Chapter 7: Akila Says No

Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. I'm glad quite a few of you are eager for updates from this story. I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.

It had been a week since Atem's new teammates had joined the school and needless to say they had made things interesting.

As Atem, Mooncake, Starlee and Brian went to see Akila and Cleo they open the door to see beads hanging down.

"Come in." Cleo calls out.

Walking inside the three of them look to see the room filled with crazy new things.

"Whoa, what happened here?" Starlee asks.

"I did a little redecorating. Can you believe I found all this stuff just lying around?" Cleo asks.

"Uh you know you can't just take anything you find right?" Brian asks.

"That's how Atem got Mooncake." Cleo points out.

"That's different, these belong to people." Starlee said as Brian noticed a banner hanging on the wall.

"Isn't that the Floatball banner?" Brian asks.

"Not anymore." Cleo brushes off.

"Anyway Brian's looking for Akila. You seen her?" Atem asks.

"She has her own room over there." Cleo points.

However when Brian opens it we see it wasn't a room at all. It was a closet and Akila was smooshed in between her mattress that couldn't even fit inside it.

"Akila? How long have you been sleeping in her?" Brian asks concerned.

"Hey Brian. A few days ago, Cleo said she needed a little more space so I moved. Now I have a whole room to myself." Akila said.

Peeking inside, Starlee cringed.

"Uh Akila isn't your new room a little small?" Starlee asks.

"It's cozy." Akila corrects.

"Do you get leg cramps?" Brian asks.

"So many leg cramps." Akila said.

"Wouldn't call that cozy." Starlee cringed.

"Listen I uh have a book for you but I'm pretty sure it's too big for your room." Brian gestures.

"Oh no worries. I need to get out every half hour to stretch or my spine tingles." Maneuvering out the closet Akila does some stretches making Atem and Mooncake cringe.

"Chookity." Mooncake said.

"You said it buddy." Atem nods.

"Khensu wanted you to have a look at this. Apparently, it's in a language not even he knows." Brian said handing her the book.

"Of course, nothing would make me happier." Akila said struggling to hold it.

"He'd do it but he's busy preparing for Pharoah Yosaira's Inspection." Starlee said making her gasp.

"I've been excited for this inspection since last year's inspection! I can't wait to see her again. What will she wear? What wave will she do?" Akila asks getting Cleo and Atem's attention.

"Who's Pharoah Yosira?" Cleo asks interested.

"Yeah I'd like to know too." Atem said equally interested.

Gasping Akila let out a small squeal.

"Uh oh prepare for a lecture." Starlee warns.

"Yosira's grandfather was Pharoah Yasiro as in the P and the Y in PYRAMID. Yosira is the only royal who survived the blight and she's kept safe in her palace." Akila explains.

"Poor Yosira. I wonder if she's lonely." Cleo frowns.

"Probably I mean no offense, but if you were stuck in your palace all the time you'd be miserable." Atem said.

"You know me so well." Cleo nods in agreement.

"Every year she inspects the Academy and it starts with a royal procession where she inspects all the cadets." Starlee explains.

"What? How come no one told us about this?" Cleo asks standing up.

"Wait this is what that big inspection thing is about? Because that in class a few times." Atem recalls.

"Hmm no not ringing any bells." Cleo said.

"Chookity." Mooncake said.

"Yeah Mooncake I wouldn't mind meeting her either." Atem said.

"Sorry she doesn't meet people. She just walks by and waves." Starlee explains.

"Sometimes she'll shake hands but Khensu has really upgraded security since we haven't caught Octavian's spy." Brian explains.

"Ugh does Octavian have to ruin everything?" Cleo groans.

"Pretty much." Brian nods.

"Hey Atem since you're like a real Medjay doesn't that mean you're already sworn to be Yosira's protector?" Akila asks.

"Huh?" Cleo said.

"A Medjay's duty is to protect the Pharoah, but since they're disbanded now so it's a bit confusing right now." Atem admits holding his head. "So…maybe. But I'm not going to meet her so I guess I don't have to worry about that for now."

"Well in the meantime I need to decipher this text." Akila said struggling to pick up Brian's big book.

