A/N: Damnit! I had started to write this a few days ago, but the computer froze and erased it all. Then my Mother and I got into a fight and she used computer "restrictions" as punishment for pissing her off. I know, I'm just an excuse bucket, so yell at me. I apologize. As promised, I'm doing reviews for this chapter and last. BTW, this chapter is a play on, "The Fellowship Of The Ring."
CharmedOnYou: Aww, thank you so much! That's such a heart warming comment and it really compels me to continue. Thank you.
LeoPiperAndyPrue: Thanks for reviewing and I actually just read and reviewed your story a little while ago. I definitely hope you'll write past chapter 20!
RJF: I know, I just had to add in the pink orb jealousy! LOL Hey, puns are fine with me, I'm a total pun freak. (I actually got my friend into saying them accidently and now she hates me for it.) I keep forgetting to try the hyperlink thing, so I'll try to remember after I post this. And I've been thinking a lot about a new power for Persia, I might have to do some research, but I think I mighta found one. (I want to try to make it sorta original, so I don't seem to be copying someone else.) Oh I know. I figure since Bast and Sekhmet are so similar, as are Paige and Prue, it was just perfect! Similar, but not the same. Oh yeah, and I apologize, because I think I forgot to tell you, "Happy Birthday!" I feel so bad! Happy belated birthday to you, happy belated birthday to you, happy belated birthday to RJF, happy belated birthday to yoooooooou! And many more!
chyp: Hmm, Obelisk? I've never heard of him, maybe I'll have to research it. Thanks for the suggestion.
Phyre: I've been racking my brain about that, Persia's power I mean. I know how I want to expand her electrokinetic powers, but I'm still not 100 about a new power yet. And yes, "cooler" is definitely a word! I use it ALL the time. Yeah, poor Piper. She's been so used and abused in this fic.
Prince Halliwell: Aww, thanks. I always love getting reviews from ya. :) Have fun on your vacation!
Denas Dream: Oh, definitely forgiven. :) I'm just glad you were able to review. I really hope you get better soon, good luck with your heath! Don't worry about reviewing, just worry about feeling better, okay?
PrUe AnD AnDy!, damien455, moonfirefairy: Aww, thank you guys so much!
Piper xox Leo: Thanks:-D (P.S. Do you think you'll be updating our fic soon? No pressure or anything, just curious.) And yes, Cleopatra enlightenment is on the way.
peanut2lb: PEANUT! OMGoddess! I nearly freaked out when I was at work and I read your review from my cell phone! I had thought that maybe you wouldn't be updating/reviewing again. I was afraid something had happened..I'm so glad that you're okay and that you're back! Good luck with your new "Manor" and I'll be waiting anxiously for an update of your fic. Pinky is back to checking your fic every day.
The-Cheese-Fairy: I know, me too! I swear I keep leaving reviews that happened to get "vanquished" without my knowledge. Anyways, thanks so much for reviewing. :) I'm glad you like the Egyptian road. It's really thrilling for me to write. I actually do happen to do a lot of research, but usually not when I'm actually writing the fic. When I write something, it's usually because I feel that I'm pretty knowledgeable of it already, because I enjoy it so. But sometimes I do have to look something up.
Marisa: Thank you for stopping in to review. I'm glad you enjoy the series.
GuevaraX5452: Woo! You're back! Phoebe's transformed into the Egyptian Goddess, Hathor. I'm glad you liked Bast's quips and I actually haven't decided about whether I'll bring Cleopatra and Antony into the fic or not. I'm sorta debating it. (As I'm replying to your review, I haven't written the end of this chapter, so I may or may not have added them by the end.) I haven't read the book, A Tale Of Two Pipers, although I'm dying to (as I am with the other books I haven't read). So I didn't get the idea from that. I hope you didn't think I was copying the book or something. I haven't read it, "Witch's honor!" (Stole that line from RJF.) Mutant X does still air on T.V., but they did cancel the shows so they just show reruns from the old seasons. But you can buy the DVDs at almost any place that sells them (or order them online). It's an amazing series which I highly recommend. I know, I would really rather see more "Coyote Piper" too! Speaking of that, have you read the new book, The Warren Witches? I'm SO angry that they messed up and said that PIPER was the one who'd went to her High School reunion and had her "alter ego" brought out. That book had so many errors it and it didn't mention Prue in ANY form and it should have, as it was all about the Halliwell family history and Prue was a MASSIVE part of it. Err! And in answer to your question, yes, if everyone wants another story there will be one. I'll definitely hear ideas about new characters, so I'm definitely willing to chat with you about it on AIM.
