Operation: NECSUS, Part 13: The Prince of Osiris

Chapter 13: The Prince of Osiris

Mecha Jungle

Vweeb finished repairing the Shooting Star's interior before climbing out to his friends. "Well, the solar flare did a number on the Star, but I was able to fix it okay. YOU guys coulda helped me, now that Nebula can SHRINK now!" Indeed Nebula was leaning on the car, filing her nails, while Bender smoked a cigar.

"Yeah, but all I could do was bend the wires, which would make things worse." Bender implied.

"Plus, I don't have my lightning power back, so I couldn't-a helped." Nebula noted.

"Whatever! So we ready to take off or what?"

"Yeah, we're ready." Neb said as they hopped in. "We need to contact Sector V somehow and check in their progress. It's all we can do before we find a hint to the fragment. Let's go." So, the ship lifted and took off again.

Aloha Oe

"Ahhhh, this ship is the bee's knees!" Haylee said gleefully as she piloted their brand new ship.

"Hey, don't steal my bit, 'aylee!" Sheila yelled. "Oi, but she be apples." She smiled as she lied back on the round sofa. "It's a hundred yonkers better than that dusty ol' dingy."

Chris, however, wore a look of anger and annoyance. "I appreciate Dandy for allowing us the comfort of his ship, but… WHY DID HE HAVE TO SAVE THESE LITTLE PESTS!!" Indeed, Chris's hands and legs were tied behind him as the Kateenian kids grinned playfully.

"Hm hm hm!" Aurora giggled. "Those guys are so fun!"

"Hm hm, let's find Nebula and give her the artifact!" Haruka suggested with giggles. "Afterwards, we can drop these little guys back at Kateenia. Not that we want to." Chris glared.

A few space-miles away; Sector DR's Lego ship

"I'm telling you, he's being held on Glacia!" Doflamingo argued. "Arctic tundra, that's his kinda place! We'll search for the coldest region on there and bring his ass back!"

"All right, all right. But do we even know where Glacia is?" Sweetie asked.

"What'm I, a galactic navigator? All these directions look the same to me."

"You're stupid. Ask someone for directions." Sugar stated.

"Shuddup, I was gonna do that!"

"Uuuuh! There's a ship over there-daizokun!" Bison pointed, seeing the Aloha Oe ahead.

"Alright, we'll see what they know. Will THAT make you happy, Sugar?"

Aloha Oe

"…Hm?" Aurora looked curiously as a strange Lego ship flew toward them. It stopped as a voice echoed,

"Excuse me fellas, but we're lookin' for Planet Glacia. Mind pointin' us the way?"

"Uhhh, let's seeee…" Aurora pressed buttons at a terminal. "Ahh! Just fly diagonally right at 10 parsecs and it says you'll make it!"

"Terrific! Thank ya, Miss!" Doffy Jr. said, and with that, they flew off.

Sector V continued on their voyage while Aurora smiled with satisfaction. "Ahhhh… helping people. …"

Great Clock; bathroom

"Mmmmmm…" After an arduous journey across a barren, rocky landscape, MaKayla was happily relaxed in a wide, steaming hot tub, filled with bubbles that, well, 'censored' her body. "The earthbender lifestyle is not for me. Sigh, why's the box gotta be so heavy for a little fruit?"

Clockwork's vision appeared. "A Devil Fruit is a very important project, created after many years of research. The powers it brings are not to be taken lightly."

"Gyah!" MaKayla covered herself. "Can't a girl take a bath in privacy??"

"I'm a ghost. We do this all the time."

"That…That's no excuse at all! Uuugh! Anyway, wouldn't it be much easier to carry a can of Bang Gas?"

"It may be… but remember that the effects of Bang Gas are randomized, while Devil Fruits contain concentrations of Bang Gas for a specific power. And besides, Devil Fruits are an upgrade over regular Bang Gas. With a mix of demon material, even the usual anti-metahuman antidote would have no effect."

"But… didn't The Brain give Mr. York the chance to induce Madame Rouge with the antidote?"

"Yes, he did… but even if he took it, the potion would have no effect. 'Twas merely a test of Nolan's moral strength. Madame Rouge not only ate a Devil Fruit, but a Logia one at that. To become a Logia bender, it normally takes years of meditation and elemental bonding. To make a fruit that so greatly manipulates your body's substance and structure… Caesar's level of knowledge, is truly amazing."

"With your help and these little nightly escapades, I might reach the Logia level pretty early!" MaKayla smiled.

"Do not be so hasty. Although Time is treated in the same league as other elements, regarding a flow of chi or weaknesses, it is also referred to as the God Element. When one wields Time, one holds the very foundation of our universe and all its history. A timebender of truly remarkable power can alter the timeline to his very desire, and reshape a universe to his own image. A timebender who could achieve the Logia level would know power like no other in the universe. For being able to merge with Time itself, there is no energy in the cosmos that can hold them back. The universe and all its eras will be at their whim.