"Uh you're still going to help me study for my Alien Language test right?" Cleo reminds.

"Sure sure. Right after I help Khensu with his text, help Tech with security programs, give feedback on the cheer squad's new routine. I should be available around…4 am." Akila said before leaving.

"Okay we have a problem." Brian said.

"I know, we're the Saviors of the Galaxy. We should get to meet Yosira." Cleo said.

"Yeah not to mention I need to make sure they won't try and hurt Mooncake. I mean he is a Planet Destroyer." Atem said.

"Not what I meant. Akila has a problem. She can't say no." Brian said.

"What are you talking about Brian? Of course, Akila can say no. She knows more words than all of us combined." Cleo scoffs.

"No he's right. Have you guys ever heard her say No? Even once?" Starlee asks.

"Hmm can't say I have." Atem admits.

"Me neither." Cleo said.

"Chook." Mooncake said shaking his head.

"Exactly! The delicate balance of the universe is maintained because every action has an opposite reaction but what if there wasn't?! What if Akila's ability to say no is what throws the balance out of whack and causes the entire universe to implode?!" Brian panics.

"Brian calm the heck down." Starlee said.

"Yeah you are crazy overreacting." Cleo agrees.

"Overreacting?!" Brian snaps.

"You literally said the same thing when they closed the Planetarium for renovations." Atem reminds.

"Okay the universe may not implode but Akila might. She has to learn to say no. Exhibit A: her bedroom." Brian opens the closet allowing them to look inside.

"This is her room?" Cleo gasps.

"Cleo how could you make her sleep in here?" Atem asks.

"I didn't know it was this small. I never would have let her do this. This is terrible." Cleo said.

"See? She needs to say no." Brian said.

"Look Brian I know she's definitely moving back out but this theory of yours isn't exactly solid." Starlee said.

"Oh really? Then let's test it. We'll give Akila a set of horrible tasks and see if she says no." Brian challenges.

"Make her do a bunch of bring chores we don't want to do? Sounds good to me." Cleo said.

"Me too." Atem said.

"This is strictly scientific." Brian said.

"Yeah yeah yeah we got it." Atem brushes off.


Making their way to the hall, they spotted Akila doing some deciphering.

"Hey Akila, we were all wondering if you could—" Atem starts.

"Yes." Akila interrupts surprising them.

"But he didn't even say what we needed help with." Starlee points out.

"Doesn't matter. You guys need it? You got it." Akila assures.

Pausing the 4 of them looked at Brian who narrows his eyes at them.

"Okay well we have a list of chores to do before the inspection can you help?" Cleo asks sending it to her.

"Mail a package for Brian. You got it." Akila said before heading out.

"Chookity Pok." Mooncake said.

"Hmm you might have a point buddy." Atem agrees.


At the post office, they watched as Akila basically let everyone cut in front of her making her go to the back of the line.

"Okay this does not look good." Cleo cringed.

"Did she just let a trash can cut in front of her?" Starlee asks.

Next she had to fuel up Cleo's Sphinx bike and get Atem's Solar Surfer cleaned at the cheapest spot in the galaxy and despite the horrible and agonizing smells she did it.

After that she had to listen to Danger Duck's inner memoirs.

"And then after I stopped those annoying pests single handily I had to think. Am I truly Danger Duck or am I just Duck who ends up in dangerous situations?" Duck asks.

"Go on." Akila said.

In the window, Ace and Lexi looked in shock and confusion.

"I don't understand this. The School Psychiatrist went mad in 15 minutes." Ace said holding his head confused.

"Should we call the nurse?" Lexi asks concerned.

Next was helping Cheelai, Ash and Fox move their weapons.

"Uh Akila are you sure you don't need a break?" Cheelai asks as Akila carried multiple crates.

"Yeah I can use my powers to help you." Ash offers.

"Nonsense. You guys have had it rough for a long time. I got this." Akila said wobbling back and forth before regaining her footing.

"That girl is weird." Fox cringed.

"And that's coming from you." Cheelai said.

