The Lost Scrolls of Alexandria: The Golden Pharaoh

[lee]

The Lost Scrolls of Alexandria: The Golden Pharaoh









1



Rip Hunter was softly whistling “Happy Trails” while recalibrating the settings on his time sphere when the hairs on the back of his neck began to raise and the tune died away. In the sphere's glass, he caught the reflection of a stranger clad in mostly black, sporting a black cloak and fedora standing behind him.



“Wherever in history you are bound this time, Rip Hunter, I need you to change your destination,” the newcomer said.



The time traveler turned his face to his guest. “It is good to see you again, Stranger.”



The man known only as The Phantom Stranger merely nodded. “The time has come for you to travel to Alexandria.”



It was Rip's turn nod. “47 BC or 273 AD?”



The Stranger allowed himself a small, rare, smile. “273 AD. Although the scrolls you need to collect were at the Great Library by 47 BC, their presence was recorded shortly before the second fire. They were believed to have been lost in the conflagration. We can't have them go missing until just before then.”



Rip stepped inside the time sphere and made a few adjustments. “What is so important about these scrolls?” he asked.



“Upon these scrolls are recorded portions of this world's forgotten history. They tell of a time when fell beasts and demons walked the earth and of the warriors who rose up to defeat them.”



The time traveler's left eyebrow raised slightly. “Wouldn't such tales go against your “Boss'” narrative?”



“Absolutely not,” the Stranger replied. “There are times in this world's history that are unknown to man. These scrolls merely record that time. Although He was silent, He still observed all that transpired.”



“Aside from the fact I can travel through time, why me?”



The Phantom Stranger looked at Rip. “Because you, of all men, do not want to see history lost. To preserve the time stream is to know all of time.”



Rip thought about what the Stranger said. “Am I to travel by myself, or is there someone you would prefer to accompany me?”



“That...is up to you.”



Before Rip could respond, he found himself alone once again. He knew it was useless to call out to the Stranger for he was probably a continent away by now.



“So,” he said, walking to a computer station. “I wonder who would like to visit ancient Egypt?”



* * * * *



Dr. Ashley Halberstam stood looking at the small bottle of sand on one of his shelves, a memento of his first trip to Egypt as a young boy. He picked it up, turned the bottle over in his hand, then gently replaced it. He turned around, walked back to his desk, and sat down. Looking at the brown-haired man sitting on the opposite side of the desk, he shook his head.



“Well?” the man asked. “Would you be interested?”



The Egyptologist grinned. “A chance to journey back to Alexandria before the Great Library burns to the ground? Are you mad? Of course, I am interested. I just have one question; why me?”



Rip Hunter smiled. “A couple of reasons, actually. While you may have never been credited with any major discoveries, there hasn't been an Egyptologist or antiquarian who hasn't confessed that some of the most crucial bits of information needed to make their finds came from you. The second reason is because you have always been so happy to share your knowledge with me, so what better way to repay you.”



Dr. Halberstam ran his hand across his bald head, a sure sign, Rip had come to realize, that meant the Englishman was pleased. “Obviously,” he began, “we will not be able to pass ourselves off as Egyptians, so, how is your Greek?”



“It's passable,” Rip replied.



“The proper Greek attire!” the Egyptologist blurted out. “We are going to need that, as well. That should be fairly easy to acquire; my cleaning woman has a niece who works in wardrobe at Mallet Studios. They did numerous period pieces a decade or so ago, so she should be able to provide us with whatever we need.”



Rip smiled as he listened to his friend continue planning. Much of this was already done, but he would make use of whatever Dr. Halberstam provided for no other reason than to show his appreciation.

[lee]

2



Alexandria, Egypt, 273 AD—

Dr. Halberstam paused and looked around at the Great Library. He took a deep breath, then sighed.



“Is there a problem, Ashley?” Rip asked softly, so as not to be overheard.



“It is hard to believe that, within a week, this place and everything it holds will be destroyed,” the Egyptologist replied.



Rip patted his friend on the back. “I can promise you not everything will be lost. Now, let's hurry and find what we came for.”



Dr. Halberstam nodded, then the two men continued on, unaware their brief interlude did not go unnoticed. Seconds later, a tall man stepped from the shadows of a pillar and followed along behind them.



The time travelers moved unerringly through the Library, followed at a discreet distance by the eavesdropper. Several turns later, the two men arrived at a closed wooden door; the tall man paused at the last turn, just out of sight.



