Return of the Old World
Ch1: Date Night
Inside the Pyramid of famed Archeologist Harris Stone in downtown San Francisco, "Harris Stone" sleeps peacefully when he feels a blade on his neck. The cold steel wakes him to see a young woman with a rabbit mask standing over him with the blade in her hand. He is startled by this but before he can react he hears a masculine voice on the other side of the chamber telling his assassin "Easy Celia, we do not want to hurt our future business partner."
The famed archeologist turns to see a tall, bald, and muscular Asian man sitting in a chair with Amut sitting on his lap. The pupil of his eyes are a deep yellow and he wears clothes akin to a priest, he strokes Amut's mane with a hand that appears to be robot. This man is none other than the leader of the terrorist organization Shin-Tan, Ming.
Ming: The golden snake is fine. She is currently in your alchemy lab unaware that we are here.
Scarab: I have no idea what you're-
Ming: Let's not lie to each other, the real Mister Stone died on that fateful trip to Egypt in the roaring 20s. I know who you really are, Scarab. Chief Sorcerer and Advisor of Ahmenhotep, student of Kan-Ra, murder of Prince Rapses.
Scarab reveals his true pale and decrepit form. Celia eases the pressure from the blade on Scarab's neck, sheathing the blade.
Scarab: You know me but I do not know you are stranger.
Ming: I am Ming, this is my associate Celia Pendergast. I have been following you for sometime.
Scarab: A secret admirer? Very curious as to how you obtained this information?
Ming: I have formed alliances with a handful of others. I would like to welcome you into my circle of trust.
Scarab: What do you have that could entice me?
Ming: I know of Rapses' new reincarnation, a young boy named Presley Carnovan, his mother Amanda works-
Scarab: You have said nothing I don't already know.
Ming: If you let me finish, I would tell you how we could capture the young Pharoah. His soul and Eternal Life will be yours.
Scarab mulls it over for a moments before responding with "You have my attention Ming. What is your grand plan?". Ming's face curls up in a sinister grin. The following day at the Museum Presley is walking around looking for his mom when he sees her talking to an Asian man in blue long sleeved shirt and khakis.
Presley: Mom there you are! Are you ready to go? I'm starving!
Amanda and the man turn around to Presley with his skateboard in hand. Amanda looks happy to see her son.
Amanda: Presley! I want you to meet someone, this is Jackie. He works for the University and he actually has a niece that goes to your school. Do you know a "Jade Chan"?
Presley: Uhhh I think so?… So what are we having for dinner?
Amanda: Presley!
Jackie: Ha! Don't worry about it I was the same way when I was his age. We can talk more about this later this evening?
Amanda: Yes! I mean, yeah we can do that..
Presley looks at Jackie somewhat cockeyed as he is very protective of his Mother and isn't sure what this guy wants from his mom.
Amanda: Come on kid let's go get you some Beefy Burger! See you later Jackie!
Jackie: See you tonight!
Presley and his mother walk off into the hallway. While Jackie looks on and smiles, a few hours later Jackie is back at Uncle's Antique Shop getting ready for his date with Amanda when he hears Uncle calling for him.
Uncle: Jackie! You coming down for dinner, Mung Bean sandwiches are getting cold!
Jackie: Actually Uncle I have a date tonight!
Jackie wearing a blue polo and khakis then walks down the stairs into the dinning room where Tohru, Uncle, and a now 14 year old Jade sit at the table.
Jade: Uncle Jackie looking snazzy!
Tohru: You look very nice Jackie.
Uncle: On a date?! With who, Viper?
Jade's eyes drop to the floor as she pretends to not hear the comment.
Jackie: Viper and I are great friends Uncle, it's just with our jobs, being on opposite sides of the country, and the fact that we only were around each other when the world is in danger-
Uncle then slaps Jackie with his two fingers catching Jackie off guard.
Jackie: What was that for?
Uncle: We can not afford to invite strangers into our lives! I have sensed a great evil is fast approaching! It's disciples are already here in this city…
Jade's ears perk up at this statement and practically leaps out of her seat she then asks with extreme enthusiasm "WHO IS IT?! SHENDU? DRACO? DARK HAND? DALOAN WONG?"
Uncle: Heh, I am not sure, all I know is that a great darkness fast approaches! We must all be cautious. I have been in communication with a sorcerer here named Rath.
Jade: It's good that you're making friends at your age.
Uncle scowls at Jade for commenting on his age and then goes back to his seat and resumes eating. He then tells the group "Rath is an immortal sorcerer from the days of Ahmenhotep who has been fighting evil longer than any of us in this room! We have must be alert if we are defeat this new dark force!….. Jackie who is girl? You have not said anything about her"
Jackie: Oh it's Amanda from the museum!
