Web hosting Custom Email SiteBuilder

By Theresa Meyers and Jaime Clough

Chapter 1

Marcy MacLaren pushed a bit of wood into the fire, watching the sparks fly heavenwards as the sun sloped low over the mountains.  Sohkarra wandered up with a large pot she had just filled from the creek.  They had pitched a small tent to one side of the Dodge, and small pieces of geology equipment had already been set out.  Other geologists at the local site had pitched other tents further down the river.

"I could stay here forever," Sohkarra sighed, setting the large pot on the edge of the fire.  She tipped a few peeled vegetables from the large plastic bowl into the waiting water.  Marcy added a bit of chicken, skinned and defatted, with the baby carrots.

"Same here," Marcy nodded.  "Strange that this is where many of the quakes have been centered.  However it's where the geologists have been studying the changes in the San Andreas Fault..."

"There is much natural magic here," Sohkarra said slowly, her blue eyes sparking momentarily.  "Geb's power is intenseÖ"

"They often say that along fault lines there are strong electromagnetic readings," Marcy nodded.  "Considering how strong your psychic powers are, I'm not surprised you're sensing the changes in EM radiation..."

"So many words of this new time I must learn," Sohkarra nodded.  "I truly admire your love of nature and desire to live in harmony with it...as the people of my time did."

"Yeah..." Marcy sighed, putting the coffee pot on the large rock to heat more water for coffee later on.  Already the soup was heating nicely, as Sohkarra added a measure of flour to bulk up the broth.

"Strange that the others could not appreciate this..." Sohkarra muttered.  "When I took Ace up to the mountains he blossomed...it's only a shame that it was not to last..."

"He hasn't touched a drop since you both got back," Marcy corrected her.  "Gene told me.  There isn't any alcohol at the mansion to even tempt him."

"True...but..."

"How long are we going to stay here?" Marcy asked.  "We can't hide here forever from our problems.  Sooner or later you and I are gonna have to face reality..."

"We will face it when the time comes..."

"What if that isn't good enough?" Marcy asked.  "Sooner or later this will bite us on the backside, when we least expect it.  Believe me, I know from experience that if they want us badly enough they'll find a reason for us to return..."

"Why do I sense that your words mean more than just the battle we must fight with our enemies?" Sohkarra asked.

"When are you going to confront Ace about your feelings?" Marcy asked.

"I made it clear to him how he hurt me..." Sohkarra said firmly, indicating the matter was closed.

"That was then.  I mean long term.  You need closure.  Is this it for both of you, or is there some chance you can work it out and remain a couple?"

"Why must I make such a decision now? I'm so tired of this..." Sohkarra snorted.

"Yeah, so am I..." Marcy added.  "Like it or not I'm stuck with more responsibility now then before.  So are you.  There's nobody else who can do what we are about to do.  Are we going to continue to stay here till the danger is on top of Menne and Tina, your best friends?"

"No.  But they know if they need us..."

"I'm not talking about in battle.  Menne needs you and me now.  She's facing a very uncertain future, as is Nefertina.  And they want to help you through your problems too...just like you and I are trying to help one another now."

"I know, but..."

"I've learned a lot about you, Princess," Marcy said. "In these last two days.  And it would seem you live for your duty.  To your father Amenhotep, and to your brother.  Why not use this reason to help you decide what you're going to do about you and Ace?"

"What do you mean?"

"Whether you go or stay with Ace, you promised your brother you'd be there for him if he needed you.  After this is over...the mission for the Elder, well you might remind Ace that your duty might supercede any claim he has to you and Celestial...unless I'm mistaken.  Wasn't that why you were resurrected to begin with? To help your brother in this new time?"

"Yes...that is true.  But Celestial..."

"Screw Celestial," Marcy whispered.  "When this is over, what ties does he have to you?  Once this menace is faced you should have the choice to leave or go. The Demon told me that I only had to do this one more time for him."

"How can you be sure?" Sohkarra asked.

"Remember that the Demon said I would get a reward?  Well since I'm pregnant thatís a clear indication my duty is coming to an end.  All this time I was alive I never was able to bear children, but now that this is happening I can't help wonder if I'm going to live and die as a normal woman..."

"My duty to my father...perhaps that is an answer," Sohkarra murmured, brightening up.

"Doesn't that supercede all?  Celestial borrowed you to help me.  But when we defeat this enemy, you can remind him that you swore as a Daughter of Egypt...that you have fealty to your Masters' teachers before the Elder..."

"But the Masters did not want me to have anything to do with the Avatar," Sohkarra pointed out.  "If they were that afraidÖPlus there is always the fact they lied to me as well about certain things."

"Perhaps it's time to think about releasing yourself from all of their holds.  But for now..."

"Yes.  My brother and my guardian need me." Suddenly Sohkarra emitted a strange cry, clutching her waist as if in great pain.  It hit her like a tidal wave, her eyes flooding sapphire light as bright as a supernova.  Waves of energy misted from her body, lashing out to the campsite around them.  Blue lightening crackled as her back arched and she stood bold upright, hair frizzing with energy at the influx of visions flooding her mind.  "No!" she shouted.  "Nefertina!"

Marcy felt the backlash slam into her full force, and pushed hard against it to grab Sohkarra about the waist.  Energy surged from Sohkarra to Marcy, fusing into her skin and cells of her body. Like a sponge she siphoned off the excess power that quaked Sohkarra.  It was as if all the doors to Sohkarra's perceptions had burst wide open to loose a torrent of information as well as vivid images from all aspects of her life, before and after.  In the presence of the fault it was overloading the Princess with a level she could barely handle.  Sohkarra gasped as the blue light faded, and she felt the visions tumble into something coherent.  Slowly she caught her breath, steadying herself against the other woman.  It seemed easier to sort out the jumble now, and shut her power to a level that was more comfortable.

"Thank you...but how..." Sohkarra gasped, before she remembered the strange facet of Marcy's power.

"Just a little drain of your powers.  They must have increased for a minute because we're so close to the faultline...and to a source of high natural energy.  You got overloaded."

"I saw Nefertina...and Menne.  They were in grave peril, especially Menne.  Karahamnon wants to destroy her...but she's not the true foe, only an accomplice."

"I gathered you had a premonition...but what..."

"It was as if someone sent me a challenge," Sohkarra whispered.  "This has happened once before.  When Scarab put back one on me.  When I was scanning for my brother's spirit and he flooded me with information.  Our foe...he has done the same thing..."

"He?"

"I tried to learn who he was.  And I know...I've made a terrible mistake...and if we don't return soon, my friends will pay for it..."

"A mistake?"

"I resurrected someone and I did not fully comprehend the magnitude of what I had accomplished. "

"Who did you resurrect? Menne?"

"No.  Her husband.  It was he who had sent me the vision just now.  Of what he would do if we defied his will..."

"Wait...who is Karahamnon? Her sister right?"

"Yes.  The original Queen, and older sister.  Also wife to Tuthmosis III..."

"As in Tuthmosis III...Pharaoh?" Marcy breathed.

"Yes.  And I fear that he may be our true threat...and Karahamnon as well.  But why would she work for him?  We have to return..."

"The usual way I hope.  With all due respect you're in no shape to take us back by your misting teleportation..." Marcy said, helping her to the truck.  They began to gather up the camp and break it down.  Now was the time to take action.

Chapter 2

"You can come in now, Mr. Stanley," the obstetrician said, leaning her head out into the hallway.  Anxiously Paul sat up, throwing down his magazine.

"Is she okay?"

"She's more then that.  Why don't you come in and she can tell you herself?" the doctor asked with a smile.

Paul wrung his hands, following the doctor into the rear of the clinic in Beverly Hills.  It was one of the best, naturally, and the doctor was an old friend of his, having dated him at one time.
Menne sat on the examining table, in the hospital gown that tied up the back.  Wax paper shifted as she saw Paul entering.

"She's got something to tell you...or should I, Menne?"

"Paul..." she said, taking his hand.  "I...well...I think you should sit down for this..."

"Are you okay?" Paul asked, getting very nervous.  "You're not sick are you...and I hope to God you don't have cancer..."

"No Paul it's not that," Menne said, taking his hands in hers.  "It's something else..."

"What?" he asked eyes dark with concern.

"I'm going to have a baby," she said slowly, lowering her head.

"You're going to what?" Paul asked, voice going up in pitch.

"Congratulations Mr. Stanley, you're going to be a father!" said the doctor.

"She...she..." Paul got out, gasping as he stammered.   "Oh my God!"

"You're not...angry..." Menne asked.

"Are you shitting me?" Paul laughed, beaming with excitement.  "Whooo! This is...this is awesome!!!" He caught her up in his arms, whirling her around with an ear splitting whoop worthy of his onstage persona.   Menne felt the flood of relief and her excitement mingled with his.

"Paul..." she whispered shyly.  "You can put me down now..."

"I'm holding my baby, both of them," Paul joked, setting her down again on the table.  Turning to the doctor he asked, "So is it healthy and everything?"

"Only two months along by the look of it.  I ran all the tests, and she's perfectly healthy...and so is the baby.  I'm going to schedule an ultrasound."

"Wow this is awesome!  I'm gonna be a father!" Paul laughed, hugging Menne gently.  "Wait till Gene hears about this!!!"

"I'm so happy Paul," Menne began to cry with joy.  "I never thought I'd have this chance again...ever..."

"Well that settles it, baby!  We've got only nine...no seven months to get the deal done.  So we've got a lot of plans to make..."

"What for?"

"Our wedding," Paul said with a slow smile.  "And for the baby.  I'm gonna make an honest woman of you, remember?  We gotta get you a dress, figure out what kind of ceremony to have... I'm gonna do this right!"

"I know nothing of marriage in your ti--your society," Menne groaned.

"We'll learn together, okay?" Paul laughed, touching his forehead to hers...

Nefertina pensively rode next to Peter in his rented Jeep Cherokee, toward the source of Sohkarra's mindcast.  They pulled up to a roadside stop, and waited.  Before too long they saw the Dodge Dakota sport pull up beside them, its two occupants climbing out soon after the engine stopped. Quickly Nefertina leaped out of the Jeep and bounded over to Karra.  The two women hugged tightly while Peter trudged up to a concerned Marcy.  The look on her face make the hairs on his neck stand on end.

 "Nefertina, so glad to see you..." Karra said.

"We were worried!  Are you two all right?"

"Yes.  But we must get back.  Where's Menne?" Sohkarra asked.

"She's uh...well, she had to see the doctor," said Nefertina.

"There's been a tiny problem," Peter clarified.

"Isis what happened?"

"She's gonna have a baby," Peter finally announced.  "Boy have you two missed the fun!"

"And she and Paul are going to get married..." Nefertina blurted out.

"Wait, slow down!" Sohkarra held up a hand.  "Menne's with child?"

"Yeah, is she ever!" Peter nodded.  "We heard the news yesterday! Paul handed out cigars to all of us!  She almost passed out at this benefit Paul was asked to speak at...but that was after Paul fell off the balcony..."

"Oh man," Marcy shook her head.  Peter's nose wrinkled, as he smelled a peculiar scent from the geologist.  Was it possible?

"Wait...Paul fell?" Sohkarra asked.

"It wasn't an accident," Nefertina snarled.  "Peter and I smelled a familiar scent.  It was Karahamnon!"

"The game is afoot," Marcy whispered.

"What about Ace?" Peter asked.

"That matter will be dealt with in its own time," Sohkarra announced curtly.  Peter, would you mind terribly if I rode with Nefertina in your car, and you could ride with Marcy...there is much we must catch up on..."

"Sure," Peter nodded, and tossed the keys to Nefertina.  "See you guys back there!"

Marcy and Sohkarra exchanged glances, and nodded.  Each climbed into their respective vehicles and pulled away onto the highway.  They had no choice now. As they rode along, Nefertina updated Sohkarra on the events of the last few days, and Sohkarra shared her own revelations of the vision.  In the pit of her stomach Nefertina knew that things were coming to a climax, and that her time with Peter might be shorter than she could have wanted.

"So what is going on with you and Ace, anyway?" Nefertina asked her straight out.

"I can't let it go," Sohkarra sighed.  "He hurt me, and I can't let him forget it."

"Like you did with JaKal?" Nefertina asked.  "Bastet's whiskers, Sohkarra!  He loves you!"

"I know..." Sohkarra shook her head, shutting her eyes.  "But you and me...when all of this is over with the Avatar and the threat we must face...we have a decision to make..."

"Decide?  Oh shit I knew this was coming up!" Nefertina grumbled.

"Yes.  Will we stay with the men we have come to know...or will we leave?  Along which path does our destiny lie?"

"I freaking hate this!" Nefertina exploded.  "I'm happy for the first time in ages, and you bring up duty?  Well aren't we doing our duty helping the Avatar?"

"You forget our first duty to Amenhotep.  You are my guardian."

"Dammit this isn't fair!" Nefertina smacked the steering wheel.  Tears slipped down her cheeks.

"Nefertina, I wish you had never come after me.  This whole thing could have been avoided..."

"Well that doesn't mean shit now, does it, Karra?" Nefertina snapped.

"I know.  And I'm sorry.  But we must go back.  To JaKal.  To my brother.  I never should have left him in the first place."

"Aren't you just using this as another excuse to run away?" Nefertina yelled at her, furious now.
"So you don't have to face what you and Ace have?  When are you gonna grow up?"

"Who's running away now?" Sohkarra countered.  "I didn't ask you and Menne to follow me!"

"Wait!" Nefertina breathed, her chest heaving in and out.  "Aren't we missing the point here?  I mean we have to fight this threat, not tear into each other!  Woulda, coulda, shoulda doesnít help!  I'm sorry I ever brought up the subject of you and Ace...jeez!"

"I'm sorry too," Sohkarra apologized.  "It's just that what I choose to do with Ace is my decision alone..."

ìDamn Karra, you make it sound as if you're playing some game or something; moving chess pieces around on a board.  You of all should know the frailties of these modern humans. I also happen to know that you care for Ace more than you let on.  Otherwise he wouldn't be able to get to you like this.î

ìSometimes I think you're the one with the gift of sight,î Sohkarra mumbled.  ìYou see more than you should.î

ìBe that as it may, like you said, I'm still your guardian.  If you leave him does that mean I have to go?" This was a question Sohkarra hadn't considered.  As she saw the unhappy look on Nefertina's face, she instinctively knew that she would not stand in the way of Nefertina's happiness if she really wished to stay with the drummer.

"No I wouldn't expect you to return with me if you did not wish to.  As your Princess I have the power to release you from that duty.  I just want to know one thing...do you love Peter?"

"Yes..." Nefertina let a tear slip down her cheeks.  "Ra help me!"

"Well, that makes it harder.  And Menne..." Sohkarra had always known the risks inherent with contact with these rockers.  It now seemed that she had not been the only one to fall under their spell.  In fact, who had fallen under who's spell?  When had things gotten so complicated?

"She's gonna marry Paul.  Since she no longer has any ties to Egypt...she's free, right?"

"Yes...but unfortunately Tuthmosis doesn't share this view," Sohkarra sighed.

"Tuthmosis...the Pharaoh?"

"Whom I resurrected, one and the same." Sohkarra sighed.  "To keep Menne company.  Little did I know that Menne would come to love the present so, and grow apart from him.  Or that he would come to refuse her desires to learn about the New World as JaKal had done with me.  I wish I had never brought him back...and now his anger at her 'rejection' of him endangers us all...I should have sent him back right after the Ramses incident which made me have to bring him back at all!"

"Why is he so bullheaded about this since he divorced her in the first place?"

"It's his stubborn male pride," Sohkarra snorted.  "His ego is the size of the Pyramids.  He thinks that she has wronged him, and needs to be put into her place.  His tunnel vision won't let him see the truth for how things really are here.  He never even agreed with JaKal wishing to be with me.  Even after my father---î

"Why is Karahamnon helping him?  They hate each other, cause he exiled her from Egypt remember?"

"Her hatred of Menne is far greater than her hatred of him.  It is said that Menne supposedly sided with Tuthmosis years ago, and was responsible for telling him about her rebellion, when Karahamnon offered Menne to join her in overthrowing his rule.  Many saw Tuthmosis III as a tyrant and wanted Karahamnon to overthrow him.  But she only wanted his Throne for her own nefarious purposes.  She was cruel and wicked..."

"Man don't I know it!!" Nefertina shivered.  "And now she's back and it's been nothing but trouble..."

"I saw the whole thing...how Menne lost her powers.  Osiris himself was asked to revoke them... and it was Tuthmosis who asked this to happen.  And when Menne almost died, she refused to let her soul be judged by Thoth.  That was the ultimate rejection.  So Tuthmosis thinks he has a score to settle with Menne."

"And that ties in with who would have the power to enslave Pep," Nefertina nodded.  "Man...but Karahamnon and Tuthmosis together are two seriously big menaces!"

"A Pharaoh of Egypt has great powers," said Sohkarra.  "I may be a Princess and a Daughter of Ra, but I alone cannot be a full match for him.  He is still a Pharaoh with a Pharaoh's powers.  But I can send him back to where he comes from...I have a few tricks of my own."

"I know you can.  But what about the rest of us?"

"I have a plan.  My powers lately have been drained from helping Ace, but with sufficient rest, I will have enough to do what I must do.  However, Tuthmosis must be distracted when I cast the spell, so he cannot block me.  If an unwilling spirit is sent back it makes it all the more difficult...That is where all of you will come into the equation."

"Just let us know what to do..."

