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Part 1- The Future
Cinderella glanced out the window. Her old grandfather clock ticked in the background. The sky darkened in the distance, forming an eerie glow. Ever since her fairy tale gig, she decided to take up in the detective profession.
Cinderella was surprised to find Grumpy, a short, ill-tempered dwarf, when she turned around. Thunder roared outside as rain poured from the heavens.
“Grumpy! What are you doing here?” questioned Cinderella.
“Snow White is missing,”replied Grumpy.
Upon hearing these words, Cinderella raced outside toward Snow’s house through the pouring rain. Cinderella arrived at Snow’s house dripping wet. Since Cinderella learned a few simple spells from wizard study book, by which she acquired from her fairy godmother, she casted a spell to dry herself. Cinderella opened the door. Inside, she discovered a DVD. She played it in Snow White’s television. Snow appeared on the screen.
“If you find this, it means I’m in danger,”spoke Snow.,”I have hidden clues around the house to help you find me.”
The video ended. Cinderella sat there dumbfounded. She noticed a word search on the table with every letter crossed out except ‘A’,'I’,'C’, and ‘O’. Cinderella figured this was a clue and stuffed the paper into her pocket. She strode around the house looking for more clues. Cinderella opened the door and the scent of lotus flowers blasted into her face. The strong scent made her eyes water, but she still peered into the room. The only thing interesting in the room was a brightly colored Hawaii poster that read,”RIVERS Hawaii Paradise”. She continued looking. Cinderella saw opened pickle jars with with the word,”Canopic” on it. Grumpy appeared behind Cinderella.
“I saw the video. You found anything yet?” asked Grumpy.
Cinderella told him of the things she saw-and smelled.
Statues of ancient gods, such as Serqet, Zeus, and Vulcan, lined the hallway. A small wax statue stood in their path. Grumpy and Cinderella maneuvered around the figure. The rain cascaded brutally as lighting struck a tree outside. Cinderella felt that she searched enough.
“Seriously? Egypt?” protested Grumpy.
“Yeah. Be quiet. Its going to be a long flight,”asserted Cinderella.
Cinderella sat in the comfy chair of the plane she and Grumpy boarded five minutes ago. She snoozed as the events from earlier today surged its way into her mind.
Not knowing what dangers laid ahead in Cairo for Cinderella, she peacefully drifted off to sleep, just as the plane was easing its way toward the gift of the Nile.
Cinderella was surprised to find Grumpy, a short, ill-tempered dwarf, when she turned around. Thunder roared outside as rain poured from the heavens.
“Grumpy! What are you doing here?” questioned Cinderella.
“Snow White is missing,”replied Grumpy.
Upon hearing these words, Cinderella raced outside toward Snow’s house through the pouring rain. Cinderella arrived at Snow’s house dripping wet. Since Cinderella learned a few simple spells from wizard study book, by which she acquired from her fairy godmother, she casted a spell to dry herself. Cinderella opened the door. Inside, she discovered a DVD. She played it in Snow White’s television. Snow appeared on the screen.
“If you find this, it means I’m in danger,”spoke Snow.,”I have hidden clues around the house to help you find me.”
The video ended. Cinderella sat there dumbfounded. She noticed a word search on the table with every letter crossed out except ‘A’,'I’,'C’, and ‘O’. Cinderella figured this was a clue and stuffed the paper into her pocket. She strode around the house looking for more clues. Cinderella opened the door and the scent of lotus flowers blasted into her face. The strong scent made her eyes water, but she still peered into the room. The only thing interesting in the room was a brightly colored Hawaii poster that read,”RIVERS Hawaii Paradise”. She continued looking. Cinderella saw opened pickle jars with with the word,”Canopic” on it. Grumpy appeared behind Cinderella.
“I saw the video. You found anything yet?” asked Grumpy.
Cinderella told him of the things she saw-and smelled.
Statues of ancient gods, such as Serqet, Zeus, and Vulcan, lined the hallway. A small wax statue stood in their path. Grumpy and Cinderella maneuvered around the figure. The rain cascaded brutally as lighting struck a tree outside. Cinderella felt that she searched enough.
“Seriously? Egypt?” protested Grumpy.
“Yeah. Be quiet. Its going to be a long flight,”asserted Cinderella.
Cinderella sat in the comfy chair of the plane she and Grumpy boarded five minutes ago. She snoozed as the events from earlier today surged its way into her mind.
