The Princess and The Ancient Hero
Twilight Sparkle was giddy as she neatly rolled up the freshly triple-checked checklist for today's experiment and placed in on a nearby shelf stuffed with such checklists, she looked around the lab doing one final mental check of all the tools, lab equipment, books, refreshment's and safety gear, finally her eye's landed on a wooden crate, and more importantly the genuine ancient pre-Anugyptian mummy that laid within.
A Smile formed on her face as she trotted up to the Mummy "It took alot of effort to get everything set up for you, but it will all be worth it soon enough."
"I just wish those jerks at the Celestia Museum of Equestrienne History didn't force my hoof in this matter" Twilight thought to herself with a frown as memory's form earlier that week began to flood her mind.
_Flash back_
Snootie laughter filled the air as a group of well dressed ponies laughed at the now annoyed princess of friendship, as the laughter died down one of the group a unicorn mare with blush grey coat and matching brilliant blue mane and eye's with blue diamonds as her cutie mark who Twilight recognized as the Museum's curator Hope Diamond, stepped forward to address the Princess "With all due respect Princess your request is a bit unprecedented, the mere notion that a ancient civilization, nevertheless a ancient Pegasus civilization such as Anugypt having resurrection magic is absurd."
"Then how do you explain the rising number of sightings of mummy's coming alive." countered the Purple Pony Princess.
"Necromancers"
"But the investigations of Necromantic involvement have turned up nothing, and besides you have so many of them, i can understand not wanting to risk damaging the royal's remains or exhibit but that leaves you with dozen's more, can't you at least test one of them?"
"Sorry but those are strictly for retail."
"What? But who would. . ."
"Noble's, they love to use mummy's for there unwrapping party's, its all the rage now, they use to buy them for gift wrap or special firewood as well but Princess Celestia illegalized using them for such while claiming health risk's, but its still legal to sell them and it brings in a nice profit for the museum."
Twilight stared at Hope Diamond in disbelief, her mouth hanging open for a few moments before she snapped it shut as her staring quickly became a glare "How much for one?"
"Well, it just so happens we have one left in stock currently, it was reserved for Jet Set, but i am sure we can make a deal. . ."
__Flashback End__
"Unprofessional's" Twilight Muttered to her self, feeling a headache coming on Twilight quickly walked towards the refreshment table for some coffee, only to trip on the Triple-checked Checklist which has rolled off of the shelf while Twilight was distracted with the Flashback.
"Whoa" yelled the Princess as she crashed into the refreshments table sending pots of coffee, bottles of water and all manner of pastries flying. . . Right towards her Subject!
"Noooooo" cried Twilight from the ground as she used magic to catch the objects mid-flight, unfortunately one bottle directly above the mummy had been caught upside down.
"Splash"
"Poof"
The almost moment the water had touched the mummy a cloud of dust and wrappings suddenly went flying from it as the dust settled Twilight stood dumbstruck as now in place of the three thousand year old dehydrated corpse now stood what appeared to be a beautiful living breathing mare with only a few of the bandages now loosely hanging off of her, despite the situation Twilight found herself unable to do anything but stare as the Pegasus climbed out of the crate and began to look around the crystal room before here grayish violet eye's landed on Twilight herself, eye's widening the mare deeply bowed to Twilight.
"Please Excuse me Princess Moonshadow, i did not see you there nor did i expect for you to attend my awakening" said the light scarlet Pegasus while bowing so low that her mane covered her eye's, while Twilight found her eye's wandering to the Mare's raised backside causing her to blush before what the words of the Pegasus finally registered.
"W-what" Exclaimed Twilight "Wait i think you might be confused."
"But how could i confuse ruler of the city of Babel and most beautiful Unicorn in the southern tribes with anypony else?" The pony stated before she rose from her bow and looked at the princess before her, now a sputtering, blushing mess, looking over the princess the pony noticed something previously unnoticed and started walking to Twilights side "wings, but how?"
"Because i'm not Moonshadow" stated Twilight before a sullen look crossed her face "Sigh" "i know this is going to be hard to believe but its been around three thousand year's since you where Mummified a lot has happ-"
Shocked the pony began backing away "T-Three Thousand!, it was only suppose to be for Two Thousand year's!"
"Now i know your in shock but. . . Wait two thousand?"
"You mean you don't know?, but didn't you awaken me for the return of Pharaoh Hisan the 3rd's dynasty, as predicted by the royal astrologers?"