"I will.  It is imperative that we all work as one..." Sohkarra nodded. ìOnly then can we prevail.î

"You've always been born to lead, Princess." said Nefertina.  "I just hope the others will agree..."

"Yes.  I don't want Menne or Marcy put in any danger, for the children they bear..."

"Wait...hold on...you mean Marcy's also expecting?"

"Yes..." said Sohkarra slowly.  "But you didn't hear it from me.  She must choose her own time and place to reveal this to Gene..."

"Gene is the father, right?" Nefertina asked.  ìWait, how did you know?î

"Yes.  I can sense the psychic similarities of the young mind," Sohkarra nodded.  "That's how she came to know..."

"Man...this is really gonna be one big mess if we don't watch it..." Nefertina sighed.

"Indeed, I think it has already become a big mess.  But I swear I will let no harm come to either unborn child.  Now more than ever we must triumph," Sohkarra said firmly.

"Do we go looking for them, or have them find us?"

"Knowing Tuthmosis, he will come after us.  We want to surprise him first; lure him out of hiding.  If he brings us to the battle, the element of surprise will be lost; we will have lost the advantage.  So the others must be ready to take him and his allies on when they get the word..."

"Do you think you can work with Ace...given what has happened..."

"I have no choice," Sohkarra nodded.  "I can only pray that this dispute can be overlooked..."

"But after the fight, and before..."

"That's what scares me," Sohkarra admitted in a quick confession, ìI do care for him.  I'm just not sure what to do about him.î

Nefertina reached over and grabbed Sohkarra's hand in a show of support.  "It will become clear in time Karra," she said quietly.

"There you go with the reading of feelings again my friend," Sohkarra said sadly.

"I had a good teacher," Nefertina replied.  "I've been listening to you."

"Ra help you then."  The two couldn't help but grin over that.

Chapter 3

"You're what?" Peter asked, shifting in his seat.

"Pregnant.  Just like Menne," Marcy admitted.  "I figured from the look on your face you deduced it with your enhanced senses.  I figured I might as well be the one to approach you..."

"Man...does Gene know?" Peter asked.

"I only just found out, courtesy of the Princess Sohkarra," Marcy laughed slowly.  "She sensed its developing mind with her psychic powers..."

"Boy, will Gene be surprised when you tell him," Peter began, then tapered off when he saw the look of anguish in Marcy's eyes.  "That is...you are gonna tell him, right?"

"I don't know..." Marcy sighed.

"What do you mean?" Peter asked, looking scandalized.  "You gotta tell him!  I hope you're gonna keep it, 'cause you know if he found out and then you didn't..."

"That would be my decision to make, even if it was an option.  But I am keeping this baby, trust me.  It's just that I don't want it growing up in Hollywood under public scrutiny..."

"But it's Gene's baby too," Peter pointed out.  "And don't you think he has every right to know his own daughter or son?  Dammit, fathers wanna be fathers!"

"I know...but I can't get married..."

"Neither will Gene," Peter laughed.  "If that's what you're worried about, I don't think he's gonna ever walk down that aisle and say 'I do'...but he will want you to let him be part of the kid's life, most definitely!"

"I know...but his career, KISS is everything..."

"Did you ever ask him how he felt about kids?" Peter challenged her.  "For all you know he'd make a great dad!"

"Perhaps..."

"Give him a chance, Marcy.  He can be a jerk, but when it comes to protecting what's his..."

"That's what worries me.  I knew that eventually the chance might come when I would have children. I just didn't expect it to be Gene's."

"What do you mean?"

"I left behind a lover," Marcy said slowly.  "Someone who misses me very much.  But now..."

"Don't you love Gene?"

"I do, honestly.  But I don't know if I could commit to a relationship any more than friendship..."

"Still he needs to be part of that kid's life.  That's all any father would want, that is.  And if you don't tell him, he'll find out sooner or later..."

"I will tell him, but at the right time," Marcy said.  "And it will be me who reveals it...got it?"

"Okay, whatever you say...just make sure you do tell him!" Peter agreed, reluctantly.  She reached for the hands free phone, and put the earpiece into one ear, dialing Gene's number.

"Hello?" Came Gene's voice on the other end.

"We're coming back," she said.

"Are you okay hon?" Gene asked, his voice rising in anxiousness.  "Is Sohkarra coming back too?"

"Yes she is.  Something's happened.  She knows who's behind all the attacks.  And she thinks the time is at hand for the big battle...she's just not sure of when though.  Gene...is Ace there?"

"Yeah, he's been sulking around the place while you've been gone.  I've tried to talk to him..."

"Yeah...well at least he's there..." Marcy sighed.

"Has Sohkarra said anything about whether or not they're splitsville?" Gene asked slowly.

"She's uncertain.  I'm worried Gene, I can see her point of view, but then again...I have known Ace for as long as the rest of you guys and I feel badly for him. He may lose the best thing that has ever happened to him."

"I know what you mean.î Well, let's just say I have a plan..."

"I knew you would.  Why does that worry me?"

"Gimme a break," Gene groaned. "Look, work with me. Could you and I go over to Paul's tonight, and leave the place to them?"

Marcy glanced over at Peter. As if Gene knew what she was doing, said, "Peter is already in on this..."

"Good," Marcy nodded.  "And that will give us a chance to talk too.  There's something I have to tell you, Gene."

"Is everything okay?" he asked.

"It's nothing terrible," she said carefully.  "But I want a few minutes alone with you, okay?"

"Not a problem.  Those are some of my favorite words, doll," came Gene's sly answer.  He clicked off the phone, and considered the next part of his plan.  Secretly he hoped Ace could pull a major miracle and get in good with Sohkarra again.  It had been a challenge to deal with the moody Space Ace moping around the house the last two days.  However, Gene was certain Ace was up to the challenge to fight constructively for Sohkarra.  His only concern was for whether she would forgive him for his transgressions and remain with her space man when this was over.  He really hoped she would.  She was the perfect balance for Aceís sometimes spacey antics.  Two sides of the coin, so to speak. Wandering into the kitchen, he found Ace tossing a salad.  Gene slapped him on the back heartily.  "So stud, are you ready?"

"I sure as hell hope so," Ace cackled nervously.  "I spent a whole damned hour in the bathroom..."

"Good.  And donít forget that sweet smelling stuff you told me she likes.  Everything has to be perfect, so she'll not suspect anything.  And even though it might drive you nuts, tell your little friend to hold off till the last minute.  Cause I guarantee the last thing she wants is you all over her.  Play it cool, and see what she's gonna do..."

"Man I can't believe you're making me do this," Ace shook his head.

"Hey, Paul isn't the only one who's pampered a woman," Gene grinned.  "Just clear your mind and keep your thoughts hidden from her.  I know you can."

"So where are you gonna be?" Ace asked.

"Over at Paul's where the girls are throwing her a wedding shower.  They're gonna ooh and ahh over china patterns and crap like that..."

"But won't Sohkarra wanna..."

"She won't know about it.  Peter and his lady will be staying there tonight, and so will my woman and me.  So you'll have plenty of room...and so we don't cramp your style."

"You guys are all the smooth operators," Ace sighed.

"Yeah, but you have the tools too now, man.  And you gotta show her that you're willing to say you're sorry and treat her right..."

"What if she hates me?"

"Then it's her loss.  Just don't give up so easily and go down fighting, Ace.  She's a good woman, and the best thing that has happened to you in a long time, since you quit your drinking because of her.  So let her know that.  Now, that last touch..."

Ace patted his pockets, and nodded.  A slow smile came over his face as he put the two bowls of salad in the fridge, and wandered upstairs.

"Good luck, Tiger!" Gene shouted to him.  "I just saw them pulling up now..." It was then that Ace came the closest he had in a long time to praying.

Chapter 4

Sohkarra wearily climbed out of the car, and wandered over to the door.  She was dreading what she would find, but was surprised not to see Ace rushing out to greet her.  Even so his car was still there in the driveway, so he must still be around. Peter hugged Nefertina, and took her hand as he led her into the house.  He gripped Sohkarra's hand in support before leaving.  Gene rushed out of the house, and grabbed Marcy into his arm in a big hug.  Then he turned to Sohkarra, holding out his hand to her.

"Karra, I'm glad you're okay.  I was worried..."

"Your concern is much appreciated," Sohkarra nodded, letting him kiss her hand.  She really did mean it, and wasn't being patronizing. Then she breached the taboo subject by saying, "I heard you had talked to Ace...where is he?"

"Oh, around somewhere," Gene shrugged.  "But just listen to me for a minute before you jump to any conclusions, okay?  Give him another chance.  Look, I know you're gonna tell me it's your decision, and I respect that.  But don't give up on him."

"Thank you for your help," Sohkarra said.  "And for remembering it is my decision."

"Of course.  You deserve it," Gene agreed.  Sohkarra had the feeling he was up to something, but couldn't tell what.  Somehow he had become quite adept at hiding his thoughts from her.  Anyway, she was too weary to try probing any harder.

"Are Paul and Menne..."

"They're fine.  But Menne said to tell you as soon as you got back to just wait till tomorrow to talk to her.  Because you'd most likely be tired," Gene said quickly.

"She is most considerate, but..."

"Go in and get some sleep.  We'll let her know you're back okay," Gene asked.

"But aren't you..."

"Marcy and I have some unfinished business," Gene winked.

ìI know that to be true,î Sohkarra answered quietly.

Gene looked at her strangely.  ìWhat are you talking about?î

ìYou will see.î

Gene could see he would not get an answer from her.  But she obviously knew something.  Maybe Marcy would be more open.  ìOh-kay...well then...later, babe.î

ìSure, later.î  Sighing, Sohkarra let her bag drop to the floor as she felt Marcy's encouraging hug.  She returned the gesture, silently hoping Marcy and Gene could work out their situation to the most favorable advantage.  Already Gene had something packed in a duffel bag, and gave the thumbs up to Sohkarra.  He slipped a door key into her hand. Sohkarra smelled ocean breeze and raspberries drifting down from upstairs.  The same scent floated in from the kitchen.  She carried her bag upstairs, wondering if Ace was up there. When she reached the room they shared, she saw the bathroom door had been left open.  All the scattered things that were Ace's had been neatly picked up and put away for a change, his guitar in its case, and his papers stacked to one side on the desk.  His laptop computer was also closed, and stashed on the desktop by the music papers and folders with his personal papers.  She drew in a breath at the sight of blue roses and lotus blossoms lying on the bed, with a silver robe made of soft silk.  The door to the bathroom was ajar, and she noticed the flicker of what appeared to be candlelight inside.  Interested, she walked over to investigate.

Here the scent was strongest, and she saw an incense burner smoking on the floor of the bathroom.  The water was running slowly, and she saw the dozens of votive candles ringing the bathtub.  It was a constellation of stars that pointed the way to paradise, for she peered into the bubbling water thick with suds and bath salts.  Fresh soap and shampoo had been put out, with soft blue towels.  "Oh Isis," she sighed deeply.  "He didn't..." Still, she was hot, dusty and tired.  Surely it wouldn't hurt to take a bath.  She began to disrobe, her clothes dropping to the floor.  One foot stepped in, and she felt the warm sudsy water work its spell.  Slowly she lowered herself into the waiting waters, and let the heat soak into her tired muscles.  Her head leaned back, dipping into the heat that worked itself all over her tired body.  How nice it would be to lay down and sleep here.  Slowly she reached out with her mind to seek his presence.  Strangely she could not sense his thoughts, even though she could tell he was inside the house.  What power was blocking her from him?  Was it Celestial, interfering yet again in her affairs?  Peter and Nefertina had already left, with Gene and Marcy.  Everyone was leaving...leaving her alone with him.  She well knew how the others felt she should handle this.  Something she couldn't explain was driving her, but toward what?

She sighed at the game he was playing.  It wouldn't change how she felt.  She had already made her decision.  But for the sake of the team, could she afford to break his spirit?  For now she would play along, for the sake of teamwork.  Then afterwards, she would see.  That inner feeling again...

Eventually she felt her stomach growling, and realized it had been a long time since she'd last eaten.  Sohkarra decided to leave the tub, when she saw her skin beginning to wrinkle.  Reluctantly she pushed up and rose, letting the water drip off of her relaxed body.  She grabbed towels and wrapped them around herself.  On the back of the door she had left the silvery blue robe, and put it on as she went out into the bedroom.  Her long hair she wrapped in one towel and glanced back and forth for any sign of Ace, knowing him he'd probably jump out at her or something silly like that. A faint smell of roasted meat drifted up from downstairs, and perked her attention.  Slowly she crossed the thick piled carpet and thrust her feet into the pair of fuzzy blue slippers she saw there.  This was getting more and more interesting.  How far would Ace go to try and win her back, she wondered.

Sohkarra strode downstairs, rubbing her damp hair.  The silvery blue robe felt luxuriously soft on her skin, and reminded her of the dresses she had worn long ago in Egypt.  It was as sheer and light as one of the linen gowns, letting her move freely.  Pure silk no doubt, from the soft feel of it.
"Ace?" she asked, calling out.  There was no answer.  She followed the smell to the kitchen, where she drew in her breath.  At first she noticed the warm flicker of two blue candles, letting off an ocean breeze scent, her favorite.  Two places were set, complete with wineglasses and two bowls of Cesar salad.  She saw Ace from behind, his hair freshly washed, and his clothes matching for a change!  At the sound of her he turned very serenely, and gave her a warm smile.

"Hey there, Karra.  Hope you enjoyed your bath...hope you're hungry..."

"Where are Peter and Nefertina?" she asked, moving over so slightly toward the one chair.

"Oh...just out..." he shrugged, putting the covered dishes on the center of the kitchen table.  He pulled out one chair, indicating she should sit.  She did, and he gently pushed it in.

"You went to a lot of trouble," she said slowly, keeping her voice neutral as possible.

"Thought you might be hungry.  Believe it or not I'd hate to eat all this myself..."

"I was thinking of going over to Menne and Paul's..."

"They're probably asleep by now," Ace grinned.  "It is kinda late.  Do you want your steak now?"

"Steak?" she asked, baffled that he had actually cooked!  He placed one juicy portion on her plate from the small grill pan he tugged out of the oven.  Clumsily he tried to tip a portion of potatoes onto her plate next to the steak, but almost sent the pan flying.  Just in time he regrouped and spooned several boiled potatoes slathered in butter and parsley onto her plate.  Ace then sat down opposite her, and grabbed a bottle from an ice bucket.  Sohkarra sighed, and put out her hand to stop him from pouring her a glass as she said, "I'm not thirsty..."

"It's sparkling grape juice," he said.  "I haven't drunk anything leaded all week, baby..."

"Oh, sorry," she apologized.  His soft brown eyes met hers as he poured her some, and then some for himself.  It did look like champagne, but she was secretly glad he had honored his promise to stay sober, even in her absence. "Ace...you and I have to talk," she said.

"Why don't you enjoy your dinner first?" Ace asked.  "You've had a long trip, babe.  And I don't want you to miss enjoying a bite of this meal..."

"You actually cooked this yourself?"

"Gene suggested how it would be easiest to make it, so I didn't burn it.  Slow even heat for two hours," Ace admitted with a blush.  Indeed she tried a bite of steak and found it moist and medium rare, dripping with tasty juices.  The potatoes were a little soft, but still good and the baby carrots were perfect.    For a time they simply ate in silence, listening to soft music in the background.

"Eric's CD?" she asked.

"Rockology," Ace nodded with a slow smile.  "You like?"

"Yes, very much," Sohkarra nodded, mouth full of delicious steak.  "He was quite a unique man... from what you said..."

"He was one of my best buds," Ace nodded.  "I know you would have liked him if you met him.  And I know he would have loved to meet you..."

"Don't you remember?" she asked quietly.  At his look of curiosity, she continued.  "I did meet him after the incident with your virtual reality game." Sohkarra looked off as she remembered her meeting with the late drummer.  "We met in the place that divides this realm and the land of the dead."

"That's right, I'd forgotten," Ace concurred.  "Then you know what a neat guy he was."

She nodded that she did indeed know.  She had come away from her meeting with Eric with a feeling of loss that they had not met while he had lived. "I'm only sorry he died when he did.  What a tragic waste...a wonderful man whose talent is deprived the world. But at least Bruce brought this CD to life for the people who cared for him."

"He's still here," Ace said slowly, putting his one hand over his heart.  "In spirit.  I like to think the guy's having a hell of a time watching all of us down here on Earth!"

"I know you miss him.  All of you..." said Sohkarra slowly.  "He watches over all of you from where he is."

"I sure do miss him.  And I miss you..." Ace whispered, slowly laying his hand over hers. "Do you think you might have rather stayed with him in the middle land?"

"Ace..." she got out, seeing the look in his eyes.  Up till now he had kept a distance, waiting for the right moment to move.  She didn't shrink from his touch.  "Yes, at first I did.  But he reminded of what I'd be giving up if I didn't come back."

"He meant me, didn't he, Ace Lady?" Ace asked directly.  "He always did hope I'd find one woman to make me give up the wanderlust.  So you see, you're just what the doctor ordered."
Sohkarra wouldn't answer him in words, but her eyes spoke volumes that only he could feel.  He knew that in spite of her words, her heart told her otherwise.  But would she listen?  He needed to drive on with what he needed to tell her.  Okay, Gene, here goes...he thought to himself. "Baby, I'm so sorry I was such an asshole before.  I had no right to be jealous...can you forgive me?" Ace asked, a pleading look in his eyes.