"In the great scheme that is the universe, there have only been two Logia timebenders. I… am one of them. Under Dialga's command, I bonded with the light side of my element and protected the universe. The other: The other… escapes my vision entirely. Such is his incredible power."

"But… if you don't know him… how do you know he exists?"

"I began to have nightmares that a timebender of incredible power exists. I asked Darkrai about them… but none of us had any idea. But I knew… the nightmares wouldn't happen without a reason. Somewhere in the universe… is a timebender like that. Coincidentally… I began having them… when your father was born."

MaKayla looked in the direction of the bedrooms with fear. Jagar and Misty slept peacefully in their bed.

Shooting Star

"You kids ever stare at old pictures of your mom?" Bender asked.

"WHO THE HECK STARTS A CONVERSATION LIKE THAT?!" Nebula and Vweeb yelled.

"Eh, I'm sorry, guys. It just gets so BORING, sittin' in this dusty ol' racecar. Not even a comfy couch, or TV!"

"I happen to find this place quite roomy!" Vweeb said as he lied back on Nebula's lap.

"Easy for you, Shrimpy." Bender glared.

"Besides, isn't your apartment just a closet?" Nebula asked.

"Hey, my apartment has pizazz, it's got way more lingo than your crummy human apartments. I want a ship with spirit! Like theirs!" He pointed to a huge, yellow ship flying their way.

"Who do you think they are?" Vweeb asked.

"Probably bounty hunters." Nebula assumed. "Let's just fly casually, just in case."

Right away, the Star changed into a humanoid shape with hands in its pockets as it whistled, walking casually.

Inside Aloha Oe

"Come on, we know how to turn on the megaphone speakers, can't we connect to their message transmitter?" Aurora asked.

"Hey, a girl needs time adjusting to a new ship." Haylee said, pressing different buttons. "What does this one do?" She pushed a button that fired a laser at the Shooting Star. "Oops."

"Eyah!! They're shooting us, let's go!" Vweeb yelled, and the Shooting Star immediately took off.

"Way to go, Haylee!" Artie yelled.

"Don't 'Way to go' Haylee! Let's just boost after them! As soon as I find the-" She stomped a gas pedal, but it only fired a series of missiles.

"GYAAAAAH!" Vweeb screamed as they narrowly dodged the missiles.

"Still bored, Bender?" Neb asked. "Looks like we aren't leaving peacefully. Let's just fight."

They did a somersault and flew at the Aloha, beginning to bombard it with lasers. "Aaaahh! I guess they can't take an honest mistake!" Haylee yelled.

"Why don't you alert 'em to the fact WE AREN'T ENEMIES!!" Harry screamed.

"Chill out, I'll find the right button! It's here somewhere-" She pushed a button that formed a barrier and bounced the Star back.

"They're well-prepared." Nebula observed. "I wonder if I can Space Shrink 'em from this distance. Let's fly over their cockpit and see what happens."

And so, the Star flew upside-down and glided over the Aloha's pilot's seat. She held her hands ready to shrink them, but- "Huh?" saw Haylee and Sector V directly above their view.

"Hiiii!" Haylee grinned and waved.

Inside Aloha

"Ohh! So you got a new ship!" Nebula realized after their explanation.

"Heh heh! Sorry!" Haylee blushed.

"It sure is roomy." Vweeb said as he walked around the sofa, where Kirie and Haruka sat.

"Eh, it's okay… but it feels… like it's missing something." Bender said.

"This closet's pretty nice!" Dillon smiled, showing him the closet. Bender walked in as Dillon shut the door.

"Now that's what Ah'm talkin' about!"

"And since it isn't a Drophyd ship, they probably won't be suspecting us!" Haylee said as she jumped back in the pilot seat.

"Also, she got this for you." Aurora said as she tossed Nebula the artifact.

"A Zathurian Artifact?!" she asked with excitement. "Where did you get it??"

"A friend." Haylee winked.

"Boyfriend." Artie smirked.

"HE IS NOT!"

Nebula allowed the artifact to scan her eye, and the holographic message appeared for all to see (but only for Nebula to read). "'You, who is descended from the Clan of Space and is probably tired of reading this, seek the 6 pieces that will make our invention whole. The next fragment (assuming you're finding these in a particular order) is on Secco, within the region of Osiris. But the fragment will only be found, once the next pharaoh awakens. Good luck, and beware the darkness… you know how it is.' …Well, that's it."

"Holy crud!!" Vweeb exclaimed. "So we're going to Secco?? We're visiting the most-visited planet of the series in a SPACE adventure?! Holy wow! That's just plain amazing and surprising in the MOST possible way!"

"At least we're familiar with it." Neb said. "I heard the Osiris Region was modeled after Ancient Earth Egypt. Or was it… the other way around."

"Well, you should be more than comfortable in this ship." Aurora smiled.

