"Manifest Destiny"
By GirlX2
Chapter One
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Author's note: After swearing off fic writing, this idea came into my head and simply wouldn't leave until I'd put it down on paper. I hope you enjoy it!
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"Why are we visiting Akmenrah?"
"I wanna ask him something about the tablet." Jed replied. The miniatures were making their way into the Egyptian wing. Teddy had dropped them at the doorway, but they still had a long walk to the Pharaoh's chamber.
"And what, pray tell, would that be?"
"Like I told ya, it's a surprise." Jed grinned at his friend. "And ya don't wanna ruin the surprise do ya Octy?"
Octavius groaned. Jedediah's surprises never turned out well.
"Ah, Jedediah. Octavius." Akmenrah smiled down on them as they approached the apex of the chamber. "What brings you gentlemen here tonight?"
"Jedediah brought us here." Octavius replied. "He has something to ask of you."
"Akh--we wanna be big."
"What?" Octavius and the Pharaoh chorused together.
"What are you talking about?" Octavius asked, obvious confusion seeping into his voice.
"C'mon Octy, we've talked about this--how it would be great to be able to walk around the museum like everyone else! Even if it was just for a night."
"We've passed an idle fancy or two on the subject, yes, but I'm not sure--"
"Fortune favor's the bold. Can ya do it Akh?"
"I...I think so." Akmenrah said slowly. He knelt before the two, knowing their hatred of being manhandled. "Are you both sure about this?"
"I--"
"Sure as shootin'." Jed cut his friend off.
"...Very well. It's actually a simple matter--as Theodore says, if it can be dreamed it can be done."
"Especially when you have magic." Octavius muttered.
"If you'll just stand over there, I can manger in a few moments."
"Jedediah, I'm not sure about this at all!" Octavius said once the pharaoh was out of earshot. "What will our people think?"
"It'll just be for a night Octy." Jed replied. "And I don't know about Romans, but my people won't care. I'm the leader because of my mind, not my body."
Octavius shook his head. "But what if something goes wrong?"
"What could go wrong? You worry too much."
"And I fear you are not cautious enough, my friend." Octavius murmured. Jed pretended not to hear.
Akmenrah placed his hand on the center of the tablet and tweaked one of the squares ever-so-slightly. The power of the tablet was practically limitless--it actually surprised the king that no one else had come to him with a similar request before. But, then again, he'd only been on speaking terms with the rest of the museum for a relatively short while--perhaps the rest of it's residents were not bold enough yet to try.
At any rate, this would be a good way to show the other inhabitants that he was…what was the phrase? Ah yes: "A team player."
"Ready gentlemen?"
"I…suppose so." Octavius shifted uneasily and turned to Jed. The cowboy was grinning widely, willfully oblivious to his friend's discomfort.
"Hell yes."
"Then remain still. This will take mere moments." Akmenrah closed his eyes and softly began to recite in his native tongue. The tablet emitted a faint, but steadily brightening, glow.
"Jedediah, I--I--I'm not doing this!" Octavius' nerve broke as the light reached blinding intensity. He cast a hand over his eyes and ducked to side, where there was an ornamental table.
"Octavius, what the hell--?"
Jedediah's shout was cut off suddenly. Octavius turned from the blinding light, unwilling to see if the Pharaoh had succeeded.
"Octavius?" Jed asked after a few moments. The general didn't turn to him, but opened his eyes. The light had faded. He'd been left facing the table leg. "Octy, talk to me."
"I want no part of this foolishness Jedediah. Our stature may be a hindrance at times, but I've no wish to trap about the museum like our gigantic friends."
"Well then. Guess I'll just have to do the trampin' for ya."
Octavius let out a shout as he was grabbed and picked up. The general drew his sword out of instinct, but dropped it as he saw his friend.
Jedediah was still grinning. It'd worked.
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To be continued...