"It's not that simple Ace," she said, pulling her hand away.

"Baby...I love you," Ace said.  "I want you to be with me.  Whatever it takes to prove myself to you I'll do it!  I know I don't deserve you, but..."

"Please don't make it any harder than it has to be," Sohkarra shook her head.  She felt her own stomach sinking.  Why did he have to make this so difficult? Why couldnít she bring her own warring emotions under control?

"Why is it so hard?" Ace asked.

"Because.  We must focus on the task ahead..."

"I know.  I've been practicing my teleportation really hard," Ace said.  "I bet we'll kick ass when it comes to fighting that Karahamnon chick!"

"No doubt," Sohkarra said.  She was glad he had changed the subject so well.

"And after we kick ass, then we can..."

"Ace...please don't say anymore.  I don't want to spoil this moment..." she said.  "Can we wait till later to talk about that?"

"Okay, that's fair," he nodded, a hopeful sparkle coming into his eyes.  "How about dessert?"

"I really couldn't...this is so much already."

"Just a little for me?" Ace asked.  "It's mint chocolate chip..." The look in his brown eyes made it hard to say no.  Did she really want to? He put down a saucer and began to slowly eat it, licking the edge of the spoon.  She looked at it intently, till he held up a spoonful for her, across the table.  Smirking, Sohkarra let him feed her a little bit from his saucer. It was hard to stifle the yawn that came next, and Ace pulled the spoon away.  "Tired?" he asked.

"Yes, so if you don't mind I really would like to get some sleep..."

"Sure..." Ace said.  "I'll just clean up down here..."

Sohkarra wandered upstairs to the bedroom, and found a blue nightgown lying across her side of the bed.  The sheets had since been changed, and the bed freshly made up.  She changed into the nightgown, and proceeded to brush her long copper locks.

"Hello baby, ready for bed?" Ace asked her, and she spun around.  He stood right before her, in his own pajamas and bathrobe. How in hell had he gotten up here so fast unless he himself had teleported?

"Yes but..."

"That nightgown looks so pretty on you," he whispered, gently taking her hand and kissing it.  Slowly he reached around her and kissed her lightly on the neck, working to her lips.  "But actually what would really look best on you is me..."

"Ace, I can't..." Sohkarra cautioned.  Ace didn't heed her as he continued to whisper in her ear, taking her in his arms. She felt his sweet soft kiss take her lips, his hands working up and down her back with a clumsy yet gentle touch.  She also felt him start to pull the strap of the nightgown down her one shoulder.

"I missed you so much," he whispered into her ear, lightly kissing it.  He was so gentle, blast him, it was making it difficult to stay angry with him.

"No...Ace I can't do this..." she said, breaking his hold as she stepped back, pulling the shoulder strap back into place.

"You need some space...I get it..." Ace said, holding up his hands.  "If you want me to leave you alone, that's cool...I can go and sleep in another room tonight.  Let you have the place to yourself if you want me to..."

"It's not just that," she choked.  "I...can't lead you on."

"Why, what's going on. Are you still mad at me?"

"Yes...and no..." she stammered out.   "Ace I have to tell you...that after the battle...I can't stay with you..."

"What?" Ace asked, his jaw dropping.  "If it's because of the fight we had..."

"There are so many reasons why," she said, as he took her hand. "Ace, I have my duty.  A duty I had long before all this happened.  When the time comes, I have to leave."

"You can't go..." Ace got out.

"There are things I've ignored for far too long...and my friends have suffered because of it.  My brother needs me."

"Well you can go back and visit him can't you?" Ace asked.  "San Francisco isn't so far away..."

"But you live in New York City...and I can't spend much longer away from him."

"I need you!' Ace cried. ìI could move to the West Coast.î

"I can't be with a man who does not trust me..."

"I was stupid!  Damn it can't I make a mistake?" Ace asked.  "When I thought of you with Paul I lost it, because I love you so much!" Sohkarra turned away, moving to leave the room.  Ace suddenly teleported in front of her blocking her way.

"Please Ace, get out of my way," she said calmly.

 "Baby, you heard Celestial!  You are my other half!  I can't let you slip away, not again!" he pleaded, taking her face in hands.

"Ace, I care for you greatly but..." she tried to say.  ìCelestial has no more hold on me than you do. Iím only here to help combat a common foe.  One that endangers us all.î

"Baby, don't you love me?" Ace almost shouted, trying another tact.  If he couldn't get through her tough outer defenses, heíd go for her heart.  "Please...I want to be with you...what do I have to do to prove to you how I feel?  Just tell me!"

"Let me go," she whispered.  "That is how you can prove it."

"But you and I...we gotta be in sync, so we can fight!" Ace protested.  "You're also asking me to do the one thing I can't.  It's your fault too, you know. You made me love you without even meaning to. You're the first woman I ever had to work to get.  Don't tell me that means nothing to you."

"Fight together, but not be together..." Sohkarra corrected him, deliberately ignoring the last part of his statement, as she pushed him away none too gently with the force of her mind.  He flew backwards onto the bed, landing safely if not undignified.

"So you're just gonna run away like you did with that guy JaKal?" Ace shouted, scrambling to get up.  "Run and hide your heart when things get serious?  Is that it?"

"That is not what this is about!" Sohkarra shouted back.  "How dare you!"

"How dare you!" Ace almost hollered.  "That's what it looks like from here!!!  Tina told me about you and how you're afraid of what is in your heart."

"Then I will have to speak to her of what is and what is not open for public discussion!" Sohkarra stormed.  "There are some things I have no desire to speak to you about!" Again she moved to leave, but he teleported before her, grabbing her arms in his hands.  Her eyes flared blue as the mist moved around them both.  In a low, angry voice she said, "Let me go...now..."

"Not till you face the truth, babe!" Ace snapped.  "Are you gonna use those badass powers to shove me away again? I can keep this up all night..."

"Speak quickly before I lose my patienceÖ" Sohkarra whispered angrily.  "I don't wish to hurt you."

"So you're taking that royal tone, huh?" Ace snapped.  "Real cool."

"I warn you..."

"Sohkarra, I love you," Ace said firmly.  He got down on one knee, taking her hand and kissing it.

"Oh no..." Sohkarra got out when she saw him reaching into his bathrobe pocket.  He extracted a small velvet box, and slowly opened it before her.  Why, she wondered, did he have to do this now?  If only he'd asked her before when she...

"Baby I need you and I want you with me.  I want to give you a reason to stay here..with me."

"Please don't do this...don't ask me..." she pleaded, feeling tears sting her eyes.

"Will you..."

"I can't..." Sohkarra interrupted him, and suddenly a blue mist flared into his face as she willed her armor around her.  The force of it threw him backwards, still clutching the ring.

"Please..." Ace got out.

"I can't...I can't...It's too late..." came Sohkarra's anguished reply as she vanished before his eyes.  He heard her footsteps pounding on the hallway.  Ace struggled to his feet and rushed out after her.  Anger and despair filled him, and he felt the silvery sensations rise as he clutched the ring in his hand.  In a flash of blue fire and lightening he stood transformed; the power of Celestial surging through him.

"Baby, wait!" he shouted, voice tinged with an astral chime.  Energies surged as he jerked his thumb and materialized in the back yard.  Sohkarra stood there, her golden armor resplendent in the night as she looked at the house.

"You...transformed," she said slowly, almost unbelievingly.  "Into your Avatar..."

Ace saw himself in the reflection of her polished helmet, designed after her own beloved Kiya; the silver makeup over his face, the glitter of a million stars on his midnight cloaked form.  Silver stardust covered his legs, sheathed in tall boots just like those he wore onstage.  A liquid silver cape floated around his form like a cloud of moonlight, his soft brown hair blowing in the midnight breeze.  It was just like his Dynasty costume, he reflected.

"You can't deny it...we're made for each other..." he pleaded, holding his hand out to her.  "It's been preordained by something more powerful than either of us."

Spanning her arms wide, Sohkarra's form was swathed in the radiant blue mist.  Why did this sudden foresight have to come so late?  Ace saw her rise slowly, and he himself rose to follow her, his boots leaving the ground with relative ease.  It seemed so simple, so easy to mimic her actions.
"I am happy for you.  You have reached your full potential," she said soberly.  "I knew you had the ability...It also clearly signals the completion of my duty where you are concerned.  I will now be able to return to that which I was reawakened for."

"Baby, please...don't change the subject!" Ace begged.  His voice seemed so powerful, so somber in its astral chill. "You've got to stay with me.  Only together can either of us be complete."

"I cannot...I cannot marry you..." she repeated.  "You will not see me again...till we must join our strengths for the good of all...till then...farewell..." Even as she fled, she couldn't help but wonder how much truth there was in his words.  Could it really be?  Could there really be a way she could stay with him and still fulfill her duty to her brother? But she still felt the need to get away from him so she could think clearly.

"No!" Ace cried out, as she vanished from his view. "Don't go!" Anger filled him, and he felt the wind slowly pick up in its volume.  Lightening flared fast and furious, splitting the air with its ozone stench.  With an anguished cry, Ace took the ring and hurled it as far as he could throw it, box and all.  "God damn it," he got out, burying his head in his hands.  The sky itself, touched by his sorrow, wept, rain pounding the ground all around him.  Silver tears flooded his cheeks, dropping into luminescent drops earthward as the Space Ace cried his heart out.  In his pain, he couldn't help but also blame her.  "Damn you Karra!" he called out again.  "Damn you for what youíve made me feel!"

Even as she left, she could hear his heartfelt cries.  What had she done?

Chapter 5

"You can still find her," came a voice in his mind.  Ace's head snapped up, and he realized he had heard it from inside his head.

"Whoah...wait...are you..."

"Celestial," came the voice's answer.  It sounded just like his own, and he saw the astral form drifting in front of him.  Still they levitated in the heart of the new storm, lightening surging about them both as wind howled and shrieked in ever-growing intensity.

"I've lost her...she doesnít want me..."

"That is not so.  Did I not say you were two halves of the same whole?"

"She doesn't get it..." Ace shouted.  "She is determined to leave me.  She is afraid of what she feels for me and how we are together.  She won't risk her soul against eternity."

"How much are you willing to fight for her, then? She is not like any other woman you have ever come across.  In the case of the Princess, unlike many of your mortal females, the possessing will be as much, if not more, pleasing as the wanting." Celestial demanded.  "You have the power to know where she is.  You can render the invisible visible, because your element is Air.  Do it!"  Ace grumbled with protest as he listened to Celestial's instructions.  He reached out with his perceptions, and suddenly sensed the blue sapphiric power signature. The signature that belonged to her alone.  All invisible things were revealed, and he could see her floating distantly over the city of Los Angeles.  Heading northwards, to San Francisco perhaps.  With a slow smile he made himself invisible, and wrapped himself in the clouds as he misted after her.  Celestial allowed himself a small smile as he watched his host pursue the Princess.  Ace would not give her up without a fight.  "This is not over yet Princess," he told himself.  "Don't force me to use another method to show you."  Mysterious words indeed...

"This isn't over by a damn long shot, Ace Lady. You're mine now and Iím not letting you go," Ace told himself as he rode the airwaves.  This new ability was so much less taxing on him than his teleportation.  Not nearly as much fun either, he realized. He thought about Celestial's words.  The avatar was right.  He would have to fight for her to convince her of his sincerity.  It seemed it may be the only way to get through to this ancient princess who had herself been trained in warfare.
As it turned out, Sohkarra didn't want to go to San Francisco either.  She deliberately strayed from her original destination and journey when she found a spot where she thought she could be alone for awhile.  She settled down amongst a piece of greenery that sat next to a small flowing brook. The sound of the rustling water was a comfort for her as nature always was.  She sat with her back against a tree trunk and closed her eyes.  In her thoughts, another presence sought for her attention.

"Princess, we must speak now..." came the astral voice she recognized only too well.  But there was another as well.

"Awaken Princess..." was the second voice, a cat-like sound.  Purring and growling combined in a gravely sounding voice.  "We have much to speak of..."

Sohkarra awoke with a start.  "Celestial, can you not leave me in peace for just once in my afterlife?" she asked the avatar.  "What is it you want now anyway?"  There was no mistaking the mistrust and defiance in her voice.

"It is I who would speak with you, young sister..." came the second voice.

"Who are you?"  Sohkarra asked.  She knew there were additional avatars, but had yet to come into one-on-one contact with them.  "I've no desire to talk to any of you.  Iíve grown tired of your interference in my and my friend's lives."

"I speak to you of what must be."

"Are you speaking of JaKal or Ace?" came the question.  "I'll make my own decision in that matter if you donít mind."

"You must not desert the guitarist, the host of my fellow avatar now.  He needs you even as you now need him.  Your female companions have found their way of destiny, yet you fight your own. As we speak,  the next generation is waiting to be born. You yourself have sensed them with your inner eye."

The reminder that two of her friends had managed that which had long eluded her brought a momentary sadness.  She was about to speak again when Celestial joined the conversation.
"He acted as he did out of his own inexperience with the emotion known as love.  Humans often act foolishly and step on their own good intentions.  Even as you yourself have on occasion.  Human frailty knows no boundaries, royal or mere human."

"What should I do?" Sohkarra asked.  "Just let him think he can..."

"No, little one, you must let him behave as the human he is," Celestial intervened.  "It is through you that he can connect with us for what lies ahead.  I have enabled him to follow you now.  He will be here shortly.  You must resolve your conflict before that which is to come.  On this all depends.  Do not deny that which you feel."

"The strength of that which you now deny will see you through what is to come," the one known as the Beast King told her.

Sohkarra thought for a moment.  She was not ready to do that which they asked of her.  "I'll tell you what," she told them, hands defiantly on her hips as she had risen when she knew they were there.  "I'll make it okay with Ace for now, for the sake of what you say is coming.  This is something I also know to be true, for it involves my own.  But you must back away from the rest of it."

"You cannot deny what is in your heart," the Beast King told her.

"He is your destiny," Celestial added in his singularly astral voice.

"I will do what I must for now," Sohkarra stayed her ground.  "After that, I will decide what is to be!  Do you hear me?  I WILL DECIDE!"

"It will be as you wish, young one," Celestial told her.  At that comment, both the avatars left her to her own devices.  She thought it was rather an uneasy victory, but she would take it.  But she couldn't help but wonder what they really intended.  Then she heard his voice.

"Karra," he said quietly.

"Ace..."

Chapter 6

Meanwhile in that realm between dimensions where the avatars ruled supreme, the two known as Celestial and Beast King quandried.

"What can you be thinking?" asked the Beast King.  "It is not like you to be so secretive in your intentions."

Celestial's eyes were glowing in the same sapphire glaze that Sohkarra's own did, and appeared to be pondering more than just the upcoming battle and the eventual outcome.  "I have a plan that will bring the Princess around to realizing her own destiny."

"She seems reluctant to accept that which is in front of her," the Beast King had observed.  "Her independence and strength of spirit are a credit to any of our realms.  I cannot help but be intrigued by her."

"She is for another, never doubt it," Celestial told his companion. "But there is a way."

"It will not break her noble spirit?"

"It will not," was the mysterious answer. "It will strengthen it..."

Chapter 7

"Surprise!" Everyone shouted as they tossed confetti on Menne.  She opened her eyes and held her hands to her heart when she saw her friends gathered in Paul's living room.

"Oh Isis!" she gasped.  "You didn't...you shouldn't have..."

Her gaze turned accusingly to Paul, who played dumb with a look that mirrored that on the infamous "Got Milk" ad that KISS had done a few months back.

"Good grief, he wasn't in this alone," Marcy grinned, clapping Menne on the back.

"We helped a little," Nefertina smiled.

"Where's Karra?" Menne asked.

"She's got some unfinished business with the Spaceman," Gene said.

"Oh," Menne said, catching Gene's knowing look.  A whole pile of presents wrapped in pastel pink was placed on the table.  Gene, Peter, and Paul glanced at each other, then rose to leave.

"Where are you going?"

"This is ladies' night," Peter grinned.

"Are you going to a 'bachelor party'?" Marcy asked.

"That comes later.  Have a good time..." Paul grinned.  He pressed a kiss to Menne's lips and wandered out with his two friends.

"Oh God I wish Sohkarra were here," Menne gushed.

"She left her gift here too.  And anyway, we're gonna make sure we have a proper bachelorette party for you," Marcy winked.  "Karra will be here for your bachelorette party though!  She wanted me to let you know."

"No way you're getting out of the fun," Nefertina added, with a wink.

"I'm doomed," Menne laughed.

Just before Ace could move toward Sohkarra, something slammed into his back.  Hard ground slammed against his chest, his face hitting moist dirt.  A great weight pressed down from above to squeeze the breath from his lungs.  Before Sohkarra could help, something slammed into her midriff and cut her down as well.  Over and over the momentum carried her and the object.  Her fingers felt cold stone.  Blue energy surged between her and the massive stone paws.  Quickly she expanded her nimbus to lever the stone figure up off of her.  It was a stone lion, about the size of one she would see in the zoo, snarling and spitting alive in gray marble.  Her nimbus levitated it right across to slam into the one trapping Ace. Karra rolled to her feet, and Ace shook himself off, standing on shaky moon boots.

"What the hell was that baby..." he got out.

"Aha, at last you are out in the open, Celestial...you will be mine now!" came a voice that made Sohkarra flame in anger.

"Karahmmon!" she shouted.  "What is the meaning of this..."

