Hello and welcome to chapter 2 of Bastet. Last time we saw Sekhmet undergo her test where she faced off against several powerful serpents who were the embodiments of Apep. We also saw that Isis wasn't too happy with the fact that Sekhmet is the crowned princess who will succeed Ra as ruler one day and believed that her son, Horus, should be king. Now it's Bastet's turn to take this test and face off against the serpents. Now I'm going to skip over Tefnut's test and focus on Bastet's test for this chapter.
For those of you who didn't spot the references in the last chapter, in Ra's treasure room were the Millennium Stone and Items from Yu-Gi-Oh!, the Golded Book of the Living and the Black Book of the Dead from 1999's The Mummy, the DigiEgg of Light from Digimon Adventure 02 (known here as the Mental of Light), the Infinity Stones and Gauntlet (or so it seems), the Jumanji board game from 1996's Jumanji, Moses' Staff, a replica of the χ-blade from the Kingdom Hearts series, the Eye of Aurora from Jackie Chan Adventures, a piece of the Eternal Flame (like in Thor: Ragnarok), the guardian amulets from the TV series Mummies Alive, the vestle of the Eye of Ages from X-Men: Evolution, and the Ark of the Covenant.
Chapter 2:
It was a normal day in the kingdom of Heliopolis and all the gods and goddesses were going about their daily lives. At the royal palace, Bastet, Sekhmet, and Tefnut were all training together in the palace training ground. All three sister goddesses were using a khopesh sword as they were participating in a three-way training battle. It had been a century since Sekhmet went through the Eye of Wdjat Ceremony and Tefnut had only gone through it just half a century afterwards. But today, it was Bastet's turn to take their father's trial and her two elder sisters were preparing her for when that event occurred.
Both Sekhmet and Tefnut came at Bastet with great ferocity, but Bastet did her best to match her two elder and more experienced sisters. But at one point, Bastet knocked Sekhmet to the ground and believed she had won the battle, only for Sekhmet to quickly prove her wrong by knocking her to the ground and put her foot on her.
"Rule number one in battle, never let your guard down," Sekhmet told Bastet. "You make one false move, your opponent will not hesitate to attack and kill you."
But Bastet was convinced that her sisters had an unfair advantage over her and shouted at them, "That's not fair, Sekhmet. You and Tefnut both know our father's secret name, that's the only reason you were able to defeat me! If I knew our father's secret name as well, I would have defeated you!"
"Our father's secret name has nothing to do with this," Sekhmet countered, trying to keep her cool. "We were already great warriors beforehand and we didn't even use that power right now."
"Besides Bastet, you cannot keep using that excuse," Tefnut added. "You've blamed our father's secret name one thousand times already. Soon it will be your turn to take our father's trial and…"
"I shall finally know my father's secret name," Bastet interrupted. "And once I learn that name, my power will be equal to yours."
Sekhmet and Tefnut both shook their heads in disappointment.
"You fool, you don't even realize what you're saying," Sekhmet sighed.
Before Bastet could question what her sister was trying to say, a few guards came up.
"Excuse me Princess Sekhmet, your father demands your presence," said one of the guards.
"What is it this time," Sekhmet questioned the guard.
"I don't know your highness, I didn't ask," said the guard.
Sekhmet then sighed, "I suppose it cannot be helped. Sorry sisters, but I must attend to my crowned princess duties."
"We have heard that before," Bastet and Tefnut said simultaneously.
Sekhmet then left with the guards as they escorted her to wherever her father was waiting for her.
Once Sekhmet was gone, Bastet and Tefnut both sat down and pouted, more so from Bastet than Tefnut.
"Ever since Sekhmet went through the Eye of Wdjat Ceremony, she's been busy almost every day," said Tefnut.
"Maybe, but at least she has an excuse to why we don't see her too much anymore, unlike you," Bastet then walked off, leaving a confused Tefnut.
Elsewhere in Heliopolis, Anubis and Horus were hanging out together, having finished their morning exercises for the day. The two were ready to watch as Bastet went through her trial today, but whether she would pass or fail remained to be seen.
"This was one intense morning exercise today, brother," said Horus
"We are not brothers, we are cozens," Anubis corrected Horus. "Must I remind you for the fifth thousandth time?"
