Auara was not happy. Instead of being at the Temple training to become a Shoku Warrior or preparing for her upcoming dance recital she found herself with her former bodyguard, parents, and half of the Egyptian government and archeology department getting to investigate a newly discovered temple. "Just because I have a universal Rosetta Stone to decipher the hieroglyphs doesn't mean I want to spend the next two and half weeks digging through the sand to discover the purpose of this place," Auara grumbled as she tried once again to get clean.
"Really mistress it's not so bad. You should be proud of your parents for trying to use their diplomatic connections to try and improve relationships between countries. Your expertise in magical artifacts and your Shen Gong Wu will greatly speed up the expedition. Besides I thought you be happy to see your mom and dad," Juliet commented as she gleaned out her gun.
"I am happy to see Perhrub and Bel really I am. I'm happy to be back home even if it's for a short visit. It's just that things have changed recently. I'm going through some hard times back at the Temple. Most of my friends are already Shoku warriors and I'm wondering when it will be my turn. It doesn't help that I'm worried about school, my boyfriend, and my dance routine. I swear that if something interesting doesn't happen I'll make like the lead and disappear," Auara informed her as finally finished cleaning off the last of the sand.
"Now Auara dear where's your sense of adventure? I thought you loved archeology and history. I can remember when you were five years old and pretending to be an archeologist. I thought you would be leaping for joy at the chance to explore the remains of our countries past," Perhrub commented as he entered the tent. He was very tall, tan, and he had brown eyes. Instead of his usual diplomatic outfit he was dressed in appropriate clothes for digging hours on end in the sun.
"If you remember correctly Dad I also stopped dreaming to be an archeologist a few months after that. I had enough of digging around the past when the present was more interesting. Besides you're the one who loves museums, archeology, and studying ancient cultures. I swear Dad if you weren't so great at your job you'd be some kind of historian and Mom would be a professional musician or model."
"Now Auara I only modeled when I was a child. I do love playing musical instruments and I'm not denying my collection of musical instruments isn't impressive, but I'm happy where I am. I must admit getting away from trying to solve the Giza Strip problems and improve relationship between both America and Egypt is a welcomed relieve. So is seeing you even if it's only for a few days. I miss you so much while your away," Bel informed her daughter as she finished braiding her long brunette hair. She also was tanned with brown eyes and wore the appropriate wear. Auara's violet eyes were a recessive trait she had picked up from her grandmothers.
"I'm sorry Mom, I am glad to see you guys and I know that you're both very happy with your work. It fills me with pride to see how much you've helped both governments by improving relationships. You've also inspired me to chase my dreams of being a professional dancer/actress. I guess I'm just a little bit tired still from the trip."
"That's alright dear we still love you. Now would you and Juliet like to come see what we've uncovered so far? I'm sure that you'll be impressed," Bel told her.
"At once mistress. Come along Auara and bring your Shen Gong Wu with you," Juliet advised. A few minutes later the happy family was in the middle of the dig site talking with Dr. Fortheya Abdul the head archeologist who's team had already partially unburied the entrance to whatever lay beneath the sand.
"Ah Mr. and Mrs. Rapses it's a pleasure to see so such prominent government officials interested in a cultures past. Always a pleasure to see you Juliet. Who's this beautiful girl standing next to you? You wouldn't happen to be Auara Rapses by any chance. I've heard so much about you."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Dr. Abdul. Your reputation as one of the top Egyptologist precedes you. Would you by any chance have figured out what it is that you've discovered buried in the sands?"
"Not yet my dear. We need to clear away more of the sand to get a better idea of what's down there. Our equipment has done a lot of scans, but so far we've only been able to make estimates on how big this ruin is. If we had more luck with the weather and the sandstorms would stop we'd be able to get more work done."
"Well I might not be able to help you with your weather problem, but I have some items that might be of use to clearing away the sand. If you'd tell your team to clear the sight I'd be happy to help out," Auara offered as she extracted the Ruby of Ramses and the Sword of the Storm from her bag.
