The sun had begun to rise when we arrived back at the mummies' base and I'll admit I had a huge smile on my face from my ride in the Hot Ra. Though as Nefer-Tina expertly maneuvered the vehicle into the garage I saw Rath standing there, his arms crossed and with a frown on his face which tempered my good mood a little.
Especially when Nefer-Tina who parked the vehicle climbing out and I sighed, already waiting for Rath to scold us as I climbed out after her. As we started to walk back into the main room I looked at Nefer-Tina, giving her a quick grin which she echoed. Once we arrived back in the room I'd woken in I stopped walking looking towards Rath who had been quiet the entire walk back.
"Rath, I can explain." Nefer-Tina started but he held up a bandaged hand waving towards the sarcophagi lining the back wall. "Yeah I'm beat. Wake me in a few hours." She yawned, giving me a wave as she walked towards the smaller sarcophagi with the cat etched onto it. Once she climbed inside, closing the lid behind her, Rath turned to me and I noted the way he was staring at me.
"Miss Price, would you like to explain why you wandered off like that?" Rath asked and I rolled my eyes which just made him even more annoyed. "I've been waiting for hours for you to return so let's hear it."
"Hear what, Rath?" I asked and when he answered I blinked. "Excuse me? There's no way I'm apologizing. Besides you dragged me here against my will so you should be the one apologizing to me." I shot back, crossing my arms with a faint smile when he coughed.
"Miss Price, you should not have raced off like that. Someone could have seen you and followed you back here." Rath told me and gave him a tiny smile not caring at all.
"Did you have any luck finding a way to send me back? Or better yet how to change me back to my living self?" I asked Rath whose attention moved to the table and when he started to wander towards his own sarcophagus I followed him, watching as his hands rested at his sides which gave me all the answers I needed. "You don't know how to do either of those things do you?" I asked him and he just cleared his throat.
"I didn't say that, Miss Price." Rath told me, reaching for his sarcophagus's lid until I stepped in front and he stared as I blocked his path. "What are you doing?"
"My name is Jade, Rath and if you didn't bring me here why am I here? Not to mention why am I a mummy?" I insisted and after thinking about this for several seconds Rath just shrugged. "So you're telling me I'm trapped here like this forever?"
"Maybe not forever but it may take some time to reverse this spell. Until then you will remain here." Rath said, gently pushing me to one side so he could pull open the lid of his sarcophagus. "Now if you'll excuse me I could use a nap." He yawned, climbing inside pulling the lid shut while I tried to think of a response.
"Oh wonderful. Now what am I supposed to do?" I complained but he didn't answer and I sighed to myself, moving towards the couch. "Guess I can stay here for an hour or two."
After I sat there watching the TV with the sound down for about an hour and bored of the news I clicked the TV off, looking towards the shelves of scrolls. "Maybe I could find a way to fix this even if Rath can't." I muttered moving towards them only to hear a meow and I looked down when something brushed my legs. "Oh hello, Khati. Nice to meet you too." I said as Khati, Rapses' mummified cat, meowed at my feet.
Kneeling I stroked her head and she purred as she rubbed her head against my hand. "Good girl. Who's a pretty kitty?" I said when she climbed into my arms. "Maybe you can show me around instead of that stuffy mummy hmm?"
With the sacred cat in my arms I wandered away from the sarcophagus walking off further into the mummies' base.
Later that day the lid to Ja-Kal's sarcophagus opened and as he emerged he stretched. Stepping down from the platform he looked around, frowning when he couldn't see Jade. "I wonder where Jade went?" He muttered, looking over when Nefer-Tina and Armon emerged from their own sarcophagi joining Ja-Kal on the floor. "Have you seen Jade? She is not here." He asked and Armon just shrugged looking at Nefer-Tina who grinned.
"The last time I saw Jade she was talking to Rath. Speaking of Rath where is he?" Nefer-Tina asked only to hear Rath's sarcophagus opening and they watched as he climbed out, yawning.
As soon as he rejoined his friends he noticed that they were staring at him and after an awkward pause he blinked. "Is there something wrong?" He finally asked.
"Jade's missing, Rath. Do you happen to know where she went?" Ja-Kal asked and he paused, rubbing at his chin before he shook his head.
"I asked her to remain in the sphinx." Rath sighed and at his side Nefer-Tina laughed getting a frown from Rath. "What is so amusing?"
"Like she's going to listen to you, Rath. Jade could be anywhere by now." Nefer-Tina pointed out and he groaned, heading towards the archway until everyone stared as I wandered in with Khati at my heels.
"Why are you all looking at me like that? I just went for a walk." I told the mummies as I headed their way. "Well that and I cleaned Khati's litter-box." I added as Khati rubbed against my heels. "You're welcome, Khati."
"At least someone did." Nefer-Tina said, looking towards Armon who just shrugged as Khati leapt up and around his shoulders.
"You should not have wandered off like that, Jade. Anything could have happened to you." Rath scolded and I rolled my eyes at him, tapping my foot against the stone floor.
