The white dessert Egypt
Sand blew through the air by the wheels of a white van which had the Speedwagon foundation logo on its side, inside the van are a group of five women. The first was a human with long black hair and hazel eyes hidden behind a pair of shades dressed in a black business suit jacket with a white business suit shirt under it along with a black tie, black leggings and black high heels. The second was a humanoid creature with stitches around her body, short red hair with an antennae, her eyes were mismatched the right being yellow and the left green dressed similarly to the human except she has business pants instead of the skirt and shoes instead of heels. The third was also humanoid with a single big purple eye and short lavender hair dressed exactly like her companion. The fourth was a petite tan skinned humanoid with black eyes and long albino hair. The fifth and final member was a gigantic humanoid with tan skin, hazel eyes, pronounced fangs, a single big horn on her forehead and long blonde hair.
The first woman was seated on the driver's seat from where she clutched the steering wheel tightly in her hands as she pressed harder on the gas paddle on the unforgiving terrain causing the van to pump and jump around as the other passengers struggle to stay put and even began falling on each other's "Damn it Kuroko drive slowly my hand keeps coming off!" the second woman complained to her showing her severed right hand which she attaches back only for it to fall again.
"Tio please get off of me" the third begged being crushed under the weight of the fifth.
"I'm sorry Manako" Tio apologized as she clutched the ceiling trying to remain balanced as not to fall off.
The fourth was safe from all of this for she was on the passenger seat strapped her seatbelt on she side glanced towards the driver "So Kuroko would you like to tell us what are we doing in the middle of a dessert?" she asked.
"Didn't I tell you already?" the now named Kuroko asked.
"Like hell!" the red head yelled having attached her hand back "All you said, 'Hey guys come with me to a cool to Egypt' and now we're here!" she slammed her palms on the back of her seat but only one was heard looking down the red haired realized she attached her hand in the wrong direction promoting to gruff and take it off.
"Well you guys didn't ask" Kuroko said.
"Yes we did first in Morioh then the plane and now here" the fourth said.
Kuroko let out a huge sigh realizing her mistake "I'm sorry it's just I was concerned with something is all."
Manako stared at Kuroko from behind "Really?" the red haired asked without manners "Please don't tell me that Josuke got himself in trouble again."
"Zombania!" Manako yelled at her.
"I mean it's not farfetched that kid ought to tone down his bad boy behaviour" the fourth said.
"Doppel" Tio scolded.
"Well actually it has something to do with Josuke" Kuroko said, "How much do you guys know about the Lamia's?"
The four were taken back by this question as they can't connect what this had to do with Kuroko's son. Manako who seems to be the sensible of the bunch decided to speak "Their an all-female race with human women upper bodies and snake lower bodies. Unlike most Demi's they do have faint interactions with humans for" she swallowed a lump in her throat as her face colored crimson "Mating purposes."
"Yeah that's what they wanted everyone to believe" Kuroko said as she looked further into the road "But recently our branch here had shared some rather interesting revelations about them."
Doppel turned her head towards Kuroko interested where this conversation goes "What kind of scoop did we get?" she asked rubbing her hands together.
"Well it turns out their representative Miia had some bizarre rumours regarding her that started 19 years ago when Enyaba the hag came to their village and stole a relic of most importance to them" Kuroko spoke in a serious manner "These bizarre things got me curious and at the same time hopeful."
Tio scratched the back of her head nervously "I don't really get it, what does this have to do with Josuke? And didn't this Miia girl turn the exchange down after having second thoughts?"
Kuroko remained silent as she stopped the van before looking back at the girls "Be ready in case trouble happens" was all she said before leaving them.
(…)
The Lamia village
Kuroko climbed up the dunes of sand coming face to face with two Lamia guards who blocked the entrance of the village upon seeing her "Identify yourself!" one of the guards demanded.
Kuroko snuck her hand inside her suit jacket and brought her identification card up "I'm Agent Kuroko Higashikata from the Speedwagon foundation. I came here in regards for the exchange student Miia."
The two guards turned tense as they exchanged worried glances to one another before nodding they lifted their spears up and began slithering to opposite directions, the first slithered inside the village whilst her companion slithered towards Kuroko "Stay still for the check" despite the nature of the demand the guard sounded nervous and fearful. Kuroko from behind her shades saw this and simply raised her arms up allowing the Lamia to check her, the Lamia cursed internally as the Human was safe.