"N-No i was only doing research on pre-Anugyptian resurrection magic" claimed Twilight as her ear's folded back, and watched as the Pegasus stared at her before beginning to snicker and finally breaking out into a full laugh"Whats so funny?"
"I'm sorry but "giggle" there's no such thing as "Snort" resurrection magic."
"But- then how are you standing here alive?"
Getting control the Pegasus looked to words Twilight with a small smile on her face "Oh well how it was explained to me is that the Rite of Return dries out the body to keep it from aging while also putting the soul into a deep slumber and uses wrappings to protect our body's, latter a second Ritual using water would be used to awaken us."
Twilight felt a throb in her head and put her hoof up to the bridge of her snout "So Mummies are basically living jerky."
"Well we did get the idea from the Jackal's meat drying practices, so yeah pretty much" the pony answered right before she started to rub her neck with a pained look on her face "now while i am sure we both still have alot of questions but even though i have been awakened i still require water or i will revert back and my laughing fit surely didn't help."
Noticing all of the refreshments had been dropped during initial shock of the mummy turning into a cute mare, Twilight sent said mare a sheepish look "of course miss. . . i'm sorry i don't think either of us introduced our selves, i'm Twilight Sparkle" Twilight said giving a slight bow at the end.
The other pony responded with her own slight bow "And i'm Somnambula."
"The legendary hero!"
Somnambula brimmed "Is there any other?, "chuckle" but seriously it is good to know that even now tales of my deeds exist to give hope to other's."
A Sheepish look crossed Twilights face ash she begain to rub the back of her head "Well. . . nowadays most pony's relate your name to a witch from a couple hundred year's ago" Twilight noted, only to see a somber look cross Somnambula's face "but i'm sure that with your return we can fix that, anyways we still need to get you re-hydrated, and a bath would probably be a good idea too, after all the last thing either of us needs is for somepony to catch cholera, please follow me" with that Twilight left the room with Somnambula in tow.
Following Twilight though the Crystal Castle Somnambula found herself looking around the place in wonder, not only for its bizarre architecture and for being made out of crystal's, but also at the shear size of the building, it became more then evident that while Twilight was not Princess Moonshadow she was a pony of great influence, her eye's moved to her host, Somnambula felt herself becoming entranced by the slight sway of the mare's hips and the sweeping of her tail, reminiscent of the beautiful Princess MoonShadow's own flank and tail. . .
"No, bad Somnambula you can't think of her like that" thought the mare, with a slight blush on her cheeks being hidden by her light scarlet fur.
"Where here" announced Twilight suddenly as they got to a door, opening it Somnambula looked into a rather strange room "This is the Bathroom, please remove your remaining wrappings while i get you some water" Twilight went to the sink only to notice there was no cup's "Sigh" it looks like i will have to get the water from the pantry, i'll be right back."
Being left alone in the Bathroom Somnambula was able to quickly remove the last of her wrappings and was left to just look around the strange room, while she was able to identify the tub she was unable to find any buckets in which to fill it with, more so her eye's wandered to a strange white throne with a hole in the seat, looking closer Somnambula noticed a bowl of water within the seat, getting a closer look she lifted her hoof up to the top of the throne only to catch a small handle instead. . .
"Flush"
"Ahhh" Somnambula yelled as she jumped back in shock just as Twilight had returned with several bottles of water.
"Opps sorry, i forgot that indoor pluming must be foreign to you" Twilight said as she trotted in before indicating towards the white throne with a blush "That's for if you have to. . . defecate. . . um here drink this while i draw your bath" Twilight quickly said while levitating a bottle over to Somnambula who quickly took it and began drinking, partly so her hooves would hide her blush of embarrassment, she began looking around while drinking, this time here eye's landing on Twilight as she was busy filling in the tub, Somnambula's eye's focusing on Twilight's backside yet again leading to her blush deepening to a deep crimson, however being entranced by somepony and drinking water does not go well together.
"Cough, hack!"
Twilight immediately turned to Somnambula with concern on her face "Are you ok, do you need-"
"I'm fine, i'm fine, just some water going down the wrong tube" Somnambula said with a small smile hiding her somber thought's "She wouldn't understand"
"Okay, if you say so, anyways your bath is ready so i'll leave you to it while i dispose of these" replied Twilight as she used her magic to scoop up the dusty wrappings "to drain the tub all you have to do is pull this chain" Twilight indicated towards the chain hanging on the side of the tub "Before i go do you have any questions maybe how the toilet functions" Twilight blushed embarrassed as she indicated to the white throne.