Dr. Abdul looked at her curiously wondering what use the relics would be. Still she trusted the Rapses so she would give the girl the benefit of the doubt. Shouting orders in Arabic and English the teams were quickly extracted from the dig giving Auara plenty of room to work.
"First we need to remove all this sand. Sword of the Storm Light!" Auara shouted as the Shen Gong Wu started spinning. The twister of sand started spinning around high in the air as the tons of sand was lifted off the ground. While in the air a superheated light passed through the sand transforming it into one giant glass plate. "Now to shape this into something more useful. Ruby of Ramses!" The telekinetic ruby's power worked magic on the glass as the plate was reshaped into practical everyday items like windows, cups, and even replacement items for the equipment. As Auara gently laid the items down on a tarp she knew everyone's eyes were on her as well as the temple she had managed to uncover.
It was huge almost as big as the Xiaolin Temple. Rows after rows of huge sandy columns held up a white marble building. Everywhere you looked you saw statutes, hieroglyphs, and tons of other cool things. Dr. Abdul quickly barked out orders telling her team to start examine the outside. Motioning for the rest of her team and the Rapses to follow her they entered the building to see what was inside
It was very dark and musty. Everyone wore masks to protect them from the bacteria in the air and they use flashlights instead of torches. As they entered the main room booby traps were sprung at the team found themselves being attacked bye flying arrows, swinging blades, and the floor started to crumble and several shabities sprang to life ready to cut the team in half.
"Juliet protect the team and get everyone to safety! I'll handle this!" Auara commanded her bodyguard already pulling her clothes off to reveal her robes underneath. Without looking back to see if Juliet was obeying her she sprang into action.
Auara moved like lightening performing the Strike of the Flying Serpent followed up by a Hissing Cobra Strike shattering several shabities. Activating the Sun Chi Lantern around her neck she used everyone's chi to super power her Wudai Sun Light attack to fry the arrows and melt the floor back into place. Still shabities and the blades kept swinging at her and were trying to surround her. It took all the skill she had as a dancer to weave in and out of the deadly blades and battle the shabities. Finally she had enough and used her Lantern Fold and Mulan Sunfans to take off what was left of the opposition. She felt like she'd been battling for hours, but it had only taken her ten minutes to disarm the temple and ensure the teams safety. "Is everyone alright? Does anyone require medical attention?"
"No everything's under control mistress. Well done Auara well done," Juliet told the girl.
"You've certainly improved a lot since we last saw you. I have a feeling that promotion will happen any day now," Bel informed her as she helped the team start setting up. Perhrub was issuing orders reminding them to be careful and what they could and couldn't take out of this place according to the government.
"Your quite a remarkable young lady Ms. Rapses. What exactly are you and do you have any other artifacts that could help us with the dig while you're here?" Dr. Abdul asked.
"I'm the Xiaolin Dragon of Light Ma'me. I'm able to manipulate light in order to defend the world from evil. I've mastered the visible spectrum and now I'm working to control other forms of the EM spectrum. I'd be happy to help you decipher some of the hieroglyphs with the Babel Stone during my stay."
"I would like that a lot. Stick close to me please. From what I've seen so far this temple might be the find of the century. All around you see walls and statues dedicated to every Egyptian god or goddess, but that's impossible. Each dynasty worshiped different gods and if this place is as old as I think then this could be the oldest temple ever found. It could even predate any other Egyptian site we've come across!" Dr. Abdul exclaimed happily.
The next few days were a blur. All the archeologists helping them decipher the hieroglyphs, cataloging items, acting as a messenger between her parents, kept Auara busy. The entire adventure had reawakened her old dreams and passion for archeology. She constantly asked questions and even voiced her own opinions. Not everyone took her seriously, but at least Dr. Abdul treated her like a respectful colleague.
The woman was a great inspiration and a good friend. When they weren't busy the two would have long discussions about their lives, their dreams, and personal experiences. Dr. Abdul even watched some of Auara's practices and listened to her recite some monologues. Auara had even taught her a few basic moves so she could defend herself. It was because of this friendship that Auara felt really bad about keep a discovery she had made a secret.
