//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2: The Story of Mumma-Ra 
// Story: Daring Do and the City of the Dead 
// by sonicdash123 
//------------------------------//

Charming Thunder knocked on the door to Daring Do's house and waited to see if she would answer it. The door opened and Daring Do was standing there as she answered the door. "Charming Thunder!!" Daring Do said as she gave him a tight hug. "It is so good to see you again." She released the hug and turned to see Danny standing next to him. "And you must be his brother."

"A pleasure to meet you, Daring Do," Danny said.

"Come in. I'm sure you got my letter, Charming?"

"Indeed I did," Charming Thunder replied. "So what's this about?"

"I was hoping that you could see what I found. Wait here." Daring Do then flew to the next room as Charming Thunder and Danny waited for her to return.

"Well she's excited," Danny said.

"I noticed," Charming Thunder said. "Last time I went on an adventure with her, it was the day I moved to Ponyville. We bumped into each other along the way. I must say, when Rainbow first saw her, she was so excited to meet her."

"I'm sure she was." Daring Do returned to them holding an item with hieroglyphics all over it. Charming Thunder levitated it to get a closer look at it.

"Where did you get this?"

"Found it during my last adventure," Daring Do explained. "I recognized the markings on this thing and I have come to a conclusion on a theory." Charming Thunder noticed that it is turn able and decided to turn it clockwise. It then opened up like a flower and a piece of paper was inside of it.

"Daring?"

"Yes?"

"I think you did find something." Charming Thunder levitated the key and placed it on the table. He opened up the paper which appears to be a map and then firmly placed it on the table.

"It's a map," Danny said. "It looks ancient."

"My theory was correct then," Daring Do said. "It is Haygyptian."

"Haygiptian?"

"A language that is used in Haygypt," Danny explained.

"You see that location there?" Daring Do pointed to a location on the map that was on the lower right corner. "That is Hamunoptrot."

"Hamunoptrot? You mean the city of the dead Hamunoptrot?"

"Exactly."

"There has been a rumor that there are treasure beneath the city and I wish to find it. There is also a legend." Daring Do flew to a bookshelf and grabbed a book then flew back down to open it up on the table. "It began at the pharaoh's crown jewel city called Thebes. Home of Mumma-Ra, the pharaoh's high priest and keeper of the dead. Birthplace of Nephitaph, the pharaoh's mistress. No other stallion was allowed to touch her. But for their love, they were willing to risk life itself. When the pharaoh came to Mumma-Ra's chambers and found her there, he wondered who touched her when Mumma-Ra suddenly drew his sword and Nephitaph stabbed him in the back. They killed him as the pharaoh's bodyguards breach the door. Mumma-Ra resisted on leaving without the love of his life. So he swore that he would resurrect her. In order to resurrect her, Mumma-Ra and his priests broke into her crypt and stole her body. They raced through the desert taking her to Hamunoptrot, ancient burial site for sons of pharaohs and resting place of the wealth of Haygypt. He dared the gods anger by going deep into the city and took the Black Book of the Dead from its resting place. Nephitaph's soul was sent to the dark underworld with her vital organs removed and placed in five sacred jars. Before Mumma-Ra can complete the ritual, the pharaoh's bodyguards arrived to the scene and stopped him. His priests were condemned to be mummified alive, but he was condemned to endure the Hom-Dai. The worst of all of ancient curses and so horrible it had never before been bestowed. As the scarabs scurry on his screaming wrapped up body, he was sealed inside a sarcophagus for all of eternity." Daring Do closed the book and puts it back on the shelf. "I intend to find the Book of the Living and maybe deliver it to a museum."

"Where exactly do we come in?" Danny asked.

"I was getting to that. I was hoping that you can tag along. It would be like old times, Charming."

"I would love to come along and go on another adventure with you," Charming Thunder said. "What about you, brother?"

"Why not," Danny replied.

"And I think I know a couple of my friends who might want to come. Danny, you think Rainbow would be up to it?"

"She is actually busy taking care of Sonic. She can't just leave him alone."

"Good point. Pinkie and Fluttershy are also out of the question since they now have dates planned. Twilight would be busy with her royal duties. Sunset will be helping her out. Perhaps Rarity and Spike could?"

"I'll see what I can do about them. I was also thinking of bringing your apprentice Moondancer and maybe Applejack."

"Good idea. Moondancer loves history and I'm sure that she will be interested. I'm sure Applejack won't mind tagging along as well if she is not busy. Maybe I can bring Khem along as well."

"Then it's settled," Daring Do announced. "We will form an expedition team to Hamunoptrot. Once you are ready, we can take a train to Manehattan so we can take a boat to Haygypt." Charming Thunder and Danny nodded and Charming Thunder hoof bumped with Daring Do as their quest will soon begin.