The snow leopard retreated into the animal kingdom exhibit with its ears pulled back in agitation and its tail flicking around violently behind it.
"Get back, Kitten!" Lance berated, holding his sword up until he managed the shut the doors again. He looked over the busted locks and shook his head. "We will need to fix this at once. Perhaps something stronger." He suggested to no one in particular. He put away his sword and knelt down by the penguin with teeth marks marring its black and white surface. Helping the flightless bird in an upright position, the penguin waddled away quickly down the hall, squawking its displeasure.
Lancelot then entered the admissions office. He eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared as he stormed over to the counter. "Night Guard!" He demanded. "The Prince of Pharaohs seeks counsel with you. To deny Ahkmenrah's request is to offend him!" He walked around the counter to see the Night Watchman cowering underneath. "In my kingdom, when one offends royalty, I put him to death. What say you, Night Guard? Will you meet with my Prince or the sharp edge of my blade—" He began to pull his sword out but the guard brought his hands up in surrender.
"—No, no, no! I'll go! Just put that thing away!"
Lancelot did so and stepped aside. "Then we must make haste. Our night has only just begun but there is much to speak of." He promised.
The Night Guard was led straight to the Ancient Egyptian Exhibit with no stops. Things were coming to life all around the guard but he could only watch with horror as the knight behind him continued to nudge him in the right direction. Once at the exhibit, the guard frantically began to fumble through the many keys on his keyring to unlock the gate. The muffled yells from inside the exhibit made him nervous.
"Make haste! My Prince needs me!" Lancelot shouted, over-killing the Night guards nerves.
"H-hold on!" The Night Guard tried three different keys before finding the correct one and opening the gate. He was roughly guided in toward the tomb of Ahkmenrah and let go when Sir Lancelot needed to push the lid open. "Hell no! I-I can't—" He trembled, turning back to the exhibit entrance.
"Halt!" Sir Lancelot boomed, ceasing the Night Guard's quick escape and calming the shouts from inside of the tomb.
Now things were eerily quiet for the Night Guard but he was too shaken to continue with his escape.
Lancelot continued to push the heavy lid from his Prince's tomb until Ahkmenrah was free and the Prince sat up looking just as shaken as the Night Guard.
Lancelot stepped aside, feeling that the tear stricken face of the Prince was his fault.
On the other hand, the human coming out of the tomb was nothing compared to what the Night Guard was expecting and, looking between the Knight and the Prince, he relaxed slightly and swallowed, "So—"
"Do not speak until addressed to do so." Lancelot snapped, quieting the Night Guard. He held out his armor clad hand which the Prince took as he lifted himself out of the tomb and stood on shaky legs.
Ahkmenrah wiped his face, avoiding any and all eye contact. "Do not demand such things from our Night Guard." He said softly, wiping his face with his fingers to appear more presentable. "He is not one that you might call a peasant."
Lancelot dropped his tone as well to speak privately with his Prince. "Perhaps not, but he stuck me with a weapon earlier and will not be trusted until he gives me his name." Lancelot was still sore about the constant shocks from the man in the uniform and was stubborn to forgive. He had been nice and introduced himself fairly and the night guard's actions were completely unjustified in his opinion.
Of course, Ahkmenrah was more understanding. Lancelot did not envy this empathic trait but it was still something he valued in his Prince. "I shall speak with him."
"I am sorry I came late to release you from your tomb." Lancelot said even quieter with his face turned from the Night Guard's direction so that this weak side of himself was not shared with anyone but Ahk. "Forgive me."
"Nothing to forgive, you came and that is all that matters." Ahk made himself smile for his Knight then straightened himself up and smiled a little more easily as he came to face the Night Guard. "I am Ahkmenrah, Son of Merenkahre and Shepseheret."
There was a pause and the Night Guard swallowed again and nodded slowly. "Greg, Son of...Hank and Linda."
"Do not be frightened of what you see around you. It is only the gift of life that my tablet shares with your museum." Ahk walked over to the tablet and picked it up carefully. He looked over the pieces and thought of his father as he turned around to Greg again. "My father created this tablet so that..." His smiled began to fade but he continued when Lancelot stood closer to his side. "...so that we could spend eternity together as a family. It holds a true power that is ignited by the moon. All things inanimate within reach of this tablet's power become animate every night. And by dawn they become inanimate once more."
"It brings dead things to life." Greg paraphrased, nodding in understanding but still not at ease.
"You have been chosen to watch over us." Ahk continued. "One in a position of yours hold great responsibility. This museum of yours is new to the tablet's power and will be difficult to control at first. But, once tamed, all shall coexist in harmony."
"So you guys are the reason that I was hired for this gig. You guys were just...walking around at night and...putting yourself in the wrong places. They told me someone was pulling a prank but...you guys were doing this..." Greg said, muttering mostly to himself. "The museum was...moving itself around at night...Jesus."