"N-no i had to fast for about a week before my Mummification so i should be good" Somnambula replayed before Twilight nodded towards her and left.
Getting into the warm tub Somnambula felt her whole body relax "I love bath's" she thought before she began the process of cleaning herself, enjoying herself as she did so while being careful to not splash any water out, soon however Somnambula found her mind wandering to different things, the ages past, how things have changed though despite this she found her mind repeatedly wandering to her host with a blush forming on her face "She looks so much like Princess Moonshadow, but so different, i can feel a kindness in her that Moonshadow had lacked, and i must say that her dorkish but adorable nature is far more endearing then the dark temptress that Moonshadow acted as, maybe after settling in maybe me and her could. . . NO it wouldn't work, she is obviously some high born pony while i'm nothing but a commoner born, even if my status was elevated, even then the fact remains that where both Mare's, it's been forbidden since since Pharaoh Hisan the 1st!"
With that Somnambula continued washing herself in somber silence.
_Meanwhile_
While Somnambula was bathing Twilight is in the map room writing up a letter having quickly and efficiently deposed of all of Somnambula's wrappings and cleaned up the mess in the lab, just as Twilight was finishing her letter she heard the sound door of the front door being opened "Ah, right on time."
Soon Twilight's friend Rarity and son/assistant Spike came into the Map room "We came as soon as we got your letter Twilight what's the emergency" Spike stated before being presented the freshly written and rolled up letter with the word's "To Celestia" written on them, giving Twilight a unamused glance before sending the letter in a puff of green fire "Really Twilight, your interrupted mine and Rarity's gem expatiation for that."
"Yes darling, the message you had Dizty Deliver to us said it was life or death."
"But it is life or death, my research into Mummy's has revealed that they are in fact not dead but actually instead in a type of magical stasis, though it seem's that they have been in there slumber over thousand year's longer then intended, which explains why there have been growing sightings of mummies awakening."
"But how is that life and death, i mean if they have been sleeping for thousands of years, whats another few hour's?" questioned the young drake only to notice the grimace from his crush.
"I think i know Spike dear, recently it has become big among the Cantorlot Elite to buy Mummies for such things as unwrapping party's, and even before that they had been using them as 'rare' firewood and such, i'll even admit that i have even bought a mummy" Rarity admitted only to catch a glare from Twilight "Only to be used as a store prop for my Anugypt themed line."
Twilight's glare softened and turned to Spike "Rarity's right, for some odd reason most of the Noble's in Cantorlot have a seemingly subconscious desire to destroy any ancient artifact they get there hooves on, so it is imperative that we get the remaining mummies away from them as soon as possible."
Spike seemed to accept the answer before he got a inquisitive look on his face "Okay then, so what happened to the mummy you where using as a test subject."
"Oh she's in the bathroom, the dust found in mummies tomb's are known to cause cholera, and you know how dust gets caught in between feather's."
Rarity perked up hearing this "Feather's so she's a pegasus, why Twilight darling is this going to end up being another one of your crush's?"
A furious blush spreed across Twilight's face at this "W-What gave you that idea."
"Well Twilight dear, you do seem to have a preference for Pegasus, i remember how badly you where crushing on Rainbow Dash before her and Pinkie started dating" Rarity slyly said, only to notice a twitch from Twilight "Then there was that Pegasus stallion in the royal guard you liked, what was his name again, Flashlight?"
"Flash Sentry and he was latter found guilty of treason."
"Yes i remember how much you where sulking after that" Rarity said with a frown, but then you picked up when you met Night Glider."
"Yeah, too bad she wasn't interested in mare's, "sigh" but at least she was nice about it, either way that isn't the case this time. . . even if she is stunning to look at. . . and has a cute backside and. . . darn it."
"See darling no one can keep a crush secret form me" Rarity almost sang not noticing a twitching eyelid form Spike.
"But she's only recently been awakened after thousand's of years of sleep, it would feel wrong to try to court her right after she was awakened into this new era, besides why she would she bother with a pony like me."
"Now Twilight i am not talking about jumping into things, go slow and see how things turn out, maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised" Rarity comforted her friend "And please Twilight dear don't put yourself down like that, your Twilight Sparkle, you where Princess Celestia's personal student and had helped in saving Equestia numerous times after all, even before you where crowned the Princess of Friendship."
"P-Princess!" the voice of Somnambula sounded as she trotted into the room with a stunned look on her face "I figured she was important but i didn't think she was a Princess, where the hey are the guard's?"