"Young one, I thought I made it clear you should not interfere..." the exotic voice continued.  Ace found himself ringed by four stone lions, animate marble streaked figures.  Moonlight traced over their smooth hewn forms.

"Ace, teleport!" came a voice in his mind. Quickly he shoved down his fear, and pressed his mind into the ground.  Silver boots rose quickly, carrying the Space Ace nearly ten feet into the air above the ring of lions.  He hovered there, amazed at what he had done.  Now he could see the slender form, wreathed in amber energies that painted up and down her lithe form.  How like Mennehotep she seemed, from the build of her body to the set of her features on the exotic face.  A white silk gauze gown flowed around her body as moonlight, her face framed by the large tall crown of a Queen.  An ornate semicircular collar curved around her long neck, worked with radiant garnets and gold.  She raised manicured fingernails, opening her palm to reveal the tongue of fire that blazed present.

"Not so easy to escape, you fool," she laughed at Ace.  A fireball blazed past him.  Another slammed past Sohkarra, cutting her off from the duo.  Two of the stone lions leaped toward the levitating Ace, powerful coiled muscles of stone bearing them into ten-foot arcs of glistening assault.  Reflexively he jerked his thumbs back, and exploded into silver glitter. Both lions landed, turning to their mistress.  The other two leaped at Sohkarra as her attention was caught on the blazing firewall that suddenly sprung up.  Her blue nimbus spread out into a sphere that batted both back.  Unfortunately she did not account for the other two lions that sprang from either side.
Ace materialized behind Karahamnon, grabbing her wrists in his hands.  Momentarily her concentration was disrupted, for the firewall suddenly died down.  Unfortunately the stone lions still advanced upon Sohkarra.  She had managed to hurl one off, but the other was not far behind.  Her body rose on a pillar of sapphire energy into the night, carrying her safely out of range for the moment.  She hovered there, watching the lions circle below.

Under his hands, Karahamnon's body surged with gold light.  Suddenly he heard a hissing and snapping, and his hold was broken with two elbows slamming into his midriff.  Ace rolled over and over into the thicket with the force of the rebuff.  Hard wood cracked against his back sharply, knocking the breath from his body.

"I hate teleporters," she snapped.

"Ace!" Sohkarra shouted.  Raising her hand she formed a long spike of sapphire power.  Her hand threw back and thrust forwards, propelling the spear toward Karahmnon.  A golden armored figure whirled, to block the spear with a shield of fire.

"So.  You would interfere, would you, young daughter of Amenhotep?" came a low growl.  Ace blinked into consciousness to see a golden armored Lioness advancing upon his Princess.  What was the goddess in ancient Egypt that was a lioness?  Bastet?  No...more like Sekhmet.
Sekhmet, the Lioness of Sickness and Health.  Mistress of Earth and Fire.  Ace watched the exchange between them when a fireball crashed into Sohkarra's blue nimbus.  She easily countered, generating a spear of blue sapphire mental might.  Spear after spear she hurled toward Karahamnon, who simply blocked each blow.  Beneath Sohkarra's feet the ground shook, and she simply levitated.  She turned her head just as a stone lion pounced toward her.  A fireball blazed to her left, and another stone creation leapt toward her.  Just in time she raised her blue shield, the lion's claws glancing off it harmlessly.  How long could she keep up the combined assault?
"Nice, Princess, but you insult my intelligence," Karahamnon laughed.  Suddenly Sohkarra vanished from view, along with her blue nimbus.  Yet Karahamnon was not phased in the slightest.  Slowly a windstorm began to rise in strength, and Ace could swear he saw sand and dust rising up from the earth itself.  Dust pelted Sohkarra, slamming into her.  For a moment her form was rendered visible against the dust.  Unfortunately the lions could then see to strike.
Ace felt anger build inside him to fever pitch.  He couldn't stand back and do nothing when she was in dire peril!  From deep inside he felt his power flare silver.  A wind began to blow from his direction at the sandstorm.  Battering back the sand that swirled and tore at his Princess.  He rose to his feet quickly, and focused the power of his mind.  Blue lightening flared angrily from his fingertips, surging toward Karahamnon.

She blocked barely in time. Ace narrowed his eyes, and teleported into the heart of the still raging sandstorm.  He materialized to drift right next to Sohkarra. Grabbing her waist he thumbed with his free hand and they both vanished in a burst of silver sparklers.  Sand battered and clattered to a halt.  When they came out of the teleport they were at the edge of the woods. "Karra, baby you okay?" Ace asked her.  She shook in his arms, and turned her head to look at him.  Still she wore the horse visor.

"I think so.  She just winded me..."

"Who the hell is she?  She looks just like Menne!  Is she that chick who's supposed to be Menne's long lost sister?"

"That is right..."

"Damn, why is she po'd at us?" Ace asked, still holding her close.   Just then they whirled about, to see the stone lions had caught up with them.

"Hold on," Sohkarra instructed.  Ace gripped her as she wrapped then both in her blue nimbus.  Slowly they rose together on a pillar of her mind's power.

"Let me take over babe," Ace whispered in her ear.  Slowly her power was eluding her, for they faltered.  He took her in his arms despite her protests, and pushed down with a nimbus of silver power that surged from under his silver boots.  They began to rise again, drifting just before the lions that bounded below.

"You cannot escape me, Celestial!" cackled a voice loudly through the trees.

"Why does she want me?" Ace asked Sohkarra.

Sohkarra only had a moment to answer, her eyes darting everywhere, ever watchful.  "It's not you that she wants per se.  It's your avatar that interests her.  She wants the power!" Spires of rock rose up just before them. Ace teleported quickly, holding Sohkarra close to his body. Unfortunately each teleport brought him dangerously close to porting in front of a spire of rock that would rise out of nowhere!  Sohkarra's nimbus of power wrapped around Ace's, supporting them both.  "What quarrel do you have!" Sohkarra's challenge came to her old nemesis.

"I want him!  Leave him to me and it will be all the better for you!" came Karrahamon's answer.

"Why, for what purpose?" Sohkarra called back out.  "He is also under the protection of my father's house!"

"It is not for you to know, Princess.  Except that if you get in my way, Menne will suffer!  I know she has no powers!  It will be all the more worse for her if you continue to interfere..."

"You cannot have him!" Sohkarra's angry reply came. "Or that which he possesses! I will not allow it!"

"Then you will suffer all the more...and share his fate!" came her angry cry.   "You can only protect him for so long."

"What is your deal!" Ace shouted. "You are one psycho broad!"

"You, human...Ace Frehley...are the host of Celestial.  You might save both Princess and Queen if you give up your powers to me.  My master wants Mennehotep, but I might be willing to stop his wrath if you yield Celestial's powers to me, Karhamnon."

"And if I don't?"

"Menne must give herself up. She will suffer.  And all those you love! The choice is yours!  You have two passings of Ra through the heavens to decide. Let it be known that we know of your weakness in regards to Amenhotepís daughter!"

"I cannot sanction such a deal!" Sohkarra shouted.

"You have two days.  I suggest you consider your options well," Karahamnon's voice came.  A last wind buffeted them before fading.  Both of them were left alone in the night.  Slowly Sohkarra's power lowered them to the forest floor.

"That's no decision..." Ace muttered.  Still he held Sohkarra in his arms, tightly against his chest.

"I cannot sense her mind anywhere near.  Wherever she was, she is now gone, or hidden herself..." Sohkarra whispered.  She felt so weary that she scarcely cared that Ace was holding her up off her feet now.  Sapphire power flared all around her form as her armor dissipated, no longer needed.  Tired sapphire eyes looked up into his soft brown ones, still framed by the silver explosion about his face.

"I'd better get you home, baby.  You look exhausted," Ace whispered.

"Ace...I..." she got out.

"Shh," he whispered.  "I'm not letting you out of my sight, Space Lady...lets go home..."

"Why do you use those names that are not my own?" she asked quietly.  It had always amazed her that Ace had called her by other than her name.

He had to smile slightly at that.  "I only do that with ladies I love."

She was too exhausted to reply slipping into sleep while the world exploded into silver streamers.

Chapter 8

When she next awoke she blinked.  A dull yellow light shone dimly from the hallway, and she felt the softness of the bed under her body.   Along with something else, snoring soundly.  Her fingers felt soft flannel, and she realized it was Ace, holding her securely to him, fully clothed in his pajamas in bed next to her nightgowned form.  Her head was pillowed on his chest, lying on her side next to him under the covers.

"Ace..." she whispered, trying to separate herself from him.  Arms tightened around her as Ace muttered in his sleep.

"Don't leave me Karra..." he muttered.  "Please.  I'll give myself to that princess if it'll save you all.  She can have these damned powers. I just don't want you hurt...I don't wanna lose you."

"Ace..." she gasped.  "You can't be serious."

"I am, baby," he whispered, blinking awake.  How long had he been awake?

"Ace..." she got out again.  "If she gets the powers of Celestial..."

"She can have them. I don't give a crap about them," Ace repeated.  "I want you..."

"There is more at stake here than you realize..." she tried to tell him, but her reply was cut off by his lips coming down on hers.

"I don't want to talk now lady..." was his muffled response.  "I need you."

Part of her wanted to push him away; part of her wanted to let him become part of her and welcomed the feel of his touch.  "I don't think..." she tried to tell him even as she started to push him off her.  To her surprise, this time he wouldn't give way.  In fact she could feel a true determination in the possessive way he held her.  He lifted his mouth from hers to look into her sapphire pools.  "I don't want you to think now lady.  Every time you do, I suffer for it.  I want you to feel what I can do for you and know that I'm the only one who can complete you."

She could only stare back up at him.  She searched her mind for a reason to deny him now.  But could not find a single reason.  Not when the future was so uncertain.  Hadn't she lived her after-life in the belief that there may not be a tomorrow?  To live each moment as if it were the last?  "What have you got in mind?" she asked with a slightly mischievous glint in spite of herself.  "What can you do for a royal daughter?"

He smiled down into her face, thankful that she was not trying to get away from him.  "Her Highness' wish is my command.  Remember, I'm into encores."  With that, his lips found hers again.  This time she didn't try to push him away.  In fact, much to his pleasant surprise, she returned the kiss with an urgency of her own. "Then play for me," she whispered.

"Damn lady, I thought you'd never ask."

This changes nothing... the nagging thought in her mind reminded her.  But for now she would take what comfort she could.  She'd deal with the consequences later, Isis help her.

Chapter 9

Menne's wedding shower had wound down.  Now the expectant couple was alone again.  They sat on the couch holding one another close as they talked about the day's events.  Then the phone rang.  It was Ace.  "Hey Curly, what's shakin'?  How was the shower?" he asked when Paul answered the phone.

"It was cool man," Paul answered him.  "But where are you and Sohkarra?  Are you two all right?  Marcy told us you were meeting with Karra."

A feminine voice picked up on the phone.  "Weíre fine."

Paul turned the speaker portion of his phone as Ace did on his end.  Menne was glad to hear Sohkarra's voice.  "Why do I not quite believe you're as fine as you say, young one?" she asked the younger woman.  She could hear Ace and Sohkarra momentarily having a difference of opinion as they argued over whether or not to tell Menne about the confrontation with Karahamnon.

"She has to know," they heard Sohkarraís voice tell Ace.

"Know what?" was Menneís question.  She had a feeling she already knew.  Her sister was once again within striking distance and was plotting.

"I had a little run-in with your sister Menne," was Sohkarra's reply.

"How did it go?" Menne asked.  "Are you alright?"

"It went about normal," Sohkarra told her.  "She threatened Ace and I with your downfall and I told her to pound sand.  At any rate, the time is near.  You know what needs to be done.  You were there when it began; you will be there when it ends.  It will be your last duty as wife of Pharaoh.  After that you will be free. It is our royal and ancient law. You must perform this one last duty."  She said this last part to reiterate in the unlikely event that Menne would balk.  She said it more for Paulís benefit.

Paul had been listening until he heard the last part of this.  "What do you mean, it will be her last duty as wife?"

It was Sohkarra and Ace's turn to listen to Menne and Paul disagree.  "She's right Paul," she tried to placate him.  He was not sure he wanted his future wife and mother of his child to have any more to do with any of what was happening. He also felt down inside that his feelings in this would go unheeded.  "I was there when she resurrected Tuthmosis.  It is my duty to be there when she sends him back.  Then I will be free to be with you.  I will be yours completely."  His dark gaze settled on her.

Sohkarra's voice once again came over the speaker. "It must be this way Paul," she told him. "It is our way.  Menne knows this to be true. I'm sorry if this isn't compatible with your feelings, but it cannot be helped or changed."

Menne looked at Paul with a softened look in her dark eyes. "Her words can be trusted fully my love," she told him.  "Even though I'm mortal now, I still have a duty to close out my past life."

"Why is that?" Paul demanded.  "Karra, you said you brought him back, so why can't you send him back?"

Ace entered the fray.  "Hey man, you need to back off here.  Karra knows what's gotta be done.  She's going to send Menne's sister back with the Pharaoh dude.  That way, we'll be rid of all of them."

"Is this true?" Paul asked.  "It can't be as easy as all that."

"That is true," Sohkarra answered.  "The fact still remains that Menne needs to be there when Tuthmosis is returned to the Land of the Dead.  She was his wife.  Only by witnessing his return will she be completely free of him and out of the reach of his Pharaohnic powers. Then she will be completely free to be your own.  However, I regret to tell you her sister will be a different story; one that will be much more difficult to deal with."

"What does that mean?" Paul again demanded even as he remembered from past experiences that it was not wise to anger Sohkarra.  "Why is she so different?"

"She has grown more powerful. I suspect Tuthmosis had a hand in this. It would seem that his anger at Menne for her supposed wrongs is stronger than his hatred for Karahamnon," Sohkarra patiently explained to him. "She has learned much since the time I last sent her beyond the Western Gate. She also believes she has a score to settle with all of us for some wrong she imagines.  It will take all of us together to defeat her and her minions.  Plus we must be doubly careful since she physically occupies the body of a mortal woman."

"Damn!" was Paul's response.  Then another question entered his mind. "Okay...I get you Karra.  I don't like any of this.  But while I've got you on the line, what's up with you two?"

"Everything's great man," Ace piped up.

"I cannot commit to anyone until we have done what must be done," Sohkarra interrupted him.
Again, Paul and Menne could hear their words of disagreement.

"Hey, what about what we did when we got back here?" Ace could be heard saying.

Realizing the speaker phone was still going, Sohkarra reprimanded him.  "Say nothing more Ace!" she told him.  "I'll not have my personal business blurted over the airwaves!"

"Damned if you won't lady!" came the angry reply. "The choice is made! Whether or not you know it, you definitely made it!  And so did I!  Will you be woman enough to stand by it?  Stand up and be my woman?!"

Menne called out to her then, knowing the conversation was getting volatile. The issue of the princess and the spaceman would have to be put on hold until this latest threat was over.  "We are your friends.  Whatever we hear will not be heard by others.  You know that."

Sohkarra calmed after that.  "Yes, I know Menne," she told her friend.  "But I cannot confess to things I am unsure of now.  Not even for Ace's sake. Though I will confess that I took solitude in his method of comfort." She couldn't help the small grin that crossed her lips.

"Damn, Karra!" Ace stormed.  "It was more than that!  You're mine now and it's about time you faced it!"

"Take that as a good sign Ace," Paul tried to placate his band mate at the same time Menne was blanching at the words of the younger princess and guitarist. This was definitely an insight into what her friend was feeling.  It showed what she already knew; namely that Sohkarra did indeed care for this modern man.  Maybe even loved him.  When would she fully see it?  "At least she didn't throw you out on your ass again," Paul continued.

"Thanks man," he answered.  "But this isn't a closed issue no matter what she says.  You know what I told you before Paul."

"Yeah I remember," Paul told him. "And I still wish you luck." From their words, it was apparent that his friend and the lady he cared for had found solace in one another in the oldest way possible.  But had Ace taken it for more than it was?  She was still in an emotional quandary and had only the upcoming battle on her mind, and the outcome.  She was bent on freeing Menne from the Pharaoh turned menace she had brought back from the past.  Until that happened, she could not even consider staying with Ace.  What a mess! But he really did hope she stayed with Ace.
"You take care Ace," Paul said, hoping the guitarist could hear the support in his voice.  "I'm rooting for you."

"Thanks."  Then the phone link closed off.  Paul just sat there a few moments.  Menne came back over and sat next to him.

"I know she cares for him. With these new abilities, I can feel her pain," Paul told her.  "But how can we make her see what is right in front of her?"

ìShe sees others so clearly,î Menne said. "That she can't see what is in herself. Or maybe she sees, but is afraid and is trying to ignore it.  But I do think she is learning that real love is more than a young girlís infatuation."

Paul looked at her questioningly. "What do you mean?"

Menne smiled at him in her knowing way. "You men are also new to seeing what is before you.
For the first time in his life, Ace is seeing the bigger picture and is wondering how he can fit into the overall scheme of things. I have a feeling that things will work themselves out and a Phoenix will rise from the ashes."

Paul gave her a quick kiss. "Nothing like a clear cut answer darlin'," he said to her. "Thanks."

"My pleasure..."

Chapter 10

That next day, Mennehotep and Marcy had gone to a boutique to try on gowns.  Nefertina and Sohkarra were elsewhere, making other arrangements.  Since Marcy was the one most accustomed
to the modern world, she had been chosen to help pick out a wedding dress and other such attire.  Sohkarra and Nefertina were busy planning the infamous bachelorette party that would happen the eve of the wedding.  Paul and Menne had set the date for next month, anxious to complete their joining before the band would resume its tour.  This day they were elsewhere, conducting their usual business.  Paul and Gene had autograph signings at Tower Records, promoting their new guitars while Peter was finishing his tracks to the new album.  Ace was stopping into the hospital to visit Todd and John who were still recuperating from their run in with Karahamnon.

