Jie was wise enough to wait until Kheper and Kem Mau left to go talk to the Pharaoh, having come to find out what they were allowed to share, before wheeling around to glare at Shimun, wishing that her eyes were not bandaged so she could glare properly.
"What. Were. You. Thinking?" She demanded as she heard Kem Mau challenge Kheper to a race across the palace as they swung and darted across the roofs, "What gave you the right…?"
"You think I don't know who you put in danger tonight?" Shimun bit back, aware that the cat that was staring at him from the dresser did not have the markings of any local cat and its eyes were glowing.
"It was that or leave you and your people in danger. I had no choice." The woman could not deny his accusation, not when the young man he was referring to was not here and would not be back for a while.
"And I had no choice but send the Prince." Shimun fired back, "I thought my grandson had been hurt or worse, the akuma was hunting Atem and I'm not the warrior I used to be. Even with his help."
"Whose help?"
"Mine, Lady Jie." Wayzz came out of hiding and hovered in front of Shimun at her hiss. "I offered my assistance and knowledge while you were healing. Since we weren't sure how long you would be unconscious, it was my suggestion that he found an assistant in the search for Noroo. We thought we would have more time to decide though, and a possibly a chance to talk to you."
"But Plagg?! Of all the kwami?"
Wayzz backed up a little at the fear and pain in Jie's voice, but Shimun stepped forward, offering her an arm, "Last we spoke, you told me that the Black Cat was one of the strongest of the set and you still were not scared. What's changed? Please, explain."
"Iberia happened." Her voice trembled as she ignored the arm and sat on the nearest chair, "We walked into a mess, Shimun. A mess that Plagg created."
"Not willingly, Lady Jie." Wayzz spoke softly as he floated down onto the High Priest's shoulder, "You know as well as I do that he had no more freedom to break orders than Noroo does while you're bearing him."
"Noroo wouldn't…"
"Wouldn't he?" Wayzz cut her off, "Think about today. You know Noroo would never willingly offer his power to one who created an akuma with ill intent. And yet it happened."
Jie's shoulders sank as she looked away, trying to compose herself before she screeched in a highly undignified manner that Noroo would not be in trouble if Bai had not been too hurt to defend himself.
And Bai would not have been hurt if it was not for Plagg.
"I know you're hurting." Wayzz sighed, "But Plagg is too. He didn't want to do what he was made to do in Iberia. He might be reckless, the great lizards and Atlantis proved that, but he is not deliberately a murderer. Having to aid in the death and devastation that King Aius caused as Lehoia was devastating for him."
Shimun pursed his lips as the Miraculous he bore told him that 'lehoia' was a word for lion, suggesting that Kheper and Kem Mau were not the first to take their names from their items, though the king had exaggerated.
"Give him this chance to prove himself. Let him show that he's not the destructive monster you believe him to be." Wayzz pleaded, "Please."
"I… I have already agreed to leave him with the Prince for now. Maoyan here," Jie's voice shook as she gestured to the cat, "Is going to watch both of them for me until I can do it myself."
"In exchange for titbits, of course." The feline amok stretched and jumped down, "That and…"
Shimun let out a surprised noise as suddenly the cat turned invisible to the naked eye.
"A useful trick." The High Priest allowed before turning back to Jie, "Am I forgiven?"
"How much do you trust your prince?" The woman asked, tilting her head in his direction.
"Atem is a good man. He will be an excellent Pharaoh one day. He only wants what's best for the people."
"If he proves worthy of your praise, I will forgive you. Just as I suspect you will refuse to forgive me until your grandson is no longer in necessary danger."
The elderly man let out a snort, unable to deny that he was still angry that Heba had been in danger, but also proud of his grandson for stepping up and defending his home and family.
"The main concern I have now, is you're aware of both their names, and myself. The mind reader in the palace…"
"Akhenaden stopped reading my mind many years ago." Shimun shrugged with a slight edge of irritation in his tone, "He believes me too old and feeble to be a threat now. Which means I get to keep my secrets, but do not fret. If he dares to try and steal my memories, he will find myself a hard read. I can sense when he's in my head now and I know I will be forgiven if I just happen to 'accidently' trip him over. And with two of us aware of the situation, we can both offer excuses to go, should another fight occur. And if they need assistance, you can choose the Miraculous and I can deliver it. We'll be better working together, than working alone."
Jie relaxed a little, "You honestly think it will be alright?"
"For now, at least. Let's see what the future holds."