"I think we'll stick with the Shooting Star. The less attention, the better. And faster."

"What the-?! TV and good eating and you wanna ride in the PATTY Wagon??" Bender complained.

"If we get in a space-fight, a smaller ship would be more agile, so it's best we stick with it."

"We have to drop these Kateenians off, anyway." Aurora noted, indicating the Kateenian kids using Chris as a boat swing, hanging from the ceiling.

"And let's do it quick before I puke off the starboard bow!"

"YAAAAAAY!"

"Mmm-nn-nn, more agile ship, mmm-nn-nn…" Bender mumbled with anger, "no comfy couch or TV, mm-mm…"

"By the way, who's the whiny robot?" Aurora asked.

"A guy whose specific functions are unclear." Neb said.

"Bite my shiny metal ass!" Bender retorted.

"I've seen shinier." Dillon countered.

"Not from you, Crowboy."

"Can we just go??" Nebula insisted. "Anyway, when you're done with those Kateenians, try and meet up with my brother."

Chris glared, his anger building up as they used him for swinging. "Oh I think they're gonna be more than done…"

Secco's atmosphere; southeast region

"All I'm saying is, if we're gonna spend a bazillion hours in space, we at LEAST need to be comfortable!" Bender argued. "I figured a spacebender like you would LOVE more space!"

"Well, we need to think about the good of the mission. Besides, I'm not actually a full spacebender at the moment. But that'll all change once we get the fragments. Secco's a big place, so let's make sure we-"

At that instant, the engine started to die, bursting mini puffs of smoke as the ship shook. "Uh-oh. I think that solar flare's taking its toll!" Vweeb deduced.

"Bender is right. Nailed it." Bender smirked as he blew a smoke.

"Ugh, the wheel's stuck!" Nebula yelled. "Good thing Secco's a sandpit 'cause we're in for a rough landing!"

"WHOOOOOAAAA!" The racecar craft crashed onto a sandy field, and the three heroes were flung out, scratched and bloody.

8 hours later…

"….Mmm…nnnnn." Nebula finally awakened as the sun began setting over the Osiris Region. She found Vweeb a few feet ahead and scooped him in her hand as he came to.

"Ceh, ceh!" he coughed. "All sand is is just small, Kateenian rocks! Really painful."

Nebula set him on her shoulder as they looked around. "Where do you think Bender is?"

"I dunno, but it doesn't look like he walked. Check it out." Vweeb pointed at a long, dented trail in the sand, which matched Bender's width.

"'Guess someone took an interest in him." They looked to the smoking wreckage of the Star. "And it'll take more than some tiny-size hacking to fix that. We'll see if the Seccoans have any good materials."

"Gonna be a long way for that." Vweeb noticed the pyramids in the distance.

"Nothing we aren't used to…" (Play "Dusty Desert Quicksand" from Sonic 2006.)

Stage 16: Osiris Country

Mission: Reach the town and look for the fragment.

Act 1

Nebula and Vweeb began their journey across the Wild Sandy Yonder (do not confuse this with the GALACSIA stage :P). Moldorms crawled around the sand and jumped out at them, but Nebula kept them away with her S.H.O.O.T.E.R.. The desert was very barren, with a few rocks and mostly dunes, and the group walked up their first dune, having to only deal with Moldorms. Once at the top of the dune, they overlooked a bottomless chasm with far-apart platforms. They hurried down the sandy hill as Nebula jumped to the first platform. She formed a group of moving Space Blocks that led to the next one, and carefully jumped them to get across.

The next platform was too far to float to, but it sat on an unstable, ball-shaped rock near its stem. Nebula used the Space Shrink to minimize the rock, and this caused the platform to wobble back-and-forth, between them and the continued path. They jumped on when it tilted by them, then made it to the path between sand dunes. Leevers came out and spun at them, but they were still short-rate enemies that Nebula sprung out from the sand using her S.P.O.U.T..

They reached a wider area filled with sand holes, and in those holes were Sarlacc awaiting their meal. It was easy to walk around them, even though the flowing sand moved them toward the holes, but Sarlaccs' tentacles were reaching up to grab them, so Nebula kept them away with the S.H.O.O.T.E.R.. They made it out of the sandpit field, but reached an even larger sinkhole with a larger Sarlacc. They slowly stepped into the pit's slope, where the Sarlacc came out and spat slimeballs at them. It held its mouth open a few seconds after spitting, so Nebula had to toss grenades inside when it did. The process repeated a few times before the Sarlacc fainted in defeat.

The sands became stable in the area as they were able to get up out of the pit, to the next path. They reached a pit of quicksand that many tall Pokeys emerged from. Nebula used Space Shrink to minimize their lower segments, making the Pokeys shorter so she could jump off their heads. After crossing the sandpit, they reached a wide, gaping chasm, and on the other side, a Pokey of incredible height towered above the edge. There was a 20x40 stand, where Numbuh 20x40 made his daily announcement.