Glancing around, Rip softly rapped his knuckles on the wood. When he heard no response, he slowly pushed the door open and peeked inside. “It's empty,” he whispered to his companion. The two men stepped inside and eased the door closed behind them.



Despite being currently abandoned, a half-dozen oil lamps placed strategically away from the room's precious treasures provided a moderate amount of light. Rows and rows of shelves, bearing thousands of scrolls, filled the room.



“I am suddenly craving Italian,” Rip said, still keeping his voice low in case someone was passing by in the corridor outside.



Dr. Halberstam dipped his pinkie into the oil of one of the lamps, careful to avoid the floating wick, and touched it to his tongue. “They are using olive oil as their fuel source,” he said. “It burns rather clean, and, it appears, they have added a pinch of salt to help eliminate the majority of the soot.”



Each man gently lifted a lamp, which, in truth, was little more than an oil-filled bowl, and began to look around. The scope of their task began to dawn on them.



“How will we ever find the scrolls we are looking for?” the Egyptologist asked. “Surely, we aren't supposed to simply start grabbing papyrus willy-nilly.”



“Your words are not of the Greek tongue,” a voice said near the door, “despite your attire.”



Ashley froze, but Rip spun to face the newcomer—spilling oil on his hand in the process. His eyes widened in recognition. “Dr....Mist?” he stammered in Greek. “What are you doing here?”



The man who had been following them cocked his head slightly. After a moment, the corner of his mouth began to creep upwards. “I do not know this name, but, I suspect, it is one that I shall acknowledge one day. I am called Nommo.”



Rip looked at the man standing before him. Without the trappings of modern day, he could see the man as less of a mage and more of a warrior. Standing an easy 6'4”, if not taller, he looked like an NFL running back. Lean, but well-muscled, strong, but wiry. “Nommo. Yes. Forgive me.”



“You are not from this era,” Nommo stated, not overly surprised. “You are looking for specific scrolls, but for what reason? These shelves hold nothing of power save the histories of times past; not something a thief would desire. If you were simple thieves, then you would have already begun to collect the scrolls closest to you. I sense no malice in you or your intended actions. Please, enlighten me as to your reason for being here.”



Dr. Halberstam had turned—slowly—during the newcomer's speech. His heart beat wildly against the inside of his chest.



“We seek certain scrolls, as you have said,” Rip began. “We are, indeed, from a different era, one many years from now.”



“And you seek to preserve these specific scrolls from the coming destruction,” Nommo said. “I have had visions of such an event.”



“Less than a week from now,” Ashley offered. “So much of this knowledge shall be lost.”



Nommo sensed the sadness in the man's voice. “Follow me.”



As the three men started between the rows of shelves, Nommo spoke to Rip. “This name you called me, “Dr. Mist”, it means we know each other in the years to come?”



“Not as well as we should,” Rip replied, “but, yes, we do.”



Nommo stopped suddenly, causing Ashley to stumble into Rip and splash oil onto the hem of his tunic. Before Rip could react, a knife seemed to appear in Nommo's hand as if by magic. “If you have any means of defense,” he said looking around, “produce it now.”



Rip stuck his hand down the neck of his tunic and produced the laser gun he often carried for emergencies. “Shoulder holster,” he said in response to Ashley's look as moved to place the Egyptologist between Nommo and himself.



“Where are our attackers coming from?” Ashley asked.



“The shadows.” Nommo replied. “Set has long sought an item that was rumored to have been hidden in this room. When I first overheard your conversation, I thought you were here to collect it for your master.”



Before the conversation could advance any further, jackal-headed humanoids began to emerge from the shadows. The three men knew their chances of survival weren't promising.



While Rip blasted away with his pistol, Nommo spun and lashed out with his blade. Whenever one of Set's minions fell, another appeared to take its place. Ashley took a step back as one of the creatures dropped at his feet, a cauterized hole in the center of its head, then knelt and retrieved an Egyptian mace that had fallen from its lifeless hand. Wielding it like a cricket bat, he was soon holding his own.



“Tati.”



Ashley spun at the sound of the voice, catching one of Set's monsters in the jaw with the mace as he did so. Seeing no one save the fallen creature, he started to turn back around.



“Tati.”



The voice stopped him and he saw a brief flicker of light in the distant shadows; he also saw a jackal-head rushing in that direction. The Egyptologist quickly followed.