Akhenaden paused after finally getting to shut the door of his suite behind him.
Then loosed an infuriated snarl as he viciously swept everything off the table next to the entrance, sending papyrus, bowls, food, and statuettes crashing to the floor.
The plan had been perfect.
Use the Butterfly Miraculous to create a little chaos, convince his brother that the magic was a threat and use the strength of the palace and the Millennium Items to seize the magic for himself.
All so he could undo his greatest mistake and recover those most important to him.
His akuma had been working exactly as intended, frightening the nobles, and threatening the royals, right up until that bug, 'Kheper' had swung in.
The whole thing had not been unsolvable though, not until the stupid cat, 'Kem Mau', had arrived. Kheper had been about to lose everything when his ally had shown up and the pair had managed to stop his akuma in his tracks.
And worse, they had put the palace back together, just the way it had been before the attack. Even the food had been restored.
He had still had a chance to turn his brother against the pair. Kheper had dared to tell the Pharaoh no, despite it being almost sacrilege to do so. If Atem had shown up hurt or worse, it would have been easy to turn the Pharaoh's wrath onto him and his ally because of it. He could even have convinced his brother that the power could be used to help his son recover.
But no.
Atem had been unharmed and singing the praises of the two who had shown up to help, calming the Pharaoh enough to forgive Kheper's disrespect.
And Akhenaden was furious about it.
When he had first heard about the power wielded by Lord Kames's guests, he had thought that he could use it to help bolster the low numbers of the Egyptian army, but upon forcing the full information from the Kwami he had captured, he had realised that he could use it for so very much more.
If he had managed to seize the Ladybug and the Black Cat, rather than the Butterfly he could have rewritten history and led Egypt into ruling all the known world.
And he could have had brought back those he had lost.
His hand brushed the disguised Butterfly pin tucked into his waist sash as he let out a sigh and bent down to pick up what he had scattered.
A part of him knew that he should stop now, tell his brother that Hasad had been an experiment that had gotten out of control and that he was willing to surrender the power to its rightful owner.
But he only wanted what was for the best and giving up the power now, before he could use it to take the rest of the set it had come with, was not what was best.
Not for Egypt.
And not for him.
He was older, he was wiser, and he had far more contacts than the two who had dared to oppose the wishes of the Pharaoh in front of at least two High Priests. There was no way that he could lose and any harm he did in the meantime did not matter.
When he made his wish, all of it would go away anyway.
It would be like the last few years had never happened.
A knock on the door made him pause and straighten, adjusting the sash at his waist to ensure the disguised pin was hidden from sight with one hand and reaching for a dagger with the other before asking, "Who is it?"
"Huya." The name that came back made Akhenaden relax. The boy was the most loyal of the spies within the palace. More than once the information Huya had provided had kept him or his family alive, not that the kid knew just how valuable he was. It was better that way since it meant he could not ask for a higher wage.
"You're reporting late." The High Priest raised an eyebrow as he opened the door to examine the young man on the other side, who had several scrolls to hand, "I assume you're not wasting my time with second-hand reports on the attack earlier?"
"I have nothing new on that except that I saw the one they call Kheper heading for the royal wing, possibly going to report to Pharaoh, as he agreed to do earlier." Huya shook his head, part of him wondering why Akhenaden preferred this quiet section of the palace, rather than the much more guarded royal wing, where the Pharaoh and Prince had their suites, while another part was insulted that Akhenaden thought Huya would waste his time with useless rubbish. "I actually come with information about stolen taxes."
"Oh?" Akhenaden asked, holding his hand out for the scrolls, and stepping aside to allow the teen into his suite, "Do tell."
"How much trouble would Lord Khufu be in if I could prove he's been skimming a third of the taxes that he's supposed to send to the palace?" Huya asked with a malicious glint to his eyes that suggested a personal vendetta against the Lord.
"Oh, more than a little bit." Akhenaden smirked as he shut the door behind his spy, seeing an opportunity knocking, "Do share what you have, and I'll see what needs to be done…"
Pharaoh Akhenamkhanen was pacing his suite as the moon reached its zenith.
He knew he was taking a risk on allowing Kem Mau and Kheper to start their investigations without palace assistance, but they had been able to stop Hasad where he and his priests had not.
Despite his orders, however, they had not come to explain what the hell was going on and that both irritated and worried him. They bore a magic that was older and possibly more powerful than the Millennium Items, the Golden Treasures that protected Egypt, and, as his brother had made quite clear, it made them a threat to the country.