"Rath, all I did was go for a walk." I explained as he looked at me with one eyebrow raised. "Besides I was bored stiff and I don't like just sitting around doing nothing."
"Well I did promise to find a way to change you back and send you back home. Very well then I'll try again." Rath promised and I gave him a tiny smile as he headed towards the table near the wall. "Though it could take a long time." He added as I followed him.
As I watched he pulled several scrolls from a ledge and as he set them carefully down I stood near him watching with interest as Rath unrolled one. "Now let's see where I left off earlier." He muttered once again not paying any attention to me.
"Here we go again." I muttered looking back at Ja-Kal, Nefer-Tina and Armon who just shook their heads at me. "Well since you're too busy I'm going outside into the city."
The instant he heard that Rath turned around, frowning at me as soon as I walked back to my friends. "Hold on a moment, Jade. You are not leaving this Sphinx." He told me and I turned around when he set down the scroll he was reading, moving to block my path.
"Do you honestly believe I'm going to listen to you, Rath after you dragged me here?" I shot back pushing him aside though as I exited the room heading in the direction of the front entrance, at least I hoped it was anyway, he followed.
"Should we go after them?" Armon asked but Nefer-Tina shook her head. "Huh? Why not?"
"Rath caused this and since it's his problem we should let them figure it out." Nefer-Tina commented and Ja-Kal shook his head.
"Only Rath can fix this so we should let him deal with Jade." Ja-Kal agreed as Rath followed me through the Sphinx.
"Jade, will you slow down?" Rath asked as I walked just in front of him. When I didn't he rolled his eyes matching my pace and now walking side by side I turned my head slightly to see him frowning at me his arms at his sides. "A little better I suppose. Now where exactly are you going?"
"I really don't know. I've never been here remember?" I pointed out, slowing when I reached another door. "Hmm what's this?"
"That would be a door, Jade." Rath replied and I snorted at him pushing at the door though when it didn't open I stared at it, poking it with my fingers. "Oh you meant where does it lead? Here let me show you." He added, waving his hand over it and once it glowed the door slid open.
"Thank you, Rath. Now where does this door lead?" I asked Rath who just waved on through. Shrugging I walked through the open doorway finding myself outside in the bright sunlight and I grinned. When I rushed out Rath shook his head racing after me until I stopped abruptly and he bumped into me. "Calm down, Rath. I was just enjoying the sunshine."
"Well I'll admit it is rather nice out here today but you should be more careful about being seen." Rath answered and I sighed, looking up at the sun.
"I'm not going to run off if that's what you think. I just wanted to breathe some fresh air even if I'm technically dead now." I replied, cracking a smile at how weird that sounded. Standing in the sunshine I stretched finding that the pain I'd felt hours ago had vanished and I grinned to myself, looking up at the clear blue sky until Rath clearing his throat made me look back at him. "Is something wrong?"
"I've been getting the distinct feeling that you are mad at me." Rath answered and I just shrugged watching on slightly amused when he raised both eyebrows at me. "Well that doesn't answer anything." He complained and I giggled walking to his side and he blinked back at me when I gave his left shoulder a light pat.
"Relax, Rath I wasn't angry just disappointed but that's over now. It was an accident and I know you'll get me back home. In the meantime you can make it up to me with one little request." I replied and he fixed me with a wide-eyed stare until I giggled. "Nothing bad I promise."
"Oh very well. Let's hear this request of yours." Rath finally answered when I started to head back inside the Sphinx. Once we reentered the garage I headed straight for the Jetcycle and once Rath saw that he frowned at me.
"Oh no. There is no way I'm letting you ride that." Rath told me and I whirled around chewing my lip at him. "That will not work, Miss Price. I'm too smart to fall for that look."
A few minutes later Rath sighed to himself, sitting on the front of the Jetcycle as it shot out of the Sphinx. "I cannot believe I fell for that." Rath muttered and I giggled, my arms wrapped around his waist as he drove the Jetcycle between traffic.
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Rath. You're not the first person who's fallen for my puppy-dog eyes." I told him and he turned his head slightly giving me a blank stare. "Oh lighten up. This is fun."
"Yes I suppose it is nice to get out into the fresh air without having to deal with Scarab." He agreed, looking ahead and I grinned as he gunned the engine speeding up. Laughing I held on tight as he shot forward and even Rath had to admit this was kind of fun until I saw his eyes widen.
"Rath, what's wrong...whoa!" I yelped as a fireball shot towards us and Rath revved the engine again, both of us ducking as the fireball flew over us. "That was too close." I gasped and he nodded as he sped across the street another fireball nearly hitting the Jetcycle.
"Scarab." Rath whispered and I swallowed, looking around in time to see Scarab who held Heka the snake in his hands. He just laughed at us Heka sending a wall of flames towards the front wheel of the Jetcycle and I yelped as we shot towards it. Just as we were about to hit the flames Rath pressed something on the Jetcycle and a set of wings appeared near our legs. "Hold on tight, Jade." He told me not that I wasn't already as the Jetcycle left the ground just clearing the flames and I let out a yell as we flew straight towards Scarab.