And the final item on the list, get Starlee's drone out of the electro-thorn tree and as she climbed it the poor girl got zapped with each branch she grabbed.


Soon Akila came back with smoking hair and Starlee's drone.

"Y-You got it?" Starlee said surprised.

"Then that means you did—" Brian pauses.

"Everything on the list. Now to get back." Akila hums walking away.

"You guys believe me now?" Brian asks.

"Okay Brian, I admit it. This is a problem." Atem cringed.

"Akila really can't say no." Cleo said.

"I put the Electro-Thorn tree on hoping that would be crazy enough to stop her. I didn't think she would actually do it." Starlee said.

"Okay what if we asked her to do something she hates? Like something she really, really, really hates." Cleo suggests.

"One problem Akila doesn't hate anything." Brian said.

"Oh come on Brian she has to hate something." Atem said.

"Ooh Space Scavengers." Starlee recalls.

"Yeah they're notorious outlaws who are known for not playing by the rules or using deodorant." Brian recalls.

"Hey that's offensive. We were Scavengers once." Ash said as she and Fox walked in.

"Yeah I used Deodorant." Fox said.

"Ehh..." Using her hand Ash had it tilt meaning sometimes.

"Fox, Ace perfect timing. We need to know where we can find these Scavengers." Atem said.

"They're probably on their junker ship selling whatever they stole." Fox said.

"Ha! Akila hates stealing too. Even if you're just borrowing something and you're totally gonna give it back after you wear it a few times." Cleo said in an annoyed tone before fixing herself.

"Okay whatever it is you took you're giving it back." Atem scolds.

"We'll circle back to this later." Starlee said.

"We still know their old route if you want us to find the ship but just to let you know Fox and I kinda left on a bad note. So for your sakes you might not want to mention us." Ash admits.

"How bad?" Atem asks.

"We robbed them when we fled to this planet." Fox declares.

Cringing the 4 teens and Mooncake knew that if they reunited it would not go well at all.

"Uh you guys don't have to help us if you don't want to." Atem offers.

"Finally a boss we can work with." Fox smiles.

"I'm not your boss guys." Atem said.

"Hmm you kinda are you did give us these cool patches." Ace said as they showed off their Medjay bands.

"Just find us the Scavengers and send us their coordinates when you do." Atem said not wanting to hear any more of this.

Making their way to the library, Akila was reading Khensu's book.

"Hey Akila we have another favor to ask you." Cleo said.

"And by all means feel free to say no." Atem said.

"Yes?" Akila asks closing the book making the echo.

"Brian and Starlee are working on an invention." Cleo gestures.

"But to finish it we need a piece of Moblothian glass." Brian said.

"But the only place they can get it is from…the Scavengers." Atem whispered the last part.

"And there's nowhere else to get it?" Akila asks nervously.

"Chook." Mooncake shook his head.

"And it'll probably be stolen." Starlee adds.

"Not to mention the B.O." Cleo adds.

"Oh yeah Fox and Ash have tons of horrible stories to share about those guys." Atem said.

"Uh Yosira's inspection is tomorrow and a trip to the Scavenger Ship might make me late." Akila said.

"Oh yeah you don't miss that. You've been so excited for that." Atem smirks.

"Yeah you hate being late." Brian said.

"I guess you'll just have to say no, right?" Cleo smirks.

"Well um...o…" Raising their hands they were about to high-five. "Kay!"

Immediately they all fell over.

"Okay?! What do you mean okay?!" Atem asks picking himself up.

"Yeah seriously?" Cleo asks in disbelief.

"If Brian and Starlee need it then of course I'll get it. I'll get a ship ready." Akila said heading out.

"I really thought she would say no." Brian said.

"What do we do? I didn't think this far." Starlee admits.

"Oh she is going to say no, we just have to make sure she says and get out." Cleo said.

"We cannot let her get to those Scavengers." Atem agrees.

"Are you crazy? This was not part of the plan. My sense of smell is 4 times stronger than normal. I can barely put up with Fox's odor. That Scavenger Stink is going to be torture." Brian whines.

"No it won't because Akila is gonna back out any minute now…I hope." Cleo gulps.