Atem did not seem to believe they were dangerous, but then his son was more willing to trust than he, having never seen war turn people against each other. The Pharaoh was just hoping that his son was correct in his beliefs.
A knocking sound by the window made him wheel around to find someone had invaded. Someone bearing a red mask and a sash of red with black spots. "Excuse me for breaking in, my Pharaoh, but I believe you wanted to talk with me?"
"Kheper, if I remember correctly?" The Pharaoh asked as he gestured for the teen to come further in, unnerved by the way his eyes tried to slide off the boy as whatever disguise charm he bore tried to protect Kheper from discovery but noting the bow he was offered.
"Yes, my Pharaoh and I promise I am a loyal member of this court. I only seek to protect Egypt, yourself and your son." Kheper promised as he came in, glancing around like he half suspected he was going to get attacked. Not an unfair guess considering the hostility he had seemed to bear earlier. "I apologise for fleeing earlier, against your orders, but I was on a time limit and was able to gather information in exchange."
"I will forgive you if you share that information and explain what you meant by time limit?"
Kheper's expression twisted into a grimace, suggesting that he had said more than he had meant to. "Kem Mau and I can only stay in these guises for five minutes after we activate our powers. When I used my Lucky Charm, it started my hourglass. I needed to get away."
"And why would revealing your identity be so bad? No one who was there is an enemy of the palace. They would have supported you."
"My Pharaoh… there is more to this situation than you know." Kheper admitted, glad he had detoured to ask Lady Jie and his grandfather how much he could tell the Pharaoh before coming here, "Someone from the palace caused it."
"Are you certain?"
"I wish I wasn't."
At the disappointment in Kheper's tone, the Pharaoh scowled, unhappy to have a traitor in his midst. "How do you know?"
"The Miraculous that Kem Mau and I bear, the ones that Hasad was trying to grab for his master? They came from a land far to the east of here and were stolen by another nation. While the rightful owners were trying to recover them, they had to pass through Egypt, where they were attacked by someone using Shadow Magic."
"Shadow… you're sure?"
"The beasts that killed one of the owners and gravely injured the other? They were Shadow creatures. High Priest Shimun confirmed it." Kheper nodded, remembering how angry his grandfather had been that someone had used the magic that was supposed to protect Egypt from harm, to attack others who had done nothing wrong.
"Is the injured one safe? Do they require treatment?" The Pharaoh asked as he made a mental note to talk to the High Priest in question later.
"They're already getting help." Kheper let out a delighted squeak in the same instant as Aknamkanon let out a startled huff. The pair wheeled around to stare at the window, where the more feline of the two warriors was crouched. "Is this a private meeting or can anyone join?"
"You are Kem Mau, correct?" Akhenamkhanen asked as he gestured for the young man to enter his chambers.
"Yes, my Pharaoh." Kheper could not help but marvel at the ease with which Kem Mau entered the chambers, as if he could come and go at any time. The Black Cat Bearer bowed to the Pharaoh and then settled on the chair nearest the window, "Also you might want to send someone to check on Nekhen. I spoke with the injured Guardian and apparently, they were passing through Nekhen when they were attacked. I don't know if Lord Kames was in on it or what but…"
"You seem to know a lot about the nobility of Egypt." The Pharaoh raised an eyebrow.
"It's better to know which Lords you have to placate when you travel a lot for family business." Kem Mau shrugged with slightly less ease than he had shown previously. "Plus rumours of Kames's behaviour while at the palace spread."
The Pharaoh grimaced, having hoped to keep it quiet that the security of the palace was laxer than he would like. "I will send someone in the morning, in the meantime I appreciate the information. I would speak with the injured Guardian as soon as possible. And what news do the pair of you have on the one who send 'Hasad' after my son?"
"He calls himself Farasha." Kheper's words made Kem Mau turn to look at him and shoot him a grateful look, since he had no more information to bear, "He's using the Butterfly Miraculous to send adversaries against you. Why, I don't know yet, but I have sworn to return the stolen Miraculous to its rightful Bearer."
"And I have promised to find him and bring him to justice for the murder of the other Guardian." Kem Mau's sharp tone caught the attention of Kheper and the Pharaoh. The Beetle hero looked surprised, while the Pharaoh pondered his words.
"You realise, if the one who attacked is a mage of Palace training, that it could be anyone, from the students and up and coming priests, to any of my High Court? Or even myself?" The Pharaoh asked, "Why am I trusted and what are your plans to find this person? If he even attacks again?"