Uncle: Hacha! What happened to expression do not eat where you sh-
Jackie interrupts Uncle before he can't finish the sentence "LOOK AT THE TIME! MUST GO ON MY DATE NOW BYE!". Jackie then quickly walks out of the dining room and outside to where his car is parked and drivers over to the home of the Carnovan's. Outside of the antique shop on top of a nearby rooftop an armored Scarab watches as Chan drives off to the home the young Pharaoh.
Meanwhile across town... Presley sits in his bedroom with his mummified cat Khati and his four Mummified protectors. Presley begins to recant meeting Jackie with his mother at the Museum today.
Presley: Mom's been pretty quiet about her dating life and she's going on a date tonight with some dweeb from the museum and, I can't explain it but something felt off.
The group of Mummies look at each other and then look at Presley, Nefertina in particular looks over at the young prince somewhat confused. She asks him "Do you wish for us to stop your mother dating this man?". Presley looks at her awkwardly unsure of how to respond to this question.
Presley: Well I uh, don't NOT want that I guess... I don't know could you guys just keep an eye on my mom tonight?
Amanda's voice is then heard from downstairs saying "Presley! I'm going out, I'll be back in a little!", Presley and the Mummies rush over to the window to see Amanda and Jackie walk over to his car. The two drive off to their destination.
Armon: He does look like a dweeb.
Presley looks on at Armon with approval while Nefertina and Rath look at Armon disappointed. Ja-Kal however watches the car down the road interested in whatever mission his prince assigns.
Rath: You two can't be serious! I have felt the presence of a new dark force and we are more interested in the mother of our prince's love life?! Forgive me your highness but we should be investigating this lead myself and another sor-
Ja-Kal: We shall go and investigate this man.
Rath turns to Ja-Kal flabbergasted responding with "I beg your pardon?!". Ja-Kal finally turns around with a look of the goal already dead set in his mind. He turns to his mummified comrades and reincarnated prince.
Ja-Kal: My Prince, you said something felt off about this man yes? Describe this feeling.
Presley: Well ever since I started hanging around you guys I feel like I have a sense for trouble, he was nice in an awkward way... But he's also way too in shape to be an archeologist and I could just feel this energy, I don't know how to explain it.
Ja-Kal: Rath do you think you could examine this man if we got close enough to him? Perhaps scan his energy levels?
Rath: I suppose I could and see if it's anything like the evil myself and my newfound ally have discovered. Once we I examine his energy's we can go from there.
Nefertina: Are we really suggesting that this stranger is the herald of some powerful evil? Let's not forget we live in San Franciscio, there are many noble heroes who call this place home! Surely four "Urban Legends" would not be the first thing this darkness seeks out.
Ja-Kal: Perhaps not but our Prince is, and what better way to get at our Prince then his family!
Rath: You're not serious are you? We're really going to investigate this man?
Ja-Kal: We cannot rule anything out, Rath you will come with me! Armon, Nefertina, and Khati will stay here with the Prince.
Armon: Presley, your Mom have any good leftovers?
Armon walks downstairs while Ja-Kal and Rath exclaim "With the strength of Ra!", their magic armor covers the mummified bodies and the two of the jump out the window. Ja-Kal takes to the skies while Rath leaps from roof to roof not too far behind. While the two mummies follow behind Jackie's car, Scarab peaks his head out from the roof top of a house not too far away. Jackie and Amanda make it to a restaurant in China Town called the Flaming Dragon, they walk into the front door while Ja-Kal and Rath are perched on a rooftop right across from the restaurant.
Rath: Something troubles you?
Ja-Kal: I beg your pardon?
Rath: Something troubles you, otherwise why would we be here? You and I both know the likelihood of this "Jackie" person being a herald of some unseen evil is miniscule.
Ja-Kal: The great evil that you and this new sorcerer ally of yours have sensed... I have felt it's presence.
Rath turns to his Mummified comrade with concern in his eyes, the scholar asks "How so?".
Ja-Kal: Dreams, they've come on and off for a few years now. Always different but there is one thing that's the same every time... Scarab is at the center of it all!
A raspy voice can be heard behind them telling them "It's nice that you think about me from time to time! I cannot say the same for you!". The two Mummies turn around to see a fully armored Scarab with multiple Shabtis at his side, in Scarab's hands he sentient golden Cobra scepter Heka and in the other he holds a small golden orb glowing with blue runes of a language the two Mummies are unfamiliar with.
Heka: What's wrong? You don't look so happy to see us?!