Just in time her companion returned looking equally fearful "The Chiefess will see you now, please follow me."
Kuroko tailed behind the Lamia into the village, Kuroko glanced at the village it looked as if the Lamia's were going on their regular routine but once they noticed Kuroko they turned back and some even whispered gossip "Another human came what will the Chiefess do?"
"Shh do you want her to hear you?" another Lamia warned.
'What's going on here?' the agent asked.
"We're here" the Lamia announced bringing Kuroko's attention back to her, the Lamia turned towards Kuroko opening a door inside was Nefertiti sitting on a golden chair smiling towards Kuroko with two guards by her side and another Lamia who was fanning a gigantic leaf at her.
"Welcome Agent Higashikata to our humble abode" the Chiefess welcomed with a kind voice accompanied by a friendly smile.
"Thanks for having me" Kuroko returned the kindness careful not to anger or insult the Chiefess.
Nefertiti gestured for another Lamia in the room who slithered towards Kuroko with a cup and a pot pouring water unto the cup before handing it to Kuroko who sipped it, the Chiefess brought her hands up to her chin as she leaned forward "For what reason do I owe a visit from the Speedwagon foundation?"
Kuroko took another sip to pick her words carefully "I'm an agent involved with the newly established exchange program by the Speedwagon foundation, from the Japan wing it came to our attention that you refuse to hand over Miia even though she was picked by both our men and you to be your representative."
It was only for a split second but Kuroko saw Nefertiti's eye twitch before she closed them and started waving her hand with a haughty laugh "Oh that please Ms. Higashikata don't take the wrong idea we're not against the exchange program it simply that dear little Miia changed her mind and she refuses to go" Kuroko remained silent opting to hear the excuse "However fear not for I spent the last three days picking new and willing candidates as replacement" the Chiefess got off her chair as the Lamia that was fanning her backed away and her guards began facing each other's, Nefertiti slithered towards her two guards before glancing back at Kuroko "Come and take a look at our new representatives."
Kuroko followed behind Nefertiti coming to a room filled with young Lamia's they seemed eager but Kuroko saw subtle fear they had towards the Chiefess when she glanced at them with a subdued glare "Alright" Kuroko's attention was brought back to Nefertiti who clapped with a smile "Shall we begin?"
After two hours Kuroko and Nefertiti finished talking and interviewing the young Lamia's the Chiefess chose, Nefertiti glanced at Kuroko with a smile "So what do you think of these girls aren't they great?"
"Yeah" Kuroko said as she leaned back on her chair "However this will simply not work."
Nefertiti's smile disappeared "Why?"
Kuroko turned to the Lamia Chiefess as she leans her shades down showing her eyes "The exchange bill states once a demi is volunteered to the exchange program and approved by both sides there is no way you can replace them. I came here to pick Miia up and I attend to."
Nefertiti glared at Kuroko as the room's temperature turned cold [Menacing] travelled through the air "Well I'm sorry but your efforts are a lost cause, Miia doesn't want to show her face and she doesn't want to leave. You either pick one of the new girls or get out of my village" the Chiefess slithered away accompanied by her guards she glanced at Kuroko one last time "As a guest I'll allow you to stay the night and I expect you had made the right the decision by morning" she clapped her hands as another Lamia came in "Hind please escort Ms. Higashikata to her room."
"Yes great Chiefess" Hind said bowing before she glanced at Kuroko "Shall we get going?"
"Yeah."
(…)
Guest room
Kuroko was escorted to a nice hotel in the village, the room assigned to her was a first class Arabian theme Kuroko took off her heels as she rested on the red one armed chair and tugged a green pillow "Is the room to your liking?" the Lamia Hind asked.
"Yes it's great" Kuroko said, Hind smiled as she bowed.
"If you need anything please don't hesitate to ask."
"Actually there is something I need."
Hind was shocked but she immediately adopted a kind smile "Sure what can I help you with?"
"Do you know where's Miia's house?" the question caused Hind to slither back a little, Kuroko got up from the chair as she slowly approached the Lamia "Are you alright?"