Rip caught a glimpse of his friend running off, but had no chance to see why,



Ashley managed to draw close enough to the creature to be within striking distance. He made a leap, then brought his mace down upon his foe's head. There was a sickening crunch, and, as the thing fell, Ashley landed atop it, lost his footing, and ended up sprawled on the floor.



“Tati.”



“Come where?” he finally asked. The light flickered again and, scrambling to his feet, he cautiously proceeded forward.



There was a final turn when he reached the aisle's end. With another quick glance behind him to be sure no more of Set's minions were approaching, he rounded the corner. He was surprised to find a small opening in the wall scarcely five feet tall. Whatever the cause of the light, it was within. Lowering his head, he peeked inside.



“Udkhil.” The voice summoned him to enter.



“Who is it?” Ashley asked as he stepped through the doorway. Inside, he found he could stand up straight again. A sound behind him caused him to glance back, his mace at the ready.



The opening he had stepped through not ten seconds ago was gone; replaced by a solid wall. Despite this, Ashley felt no surge of panic, no sense of doom. Instead, his eyes were drawn to the source of the light; a simple wooden staff resting in the farthest corner of the room.



“Khadhani.” The voice seemed to emanate from the staff, though Ashley realized he was actually hearing the voice in his mind. Reaching out without hesitation, he wrapped his fingers around the staff.



A surge of energy filled every cell of his body, of that he was certain. Though not athletic by any means, Ashley felt his muscles gaining density, becoming more solid than any bodybuilder. His skin began taking on a golden-yellow hue, and his eyesight grew stronger and more clear than ever before. Even his perception changed and he realized he was now taller. Beneath his Greek attire, he felt his skin begin to tingle. As he began to remove the costume, he was surprised to find a new outfit appearing.



Layered around his chest and back were sew-together strips of linseed flax; a pleated kilt of bluish-purple dyed linen and yellow belt and apron covered him from his waist to his knees. A large bluish-purple collar trimmed in onyx rested easily around his neck and across his shoulders, two large protrusions reminiscent of a beetle's pincers emerging from the back. Bluish-purple cloth trimmed in black attached to small golden loops at the base of the protrusions connected to the golden bracers around his wrists, giving him the appearance of having the wings of a great beetle when his arms were extended. Golden sandals were laced up to the tops of his calves.



His clothing and appearance weren't the only things that were transformed; the staff, also, underwent a change. The outer wooden layer fell away to reveal a golden handle. Like a flower blooming, the tip of the staff began to open and golden beetle emerged. It stretched its wings—more like those of an eagle than an insect—to reveal an orb of Ra on its chest.



“Go, thou Golden Pharaoh,” the voice said, emanating from the orb on his staff. “Destroy the offspring of Set.”



The opening reappeared and one of Set's minions thrust its head inside. Ashley, in his new form, thrust out his hand and a burst of light shot forth. The monster attempted to scream as its body crumbled to ash.



Stepping through the opening, ever ready to defend himself, Ashley made his way back to where he had last seen Rip and Nommo. The din of battle was a sure guide and he arrived in a matter of moments.



The presence of such power as Ashley now commanded was enough to draw not only the attention of Set's minions, but of Nommo as well. Putting his hand on Rip's shoulder, the man whom the time traveler would one day call friend, pulled him away from the fighting. He then gave Ashley a nod. The transformed Egyptologist stretched out his hands and unleashed a burst of light that obliterated all save his companions.



Rip was wiping tears away in an attempt to regain his eyesight when Nommo spoke. “You have found the staff Set has sought for so long.”



“It called to me.” It was the first time Ashley had spoken since becoming the Golden Pharaoh, yet he was not surprised to discover his voice much deeper.



“Who are...?” Rip began, then his eyes grew wide.



“It's me, Rip,” the Golden Pharaoh said, “Ashley.”



Rip looked from Ashley to Nommo and back again. “What happened to you?”



“He has fulfilled his destiny,” Nommo replied. He then turned to Ashley. “Be wary. Set will try to come for the staff, regardless of where—or when—you are.”



“I feel like I can handle myself,” Ashley said.



“Plus,” Rip added, “I have some pretty powerful acquaintances who would be willing to help if need be.”



Nommo nodded. “Then gather the scrolls you seek and go while you can. I hope we have the opportunity to meet again some day.”



“One question before you go,” Ashley said.



“Yes?”



“How do I revert back to my original form?” he asked. “Or, am I stuck like this forever?”



Nommo smiled. “The staff will know when it is safe for you to assume your natural form.” With that, he turned to go, taking three steps before vanishing before their eyes.