"Ah your back, let me introduce you" Twilight said ready to change the subject "Spike, Rarity, this is Somnambula the famous He-"
"Somnambula" Rarity quickly exclaimed jumping behind Spike "Please don't steal my youth and beauty."
"Rarity she's not that Somnambula, she's the hero of the southern land's" Twilight Exclaimed with.
"Oh Sorry Darling" Rarity apologized towards Somnambula, but before the hero could answer. . .
"Burp" came from Spike as a letter magically appeared in a puff of green flame all while Somnambula stared at the scene in shock.
Twilight took the letter and begin to read it ". . . What the Nobles have called a meeting of the Cantorlot council in three day's!"
_3 Day's Latter_
A few day's after her awakening Somnambula found herself waiting at the front door of the Crystal castle about to accompany Twilight to the city of Cantorlot for what might be one of the most important event's of her life, Not to say that the past few day's were uneventful for Somnambula, she had learned a great many things about her host each one endearing the Princess more to the Ancient hero, and after Twilight's student return from a political mission, Somnambula had been taken to meet Twilight's friends which lead to her being thrown a welcome party that introduced her to the town. . . and caused a panic as they thought she was the witch of the same name, She could remember the whole thing so clearly. . .
_Flash Bac-
"Are you Ready to go?" asked Twilight as she trotted up with a set of Saddlebag's on her back "Where going to have to hurry if where going to catch the next train to Cantorlot."
"Y-Yeah right behind you" said Somnambula as she began to follow Twilight. "Guess there's no time to get lost in thought."
"Sorry to have to drag you into this, i just can't believe the Nobles are being so stubborn about this" Twilight said as they marched on to the Train station "I know this must be hard for you all things considered."
"It it still hard to believe that they did such things, but in truth even before my mummification i had come to terms with the loss it would bring, and i am sure the Noble's haven't done as much damage as your saying" Somnambula answered as they walked Somnambula found herself watching the town's people, not having much of a chance due to the previous panic.
"You know other then Prince Hisan i never got along with members of Pharaoh Hisan's court, i found more joy spending time with the towns people, sadly Pharaoh Hisan didn't see them as priority when King Anubis Forces began to threaten his reign" Somnambula said as a frown formed on her face Despite this though i still have hope and know that my friends would want me to look forward to the future."
Twilight felt tear's well in her eye's after hearing Somanbula's short speech "I hope that when the day comes i can see the world as she does now" thought the immortal Alicorn.
The Two walked in silence the rest of the way, both lost in there own thoughts, but as they got closer Somnambula's began to look around, not having a chance before thanks to the panic, as her eye's wandered she noticed a few couples, but the one that caught her eye's being a large red earth pony stallion and pink unicorn mare "It is so good to see things have changed for the better, under the rule of the Pharaoh's such relationship's where taboo, but now it seems that such mentality is just a thing of the past."
Reaching the train station they where met by Twilight's friends there to see them off and deliver tea cakes for the trip, though having already met each of them and knowing there name's, Somnambula had not gotten to know any of them very well, and thus choose to stay back while Twilight happily chatted with them, soon though a loud whistle sounded and As they got on the train Somnambula looked back as they bordered the train only to spot Rainbow Dash and Pinkie giving each other a quick kiss in the back of the group,she felt a small grin appear on her face as her gaze wandered to Twilight in front of her"Things really have changed, there's still hope."
_Cantorlot_
After a the Train ride during which Twilight could sear that Somnambula had been slightly flirting with her and making it to Cantorlot Twilight and Somnambula found a armed escort waiting for them who quickly took them to Cantorlot Castle's throne room, there they where met by Princess Celestia herself "Ah, as punctual as ever Twilight" spoke the Sun monarch before turning to Somnambula "And your must be Somnambula Her-"
At the Sound of her name the guards quickly moved intending to surround Somnambula before being swatted away by a simple magic shield by Twilight who felt a throb in her head "She's the Hero of the southern tribes not the Witch!" called out the irritated Twilgiht.
Unfazed by her fellow princess outburst Celestia turned to Somnambula and gave a slight bow "you have to excuse them, in recent year it has become more common for ancient evil's to rise then ancient hero's." Celestia said before standing back up straight "Now on to business, as you both know the Nobles have called a council meeting in a attempt to overrule the recent ban on buying mummies along with the illegalizing of there Unwrapping parties, my sister and Princess Cadance are already at the meeting trying to talk reason into them but from past experience i can tell you that isn't going well, Some even has gone as far as to carry the Mummies they had already bought in with them, i am hopping you can recreate what you did to awaken Somnambula, maybe that will convince them."