"Y-y-yes!" Hind yelled with a nervous laugh "Ms. Higashikata I know you're obliged by your agency concerning Miia but please respect the girl's privacy."
Kuroko narrowed her eyes behind her shades "Is it really Miia or the Chiefess?"
"Would you look at the time? I need to take care of some business" Hind excused herself with a nervous laugh as she slithered away in record time closing the door behind her. Kuroko kept her gaze at the closed door suspicious.
Outside in the hallway Hind glanced back at Kuroko's door with caution as she slithered away two Lamia's carrying Khopesh confronted her "What's the status?" one of them asked.
"I can't tell if she's dedicated to her job or just plain foolish, she keeps bringing the prisoner up and even asked me for directions towards her residence" Hind answered in a whisper.
"I see" she then turned to her partner "Order the guards to surround the room and keep close surveillance on the prisoner's family."
"Roger that."
(…)
Outside the village
The van which Kuroko drove remained in place as her team waited for her but as much time passed the four of them became increasingly impatient especially Doppel and Zombania "Okay I spy with my little eye-" Manako was cut off before she could finish.
"Moon" Doppel answered.
Zombania threw her arms up in the air "Ah it's so boring!" she complained as she got up and grabbed the van's backdoor handle.
"Zombania where are you going?" Tio asked.
"I'm going after Kuroko" the red haired answered.
"You can't Kuroko said-" Manako tried to reason but she was cut off again by Doppel.
"She's not here so we may as well go after her" the petite girl said opening the door of her passenger seat but backed away immediately.
"What's wrong Doppel?" Tio asked worried, as a Lamia snuck inside the van.
Doppel managed to jump back landing around her teammates as the backdoor was also opened revealing two more Lamia's, the four took their positions ready to fight "Stand back!" Zombania ordered.
"Wait please we're not looking for trouble" the first Lamia said, the team looked at the other two Lamia's seeing they mean no harm.
"Um can we help you?" Manako asked kindly.
"Yes we can help each other's" the first Lamia answered "My name is Jasmine and these two are my daughters Maha and Lama, your friend Kuroko came into our village asking about my third daughter Miia."
"Wait your Miia's mom?" Doppel asked the older Lamia who nodded.
"Oh no is Kuroko getting on the poor girl trying to force her to come?" Manako asked as she prostates before the older Lamia "Please forgive her I'm sure that she still didn't get that Miia got cold feet and-"
"No our sister is imprisoned!" Lama yelled in rage stopping Manako midsentence.
"Wait as in imprisoned like in a cell?" Zombania asked as the two sisters nodded and Jasmine looked down.
"Yes" Jasmine answered holding her tightened chest.
"Um okay what exactly is going on?" Doppel demanded.
"It all started 19 years ago when an old human hag trespassed into our village and stole a relic from the sacred temple of the Chiefess's" Jasmine began.
The team glanced at each other's "Wait didn't we hear this before from Kuroko?" Zombania asked.
"Yeah we did" Tio answered "But I still don't get it what is this relic?"
"An arrow" Maha answered "She stole an arrow, the guards tried to stop her but she seemed to be well versed in witch craft that she had them kill each other's" the Lamia looked down as she clenched her fists "Miia was only four years old that time but she happened to be awake during that night and followed the hag in, when the hag made the guards kill each other's Miia followed after her and the arrow pierced her chest."
Maha stopped as she began taking her breath recalling the painful memories whilst Lama tabbed her shoulders as a way to comfort her and began where her sister left off "After that Miia fell sick none of our village's Doctor's could determine the cause and they even told us to say our goodbyes to our baby sister, but Miia recovered somehow but bizarre things always happen around her."
"Bizarre?" Manako asked.
"Yeah like things appear out of the blue around her" Jasmine said, "She recently told us that she has some sort of a ghost that turns her drawings into real objects."
"Really? How?" Doppel demanded.
"We don't know but on the day where she was announced as the chosen representative she created a beat box out of the blue which played music without being blogged" Maha said surprising the team who glanced at each other's.
"Could it be that Miia had been imprisoned under the belief she's a witch?" Manako whispered to her teammates.
"It's not far-fetched" Doppel whispered back "If what their saying is true then Miia is a witch because this ability can only be described as Magic."