"I know we are first cozens, but calling you my brother sounds better to me," Horus acknowledged. "Must you kill the moment?"
"I am the god of death, what is it you expect," Anubis chuckled.
Both Horus and Anubis then laughed at that statement. After they were done, the two looked towards the Paths of the Gods. They knew that today was the day where Princess Bastet would journey with her father for her trial, but the two were concerned.
"Today is the day," said Horus. "Do you believe the princess will make it as her two sisters did before her?"
"Only Bastet herself can answer that question," Anubis pointed out as he took a drink of wine. "And the only way she'll answer it is through her actions."
"Are you sure you want to drink before going on this with her," Horus questioned.
"Cozen, you know it will take more wine than this to knock me out," Anubis took another sip. "In any case, you aren't doing much better yourself."
"I suppose not," Horus took a sip of his own wine.
Just then Bastet showed up and called, "Anubis, Horus…!"
The falcon and jackal gods looked at the cat goddess who was drinking wine herself.
"Bastet, what are you doing here," Anubis questioned.
"Sekhmet is attending to her duties as crown princess and I don't know what Tefnut is up to," Bastet answered. "I thought about hanging with two gods before my trial begins."
"But what about your last minute training session," Horus questioned with concern. "If you're not brushed up on your training…"
"Don't worry about it, Horus," Bastet reassured the falcon god. "I already finished my session moments ago before coming here. I was training with my sisters until Sekhmet was "dragged" away for her duties."
"I see," said Horus. "Well she is the crown princess and she earned her role as your father's guardian last century as did Tefnut just half a century after that."
"Perhaps, but the only reason they passed that trial was because they know our father's secret name," Bastet took a sip of wine. "But once I learn it, I'll be just as good as them both and I'll pass that test with flying colors."
"Do not assume anything, Bastet," said Anubis, knowing full well that Bastet had the wrong idea. "That kind of ignorance will only lead you to disaster out on the battlefield."
"I don't know, Anubis," said Horus. "Everyone knows that Pharaoh Ra has tremendous power, rivaling that of Asgard's Odin Force. I believe it is called the Aten Force and those who learn of Pharaoh's secret name gain access to it."
"True, but have either of you ever consider how Pharaoh himself got that power in the first place," Anubis questioned.
"Do you," Bastet questioned.
Before Anubis or Horus could reply, Wepwawet, Anubis's brother, arrived. "Brother, Cozen, it's time. And Princess, your test starts in earnest."
At the palace, Sekhmet was being instructed by Ra to keep an eye on Heliopolis while he was out for Bastet's test. He also instructed her not to start preparations for the Eye of Wdjat Ceremony until they return to ensure Bastet passed before she was given the honor.
"I am counting on you, my eldest daughter," said Ra. "Will you be able to handle this responsibility?"
"I'll try, Father," Sekhmet answered.
Seeing that Heliopolis was in good hands, Ra made his way to the Path of the Gods where Bastet would be waiting at the Atet. Once he was gone, Tefnut arrived.
"You were put in charge," she asked.
"I was," Sekhmet answered as she sat in her father's throne. "But I'm worried."
"About having so much responsibility," Tefnut asked.
"And about our sister," Sekhmet answered. "She seems to have this idea that you and I are powerful warriors because we learned father's secret name."
"I know," Tefnut agreed. "But Bastet is still young and doesn't understand so much. She believes that father's secret name turned us into great warriors…"
"But in reality, we already were great warriors before learning of father's secret name," Sekhmet added. "I just hope she realizes this before it's too late."
"So do I sis," Tefnut agreed.
Just then, one of the guards showed up with some news. "Excuse me your highness, we have a visitor."
"At this time," Sekhmet questioned. "Who is it?"
"Prince Thor of Asgard, your highness," said the guard.
Sekhmet and Tefnut were surprised.
"Send him in," said Sekhmet.
Moments later, Thor entered the throne room and bowed to Sekhmet.
"It has been some time, Sekhmet," said Thor. "But if I may ask, where is your father?"
"He is out with Bastet," Sekhmet answered. "She is taking her test as we speak. But if I may ask, what brings you here to Heliopolis?"