Shaking his head Scarab changed into his beetle armor, the wings of his armor emerging. "I told you I sensed those accursed mummies. Hmm I can only see Rath and someone else. No matter destroying one will be worth the effort." He told Heka, taking to the air when the Jetcycle flew too close. "Always running my plans." He added, flying past us as Rath landed on the pavement below.
"What is he doing here?" Rath muttered, looking at Scarab who glared at him as he hovered several feet in the air. When Scarab aimed Heka at us he revved the engine, turning the Jetcycle in a quick circle before he started to head back to the Sphinx and I gripped his back glancing up in time to see a fireball heading towards us.
"Rath, heads up!" I shouted a warning but he just ignored me, causing me to quickly grab his chin and jerk his head towards the fireball. "Fireball!" I added and he frowned at me only changing direction once he saw how close we were to being struck. He managed to dodge the first fireball and as the next missed us I started to think we'd get back. Until Scarab aimed Heka at the back wheel and I yelped as the Jetcycle started to weave back and forth.
"They hit the back wheel. We're going to crash!" I yelped as the Jetcycle sped through the streets barely able to dodge traffic as Rath tried his best to reach the Sphinx. Finally it started to trail smoke and with a shake of his head he lifted his head.
"With the strength of Ra!" He shouted, his amulet glowing and in a flash of green light armor covered his bandages. "Excuse me." He said and I raised both eyebrows as he quickly lifted me off the bike and into his arms. He leapt into the air and I quickly wrapped my arms around his neck, afraid I would fall as the Jetcycle sped out of control onto the grass of the park surrounding the area. It struck a birdbath, crashing and I let out a breath as we landed safety.
"You may let go of me now, Jade. You are safe now." Rath muttered and I quickly untangled myself from his arms hoping mummies couldn't blush. "Come on." He said, grabbing my arm and I blinked as he pulled me towards the nearby trees.
"Wait can't you fight him?" I asked, keeping my voice low as we ducked into some bushes. While we hid I peeked out noting that Scarab hadn't followed us when we didn't hear anything approach our hiding place.
"Not on my own. That would be foolish." Rath explained, leaning out to check if anyone was nearby. Once he noticed what I did he shook his head. "Thankfully Scarab couldn't risk being seen so we can safety head back." He added as he stepped out of the bushes heading for the Jetcycle until I saw him freeze. I was just climbing out of the bushes when he rushed towards me pulling me back and I stumbled landing hard as he knelt.
"Rath, what was that for?" I growled at him, trying to rise until he set a hand down on my shoulder a hand clamping over my mouth when I started to protest. My voice muffled I chose to glare at him instead but he didn't even notice my eyes narrowed in his direction his gaze on two men who walked right past our hiding place looking like they were made of stone or clay.
"Shabti sent by Scarab. Keep your voice down." Rath hissed at me and I rolled my eyes at him. "I'll uncover your mouth if you promise to keep quiet."
Unable to answer I nodded instead and he gave me a quick nod in understanding, carefully taking his hand away. "That's better. Those things are after us right?" I whispered and he fixed me with one raised eyebrow. "Sorry." I muttered but the Shabti didn't spot us and I watched as Rath peeked over the edge of the bushes we were currently using as cover.
"They're made by Scarab and yes they are looking for us. Well actually just me." Rath explained and I pulled a face, glaring at the Shabti as they wandered around the park.
"Oh so I don't rate a second glance. Typical." I complained as Rath waved me to follow him. As quietly as we could we left the safety of the bushes once the Shabti were too far away to spot us. As we grew closer to the safety of the Sphinx the armor surrounding Rath glowed vanishing and he sighed, beckoning to follow as he started to sprint. I chased him across the lawn eventually spotting the Sphinx and I couldn't have been happier to see the mummies' base as we rushed inside.
"That was too close." Rath muttered, following me into the statue. "We will have to retrieve the Jetcycle once it is safe. Whatever was I thinking taking it for a..."
"Joyride?" I offered and he nodded, only remembering he was mad with me when he saw me smiling. "Hey I didn't know that Scarab would be out to ruin our fun." I protested as we walked back into the main room of the sphinx.
"That maybe true but you put us in very real danger." Rath insisted and I crossed my arms falling into step beside him. "Though I will admit that was enjoyable for a while."
"Yeah right until Scarab showed up to ruin our fun. You're a pretty good rider, Rath." I admitted, playfully smacking his back and he jumped fixing me with a blank stare as I giggled. "Come on let's go tell everyone that you wreaked the Jetcycle."
"I wreaked it? You wanted to go for a ride." Rath pointed out and I just shrugged as I started to jog causing the mummy to speed up. "Hey wait for me!" He called out as he chased after me.