Return of the Old World
Ch7: Taste of the Old World
A few hours later in China Town, Jade sits in her room in the apartment above the antique shop waiting for her Uncles and Tohru to comeback home. She patiently waits by the upstairs window when she sees Jackie's car and the Hot Ra trailing behind him. Jackie, Uncle, Tohru, and the Mummies all pour out of their respective vehicles and walk into the shop. Jade leans over the railing to see Jackie and Uncle leading the group into Uncle's study in the back. Jade runs down the stairs to talk with them.
Jade: Hey guys did you find Presley? Do know where he's being held? When are we storming the castle?
The group walks past Jade with the exception of Jackie and Tohru, they both yell out "Jade!" as they ambush her with a big hug. While she's appreciate she's confused as to why they're hugging her so tight. She scrunches her face and raises an eye brow.
Jade: Uhh… Hey guys good to see you too. So when are we-
Jackie pulls away from the hug and then tell his niece, "You are not going anywhere! Tohru, Armon, and I just got back from the most horrendous experience and you are staying here!" Jade goes to interject but looks at Tohru's face. The sumo is nodding at what Jackie says and is clearly shaken by what he saw. From the private study Uncle yells to them "Are you two coming?". Jackie pats Jade on the shoulder and walks off with Tohru into the study, they close the door behind him but that doesn't stop Jade from putting her ear to the door.
Inside the back room the Chan's and the Mummies huddle over the table. Uncle and Rath move stacks of books and scrolls off of the table whike Jackie unrolls a massive map of San Francisco on the table. Khati jumps up on the table on the part of the map in the Bay. Rath looks out at the group before turning to Nefertina asking her "Would you hand me the book Khati brought us?", Nefertina hands her scholarly ally the mythology book. The rest of the group with the exception of Uncle look confused as to why a mythology book would help them, as Rath takes the book he waves his hand on on the cover causing it to glow. The book levitates above his palm and flies directly towards the map, the bottom left corner of the book lands firmly on a spot of the map showing downtown San Francisco.
Rath: It is as I feared…
Jackie: Where is he?
The book then shoots up a small beam of light from the top two corners projecting a small holographic image of Scarab's Pyramid. The group looks at the holographic projection, their speculation about who Scarab really is has been confirmed.
Jackie: That's not good…
Ja-Kal: He truly has been hiding in plain sight this whole time! We must leave at once!
Right before Ja-Kal can storm out of the office he is stopped by Nefertina and Jackie who stand in front of the door pointing back towards the two scholars of the group. Ja-Kal turns around with a scowl on his face, he knows that every moment in the shop is another moment Presley is in danger but he stays and hears Rath and Uncle out.
Rath: If we are going to rescue the Prince from Scarab's pyramid we must battle our way through an army of Shabti's, traps, Heka, Kan-Ra, a ninja assassin, Scarab armed with the Summoning Key…. Possibly his benefactor as well…
Jackie: I might have a lead on that. Earlier this afternoon, Harris brought a man to Museum I've never seen before. He was tall with bright yellow eyes. Not much of a description but-
Ja-Kal then interjects angrier then before "We can worry about WHO the man is later, we must devise a plan to rescue Presley. Even with our combined resources we would need an army!" Rath looks down at the table defeated but Uncle looks at Jackie and Tohru smirking and the two members of the extended Chan family nod back and from her hiding place Jade nods her head muttering to herself "Say less!" and immediately heads to the Hot Ra to hide in the trunk. The mummies look at their newfound allies confused so Armon raises his hand with his pojntand asks the question, "You guys have had an army this whole time?".
Jackie: Not exactly an army, they are an allies. Section Thirteen is a government agency based here in San Francisco. They'll have the numbers and the firepower we would need.
Ja-Kal: What are we waiting for!? Let's-
Before he can call the mummies to arms Rath cuts him off before by saying "Before we go there is something I must tell all of you. Something I have been keeping from my comrades for over 3500 years." The three mummies and even Khati all exchange looks of confusion while Tohru and Jackie just shrug but Uncle simply nods knowing what Rath is about to tell them.
Rath: I fear the real reason as to why Scarab is after young Rapses…
Armon energetically responds "It's because his soul will make Scarab immortal!" Armon looks in like a little child just answered a question right in school but Rath keeps on discussing the real reason.
Rath: Yes, but have you ever asked the question, WHY?
The mummified warriors all look at one another shaking their heads in unison. None of them have thought about this at all.
