The Rebirth of the Child Pharaoh

**The Rebirth of the Child Pharaoh**  (French titled *La renaissance de l'enfant pharaon*) is the twentieth episode of the animated series.

## Plot

The city of Thebes is in danger and it is pouring ash at the residence. Aker is vehement on subduing Egypt to Seth and sends a demon, Sénefer, to the world.

Papyrus is having a dream, as the symbol of Aten shines on him and a coffer descends. As it hovers in his hands, a bright light blurs out the dream. He wakes up and begins to look for Théti, who is hiding behind plants nearby. She shows up, pleased that Papyrus is concerned for her. He then states as a servant, it is his duty to worry for her, causing Théti to quickly change her mind and claim she can do fine on her own. The two turn away from each other, sharing a few glances at the other. Théti then suggests that they head back to Thebes.

On their way, Papyrus tells her about the dream, reminiscing the coffer from The City of Scribes. Théti consoles him that he will find of his origin sooner or later, much to Papyrus's impatience.

Later, Sénefer and Ahmès wait for the impending harm on Pharaoh Merenre, his room guarded. Sénefer forms a scorpion, as it makes its way into the monarch's room. The scorpion stings Merenre, and an agonizing yell is followed after.

Merenre is laid to die, surrounded by Papyrus, Théti, and Ratoufer. Ratoufer informs that his magic is ineffective compared to that of Seth, this being unable to cure Merenre, but only Papyrus can. At the pond, Papyrus reminisces that he was found in the midst of papyrus and fishermen adopted him. Ratoufer adds that the hour has come for him to learn of his true origin and urges him to look within. Papyrus complains that his riddles baffle him, until he remembered his dream about the coffer.

Ratoufer informs that Papyrus must go to the City of Scribes (location) to retrieve the coffer in order to get what he seeks. He prays to a statue of Thoth, and it transforms into an ibis. It lifts Papyrus and they begin to travel to the respective place. Ratoufer and Théti watch him leave, and Théti comments on Ratoufer's wisdom than his words.

Papyrus and the ibis make their way into the City of Scribes, Thoth's kingdom, through an entrance. It brings Papyrus to the temple, and Papyrus meets with Thoth. He is obligated to know his origin and requests so to Thoth. The coffer descends to him; as he opens it, there, a scarab beetle with the sign of Aten underneath lays in it. Papyrus picks it up and questions its significance. Thoth informs that only Akhenaten can answer his question, and he leads him the city of Akhetaton through the ibis.

Meanwhile, Théti is tasked with a temporal substitution for Merenre until he recovers. Ahmès steps in, holding a scepter of Seth, with his guards by his side. Théti confronts him of his ban evasion and his audacity to show up with a scepter of Seth. Ahmès, however, makes the assertion that if Pharaoh Merenre does not recover, he will claim the throne, whether the others like it or not. Ratoufer is in hope that Papyrus will make it in time.

On their way to Akhetaton, Aker makes a move to stop Papyrus from arriving at his destination and sends a creature of Seth against him. Papyrus tries to cease the creature with his sword, however, he drops his sword and it plummets below. It was not until long when he loses his balance and falls over, ending up in the middle of nowhere.

He wakes up and starts to retrieve his sword nearby. Not knowing what else to do, he calls on Nebou in hopes of getting help, but there is no response. Papyrus has lost confidence and is unable to continue. A falcon flies by, bringing hope to Papyrus, and he proceeds to follow it. As he walks along, Papyrus loses strength, until he comes across a well. He is about to take a drink until the falcon knocks the bucket over, causing Papyrus to realize the water was poisoned by Seth. Papyrus confidently gloats that Seth's attempt to stop his mission is not over yet.

At the palace, Ratoufer informs to Théti that the end is near for the pharaoh. Théti is determined that they must keep their hopes high, that she will never submit to Ahmès.