Soon the group was on their way to the Scavenger Ship.

"State your business." A woman on the intercom said.

"We're here to buy some Moblothian glass. Permission to board." Akila declares.

"Hope you had your flu shots and your plague shots." The woman laughs before hanging up.

"Uh Akila it's not too late to say no." Cleo said.

"Yeah none of us will hold it against you." Atem said.

"Yeah and uh I think I forgot my wallet." Starlee said.

"Don't worry I brought mine." Akila said.

"Of course you did." Starlee mutters.

Entering the ship, the 5 of them walked out and were instantly hit by the smell.

"Oh it smells WAY worse than Fox." Brian cringed.

"Man up you bucket of bolts." Starlee said as two people on hoverbikes pulled up.

"And it's officially too late to back out." Cleo said.

"I'm Damaris and this is…" Damaris makes a clicking noise. "House rules you gotta surrender your weapons. Dave's kind of a stickler about that. We used to be a shoes-off kind of place but he's relaxed a bit on that so that's okay. Also no gum but you can fart all you want." Damaris said as both of them farted to prove her point. "Any questions?"

"I have some—" Atem starts.

"Question time is over! Weapons now!" Damaris interrupts.

Holding out a bag, they all put their phasers and Atem's sword in the bag.

"Good choice on the shoes. Get in. Dave's eager to get this deal done." Damaris said.

As Cleo and Brian got into one, Akila and Atem got into the other but Starlee didn't see any space for her.

"Uh where am I supposed to sit?" Starlee asks.

"Here." Shoving her Starlee ended up sitting on Atem's lap surprising both of them.

"Uh hope I'm not too heavy." Starlee said.

"No I uh mean you're fine." Atem assures as they drove off.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Brian whispers.

"Of course you do. It's bad. And this place smells like a butt-fish. Is that even a thing?" Cleo asks.

Coming to a stop they see a green toad-like alien, an orange-skinned reptile alien with 2 heads and a robot. These were Dave, Marigold Heads and Jane-2000E.

"We got visitors precious." Dave said petting a large maggot. "And they want something from us. Ah yes everyone wants something from Lord Dave, Mighty Ruler of the Space Scavengers, Terror of the Stars, Dreaded uh…line?" Dave whispers.

"Dreaded Scourge of the Nile." Damaris reminds.

"Dreaded Scourge of the Nile Galaxy!" Dave declares.

"And writer of his own titles." Starlee mutters.

"So what will it be kids?" Dave asks before noticing Mooncake. "Ooh that's an interesting creature you got there. I can offer you a good deal for that."

"Chook." Whimpering Mooncake held Atem close.

"Mooncake isn't for sale." Atem said.

"I see. So what are you in the market for?" Dave asks.

"Uh Mobolthian glass." Akila said.

"You mean this?" Marigold Head asks pulling some out.

"Question redundant. She asked for Mobolthian glass and that is Mobolthian glass." Jane 2000 points out.

"I was just tryng to create an atmosphere, Jane." One head said.

"I am not Jane I am Jane-2000 E." It corrects.

"Typical E Series. Everything has to be so literal." The second head said before they both laid eyes on Brian.

"You're no E Series. What's your series long arms?" The other head asks.

"I am not a robot. I am a cyborg!" Brian corrects. "And my arms are normal length."

"Don't be modest studcakes. I think you are fab-u-lous. Rarr." She flirts.

"Ugh being your other head is exhausting." The other head said.

"Silence! 80 creds for the glass." Dave said.

"80 creds? It's barely worth 10." Akila said.

"It's worth whatever I say it is. You came all the way out here to get it so you must be pretty desperate." Dave said.

"That's not fair!" Akila said.

"Fair? We're terrifying scavengers." Dave laughs but no one else was. Clearing his throat he signaled for the others to play along.

"Akila we really don't need it that badly." Cleo said.

"Yeah we can try looking elsewhere." Starlee agrees.

"Yes! I'll give you 80 creds but I want you to know I object to this deal and this uneven transaction." Akila said.

"Oh no let me jot that down on the important notes I really care about." Dave mocks.

