I'm back! Thank you for all the support the from last week and all the weeks before that - 75,000 people have read these and that makes my heart soar. I mean it when I say thank you, from the bottom of my heart. To our own community inside communities. I recently went to a meeting one that was the end of an era; to see some old teachers and as I spoke of our success here, she wanted to know where I uploaded. I didn't tell her. Not because I didn't want too but because she never encouraged my creativity and now she won't get to see the success when it is encouraged.

Thank you for encouraging me to do what I love, for supporting me through it all.

Request from pepplestone who is a wonderful person and you should check her oneshots out!

What the emperor wants, the emperor gets.

What could you ever want when you had everything? When you ran an empire - the biggest; which will surely go down in history, yes, what would you need when you had pyramids built for you and people whom worshiped you just because they feared you or didn't - Why would you want anything when you had clothing made from the prettiest jewels and gems. Well the answer is Mark didn't really need anything or want for that matter, he got everything he desired but something was missing, a gap he didn't know was there. His rise to the empire was not a smooth path, no his was laced with bumps and unexpected turns but against all odds, he rose like a phoenix from the ashes. He carried himself like the prince he was, heavy jewelry dangling upon his neck, nails long enough to stab somebody if need be. You see, the previous empire wasn't some relative of his; no - when he passed from an unknown disease (Mark was pretty sure the empire as poisoned), everyone in the pyramids were arguing over who should be the new empire - all the slaves wanting a turn to rule and then came Mark out of the works; standing in the large throne room with a stern voice and telling everyone to respect the fallen emperor. Truth was, he was a nobody before then. Just another brick layer for the pyramids just another unrecognized designer of hieroglyphics. Yet when he rose up to everybody, somebody who worked in the kitchens preparing the food spoke up too.

"He shall be the new emperor!" After that, Mark assigned him to his second in command. After leading a life of being a nobody, when he was a somebody he revealed in it. Proud, like a cat who got the cream and he had.

;

Being royal could be a bore sometimes, however. Between meeting with other powerful people whom you never could quite trust not to spike your freshly made wine. At least Mark could trust some of his servants, not all - but some. Truth was, Mark needed a bit of excitement, something he'd been lacking since becoming emperor don't get him wrong - he loves being worshiped, loves striking fear into people's souls but when he was nobody, there was excitement. He used to steal some jewels from under the previous emperors nose or take bread from the kitchen to feed the 'outsiders' (outsides were those who didn't work within the tombs or pyramids.) And it was thrilling, knowing if a nobody would get caught, there'd be severe consequences. If he did something radical now, he'd be praised for it and call him dark, but he wanted somebody to try and appease him; tell him hes wrong - wants somebody who isn't afraid of him.

He did not expect that somebody to be a no good thief, an outsider, nonetheless.

It happened at dusk he was half asleep in his throne when a lower tier came running up to his feet like a lost dog. Mark was about to shove him away, tell him whatever it was that it could wait until later in the day. But he seemed worried about it and Mark did respect the servant for coming all the way up to see him.

Hurried words from the servants mouth, like Mark would chop his head off if he took too long.

"Emperor! Your crown has gone missing but the thief has been caught! What do you want us to do with him?" Oh, this was going to be interesting and suddenly, Mark was wide awake.

"Bring him in." A wicked smile across his face as he rubbed his hands together like a villian.

Mark never wanted to play hero much less get the girl, he wasn't interested in all the try-hard, gold digging princess'.

Which reminded him of that one time a princess from india had visited she was regal and stood tall, black hair flowing. But she bored Mark so much and after one too many eye rolls he had wine thrown in his face and he had argued with her. One of his second in commands telling him that he couldn't disrespect such powerful people and Mark had (obviously not learning anything from that night) rolled his eyes at him.

The thief was in handcuffs, huffing like he thought he could steal an emperors crown that easy; Mark already wanted to slap him.

He was struggling and one of Marks servants told him to be quiet as he postively tossed the thief onto his knees infront of the emperor. "Leave me with this wannabe criminal." He spat, his servants quickly turning on their heels, they were well trained indeed.

The thief had a smirk upon his features but that wasn't what caught Marks attention first. It was the man's eyes; prettier than any jewels Mark owned - a bright blue that put countless oceans to shame. Snapping out of his trance he stood, the thief stood; he didn't even bow.

"You were trying to steal my crown. A petty outsider thinking they can get past my guards, typical. I should make a new crown from your eyes for the pure audacity of you." Mark's words were venom filled but he knew he had a wolfish grin upon his face.

He so wanted the thief to talk back to him.

And he did.

"First of all - (Even better, this outsider had an accent - thick; knowing. It ticked Mark off as much as it was charming.) I have name. I'm not an outsider but I am a thief so ye got that right." No stutter in his words, Christ, he didn't even address Mark once. Disrespectful. Ignorant. Exactly what Mark needed.

"An' second, Ye don't look like a man who needs more jewels." Smug. Mark rolled his eyes.

"And what do you think I need?" Marks voice was authortive anyone in there right mind would be terrified of him but here was this, thief, who didn't care in the slightest. Acting like he was doing no harm.

"Well, what could someone who has everything in line and all the jewels in the world if he wants possibly, need? Maybe someone to keep them on their toes. Disagree with them. You look like you want me to bow down to ye. You ain't no better than me."

