nemo didn't bother to turn to look back at the invisible man.
"That is probably why Smith wanted to fight her and just her. I have no doubt that she will join us as soon as she can." He said calmly. Skinner moved slightly but didn't say what was in his mind.
//But we don't even know how to beat this Smith. What is Mina going to do? She can't bite him because he has ash for blood or something strange like that... is she going to glare at him until he dies?\\
Outside the two immortals were still locked in battle, the light from the harsh sun beating down, hitting the moving blades and being reflected all around the sandy arena that the two found themselves fighting in.
Mina growled and lunged in for a strike, her silver dagger flashing as it moved at a supernatural speed, aimed at Smith's heart. At the last moment Smith's arm came up and blocked the blade, causing Mina to stumbled slightly to the side. Smith instantly took his chance and sidestepped, forcing Mina to move as well.
Slowly, relentlessly Smith pushed Mina backwards, turning her slightly with the soul aim of placing her in such a position so that she would have the sun in her eyes. Inwardly he gave a cry of success as Mina found herself staring directly at the sun, the bright orb blocking her vision and causing her view to go blurry. Mina blinked rapidly, trying to see clearly and at this moment Smith pouched. He leapt forward, his arm gauntlets reaching towards Mina, the wicked curved weapons flying towards the temporally blinded Vampire.
In the end it was this very weakness that saved Mina from being decapitated by Smith's weapons as he flew towards her, his arm already swinging round in a perfect arc, ready to take her head off. The lack of vision meant that Mina took a step backwards and half turned, to remove her self from the direct line of the sun. Smith's attack went harmlessly past her, thought it was so close that she could feel the air in front of her move by Smith's actions. Smith growled in anger and lunged at her again, shouting a curse in Ancient Egyptian as he did so.
Mina jumped. Calling her bats to her she flung her body backwards, using her enhanced abilities to fly backwards and still mange to land softly on her feet, like a cat. As she stood up, her curly hair bounding unchecked around her face, her eyes still a clear blue she stumbled slightly, feeling for the first time, the effects of the hot Egyptian sun.
Smith stared at her, his anger now fully in control. Abandoning all reason he charged at her recklessly. Mina moved forward to greet him, her own dagger raised to defend herself. The two clashed against each other, the force of the impact making Mina spin in a graceful circle, her fangs bared and ready.
As she rushed forward, Smith turned to face her, moving a tiny bit more slowly that he had before. Mina gripped her right dagger and struck out at Smith. Blade connected to flesh and the dagger sank into Smith's left hip as if it was made of butter. The Egyptian laughed and grabbed Mina's hand, tightening his own around her small pale hand which was still holding her dagger. Slowly Smith twisted Mina's hand and at the same time, twisting the dagger still embedded in his side. Mina's eyes widened as she stared at his cruel face, noticing the absolute lack of pain visible on it. With a snarl she ripped her hand free, forced to leave her weapon in Smith's flesh.
The two stared at each other, Mina panting by now, before the fight began again, Mina's dagger just left in Smith's side as if the man didn't even know or care it was there.
~~~
Something had gone horribly wrong. Skinner was sure of it. Skinner was more than sure of it and for a very good reason.
Skinner was lost. Lost and alone. Somehow he had taken a wrong turn somewhere and hadn't noticed that he was no longer following Hyde's monstrous bulk and was instead wandering the dark passages of the maze on his own. The only reason he hadn't said anything or called out when he found himself without light is that he just thought Hyde had moved slightly and was now completely blocking the light from reaching him. It wasn't until Skinner had walked into a wall and then found he was in a dead end that he realized somewhere along the way he had become separated from the rest.
The gentleman thief had tried to retrace his steps but in the dark he had no way of knowing where the mistake had occurred. So now Skinner just wandered the passages aimlessly, trusting to Lady Luck to help him - or, if that failed, then he was really hoping someone would notice he was missing and go looking for him. Maybe they would set Mina on his scent. Skinner tried to ignore the fact that Mina was probably still fighting Smith and that the League had to focus first on finding Tom as he was in greater danger.