Rath: Before Rapses was born, the gods bestowed upon Rapses untapped power to combat an evil prophesied to return and destroy our world. The evil however was lost time to but Kan-Ra when he was still the Chief Priest of Pharaoh instructed both Scarab and I that we would be responsible teaching Rapses how to use his powers, of course Kan-Ra has different ideas as to what he wanted for Rapses.
Uncle: Because Presley's past life has been bestowed with such awesome power that some of his essence was able to escape Scarab the first time that fateful day in Egypt.
Rath: With the appearance of the Summoning Key in this modern age I think we know what that evil is…
Jackie, Tohru, Armon, and Ja-Kal all exchange glances at one another as they know the evil the Apathicons will wreak havoc if they're not stopped. Nefertina steps forward and asks the question that is on the minds of the other mummies.
Nefertina: So Prince Rapses… Has been a god this whole time?
Rath: Yes but if we don't save Presley now-
Ja-Kal murmurs to himself "The end of days…". The leader of the mummies takes one last look at the room before opening the door and leads the group to their vehicles. Jade sits patiently in the Hot Ra's trunk, she feels movement in the cab of the Hot Ra and that the magic car is now moving. She nods with a smirk on her face and begins to relax. She lays down with the back of her head on her hands and big smirk on her face. Outside of the Hot Ra, Jackie drives his car with Uncle in the passenger seat. The archeologist leads the way to the back alley entrance to Section Thirteen. The uncle/nephew duo drive in silence as they speed down the road before Jackie asks Uncle a question.
Jackie: Uncle these "Apothicons"… are they really dangerous as you and Rath say?
Uncle: You were in Ja-Kal's dream and have seen the Summoning Key in action… You tell Uncle. Their stories are not nearly as common as the Demon Sorcerers or Oni Generals but I assure you if they are even half true then they are still twice as dangerous!
The two of cars drive off with Hot Ra tailing behind them with Nefertina clearly having tunnel vision and her hands firmly around the wheel. Ja-Kal is in the passenger seat fuming while Armon, Tohru, and Khati all sit in the back seats very clearly cramped. The two gentle giants are trying to make small talk to distract them from how cramped they are.
Armon: You still up for Beefy Burger after this?
Tohru looks at his new mummy friend and chuckles telling him, "Yes I would like that very much." The two of them stop talking for a brief moment but then Armon asks him "You never told me what you didn't like in the dream?" Tohru looks at him and responds with "Fish. I hate fish…". Nefertina interjects telling her passengers "I don't mean to interrupt your discussion about food but I think we're here". Jackie and Uncle get out of their car and walk over to the cockpit of the Hot Ra. Jackie knocks on the cockpit and Nefertina lowers it.
Jackie: Uncle and I will go in first, Tohru please stay with them while we ease Captain Black into everything that has happened.
Tohru nods at his longtime friend and Jackie walks to the old phone both alongside Uncle and activate the elevator feature within it. The mechanism pulls them into the building with an extreme quickness and begins to descend just as quickly. Inside phone booth elevator going to Section 13, Jackie and Uncle are solemnly looking at the walls as they rapidly descend towards Section 13's HQ. Almost conveniently Captain Black standing beside the elevator talking to another member of the government agency. The captain looks to see Jackie and Uncle sternly walk out of the elevator.
Capt Black: Jackie! Been awhile since you've been down here, what can I do for you?
Uncle: No time for formalities! Immortal sorcerer has kidnapped reincarnated Egyptian Pharaoh! We must make haste!
Captain Black and the other agent both look at each other confused, Captain Black then asks "Ummm, well who is the sorcer-" suddenly an agent on the floor interjects over the intercom saying "We've got visual on field asset Tohru and what appears to be a handful of mummies inside of some sort of suped up hot rod sir!". Captain Black then looks down at his phone to see the security footage of Tohru in the passenger side seat of the Hot Ra. He looks up at Jackie and Uncle confused at first and then harkens to back to the various demonic entities and supernatural threats Jackie has stopped during his tenure at Section 13.
Capt Black: Let them in! Once they're in bring them to the briefing room!
A few minutes go by and group of armed guards bring Tohru and the mummies into the briefing room. The group all take their seats but Ja-Kal elects to stand.
Capt Black: I must admit I'm not used to help that looks looks like, well…
Jackie then nervously chuckles and says "Too last minute to call El Toro and Viper…". Captain Black and the other Section 13 operatives look on nervously at the mummies. One of them looks at Ja-Kal and asks "So are you like a zombie or-?".