"GET yer V.I.S.S.I.L.E., another classic weapon fer a classic space adventah, only 6,000 Bolts! Launch across all the great distances and see ahead of a level if ya wanna! If ya can't take it from me, take it from that tall Pokey fella who's tauntin' ya across the chasm!"

Nebula chuckled and paid the toll, acquiring the classic missile launcher. Nebula noticed the cracked ledge beneath the Pokey and launched her V.I.S.S.I.L.E. across, destroying the ground as the towering Pokey began to fall toward them. And just when its body was level with their ledge, a time distortion beam came down from the sky and stopped its body from falling. However, its parts were still too light to walk across, so they followed a side-trail on their left. A rock sat in the sand, baring Nebula's reflection, so the half-Zathurian shrunk herself. She and Vweeb were able to cross the Pokey bridge, having to jump to each individual part.

Another mirror rock sat on the other side, so Nebula was able to re-expand herself. After following another short trail, they were at a long river of quicksand, where many bones were seen flowing and sinking into the depths. Among these bones happened to be a capsule containing a Brown Boulder Wisp, so Nebula fired the V.I.S.S.I.L.E. and broke it open. "BOULDER!" Nebula absorbed the power and began speeding across the quicksand as a speeding boulder. Bone walls emerged from the sand which she had to dodge, and it was difficult to swerve when the river made turns.

She had to roll up a slope onto a platform to cross a bridge connecting to another platform across a chasm. She sped down short sand hills and evaded geysers that popped out of the sand. She soon sped into a thin tunnel, coming out on a long, sandy hill that led straight into a Sarlacc's mouth. They sped down its throat and up a ramp, over a pool of digestive acid as they took land on a safe foothold.

The power wore off as they began a journey inside the Sarlacc. They jumped up some floating platforms to reach a passageway on the ceiling, leading into a tunnel. The monster's insides were pumping in and out as they reached a vertical shaft, where the parallel walls moved away, then squeezed back. When they squeezed back, they were close enough for Nebula to Wall Jump up to a higher walkway. The ceiling began to close down to the path, so Nebula had to duck and squeeze in the gaps. They reached a river of digestive acid and had to jump a set of platforms, which sunk after they were stood on.

Just as well, a wave of acid began to wash toward them, so they jumped across quickly. At the route's end, they broke open a capsule with a Laser Wisp, which Nebula absorbed and aimed down the acid river. "LASER!" They shot forward and blasted out of the Sarlacc's rear, flying high in the sky before landing back on the sandy ground. They were only meters away from a town of pyramids and statues. Some of the Osirins here were human with dark skin, some were doglike creatures, resembling the Egyptian god, Anubis, and others looked like the Egyptian god, Thoth. The two approached one of these types, who wore a red pointed crown and dressed like a priest.

"Welcome, visitors, to our proud country of Osiris." He greeted. "I am the High Priest, leader of the country's religious order. May your time here be pleasurable."

"Wow! Osiris looks a lot like Egypt on Ancient Earth!" Vweeb observed.

"Well, of course. Our kind visited Egypt, Earth, thousands of years ago. We set up establishments and the humans soon adapted to our ways. It was a pleasant planet, but we got bored and left."

The priest led them through town as Neb and Vweeb viewed the many pyramids and statues of pharaohs, towering over tombs. "You have come at a momentous time. We are about to announce the arrival of the new pharaoh."

"The new pharaoh?" Nebula asked.

"Yes. For 10 years, our land has gone without a pharaoh. Ever since the last pharaoh, Hamenthotep died."

"How did he die?" Vweeb asked.

"We had just gotten done constructing the statue to his tomb. But tragedy… the nose of his idol collapsed, and crushed him. We awaited the gods to deliver us the next pharaoh… but for long time, the Wall of Prophecy has gone unchanged. The slaves had no work… we had no one to follow. But at long last, the Wall of Prophecy hath delivered us news. And the new pharaoh, descended from the heavens."

"That's cool and all, but… did you really need anyone to follow before?" Nebula asked. "You people can act on your own… can't you?"

"It is tradition, that only the pharaoh hath say in the land. It is God's will, that we blindly obey. Free from thought or responsibility."

"Your culture is truly, truly amazing." Vweeb said with clear sarcasm.

The kids were brought to a huge crowd of people gathered before a stone temple. Nebula and Vweeb stood in the front as the High Priest stepped up to the podium atop the wide stairs. "People of Osiris! We've waited 10 long years, but the gods have delivered us the golden news. Behold… Osiris's new pharaoh: BENDEEEERRR!" And out came Bender Rodríguez, dressed in a pharaoh's uniform and crown as he performed an Egyptian dance, up to the podium.

"!!!!" Needless to say, Neb and Vweeb's mouths couldn't stay closed.

"HELLO, people of Osiris! I am Bender… THE GREAT!"

"HE'S the new pharaoh??" Nebula screamed.