Every Halliwell Counts
Chapter 24: The Pharaohship Of The Ring
Glowing fluorescent yellow eyes glowered evilly through the darkness of the cave behind Paige. A faint huffing sound rumbled deep from within the throat of a small animal and if Paige hadn't been so transfixed by the sight of the lost tomb of Cleopatra, Paige's advanced cat ears may of picked up on it. The eyes shifted uneasily from the Charmed One to the glittering scene of gold, jewels, brightly colored hieroglyphic messages, and so much more. Then in the blink of a human eye, the eyes had vanished into the black abyss of the cave.
The slits in Paige's eyes grew as she stumbled forward in awe. Why was I brought here? The witchlighter could see mystifying objects wherever she turned. Unlike the tomb of King Tutankamon, this tomb hadn't been accidently hidden behind a previously ransacked tomb or been looted in the Valley of the Kings. No, this cave had clearly been magically concealed, which was why nobody had been able to discover it and enrich the world in the cultural find. Paige's extra sensory feline nose could smell the ancient air which no human nor witch had breathed in since the day Cleopatra and Marc Antony had been sealed within its magnificent walls. They were still vibrant with gold, reds, black, and other colors reminiscent of ancient Egypt. Golden coins, rubies, emeralds, diamonds, and amythists encrusted the walls and several types of exquisite pottery with intracit designs and pictures. Even dried fruits and stale breads filled one corner of the tomb, along with a child's toys as well as several pairs of clothing and statues in another corner. All things that ancient Egyptians believed someone would need in their afterlife. Paige also noticed a small sarcophagus that appeared to have the face of a young boy on the top. She cringed, knowing it must hold the body of Cleopatra and Caesar's young son, who'd been murdered soon after Caesar himself had been killed, in fear that young Ptolemy Caesarion may try to rule Rome as Caesar's only direct heir.
----
"Paige!" Phoebe stared at the ceiling, hoping to see her younger sister rematerialize before her, but so far it hadn't worked. "Paige! Get your whitelighter ass down here right now!"
"I don't think that's working, Phoebe!" Prue's voice was husky and boomed like thunder.
Phoebe flinched, mentally swearing that should could literally feel Prue's raw power flying at her.
"Sorry," Prue replied, feeling sorry as she saw her little sister recoil in such a way. "I didn't-"
"S'okay," the psychic Charmed One murmured. "We just need to find her. It's too bad I don't have my power of premonition right now, otherwise we might be able to get somewhere."
"What about me?" Pearl asked.
Phoebe and Prue stared at their niece. "Pearl-"
"I have taken on the power of the most powerful Egyptian deity, yes? So why wouldn't I be able to sense her? We're all connected by ancient magic anyway, right?" The youngest witch placed her hands squarely on her hips and her eyebrows rose curiously, knowing that she was right.
Finally Phoebe waved her hand in defeat. "Have at it, kid."
"Kid?" Pearl mused, as she allowed the words to roll off her tongue dripping with irriation.
"Pearl," Prue growled.
"Fine," Pearl replied flippantly. She allowed her eyelids to settle peacefully across her deep brown eyes and she began to envision her mother. Her body went rigid for a moment, before her eyes flashed open. "She's in the Sphinx, in some type of tomb."
"A tomb?"
"Yeah, it's amazing!" Pearl gaped.
"Can you get us there?"
"I think so," Pearl replied. "Brandon!"
Moments later Brandon appeared in wave of glimmering ancient sand. "Pearly, what's wrong?"
"We're taking a little trip," Pearl confided. "You're coming with us."
"Pearl, Brandon can't come!"
Pearl's eyes darted to her Aunt Prue's, challenging her. "Well you can either find her on her own, while Brandon and I go, or you can come with us."
"Oh!" Phoebe brought her lips together in a tight glare and she pointed a threatening finger at the young whitelighter-witch. "Once we get you back to normal, missy, once we get you back to normal..."
"Guess that means you're coming," Pearl replied in a satisfied tone. She flipped a hand in Phoebe's direction, while entwining her other hand in Brandon's.
Phoebe sighed and reached out, allowing Prue to place a large tan colored paw into her hand. Phoebe snagged Pearl's free hand.
"Let's go save the world," Pearl grinned as everyone disappeared in a golden flare.