Ja-Kal: No, I am the angry Lion that has lost his cub to a pack of ravenous Hyenas! Chan, this is the mighty army you spoke of? All I see are bureaucrats.
Capt Black: Take it easy there Sligh-Ten-Common (figure out how to spell this). The men and women in this organization are responsible for taking down multiple demons, sorcerers, crime syndicates, and all manner of other threats. If anyone is qualified to rescue this reincarnated Pharaoh it's us! Now do we know where the hostage is?
Uncle then points his pufferfish at the table projecting a small hologram of Scarab's pyramid in downtown San Francisco onto it.
Capt Black: You've gotta be kidding…
Uncle: I never kid!
Rath: Harris Stone, died decades ago. His imposter is the scourge of the desert, Scarab.
Nefertina: During the reign of the Pharaoh's, he murdered Prince Rapses and took his soul. His soul is so powerful however that Scarab was only able to absorb a fraction of its power.
Rath: Now, Scarab has captured the reincarnation of Rapses and seeks to end the mission he set out to accomplish centuries ago.
Capt Black: I always thought Stone was a basket case but nothing like this… Kepler can you get a visual of Stone's Pyramid.
Kepler: Funny you mention it, I've been getting weird energy readings all night.
Kepler pulls up footage on the flat screen monitor in the room of drone footage of the Pyramid and then activates thermal imaging to reveal that the building is red hot and the energy levels are only rising.
Rath: The ritual has begun!
Ja-Kal then slams his fist on the conference room table. He then looks up telling the group "We must leave at once!". Captain Black looks at Jackie and Uncle and asks them "So if we don't save this kid are we talking the end of the world?". Uncle then cocks his eyes at the super spy and says "End of all worlds…". Captain Black then nods and telling the Section 13 agents in the conference room "I need every available field agent in the Bay Area to rendezvous two blocks from that building!".
One of the agents in the room quickly raises concern to Captain Black, "But sir! This is a logistical nightmare is it not? Sending armed government agents into a building just on the word of a couple walking corpses and a crack pot?". Uncle then practically leaps out of his car and has to be held back by Tohru and Armon.
Uncle: AIYAH! WHO ARE YOU CALLING A CRACKPOT?! I KNOW ITS NOT UNCLE!
Captain Black: Jackie and his Uncle have saved this world and have proven time and time again that despite the paperwork after the fact… it's worth it every time! Let's move people!
Meanwhile inside Scarab's pyramid, Presley comes too and realizes he's strapped to a table. Presley begins to squirm in the hope of breaking free but nothing seems to work but that's when he hears the voice of a man telling him "I would relax young pharaoh. Those restraints Kan-Ra created only grow tighter as you struggle". This voice is a masculine voice but speaks in a calm elegance that does not match the raspiness of Scarab.
Presley: Who's there?!
Out from the shadows Ming steps into the light standing over Presley. Presley looks at Ming like a dog with a tale between its legs.
Ming: I am called the Yellow Shadow, but you can call me Ming. Tell me, do you prefer Presley or Rapses?
Presley: Let me go!
The familiar rasp of Scarab can be heard from the shadows "Is that anyway to talk to your elders Rapses? Even in this modern age your manners are horrendous!". Scarab then steps into the light alongside Heka slithering behind him.
Presley: The mummies will come for me! They'll get me out of here!
Scarab: I have no doubt they will try but they will ultimately fail. May I ask a question young Prince? Do you know why your soul is the key to eternal life?
Presley: I don't know Scarab! When I'm not with mummies fighting you I'm studying for math tests, I don't exactly have a lot of time to read for fun!
Another raspy voice from above says "He lies! I have peered into his mind, he recently stumbled across the showing him what once was his destiny!". The group looks up to see Kan-Ra descend while floating and Ming peers into Presley's mind as well to see he found the book in the school library.
Ming: You think we're the villains from your cartoons when you were a boy? That we are fooled by your lies?
Kan-Ra then makes a fist causing Presley's restraints to not only grow tighter but send an electric shock down throughout Presley's body causing the young boy to scream out in pain, from the rafters of the room Celia Penderghast watches on and can't help but think back to her time as a prisoner of the DUP and how Brooke Augustine would use very similar methods of "treatment" to activate her powers. She can't help but feel for Presley as she looks away and tries to ignoring the young boy crying out in pain. Ming, Kan-Ra, and Scarab all stand over the boy. While Ming's face is cold and emotionless Kan-Ra and Scarab have sinister grin across their faces'.
