SPHINX: The Series
Rated PG (unless stated otherwise)
Most of the characters, settings, and just about everything else comes from the video game Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy, copyrighted to Nintento, THQ, and Eurocom Developments Ltd. Any original character not found in the game belongs to their respective creator(s).
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Now this is interesting... am I the only person out there that likes this game enough to write fanfic about it? I just noticed that there is not one single fanfic on this website surrounding Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy! So, I have decided to write a few stories surrounding the game.
Now, if you have already played the game, then there's really no need for you to stay here- move on to the first episode (next chapter). However, in the event that you have no idea what I'm talking about, perhaps you should read on...
STORYLINE
Okay, I'll do my best to explain the game in a nutshell. The story mainly revolves around two dudes, one of which is Sphinx- a headstrong demigod with the agility of a cat (and the ferocity, too). Unbeknownst to him (at first), he is fulfilling a prophecy to cast the darkness out of ancient Egypt and save the world from the darkness of Set, the god of chaos and destruction. Of course, he's going to need a little help.
That's where our second character comes in- young King Tut (or, as we know him, the Mummy). The young king's birthday was sabotaged by Set and his minions, to take the throne of Egypt from him. Although reluctant, the Mummy knows that if he ever wants to live on as king (and marry his lovely girlfriend, Nefertiti), he must go along with the plans.
Despite what commercials for the game may have hinted, Sphinx and the Mummy are hardly ever together. As the same commercials have said, "Their mission is the same; their methods couldn't be any further apart."
CHARACTERS
We'll start with the two main characters-
SPHINX
Age: about 17
Gender: male
Order: demigod (with lion-like traits)
Position: warrior-in-training; hero
Allies: the Mummy; Imhotep; Anubis
Enemies: Set; Horus
Personality: young, brash, impatient
Quote: (after a bad brawl) "I'm fine… never better… just a flesh wound."
Although still reasonably young, Sphinx is more than determined to prove himself a warrior, let alone a hero. He's a quick-witted young demigod, with a tongue just as sharp as his weapon-of-choice: the coveted Blade of Osiris. He also has an uncanny ability to figure out the motivations of others, whether good or evil. As far as warriors go, he's more than qualified. Unfortunately, the fire in his belly from many battles he has yet to face carries over into his impatience with others. Just the same, he manages to persevere no matter what the situation, and that makes him pretty darn cool.
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KING TUT (a.k.a.- the MUMMY)
Age: about 14
Gender: male
Order: human (technically a corpse wrapped in linen cloths)
Position: boy-king turned mummy
Allies: Sphinx; Nefertiti
Enemies: Set
Personality: young, naive, inexperienced
Quote: "Here we go again..."
Poor king Tut was put under a curse and turned into a mummy! Parts of his soul were scattered across Egypt in sacred Canopic Jars. Most of them were recovered, and yet more could be hidden in the shifting sands of Egypt. Until then, the Mummy must wait to return to his human form. However, the undead body he has now seems to work towards his advantage, so it's not a total loss. Although reluctant, the Mummy is ultimately Sphinx's personal helper in retrieving precious information, and what will he get in return? His mortality, the throne, and his girlfriend- the beautiful Nefertiti.
Now for the villains...
SET
Age: countless eons
Gender: male
Order: deity
Position: god of chaos, destruction, and darkness
Allies: his advisor Menes, along with Horus
Enemies: Sphinx; the Mummy
Personality: dark, sinister, and just plain evil
Quote: "Suddenly, things have gotten very interesting..."
Set is evil- plain and simple. All he wants is to smother the world in total darkness, and at last be happy. Of course, there will always be those who don't really like the idea, particularly Sphinx and his friend the Mummy. That's why Set goes to extreme lengths to protect his dream of total darkness; there's nothing he won't do. Like I said, the guy is pure evil; that's all there is to it.
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MENES
Age: old... very old...
Gender: female
Order: human
Position: sorceress
Allies: Set; Horus
Enemies: Sphinx; the Mummy
Personality: clever, cunning, irritable
Quote: (referring to Set) "Yes, my Lord?"
Menes is pretty much a crotchety old woman- she's just like the lady from down the street (you know, the one with all the cats). However, she has one key strength- her spells and incantations. Ever since she was a little girl, she has been learning all the different spells, especially those used in dark rituals. Eventually, Set got to her and convinced her to be his advisor. She could care less if the world is covered in darkness- so long as she is the power behind the throne, that's all that really matters to her.
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HORUS
Age: about 17
Gender: male
Order: deity; anthro hawk
Position: warrior-in-training
Allies: Set
Enemies: Sphinx
Personality: young, brash, arrogant
Quote: "One of these days, Sphinx..."