"What do you think?" Menne asked, stepping out of the changing room.  The attendant let out a gasp at the vision in white that strode out.

"Stunning..." she gasped.

"Hmm, very nice," Marcy nodded.  The satin gown was sheer and form fitting as a dress of ancient Egypt, with a bit of lace and seed pearls at the neck.  A white veil was pinned to her hair, flowing and long.

"It's traditional..." the woman explained.

"I want traditional," Menne said with a smile.

"It's your wedding," Marcy smiled.  She was looking at the swatches of cloth for bridesmaid dresses, shaking her head at the outlandish suggestions of the storekeepers.  Shrimp pink and seafoam green were not options, she snorted.  Menne had suggested each bridesmaid have a dress made in her color of choice instead of matching colors, but they would be the same style.  Silvery blue for Sohkarra, light green for Nefertina, and rose for Marcy. "Such frivolousness," Marcy grinned.  "But since it's not my wedding, what the hell.  I just hope Sohkarra lets me know some of what she and Tina are planning..."

"What for?"

"Your bachelorette party, of course," said Marcy with a wink.

"My what?"

"It's traditional nowadays.  What's good for the gander is good for the goose, I say..."

"You mean I'll attend some raucous party with a male stripper?" she asked.

"Sure, why not?  You never know..." said Marcy with a saucy wink.

"I'm doomed," Menne groaned, flushing.  Just then, there came a sudden quake which vibrated the floor.  Anxiously she looked to Marcy, who shook her head incredulously. "Earthquake?"

"No...it's a pattern," Marcy muttered.  Menne suddenly heard the cries of people outside, as did Marcy.  Both exchanged an anxious glance, knowing that yet another extraordinary circumstance had invaded their comfort zone.

"We'd better look into this," Menne suggested.  She slipped off the wedding gown she was trying on, and grabbed her amulet as she had countless times before. Except this was the newly forged one, and she had not tried it out properly.  No time like the present.  Would the incantation work?
"Rock and Roll!" she shouted, grabbing the star.  Lavender energy surged at the heart of the amethyst, sweeping over her body in a wave of power.  It took only a second to change; and Marcy drew in her breath at the costumed figure now in the dressing room.  On gold-heeled platform boots Menne now stood, then rushed quickly out of the boutique.  Long straight hair flowed around her shoulders, her long arms sheathed in star-studded cuffs.  Her graceful legs were clothed in purple leggings with gold five pointed stars down the sides.  Her chest and bodice were clothed in a laceup vest studded with gold gems.  Around her hips was a thick belt that looked as if it housed secret compartments, much like that of Batman comic book legend.  Soft black feathers fluttered from her collar and down the backs of the cuffs as she ran.  "Come on, change!" Menne cried to Marcy, who was close on her heels.  The astonished looks they got were soon ignored when the real source of excitement was revealed outside.  Under their boots the ground pulsated and heaved like an earthquake.  But it wasn't an earthquake caused by mother nature, rather its source was that of something heavy throbbing the earth with massive footsteps.

"That's your mystical armor...incredible," Marcy shook her head, before taking her dragon amulet in hand and chanting the same phrase, even though she felt incredibly stupid at that moment doing so.  Amber fire surged around her form from the ruby at the heart of the dragon.  In her place stood a woman on tall platform boots, in thick leather and sharp spikes and a chainmail bodice.  A long black cape covered her shoulders, plunging to her mid knees.  "If Gene saw me in this he'd flip," Marcy laughed, for it resembled Gene's Demon costume of the Love Gun era, in amber and dark scarlet instead of silver and black. Back and forth they glanced at the screaming masses of people, rushing around like victims in an old Godzilla flick.  The pulsating vibrations grew louder in volume, till they saw two hulking shapes approach on Ventura Boulevard.  "Jurassic Park's come to LA!" Marcy quipped, shielding her eyes with a spiked glove.

"Let's get a better look!" Menne said, spreading her arms.  Effortlessly she rose into the air, a lavender mist surrounding her body.  It was as simple as when she had her ibis armor, flying gracefully till she was at least fifty feet suspended above the street.  Her mouth dropped open when she saw the hulking beasts, which were skeletons of mere iron bars.  She remembered seeing something like that in the displays at a Natural History museum, the lumbering skeletons of what were called Dinosaurs.  Two of them pounded into the pavement, swiping cars and people with their tails. Her eyes narrowed in the whiteface resembling Paul's starchild makeup, except the star graced her left eye, in deep purple edged in a thin outline of lavender.  At her throat the star amulet still glistened.  Huge skeletons of a T-Rex, and a Stegosaurus smashed into buildings and lamp posts like toothpicks.  Their clawed toes tore into cement as it were paper.

"You take the Steg, and the T-Rex is mine!" Marcy shouted to her.  Menne nodded, soaring as a bird toward the Stegosaurus, while Marcy's own dragon boots pounded into the pavement to carry her near the T-Rex.  Menne tossed a phosphor flare straight at the Stegosaurus, which erupted in a five-point flash of light.  Unfortunately the beast was not phased, and she realized it was a creature of pure magic.  There had to be some way to incapacitate it.  Glancing to the left she saw a fire hydrant, and a slow smile came over her face.  Quickly she swooped down, and gestured with one hand.  Another flare slammed into the side of the hydrant, blowing off the cap. Another sweeping gesture of her cuffed arm sent a sluice of high-pressure water straight at the flank of the beast.  With a clang it landed on its side.

Meanwhile, Marcy stood right in the path of the T-Rex which lumbered up.  Sharp fossil fangs rendered in bronze and plaster gaped open, a metallic roar sounding as it sighted its next meal.
"Hey stupid!" she shouted.  "Over here!"  It turned its attention to her instead, with a snort of distaste.  Swinging round, it swung its tail at her.  Marcy leaped up nearly ten feet into the air as the tail arched harmlessly under her.  She tumbled onto her hands, then landed on her boots again, hands upraised.  Again she leapt, and sent her boots crashing into the pavement with thunderous force.  A shockwave buckled the asphalt like a tidal wave, rolling toward the hulking beast.  When it crested, it knocked the creature sideways.  Still it managed to right itself.
Screaming crowds ran blindly, and Menne realized they would pose a danger to themselves as much as the hulking dino skeletons.  There had to be a way to confuse them...and keep them safe.  Again she reached at her belt, and chose a powder.  Over the crowd she circled, once then twice, releasing a purple smoke that misted over and smelled of rose petals.  As people inhaled the mist they fell fast asleep where they stood.

"Lead it this way!" Menne shouted to Marcy, who nodded.

"C'mon ugly, this way!" Marcy shouted to the angry T-Rex.  It lumbered after them, at full speed.  Marcy ran quickly, to keep ahead of it as she raced after the flying Star Maiden. Menne hurled another flare at the Stegosaurus, which had managed to scramble to its feet by now.  It snarled, lumbering quickly after its comrade.  Together both women led the magical animates out of the city...

Chapter 11

At the music store, Paul and Gene were signing autographs.  They both wore normal street clothes, and were each promoting their own line of guitars.  Paul sat behind a table that said Washburn, while Gene was sporting a new design for his Axe Punisher.  Both jerked their heads up as they heard the low "boom, boom, boom" sounding outside.

"What the..." Paul got out, as Gene's eyes met his.

"Some kid has their stereo up loud..." Gene muttered.

"No...it isn't that..." Paul hissed, holding up a hand.  "Something...I feel hundreds of people scared for their lives!"

Gene leaped up, when he saw a black figure sail past in tight spandex, lavender light flashing from her body.  He could swear it looked familiar.  When he spotted the figure running after her, its tall boots pounding into cement, a long black cape flying behind her, he drew in his breath.

"It's Menne!" Paul gasped, grabbing Gene's arm.  "What the hell are they doing?"

"Running from that!" Gene pointed at the two massive shapes, which pounded cement behind them.

"Let's help them!" Paul shouted to Gene.  Instantly they reached deep inside for the power that was theirs, and everyone who stood in line gasped in awe at the blaze of purple and red flames before their eyes.  Long black wings unfurled as the Demon flexed his flight muscles, and the tall figure of the Starchild stood serenely at his side.  "Let's do it!" Paul shouted.  The last thing anyone that day would remember was a purple flare that faded into blissful nothingness...

Another steel dinosaur suddenly lumbered into the street, blocking off Menne and Marcy's escape.  Menne hovered, wondering what to do next, as Marcy glanced anxiously from left to right.
With a snarl the T-Rex swung about, its tail arching toward Marcy, who was fixing her attention on the new dinosaur.  Just in the nick of time a black figure swooped down and plucked her away.  The Demon circled around, cradling Marcy in his arms protectively.

"Menne...sweetheart...what are you doing here?" Paul's voice came into her head.  She met her eyes with his, down on the pavement below.

"It's Karahamnon," Menne shouted down to him.  "This is her magic!  Only she has the power to animate that which is lifeless metal or stone!  It's her specialty!" Swooping down, she grabbed the Starchild about the waist, carrying him into the air with her before the T-Rex could attack.  It snapped empty air where Paul had stood once before.

In surprise Paul turned his head to glance into a face that mirrored his own.  "You...changed...but how...more magic?"

"It's a protective costume," she said, and he noticed the amulet at her throat, in the shape of a silver star.

"You never cease to amaze me, baby," Paul whispered, gripping her hands.  "But the baby...you shouldn't be..."

"It's no strain carrying you..." she told him.  "In fact, when you're close to me...I feel even more powerful..."

"Of course..." Paul gasped.  "Your costume's like mine...my Love Gun one...but..."

"Look out!" the Demon roared.  Starchild and Star Maiden lifted their heads, levitating out of the way just in time as a pair of jaws snapped at them.  A blast of fire from the Demon's throat slammed into the T-Rex, heating it up.  It turned, distracted to face the hovering black figure.  Another pass, and the Demon slammed it full on with another fireblast.  Metal began to drip and melt like wax at his continued assault.  On his next pass, Marcy's boot slammed into the neck, kicking the weakened metal.  It snapped easily, decapitating the metal monstrosity.  It clanged lifelessly to the ground.

"Get me closer," Paul said to Menne, indicating the Triceratops.  She carried him closer, and Paul reached into that corner of his mind that he had tucked the most dangerous aspect of his power.  His eyes narrowed, flaring purple.  All his anger and aggression he focused into a single point.  Suddenly there was a flare of purple energy, exploding into a blast of sheer mental power.  Metal was reduced to slag in minutes.

"Shit...what did you do?" Demon snarled, circling around again.

"Whoa..." Paul gasped, shaking his head.  "I don't wanna do that again..."

"You don't have to," Menne whispered, kissing his ear. The Demon lay down a wall of fire in front of the Stegosaurus, blocking it off.  A well-placed kick from his Dragon boot, coupled by a punch from Marcy decapitated the beast easily.  The head rolled over into the flames, as the beast toppled lifeless to the ground.

"How did you know..."

"There is always a weak point in my sister's magic," Menne said.  "It's just a matter of disrupting the motivational force..."  Power flooded away from the fallen twists of metal, surging into the air in a red mist that floated away.  It dissipated easily, but not before Paul sensed a familiar essence.  Menne and Paul floated gently back to the pavement.  All who had witnessed the event soon felt themselves rubbing their eyes as if waking up from a sleep.

"Now what?" Paul asked.

"Let's get out of here..." Gene suggested.

"Yeah..." Marcy nodded, still in Gene's arms.

"Paul, my sister's magic...it's still active..." she whispered.  "I can hear her laughing at me..."

"Why do I get a feeling this is a diversion?" Gene growled, eyes flaring red.

"I sense a mind...nearby.  Very powerful," Paul shook his head.

"It was a challenge, wasn't it?" Marcy asked Menne, who nodded grimly.

"A trap?" Paul asked.

"Let's spring it," Gene suggested.  "I'm sick of hiding.  You gals wait here...and..."

"Now wait a minute!" Marcy snapped at him.

"You're in no condition to..." Gene began.

"Donít give me that crap!" she shouted back.  "I'm perfectly fine and capable..."

"Guys, not now!" Paul shouted.  "Any minute the people are gonna wake up.  Let's vamoose!"

Menne seized Paul, and carried him into the air with her.  Grumbling, the Demon grabbed Marcy and followed.  Reaching out with his mind, the Starchild blurred the perceptions of any observers, as Sohkarra had taught him to weeks ago.  He prayed that he would be able to withstand the battle ahead, for he sensed it was time...

Chapter 12

Ace knew what he had to do.  Within his mind he had resolved the only course of action, if she was to know the depth of his love for her.  Calmly he cruised toward the wood where the battle had occurred last night. She wouldn't need to know, for the step he was about to take was the only alternative he could see.  He pulled over to the side of the road, and stepped out of the car.  For a moment he let the wind breathe lightly through his brown hair tinged with red, and inhaled the sweetness of the air.

"Okay Frehley, it's now or never," he told himself.  Reaching deep inside he sought the silver energy that was always a part of him, but until now he could never seem to reach without the help of booze or drugs.  With her help he had reached it without the aid of substances, to step far beyond what he could have ever imagined.  In seconds the energy spread over his entire body with its soothing crackle.  Space Ace lifted his eyes to the trees, and slowly spread his arms.  Gently he rose into the air on a silver cloud of energy, drifting within.  "Karahamnon, I'm here!  Come out and let's get this over with!" Ace shouted, his voice tinged with an astral chime. All he heard were the chirps of birds high in the leafy canopies overhead.  And the soft sighing of the breeze.

"Are you sure you want to do this," came a voice he recognized in his mind.  Celestial was speaking to him after so long.

"Yes, I gotta.  It's the only way.  Nobody will get hurt..."

"Are you sure..."

"C'mon and let me get on with it, okay?" Ace snapped.  Suddenly the wind began to pick up, blowing his hair from his whiteface.  A whirlwind of fire materialized before him, heat blasting his face, and he held up a hand before it to block out the intensity of the flames.  At the heart of the vortex a shapely figure floated into existence, her white gauze gown flowing around her body.

"I should have known you'd come...early," Karahamnon laughed, like crackling flames. "You men are sentimental fools...trying to protect those you consider your women.  Those with powers older and more superior than your own. If not for them you never would have known."

"Yeah, whatever.  Let's just get this over with," Ace shouted.  "Take the power and leave us alone!  And tell your boss to scram!"

"It isn't that simple. I see you have come alone...there is no other with you?" Karahamnon asked.

"Yeah..."

"Well then you will accompany me, as my hostage.  You seem to have forgotten the terms of our deal included having my sister come along.  Since you have forgotten this small detail, you will suffer..."

"No...wait..."

"Too late, Space Ace," she laughed, throwing up a hand. Ace teleported quickly, jerking his thumb reflexively.  However as he materialized, he felt a wall of fire spring around him.  He levitated out of the way, whirling around to face her regal form.  Lightening crackled between his fingertips, as he drew back his hand and sent a cascade of surging power toward her.
"Too simple," she laughed, erecting a wall of earth to block the electricity.  It crackled harmlessly into the ground.  "You disappoint me..."

"Try this!" Ace shouted, sending another surge.  Karahamnon laughed as she sent a blaze of fire toward him.  Ace floated back out of range, only to find the ground itself rising around him.  It began to solidify into a substance resembling concrete.  Desperately he tried to teleport away.
"Karra!  Paul!" he cried in his mind.  Queen Karahamnon drifted closer to him, her lips drawn back into a cruel smile of satisfaction.

"Too late, Space Ace!" she laughed, drawing back her hand.  Ace's head flashed back at the force of her blow, everything going dark. "Those upstarts will never be able to hear you!"

Chapter 13

Paul gasped and drew in his breath sharply in Menne's arms.  She continued to bear him as they flew toward Gene's house.  Seeing his discomfort, she asked, "What's wrong?"

"Ace...he's in trouble!  He went off by himself..."

"Damn..." Menne gasped. "Without Karra?"

"I can't sense her presence like I can his now," he answered.  "She can still block herself from me."

"What was that?" Demon asked.  He kept pace easily with Menne, carrying Marcy in his own arms.  All four were blurred from view of the city below by Starchild's illusions.

"Ace!  He's let himself get captured, the dope!" Paul shouted.

"Shit," Gene growled  "That's all we need now..."

"Karra...you've got to come quick..." Paul telepathed to the one who had taught him.  He heard her surprised exclamation loudly in his mind.  "That's right.  I heard his thoughts scream out to me, and then they went silent..."

"Meet me in the clearing. I will transmit the image to you in my mind...let me guide you," Sohkarra said.  "I'll get Nefertina and Peter to track him right away..."

"It's time, huh?" Marcy asked them both.  "Everything's coming together...as it has many times before."

"It's my fault...he shouldn't have run off," Menne groaned.

"Stop it!" Paul chided her.  "Donít think that for a minute..."

"Menne, we'll get him back, promise!" Marcy said.  "Remember, Sohkarra said she had a plan...we must trust in her, and trust in ourselves..."

Peter and Nefertina arrived at the place where Sohkarra suddenly materialized, just in front of the hospital.  They rushed to the rear of the building, smelling her but not seeing her.  Encased in her own new black and gold equine theme protective armor (it now had no horse head visor, but rather a likeness to an Egyptian hairpiece that framed her face. But instead of a traditional cobra, it had a horse head), she awaited them anxiously.  Peter surged with green energy, letting the Beast King enter his body while Nefertina transformed into the likeness of Bastet.