"Of course! As it is written, on the Wall Prophecy!" The priest indicated the Wall of Prophecy behind the crowd, which had many symbols. The one that was distinctly noticeable, was a pixel graffiti art of Bender.

DOIIIIIINNNG. The color dropped from the two's faces.

"That's right! And the new pharaoh has BIG news!" Bender announced. "The labor and tyranny that was brought onto you by the pharaohs before me… IS NO MORE!"

"YAAAAAAAY!"

"Let a NEW wave of toil and labor wash across this lazy country!"

"YAAAA- Wait, whuh, huh?…"

"Starting today: you will build me a colossal statue in my honor! One billion cubit meters tall! You will construct it to my exact specifications! Anyone who slacks off… will just have to work harder! NOW GET MOVIN'!" He lashed a whip.

And so, the slaves of Osiris were put to work, after 10 years of relaxation. Nebula and Vweeb were thrown into this too, but they had to wear Egyptian style clothing. Nebula was dressed in a white sleeveless bellybutton shirt, green dress, sandals, and had a gold headband around her forehead. They were able to cut tiny pieces of cloth off for Vweeb, and some matching sandals. Also, the designer who was picking these clothes out for them was being whipped by Bender as he did so.

And for several days and nights, they worked. Nebula used her gravity powers to make people stand on convenient Grav-Paths on the statue's side, allowing them to push blocks up to higher areas. Bender's legs stretched to their height as he whipped them walking up.

A couple of carpenters were carefully studying the blueprints to Bender's tremendous statue, looking thoughtfully. Bender whipped them as they did this.

When they were trying to put pieces of Bender's statue's arms together, Vweeb used his ray gun and burned along the cracks to stick them together. Bender whipped him with a tiny whip as he did so.

When night fell, Neb and Vweeb were fast asleep inside a barrel, with the smaller alien tucked in her bellybutton. Many others were asleep as well, and Bender still whipped them into shape.

The statue was nearing completion, and it stretched all the way to space. Nebula and Vweeb wore space helmets as they floated with jetpacks, as did the other slaves. They carefully placed the ball on Bender's antenna. Bender didn't cease in whipping them once.

5 days later…

The legion of slaves stood before the tremendous idol, with Neb and Vweeb in the front. The High Priest led Bender forward, a blindfold over the robot's eyes. "Pharaoh Bender… it is with the highest honor, we present to you… your tomb." He took the fold off. Bender stared with sheer amazement as his statue towered beyond the heavens. (End song.)

"REMEMBER ME." The statue echoed across Secco, releasing a breath of fire from its mouth. "REMEMBER ME." Another flame.

"Does it please you, My Lord?"

"Hmmmnn… yeah, it's definitely big all right… I just wonder if it's too big, you know? Like, will people remember me, or the statue?"

"But Sire, we made it to your exact specifications."

"TOO exact if you ask me! TEAR it down and start it again! And this time, try not to make fools of yourselves."

As Bender smoked his cigar, the High Priest went to speak with his underlings. After a few whispers, they nodded in agreement.

"H-HEY, wha- Yow!" Bender was immediately wrapped like a mummy.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the pharaoh suddenly died."

"YAAAAAY!" Everyone cheered, including Nebula and Vweeb.

The Osirins took Bender to a hole next to his tomb and tossed him down below. "WHAT ABOUT MY serrrrrvaaaaants?"

"Uuugh. Fine." With that, they grabbed Neb and Vweeb, and pushed them toward the hole.

"H-Hey- whooooooaaaa!" The tomb was sealed afterward.

Inside the tomb

"Oh- uh- Ow! Uuuuuhh…" The two groaned after colliding with the bottom.

They looked up when a candle alit, held by Bender as he unwrapped his bandages. "Cool, you guys made it! Check out the awesome tomb I made these guys build!" He flipped a lightswitch, bringing light to a casino-like tomb with gold and a bar.

"Bender, what the heck were you even thinking??" Neb asked.

"Look, I wasn't tryin' to be pharaoh, but you know, the opportunity presented itself, and I figured I could use a good retirement home! Come on, I got you guys some soda!" He went to grab some sodas in the fridge, tossing them to Nebula.

"Well, you coulda gone a little easier on us."

"Eh, no big deal. Enslaving people was my 12th hobby. I made absolutely certain you guys received the worst possible treatment."

Nebula WHACKED him beside the head with the S.H.O.O.T.E.R.. "That's the OPPOSITE of what I'm trying to get across here!!"

"Owww! Excuse me! Ah guess maybe I shouldn't-a snagged THIS!" He presented the Dimensional Fragment.

Nebula gaped. "The Dimensional Fragment!!" Thank you, Nebula.

"Yeah, apparently it's some sacred treasure they give to the pharaoh or somethin'. I woulda let you guys know, but I wanted to make sure they did this tomb right. I guess I can live with it…"

"Uh, no matter! Let's just get outta here and find a way to fix the ship!"