Papyrus is peacefully laying on the ground, sleeping, when a pack of hyenas surrounds him, ready to maul him. The light from the sun causes his sword to radiate, intimidating the hyenas and scaring them off. The sword does not stop glowing to protect him.

Later, Papyrus continues to follow the falcon and finally arrives at the city Akhetaton. He believes it to be a mirage, but he collapses due to the long journey. Meritaten, daughter of Akhenaten, had expected to see him again, and offers him a bag of water. Meritaten leads him to an entrance, but soon leaves him to find out the rest for himself. Papyrus is once again frustrated with the constant duties of searching.

Théti is in great disbelief and devastation once Ratoufer has announced that the monarch is officially deceased, also grieving Ratoufer.

Papyrus calls for Akhenaten and reminds that he helps him achieve eternal peace. He again lapses into lack of hope, until the ghost of Akhenaten appears before him. He informs that he had a son named Tutankhamun, and that he and Papyrus are connected from a long time. Papyrus is left confused, as he has never heard of such a name before. Akhenaten adds that due to his expungement, all his descendants are of a cursed line and the rest of Egypt wanted to forget about his erasing of traditional polytheism. He informs to Papyrus to use the scarab beetle to call on the name of his son in order to find out his secret, Papyrus does so.

He is brought to a tomb in the Valley of the Kings. There, a voice speaks to him. Papyrus demands that the voice reveals himself, thus, Tutankhamun himself appears before him, adding that he is the ancestor of Papyrus. Tutankhamun also states that he and his wife hid their son to perpetuate the line of Akhenaten, all the way down to Papyrus. Papyrus is surprised at the fact, knowing of his origin. And now that he knows, Tutankhamun urges Papyrus to keep it a secret. Papyrus promises not to tell anyone else, and Tutankhamun agrees to help him save the double kingdom and Pharaoh.

Due to Merenre's death, Théti is officially the new ruler. Ahmès once again shows up with his guards and demands that she must submit him. Théti firmly rejects his command, causing Ahmès to order his guards to seize her.

Papyrus calls on Tutankhamun's name three times, a light flashes after. Théti is held captive, threatened by Ahmès that unless she gives him the throne, she will be killed. Théti quickly begins to protests against her uncle. Ahmès, however, insists on boasting his victory before taunting her, on the fact that she relies on Papyrus.

Royal guards, under Ahmès, pester Ratoufer to exit the room where Merenre lays, to submit to Ahmès and come with them. Suddenly, a light shines on Merenre, along with the voice of Papyrus calling for the monarch to live once again. The Pharaoh is brought from the dead, striking shock to the guards.

Ahmès orders his guards to take Théti away, until Papyrus and Tutankhamun make it to the scene. Ahmès is in surprise and begins to cower, as Tutankhamun orders the servant of Seth to bow to Papyrus, who confronts him with his sword. Sénefer, intervenes and strikes Papyrus and begins to intimidate him. Tutankhamun begins to fade away, as Théti urges Papyrus to take the sword and smite Sénefer. A demon is seen fleeing after he was obliterated, also reviving Tutankhamun. Théti is delighted to see her father alive and well as he makes his way with the help of Ratoufer, but Ahmès is in deep shock. He drops his scepter after.

By the river, Théti is eager to know what Papyrus found in the coffer. Papyrus, bound by the secret, claims it was empty, leaving Théti slightly confused. He makes a few insinuations to Théti if he were the son of a pharaoh, Théti admits she would be surprised. However, Papyrus continues muttering, wishing he could tell her his secret. Realizing it is late, Théti wishes to go back to Thebes with the papyrus-woven boat. On the way, Théti is confident that Egypt will finally be in peace once again thanks to Papyrus.

## Characters

**Main**

* Papyrus
* Théti
* Ahmès
* Ratoufer

**Major**

* Sennefer
* Pharaoh Merenre
* Akhenaten
* Tutankhamun
* Guards of Ahmès

**Minor**

* Thoth
* Meritaten

**Mentioned**

* Nebou