"Oh man...why did Ace do it?" Peter yowled.

"I don't know, but you two have got to trace him," Sohkarra urged them. This was to be another of those occasions when she must forget her personal feelings and become the warrior Princess.  Indeed, it would be the only way they could come out of this.  She couldn't afford to let those same feelings get in the way of what she knew she must do. Ace and the others would either understand it or not.  Something inside her hoped he would understand.  "I cannot sense his mind anywhere...it's as if something is blocking my probes..." This was all said in a cold and calculated voice that Peter couldn't help but notice.  How could she seem to not care that Ace was in trouble, but rather seemed focused on something else.  The human part of him was angry; the Cat Man part knew the reason behind her seeming indifference.

"We're onto it.." the Cat Man nodded, sniffing the ground quickly, momentarily forgetting about Sohkarra's tone of voice.  From the hospital he bounded along the asphalt.

"Won't we be noticed?" Nefertina asked.

"I thought of that," Sohkarra nodded.  She raised a hand and mustered ancient chikara in a spell that wrapped them both in invisibility as she had done before.  They piled into Peter's car, and roared off down the street.  Soon they reached the main highway, out of LA.

"His scent's strong...he took the Camaro...and went to the hospital...I guess..."

"Let's go there first, and then trace back..."

Chapter 14

"Paul, this is my responsibility," Mennehotep whispered into his ear.  "If my ex husband is after us..."

"No way baby, you're not gonna face him alone..." Starchild scolded her.  "In fact..."

"Don't even think of leaving me behind!" Menne snapped back.  "You know I have to be present when Sohkarra throws her spell.  It's my last responsibility as a Queen before I shed the last vestiges of my life from the Ancient times..."

"But I don't like it...you're carrying our child..." Paul said.

"And I will fight to protect it, with everything I have," she told him.  "And besides, I am still a Queen in some way.  I cannot shirk my duties."

"You've been through so much already..."

"And you've been there with me, to share it, Paul," she whispered into his ear, kissing it.

"I won't let you face him alone..."

"I know you won't.  You are the Starchild, and my other half.  The man I was destined to be with in the New World.  Now more than ever I know that.  And whatever we will face, we will face it together..."

Turning around in her arms, he pressed a kiss to her lips.  For a while she let him kiss her softly, but then gently reminded him of the difficulties of flying with such a distraction.  Alongside of them, Demon carried Marcy carefully in his arms.  He ran a claw along the scarlet leather of her outfit thoughtfully.  She did not bear the white face like Menne shared with Paul, but her head was encased in a headband that was studded and spiked like her gloves and boots.  He noted the dragon amulet at her throat, which she had worn since the previous day.

"Amazing," he muttered.  "Never thought I'd see you in anything resembling me..."

"It was Menne's idea," she whispered back.

"Baby...you...you're expecting too, aren't you?" Gene asked her.  She realized she had not gotten the chance to tell him because of the shower, and the guys going out.  Somehow she had lost her nerve.  "Why didn't you tell me?" the Demon rumbled.

"I...didn't want to inconvenience you..."

"Since when is something like that an inconvenience?" he growled.    "Why didn't you tell me?  I have a right to know..."

"Sohkarra said the same thing. She was the one who found out...with those psychic powers of hers..."

"That broad never ceases to surprise me..." He remembered Sohkarra's words to him earlier when they had spoken. "But why keep it a secret?  You know you couldn't keep it from me forever..."

"How did you know?"

"C'mon I've seen morning sickness before.  I put two and two together...what I don't get is why you..."

"Gene...Can't this wait?"

"No, sweetheart...I mean...this is a big deal!  You're carrying my child...our child...holy shit!"

"I know you have other children..."

"Yeah, but as soon as I'd try to find out about them and become part of their lives, the mothers wanted nothing to do with me!   Except, 'where's my child support' and see ya!  I don't want to be shut out of this child's life!  I'll be damned if I am!"

"Gene, I had no intention of that...but I don't want this child to be raised in the fishbowl of Hollywood..."

"Who says it has to be?  I want to be a father to it," Gene growled.  "And I'm not gonna let you slip away when..."

"Gene I have a career and a life..."

"I know.  Why can't you continue staying with me?  You can do whatever the hell you want, but don't shut me out of this child's life, dammit!"

"I didn't think that you'd want...I can't get married."

"Who says that's what I had in mind?" Gene asked her.  "I want this child as part of my life, like you with me. If you don't wanna stay I can understand, but..."

"Shh," Marcy whispered, silencing him with a finger to his lips.  "Let's talk about this after the fight...after weíve won..."

Ace felt his head swimming when he finally came to.  He sat up, and blinked with amazement.  Was it a dream, or was it real, because the scene that met his eyes looked like something out of a Hollywood movie, like "The Mummy", which he had seen with the guys on a particularly rowdy encore a while back.  Gold bars of light encased him, and he flinched as he reached out to touch them.  They burned and tingled his fingers.  Following the line of his arm with his sleeve he realized he was still transformed into his Avatar.  Try as he might, he could not clear his head to concentrate on teleporting. It was as if something began to happen, but then the energy fizzled.  He heard a laugh that he had come to hate quickly, just outside his cell.

"Don't even try, Space Ace.  I have magical wards that stop teleportation.  It won't help you out of this..."

"What is your deal?  Why can't you take out this power or whatever and leave us alone?"

"Because, my alchemy doesn't allow me to.  You have noticed my mastery of fire and earth sorcery.  But my grasp of air is very limited. However, Mennehotep has the knowledge I need to complete this splitting process..."

"But she doesn't have her powers, right?"

"She has the knowledge she has learned from ancient times.  That will be enough.  And now, I will take my leave of you..."

"Great," Ace grumbled.

"But you won't be left alone. My pets will make sure you're looked after till it's time..." Stone crackled and grated on the slick floor as two stone sphinxes trudged up at Karahamnon's hip.  They both snorted and nosed into her hands, before laying down on either side of Ace's prison.

"Terrific, I get my own fan club," he cackled gloomily.

"And if I were you, I'd make your thoughts very loud for Sohkarra.  Because knowing her, she will come after you.  And she will bring Menne. I had hoped to avoid this...but you blew it...so see you later for the big rumble..."

Before Ace could make some witty rejoinder, she raised her arms.  Fire spread over her, whirling around her figure till she vanished in a puff of flame and smoke, leaving him to slink down to the floor.  He sat there, Indian style, as he glanced at his stone guards.  "Great...this is just perfect.  Way to go, Ace," he grumbled as he realized he'd never hear the end of this.

Chapter 15

Sohkarra came up to the outside of the enclosure that still held Ace.

"Good to see ya, babe," he said a bit sheepishly.  She gave him an exasperated look.  When she looked into his face, she couldn't help the  small smile that appeared on her face.

"You are such a crazy fool," she told him.  "Do you know what could have happened to you?"  But the false hardness in her voice did nothing to hide the concern she felt for him.  She also knew why he had done what he had.  He had done it for her.  For all of them. That touched her on a level she couldn't begin to describe.

"What can I say lady?" he returned with a lower version of his renowned cackle.  "Anything for a lady."  He tried to reach out of the bars to touch her arm, but again was singed.  "Yeow!" he yelped again.  "Damn this thing!" Then he looked at her.  "See what you can do, would ya, Ace Lady?"

"I would be happy to," she told him as she put her hands to each side of her face and closed her eyes.  The next thing he knew was the sight of the bars coming apart seemingly of their own volition.

"Nice going babe!" he told her excitedly.

She opened her eyes.  "There is something I need your help with," she said quickly.  She knew that with Ace's help, she would be able to accomplish the monumental task of sending the Pharaoh back to beyond the Western Gate. "Come with me now!" she commanded.  Once again, the warrior was in place. Ace was momentarily angered by the swiftness of her transformation.  One second the woman he loved came to help him, now she was in her royal mode.  A mode that he didn't want to debate with.

"Sure Princess!" he drawled.  "Anything you say Princess!" He noticed that she hadn't even heard him.  But he followed her nonetheless as she went in search of Tuthmosis.  He was here in his anger still wanting to take it out on Menne for the supposed wrong she committed against him.  He didn't dare contemplate what could happen if they failed.  Then he steeled himself in a way that had not been possible a few short months ago.  His newfound power and self confidence were strong within him now.  He knew within that failure was not an option.  Not for any of them.
Besides, he still had a matter to settle with a certain bossy Princess.  Which would be one point he would be sure to bring up with her.    When this was over...

Chapter 16

"Man I'm getting really tired of this!" Paul shouted.  "Why don't you come out and face us?"

"I have come," Menne said calmly.  "Let's get this over with here, and now..." She strode out into the grand gallery, her costume gliding over her muscles gracefully.  Tall boots gave her a confidence she didn't feel, but kept up for the sake of Paul and the others.  She would show no fear to this man who cast her out.

"I hardly recognized you, she who is my Wife," came his gasp.  "Why do you wear the raiment of this time?"

"Have you forgotten that you cast me out?" she asked him.  "As I recall, you said I was no longer a wife to you...as long as I accepted the outside world."

"That was spoken in haste.  You are mine forever..."

"What about my sister, Karahamnon?"

"She has also taken her rightful place at my side..." he said, indicating the tall, proud figure that came up to join him.  Her hand extended to rest on his.  "Haven't you, my dear?"

"Indeed, my love," she said with a cruel, sly smile Menne saw right through.  She didn't love him, only the power he could give her.  As soon as he no longer served a purpose she'd find a way to get rid of him.

"So..." a voice boomed.  "You have finally joined me, my wife..."  Into view strode the bandaged form, wizened with the ages of sleep he had endured.  His eyes fell upon Menne with distaste, creeping over her form.  Meanwhile, Paul had found the elusive Pharaoh who had once been Menne's husband.  The Pharaoh came forward in all his regal manner.  "What brings you here mortal?" he asked.  "This matter between she who is my wife and myself does not concern you."
Paul could feel his insides churning.  The power of the Star Bearer was strong within him, thanks to the training he had received from Sohkarra.  He now accepted it as a part of himself he could live with.

But he answered calmly.  "I have come to settle the matter once and for all...and to claim Menne for my own."

Tuthmosis brought his head back and gave a hearty laugh.  "You presume much, mortal," he said when he finally regained his composure.  "I do not relinquish that which is mine.  She has grievously gone against me and my court.  For that she will pay."

"She has not done anything which warrants punishment," Paul told him more calmly than he felt.  "If you had been a man and done as a husband does for his wife, she never would have left you."

The eyes of the Pharaoh narrowed dangerously.  "That is not for you to decide," he roared.  "She will accompany me now." At those words, he came forward to where Menne had come to stand at Paul's side.  He made a grab for her arm to forcefully bring her with him.  "Come, wife!"

Paul intercepted the movement.  "Not while I stand!"

That brought Tuthmosis up short.  "How would you propose to settle this mortal?" he queried.  "Would you be as you call 'man enough' to fight for her?  All powers relinquished?"

"I will do what I must," Paul answered.

"No Paul!" Menne cried out.  "You must not!"

Paul ignored Menne's outcry, which had by now, brought an audience of the others gathered.
The Demon entered the fray.  "What are you waiting for Starchild?" he demanded.  "Kick his ass into the next dimension!"

By now Sohkarra and Ace had arrived.  She could feel the inner turmoil within Paul, who's Star Bearer powers were waiting to break loose. "No Demon!" she cried out.  "Let me speak to him!"
She left Ace's side to speak quietly to him.  "Remember what I said before Paul," she said quietly.  "You must engage the Pharaoh in battle to win Menne.  It must be without the benefit of your Star Bearer powers.  He in turn must fight you with no Pharaohnic powers.  It will be man to man."

He looked into her eyes.  He saw the truth of her words there.  "I understand," he said equally quietly.  "There's more, isn't there?"

She nodded.  "I need for you to weaken him to a level where between Ace and I can send him back to the beyond from whence I brought him."

Paul smiled slightly at her.  "You two are a team, aren't you?  It's true, you do need him."

She said nothing, but gave his arm a squeeze.  "Do what you must.  I will do what I must."

"Good luck."

"Same to you."

Then Sohkarra moved off.  When Tuthmosis would have spoken, she motioned him back.  "As representative of my father's court, the rite of possession will commence." She called out for all assembled to hear her.  "Pharaoh, do you agree to the combat with the mortal Paul Stanley for the possession of the woman, Mennehotep?"

"How dare you presume?" Pharaoh demanded.  "You are but a Princess of a long ago Kingdom. I am the Pharaoh here!"

Sohkarra turned toward the angered sound of his voice.  "With all due respect Your Highness, if you will remember, I was the one who resurrected you...That gives me the right." She returned to addressing the assemblage.  "Let all here witness the contest.  The victor will claim the woman Mennehotep to be his own."  She looked at Menne.  "Do you agree to become the consort of the victor?"

She knew that Mennehotep knew that she would not let Tuthmosis claim her.  But Pharaoh needed to be distracted so he could be returned.  This plan was indeed clever! "I agree," Menne acknowledged.

Sohkarra nodded.  Then she turned to the men in question.  "By royal decree, let there be no power beyond your own manly endowments used in this contest.  If magical enhancements are detected, I will halt the combat and declare the opposite combatant the winner."  Both men were silent.  But acknowledged with a nod.  "Then let the combat begin.  For you to be on equal terms, I will cast my life spell upon you, Pharaoh, for the duration of the fight..." Sohkarra said.  "Is this acceptable?"

"It is indeed. I will face him thus," the Pharaoh nodded.

"Mighty Osiris give this man the illusion of life!!!" she chanted.  Blue energies surged over the bandaged figure.  In seconds wizened flesh swelled with the juices of life, his heart pumping for the first time in centuries.  Breath entered his nostrils, his chest heaving in and out.  Bandages burst forth to reveal a strong body knotted with fine muscle in pharaonic kilt and headdress.

"Now, Starchild..."

"Okay," Starchild nodded, and closed his eyes.  Power drained from him, and he decreased in height.  Purple energy faded, revealing the strong muscled figure of Paul Stanley, in bluejeans and his tank top shirt with high topped sneakers.  "Okay, let's do it," Paul nodded.

"You are ambitious, mortal.  But let the fight commence..."

The two opponents circled, their eyes locking for a second.  Paul knew from his stance that he was fighting an opponent well versed in the means of physical combat.  He probably had much experience on his side as a seasoned warrior, whereas Paul had the advantage of height and dexterity.  "This is no scrap, this is a rumble," Paul told himself.

Tuthmosis moved first, launching himself toward Paul's waist.  Tackling him, Paul was on the floor under the other man.  However he rolled over easily, slamming his opponent down.  A hand forced itself up into Paul's face, pushing hard.  Paul twisted, rolling over onto his back and pushing the Pharaoh off him with his foot.  Easily Tuthmosis rolled over, standing on his sandaled feet.  "You are strong, little man.  But strength is no substitute for experience...which every Pharaoh possesses..."

"C'mon, give me your best shot," Paul said.  "Is that all you can do?"

Both came at each other, their hands interlacing.  They began to push with their full strength.  Paul shoved downwards with both hands, and the Pharaoh took in a deep breath, pushing hard up against him.  His knees locked, forcing Paul to shove harder and harder...Meanwhile Karahamnon moved slowly toward the two combatants, her hand upraised to strike.  Fortunately, the Demon noticed her advance before the others.  He opened his mouth, spewing a line of fire that burned a line right in front of her, creating a curtain of fire.  "No way, babe.  You're not gonna rig this one..."

"You arrogant man!" she snarled.

"No one will interrupt us!" Sohkarra shouted.  "Ace, teleport them out of here!"

"Can do!" he shouted, jerking his thumbs.  In silver flashes, Demon and Karahamnon vanished before the others' eyes.

"Surrender, you cannot win!" Tuthmosis gritted as he held Paul pinned to the floor under his knee.  How quickly the tables seemed to have turned!

"No way!" Paul grunted.  Out of the corner of his eye he saw Menne anxiously waiting.  It was killing her to stand aside and let the two men duel, doing nothing.

"Paul...I love you," she cried, hoping to inspire him, and anger Tuthmosis.  It had the desired effect, for the Pharaoh's eyes darkened in anger as he looked up to her.

"You are a fool, woman!" he shouted.  "How can you love this commoner?"

"If you have to ask that, then you are the fool!" Menne shouted.

"You can never be his!" Tuthmosis shouted.  "I'll kill him before I let that happen!"  Paul felt an arm slip around his neck.  Desperately he struggled to push up, but having the other's knee in his back, and his arm twisted behind him made it close to impossible.  "You fight well, commoner, and to that I give you ultimate respect.  But you can never be worthy of her.  And you cannot defeat me..."

"I don't have...to defeat you..." Paul groaned.  "And you won't...ever...have her...and you'll never be worthy of her!!"