"That's gonna be a problem: we're totally sealed. Nothing can get in or out. Except millions of snakes."

"Eyaaah!" Vweeb screamed when a swarm of snakes crawled out of the ceiling corner.

However, Nebula took notice of a tiny hole under one of the tables. "Actually, we could probably get out easy if I shrink us down. There's a mirror right there." She noticed a dresser mirror.

"Awwww." Bender frowned. "You don't wanna spend the rest of eternity together?"

"Eternity has other plans. You comin' with us?"

"Yeah, I guess so." He said as he put the fragment in his compartment. With that, Nebula caught Bender in her frame and minimized him to Vweeb's size. She turned to the mirror and focused on her reflection, shrinking herself down. The three entered the tiny snake hole and began their journey through the tomb. (Play "Dusty Desert Ruins" from Sonic 2006.)

Act 2: Bender's Tomb

The tunnel was pretty narrow and straightforward, with only giant snakes slithering at them, which Nebula kept back using grenades. They had to Wall Jump up a few vertical parts until they exited to a more open area. A small ledge (actually their size) to the right led them to a mirror, which Nebula used to biggify, then re-expanded Bender. They jumped the small gap between the main path (since the previous ledge was too small), then followed the route along a wall over a dark chasm.

They had a view of another ledge far across the chasm, but had to stick along this path for now. It led to a dead-end before the chasm, where a group of 3 tall stalactites hung above. Nebula used the V.I.S.S.I.L.E. to take these stalactites down, sticking them onto lower platforms. The stalactites' tops served as platforms, but the 3 were far spread out, so Nebula had to float while Bender stretched across. They reached a path that led around the wall across the chasm, then came to a sealed door that was guarded by Boos.

The trio's weapons and powers phased right through the three ghosts, but the ceiling above had a spotlight that pointed out in the chasm. Bender stretched up to bend the light down so it'd shine on the ground. With that, the group easily lured the Boos into the light, making the door open once they were defeated. They entered and appeared on the ledge across from the higher walkway they were just on, then entered the next door between a set of torches.

They reached a hallway with a sand river that stretched across, and sandwaves were washing down with several debris. There was a zigzaggy, flat path in the river with several Space Lights floating above some spots, so when the three hurried down, Nebula conjured Space Blocks that lifted them upward, evading the sandwaves. The path listed to the right wall, where Nebula allowed them to stand on a Grav-Path along the wall. The path was still low enough for the sandwaves to reach, so they had to walk on little gaps that went higher up the wall, above the sandwaves.

They landed on a foothold in the river that led them onto a safe ledge where the door was. They entered a small room where 3 mummies rose out of tombs, moaning as they limped toward the heroes. Bender grabbed one and tried to bend it back, but it proved futile as the mummy grabbed him, spun him in the air, and tossed him at another mummy, who jumped and kicked him away.

"Wonder if they know Ancient Egyptian basketball?" Nebula remarked. The Zathurian back-flipped as the mummies ran and tried to grab her, then tossed a N.I.N.S.T.A.R. to slice their bandages. Vweeb hopped off her shoulder and shot them in the knees, making them fall as Nebula and Bender grabbed parts of bandages that were hanging out. They unwrapped the mummies and made dust tumble out, allowing a door on their right to open.

They were in a bigger room overlooking a ditch representing a giant pool table. Nebula pressed a switch, and 9 giant pool balls dropped in and rolled about aimlessly, some falling in the 6 holes around the table. There were switches on the sides that pushed out giant circles, which made the balls ricochet off each other into the holes. It was fairly easy since some of the balls went in on their own, and the door across the room opened.

They entered and followed a snaky stairway down a narrow hall, coming out on a ledge above a vast, dark chasm, where a great statue of Emperor Tachyon sat on the other side. "You don't mean to tell me Tachyon actually carved this OUT." Nebula said.

"Why not, he's a good-lookin' guy." Bender replied.

They went down some stairs and followed a narrow trail to a platform hanging over the pit. There was nowhere else to go, but a pillar sticking from the chasm on their left had a Grav-Path that spiraled around. Nebula floated them onto it, and when they walked down to its end, they had a view of the underside of the platform, where they floated to another Grav-Path. A set of Space Lights, where Nebula made blocks appear, made a trail to the Tachyon statue… however, upside-down, there was another statue underneath it: one of a meditating Zathurian wearing a jester hat. "Hmm… I wonder who that is." Neb said quietly.

The moving Space Blocks had their own Grav-Spaces, so it was another matter of crossing them when they passed by. A bit more tricky upside-down, but no biggie. The blocks took them to an entry in the Zathurian statue, where they flipped right-side-up and walked up more stairs. They were led to a narrow, straight hallway of parallel torches, heading deeper and deeper into the tomb. Soon, they entered a round, cylindrical room where a dark chasm surrounded the floor along the walls. (End song.)