[lee]

3



Rip and Ashley took a final moment to marvel at the collection of scrolls they had acquired before closing the door to a room the time traveler had specially prepared in a sub-basement beneath the Egyptologist's home. Both men sighed, then laughed at themselves for doing so in unison.



“I look forward to studying these,” Ashley said as they finally closed and sealed the door.



Rip smiled. “I'm kind of curious of the stories they contain myself.”



“Are you sure they will be safe here?” Ashley asked. “What if Set comes seeking to take my property?” He adjusted his grip on the plain wooden staff in his hand.



“I am not the only one who was interested in seeing these scrolls preserved,” Rip replied. “I'm sure my...friend...knows we are back, even though he has yet to contact me. I have little doubt he will take the necessary steps to make sure nothing happens to the scrolls.”



Ashley nodded as he led his friend back up to the ground floor. When they reached the top of the stairs, Rip thanked the man again for accompanying him on their adventure with the promise to bring help if Ashley ever found himself in need of such.



“You are welcome to stop in and examine the scrolls whenever you wish,” Ashley said as he and Rip went into the garden where Rip's time sphere was waiting. “Where are you going next?” the Egyptologist asked.



“I have some business to take care of in the States,”Rip said, then added, “in the present day, of course.”



Both men laughed.



Rip entered the sphere and within seconds, he was gone.



Ashley walked back to the door to find his assistant waiting for him. “Yes?” he said as he stepped inside.



“You have a visitor waiting for you in the study,” the young man said.



Ashley checked his watch. “It seems a tad late for visitors. Does my visitor have a name?”



“He never said,” the assistant replied.



That brief exchange gave Ashley two important pieces of information; his visitor was a man, and he must not be a danger since the staff had not changed him. “Isn't it time for you to be leaving?”



The young man looked at his own watch. “I can stay a little longer, if you would like.”



Ashley shook his head. “I won't ask that of you. Please, feel free to run along.”



“Only if you are sure.”



“I assure you, I am.”



The young man bid his employer good evening and collected his things. Ashley was just entering the study as he pulled the front door closed behind him.



Something about the way the man in the dark green suit stood perusing the numerous books on the shelves, his back toward the door, seemed familiar. “Sorry to have kept you waiting,” Ashley said, drawing the man's attention.



The man turned, a big smile on his face. “Dr. Ashley Halberstam? I am Dr. Mist, and I have waited a very long time to meet you.”





Not necessarily the end.

[johnreiter902]

An excellent story, and a good way to add the Golden Pharoah to Earth-1.

One question. Does Dr. Halberstam live in Egypt or in another country? I may need to update my list of international heroes if he does not live in Egypt.

[lee]

He is in England, although a home in Egypt would be possible. For the list, let's say his primary residence is in England.

I'm glad you enjoyed the story.

[dans]

Nice! It is easy to see you had fun writing this. It seems like the Nommo version of Dr. Mist is less powerful than the one of today which makes sense. I wonder where the staff came from and how powerful the Golden Pharaoh is? Looking forward to the next adventure, whenever it happens!

[DocQuantum]

This was a fun story! I always love seeing origin stories, and the guest stars were awesome.

As a matter of continuity, I’ll mention that the Nommo seen in this story is a physical projection of the real Nommo, who was prisoner of his own making (you might even call him a shut-in) ever since the death of his ancient civilization circa 5,000 BC or so. He so greatly feared being corrupted by his own immense power that he felt this was necessary lest his hubris destroy a SECOND civilization like he destroyed his own.

As I demonstrated in the Underworld Unleashed story, all appearances outside of his cave home in the darkest reaches of Africa are physical projections he used in order to walk among men, even though it could never be as real as being there.

We already knew he used projections based on his Pre-Crisis appearances, only most of those times it was obvious he was doing so, as it was usually seen as a large disembodied head floating in mid-air. As the most powerful
wizard in history, supposedly, physical projections that look as real as anyone posed little problem for him.

Recently, in 1988, this thousands of years long streak of isolation came to an end after a battle with Morgaine le Fey, and Nommo lost his immortality. He now leads the Global Guardians in person.

Anyway, since you already have the Phantom Stranger in this story, you might want to add a small scene showing Nommo disappearing into the mist much like the Stranger is wont to do.

[lee]

Added his disappearing act to the end of chapter 2. I'm glad you enjoyed the story.

[lawrenceliberty]

Good story with well -handled characters. Now we need to see GP meet Horus and Prince Ra-Man!