It had been on the second day of the dig. Auara's parents had been outside the temple with Juliet taking care of some legal issues. Auara had been using the Babel Stone to help translate some of the hieroglyphs on a wall dedicated to Isis with Dr. Abdul. They had just started to make some real progress she felt something burning on her chest. Glancing down Auara had been surprised to see her scarab amulet pulsating like mad. "If you could excuse me Dr. I have to go use the bathroom. I'll be right back."
"Take your time Auara there's no need to rush. I'll still be here when you get back."
Once safely in the corridor Auara removed the amulet from her neck and tried to exam it. The amulet flashed brightly nearly blinding her and causing her to drop the precious trinket. Moments before the item hit the ground it transformed into a small golden scarab that flew down the corridors. "Hey wait a moment come back! What is going on?"
After about ten minutes of running around the scarab came to a halt in an unexplored room in the temple. It hovered over the far wall for a few moments before turning back into her amulet. Curious to discover what her amulet had found she entered the room and read the far wall. It was a puzzle of some sorts stating that the temple had been built over something important and only the descendent of light could figure out how to open the door to what lay below. Knowing it was up to her to figure out the mystery she vowed to keep the room a secret. She would come back later after she figured out how to open the door.
Auara spent the next few days puzzling over the door trying everything she could think of to open it. But nothing she did opened up the wall and time was running out. She was going back the Temple the day after tomorrow and she feared what the archeologist would do if they discovered the door. "This is so frustrating! What am I suppose to do? How do I prove that I'm a descendent of light?"
"Mistress how are you doing? I was worried when I couldn't find you at the dig. Dr. Abdul was wondering if you wanted to check out one of the new rooms dedicated to Basset."
"No Juliet I'm busy right now. Could you tell Dr. Abdul I'll join her later? I have to solve this puzzle," Auara replied as she looked over her etching of the wall she had made. Somehow she knew the answer to her problem was staring her right in the face.
"Hmm I don't recall seeing that etching in any of the other pictures of the Temple. Auara if you've discovered something important I think you should tell Dr. Abdul."
"I can't Juliet please don't ask me why, but I know that if I reveal this secret something great could be lost. My scarab amulet led me to this room for the sole purpose of me figuring out how to unlock the door. If only I knew how to show I'm the descendent of light!"
"Pardon me if I'm speaking out of turn, but doesn't that hole in the wall resemble your Soul Pendant?"
"By Ra your right Juliet! Thank you thank you just solved how I'm supposed to open that door! I'll go right now and…"
"You shouldn't go right now dear. Forgive us for eavesdropping Auara it couldn't be helped," Bel said as she and Perhrub entered the tent.
"Your mother is right. If you're supposed to keep this discovery a secret you should go at night when everyone's asleep. Take your Shen Gong Wu, weapon, and other supplies and sneak into the temple after nights fall. The three of us will make sure no one discovers you. Please be careful," Perhrub whispered hugging her tightly.
It was nearly eleven by the time everyone else had gone to sleep. Careful to keep the Sun Chi Lantern light low Auara crept through the camp darting from shadow to shadow. After a half an hour she finally made it into the secret room and removed her Soul Pendent. "Soul of Light!" she whispered placing it inside the keyhole. The door lit up as rainbow lights traveled through the hieroglyphs and trigged the door mechanism to open the door.
"I guess I should go in, but it's to dark to see even with the Lantern. Huh torches? I wonder, Solarbeam! Ha I knew that move would come in handy," Auara whispered as she descended into the passages below.
Her steps echoed off the walls and the stairway seemed endless. She went further and further down passing mosaics on the wall depicting the history of the Egyptian gods. Every once and awhile there was a picture that looked similar to her smiling proudly as she wore the robes of a Shoku Warrior and in her arms she held something. Even with the light from the torches it was hard to tell what it was. Finally the stairs came to an end by a set of huge gold doors that swung open by themselves. Taking a deep breath Auara strolled in and her jaw dropped at what lay before her.