"Hmph no wonder Fox and Ash ditched you guys. At least you're not as bad as Space Pirates." Akila mumbles making them gasp.

"Fox and Ash said that?! We are as bad as Space Pirates! Those two little brats just didn't appreciate how tough we were!" Dave said standing up.

"Yeah and it's not like they're so cool. Just because they managed to rob us and take everything of value and disappear completely without a trace." Damaris said choking on her words.

"I was a pirate, before I was kicked out because they didn't allow pets and not because I cried and everyone laughed at me. And it's not like Ace exploited that and stabbed me in the back." Dave whines.

"Okay clearly you guys have so issues so uh we're just going to take the glass and leave." Atem said.

"You're not getting the glass!" Dave said.

"What?!" Akila snaps.

"That's right. Who's as bad as a pirate now huh?" Dave mocks.

"But I paid for it." Akila said.

"Consider it payment for what our old buddies stole from us. Now what are you gonna do about it? Take it?" Dave said.

"Please say no. Please say no." Cleo begs as Akila slowly walks up to them.

"Yes!" Akila said swiping the glass and their weapons away. "Run!"

Getting on the bikes, they all drove away as fast as they could.

"All this for a stupid piece of glass that we didn't even need!" Starlee groans.

"Then why did you guys say you needed it?" Akila asks.

"We only did all this because you can't say no! We've been testing you all day to see if you can but you can't!" Cleo said.

"That's ridiculous of course I can." Akila said.

"Then say it." Atem said.

"No-Now we're gonna be late for Yosira's inspection!" Akila said.

"Why can't you just say no?" Cleo said.

Suddenly a shot was fired at them causing them to flinch.

"Chookity Pok Pok Pok!" Mooncake warns.

Turning around they saw Damaris and Marigold heads racing after them with backup.

"They're gaining on us!" Brian said.

"Look out!" Starlee points to a wall of barrels up ahead.

Swerving tightly, Akila tries to avoid them but skids causing Cleo to dangle from the back.

"Cleo!" Atem gasps.

Struggling Atem, Brian and Starlee tried to grab her but her grip slipped.

"Woo!" Flying out Mooncake scoops up Cleo making her hold onto him.

"Mooncake you are the best." Cleo smiles hugging the green blob.

"Chookity." Mooncake smiles.

However, this moment was ruined as the Scavengers grabbed them.

"You took something of ours! And now we take something of yours! Total pirate move!" Damaris mocks.

"Hey Akila don't save us!" Cleo said.

"Don't save them? But they're our friends. I have to save them." Akila said.

Pausing Atem realized what Cleo was doing.

"Akila, you know what you have to say." Atem hints.

"No…no." She smiles. "No I will not not save you both!" Akila declares.

Grabbing the weapons bag, Akila hands Atem his phaser and sword.

"Do your thing Mr. Medjay." Akila said.

"You should give up. They're totally gonna rescue us." Cleo said.

"No way you two are us now." Damaris said.

"You mean Pirate Wanna bes?" Cleo mocks.

"Hey if anything Pirates wish they were us!" Damaris snaps.

"Well clearly Ash and Fox didn't think so." Cleo said.

"Why you!" She raised her arm when suddenly a shot was fired separating the bike from the side car.

"Ha! Told you!" Cleo said as her friends rode in and scooped them up.

"Now Mooncake!" Atem yells.

Glowing bright, Mooncake opened his mouth. "Chookity!" Mooncake yells firing the powerful beam and blasting a pile of garbage sending it crashing down on the Scavengers.

Making their way back to the ship, they took off before they could be recaptured.

"They left with one of our spacebikes." Marigold Heads said.

"Dave will be displeased." Jane 2000 said.

"Why? They left with a piece of glass and bike worth maybe 2 creds. That still puts us at…68 creds." Damaris said counting it.


Making their way back to PYRAMID, the 5 of them breathed easier.

"The engine is stable; we should get back no problem." Starlee said.

"But I call dibs on not telling Khensu about the damages." Brian said.

"Akila should do it." Cleo suggests.

"No way I'm not telling Khensu." Akila said surprising them.