Ming: We will be happy to explain your destiny young Pharaoh. You see long ago the multiverse was under siege by a race of beings called Apathicans, they invaded several universes with their monstrosities and necromancy.
Kan-Ra: A collection of warriors were successfully able to to halt them and restart the entire multiverse, but in the process erasing multiple universes and branching timelines from existence. Very few beings from that period of time remembered them except the gods!
Scarab: Certain Pantheons and even individual god's within those pantheons all had different plans to combat these monsters if they were to ever crawl out of the darkness. The Olympians bread a race of demigod warriors that are still training to this day, Odin of the Aesir sends his Valkriyes to battlefields across the cosmos to gather the souls of the most cunning and brave warriors, and even Bast gave the people of Wakanda the Heart Shaped Herb to empower them when the time comes.
Ming: But Ra, Osiris, and the other gods of Egypt they had a different plan. While yes Bast and Khonshu and had their champions through out the centuries. They chose you, the son of Ahmenhotep for when the time was right to defend the mortal world from these eldritch abominations.
Scarab: In turn they fused your soul with the very light of creation and a life bringing energy that was long speculated to have been lost to time.
Presley: So you plan on taking my soul and then what?
Kan-Ra: Once we take your soul and use it to empower ourselves, we shall free these beats from the darkness they are imprisoned in of course!
Presley's eyes widen in fear at the insane plan to release the monsters that plagued the original multiverse.
Presley: WHAT?! ARE YOU ALL NUTS?! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?
Ming: The Apathocan's much like you have powers that most can barely comprehend. We shall absorb their power like we shall with yours and we shall reconstruct this universe atom by atom, brick by brick until we have a true "equilibrium".
Presley: You're going to destroy the universe!
Heka: Didn't you just listen to the man! We're not destroying the universe, we're making it better!
Ming then turns to the window to look out at the San Francisco skyline. He walks closer to the window and begins to study the ground below. Scarab, Kan-Ra, and Heka all look confused.
Scarab: What troubles you Ming?
Ming: The Mummies and Chan, they come with assistance of Section Thirteen. They will be here soon, we must ready ourselves. Celia!
Celia then jumps down from the rafters and kneels towards Ming. He puts his robotic hand on her shoulder telling her "You must be here to defend the boy with Scarab and Kan-Ra. Nobody leaves this place alive!". She rises and nods at her sensei. Ming then turns to the two undead sorcerers and Heka.
Ming: Use the Summoning Key. It's the only way to achieve victory this night!
Across the city flying through the sky, two black helicopters fly towards the massive pyramid. Both helicopters are filled to the brim with some of Section 13's best field agents but the one helicopter taking the lead has Jackie, Uncle, Captain Black, Rath, and Ja-Kal planning their assault with a small hologram of the pyramid hovering between the group members. Rath points to the middle of the
Rath: I have been studying Scarab's pyramid for a handful of years. Scarab's penthouse is no doubt where the soul sucking ritual will take place. We have to assume the Pyramid is crawling with Shabti's. Which is why it's imperative we hit this two frontal assault with our ground associates at the exact same time!
Captain Black then presses his comm link in his ear asking "You hear that big guy?" and the voice of Tohru responds with "Loud and clear Captain Black we are waiting for your signal now!". The spy master looks toward the cockpit and see Scarab's Pyramid, clouds swirling around the apex of the pyramid. Captain Black nods to himself and radios go Tohru "Ram it!". Back down on the roads of Downtown the Hot Ra barrels down the road alongside two armored trucks. Inside the Hot Ra an armored Nefertina and Ja-Kal sit in the front while Tohru and Khati are in the back eyes locked into the front doors of the Pyramid.
Jade feels the speed in the trunk and is unsure of what's going on so covers her head bracing for impact. Back in the helicopter the Captain turns to the two movies giving them a thumbs up, they side door then opens. The two mummified warriors turn to each other and then jump out while crying out "With the Strength of Ra!" transforming mid air. Ja-Kal activates his jet pack and begins to shoot at the row of windows shattering them while simultaneously the Hot Ra crashes into the front door. Rath begins to battle Shabti's on the floor he's on while Ja-Kal begins to shoot at them like fish in barrel. The helicopters pull to the side opening the doors letting Jackie, Uncle, Captain Black, and a dozen other Section 13 field agents out all armed to the teeth to fight the clay warriors.