"Paul!" Menne screamed as Tuthmosis reached at his belt and drew a small sharp dagger he had concealed behind his breastplate.  Anger exploded in Paul's being, surging out over the remote regions of his body.  This had gone on long enough, and he could feel the adrenaline coursing in his veins, filling him with rage.  The same rage that had driven him to attack Ace.  The same anger that caused him to push down with his free arm, and roll over on his back, hurling Tuthmosis to one side with a loud yell.   Quickly Paul rolled to his feet, hands raised to strike.  He saw the flash of metal and heard the rasp of a sword being drawn from its sheath. He ducked under the swing, slamming his fist into Tuthmosis' stomach.  As the Pharaoh grunted, Paul drew back his other hand and slammed a left hook into the Pharaoh's jaw with a sickening crack.  He grabbed the sword arm, landing a blow in the inner wrist.  The blade clattered to the floor. Before Tuthmosis could recover, Paul's right cross slammed into Tuthmosis' chest.  Reeling, he dropped to his knees, arms at his side.  Blood dribbled from his mouth down his lapis breastplate.  Paul jumped behind, wrapping him in a sleeper hold and slowly squeezed.

"You give up?" Paul asked, squeezing tighter.

"I...underestimated you...commoner..." Tuthmosis wheezed.  "Kill me now..."

"No..." Paul said slowly.  "That would be too easy.  You're not worth it..."

Sohkarra raised her hand, sending a spear of blue fire into the air like a flair.  Her voice rang out high and clear, "I declare Paul Stanley the winner.  Do you admit defeat?" Mennehotep waited anxiously for the answer.

Chapter 17

Gene grunted as he felt the stone lion slam into him with the force of a jackhammer.  He reeled, pushing the stone creation off of himself with superhuman strength.  Thank God the Demonic armor had absorbed most of the blow, or he'd have a crushed chest.

"Pathetic man...is that the best you can do?" Karahamnon laughed.  She raised her hand, summoning sand out of thin air.  It slammed into Gene full force as he opened his mouth to breathe fire.  Flames licked backwards onto him.

"Shit," Gene muttered.  He spread his wings, letting the force of the sandstorm take him aloft.  Slowly he circled, around and around to gain altitude.  Streams of fire slammed earthwards toward the waiting Karahamnon.

"You're not the only fire expert, Demon," she laughed.  Fireballs exploded toward him, harmlessly. He felt something swoop past him, disrupting his balance.  Turning about he saw a stone gargoyle flying full force.  Barely in time he banked out of its way. "Now, you will pay for your boasting, Monster," she cackled from far below.  Another stone creation slammed into Gene, knocking him earthwards.  He crashed into the pavement with a bone-weary thump.  He lay so still there, as the stone lions advanced upon him.  "Now..." Karahamnon laughed, striding up to the fallen Demon on booted feet.  "We shall see who the weaker sex is..."

Chapter 18

"Paul, you are victor, by ancient rites," Sohkarra said.  "Mennehotep is yours..."

Paul backed away from Tuthmosis, panting as rivers of sweat poured down his olive chest and cheeks.  He felt a black eye swelling into existence, and the aches of many punches and twisted muscles.  Slowly he limped over to where Mennehotep stood waiting anxiously.  Her onyx eyes widened in joy, then suddenly showed fear.  Why could he not feel the influx of his Starchild powers? But it would wait, because he had won. He didn't see Tuthmosis slowly rising, and reaching under his breastplate.  Slowly he pulled out a small cylinder.  In a flash of power it became a bow.  Before Sohkarra could give warning, he aimed the first arrow toward Paul.

"No!" Menne shouted, raising her hand.  A phosphor flare blazed over Paul's shoulder, making him drop.  It exploded into a supernova right in front of Tuthmosis' face.  The force blew him backwards with a grunt.  He slowly staggered, holding his hands over his eyes.  Skin wrinkled and wizened into a necrotic state while Sohkarra's spell wore off, blue energy crackling around his mummified body.

"You...will pay for that, wife..." he hissed.  Paul got up, backing toward Mennehotep.

"No...you will pay," Menne said, her eyes blazing lavender.  Slowly she raised her hand, gesturing.  A wall of ice rose up around the Pharaoh, imprisoning him fast.

"How...is it possible..." he gasped.

"You underestimated me for the last time, my former husband.  You will not threaten the man I love, or my friends again..." Menne shouted, advancing on Tuthmosis with golden platform boots.

Chapter 19

Peter and Nefertina reached the scene along with Marcy.  "Gene!" she screamed.

"Let's even the odds, pussycat," Peter yowled to his mate.  Both bounded up to the stone lions, their claws outstretched. Peter pounced, slamming into the stone lion with his own obsidian claws drawn.  Easily he rolled over and over, hissing and snarling.  Nefertina's own claws slashed as she pounced on the other stone lion.  Marcy rushed to Gene's side, crouching next to him.  Glancing up, Peter saw the stone lion's gaping jaw descend.  His claws slashed in rapid strokes, chipping away the marble little by little.  Green streaks of fire snaked along its stone form.  Was it possible that his own Beast King avatar was neutralizing the Earth magic?  It seemed the rational explanation.  He hurled the stone lion upwards into the first gargoyle, shattering it upon impact.
Nefertina's whip cracked out, wrapping around the Lioness in her golden armor.  Her arms were snared, blocking her fire magic.  Just how long could this flimsy leather hold her, Nefertina wondered.  Slowly the whip began to heat up in her grasp.

"Gene..." Marcy whispered, feeling all over his body.  She could swear she heard his breathing in ragged gasps.  His left leg appeared broken, his ribs cracked as she felt his side under the armor.  Clearly he was in no shape to continue fighting.  For now Peter and Nefertina were holding their own.  But Gene could die if he didn't get proper treatment.  "Nefertina, Peter!" she shouted.  "Leave her to me...get Gene out of here!"

"But..." Peter said, standing up as he shattered the last lion.  He bounded to her side.

"Get Gene to safety...I know what I'm doing..."she said, reaching for Gene's temples.  Just then, Nefertina's whip burst into flames, causing her to drop the handle and jump clear.  She joined the duo over Gene, wringing her singed hands.

"Now she's getting crazy," she gasped.  "Oh man...Gene..."

"He's all busted up," Peter sniffed.

"Stand back," Marcy said.  "There's only one way.  Gene's fighting someone who's more experienced..."

"Better decide fast..." Peter yowled.  "She's coming this way...and she looks pissed!"  Energy surged into Marcy, crimson flames surging over her body.  Both Nefertina and Peter moved back as heat singed their whiskers.

"What's she doing?" Peter asked.

"Taking the Demon's power...into her own body!" Nefertina gasped.  A loud scream echoed over the parking lot.  Black wings opened to a full span as Marcy stood up in full Demon armor.  Green eyes blazed with energy, flame crackling from her long clawed fingers.  She was a creature of awesome beauty and strange terror, advancing on Karahamnon.

"Oh God, what are you doing?" Peter gasped.

"Get Gene out of here," the Demoness growled.  "I'll handle her..."

"But the power...you said it burned you..."

"Get the hell out of here!" Marcy roared.  Gathering Gene over his back, the Cat Man bounded away as fast as his paws could carry him.  Nefertina followed quickly after him, batting off stone creations as she went.  Kaharamnon faced her new foe, amusement in her face at the scarlet clad figure in amber armor.  Brimstone slammed into her full force, followed by a blast of fire.  She barely erected her own protective curtain of flame to match it.

"At last...a worthy foe," she gasped.  "But can you master the power of Geb?"

Beneath Marcy's dragon boots the ground quaked.  Wings spanned, flapping as they carried her aloft and above the quaking earth.  A loud laugh gave the Queen her answer. "You think you are a master of earth, because you can cause the ground to quake?  How stupid!"  Cracks snaked through the pavement, reaching the lioness.  She leaped clear as spires of rock rose up in seconds.  Beneath her feet the earth ripped asunder, sending her downwards.  She gripped the edge of the rocky pit just in time.

"Now...you're mine..." the Demoness roared, swooping down from above.  Fire slammed all around Karahamnon, and she felt her courage evaporate.

Chapter 20

Ice exploded into a thousand glittering shards from the Pharaoh's imprisoned form.  He stood and shook his bandaged form free of the slush that remained.  Raising his golden sword, he swung it high over his head.  Wind slammed into the unsuspecting Paul and Mennehotep.

"Karra...my powers...why are they gone?" Paul shouted at her.

"I am sorry, I do not know..." she cried.

"You fool...you gave them up for the woman you love.  And now you will pay for your folly!  You should have killed me when you had the chance."

"Enough!" Mennehotep shouted, rising gracefully into the air.  A starburst exploded full into Tuthmosis' face, knocking him flat.  Swooping down, she landed a solid kick to his jaw with a platform boot.  He grabbed her ankle, twisting and throwing her over.  She rolled to a stop, one gloved hand outstretched.  Paul rushed forwards, knowing he could well be killed, but a wall of ice rose up before him in response to a gloved gesture from Menne.  "No...this is my fight," she implored him.  Still blinded, the Pharaoh slashed empty air, closer and closer.  Menne scrambled to her feet, hands raised before her.  She rose into the air again, circling the low chamber with the force of her power.  Reaching into her belt she found what she needed, hurling vials that exploded in arcs of powerful light before and after the Pharaoh.  He blinked, groaning as the fireworks dazzled and confused him.  He could not tell up from down, his sword flaring wildly.

"Now Ace!" Sohkarra shouted to him.  Her power reached its fever pitch, barely enough to summon the chikara.  Blue sapphire power misted over her entire body.  It would have to be enough, she sighed.  "By Isis, Anubis and Thoth, I Sohkarra, daughter of Ra, command that this unworthy Bull be sent to the Afterlife!  I command it!" she shouted.  Sapphire light crossed up and down her form, spilling into every corner of the room.

"You can't win!" the Pharaoh shouted, his own golden energy surging around his body.  It blocked the blue mist that snaked his way.

"No..." Sohkarra gasped, her power blocked.

"Karra!" Ace cried.  Reaching out his silver energy, he surged it into hers, pushing hard.

Angrily the Pharaoh brought his sword over his head, clamping both hands on its hilt as his command rang out, "By Osiris I pray grant me your power to purge this upstart!"  The very air itself crackled with ancient energies.  From his ice prison Paul felt helpless as the two energies crackled and wrestled over each other.  Ace's own power merged into Sohkarra's sapphire energies. Already she was beginning to falter.

"No!" Paul shouted, seeing his teacher in danger.  Mennehotep was blown back by a stray tendril of gold power, crumpling lifeless to the floor.  Deep inside him the power surged, returning as a welcome friend.  Purple energy exploded the ice aside into water, the Starchild stepping forth.  Eyes blazed amethyst, his nimbus expanding to cover his tall graceful form.  Inside his mind he reached out, sending his own mental might to bolster Sohkarra's power. "What do you fear, Pharaoh?" echoed the voice of many in his ears.  Starchild strode forth, his nimbus bleeding into the silver and sapphire of the air duo's magic.

"Nooooo!" Tuthmosis shouted, his sword clattering to the floor.  Sohkarra's power seeped over his entire body, encircling him in its chikara.

"Now Ace!" Sohkarra shouted.  "Teleport him...now!"  His body exploded into silver streamers, vanishing.  Only a spectral form floated now, suspended in Sohkarra's chikara mist.  Amethyst power merged with it, ensnaring the astral form of the Pharaoh who fought with every ounce of his will against her spell.  "Anubis, Isis and Thoth, send this form beyond the Western Gate!" Sohkarra shouted again, arms flung wide.

"Begone, ancient one," Starchild said, his mental powers surging to attack the resistant will of the Pharaoh.

"IT SHALL BE DONE!" a voice boomed in the chamber.  Paul tensed in surprise to see the explosion of black smoke, accompanied with the smell of granite.  Tall figures bracketed the Pharaoh's spirit now, and Paul recognized them from the hieroglyphics on the walls.  Anubis and Thoth, god of Death and god of Wisdom respectively, each lowered a hand to grasp the Pharaoh's soul between them.  Thoth tipped his ibis beak to Anubis, who nodded with his ebony muzzle in ascent to Sohkarra.

"I brought him here...I ask he be returned," she spoke.

"What say you, Starchild?" Thoth pointed to Paul.

"Send him away..." Paul said in the voice of many.

"NOOOO!" Tuthmosis shouted.

"Time to return to the Land of the Dead, reborn one...your time in the Living is done..." Anubis said slowly.

"Your resting place awaits..." Thoth said impassively.  Paul strode over to Menne, gently picking her up in his arms as Ace moved over to Sohkarra.

"This is not fair!" Tuthmosis shouted.  "She is mine..."

"She is the mate of Starchild," Thoth refuted.  "You have no claim to her, for she has forsaken her birthright and her powers.  She has seen your defeat, and she has performed her last duty as a Queen.  Farewell my erstwhile daughter..."  Fire and light exploded into a supernova that banished all senses from the party.  The next few minutes faded into eternity with the departing radiance.  All was silence and clear when next they came to their senses.

"It...is done..." Sohkarra gasped, collapsing into Ace's waiting arms.  With great care he lifted her into his grasp and held her close.

"Menne..." Paul whispered.  She blinked, looking up into his whiteface again with a smile of relief.

"You got your powers back..."

"Why did it take so long?" Paul asked Sohkarra.

"The terms of the spell.  But now...Karahamnon..."

"Gene..." Paul gasped, his eyes blazing with a surge of pain.  "He's hurt...and Marcy..."

"The battle goes against himÖ" Sohkarra gasped.

"Easy, Ace Lady," Ace shushed her.  "Save your strength..." For the millionth time they felt the tremors shaking their booted feet. Ace and Paul exchanged anxious glances as the floor bobbed and shook.  Everyone jumped aside when the wall exploded outwards, spewing rubble everywhere.
Slowly a figure rose and shook itself off from the thick of the pile.  Gold armor gleamed under dust and debris as Karrahamnon rose to her feet shakily.  Paul gasped when he saw the scarlet and amber Demoness stride through the gap in the wall, her dragon boots pounding into the floor with earth shaking force.

"Oh Ra..." Sohkarra gasped.  "Marcy...what are you doing..."

"Say what?" Ace whispered.

"She's taken the Demon's full power into herself..." Sohkarra whispered.  "It's taking her over..."

"Now...you'll pay for what you did to Gene," came the alto voice laced with fire and brimstone.  A claw pointed in Karahamnon's direction, fire blazing toward her with contemptuous ease.  Her own wall of fire fizzled weakly to block it, faltering at the last moment.  She crumpled to the ground, exhausted.

"Marcy..." Mennehotep gasped at the sight of the Demoness striding up to her sister.  A dragon boot pinned her under its massive scaly weight.

"You...are a worthy foe," Karahamnon coughed, looking into the eyes of green flame that pierced her soul.  Weakly she raised her hand, fire sizzling around her.  Opening her mouth the Demoness drank in the force of the flames, till they fizzled into nothingness.

"You should know better by now," Marcy laughed.  "And now...it's time for payback..."

"You can't kill her..." Menne whispered.  "She's my sister."

"I'm not gonna kill her," Marcy laughed, reaching down and grabbing Karahamnon by the neck. She raised her high over her head, shaking her like a rag doll.

"Please...don't do this..." Sohkarra protested.

"Menne, what do you want me to do with her?" Marcy asked, turning to face Menne in Paul's arms.  "Thumbs up, or thumbs down?"

"Put me down Paul.  There's something I have to do..." Paul set Menne down gently, and she strode over to the Demoness.  Reaching up, she grabbed the golden lion amulet at her sister's throat, yanking it off.  The chain broke easily away in Menne's hand.  Instantly armor vanished into thin air, to reveal an ordinary, if not attractive woman in a short minidress and heels.
"Karen Romano, you're free of her," Menne said.  "For what it's worth youíre a normal human woman again..."

"Stupid idiot," Karen sneered at her.  "You never had the guts to take on your sister's birthright."

"I never wanted it.  I only wanted what was good for Egypt.  All Karahamnon wanted was power.  She used you like she used everyone else.  Like she used me."

"What do we do with her?" Marcy asked, still holding her by the neck.

"Let her go.  She can't hurt us anymore," Menne sighed.  Releasing her grasp, the Demoness let Karen Romano thump to the floor on her backside.

Paul's amethyst gaze fell on the astrologer as she backed away.  He whispered, "Now...it's time for you to forget you ever heard of us, or Mennehotep..."

Chapter 21

Back at the hospital, seven anxious people stood vigil over their friend.  Six long hours passed before the doctor would even let them in to see Gene in the small emergency room's intensive care unit.  Already Peter and Nefertina were there to greet them as they appeared in normal garb at the hospital.  Marcy moved quickly toward them, her green eyes filled with worry. "How is he?"

"They've got him stabilized," Peter sighed, folding arms across his chest.  Like the others he was now in normal clothing.

"It's touch and go.  We got him here just in time..." Nefertina nodded.  She greeted Sohkarra, grasping her hands.

"You fought well," Sohkarra told her.

"Can't you help heal him with your powers?" Paul asked her.

"Alas, no," she sighed.  "I am barely moving as it is.  That spell took much from me.  I am sorry..."

"You've gotta save him!" Ace cried.  "You just gotta..."

"I can help him," Menne said, reaching into her purse.  "If those doctors will let me in..."

"I'll take care of that," Paul gave a mischievous smile as he advanced on the nurse at the reception station.  Minutes later they all strode back into the ICU without resistance.  No one questioned them as they reached Gene's room.  It was just large enough for them all to pack around his hospital bed.  Marcy leaned over, resting her head on Gene's chest as she pressed a kiss to his lips.  He lay so still, a breathing tube affixed to his nose, his body swathed with bandages in places not covered by the crisp white sheets.

"Gene, oh man..." Paul got out.  "What in hell did that bitch do?"

"Let me near him," Menne said, reaching for a vial.  Marcy leaned to one side as Menne held it to Gene's lips.