Rath and Ja-Kal both turn to each other and then jump intro the fray. Down in the restaurant below Jackie and Amanda are seated waiting for their food, the two look at each other and begin to strike up conversation.
Jade: Your niece, how long has she lived in the states?
Jackie: A few years now! She loves it here, she goes visits her parents in China every few months but she's made this place her home. I have to ask where is Presley's dad is he-
Amanda: Oh no were divorced, it took sometime but we're friendly now. He lives out in Memphis and he comes to visit and Presley will go out there from time to time.
Jackie: Oh well that's good, what does his dad do?
Amanda awkwardly looks down at glass of water, she tells Jackie "He uh... Works for the University out there!". Jackie figures out that Amanda's ex husband is also an archeologist and changes the subject.
Jackie: So Presley must love History then?
Amanda: He really likes hanging around Ancient Egypt, I think what really got him interested was the-
Before Amanda can finish her sentence a loud crash can be heard from across the restaurant as Ja-Kal crashes through the window and slides throughout the floor disrupting everyone's night. Ja-Kal's fall knocks over multiple tables, causes two waiters to drop their trays full of people's orders, and finally stops at the foot of Jackie and Amanda's table. The Mummified warrior gets up and takes a minute to get his bearings. The patrons of the restaurant all look at the armored warrior and begin to talk amongst themselves, murmurings of "Oh my god that's one of the mummies", "I knew they were real!", and "Is that a mummy?" can be heard throughout the restaurant. Jackie who has many negative encounters with the supernatural grabs his knife just incase but is then interrupted by the raspy voice of Scarab taunting Ja-Kal.
Scarab: Forget something?!
Scarab flies down with at least a dozen Shabtis by his side the strange orb in one hand, Heka curled up on his shoulder, and beaten Rath who's face is held firmly in the palm of Scarab's hand. The withered sorcerer throws Rath into the floor of the restaurant. Ja-Kal rushes over to help his friend up, once Rath is up he firmly grasps his blade and angry scowl forms on his face. Ja-Kal readies his bow. Patrons of the restaurant begin to run every which way and the Shabtis begin to attack the civilians to divert the mummies attention, one Shabti even tries to grab Amanda but Jackie throws the steak knife from the table into it's eye causing it to shatter. Amanda looks at Jackie surprised with his accuracy.
Jackie: Not my first rodeo! Get to safety!
Jackie then sweeping kicks one Shabti and uppercuts another, shattering both giving time for Amanda to run away. Amanda runs to the kitchen and crouches behind the order window, she attentively watches Jackie fight Shabtis from the window. While Jackie fights the Shabtis, the two mummies battle Scarab. Rath violently swings his sword at Scarab but the sorcerer uses Heka to block each blow, Ja-Kal shoots fiery arrows at the evil magician but despite the intense heat of the flames it does nothing to Scarab's armor.
Heka: SPF 5000! You should seriously invest in some Ja-Kal you're looking a little pale!
Rath then swings for Scarab's head but Heka's golden neck blocks the blade, suddenly the orb Scarab was holding begins to levitate between the their heads. The orb explodes in a burst of light, Rath last minute is able to silently cast a spell that protects himself and Ja-Kal. Jackie looks at the explosion and runs to the shelter of the kitchen, as he runs the Shabtis who are caught in the blast are disintegrated. The acrobatic archeologist runs on tables, jumps off Shabtis, and even throws a plate at a Shabti like a discus. Jackie jumps over the window and crouches with Amanda. She looks on at her date who is breathing heavily, adrenaline pumping through him. The two of them look at each other.
Jackie: Are you okay?
Amanda nods and after a moment of silence they begin to kiss. Jackie then holts the kiss saying "We can do this in a minute have to see what's going on, thank you!". He peaks up from the window to see the two mummified warriors stand firmly in a vacant restaurant floor. Scarab, Heka, Rath, and Ja-Kal are all in on a stand off with the orb still hovering around them.
Scarab: I am only going to say this one more time! Get out of my way!
Ja-Kal: What do you seek Scarab?
Scarab: The same thing I have been seeking all this time Ja-Kal!
Scarab's wings form from his armor and flies at Ja-Kal and the two collide mid-air. While they are at each other's throats Rath goes for the orb only for it teleport out of the room. Scarab looks up from the ground, he cries out "NOOOOO! I WAS NOT FINISHED!". Scarab quickly grabs Heka from off of the ground and then flies away. Ja-Kal and Rath look on at night sky from the window Scarab flew out of, unbeknownst to them Amanda and Jackie are watching them from the kitchen of the restaurant and the sounds of sirens can be heard in the distance.