----
"Mom?"
Paige spun around anxiously. "Pearl? How'd you find me?"
"I've got Isis' powers, how do you think I found you?"
"Ya know, Paige, I'm getting pretty tired of this attitude," Prue fumed.
"I know," Paige lifted her feline head in the direction of Prue's lioness one. "Any suggestions?"
Prue eyed Phoebe curiously. "I may be able to think of a few."
Phoebe's cheeks flushed red, knowing Prue was talking about her High School days. "Where are we?"
"I think," Paige breathed, "that we're in Cleopatra's tomb."
"W-what?"
The witchlighter brushed a dark paw against the sarcophagus. "Cleopatra's tomb, Phoebe! It's the find of the century!"
"Well it's not like we'll be telling anyone about them," Phoebe rolled her dark brown eyes.
"What are we here for anyway?" Pearl walked towards Cleopatra's sarcophagus robotically.
"Pearl.."
The young Blessed One seemed to stop short, then a golden flare emanted around the witchlighter and the sarcophagus, forming into a massive barred dome and flinging the three Charmed Ones out of the tomb and left Brandon and Pearl within its protection.
A tornado of white and golden lights appeared out of thin air and moments later it deposited a beatiful woman who seemed to slightly resemble Isis. She had long, raven black hair and deep pooling liquid eyes. An Egyptian cottonfloor length skirt with a sliton the left side up to her thighadorned her body as a tight slab of material held her upper chest and breasts together as agolden silk trim covered the edges. Her skin was rich with a deep bronze tan and seemed to have an iridescent golden shimmer to it. Golden hoop earrings hung from her ear lobes, several golden bracelets covered her wrists, and golden bands appeared to be wrapped tightly around herupper arm. A large collar of golden and emerald nefer beads spread out from the base of her neck to the end of her bust. Thick black makeup accentuated her dark eyes and crimson red color brought her full, pouty lips to life with a golden sheen. The last Pharaoh shifted her eyes down to the young witch and then dropped swiftly to her knees, kneeling before her with infinite respect.
"Cleopatra," Pearl breathed.
"My Goddess," Cleopatra bowed, as she took a tance before Pearl, keeping her head to a tilt with the ground. "You've come for the ceremonial ring."
Pearl turned her head, throwing a sideways glance at her aunts and mother before turning back to the Queen and nodding almost uncertainly. "Y-yes."
Cleopatra turned on her heel and walked to the side of the sandstone wall, placing her hand squarely on a sandstone brick that held a picture of Bast upon it. The brick glowed and then intended itself, forcing another brick to eject from the wall. A small white velvet pillow held a golden ring with a solitary blue diamond in the center with an ovalof black alexandrite down the center of the diamond, making it appear like a blue cat's eye. She late Queen gently lifted the ring from the pillow and the hidden chamber retracted back into the wall. She walked over to Pearl and gingerly placed the ring into Pearlinda's hand, before bowing her head again.
"Thank you," Pearlinda Belland breathed as she gaped at the ancient treasure. "I believe you've served me well."
"Thank you," Cleopatra exhaled.
As if knowing what to do, Pearl waved her palm and in a rainbow of lights, a tall and handsome man appeared in ancient Roman garb along with a young boy with dark hair and a face resembling that of Julius Caesar. "You may go," Pearl said before registering the words leaving her tongue.
Cleopatra heaved a sigh, as if holding back swelling emotions and she ran straight into the Roman's arms. "Antony!" She breathed, leaning her face into the crook of his neck.
"We've been waiting for you," the little boy, Ptolemy Caesarion, informed.
Cleopatra smiled and dropped to her knees, wrapping her arms tightly around her only child. "I love you," she whispered, pulling him into her arms and standing up, only to fall back into the awaiting arms of Marc Antony.
"Pearl," Brandonwhispered as he crossed over to her and snaked his arm around her shoulders. "They look so happy."
"Mhmm," Pearl whispered, leaning peacefully into Brandon's warm embrace. "I think she's been forced to guard this ring until Isis was sent to take it back and she couldn't be reunited with them until she'd fulfilled her destiny."
"Glad we could help," Brandon grinned, absentmindedly running a hand through Pearl's long dark hair.
"Me too."
Cleopatra, Marc Antony, and Ptolemy Caesarion were then enveloped in a swath of golden and white lights, before vanishing completely into the afterlife together.
TO BE CONTINUED...