"The problem is the Chiefess didn't accuse Miia of witchcraft" Lama revealed "She accused her of stealing the powers of a Chiefess, she's a witch too."
"What?" Tio asked.
"The Chiefess summoned Mummified zombie soldiers and used them to capture Miia and overwhelm those who opposed her capture" Jasmine said.
The four members looked to each other's with widened eyes over the revelation "Then Kuroko is" Manako muttered.
"In deep trouble" Doppel finished.
(…)
Back to the guest room
About 10 PM the lights of the hotel were dimmed down and many guests and staff members had retreated back to their quarters for rest, opening the door slowly Kuroko glanced outside before getting out of the room and closing the door behind her. The agent made her towards the back of the building then climbed up the window and landed outside but before she could make another move she felt something press against her neck "Freeze" a Lamia ordered pressing her Khopesh against Kuroko's neck as other armed Lamia's came out of the shadows pointing their weaponry at her "You have broken the law."
"What law?" Kuroko asked daringly.
"Defying the Chiefess decree the greatest crime" the Lamia revealed "The sentence is death."
"It seems your forgetting the exchange bill's statutes, demi's can't harm humans and vice versa. Unless you want to enter hot water with the foundation I suggest you remove these weapons" Kuroko threatened.
The leader smirked "Please we have our ways" she was about to attack but suddenly she was tackled by Jasmine "Get off of me traitor" the Lamia demanded.
"No!"
The other Lamia's were about to interfere but they stopped when Tio caught a whole lot of them from behind in a crushing embrace, some managed to avoid being caught and were about to attack Tio but suddenly something struck them in their foreheads from a far distance looking at the direction of the supposed attack Kuroko saw Manako with a sniper rifle. Lamia archers gritted their teeth's and fired their arrows towards Manako but Zombania jumped in and took the arrows and fell the archers grabbed another bunch of arrows about to fire again but they backed off after a gun shot almost caught them looking down the archers began to turn pale and shake in fear seeing Zombania get up and shoot a smirk towards them despite her chest being pierced by arrows "Wh-what is that?" one of the archers asked.
"Sorry but I'm already dead" the red head said opening her suit showing her stitches this caused the two Lamia's to throw their weapons and attempt to escape but Manako shot them from behind their heads.
"You broke your own laws!" The lead Lamia told Kuroko as she managed to push Jasmine off of her and was about to strike her Khopesh down at her but a giant shadow appeared above her looking she was greeted by a giant anvil that landed on top of her.
The anvil seems to be disorganize before turning into Doppel "The exchange bill didn't say anything against human on human violence or demi on demi violence" the shapeshifter told the knocked out leader.
Kuroko glanced at the gathered squad "How did you know I was in trouble?"
"She came to us" Zombania revealed pointing at Jasmine "She said she's Miia's mom and she wants our help."
Jasmine shifted uneasily glancing at the defeated Lamia's "Are they alright?"
"Not to worry" Manako assured throwing one of her ammo's at Jasmine which felt like rubber "We use rubber bullets instead of real ones."
"So I was right the Chiefess is hiding Miia" Kuroko deduced looking at Jasmine.
"She imprisoned my daughter accusing her of witch-craft" Jasmine said clutching her fists.
Kuroko glared from behind her shades "Where is Miia being held?"
"In a dungeon deep underground inside the Chiefess residence" Jasmine revealed "Come there is only so much time before she hears of this I'll take you to my daughter."
(…)
Chiefess residence
Similar to other buildings in the village this one was Egyptian themed only it was bigger and looked like a miniature palace rather than a house or shop with Lamia guards patrolling the area, hidden behind a bush Kuroko, Jasmine and the rest observed the movements of the palace guards before Jasmine began crawling in a fast pace to the back followed by the rest who tried to keep up with her speed on legs safe for Doppel who turned herself into a small Snake and snuck with ease. Reaching the back area of the palace the group found themselves in a lavish garden, Jasmine reached the giant bush in the middle of the garden and began tampering with it showing a secret hole "This way into the dungeon" Jasmine instructed as she slithered down followed by the rest of the squad.
First Kuroko went down followed by Doppel in her snake form then Zombania who sighed before she broke herself in pieces and throwing them in, Tio breathed in a huge chunk of air before jumping down…and getting stuck Manako began helping Tio get out by pulling her with little to no success.