Rath: This city's royal guard approaches, we must leave!
Ja-Kal: But what of-
Rath: Trust me they're fine! I can sense that they are safe, now we must leave!
Ja-Kal activates his magic jetpack and grabs his comrade just before they can be spotted by the San Francisco Police Department. About an hour later after being interviewed by police and being attended to by paramedics Jackie drives Amanda home. The two hang out in the car for a moment and Amanda finally breaks the silent.
Amanda: Where did you learn to move like that?
Jackie: I... I had a very good teacher.
Amanda: Could you teach me?
Jackie looks shocked he turns to her and blushes "Ha! Of course, how does this weekend sound?" he asks her. The two of them are about to go in for a kiss goond night when the sound of the door slamming open can be heard as Presley bolts out from the door yelling "Mom! Are you okay?!". Amanda looks at Jackie and mouths "I'll see you Saturday", she gets out of the car hugging her son. Jackie then leaves heading back to his apartment. On his way back his cell phone begins to ring so he picks it up to hear the voice of an angry Uncle yelling "WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT INVITING NEW PEOPLE INTO YOUR LIFE?! THE GREAT DARKNESS IS HERE IN SAN FRANCISCO!".
Jackie: Well I got a second date-
Uncle: AIYAH! A SECOND DATE?! Jackie, when will you learn?
Jackie: Uncle I really-
Uncle: One more thing! I am going to speak with Rath but I need you to talk with Captain Black. Let him know that Section 13 must mobilize immediately!
Jackie: Okay but I have-
Uncle: One more thing! New girl cannot know what we are doing just yet, until Uncle can verify that she is not a herald of this new evil!
Jackie: Trust me I am a great judge of-
Uncle then hangs up the phone before Jackie can finish his sentence. Jackie continues to drive back home to call it a night but back in the Pyramid of Harris Stone in downtown an angry Scarab flies into his private quarters. Heka slithers off of him and Amut runs up to Scarab to welcome him home but brushed off by the defeated mystic. With every step Scarab takes his armor fades away until he is now back in his robes.
Scarab: Ming! We had a deal! You promised me-
Out from the shadows Ming steps out alongside Celia Penderghast. He looks at the sorcerer like a disappointed parent.
Ming: The plan has changed.
Scarab: Changed?!
Scarab: Victory was in my grasp! You have found the legendary Summoning Key! I could level this city tenfold with it, I could very well have eternal life right now if you didn't take it from me!
Celia: Well you don't have it now do you?
Ming: Do not speak unless spoken too.
Celia turns to her master and bows her head as a form of apology. Ming begins to pace around the room and Heka begins to slither up to Scarab, she solidifies forming a cane for Scarab to lean on.
Ming: You forget what city this is sorcerer!
Ming's robotic hand creates a projection of various heroes and government agents who call this place home.
Ming: The Titans, Shang Chi, Mandrake the Magician, Section 13, Kim Wu, Te Xuan Ze, and a handful of Temple Guardians and those are just the ones I've confirmed that live here. There are plenty regular sightings of Venom, Carmen Sandiego, a Deadsec installation, and others have been spotted in this city regularly. Even if you were to defeat those mummies and you would have... You would still have to deal with one of those factions sooner or later.
Scarab: You don't not think I can take Trigon's bastard daughter or Mandrake's posh illusions?
Ming: Oh I didn't say that! The point is I need the Summoning Key where I need it and I am not ready to give it up yet. You shall obtain the soul of Rapses and even his mother if you yearn it.
Scarab: I require his soul to live! My time on this Earth is running out!
An ominous voice from the shadow can be heard saying "Do not worry my pupil! Soon you will gorge on every soul in this city!". Scarab's eyes widen unsure if his ears are fooling him.
Scarab: I know that voice! It cannot be!
The replies from the shadows "Oh but it can!" and Kan-Ra steps out from the shadows alongside Ming and Celia Penderghast. Scarab is dumbfounded by the sight of his former master being a decrepit mummy.
Scarab: Master, you're alive!
Kan-Ra: In a matter of speaking yes! But with Ming's resources we shall tap into powers far greater than the combined might of Gargos and Darkseid combined! Oh, and congratulations on passing the test my former apprentice. You always were my favorite pupil!
Scarab: Test?
Ming: Come Scarab, did you really think I would give you the tool you have needed for so long so that you could hold Rapses mother hostage? It is time we discussed my true plans and your place in it.
Ming then pulls the Summoning Key seemingly from nowhere and let's hover in front of the entire room. The group of villains all look at the mystical object with a sinister glee on their faces while Amut hides behind a couch looking sad and fearful.