"As you know, I am searching for my brother Loki," Thor answered. "I have been searching the cosmos to find him, but so far no luck."
"And here I believed you would be protecting Earth from oncoming threats," Sekhmet pointed out. "Some time ago a pair of monumental towers in the city the mortals know as New York City was destroyed. I assumed you would be there to protect it as you've sworn."
"Ai," Thor acknowledged. "Had I known about that, I would have gladly gone there and stopped the World Trade Center's destruction."
"Anyway, you said you were looking for your brother, Loki, but sadly we haven't seen him," said Sekhmet, getting back on topic.
"I hope not," said Thor. "You know as well as I do that Loki has been known for his trickery, even disguising himself as anyone else."
Elsewhere in Heliopolis, Isis, was walking through the hall of the pharaohs where she saw statues of the past pharaohs of Heliopolis. While each of these statues were hard to look away from, Isis willed herself as she made her way to a special spot. As she walked, she came across what appeared to be a mysterious cloaked individual.
"Ah, you have arrived," said the cloaked individual.
"Indeed," said Isis. "Do you have what I asked for?"
"Indeed," said the cloaked individual as it gave Isis a vile. "I can assure you that it will do wonders beyond all those you have seen before."
"It better," said Isis. "My son deserves the throne and I will do whatever it takes to get it for him."
At the Path of the Gods, Bastet approached the Atet and was amazed by the mere sight of it. "So this is the Atet. It's even more amazing that I thought."
"Haven't you seen it before," Horus questioned.
"Only in scrolls," Bastet answered. "I have never seen it with my own eyes before."
"That's Pharaoh for you," Anubis mused. "Now shall we board?"
"Yes we shall," Bastet answered.
Bastet, Anubis, and Horus then boarded the Atet as Ra arrived. Upon his arrival, the other gods bowed before him. As usual, Osiris and Set were right next to him.
"Father," Bastet gasped.
"Daughter," Ra turned his attention towards his youngest daughter. "Remember, this test will determine whether or not you are worthy of being my bodyguard in the battlefield."
"Nothing to worry, Father," said Bastet, being a little overconfident. "Once I know your secret name, I will be able to become one of the greatest warriors in all Heliopolis."
Anubis, Horus, and Wepwawet all either face-palmed or shook their heads as they knew something that Bastet did not know. Set and Osiris also did not like where this was going.
But before Ra could say anything, Nemty noticed something. "Excuse me your highness, but I've spotted numerous Apep embodiments near Aaru and they are closing in fast."
"Then don't just stand there," Set called out. "Get us over there…!"
"I'm on it," Nemty then activated the Atet and they made their way to Aaru as fast as they could.
At Aaru, also known as the Field of Reeds, many souls were being attacked by multiple Apep embodiments. The snakes were consuming soul after soul until the Atet had arrived with Heliopolis' warriors. Without hesitation, Bastet, Anubis, Horus, and Wepwawet flew out of the boat and engaged the serpents. As usual, Set and Osiris remained on the Atet to protect Ra.
"Ra's beak, there are so many of them," Horus noted.
"Indeed," Anubis noted. "They must be stopped before they cause any more damage to Aaru and its inhabitants!"
"Well then, let's get to it," Wepwawet insisted.
The three deities then flew at the serpents and attacked them one by one. However, Bastet was left confused. "Wait a minute I don't know my father's secret name…!"
Horus flew at one serpent and struck it in the face with a set of battle claws on his talon-like hand. He then cut its head off using a straight sword. Anubis and Wepwawet double teamed against a serpent that was bigger than the rest, using their double bladed axes to disembowel the massive reptile from either side. Bastet on the other hand was unsure of what she should do, still believing that she needed her father's secret name to be a great warrior. But once she noticed two souls about to be devoured by one of the serpents, Bastet flew in and to stop the beast from attacking them. But the moment she came face to face with the snake, she found herself paralyzed by fear.
The snake closed in and Bastet didn't lift a finger to stop it. Luckily the two souls managed to escape, but Bastet still didn't move. Noticing this, Horus flew in and slayed the creature, much to the delight of the souls and the embarrassment of the princess.
"What are you doing standing around for," Horus criticized. "When you're battling these serpents, if they come at you, you have to fight back…!"