Not knowing what dangers laid ahead in Cairo for Cinderella, she peacefully drifted off to sleep, just as the plane was easing its way toward the gift of the Nile.
Part 2- How It Began
“Snow…I won’t let you down..”Cinderella thought as she fell into the depths of sleep.
Cinderella had always had vivid dreams, but none was ever as vibrant as this one.
It was a dark day. Ever since marrying with the prince, the empire crippled slowly. The kind laid on his deathbed with Cinderella at his side. Her son wasn’t there.
“The king is on his last breath. He may not make it another day,” stated the royal doctor.
Cinderella waved him away. She didn’t want to believe the inevitable, but she had to.
“You’ll be okay,” whispered Cinderella to the dying king.
The honored king died later that day.
It has now been a year since his death. The throne has been given to his son.
“Servant! Get the carriage ready! I am going to visit Snow’s palace,” commanded Cinderella.
“Yes,” replied the servant.
When Cinderella arrived, Snow was there to greet her. Snow shooed the servants away. Cinderella and Snow walked alongside each other in the courtyard.
“How have you been?” inquired Snow.
“Good..the kingdom is now in great prosperity.” replied Cinderella.
They heard a quick flap of clothing. Snow grabbed Cinderella and swiftly moved her. Cinderella gasped. Right where she used to be standing, a short blade lay stuck in the stone pathway. Three ninjas came down from the roof above.
“Who are you? Who sent you?” demanded Cinderella.
The masked men in black bowed. “We are skilled warriors of the king. He sent us to make sure both you and Snow perish.”
Cinderella’s mind was racing. She staggered and fainted. Snow caught her. The ninjas took out their long swords and proceeded to complete their task. Quick to think, Snow threw 3 needles that she was hiding in her sleeve at them. Each individual needle hit each individual ninja in the neck. All of them fell dead.
Pain and confusion filled Cinderella’s head.
“Wha..what..happened? questioned Cinderella.
“The king issued for our deaths..” whimpered Snow.
Cinderella never noticed it before, but a musty scent filled the dark cavern she was in.
Cinderella quickly stood up. “So..it did happen. What about the servants? Where are we?”
Snow sighed,”I gave each servant some money and told them to go back to their homeland. We are with the 12 dwarfs. Here, we will be safe..and never age..until this place loses its magic..”
“CINDERELLA!” yelled a voice.
Cinderella woke up, startled.
“Cinderella, the plane landed. We’re in Cairo,” said Grumpy wearily.
I need to stop thinking about the past, thought Cinderella to herself.
When Cinderella and Grumpy stepped out of the plane, the sun greeted them with a blast of heat.
Cinderella had always had vivid dreams, but none was ever as vibrant as this one.
It was a dark day. Ever since marrying with the prince, the empire crippled slowly. The kind laid on his deathbed with Cinderella at his side. Her son wasn’t there.
“The king is on his last breath. He may not make it another day,” stated the royal doctor.
Cinderella waved him away. She didn’t want to believe the inevitable, but she had to.
“You’ll be okay,” whispered Cinderella to the dying king.
The honored king died later that day.
It has now been a year since his death. The throne has been given to his son.
“Servant! Get the carriage ready! I am going to visit Snow’s palace,” commanded Cinderella.
“Yes,” replied the servant.
When Cinderella arrived, Snow was there to greet her. Snow shooed the servants away. Cinderella and Snow walked alongside each other in the courtyard.
“How have you been?” inquired Snow.
“Good..the kingdom is now in great prosperity.” replied Cinderella.
They heard a quick flap of clothing. Snow grabbed Cinderella and swiftly moved her. Cinderella gasped. Right where she used to be standing, a short blade lay stuck in the stone pathway. Three ninjas came down from the roof above.
“Who are you? Who sent you?” demanded Cinderella.
The masked men in black bowed. “We are skilled warriors of the king. He sent us to make sure both you and Snow perish.”
Cinderella’s mind was racing. She staggered and fainted. Snow caught her. The ninjas took out their long swords and proceeded to complete their task. Quick to think, Snow threw 3 needles that she was hiding in her sleeve at them. Each individual needle hit each individual ninja in the neck. All of them fell dead.
Pain and confusion filled Cinderella’s head.
“Wha..what..happened? questioned Cinderella.