Down on the first floor Nefertina pounces out of the cockpit onto a Shabti while Armon, Tohru, and Khati follow behind her. Armon charges into the fray with multiple Section 13 field agents piling out of their armored trucks behind him. The armored mummy cries out "LETS KICK TUT!" as the fight ensues Jade peaks her head out from the trunk of the Hot Ra to see all of the fighting happen. Bullets and lasers from the magic staffs are firing every which way, the sound of Nefertina's whip cracking echoes throughout the hall, and Armon bulldozing Shabti's while leading soldiers down the hall.
Tohru is in the middle of fighting three Shabti's he takes the staff of and breaks it over his knee, the sumo grabs another Shabti holding him over his head throwing him into the other causing the two clay warriors to crash into the nearby wall. Tohru turns around because he feels that something is off and turning around only confirmed his suspicions. The good natured Sumo turns to see Jade with a wide eyed gaze on her face standing on top of the Hot Ra.
Tohru: JADE?!
Four Shabti's walk up to the Hot Ra with their mystic staffs in hand ready to shoot at the young girl but with one shoulder check from the sumo they fall like dominos. Jade snaps out of it and looks at her friend with a big smile on her face but Tohru will not return the smile.
Jade: T! You were right real life fire fights are nothing like the games we play!
Tohru shakes his head then looks up to her telling Jade, "Stay here, it'll be safer inside the Hot Ra!" but then Nefertina is slammed back into hood of the Hot Ra by a 10 ft tall Shabti, the large clay statue goes for the kill raising his fist only to be disintegrated by a blast from Tohru's magic puffer fish. Nefertina turns around to thank Tohru but is caught off guard by seeing Jade.
Nefertina: You shouldn't be here! Stay in the Hot Ra!
Armon can beard down the hallway telling the remains heroes and soldiers "Hey guys I found an elevator come on!". Tohru is about to grab Jade from the collar of her hood but she creates a "T" with her hands saying "WAIT! What happens if they sound more like clay guys down here and you guys are all upstairs!?". Tohru and Nefertina both exchange looks unsure of what to do, as the fight ends around them and the Section 13 agents move toward Armon but Tohru hears a call from Captain Black saying "All boogies on the upper floor clear we're moving to the top how are you looking Tohru?". Tohru, Nefertina, and Jade all exchange looks with one another as if they were in a Mexican standoff.
Tohru: We are headed towards your position but there is a small complication…
On the upper floors Black, Jackie, Uncle, and Rath all look at each other confused while Ja-Kal and the other field agents begins to examine the way up before leaving. Black radios back to Tohru "Go on….". The voice catches them by surprise as it's the voice of Jade saying "Look I just wanted to help! In the future I'm a spy so I fig-" but she is then cut off by Jackie and Uncle both yelling in a concerned fury.
Uncle: AIYAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!
Jackie: JADE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!
Tohru radios back telling them "What would you like us to do?" and without missing a beat Jackie tells him over the radio "STAY IN THE HOT RA!". Jackie goes to walk towards Ja-Kal but Jade responds over the radio saying "What if Scarab sends more of his goons while you're all storming the castle? What if that paper lady and the other mummy attack the car?". Jackie turns around frustrated, he looks at Captain Black.
Capt Black: Jackie if what Uncle and the Mummies say are true I can't afford to have any of my men to drive her back to base or the shop.
With a heavy sigh from Jackie he takes the radio from Captain Black telling the group on the first floor "Do not let her out of your sight!". The two separate groups of begin to make their way up the building but as they do they are being watched by Ming from the large computer monitors in Scarab's penthouse.
Ming turns to his loyal assassin Celia, he nods and tells her "It is time. Get into into position." Celia walks off into the shadows and Ming looks on at the two evil sorcerers as they prepare to take Presley's soul. Presley looks terrified he squirms and tries his best to break free of the restraints but nothing seems to work, with teary eyes Presley turns to Ming looking at him. While Ming's face shows no sympathy he also shows no malice towards the boy, instead his face is cold and expressionless. The Shin-Tan leader then disappears from Presley's sight as he fades into the shadows this gives Presley a view of the large screens showing the collective forces of the Mummies, Chans, and Section 13 all storming the Pyramid.
Presley: Looks like they'll be here soon!
Scarab: Good! The sooner we end this the better!
The two evil sorcerers raise both of their arms toward the sky causing a lightning bolt to strike the very top of the pyramid. Energy begins to surge all around them, the ground illuminates with various Egyptian hieroglyphs. The two sorcerers look at each other cackling like mad hyenas. Scarab stares Presley down one last time yelling, "YOUR SOUL IS FINALLY MINE!"