Shamash!

A young girl was trying to find shelter from the sandstorm. She became separated from her parents and guides, and she was now all alone; within the unkind desert.

The girl now noticed an old ziggurat.

She used the last of her strength to enter the old ruin.

The girl was now safe from the sandstorm, but she was not safe from the other threats of the desert.

Several times, the young girl could feel snakes and scorpions pass by her.

The girl was scared. She felt alone, and did not know what to do.

" Please, someone, help… "

The girl opened her eyes, for she could no longer hear the sandstorm.

She walked outside, and sure enough, the sandstorm was gone.

The girl let out a sigh of relief. She now took out her water bottle, for she was truly thirsty.

" Help… please help… "

The girl heightened her sense of hearing. She looked around, and now saw a helpless woman trapped underneath a dead camel.

The girl ran to the woman's aid.

" Don't worry " said the girl, trying to sound brave; " I am here to help "

" Oh… thank you… " said the woman, gratefully, while sounding very weak.

The girl tried to remove the dead camel, but she struggled in vain.

Both the girl and the woman knew that time was short.

" Please, child, may I have a drink of water? "

Without thinking twice about it, the girl gave the woman her water.

The water bottle was now empty, as the woman breathed her last.

But that was when something strange happened.

The woman's whole body started to glow. And in front of the young girl, stood a goddess.

" The Lady of the Desert, the Lady of Uruk… Ninsun… "

" You know of me? " said Ninsun, honored.

The young girl could only nod, for Ninsun's presence was that overwhelming.

The goddess now said;

" In return for your kindness, I shall grant you the powers of the gods "

The young girl was astonished and confused.

" What could I have possibly done to deserve such an honor??? "

Ninsun smiled.

" You showed great kindness to a stranger. You gave the last of your water to a dying stranger, when doing so; could have meant your own death "

" I only did what was right "

" All the more reason; why you are deserving of this gift. I shall help you with becoming a hero "

" A hero… " said the young girl, as she had always dreamt of being a hero.

" But first " said Ninsun; " tell me your name "

" My name is Layla Lugalbanda "

" Lugalbanda, " said Ninsun with a delighted smile.

Ninsun now granted Layla the following powers;

The Sun of Shamash.

The Lightning of Hadad.

The Speed of Anu.

The Strength of Marduk.

The Creation of Aruru.

The Wisdom of Sin.

The Might of Humbaba.

All Layla had to do, was simply to say;

" Shamash! "

A lightning bolt struck her, granting her all the powers; within an adult body.

Layla had a small cape around her right shoulder. She had the Mesopotamian Lightning Bolt as a symbol on her chest. Her costume/uniform was of a beautiful black and pale gold. Her raven hair was like silk, and her brown eyes were like caramel. Her beauty was indescribable, and her muscles were all well-toned.

Layla now realized that she was flying, as her feet were not touching the ground.

" I shall now bestrow upon you; your hero name "

Layla knelt in anticipation.

Ninsun now said;

" In this form, you shall be known as; Capitaine Merveille "