"It would be so much easier if father gave my his secret name," Bastet retorted.
"Bastet, look out," Anubis called out.
But it was no used. One of the serpents sprayed its venom at Bastet and she didn't react quickly enough to stop the attack. Seeing this, Ra came in and shielded his daughter from the attack, taking all the damage she would have felt.
"FATHER," Bastet gasped.
Set and Osiris saw what was going on and got directly involved. Set fired an energy blast from his staff and Osiris did the same with his flail and crook. Doing so destroyed the beast and forced the other snakes to retreat into space. While all the souls were grateful that the serpents were gone, they knew that something wasn't right and Bastet was at the center of it.
"Father, are you alright," Bastet asked with concern.
"He will be once we get back to Heliopolis," said Osiris, more concerned with helping his pharaoh than berating Bastet.
But Set wasn't so letting Bastet off that easily.
"Why did you hesitate," Set questioned.
"I didn't know my father's secret name," Bastet confessed. "If I had known it, I might have been able to fight these things."
Set put his hand on his face and sighed, "You don't get it at all. I'm not your father, so I cannot give you punishment for your foolishness, but if you don't realize your mistake, you will only be in the way."
Set then went up to his brother to help him get Ra back onto the Atet for the journey home. However, Horus decided to give Bastet a beating for her foolishness. He walked up to her and punched her in the face, much to the shock of everyone in the area.
"What the Duat is wrong with you," Horus scolded.
Bastet got up and said, "What was that for?"
"When you're in battle, hesitating even in the slightest could get you killed," Horus scolded. "Anubis, Wepwawet, and I were doing well and we were expecting you to do the same…! But no, you decided to be a victim…! Of all the foolish things to do…!"
Anubis then pushed Horus out of the way and told Bastet, "Look Bastet, if you're going to fight these serpents with us, you have to be more decisive. Hesitation could bring about disaster."
"This wouldn't have happened if I had known Father's secret name," Bastet replied.
Horus, Anubis, and Wepwawet all sighed and shook their heads, seeing that Bastet still didn't get it.
"Everyone, come," called out Osiris.
All four young deities then walked back to the Atet and got back on board before it made its way back to Heliopolis. As they made their way home, Bastet couldn't help but worry for her father and wonder what Set meant when he mentioned when he said that she didn't get it at all. However, the one thing that haunted her more than anything else was whether or not her father would be alright. She knew that he survived similar attacks like that before, but this time Ra looked like he was being affected by the poison.
When they returned to Heliopolis, they immediately took Pharaoh Ra to Serket to be treated. Being the goddess of medicine, Serket was quick to conger up a potion to heal Ra from his injuries, but he was still left unconscious from the battle. Sekhmet and Tefnut were informed of the incident and were quick to come to their father's aid. But they weren't too happy with Bastet for putting their father in danger like that.
"Bastet," Tefnut gasped. "How could you let this happen…?!"
Bastet had nothing to say as she didn't know what to say. She wanted to become a great warrior and she believed that learning her father's secret name was the answer to doing in and still does. However by wondering what her father's secret name was, she allowed those serpents to attack other souls and put herself in danger, resulting in her father's current predicament.
Tefnut was about to punch her, but Sekhmet stopped her at the last second.
"What are you doing, Sekhmet," Tefnut questioned. "Bastet…"
"Forget it, Tefnut," Sekhmet ordered. "She's not worth it."
Tefnut wanted to protest, but she knew that Sekhmet was right, so she let it go and walked away. Bastet however didn't take this too well and flew away crying.
Elsewhere in Heliopolis, Isis was trying to devise a plan in order to take out Ra and get his secret name to her son. She had the potion she needed for her plan, but she had yet to devise the plan itself. She knew she needed to get rid of the Eyes of Ra in order to get to Ra himself, but all of them were powerful warriors.
Just then, Horus arrived home and wasn't too thrilled with the adventure.
"Horus, you're back," Isis greeted, until she saw the look in Horus' face. "Honey, what is the matter?"
"The test was a disaster," Horus sighed. "Princess Bastet failed and Pharaoh has been poisoned by one of those serpents. Lady Serquet is taking care of him, but the princess is feeling down."