They entered the round room slowly, seeing the door closed across from them. In the center of the floor rested a giant coffin. They turned back when the door behind them closed itself, and several white, glowing spheres appeared from the wall. They revealed to be a swarm of Boos, laughing as they all flew into the coffin. Before the three's eyes, a gigantic mummy emerged from the tomb, moaning as it brimmed with the Boos' energy. "Muuu, muuuu." It shook the ground as it stepped slowly, holding its arms out and ready to crush the trio. (Play Death Sword's Theme from Zelda: Twilight Princess.)

Boss fight: Mummboo

The mummified giant reached down to grab the group, but it was too slow as the three ran different directions. There were several loose parts dangling from it, and some torches around the arena's ledge, so Bender grabbed some dangles and tried to pull them, only for the mummy to yank him upward and smash him against the wall. Nebula just tricked the mummy into punching at her, running by the torches to make its dangles burn. After getting four dangles to burn, the wraps became more loose. Bender, who was still in a ditch in the wall, took notice of a glowing white hole in the beast's back. "Guys, look! It's a weak spot! He-Hey- OW!" He fell off the wall and thudded.

With that, Nebula whipped out the V.I.S.S.I.L.E. and fired a missile, zipping past the mummy's head and turning around to pierce its glowing exposed spot. "OOOOoooooh…" The mummy tumbled and broke into a bunch of Boos, which began rolling around the air and trying to ram the group. Bender recovered and saw a circle of spotlights pointing at each other on the ceiling, so the robot reached up and bent them to point downward. They led the Boos into the lights and disapparated them before Mummboo got back on its feet.

The mummy lashed several wrapping ends from its fingers and caught Nebula and Bender, beginning to fling them up-and-down like mannequins. With Vweeb having gone unnoticed, he used his ray gun to burn those strands, dropping his friends down as the mummy shook his fingers, stomping as strands unraveled by his feet. They noticed tiny holes appear on the front of his feet, so Vweeb hurried into the left one (their left). He shot some crittering spiders as he progressed through a dusty tunnel, finding a dusty old bone that struggled to link the leg with the body. Vweeb shot the bone and caused its right leg to collapse. "Ooooohhh."

It began hopping around on its left leg, making shockwaves as it shook the ground. The more it shook, Nebula could see a mirror sticking up from its kneecap. She told Bender to try and hold the mummy in place, and he did by reaching to wrap his arms around his waist. Mummboo wobbled on his leg as Nebula approached the mirror and shrunk herself through her reflection. She then entered the hole in the foot and shot her way through another tunnel of spiders. When she reached the bone, she blasted it with her grenade, then fell out of the leg once it unraveled.

Bender grabbed the dropped mirror and held it up so Nebula could re-expand. When the mummy fell, more Boos were blown out, so Bender bent more lights down to make them fade. The mummy got back up again, but without legs, it instead launched its hand-strands to the ceiling and hung from there. It shook the ceiling, making boulders fall, as well as some of the lights. The boulders were easy to dodge, but they waited eagerly for an opening to present itself. Finally, Nebula saw a Boulder Wisp drop from one of the rocks, the alien dizzy from the impact, and its color blending with the ground.

Nebula absorbed the Wisp and saw a Grav-Path appear around the walls. "BOULDER!" Nebula rolled and sped up the walls, avoiding the mummy's boulders as the path led her into its right hand. It smashed the hand, so it only held on with its left now, shaking the ceiling more furiously as boulders fell faster. They avoided the rocks more quickly until a Brown Wisp came out, so Nebula absorbed again. "BOULDER!" She zipped up the Grav-Path, but this time boulders were falling in front of her. She was able to shoot to a parallel Grav-Path to avoid them, and kept up this cycle until she finally rammed into the left hand.

"Oooooh!-" He collided with the ground, releasing another swarm of Boos. There were only a few more spotlights, but they were enough to catch the fleeing ghosts and make them vanish. Due to all the shaking, the ceiling crumbled and exposed a bright beam of light that shone on the mummy's body. It helped itself up as best it could, reaching for the light in despair. "Ooooooooooooo…" It collapsed and dissolved into thousand-year-old dust. One single, tiny Boo emerged from the dust, looking around frantically before the light made it pop. "Uuu-uwaaaah- AAAH!" (End song.)

Here lies the tomb of Pharaoh Stompinbuttin, the largest pharaoh to ever live. Many countries were crushed under his rule. If only he wasn't so clumsy…

With the monster defeated, the following door opened, allowing them into a large chamber with an altar that had a pharaoh's statue over it. On the sides of the room were coffins, and the pharaoh's coffin rested on top of the altar. They stepped up for a closer view of the golden coffin, and also saw a rock wall leading to a ray of light on the ceiling. "Heyyy… it's Hamenthotep!" Bender recognized.

Vweeb hopped onto a flat stone on the floor with Egyptian symbols inscribed on it. "Hey guys, look! It's a tablet!"