"Open his mouth.  This should give him a fighting chance," Menne instructed.  Marcy supported Gene's mouth, tipping his head back.  Menne poured a bit of the shimmering liquid past Gene's lips.

"What is that?" Ace asked Sohkarra.

"Elixir of Life," Sohkarra said.  "I had almost forgotten..."

"But it won't be enough, will it?" Sohkarra continued, looking right at Marcy when she spoke.  The ruby in the dragon pendant winked bright red around Marcy's neck as she stood at Gene's side.

"What do you mean by that?"

"You have to return the Avatar to his body," Mennehotep said to her.  "Now."

"It might kill Gene," Marcy protested.  "So much energy...and he's so badly hurt...even with that elixir..."

"But wait, aren't we the Four who are One?" Paul suddenly asked.

"Yeah!" Ace piped in.  "I remember Celestial told me that when one of us was injured, the others felt it.  Well, can't we do something to help Gene?"

"This isn't a comic book," Peter groaned.

"He's right," Sohkarra nodded.  "Why hadn't I thought of it before..."

"Gentlemen," Paul said, winking at Ace and Peter.

"Far out," Ace grinned, giving him the thumbs up.  One by one they blazed into their Avatars, feeling the power surge through them.  Menne and Sohkarra and Nefertina moved back to let them stand at both sides and at the foot of the bed.

"Marcy..." Starchild said.  "It's time..."

"Let the Power be restored," she said, shifting into the Demon form.

"We are Four who are One..." Starchild said.

"One into Four..." Space Ace added.

"Four into one..." Cat Man further chimed in.

"Let what was undone be remade, whole and complete!" they all spoke in one voice.  Radiance of red, purple, silver, and green blended into one single flash of light.  Chikara crackled about Gene's body, surging red from Marcy's body into his.  There came a drain and a passing of something one minute, and silence the next.  Slowly Gene blinked, peering hazily into the four faces clustered around his bed.  He looked from Paul, to Ace then to Peter.  His eyes sparkled when they met Marcy's, murmuring, "Hello sweetheart.  What the hell just happened?"

"Gene!" Paul shouted, shaking his shoulder gently.

"Man, you were this close to buying it!" Ace cackled.

"But that Pharaoh..."

"Paul kicked his royal ass," Peter laughed.

"With a little help from Sohkarra and her man," Ace cackled.

"Paul...Menne..."

"I'm right here," Menne chirped, moving over and laying a kiss on Gene's cheek.  "And I'm glad you're still with us..."

"Marcy..." he whispered, looking up to her as her hand closed around his.

"I'm here Gene.  I'm not going anywhere..." she whispered, picking up his hand and kissing the back.

"Why don't we let them have some time alone?" Paul whispered to the others.  Taking Menne's hand he led her out of the room. Peter nodded at Nefertina, who took his folded arm.  Ace winked at Sohkarra, indicating she should join him.  They all left the two alone in the ICU.

"You all did well," Sohkarra said to her friends as they sat in the waiting room.  They were the only ones present in the small, neat area furnished with plastic chairs and old magazines.

"Is it over?" Peter asked, arm around Nefertina's shoulders.

"Yes.  Our work is done," Sohkarra nodded.

"That means that Menne is free and clear?" Nefertina asked.

"Alright!" Paul laughed, grabbing Menne up and whirling her around.  "Yes!"

"Indeed!" she laughed, pressing a kiss to his soft lips.  He held her off her feet, wrapping her close in his arms.  Gentle, soft kisses passed between the couple, as their passion grew.

"Ace..." Sohkarra whispered to him.

"Yeah babe?" he asked.

"We have to talk.  Now..."

"Oh shit," Nefertina sighed.  "Now?"

"Now..." Sohkarra said.  Menne and Paul seemed totally oblivious as their passion increased.  Already Paul continued to hold her off her feet, setting her on the tops of his cowboy boots as his lips moved over hers.

"This isn't fairÖ" Nefertina said.

"What are you talking about?" Peter asked her, as he wiped a tear from her eye.

"It's time.  We are done..." Sohkarra told her.

"But the wedding..."

"We'll come back.  But my first duty..."

"No..." Ace cried.  "You can't mean..."

"I'm sorry," she whispered.  Throwing herself into his arms, she wrapped her own around his neck and pressed a deep kiss to his lips.  All her hopes and fears she squeezed into the embrace, almost knocking Ace over.

"What the hell is going on here?" Peter demanded, before his protest was cut off by Nefertina's soft lips over his.   He wasn't about to argue as he folded her close into his strong, sturdy arms.

"Ace..." Karra whispered as she parted from him.  "It's time..."

"Baby...don't do this..." he pleaded, grabbing her hand as she turned away.

"I will be back for the wedding.  I promise.  But I need time...time away to think.  To decide..."

"But I love you...I want you with me, baby!" Ace cried.  Menne and Paul broke their kiss, moving over to them.

"What's this about?" Paul demanded.

"Please don't do this...not now," Menne pleaded.

"I'm sorry...I can't...it's too painful..." Sohkarra began, then faltered.  She hugged Menne tightly for a moment, then pressed a kiss to Paul's lips.

"Kitty cat?" Peter asked as Nefertina parted from him with tears in her gray eyes.  "What..."

"I love you Peter...I always will," she whispered to him.  He struggled to grip her hand but she tugged out of his grasp.

"Tina, what the hell..." he shouted.  "Where are you going?"

"I love you..." she sobbed, running out of the room as fast as her legs would carry her.

"What..." Paul got out, before Menne got in his way.

"Karra..." Ace stammered, but was stopped by her fingers on his lips.

"We'll be back for the wedding, I promise..." Sohkarra whispered.

"What the hell is going on here!" Peter shouted, holding his hands up.

"Our duty," Sohkarra told him.  "Tina's and mine...we must see it through.  But we will return..."

"Why now?" Menne pleaded, tears in her eyes.

"You know as well as I do that evil will strike my Brother at any time.  Even now he cries out for my aid.  I have ignored him long enough. But do not grieve.  For I will be back..."

"Now wait a goddamn minute!" Peter shouted, moving to stop her.  Blue light surged over them all, stopping them cold.

"I am sorry my dear friends.  But duty is duty.  Someday you will understand..." Moving over to Ace she pressed a kiss to his lips one last time.  "Always remember, you know my feeling for you.  It will not change.  But I do not know where my heart's destiny lies.  But it is my say, not theirs.  And when I have found my answers I will return, my love..."  Turning away, she gave the immobile figures one last sad look.  Slowly she faded into thin air, wrapping herself in the spell of invisibility.  By the time they would come to her senses she would be long gone.

Chapter 22

"This is Entertainment Tonight.  In Celebrity news, singer and front man to KISS, Paul Stanley tied the knot today.  In a gala extravaganza at his Beverly Hills home, Stanley joined in marriage to his pyrotechnician and sweetheart of six months, Menne Curie.  The ceremony was simple and heartfelt, not your typical wedding.  Also in attendance were the other band members of KISS, with their own dazzling beauties.  It truly was a 'dream come true', Stanley said in comment..."

"How much longer will this take," Menne groaned as she felt Marcy adjusting her gown once more.

"Just one more thing.  You'll be beautiful..." she whispered.

"Oh God you're incredible!" Nefertina shouted as she clapped her hands together.  Her green silk gown came to her knees, pale and flattering to her long tanned legs.

"Incredible," said Marcy with a grin.  She handed the bouquet of purple roses and lotus blossoms to Mennehotep.  Reaching up, she tugged the veil into place on Menne's ornate bun.

"I am so nervous..." Menne gasped, feeling the butterflies in her stomach.  Just then there was a pounding on the door.

"Who is it?" Marcy shouted.

"Let me in!  I wanna give the bride something borrowed and something blue!" came a familiar voice.

"Sohkarra?" Menne gasped.  Was it really her?  Through the haze of the bachelorette party hangover she could scarcely believe her ears.  Granted Sohkarra had shown up for the last night of drunken debauchery, but her sudden disappearance made them all wonder if she would make it to the greatest day in Menne's new life.  The door swung open to admit the vision in blue silk.  Her hair hung lose about her shoulders, the golden horsehead amulet at her neck gleaming brightly in the full sunlight.  She moved over to Menne, arms outstretched.

"I couldn't miss my best friend on her big day!" Sohkarra beamed, hugging Menne tightly.

"Oh God you did come!" Menne cried, hugging her close.  "I was so afraid..."

"Are you nuts!  Did you ever doubt I would come?" Sohkarra chirped, parting from her with a huge grin. A look of confusion passed between Menne and Nefertina.  It faded when the best man poked his head in.

"Are we gonna take all day ladies?" he laughed.  "Man it takes us less time to get our warpaint on!"

"Get outta here, Gene!" Marcy scolded him, shooing him out of the room.  "It's bad luck to see the bride before she gets married!"

"That's the groom, sweetie, not the best man!" Gene laughed, whacking her on the butt playfully.  "Now lets get my best pal hitched already!"

Back in the room, Nefertina helped Sohkarra pin the blue rose with lotus blossom onto her shoulder.  "You scared us to death, girl!  We thought you'd up and left us!"

"Not me!" Sohkarra nudged her.  "What on Earth would make you think I'd desert my best friend..."

"What about duty?"

"Are you kidding?" Sohkarra groaned.  "It's my duty to see Menne here is married!"

"Whatever you say!" Nefertina shook her head, and banished the questions from her mind.  Why the sudden change of heart, she internally wondered...

Nervously Paul tugged at his collar as he stood under the arch of flowers.  The white tuxedo with its purple cummerbund fit his shapely body like a second skin.  Still he couldn't help but sweat beneath it.  Not from heat, but from nerves.

"Hey, look alive, man," Gene nudged him.  Resplendent in a black tux with red cummerbund and red tie.  Nervously Peter and Ace stood in matching outfits, both with their respective colors in green and silvery blue.

"I'm alive as can be," Paul grinned.  "Never thought I'd see the day..."

"Nether did I, Paul," Gene nudged him.  "Place looks like a million or more bucks..."

They glanced admiringly at the large garden, set with chairs for their close friends and family.  Overhead the arch of white, purple and red roses curved, revealing Paul's Mediterranean villa behind it.  The best place to have the wedding seemed his own home, considering that was where Menne and he had first realized their true import to one another.  She had called him "beloved brother", an ancient epithet reserved only for a man who was husband to her, if not a brother in blood. The justice of the peace strode up, in his black robe, holding his necessary papers in hand.  He placed them to one side of the podium, and gave Paul a handshake.

"Are we ready to begin, gentlemen?" he asked them.

"Just about..." Gene nodded.  He glanced anxiously at the poolhouse at the foot of the garden, which served as a bride's room.

"We're on, Peter," Ace nudged him, as they moved toward the pool house door, and waited.  Music began to play, as Bruce Kulick strummed a slow melody on acoustic guitar.  Paul had written the tune himself, opting for a more contemporary musical accompaniment of his own song Forever, backed up by John Regan, Todd Howarth and Eric Singer.  Peter held out his arm to Nefertina, who thrust her own hand through his bent elbow.  They strode up first, matching their paces with each step.  Next Ace held out an arm to Marcy, who marched up the aisle at his long legged stride.  He almost tripped on the long train of red carpet, falling against Marcy who grabbed him.

"Easy there, big guy," she laughed.  "You're in for a surprise..."

"But Menne..."

"Wait..." she whispered.

Gene held out his hand, and grasped that of a tall sapphire-eyed beauty, her copper locks spilling over her tanned shoulders as a fall of sunshine.  They strode effortlessly up the aisle, to stand at the sides as the other couples assembled themselves.  At sight of her, Ace's heart leaped.  She was here!!! And he didn't even know it!  Everyone stood up in a rustling of silk and other fine fabrics when the vision in white strode proudly out of the bride's room.  Around her the long skirt floated as a cloud, swishing with each step.  Over her shapely face the veil spilled, behind the Egyptian crown style tiara she had pinned before her ornate bun.  Long braids of her remaining hair were concealed beneath the diaphanous veil, dark kohl outlining onyx eyes that were moist with joy.  She had no one to give her away, striding with full confidence to the arch that seemed a gateway to her new life.

Paul's cloud of onyx curls spilled over shapely shoulders.  His mahogany eyes sparkled with sheer joy at the sight of her advancing toward him.  The trials and tribulations that had led them to this day all vanished in the sight of her eyes meeting his.  Paul reached out his hand, grasping her white silk gloved one in his own.  They turned to face the justice of the peace, who smiled at them both.

"We gather today in the sight of friends and relations, and the Creator of all things, to see these two joined in their new life.  Instead of the traditional vows, Paul and Menne have chosen to write their own.  They will now present their promises to one another in their own unique ways."

Paul turned to Menne, and picked up the black gloss guitar, slipping it over his neck. His lovely voice slowly sang the words to a song she had come to know. Her heart seemed so full it would break from happiness at the sound of the refrain, "'Cause every time I look at you...no matter what I'm going through...it's easy to see...that every time I hold you, the things I never told you, seem to come easily, 'cause you're everything to me..."

"Menne Curie, you will now present your vows..."

As Menne spoke, Ace peered over at Sohkarra.  Eyes met, soft brown to sapphire, holding nothing but love behind them.

"Later..." came her voice in his mind.  He couldn't help but wonder what twist of fate had changed her mind.  He could almost imagine Menne's words affirming what lay in his own heart.  Peter glanced to Nefertina, a slow smile on his face that produced one upon her lips.  They moved together, hands clasping tightly.  In her squeeze he knew that she had made her choice.  Green eyes met brown, as Marcy and Gene's gazes locked.  Silent vows passed between them in the space of Menne's speech.  Always they would be there for one another, come what may, for long ago they had promised to stand at each other's sides.  If time would end, it would find them standing hand in hand.  Within her she knew the child must be growing, facing an uncertain future.  No more certain then that which grew within Menne now, yet she knew that the Four were there on some level, ensuring that the threads of fate would weave these eight individuals together in their strange ways.

"I now pronounce you man and wife...Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present Mr. And Mrs. Paul Stanley!" the justice of the peace said.

Paul and Menne turned to each other, opening their arms.  White met white as they wrapped themselves around one another, pressing lips in a soul searing kiss that sizzled with their passions.

"Alright!" Peter shouted, grabbing Nefertina and whirling her around.  He kissed her deeply, not wanting to let go as she held him close.

Gene grabbed Marcy, their own lips meeting in their embrace.  Scooping her up delicately Gene held her off her feet as their lips met in a dance as old as time itself.

"Baby...I thought you were going to leave me," Ace said, as he took Sohkarra's offered hand.

"I needed time to make up my mind."

"And..."

"I decided it wouldn't hurt to have some company while I think about it," she winked at him.  Ace swept her up, pressing a deep soft kiss to her lips.  Neither let go of the other as their passion increased...

In the realm beyond Time and Space, four Avatars regarded one another.  Within Celestial's sphere they watched the ceremony taking place in the third dimension.  All nodded with slow satisfaction at their work coming to fruition.

"As it was, so might it be," Star Bearer nodded.

"You happy now?" Demon rumbled.  "A nice happy ending, huh?"

"You got what you wanted," Beast King said.  "Even now your new host is being born.  Which begs the question, what about Celestial and myself?"

"There is potential in all situations," Celestial answered enigmatically.

"Strange, that Sohkarra, daughter of the Pharaoh, should change her mind so suddenly to remain with your host," Demon rumbled.

"Her heart was most confused.  But I sense her emotions are at peace.  Is this your doing, Celestial?  Her heart does not know its true home..."

"What?" Demon growled.

"You didn't...did you?" Beast King asked accusingly, eyes flaring green as he smelled the truth.

"It would depend on what you mean by that statement," Celestial said evasively.

Amethyst eyes flared brightly as Star Bearer reached into the depths of the sphere, his thoughts probing the very soul of Sohkarra.  A look of surprise filled his white face, the star forming into a frown. "She has forgotten she is a daughter of Egypt," he announced with sadness.

"What?" Demon roared, fire and brimstone surging around them all.

"Celestial, my brother, what have you wrought?" Star Bearer demanded, face forming into a frown.

"Her heart was divided by loyalties that conflicted. I simply alleviated her of the burden of them," Celestial announced.

"What did you do?" Beast King asked.

"The Masters would tie her with the fetters of duty.  I simply hazed the portion of her mind that holds the memories of ancient Egypt.  She truly believes she is a citizen of this modern time.  All memories of her powers and her present life she retains.  But all those memories of her duty and heritage have been suppressed..."

"Do you realized the magnitude of this?" Demon growled again, eyes flaring red.  "The Masters will not be pleased..."

"To them she is a tool," Celestial shook his mane of dark midnight hair. "Now she is free to live as she chooses."

"Did we not use them all as our instruments?" Beast King asked, shaking his black mane.

"We do what we must, to balance Good and Evil, dark and light," Demon announced.

"This will not compromise her integrity will it?" Star Bearer demanded.

"It has set her free.  She remembers she is Egyptian born, and that she is special and unique.  That is enough," Celestial nodded. "As we are all made in the image of the source of things..."

Four Avatars peered into the sphere again, seeing their earthly hosts in their celebration of life.  Much had been sacrificed, but much had been gained.  For the cycle would begin anew with the new generation.  There was no end to the conflict, only the players that changed.  Four lives forever changed would now find a moment of rest in eternal conflict, as they had found their other halves.  And it wasn't happily ever after, but it was life, and sweet reward for a battle well fought.