Isis' eyes widened for a moment, but calmed down. "And what about you, my son…? Were you injured or poisoned?"
"No, I'm fine," Horus answered. "By honestly, if I were the princess, I would have done better. She has this belief that learning of Pharaoh's secret name makes our people great warriors, but she's wrong."
"Well she has to figure that out for herself my son," Isis answered. "Now get some sleep, it's been a long day for you and you need your rest."
Horus agreed and went to his chamber, unaware of his mother's secret plans. Once Horus was in his chamber, Isis got back to her plan and realized she could use this incident to her advantage.
"So the youngest princess failed her test and the Pharaoh is now injured," Isis noted quietly. "This could work to my advantage, but first, I need to get the youngest princess out of Heliopolis, and I believe I know just how to do it."
At the same time, Anubis returned to his home where his mother Nephthys happily greeted him.
"Welcome back my son," said Nephthys at first before noticing that Anubis wasn't looking too happy. "Anubis, what's wrong?"
"Bastet failed her test and Pharaoh has been poisoned," Anubis explained. "Lady Serquet is taking care of it, but Bastet has failed by believing that she need his secret name to be a great warrior. Not only did she misunderstand the test, but she may have put the kingdom in danger, worst of all, she could get banished."
Nephthyst saw the concern in Anubis' words and could tell that he cared about Bastet more than he was letting on. Just then, Wepwawet arrived and had heard everything.
"Brother, if you are so concerned for her, you should go and talk to her," Wepwawet told him.
"Back off, brother," Anubis growled. "Even if I wanted to do that, I will likely make her feel worse right now. You and I know that there are times when sentimental words only make things worse."
"But the question is Brother is this one of those times," Wepwawet questioned.
"Indeed," said Anubis.
At the palace, Bastet was wrecking her chamber out of grief and shame about her failure and what had happened to her father. This was to be her day of triumph, when she would join her two elder sisters and become one of the Eyes of Ra. Instead, this was her greatest failure yet, and what was worse, her father became injured and poisoned because of her. She wasn't even thinking about learning his secret name at the moment and could only think about how badly she screwed up her test. In her frustration, she turned over her bed and tore apart her curtain cloths and carpets before she finally calmed down and sat atop her turned bed crying.
"Oh Father," Bastet cried. "How could I have let this happen? I was supposed to fight those serpents like Anubis and Horus were. But no, I just stood there like a statue and almost got you killed…! If anything happens to you, I'll never forgive myself…!"
Bastet then put her face into her paw hands and cried her eyes out.
Just then, Isis appeared in her chamber and saw what had happened.
"Princess," Isis called, getting Bastet's attention.
"Lady Isis," Bastet gasped. "What are you doing here?"
"I heard about your father," Isis answered.
"Who doesn't," said Bastet, still crying. "What have I done?"
Isis then told Bastet, "That's the least of your concerns, Princess. I overheard your sisters discussing something terrible, something that concerns you directly."
"What's going on," Bastet questioned, feeling anxious.
"Your father is dead and your two sisters are preparing to execute you as revenge for his death," Isis answered.
Bastet was horrified to hear the news. It was bad enough to know that her father had been injured because of her foolishness, but now to hear that he died of his wounds and that her sisters were preparing to execute her?
"What am I going to do," Bastet questioned.
"If you want to live, I suggest you leave as soon as possible," Isis answered. "Leave Heliopolis and never return."
Bastet, in her state of shock, knew that she had to act fast to avoid execution. Gathering her battle gear, Bastet prepared to leave Heliopolis.
"Now wear this," Isis offered her a bracelet. "As long as you wear this, you won't be detected by anyone in Heliopolis."
Bastet took the bracelet and made her way out of the palace and onto the Path of the Gods, unaware of Isis' plot.
"Foolish child," Isis whispered. "Phase 1 complete."
Isis then put on an identical bracelet and made her way out of the palace.
At Serquet's clinic, Sekhmet and Tefnut were both anxious to hear about their father's wellbeing. They had been waiting for the results ever since he was placed in there and would not move until they knew what his results were. After a long wait Serquet emerged from her clinic and gave the two princesses the news.
"What, what did you say," Sekhmet questioned.