The secret hole passageway was quite tight for non-Lamia's or snakes as Jasmine along with Snake form Doppel managed to reach the end of the tunnel with ease before Kuroko and Zombania's pieces fell on the ground, Kuroko got up cracking her back "Hey a little help is appreciated" Zombania's disembodied head spoke as she tried to get her pieces.
Kuroko and Doppel glanced at each other's as they along with Jasmine helped their undead teammate put herself back together which took a bit of time "Hoh finally" Doppel said wiping a bed of sweat off of her forehead.
"Is this not a regular occurrence?" Jasmine asked looking at the two.
"It is but we finish it a lot earlier with Manako's help" Kuroko answered.
"Where is she when we need her?" Doppel complained before realizing "Wait where are Manako and Tio?"
"Hmm if I recall after I jumped in Tio followed" Zombania recalled before realizing what she said causing the three of them to smack their faces "That woman must have gotten stuck."
"Then we only got so much time before the Chiefess comes here" Doppel grimly deduced.
"Then we don't have much time we got to find Miia and fast" Kuroko declared and began running followed by the rest.
Getting deeper and deeper inside the dungeon the group heard wails of men following them Kuroko came face to face with a group of men, they looked up seeing Jasmine causing them to scream and back away "No please I may love the idea of endless love but I don't want it like that" one of them cried.
"Don't worry she's harmless" Doppel said glancing at them noticing the Speedwagon badge on one of them "Say you're the Speedwagon agents in this part of the world right?"
"Y-yes" one of them answered weakly "We came to collect Miia but the Chiefess refused to hand her over we kept negotiating and next thing we knew we were surrounded by Mummies they beat us up and when we woke up we found ourselves here."
"Please get us out!"
Kuroko glared from behind her shades disgusted and angered by the atrocities Nefertiti had committed but soon her ears picked on an echo "Oh my dearest Miia let's go to our happily ever after" a charming princely voice spoke
"Miia?" Jasmine asked hoping as she began following the direction of the echo.
"Jasmine hold on" Kuroko warned but the Lamia was already out of sight promoting the agent to follow her, Doppel and Zombania rolled their eyes as they were about to follow.
"Wait you're just going to leave us here?" one of the men demanded stopping them on their tracks.
"Don't worry you guys we'll come back for you after all two idiots of ours certainly got themselves caught" Doppel assured and waved as she and Zombania followed after Kuroko and Jasmine but hit something akin to a wall looking up the two saw a gigantic Mummy holding a Morningstar.
"Shit" Zombania cursed.
Down the hallway where the echo was heard the Lamia Miia wiggled her tail with excitement "Oh my dearest prince yes" Miia said with tears to a projection of a charming young Prince who kneeled before her, however she hanged her head low and began crying.
"What's wrong my dearest" the Prince asked.
"I'm sorry but you're an illusion I created" Miia revealed waving her hand making the prince revert back to a drawing on the wall, the young Lamia sighed "At least the Chiefess was kind enough to give me crayon's to draw me some distractions."
"Miia!" the Lamia perked up hearing her name being called looking up the Lamia was greeted by her mother.
"Mom! " the Lamia happily shouted getting up and reaching for the cell bars.
"Oh my darling I'm so happy you're alright" Jasmine said with tears streaming down her face hugging her daughter from behind the metal bars.
"Um what brings you here mother?" Miia asked.
"I'm here to get you out my dearest" this made Miia sigh with sadness as she turned back "Miia what's wrong? Don't you want to get out from here?"
"No I don't" Miia answered grimly "If I did I would have used my ability to get out but the Chiefess was kind enough to give me crayon's once I made it clear I wasn't going to break out."
"Miia why?" Jasmine asked on the verge of tears.
"Mom during my imprisonment here I realized something" Miia began "For months I feared people would be scared of me because I'm a Lamia…but now if people see my weird ability they'll treat like an outcast" the Lamia laid on her bed coiling burying her face in the pillow "Please leave me be…it's best for everyone that I be left alone."
Jasmine couldn't find the words or the guts to argue she couldn't even show support, "No it's not the best" a voice spoke being Kuroko.