That got Marks reaction. He stomped closer, angry.

"How dare you. I am an emperor! You are just a petty thief thinking you are smug. Tsk. I should throw you in jail!" He snapped and the thief's grin grew. Mark really did want to strangle him.

He ordered his servants back, and threw the thief whom he didn't even know name, into a cell until he could decide what to do with him.

Mark was reeling over such disrespect but he was also determined to rise to the challenge the thief had set for him, to teach him respect.

He'd teach him.

;

As the sun rose at early hours, the emperor was awake and slightly glistening from his rather royal bath. He ordered his servants to fetch the prisoner and then the thief was upon him again, just like before - standing smug. Although he did have bags under his eyes, like tainted water and somehow his eyes looked brighter; behind blue hues stood a fiery mischief. It frustrated and fascinated Mark all at once.

"You will join my workers in serving me and you will start from the bottom and work your way through and if you even look at one of my jewels again, I will chop your hand off. Do you understand?"

Typical emperor, all power and bite. Jack wanted to roll his eyes but actually liked his hands attached to his body so he simply nodded, his expression non changing. The man still looked like he wanted to strangle him. Jack hated all the fancy people like Mark an emperor undeserving; laced with pretty jewels they probably didn't wear half the time and spoiled.

Jack, although a thief, worked hard to be spoiled and didn't just spoil himself. Emperors' and Empress' always thinking they're better than you, acting as though they didn't get their hands dirty. Jack had seen first hand all the sin through these walls carved with in prints of legends; myths.

At least Jack cleans his hands every now and then, the dirt on some of these royals was stuck for good, something no fancy ass bath could wash off.

But, Jack would work his way through just to prove that he was no outsider people knew him on the outside for taking emperors like Mark down.

He'd even been offered an emperor position but turned it down, he never wanted to be one of them.

;

So, he started at the bottom tier; in the kitches a surprise to him too because cooking things for an emperor and his buddies was quite the job and to be trusted not to poison one of them was a pretty big deal. Perhaps Mark knew that these lower folks would not want to risk their lives for an emperors. They seemed happy enough, saying that they got a home and food; all the needed. Jack could understand that, times were tough; times were always changing and it was hard to keep up and keep away from wars or invades within the pyrmaids. The servants seemed to be treated well but apparently not well enough if they were still called upon as servants and not 'people.'

Jack would much rather be thieving than cooking for a haughty emperor.

;

Next step up, he was within the carving place. It was already very different from the bottom tier, things looked a little nicer and the servants here didn't have as many bags under their eyes nor did they have much of a hunch in their backs. There was clearly expensive tools here (only the best for the emperor he supposed), and metal plates ready to be carved. It took sometime for Jack to get the hang of it and he was consulting carving something rather rude or perhaps his name, upon one but decided against it. He hadn't seen the emperor again but he was sure the man was keeping tabs on him, wondering to see if Jack was a good obedient cat.

He was only doing this so he could prove the arrogant emperor wrong and so he could have his freedom.

;

Next up, caring for the jewels - something Jack didn't think he'd be allowed to do but perhaps it was a test as if working in a kitchen and carving some things would change a habit. He had taken care of jewels before though and he still enjoyed watching them sparkle, it was ashame they had such an ungrateful owner.

Jack almost didnt want to move up, almost. The people were always drawing him looks, with their fancy headwear and sparkly bracelets. Just because he didn't have anything that sparkled and looked expensive they thought he wasn't meant to be there. He decided to steal one of their bracelets more out of spite than anything else. A leopard and their spots.

;

Guarding duty was extremely boring. He couldn't believe this was one of the highest tiers upon the pyrmaid. Jack paced most of the day or figeted with his bracelet and after a few hours, he got kicked out so decided to go to the final tier, and knock on the emperors door.

Mark answered; not in his usual fancy clothes but instead, wearing similar clothes to the servants minus the small shiny gem in the middle. He had some form of make up upon his eyes making them look slightly bigger and held power. He looked completely different, less guarded, less uptight.

Jack liked this version better and suddenly forgot what he was about to say.

"Come in." Mark was a little peeved Jack saw him out of his emperor robes so soon but acted casual about it. Maybe an inner part of him wanted to impress the petty thief; somebody who actually wasn't afraid to disagree with him and to shove his ego to the side.

Jack was different.

;

What could an emperor with everything possible want in his life? Well, the answer is nothing (and he means it this time.) Because he has all he needs - a serving empire, pretty jewels and he had the most beautiful jewel of all; Love. Something that he never had on a silver platter, something he worked for like his empire only it was more rewarding.

Jack was like a spoiled prince now, although he still acted like he did from day one - headstrong, right in his ways. He helped people from outside and now people seemed to be more accepting of people who didn't work within in pyramids. Jack never accepted Marks offer of becoming an emperor but he did slowly start to accept all the pretty jewels with a sigh and a smile but the best part was when he was surrounded by them, all sparkling and pretty yet he still stood out.

Jack was the pretties gem among gems.

And Mark was powerful; soft when you got past the haughty stares and scowls.

They'd lead a successful emperor; Mark all commanding and scary - Jack leveled him out; telling him when to drop the ego and to face problems properly.

Mark had everything he needed.