"If you accept this duty, I would like us to walk freely. I think it best that we speak to all and explain their conditions."
For a fleeting moment, Greg wondered if he was dreaming. He hadn't been able to land a job for the past three years so suddenly becoming a night guard for a new museum seemed a little farfetched in itself. He also couldn't remember what he had for breakfast this morning and some old woman even kindly paid for his bus fare. This could quite possibly be a dream. But then the moment passed because this all felt too real. It didn't feel like a dream no matter how outrageous.
"Greg?" Ahk tilted his head curiously at the night guard's silence.
"Speak up." Lancelot demanded.
Greg nodded vigorously. "Sure, sure. Okay,...let's, uh, let's check things out." He agreed quickly. Dream or no dream, he was still interested. It wouldn't be a bad thing to see where this goes. So everything came to life, he could handle that. Ahkmenrah explained himself well enough and the idea of living in this secret life was actually...thrilling. "This is a secret, right? I'm not suppose to be going around and telling everyone that everything comes to life, right?"
"Yes." Ahk agreed. "It is unnecessary for anyone else to know."
"Yeah, yeah. The news would be all over it. Or they just might call me crazy." Greg agreed with a chuckle. "Well," he smacked his hands together and rubbed them, excitedly. "Let's start that tour, shall we?"
"Lead the way." Lancelot said and Greg headed out and looked down both side of the hall. "You have the gift of speech." He complimented Ahk. "I could not get him to reason with me at all."
"Oh?" Ahk could not suppress a tiny smile. "Did you have your sword out?" He asked, walking in the direction of the Night Guard.
Lancelot bristled and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword by his side. "Not at first..." He defended as he followed Ahk.
"Something is troubling you."
Jedediah pulled himself up onto a planters pot where Octavius was waiting. Two pirates fighting nearby had cornered the miniatures to seek shelter until their dispute ended or until they moved to a different section of the museum.
"What is it?" Octavius continued.
"Ain't nothin' botherin' me, Oc." Jed answered in a tone that didn't match his words. Feeling like he wasn't hiding his emotions none to well, he continued, "Well I just don't have a good feelin' bout this place, is all." He muttered, crossing his arms once he got his bearings straight. He looked out toward the fight between the pirates and watched as a small blade flew through the air and stuck into the wall several feet above their plant.
"We've only just begun to explore the museum, Jedediah. Why already in such low spirits?" Octavius came closer to the cowboys side.
"It ain't exactly the museum, it's the Wild West. I've got troubles brewin' there." Jed admitted.
"Ah." Octavius nodded, placing his hands on his sides. "The new recruits, am I correct?"
"I don't like leavin' the Wild West with those bandits roamin' around. They're talking bout takin' the place over." Jed huffed. "The ring leader said his name was Jesse James. Never heard o'that guy before but he's lookin' for trouble, I know that much."
"Shall we go back?"
Jedediah seemed to think it over then shook his head. "Naw,...we've got to find Ahk and Lance. It's just stuck in the back of my mind, is all. It's buggin' me like crazy. I just know their startin' ruckus." Jed heaved a sigh then loosened up. "I'm getting all tense over this. Sometimes I wish I was six feet tall. It's too exhausting to look bigger than you are."
"You should take comfort in knowing that you are at least taller than I." Octavius grumbled, playfully.
"I do." Jed smirked.
Octavius smiled and took hold of his cape, playing absently with the corner of it. "It is a shame that our worlds are so far apart." He voiced quietly.
"You got that right, pardner." Jed watched Octavius with interest and faced him fully, taking a coquettish step toward him. "Although I'd say that I'd miss you shoutin' orders to yer troops at the break of every evenin' but, then again, you're just so gosh darn loud that it's impossible not to hear you still." He teased.
"Well, I might say that I, too, would miss seeing you from Rome but your head is so large that I have had no troubles thus far." Octavius retorted.
"My head ain't big!"
"I do recall when trying on my helmet, you could not fit it over your large head." Octavius chuckled.
"It ain't that big, Octavius, it's just rounder than your horse face." Jed retorted, rubbing the scruff of his beard.
Octavius glanced up when he heard the pirates shouting threats. "Aye! Move aside, Tin Man!" One of the pirates shouted.
Octavius quickly put a hand on Jed's shoulder. "Look! It's Sir Lancelot!"
Lancelot was standing between the two pirates with his hand on his sword by his hip. "Stand down for the Prince and..." Lance looked over his shoulder at the night guard, "and Greg, wish to speak with you lot. You shall show your respect or I shall have your heads!"
"That is not necessary." Ahkmenrah said behind Lancelot and came to stand forward. "We bring peace." He said to the pirates.
"I won't be havin' no peace til this Scallywag keeps his eyes off me booty!" A clash of swords came after that and Lancelot pulled the Prince back protectively and drew his own sword, getting into the mix.
"That treasure be mine, ya son of a biscuit eater!" The second pirate then clashed swords with Lancelot who tried to separate them again.