Miia got her face up facing the agent "Who are you?"
"I'm agent Kuroko Higashikata from the Speedwagon foundation exchange program" the agent presented herself.
Miia boiled as she turned around clutching the pillow harder "Leave me alone! You don't know anything I'm going through!"
"Miia please she's trying to help" Jasmine pleaded to her daughter.
"I said no I don't want or need help!"
"You're right, I don't know what you're going through" Kuroko admitted much to Jasmine's shock, Kuroko removed her shades as she messaged her eyes looking down "If I did maybe I could have done more for my son" This caught both Jasmine and Miia by surprise "My son Josuke he's the kindest, most generous and friendly person one will meet…however he's also the loneliest person in the world."
Miia looked up with confusion "How? How can a guy like that be lonely?"
"Because he's the same as you" the agent answered shutting her eyes and Miia widening hers "When he was a little boy he caught an unknown illness no Doctor could treat him or determine the cause, they told me to say my goodbyes to my baby boy" she paused resisting the urge to cry recalling the painful memory "But suddenly her recovered but ever since then he had supernatural abilities."
"R-really?" Jasmine asked, "Does he make drawings real too?"
"No but many kids he got to fights with claimed they were hit by thin air while those who were in pain were suddenly healed, because of this many had distanced themselves from Josuke only me and my father kept him company but I knew it wasn't enough" Kuroko answered looking up wiping a few tears that formed "That's why the moment I heard about you I knew I had to bring you in."
"Erm" Miia could only mutter incoherently at this revelation as tears were brought to her eyes.
"So Miia" Kuroko adopted a smile putting her shades back on "Seeing that Josuke went through the same exact life and possess the same supernatural ability, will you accept him as your host? I believe he might be your type he is a lot of girl's type alright."
"I-I-I" Miia muttered but soon footsteps were heard making Jasmine and Kuroko turn around seeing a Mummy.
"A Mummy?" Kuroko wondered.
"It's one of them" Jasmine cried with fear "The things Chiefess Nefertiti summoned."
"Well, well, well what a touching story" Nefertiti's voice was heard with clapping as the Lamia Chiefess came out of the dark "Unfortunately that goes against my decree" Kuroko immediately pulled her gun out and fired a shot at Nefertiti but the Mummy raised it's arm taking the shot for its mistress "Hmph you made an attempt on my life."
Kuroko gritted her teeth "You have not only imprisoned this girl and called her a witch but you also imprisoned and assaulted my co-workers, this'll not stand!"
Nefertiti laughed "Oh please what can you do?" the Chiefess snapped her fingers as more Mummies came they all held Kuroko's comrades in wrappings as they struggled to break free but to no avail, soon enough more Mummies surrounded them "Drop the gun or else."
Kuroko begrudgingly conceded throwing her gun down and raised her hands up.
(…)
Next morning Nefertiti's throne room
The Lamia Chiefess ate grape held by one of her servants whilst another was fanning her, a door knock brought the Chiefess's attention with a glare "Come in."
The gate was opened showing a scared Lamia gate guard who prostituted before the Chiefess "Oh great Chiefess of the Lamia tribe we have urgency."
The Chiefess sighed internally "Just what I needed" she complained before looking at the guard "What is it?"
The guard gulped as she looked up "There's a man in the village's gates claiming he's from the Speedwagon foundation and-"
"TELL HIM TO GET LOST!" the Chiefess cut her off with the order "I had it with that foundation, my predecessors should never had made contact with them all they did was shove their noses in our business" she then looked at the guard "Did you not hear me?"
"I did but my comrade isn't having any luck with him" the guard answered.
"Well then-" the Chiefess was cut off when a dent on the wall appeared revealing the knocked out gate guard.
"May!" the other gate guard called out for her friend checking on her.
"Who dares denting my palace?" the Chiefess demanded.
"Don't worry" a heavy male gruff voice assured "You won't be able to look at it once I break it…your face that is" an unusually tall man appeared wearing a white visored cap and coat he glanced at the Chiefess with a glare "How troublesome my third time in Egypt and it's to break someone's face never catching a break."
Nefertiti gritted her teeth in rage "Who the hell do you think you are?"
The man glanced at the Chiefess "Jotaro Kujo."