"Your father will make a full recovery," Serquet answered. "The damage wasn't as bad as it appeared to be and I am the best healer in all of Heliopolis. Your father should be fine by tomorrow."
"What a relief," Tefnut sighed.
"Do not feel relieved just yet, Tefnut," Sekhmet pointed out. "You need to apologize to Bastet for your outburst earlier. I understand that you were upset, but she is still our sister and you may have made her want to execute herself."
Tefnut knew that Sekhmet was right and the sisters returned to the palace to tell Bastet the good news.
At the Path of the Gods, Bastet had arrived and was preparing to leave Heliopolis forever in self banishment. She was completely convinced that her sisters were going to execute her that she couldn't face the idea of being executed and wasn't about to let it happen to her. Soon, she found what she needed and prepared to make the jump. However, just before she could make the jump, Nemty noticed and attempted to stop her.
"Princess Bastet," Nemty gasped. "What are you doing? For that matter, where are you going?"
"I'm leaving," Bastet explained. "I've caused enough problems already and I will not cause anymore…!"
"Princess, what's going on," Nemty questioned.
"My sisters are going to execute me," Bastet told Nemty. "I'm not going to let them do this to my. I may have been responsible for our father's condition, but that is no reason for to be executed…!"
Nemty felt sorry for Bastet. He had known the three of them since they were kittens and had a strong bond with them as well as Anibus, Wepwawet, and Horus. Knowing that he would receive treason for this, he decided to help her escape.
"Alright, Princess, listen very carefully," Nemty told her. "I'm sending you to a world the mortals call Earth. While you're there, you must be in the form of a cat in order to avoid detection. Once we sort things out here, I shall personally come for you and bring you back."
"Thanks Nemty," Bastet smiled.
Nemty then prepared to send Bastet to Earth in order to avoid the supposed death sentence. However, what Bastet didn't know was that Isis had lied to her and she was going to pay the consequences for believing her.
At the palace Sekhmet and Tefnut had arrived in Bastet's chamber to tell her the good news about their father. What they found instead was their sister's chamber in a mess with her curtains ruined, the bed turned, and so much more. But there was no trace of the cat goddess.
"Bastet," Sekhmet called out.
"Bastet," Tefnut called out.
"Bastet, where are you," Sekhmet called out.
"I don't like this sister," said Tefnut skeptically. "I think our sister's been kidnapped…!"
"Don't get excited, Tefnut," Sekhmet ordered. "This is no time to exaggerate the situation."
"Exaggerate the situation," Tefnut questioned. "Look around you sister…! Bastet's chamber is a mess, Bastet's nowhere to be seen, all of this happened after my outburst at her, and you are asking me not to exaggerate the situation…? She had to have been kidnapped, what other explanation could there be?"
"Either she was kidnapped, or she ran away," Sekhmet answered. "Did you ever think about that?"
Tefnut gasped upon hearing this realization. However, she was not willing to believe a word of it. "Bastet would not run away… She's stronger than that… Why would she run away…?"
"After that outburst of yours, who wouldn't run away," Sekhmet pointed out.
As much as she wished to deny it, Tefnut knew that Sekhmet was right. "We have to find her, sister. If anything happens to her, I'll never forgive myself."
"We'll start off with Anubis and Horus," said Sekhmet. "If you and I were Bastet, they would be the first ones either of us would go to. I'll go see Anubis, you go and see Horus."
"What if we don't find her there," Tefnut questioned.
"We'll cross that river when we come to it," Sekhmet informed Tefnut. "Now come."
The princesses then made their way towards Anubis and Horus's homes, hoping that at least one of them knew where Bastet was.
And that was chapter 2. Okay, maybe the title of this chapter should have been Runaway since that's what Bastet does in this in the end. But then again, that would have been a dead giveaway. Also as you can see, Isis is moving forward with a plan and for those who know your Egyptian Mythology, Isis' ultimate target is Ra. Also, I hope you all enjoyed the cameo from Thor Odinson from Marvel.
The next chapter will have Bastet on Earth similar to what was seen in Disney's Hercules from 1997 and Marvel's Thor from 2011. However there will be some significant differencess from those films. What are those differences, you may ask. Well, you'll have to wait and see.
Chapter 3: The Mysterious Cat