Octavius and Jedediah watched from the planters pot. "He has amazing skill with a sword." Octavius commented. "Those pirates do not match his experience in the slightest."
On a sudden turn of events, the first pirate dropped his sword and pulled up his barrel guns from his holsters. "This ends now!"
"Ooh, tough luck for Lance here. Never bring a knife to a gun fight." said Jedediah smugly.
"If it's anything like your gun, a few blanks will hardly have any effect." Octavius quipped.
Jed pursed his lips, annoyed, then both of the miniatures flinched after a loud booming sound. As the gun smoke cleared, everyone looked unharmed. However, the pirate who fired the shots was covered in soot as his guns had backfired when he pulled the trigger.
Taking advantage of the misfire, Lance held his blade up to the pirate's throat and the pistols no sooner were dropped to the floor.
"As I said before, the Prince of Pharaohs wishes to have a word with you."
"We have no Prince of anything." The second pirate snapped.
"You do if you want to continue living." Lancelot threatened.
The pirates grumbled a few curses then looked to Ahkmenrah, irritated but listening.
Ahk stepped forward again but Greg stayed in the back, not really wanting to get involved in something dangerous. While Ahkmenrah was explaining to the pirates about their situation, Greg watched with fascination as the pirates slowly came around and actually began to pay attention. Just like with the other statues and mannequins, an understanding dawned upon everyone of them. Even though the pirates went back to fighting as soon as things were all said and done, Greg couldn't help but feel his authority over these things build after each encounter. He was always introduced so respectfully as if he were the King of this place or something. The feeling was intoxicating and—
"Ahk, buddy!"
Greg was pulled from his thoughts when he heard the small yell. He blinked and looked around confused until he saw two tiny beings on a planter, waving their arms and trying to get the Pharaoh's attention.
"Ahk!" A little cowboy yelled.
"Hey, those little things are talkin' to you." Greg pointed out and Ahkmenrah turned around with Lancelot to see where the night guard was pointing.
Ah!" Lancelot was first to see and come forward. "It is Jedediah and the tiny roman soldier!" He scooped up the miniatures and held them between him and Ahkmenrah.
"It's Octavius." Octavius said before turning his head to Ahkmenrah and bowing it slightly. "My Liege, it is good to see you. I thought we would never breathe air again after your last departure."
"It is also good to see you two." Ahkmenrah gently took the tiny figures from Lancelot's grip and held them in his open palms.
"We'd like some answers though. What happened to our old museum? Where's Teddy and the Mayan guys and where's Rexy-boy?"
"I'm afraid that I do not have all of these answers. But I believe Greg, our new night guard, can help us search for them."
Jedediah faced the new night guard who was watching quietly beside Ahk. "So where are we?" He asked him.
"Um,...well all of you guys have been bought and transferred here from all over the world. This museum hasn't even been opened to the public yet. I'm new, too, but I can ask a few questions with the curator when he gets in Monday."
"Yeah, you do that." Jed nodded. "I'd like ta know what happened to all our friends. You haven't seen 'em 'round this place, have ya, Ahk?"
"No, I have not." Ahk said sadly.
"We'll..." Jed waited a moment then push aside his troubles for the moment and put a big smile back on. He held out his arms. "Come on, where are our hugs anyways! It's been ages!" He joked then laughed as Ahk brought his palms up to his face in good humor and Jed and Octavius both hugged him as best as they could.
"Cute little things." Greg smiled at the moment.
"What was that?" Jed pulled from Ahk slowly to face the guard.
"What? What was what?" Greg asked, frowning quickly from the mood change.
"Cute?" Jed scowled. "Little?!" He added, even more offended.
"Things?" Octavius' shoulders slumped at the inhuman term. "I will have you know that we live and breathe as you do. We are not things."
Greg found it hard to believe that any of these exhibits around were anything but things. However, to keep the peace, he nodded and smiled again. "My mistake."
"Shall we accompany you to your place of stay?" Lancelot asked the miniatures.
"No." Jed gave Octavius a friendly hit on the back, knocking the roman off balance for just a moment. "Octy and I are gonna do a little more explorin' before we head back for the day."
"Then we must bid thee farewell for there is much to cover in our nightly hours." Lancelot bowed as Ahk lowered his hands to the marble flooring and the two friends hopped off of his palms.
"Oh, and Greg!" Jed picked up his voice for the night guard's ears and Greg lowered down to hear him more clearly. "When you get our answers, meet with me in the Wild West!"
"Yep." Greg pulled back and pushed his hands into his pockets. "I'll be sure to do that." He cleared his throat awkwardly. it was uncomfortable talking to the little action figures; at least Ahk and Lance were his size. He stepped around the little things and followed the Prince of Pharaoh's and his Knight to another exhibit.
"That is a very awkward man." Octavius pointed out.
Jed agreed with a quick nod. "He ain't no Larry that's for sure..."