"Hey Akila you actually said no." Atem said.

"Yeah it feels pretty good. Way more fun than I thought it would be." Akila said.

"I know right. But seriously you're telling him." Cleo said.

"No." Akila said.

"I need to check the engine. Akila can you keep an eye on things?" Starlee asks.

"No." Akila said.

"Uh I'll go." Brian said getting up.

"Akila it's great that you can say no but—" Cleo starts.

"No." Akila smirks.

"This is going to get annoying real fast." Cleo said.

"What have we done?" Atem facepalms.


Back at PYRAMID, they arrive to see Yosira's inspection about to begin.

"Phew we made it just in time." Cleo pants.

As the ship opens they see a teenage girl around their age with tan skin, royal robes, and black hair walk by.

"That's Yosira?" Atem asks.

Both tried to get a good look at her but the crowd and lights made it impossible to see her before she entered the building.

"Well, that's it for another year." Starlee said.

"Wait that's it? But we barely saw her." Atem said.

"I didn't even see what wave she did." Cleo said.

"She went classic." Akila said.

"Well guess I better go tell Khensu I wrecked his ship." Cleo sighs.

"We wrecked it. I went along with it." Atem said.

Smiling softly the two of them walked away.

Making their way through the halls, a hand grabs them and pulls them away.

Gasping they came face to face with Pharoah Yosira.

"Pharoah Yosira." Cleo gasps.

"Hello Cleopatra. I've wanted to meet you for a while now. You as well Atem." She acknowledged.

"You know who we are?" Atem gasps.

"And where you come from." She nods.

Gasping Atem immediately put his left knee forward and bowed.

"Your majesty I am truly honored to be in your presence." Atem said.

"Uh ditto. Wait am I supposed to do that? I've never been on this side of a bow before?" Cleo asks making Yosira giggle.

"I've heard stories of the Medjay, protectors of Pharaohs and the people they rule. I've always wanted one of my own. I hope I can count on you someday." Yosira smiles.

"With my life your majesty." Atem nods getting her attention.

Seeing this Cleo had to admit, it was weird seeing her best friend bow to another royal that wasn't her dad.

"Alright Atem you can get up now." Cleo said as he stood.

"We seem to have a lot in common Cleopatra. I hope to be in contact with you two again." Yosira smiles before leaving.

"Wow, she's amazing." Atem said.

"She even smelled like a princess." Cleo said.

Pausing both glanced at each other before snapping out of it.

"Okay now we have another weird conversation to deal with." Atem sighs.

Soon they were in front of Khensu who was not as happy as Yosira.

"You wrecked a ship?!" He snaps.

"We didn't technically wreck it." Cleo said.

"Yeah a few scrapes here and there but it still flies." Atem adds.

"Cleo! Atem!" Khensu said.

"We had no choice! We did it for Akila." Atem said.

"Yeah we had to get some glass from Scavengers so Akila would say no and not implode." Cleo explains.

"That makes even less sense than your normal excuses." Khensu said.

"Yeah it sounded a lot better in my head." Cleo admits.

"Is everyone okay at least?" Khensu asks.

"Uh depends on what you mean by okay." Atem cringed.

Bringing him to their room, we see Akila on her bed still in the NO Mood.

"No." Akila said.

"Akila come on, you need to eat. Want a snack?" Brian asks.

"No." Akila said.

"Did you decipher that book I sent you?" Khensu asks.

"No." Akila said.

"Akila you want to go listen to some music?" Starlee asks.

"No." Akila said.

"Ugh I think we broke her." Cleo groans.

"No." Akila said.

"Alright I've heard enough. Anyone want to go to the VR Deck and play a game?" Atem suggests.

"I'm in." Cleo said.

"Chookity." Mooncake said excited.

"You know what. I think I do." Khensu said.

"I'm totally in." Brian said.

"Count me in too." Starlee said.

"No." Akila said.

"Suit yourself." Cleo said as they all left.

However, a few seconds later, Akila's eyes widen realizing what she said.

"Wait! Yes. I mean yes! Guys wait for me!" Akila said chasing after them.