“The king issued for our deaths..” whimpered Snow.
Cinderella never noticed it before, but a musty scent filled the dark cavern she was in.
Cinderella quickly stood up. “So..it did happen. What about the servants? Where are we?”
Snow sighed,”I gave each servant some money and told them to go back to their homeland. We are with the 12 dwarfs. Here, we will be safe..and never age..until this place loses its magic..”
“CINDERELLA!” yelled a voice.
Cinderella woke up, startled.
“Cinderella, the plane landed. We’re in Cairo,” said Grumpy wearily.
I need to stop thinking about the past, thought Cinderella to herself.
When Cinderella and Grumpy stepped out of the plane, the sun greeted them with a blast of heat.
Part 3- Pluto's Den
The scorching sun pushed its heat onto Cinderella & Grumpy.
"What now?" Grumpy asked.
"I don't know,"replied Cinderella,"Let's just find a nice hotel to stay at."
People bustled around them. A strange tanned man with an unruly gray heard wearing a white turban glanced at Cinderella for a second before hurrying away while carrying a small, black device with a red blinking light. Two men walked past talking in Russian. Bazaars were opened along the street. None of the, had any customers, except for one selling guns. A red-haired man was hassling over the price with the seller. They arrived at a hotel with the name,"Pluto's Den."
Walking inside, Cinderella and Grumpy found themselves in a lobby encrusted with jewels. A pale man with pitch black clothing was talking to an African American male in a police suit.
"Okay Chris," said the pale figure,"Here is your room key."
The male thanked the pale man and hurried off towards the elevator.
"Hello,"smiled the pale man."You must be Cinderella and Grumpy. I'm Hades, or if you prefer, Pluto."
"Wha..what? Hades? God of the Underworld?" asked Grumpy.
"Yes..you guys are looking for Snow White, right?" replied Hades.
"Yeah," said Cinderella uneasily,"How did you know?"
"Well..Snow is.." Hades paused.
"What about Snow? I demand answers! Tell me," commanded Cinderella.
"Nevermind that,"smirked Hades."You need some rest."
Before Snow or Grumpy could protest, Hades snapped his fingers and everything went black.
"What now?" Grumpy asked.
"I don't know,"replied Cinderella,"Let's just find a nice hotel to stay at."
People bustled around them. A strange tanned man with an unruly gray heard wearing a white turban glanced at Cinderella for a second before hurrying away while carrying a small, black device with a red blinking light. Two men walked past talking in Russian. Bazaars were opened along the street. None of the, had any customers, except for one selling guns. A red-haired man was hassling over the price with the seller. They arrived at a hotel with the name,"Pluto's Den."
Walking inside, Cinderella and Grumpy found themselves in a lobby encrusted with jewels. A pale man with pitch black clothing was talking to an African American male in a police suit.
"Okay Chris," said the pale figure,"Here is your room key."
The male thanked the pale man and hurried off towards the elevator.
"Hello,"smiled the pale man."You must be Cinderella and Grumpy. I'm Hades, or if you prefer, Pluto."
"Wha..what? Hades? God of the Underworld?" asked Grumpy.
"Yes..you guys are looking for Snow White, right?" replied Hades.
"Yeah," said Cinderella uneasily,"How did you know?"
"Well..Snow is.." Hades paused.
"What about Snow? I demand answers! Tell me," commanded Cinderella.
"Nevermind that,"smirked Hades."You need some rest."
Before Snow or Grumpy could protest, Hades snapped his fingers and everything went black.
Through the Birds
Cinderella woke up, groggy eyed. Her head ached. She rubbed her half-opened eyelids.
Cinderella found that she was now wearing a fresh pair of clothing, which included a simple black t-shirt and dark blue skinny jeans.
She checked her surroundings. Cinderella was now in a room made completely up of gold. She stared at the wall. It was mesmerizing.
Her thoughts were interrupted when the door creaked open. Hades, looking the same as before, walked in.
"Don't look at the wall too long," smiled Hades."You wouldn't believe how many people ended up in my living room that way."
"Where is Grumpy?" asked Cinderella.
Thunder boomed outside. The once golden walls turned an inky black color. The walls swirled and bent. It started oozing out black globs of goo that the wall would reabsorb. Cindy choked from the sudden scent of death that filled the room. She felt weaker.