Ironically, there was a time that Horus and Sphinx were the best of friends. Then they started their training- friendship was forsaken for glory and adoration. It was when Sphinx took possession of the Blade of Osiris that their heated rivalry began. Now Horus will do just about anything to make Sphinx look like a failure, proving his worth. In fact, he has gone so far as to ask Set for help. Both would benefit- Set would have his dark kingdom, and Horus would have his glory. What could be more perfect?
Now, for the supporting cast...
IMHOTEP
Age: old... very old...
Gender: male
Order: demigod; anthro baboon
Position: wizard; instructor
Allies: his two apprentices- Sphinx and Horus
Enemies: Set
Personality: wise, knowledgeable, patient
Quote: (referring to either of his apprentices) "You fool!"
Imhotep has been training warriors for many, many years. His more recent students- Sphinx and Horus- have proven to be quite a challenge. Sphinx's victory in retrieving the Blade of Osiris made the instructor ponder the boy's potential. Since then, he has had to deal with many a conflict between Horus and Sphinx, some more heated than others. He helps Sphinx countless times along the way, and manages to give both of his apprentices words of wisdom. It's all in a day's work, really.
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ANUBIS
Age: countless eons (although he looks quite young)
Gender: male
Order: deity; anthro jackal
Position: god of death and mummification; protectorate
Allies: usually Sphinx
Enemies: usually Set
Personality: withdrawn, knowledgeable, protective
Quote: "What is the world coming to?" (rhetorical question)
Although true to his alliance with Osiris, Anubis has been known to act as a double agent. He still hates Set, but has on occasion associated with him. Just the same, he takes pride in having Sphinx deliver a painful blow to Set and his minions, to make sure they understand his position on the matter. Also, this particular character has a keen weakness- passion. Whenever he needs something, it's usually something extremely important. That's why he has come to trust Sphinx- the young warrior always manages to persevere in his quests...
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NEFERTITI
Age: about 14
Gender: female
Order: human
Position: future queen; bride-to-be of King Tut
Allies: Sphinx; the Mummy; Bas-Ket
Enemies: Set
Personality: clever, perceptive, understanding
Quote: (remembering her lost love) "Come back to me, Prince..."
The lovely Nefertiti has been a close acquaintance of King Tut for years, and recently that friendship has grown into something more. In fact, they planned to marry on the day of his coronation. The events of her boyfriend's curse still haunt her, but she is quite the independent woman. She helps out Sphinx any way she can, and in return he sends her little love-notes to the Mummy. She knows that her "Prince", as she affectionately calls him, will do his part, in hopes that one day they will be reunited and become husband and wife, king and queen... maybe father and mother...
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BAS-KET
Age: none
Gender: none
Order: a cursed basket
Position: intermediately between Sphinx and the Mummy
Allies: Sphinx; the Mummy; Imhotep; Nefertiti
Enemies: Set
Personality: helpful, clever, sarcastic
Quote: "Eh, what are you gonna do?"
Bas-Ket is actually a character from the game. Once an ordinary basket, Imhotep caused it to become possessed, thus making it a mystical messenger for Sphinx and the Mummy. Usually, Bas-Ket is off in his own little world, but he's always handy for a new Canopic Jar (and some love letters from Nefertiti) to deliver to the Mummy, and he makes sure the Mummy's findings get to Sphinx as soon as possible. Still, in a situation like that, there's gotta be a few wisecracks you can come up with- hence, Bas-Ket's impeccable wit and sarcasm.
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AHKENATEN
Age: early 30s
Gender: male
Order: human
Position: pharaoh
Allies: Sphinx; the Mummy; Nefertiti
Enemies: Set; Menes
Personality: a leader; standoffish, arrogant
Quote: (awaiting the Mummy) "Where is that bandaged brother of mine?"
Ahkenaten is the older brother of Prince Tutankhamun. He was held hostage by his previous advisor Menes, while Set continued his charade. Once Set had been taken care of, Ahkenaten was finally found and released. Because poor King Tut was still in his mummified state, Ahkenaten took over for his younger brother as pharaoh. While he has no attraction for young Nefertiti, he still has his prosperity to think about, and the young queen seems to be his only option. Despite all this, the Prince still has great respect for his older brother (not to mention he's oblivious to these schemes anyway).
The rest of these are minor characters from the game (some of which I had to give names, in lack of their own), but they do play key roles in both the game and this series. Keep an eye out for them...
KHENTI AMENTI
Age: mid 30s
Gender: male
Order: anthro hyena
Position: nomad
Allies: Sphinx; Imhotep
Enemies: Set
Personality: helpful, apologetic, cowardly
Quote: "Sorry, pal- you're on your own."