Nebula picked up the small stone piece, squinting her eyes at the strange symbols. "I wish I understood Egyptian…"

"Step aside: I'm a professional translator." Bender declared as he took and examined the tablet. After carefully scanning and reviewing it, it all became clear. "Oooooh!…"

Outside; the town

The High Priest and the townspeople went about their business when the entrance to Hamenthotep's tomb was suddenly thrust open, and Bender, Nebula, and Vweeb appeared from the cloud of dust. "We're back, babeh!" Bender cheered.

"The pharaoh has returned! His spirit is not satisfied with our lazy lifestyle!!" A citizen screamed as everyone gasped.

"Relax, you guys, Bender isn't your pharaoh anymore." Nebula told them. "He never was to begin with, so we'll take him off this planet and let you get on with your lives."

"Alas… it seems Osiris may go eternally without a pharaoh." The High Priest sighed.

"Well, maybe that's how it was supposed to be all along."

"What?"

Nebula pulled out the stone tablet and gave it to the priest. "It's the last command of the Pharaoh Hamenthotep. It was probably hidden in his tomb by corrupt officials."

"Ahhhh, them advisers." Vweeb said.

"To my slaves… I fear my time as pharaoh will not last long. My advisers are seeking the position of pharaoh. They believe the gods are looking onto them. But know that I am truly grateful for your hard work. May my tomb be the last construction of forced labor Osiris will see. Once my tomb is complete… I command all slaves to be free. On my journey away from the planet, I saw many things. Many people… living in harmony across the galaxy. I wish for my people to have this harmony, too. I realize… a life of forced labor does not grant peace. From now on… the only labor I wish to see in this country… is free. …Uh, I mean, labor of your free choice, not the other kind. Oh, and you should get paid, too."

"But the irony is, the advisers were buried along with the pharaoh." Nebula mentioned. "We found their bones down in the tomb. 'Guess the Wall of Prophecy didn't prophesize in their favor."

"We made margaritas outta their skulls!" Bender exclaimed, raising two skulls with drinks and straws in them. He proceeded to drink.

"Hmmm… then so it is written. The age of slavery in Osiris has come to an end." The High Priest decided. "Osiris is a free country now. But I fear how we'll progress without a leader."

"Why don't you be leader?" Vweeb asked.

"Hmm… very well. Then I am now… the High President of Egypt!"

"YAAAAAY!"

"Thank you for finding this, odd-haired one." Nebula made a weirded face at this. "You may take the glowing gem with you, as your reward: a treasure that pharaohs have passed down to the next for generations."

"Don't MIND if Ah do!" Bender declared as he checked to see the fragment in his compartment.

"Hm hm! Thanks!" Neb smiled. "Oh… but there's something else we need: our ship is kinda busted, and we need it fixed as soon as possible."

"The ghooost of Bender commaaands it. OooOOOOooooo…" Bender moaned.

"Our country is rich with the finest materials. We will assist you any way we can."

"We really appreciate it." Nebula nodded.

"However, there is one thing that interests me:" said the priest. "Are you, by chance, a Zathurian?"

"Um… well, yeah, half one. How'd you know?"

"Ages ago, your people visited our planet. They bestowed on us, their powerful Shadow Cards: magical cards that contain the souls of monsters, and awakened when called to battle."

"Hey… I think my mom used to have some of those."

"Really? Such cards have been lost for ages. 'Tis recorded in our Great History."

"Heheh… my mom's in tune with the oldies."

"But wouldn't something of that name have to do with the Shadow Realm?" Vweeb asked.

"Perhaps… 'twere there only a way to look at history firsthand. There's so much we can learn…" Priest said.

"Well, we do know a few timebenders!" Nebula smiled. "They might be willing to lend us a hand!"

"Hm hm hm! Ones who know the ways of time… are not the most reasonable when sharing such."

"Hm hm! Anyway… it's been a great visit. We'll come back if we need anythi-"

"Let's GO, already!" Bender yelled from the distance.

"Please… just take him." The priest said.

Sometime later

The Shooting Star was soon fixed as the three heroes took off for space, waved off by the Osirins. "Those guys were pretty fun." Vweeb smiled.

"Not the most exciting planet we visited, but hey, at least we accomplished somethin'." Neb said.

"Ah'll miss them. Some o' them made nice stools." Bender said.

"This outfit isn't bad, though." Nebula said as she studied her princess uniform. "I might stick with it… well, maybe on occasions."

"It does make you look more attractive." Vweeb smirked.

"How pleasant. 'Course, putting you next to me in these clothes, I'm like a filthy rich princess and you're my loyal servant." She smirked.

"Didn't we already settle that back on Amazonia??"

"I'm feeling fairly royal now. I think I deserve a footrub."

"Find an acid bath and call it a day. That's what clowns do and you fit the bill." With that, the two friends laughed.

"Aw, geez…" Bender sighed.