"Haha..that puny dwarf?" Hades laughed eerily," I bought him to the Underworld to a feast of pomegranates seeds. How idiotic he is..ah, nevermind that. You can talk to him all you want once you join him."
Skeletons rose from the chalky-gray ground and surrounded Cinderella. She was now too weak to stand. Her legs felt weaker. A woman was now standing besides Hades. She had pale skin, just like Hades, and wore a long black dress encrusted with human bones. Cinderella's mind was too weak to think anymore. She felt like dying. Her heart throbbed with pain. Acid seemed to be pumped throughout her body, eroding away at her bones. She felt her bones bend and go rubbery. The skeletons grabbed her with their thin, bony hands that pricked her skin with every touch. Cinderella went limp. She knew she was still alive, but inside she felt dead- yet the pain still coursed through her body.
Hades whispered something in ancient Greek, and a fissure opened in the ground. A thick stench of decaying matter came from the darkness in the opening.
"This is to Tartarus! Into the heart of suffering itself. Minions! Dispose of her!" screeched Hades.
The skeletons hurried towards the hole with Cinderella in their hands. Cinderella felt the pit's gravitational force pull on her. She closed her eyes and braced for the fall.
Cinderella found that she was now wearing a fresh pair of clothing, which included a simple black t-shirt and dark blue skinny jeans.
She checked her surroundings. Cinderella was now in a room made completely up of gold. She stared at the wall. It was mesmerizing.
Her thoughts were interrupted when the door creaked open. Hades, looking the same as before, walked in.
"Don't look at the wall too long," smiled Hades."You wouldn't believe how many people ended up in my living room that way."
"Where is Grumpy?" asked Cinderella.
Thunder boomed outside. The once golden walls turned an inky black color. The walls swirled and bent. It started oozing out black globs of goo that the wall would reabsorb. Cindy choked from the sudden scent of death that filled the room. She felt weaker.
"Haha..that puny dwarf?" Hades laughed eerily," I bought him to the Underworld to a feast of pomegranates seeds. How idiotic he is..ah, nevermind that. You can talk to him all you want once you join him."
Skeletons rose from the chalky-gray ground and surrounded Cinderella. She was now too weak to stand. Her legs felt weaker. A woman was now standing besides Hades. She had pale skin, just like Hades, and wore a long black dress encrusted with human bones. Cinderella's mind was too weak to think anymore. She felt like dying. Her heart throbbed with pain. Acid seemed to be pumped throughout her body, eroding away at her bones. She felt her bones bend and go rubbery. The skeletons grabbed her with their thin, bony hands that pricked her skin with every touch. Cinderella went limp. She knew she was still alive, but inside she felt dead- yet the pain still coursed through her body.
Hades whispered something in ancient Greek, and a fissure opened in the ground. A thick stench of decaying matter came from the darkness in the opening.
"This is to Tartarus! Into the heart of suffering itself. Minions! Dispose of her!" screeched Hades.
The skeletons hurried towards the hole with Cinderella in their hands. Cinderella felt the pit's gravitational force pull on her. She closed her eyes and braced for the fall.
"Blubby glob bxulds gool xlud globby," spoke a female voice, whom was most likely the woman standing besides Hades.
At this point, Cinderella was too weak and tired to understand what was being said.
"Boby glub xom goold xlds globty," replied Hades.
Cindy felt a surge of energy inside her. The pain disappeared, She opened her eyes and was about to struggle, until she noticed that everything was back to what they were previously. The mysterious woman was nowhere to be seen. Cinderella felt like new.
"What..what happened?" shuddered Cinderella.
"I was just messing with you. Its always fun to mess with people,"Hades laughed," Anyways, I actually just sent Grumpy back to the US. I didn't like that angry munchkin, and all he would do is hold you down."
Cinderella was about to object, but then she realized that it would be no use. She decided to change the subject.
"What are you even doing in Egypt? inquired Cinderella.
"Assisting you. You would find something here that will be valuable to you in the future," replied Hades,"I need to get this hotel ready for today now. And you should be meeting Troth. He'll direct you further."
Before Cinderella could reply, Hades clapped and whisked her away to her next destination.
Cinderella blinked. She was in a library. Books of all types lined each wall. A skylight was above her. Sunlight poured in, illuminating the golden titles of each book. The floor was made up of marble, with silver engravings of hieroglyphics. Cinderella noticed the clicking sounds of a typewriter. With every click, the silver hieroglyphics glowed a bluish color.