"You were visible all day, the attack on the Guardian happened this morning, while you were in court with the Prince, while you would have had to be transformed to talk with Hasad as Farasha and you were at dinner with the nobles and, again, Prince Atem. As such we can at least rule out yourself and anyone who was with you at dinner."
The Pharaoh paused to consider that carefully, "That still leaves at least fifty people to question. A lot of whom will not agree to be questioned easily unless it's a direct order from myself. Some of whom aren't even supposed to be in Kemet anymore."
Seeing the grimace that appeared on the faces of the pair, the Pharaoh held a hand up, "I am not unwilling to assist in recovering the stolen object of power. The sooner it's recovered, the safer my country will be, after all. I am just saying that it will not be a quick process. It could take a month or more to find everyone who's eligible for questioning."
Kheper's shoulders sank and Kem Mau ran a hand through his hair as the pair considered that.
"My Pharaoh," Kheper let out a sigh and dared to look the demi-god in the eyes, "We are your allies in protecting Egypt and the Guardian is willing to talk with you once they have recovered and can find a safe moment. We are going to need your help though. We don't have the rank to question your High Court or…"
"No one in the High Court would endanger Egypt in such a manner." The Pharaoh cut off the Ladybug Bearer with a snap and a dark glower. "They are above reproach by anyone but me and they have surrendered much to help protect Egypt from foreign assault."
"No disrespect meant." Kheper put his hands up and backed up a step, aware he was on dangerous ground.
"I'm sure Kheper is just doing what you are, my Pharaoh." Kem Mau spoke smoothly, trying to ease the situation, "Considering all options. After all, the sooner this is over, the sooner our country is safe."
"Our? You two are Egyptians? As your Pharaoh, I demand to know who you two are."
"Yes, we are of this nation. However, with all the respect due to your divine status, for now I request our identities are allowed to remain as they are." Kem Mau stepped in before Kheper could reply, "While I am sure that you're correct in that those closest to you can be trusted, we are uncomfortable unmasking."
"Why?" The Pharaoh demanded, willing to be convinced, if they gave him a decent excuse.
"The servants hear all." Kheper grimaced as he spoke, picking his words carefully, "All it takes is one loose mention of our names and it will be everywhere. We won't be safe out of the mask, and neither will our families because we won't just have to worry about Farasha. Anyone seeking power will be after our Miraculous. That's why we can't bring the Guardian out of hiding yet, too."
"And it's not like just telling you will keep any of us safe. I have heard that the Millennium Eye can read minds." Kem Mau dared to add, since he had already let slip that he knew the gossip from the palace, "Akhenaden would find out from your mind, and it could get out from there."
The Pharaoh grimaced. There was nothing more dangerous to secrecy than a set of bored servants. A simple mention in front of the wrong people would destroy the point of the disguise spells upon their Miraculous. And while he trusted his brother implicitly, he would assign spies to watch the pair. Then the spies would know their names and locations and…
"Yes, I see your points. Alright, I will allow it for now. In exchange, I request that you both keep me informed on any new information you have."
"Of course." Kheper bowed, "And if you have any information for us, I've set up a drop off at the foot of the statue of Ra in the temple courtyard."
"Inside the palace?" The Pharaoh raised an eyebrow.
"So far it's only happened inside the palace." Kem Mau shrugged, "Should the attacks spread out to the city, we'll need one out there too."
"Hopefully tonight will be the only attack, though." Kheper added hopefully, "And we won't need to fight anyone else."
"We will see. In the meantime, I'll start getting answers from any Shadow trained mage that the palace is aware of." The Pharaoh nodded, "Please inform me if the Guardian needs anything to aid in their recovery."
"We will." Kheper promised, then loosed a yawn that made Kem Mau snicker. "Sorry, sorry…"
"No, no, it is quite late." The Pharaoh chuckled, waving it off, "I'm sure you have things you need to do before you sleep, and I need to talk to my son before I go to bed anyway. He'll be up playing games with his scribe if I know him."
"We'll be on our way then, with your leave of course." Kem Mau darted for the window, Kheper not far behind, both boys suddenly aware that they were not where their schedules would normally place them.
"Of course, good night gentlemen."
At the Pharaoh's dismissal, both beetle and cat headed out the way they had come, splitting off to head for their separate chambers, unaware that they would shortly be meeting up again, this time for a game of Hounds and Jackals.