Rodeny Skinner blinked as light suddenly exploded onto his vision making him squint. A single flaming touch hung from a side bracket, lighting up a door. He grabbed the torch and slowly pushed the door open, risking a peek inside. It was some kind of living quarters with a bed and a few chairs, though nobody seemed to be in. Skinner gently pulled the door shut again and moved on, taking the light with him.
The rest of the League - the rapidly diminishing League - hadn't actually noticed Skinner's vanishing act. The pressed on ahead as fast as they could, each wanting to get this over and done with. Nemo moved through the stone passages with more confidence than he had at the start, trusting to some inner sense to tell him which way to go. His men followed him blindly, trusting him. Mr. Hyde just followed, still angry that Mina would be the one to defeat Smith. Dr. Jekyll's alter-ego still hadn't forgotten his first encounter with the Egyptian nor the fact that he still hadn't had a chance to even the score.
Though they didn't know it, Nemo, his men and Mr. Hyde were getting closer and closer to the center of the maze, where their prize awaited them.
~~~
The first red robed man picked up the small bottle of scented water he had brought with him and carefully pulled the stopper out of it. He moved towards Tom, who was kneeing in front of the Well, his arms hanging loosely by his side.
"It is time Sawyer." Mr. Big said as the robed man reached Tom. Slowly, his expression one of a dazed and confused person, the American removed his holsters and the twin Colt pistols, his weapons clanging loudly on the ground as he dropped them in a casual manner. He lifted his head, closing his eyes as the faintly scented water was poured over his upturned face.
"I accept this water to cleanse my face in the hope it will cleanse my soul in preparation of my reward." Tom said in a dull monotone, the second the water had stopped.
"Where is the Dagger?" The robed man asked. "And where is Smith?"
"Smith... is busy with some unforeseen business. He has the Dagger with him, but the Dagger of the Well is not needed for this next part." Mr. Big said. The other man stared at his Boss, an unreadable expression on his face before letting his eyes dart to where Tom still knelt.
"He had friends, doesn't he." The man said quietly, almost to himself. Then he seemed to snap out of whatever he had been in and looked back at Mr. Big.
"You're right of course Boss. The first blood letting doesn't need the Dagger - but we can go no further than the blood letting without it." He answered. Mr. Big did not reply but simply looked at him. The man pulled out a thin, razor sharp blade and bent down, clasping Tom's limp hand and lifting it up.
"With this blood, I join you both, to allow the transfer to be accepted." The man said softly, running the tip of the weapon along the palm of Tom's hand. It bit into his skin greedily, his blood eagerly filling his palm. The man turned to Mr. Big, who had knelt down by now and was holding out his own palm. Quickly he ran the razor weapon along the other hand, digging deep enough to draw blood.
Taking both Mr. Big and Tom Sawyer's blooded hands he pressed them together, letting the blood mingle. As he did so a breeze seemed to suddenly spring up out of nowhere, staring from the center of the platform and blowing all the way to the edge - when it suddenly vanished, the wind dying as if it had never even been there.
A few seconds later, Captain Nemo emerged from under the arch, the torch he was holding spluttering away into nothingness. His dark eyes lit up as he was the well lit platform in front of him and the people kneeling on it. Mr. Big sprang to his feet, dragging Tom with him. The Colonel took a few steps backwards, nearer to the well, Tom being pulling backwards as well. Mr. Big fixed glaring eyes, full of rage, on Nemo as the Indian began to run nimbly along the narrow path, his men just as light on their feet running right behind him. Hyde paused at the start of the path, his beady black eyes looking on either side of the path before giving a bellow of anger and moving along after the rest.
~~~
Mina was differently getting tired by now. The prolonged exposure to the unrelenting Egyptian sun was taking it's toil on her, making her move more sluggish and react more slowly. Smith seemed to sense this and pressed forward, showing no sighs of being bothered by either the sun or the weapon that had remained lodged in his side for over ten minutes.
The two still fiercely fought, each managing to land a wound on the other every now and then, the wound then healing at once. Yet again though, Smith now had Mina at an disadvantage as he still had both his original weapons with the Dagger of the Well safely tucked away in his belt, close to where Mina's first dagger had stuck. Her second dagger was still in her hands but it was hard to defend herself against Smith's double attack when all she had was a dagger.