Khenti has a unique way of responding to danger- either avoiding it altogether or running from it. In a way, he is the exact opposite of Sphinx. Just the same, he is usually willing to help out the young demigod when needed. He is only more than proud of his beautiful wife, Ketta; she means the world to him. In fact, she is partially the reason he respects Sphinx- he rescued her once before, and has continued to do so unconditionally. He may not be much help, but Khenti is always there for Sphinx… if words are the only things being dished out.
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KETTA AMENTI
Age: late 20s
Gender: female
Order: anthro hyena
Position: housewife
Allies: Sphinx; Imhotep
Enemies: Set
Personality: intelligent, helpful, optimistic
Quote: "The pleasure is all mine."
Ketta is the gorgeous wife of the nomad, Khenti. Sure, she's a knock-out, but she has brains along with beauty. She may not be a philosopher, but she seems to know more than her dim-witted husband. Since their current location is near Heliopolis, Sphinx is a common visitor of theirs, and Ketta is always willing to help the boy in any way she can. Ironically, she finds herself in more predicaments than her husband- usually because of her exquisite beauty. Still, she knows that her husband does what he can, and it is Sphinx that will come to her rescue no matter what.
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TEHUTI
Age: mid 40s
Gender: male
Order: anthro ibis
Position: museum curator; Abydos biology expert
Allies: Sphinx
Enemies: Set
Personality: peaceful, kind, innovative
Quote: "Now that is a fine specimen!"
Tehuti works at the museum of Abydos, and Sphinx is a common visitor. He knows a great deal about every animal and plant in the Egyptian kingdom; all he needs are kindly-donated specimens, and who better than an adventurer? Hence, Tehuti has entrusted Sphinx with the responsibility. Expect Tehuti to be involved anytime our hero encounters a new, mysterious creature…
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AQUILA
Age: mid 40s
Gender: male
Order: anthro eagle
Position: Abydos jewel expert
Allies: Sphinx
Enemies: Set
Personality: strict, blunt, occasionally neurotic
Quote: "I don't have time for this!"
Aquila and his close friend Tehuti pretty much run the museum in Abydos; his main job is researching rare (and lovely) jewels. Sadly, the Abydosian collection has been stolen. Although it hasn't stopped him from running the museum, it has been a setback in tourism. That's where Sphinx comes in- as a common visitor to Abydos, let alone the museum, he has the unique chance to show Aquila any jewels he may find along the way.
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MAYET
Age: early 40s
Gender: female
Order: anthro ibis
Position: housewife
Allies: Sphinx
Enemies: Set
Personality: kind, motherly, open
Quote: (referring to Sphinx) "Ah, the noble warrior returns..."
When Sphinx first arrived in Abydos, it was Mayet who helped him find his way around the town, thus helping him on his quest. Even before asking him about it, she knew that Sphinx was an adventurer- she recognized his admirable traits quickly and clearly. She is, in many ways, very much like Ketta, except for the fact that her husband (a ferryman) is usually out of the house, and often away on business. She takes comfort in having Sphinx visit on occasion, and he knows that she does what she can for him, including gathering information…
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SUTI and HAPI
Ages: late 40s and early 40s, respectively
Genders: male
Orders: anthro "mutts"
Positions: farmers
Allies: Sphinx
Enemies: Set; Anubis
Personalities: (both of them) busy, placid, irritable
Quotes: (either of them) "Eh, what did you say?"
Suti and Hapi are brothers, the former older than the latter. They work on a huge expanse of farmland, doing what they can to replenish the ravaged soil. Unfortunately, this is exactly the reason they hold a grudge against their local deity, Anubis- in the brothers' absence, their land was ruined almost beyond repair, and "Mr. High-and-Mighty" (as they often mock him) did nothing to restore it. However, because Sphinx helped out the two brothers in his quest, they welcome him whole-heartedly.
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SHETTA
Age: late 30s
Gender: female
Order: anthro hyena
Position: local healer
Allies: Sphinx
Enemies: Set
Personality: open, caustic, spicy
Quote: "I know my business, and that ain't none of your business."
Shetta has a unique zest for life. She sees every moment of life as a moment that should be lived with a passion. That's why she loves her job so much- healing gives others a chance to live their lives to the fullest. Ironically, Sphinx is one of her more casual visitors (but hey-every once in a while, he brings her some gold ankh pieces to help out her business). Having lived in the Bedouin Outpost since she was a little girl, she knows the South Desert like the back of her paw, so naturally she comes in handy quite often.
Here's where I'll put original characters, mainly mine. However, if you are familiar to the game "Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy", feel free to send me your suggestions for characters via my email address (see my profile).
TIMELINE
The setting of the whole story takes place after the events of the game. However, the series should be self-explanatory. In other words, you don't need to play the game to understand what's going on. Of course, it would help you get a better idea… ;)
Well, that's about it. Now that I have given you all the basic information, it's time for the first episode! Enjoy SPHINX- the Series, and please review!!
-Sabertooth Kitty