The room was huge at least twenty times bigger then the temple above. All along the walls there were hundreds of gold doors. The ceiling had all sorts of precious stones glittering on it and in the middle was a grand crystal chandelier with several candles burning brightly. The floor was beautifully tiled and throughout the room were pedestals with amazing treasures underneath a protective glass. As she walked down the rows she recognized some of the treasures being symbols of the Egyptian Gods, but what struck her as odd is she recognized symbols and treasures from other countries/empires gods and goddess.
"What in the world is going on here? What is this place and why are these treasures here? Why am I the only one who could get in? What the hey what's this doing here," Auara asked puzzled as she picked up an item that looked like the one from the picture. The minute she touched she knew it was a Shen Gong Wu, but which one was it? She turned it over in her hand studying the item.
The item in question looked like a cross between Jafar's cobra staff and the Millennium Rod. It was in the shape of a cobra, but it was shorter then the staff and more gold then bronze. The eyes were ruby and in its mouth it held the Eye of Horus with wings attached. The writing on said it was the Scepter or Nephertie. "Okay now I'm really confused. What is Shen Gong Wu doing buried with all this treasure?"
"It's not actually treasure in the strictest sense, more like items of great power that was once used by the Gods and Goddess themselves before they ascended into their lofty heavens," a voice from behind her said.
Auara spun around and was shocked to see Dr. Abdul standing they're grinning quite easily. "Surprised to see me? I must admit your parents and bodyguard did their very best to detain me, but they weren't any match for me Dragon of Light. I must thank you for finding the Grand Depository. I spend centuries behind that blasted wall combing for any hints to where one of the entrances might be. Once I found one I knew it was only a matter of time before you opened the door for me. Oh you seem confused I guess I can drop the act so to speak," Dr. Abdul crowed. Suddenly her eyes went blank and she crumbled to the floor. In her place stood High Priestess Meribor of the Nilyeh City.
"I must admit it's been an interesting two weeks. I never knew you had such a passion for history Auara. Your theories are quite good for a novice in the field. I assure you Fortheya found them quite interesting. Don't worry about her she's fine really. I've just been using my priestess abilities to control her like a puppet so I could keep an eye on you until you figured out how to get in here. It was quite smart of Dashi to hide the Shen Gong Wu responsible for controlling and making weather down here. After all he could have used any of the entrances to get into this space," Meribor commented.
"Enough with the commentary Meribor. May I ask what you intend to do with all these priceless items? If you think I'm going to allow you to take back even one item to the Nilyeh City your sadly mistaken."
"Oh really and you think as the descendent of light you can stop me? We shall see!" Meribor shouted using her telekinetic abilities to take control of some cat statues that had sprang to life. Snapping her fingers the cats of Basset yowled and sprang at Auara.
Auara snatched a Valkery shield and brought it to her face moments before the claws scratched. Hurling the shield she took off running and weaved in and out of the rows of items as Meribor used her powers and made the items do her bidding. "Meribor stop! You're going to destroy these historical items!"
"Never! The powers of these items will be mine. Let's see how you handle the fury of the Mayan Goddess!"
"I'm done running from you. Scepter of Nerphertie!" The Eye lit up and out of nowhere a huge thunderstorm appeared. The force of the storm hurled several of the items back at Meribor who used her own psychic abilities to protect herself.
"You think a little thunderstorm can stop me? I have the Heylin Flame and divine items from all over the globe to aid me. Your finished Auara!"
"Not yet I'm not. I'm about to show you why I'm the descendent of light!" Auara shouted over the roar of the storm. Her robes transformed as the rays of the sun struck the raindrops creating a stunning rainbow. Tossing the Scepter in the air she activated her new powers. "Shoku Solar Sun Light!"
The rainbow wrapped itself around Auara's body like a ribbon. The colors shone brilliantly. In demonstration of great power she released the ribbon of light at Meribor stopping her dead in her tracks. The High Priestess had no choice, but to retreat leaving all the items behind.
Hours later Dr. Abdul recovered with no memory of the night's events. Auara had once again sealed the door to Grand Depository vowing to keep its treasures safe from harm. It was the end of good adventure and the start of whole new path for Auara who couldn't wait to return to the Temple to tell everyone about her adventure.