More and more, Mina found herself using all her energy to just dodge Smith's attacks, unable to get close enough to him to use her nails or her fangs. Even if she could by some lucky chance get close enough to sink her teeth into Smith, all she would find would be ash - something she couldn't drain. The Vampire gave a jerky jump to the side, one of Smith's blades cutting into her arm as she jumped, her body responding too slow to fully escape the attack. She risked a glance to the ground, looking at Smith's shadow, trying to work out what would happen if she snapped Smith's fleshy neck.
//Not a lot.\\ Mina soon worked out. She would have to completely remove the head to stop Smith from simply snapping the bone back together and even if she could remove the head there was no way to be sure it would stop him. She turned back to look at him, realizing too late that she had just made a possible fatal error in allowing herself to be distracted while Smith was standing so close to her.
And at that moment Smith struck. He punched forward, his two arms, reaching out towards her. Before Mina could do anything more than give a small gasp, the tips of his curved blades had reached both of her sides. They entered her body, passing all the way through her. Smith gave a roar of glee and pushed her backwards, Mina's body giving tiny spasms, unable to heal properly while the weapons were still stuck through her, a tiny trickle of her blood running down one of the blades. Her back connected hard with a stone pillar, Smith pushing against it with all his might. With a cry of pain the back of Mina's head hit the stone of the pillar, at such a force it would have knocked out a mortal. To her horror Mina realized she was completely trapped, pinned between the pillar and Smith like a butterfly on a pin.
Something Smith knew only to well.
~~~
As Mr. Hyde's feet touched the platform, the rage in the eyes of Mr. Big vanished, to be replaced by a triumphant glint. The whole of the League were on the platform, Nemo mere inches away from Tom and their enemy, when Mr. Big yelled;
"STOP!" Though they tried to fight it, Nemo, his men and Hyde all felt their legs freeze, stopping them where they stood. Mr. Big let go of Tom's collar, the young man falling bonelessly to the ground, his hand still bleeding profusely. With a look of contempt at the captive League and at Tom, Mr. Big grabbed two bandages from his bag, dropping one to float down on Tom, and using the other to stop his own hand bleeding.
"Clean yourself up Sawyer." He spat. Tom silently reached out for the bandage and began to stem the bleeding. Mr. Big walked right up to Hyde, a gloating look on his face.
"All of you... walk to that corner and sit down." Mr. Big ordered, pointing at the left corner nearest to the stone path. Even though Nemo fought every step of the way to regain control of his legs he found his body was marching to the pointed spot, as were the bodies of his men and Mr. Hyde. They all sat down and Big stared at the, the gloating smile never leaving his lips.
"Now, you must be wondering how I can do this." He said. Behind him, Tom stood up, his hand now clean.
"It is really very simple. When the ritual starts a spell is activated that prevents people from interfering with it. Anyone who enters the sphere of the spell after it has been cast, is placed under the control of me... where is the sneak thief?" Mr. Big said, gazing round the platform that was absent of any floating coat. He rolled his eyes in frustration.
"He must still be out in the maze Boss." One of the robed men said. Mr. Big nodded and turned to Tom.
"Sawyer, I want you to hunt the pathetic man down. He won't dare to kill you - but we need him here, the last thing I want if for him to try and disrupt the more... delicate part of the ritual. I want him dead or alive, just bring him here." He said. A sly smile came to Tom's face and he nodded, once. Big bent down and picked up Tom's rifle, throwing it to the American.
Tom caught it in one hand and spun it, letting his trigger finger rest gently on the trigger. He moved past the other members of the League, not even sparing them a second glance.
"Sawyer... take one of my men with you." Big added. Tom nodded and one of the robed men broke off from the others and moved after Tom. Spy and minion now ran along the stone path and under the Arch, vanishing into the maze.
"Skinner? Oh, Skinner, where are you?" Tom called out in a cheerful tone, a manic little giggle escaping from his mouth.
"Skinner... come out, come out where ever you are..." He said in a sing song voice, scanning the area ahead of him. He hummed a little tune as he carried on his hunt for Skinner, the other man a few paces behind him.
TBC...
Thank you for reading this part, please leave a review! Till part 20.
~Sethoz