At this Twilight and Somnambula gave each other a quick glance and a small smile "Actually Princess Celestia we can, but where going to need a bucket of Water. . ."
_Council Room_
"I payed good Bits for this Mummy, i should be able to do what ever i want with it" yelled out a irate Jet Set while waving around a Mummy just as Twilight, Celestia, and Somnambula made it to the room
Seeing the angry crowd of Nobles Twilight quickly made her way to the podium to talk, only for a course of angry voices to ring out loud enough to down out even the Royal Cantorlot voice, sighing Twilight signed Somnambula who simply flew up and emptied the contents of the bucket onto Jet Set who predictably used the mummy he held as a shield.
"Poof"
Just like with Somnambula the Mummy seemingly exploded into dust and bandages only for a Mare to be revealed once the dust cleared, unfortunately for Jet Set he happened to of been holding on her flank when he shielded himself, and it took little time for the mare to notice "pervert" she screamed right before kicking him in the muzzle and running to the protection of two armored guards.
Just as Jet Set regained his barrings he noticed Upper Crust giving him a chilling glare "So that's why you have been so admit about having these unwrapping party's" Upper Crust asked in a tone that told Jet Set that he would be sleeping in the dog house tonight, else where in the crowed of Nobles several other's suddenly found themselves in similar positions with there own wives, needless to say many voted to keep the ban, if not from there conscience, then out of a attempt to save there own skin.
_2 month's latter_
Two month's had gone by since the Noble's vote, ending with a number finding themselves being charged with ponyslaughter for the mummies they had destroyed in the past, and a month since Celestia has had all of the remaining Mummies awakened with minimal problems, with some time to become use to things Prince Hisan had proved more then willing to accept the new way's of Equestia, his father however. . .
_Flashback_
"A abomination such as you dare's act like it can commend me, the noble blooded ruler of the dessert pegasi and high priest of every temple within, who are you but some crossbred harlot who's blood is muddled with that of sorcerers and slaves, how dare you even think you could even speak to one such as me let alone think you could even begin to command me or claim ownership of my lands, such arrogance exceeds even the ponies of Bable, do you not fear the power of the sun, do you no-" ranted Pharaoh Hisan the 3rd to Celestia with in his personal exhibit in the museum only for the Princess of the Sun to lean her head towards him and interrupt him.
"Let me ask you this Pharaoh Hisan, DO YOU!"
A minute latter screams where heard from the room and Princess Luna, Twilight, Somnambula and a pack of guards Burst into the Pharaoh's display room, only to find the room completely scorched with a large hole in the ceiling, in the middle was a perfectly fine Celestia and at her hooves was a shivering and wide-eyed Pharaoh Hisan the 3rd, Celestia turned to the group "Good new's we came to a agreement."
"Dammit sister not again" shouted Luna "this is the same thing you did with Queen Cleopatrot."
_End Flashback_
Today however we find as Twilight Sparkle prepared to do the hardest thing she had ever attempted in her life
Twilight had taken Somnambula out to the balcony of her castle and offered her a bokay of flower's "Somnambula W-would you like to go out with me this afternoon?" Twilight asked with a large blush on her face.
Somnambula smiled back at the nervous Twilight with a blush of her own "Sure i would lov-"
"Boom"
Behold the return of the great Somnambula, devourer of Youth and Beauty" yelled a crazed unicorn witch riding a large machine that was trying to suck up the panicking ponies.
"You've got to be kidding me" Twilight yelled at the scene before turning back to Somnambula "I am so sorry about this-"
"It's Okay i understand, now go out there and be a hero" Somnambula said before a thought crossed her mind "Actually would you mind if i helped, i kind of owe her for dragging my name though the mud."
Author's Note
A few things i had planned but edited out for time. . .
When describing the Rite of return i had planned to use some Egyptian terms for a six-part individual: Ha = Body, Ib = Heart, Ba= Spirit force, Ka= Life force, Shut = Shadow and Ren = Name.
I also had planned a joke with Prince Blueblood being realived he never got into the mummy trend only to reveal he has been collecting terakota warriors.
There was also a plan for Somnambula to discover more about what had happened since she had slept, including her being shocked that there is a town named after her.
I also had thought of doing a time skip hundreds of year's latter where Somnambula had become the Alicorn of Hope and her and Twilight now ruled over the Southern part of Equestia.