"Okay...so we're in the desert. Now what?" Asta asked.
"We need to find the most likely place where someone would hide a key. And...I bet it's in there." Sunset said, pointing to a nearby cave.
"A thought occurs." Angelo said. "If we are in certain times in the past, would that not mean we will run into some legendary figures of this country and era?"
"Possibly but who would be nuts enough to stay in a…" Lan said as he hit a wall inside the cave. "Ugh...who sets up a wall inside a cave?"
"Must be some secret to it. Like...saying open sesame?" Sonata asked.
"Oh please, that would never…" Aria began before the wall shook as it rose up, revealing a vast amount of treasures within. "Then again, it is Ancient Arabia."
"Wow...look at all this treasure." Nami said as they began to look over it.
"Yeah...it's pretty good but...it's kinda strange it's all piled up in here." Twilight said.
"Yeah...and some of it is covered in blood." Jessica said.
"Must have been some gang's hideout. But who would...Oh." Lan said.
"What's wrong?" Captain Cold said.
"I just realized where we are." Lan said before they saw a number of men approach.
"Who dares to intrude upon the hiding place of the 40 thieves?" one of them said.
"Oh...this makes a lot more sense." Starlight said.
"Hmm...should we?" Cheetah asked.
"I don't think we have much choice." Jexi said.
"Oh...come to surrender your lives, boys, girls and uh...others?" one of them asked.
"Not...quite." Eijiro said, cracking one of his knuckles.
"Get them." Zamazenta said.
"Huh?" the thieves said as they were soon set upon by the heroes as they rapidly beat down the forty thieves.
"Phew… Never thought we'd defeat all 40 of them." Agito said.
"There is still one more left we have not seen, however." Cheetah said.
"She's right… If I recall, these guys were all led by someone." Belladonna said.
"Yeah...but they all count up to 40." Jexi said.
"Yes...you already beat all forty of them." a voice said as standing at the entrance was a woman in robes holding a large book. "Though...it was unexpected to see someone intrude on this little tale."
"And who are you supposed to be? Their caretaker?" Bakugo asked.
"In a way. I am Scheherazade. I'm the keeper of the Arabian Nights." she said.
"I know that name. You're the one who created the 1001 nights." Twilight said.
"She would pretty much have to be. After all, she is also the ruler of this land." Cheetah said.
"Perceptive. I take it this is what drew your attention?" she asked as she drew a golden key.
"How do you know that?" Nesma asked.
"Solomon told me that these dungeons have been appearing across the worlds...and that one was connecting various points of this universe." Scheherazade said.
"Solomon? Who's that?" Luke asked.
"Solomon...she is the most powerful mage in the Past Universe. Able to tame angels and demons and cast powerful spells. One of the legends who is equal to Lucifer." Sheer said.
"A Universal Hero…" Lan said. "So that rank does exist."
"It makes sense that the info is rare. Only 5 have ever obtained it." Sheer said. "Solomon is also well learned, learning of the existence of other worlds long before anyone else, since the info is nonexistent in the Past Universe."
"Whoa...so...about that key…" Jexi asked.
"You are welcomed to it...seeing as how you just...as you say...swept the floor with the forty thieves." Scheherezade said.
"I think the proper term is 'wiped the floor'." Rayleigh said.
"Mopped would probably work too." Rainbow said as she took the key. "And thanks."
"You're quite welcome." Scheherezade said as she looked out to a number of soldiers marching through the desert. "Seems you have a number of fans at your beck and call."
"We wouldn't exactly call them fans." Cheetah said.
"No worries...I shall dispatch them." Scheherezade said, snapping her fingers. From the sands arose several swordsmen as they clashed with the soldiers. "I believe this will be enough to allow you to escape back to your destination."
"Yes. We thank you so much." Kareem said.
"We'll pay you back one day!" Sonic called out as they ran out of there.
"Think nothing of it...heroes from beyond the stars." she smiled.