Disclaimer: Do not own The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, or anything else from them.

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Chapter 8

Rick slung his rifle over his back. "Alex, stay with your uncle. We're going after Imhotep."

"Are you sure that's wise?" Evie said.

"That Sylvpeak was trying to convince us not to. I think we should."

"But she knows we were planning on it."

Rick pursed his lips. "Let's check it out, see where he is. We can at least make a plan."

-----

It wasn't hard for Rick, Evie, and Ardeth to find Imhotep. He was currently watching Big Ben go up in flames, the clock face cracking and crumbling in the heat. The trio crouched behind the car, and Rick pulled out his telescope. As he watched, Imhotep turned and looked towards them; Rick shoved the telescope down. Imhotep walked towards the car. "Get in."

Ardeth pushed Evie into the car, and he and Rick jumped in. Rick turned the key and pressed down on the gas. The car spun forward past Imhotep. Rick glanced behind. Imhotep raised his hands, palms up. That looked familiar—

"Rick!"

At Evie's shout, Rick turned forward; a wall of dust was in front of them. Before Rick could do anything, they had plunged into the dust storm. Dirt coated the car, covering the windshield. Rick braked. Dust gathered thickly on the windows, making sight impossible. "This could be a problem." Something slammed into the car, and the vehicle rocked forward. "What—" Rick turned around. A bright glow showed through the dust on the windshield, and the car moved again, slamming Rick into the steering wheel and Evie into the dash. Rick steadied his wife. "You okay?" he shouted over the sound of the wind and dust.

She nodded. "What are we going to do?"

Rick started the car and wheeled forward. He visualized the street in his mind as best he could. He turned. The car moved forward without hitting any obstruction. Rick smiled grimly. He kept driving, turning at intervals, and slowly the dirt peeled back from the bottom of the windshield. Rick hunched down to look through the glass; a brick wall loomed in front of the car. Rick turned hard left. The car spun, and the fender bashed into the wall. "Everyone okay?" Rick looked at Evie and then Ardeth. They both nodded. "Good. Wait here." Rick jumped out of the car and looked around; there was no one in sight. He wiped the thick coat of dust off the windshield. Grit remained on the glass, but it was clear enough to see. He got back in. "We're out of here." He turned the key in the ignition. The engine coughed and died. Rick tried again. It wasn't any better. He pursed his lips and tried once more; the engine sputtered to life. He smiled and pressed down on the gas.

They didn't move. Then, slowly, the car pulled away from the wall. "Every time I get a new car, something like this happens," Rick muttered. He drove back onto the street and accelerated. Only the car wasn't going as quickly as it should. "Well, that's just great. We've got a flat."

They made it back to the mansion without any other difficulties. Rick parked the car, and the trio got out. He turned to look at his vehicle. The blue paint was muted by dust, and the right end of the fender was twisted, the glass of the light above it shattered. The wheel was sagging, barely holding its shape. Rick sighed. "I hate mummies."

Evie planted a kiss on his cheek. "We'll take care of it, but it's a little too late to go buy a car. And we have bigger problems on our hands right now."

"I know, but still . . ."

Evie dragged Rick into the mansion, Ardeth following silently. He paused at the door and glanced back over the drive. A black-and-white dog snuffled around in the grass; otherwise, the night was empty. He went in, closing the door behind him.

The dog sat down, watching the mansion intently. It shook itself, stood, and trotted away, favoring one hindleg.

-----

"Well, we've suffered the first official attack of this year." Rick tossed his weapons bag onto its hooks.

"That bad?" Jonathan said.

"Yeah."

"Where's Alex?" Evie asked.

"He's up in bed. I gave him a book to read. Honestly, Evie, that boy's as bad as you."

"It's served him in good stead, too, from what you've told me."

"Yes. I'm just . . . complimenting you on your child's bright intellect."

Evie laughed. "You're terrible. You know that?"

"As your older brother, I'm allowed to be."

Rick frowned. "We need to sneak up on him somehow. He'll still be mortal, right?" he asked. Ardeth nodded. "I could just shoot him."

"Since he's already regenerated." Evie sighed. "But what about the elementals?"

"Ardeth, do you have any idea how to kill them?"

The Med-jai shook his head. "All I know is that each one has complete control over a certain element – fire, water, earth, or air."

"Makes sense. Sylvpeak would control earth," Jonathan said.

"At least she doesn't control fire." Rick snapped his fingers. "Fire burns earth. Can fire be used against Sylvpeak?"

Ardeth thought for a moment. "I don't know, but there is a chance."

"Good. We'll need a plan for that."

"And Imhotep?" Jonathan asked.

Rick took his weapons back down and shouldered the pack. "I'll take care of him."

"I'm coming," Ardeth said.

"There's no need for that."

"There is every need for it. Besides, your wife and brother would not forgive me if I let you die."

Rick looked at Evie. Her dark eyes were wide, worry evident in them. He walked over and hugged her. "We've beaten him before. We can do it again. Don't worry."

"Who said I was worried?" She hugged him back fiercely.