Cinderella followed the sound through a thin hallway. The walls around her looked as if golden threads were embroidered into them. She saw an old black oak table at the end of the hall. Two tall statues of ibises stood at either sides of the desk. She saw a figure behind the desk. It had the body of a man and the head of an ibis. Walking towards him, she felt her mind getting stronger.Cinderella felt like she was on the edge of knowing everything in the universe- yet she wasn't there. She strained her mind to think-to get closer to that knowledge, but to no avail. When she was a foot away from the desk, the clicking stopped.
"Are..are you Troth?" stammered Cinderella.
"Hm? Oh, yes,"replied Troth. His voice was upbeat and serene. Here on your quest?" The bird figure stood up and walked around Cinderella, surveying her. "You are much like how he described you."
Troth looked into the hallway. He saw a dark silhouette slowly approch. "Shoot. I didn't know our time would be this short," muttered Troth. He then exclaimed,"Okay, look Cindy, long story short-go to pyramid. I'll get yo htere. Get the box. You'll need it. That's all I need to say. I'll set Hypnos straight for you; he likes to mess with d-I mean, humans on activities."
Cinderella said sternly,"Cindy is not my na-"
Troth interrupted,"No time for small talk. I've got other business to tend to. And once Hypnos gets over here, I can't help."
He chanted something in ancient Egyptian. Ibises came flying down from above and swirled together in front of Cinderella. They morphed to form a swirling spiral of white feathers. Throth pushed her into the mess, and she disappeared into it.
At this point, Cinderella was too weak and tired to understand what was being said.
"Boby glub xom goold xlds globty," replied Hades.
Cindy felt a surge of energy inside her. The pain disappeared, She opened her eyes and was about to struggle, until she noticed that everything was back to what they were previously. The mysterious woman was nowhere to be seen. Cinderella felt like new.
"What..what happened?" shuddered Cinderella.
"I was just messing with you. Its always fun to mess with people,"Hades laughed," Anyways, I actually just sent Grumpy back to the US. I didn't like that angry munchkin, and all he would do is hold you down."
Cinderella was about to object, but then she realized that it would be no use. She decided to change the subject.
"What are you even doing in Egypt? inquired Cinderella.
"Assisting you. You would find something here that will be valuable to you in the future," replied Hades,"I need to get this hotel ready for today now. And you should be meeting Troth. He'll direct you further."
Before Cinderella could reply, Hades clapped and whisked her away to her next destination.
Cinderella blinked. She was in a library. Books of all types lined each wall. A skylight was above her. Sunlight poured in, illuminating the golden titles of each book. The floor was made up of marble, with silver engravings of hieroglyphics. Cinderella noticed the clicking sounds of a typewriter. With every click, the silver hieroglyphics glowed a bluish color.
Cinderella followed the sound through a thin hallway. The walls around her looked as if golden threads were embroidered into them. She saw an old black oak table at the end of the hall. Two tall statues of ibises stood at either sides of the desk. She saw a figure behind the desk. It had the body of a man and the head of an ibis. Walking towards him, she felt her mind getting stronger.Cinderella felt like she was on the edge of knowing everything in the universe- yet she wasn't there. She strained her mind to think-to get closer to that knowledge, but to no avail. When she was a foot away from the desk, the clicking stopped.
"Are..are you Troth?" stammered Cinderella.
"Hm? Oh, yes,"replied Troth. His voice was upbeat and serene. Here on your quest?" The bird figure stood up and walked around Cinderella, surveying her. "You are much like how he described you."
Troth looked into the hallway. He saw a dark silhouette slowly approch. "Shoot. I didn't know our time would be this short," muttered Troth. He then exclaimed,"Okay, look Cindy, long story short-go to pyramid. I'll get yo htere. Get the box. You'll need it. That's all I need to say. I'll set Hypnos straight for you; he likes to mess with d-I mean, humans on activities."
Cinderella said sternly,"Cindy is not my na-"
Troth interrupted,"No time for small talk. I've got other business to tend to. And once Hypnos gets over here, I can't help."
He chanted something in ancient Egyptian. Ibises came flying down from above and swirled together in front of Cinderella. They morphed to form a swirling spiral of white feathers. Throth pushed her into the mess, and she disappeared into it.