"So...why do you need me?" Lepidus asked, sitting on the edge of the table. Larry, Teddy, Sacajawea, and Ahkmenrah were sitting around the table, discussing a new plan of action, which was slightly annoying to the three exhibits involved.
"Lawrence, I thought we had dropped the subject of this matter." Teddy said, crossing his arms.
"We did, but I think I have an idea. Okay. So, none of us are around Octavius all the time, and neither can Jedediah, since he can't know, right?" Larry asked, excitement in his voice.
"You are right. We are normally busy in the evenings, and cannot always keep an eyes out for our little Roman friend." Ahkmenrah replied, nodding.
"And that would pose a challenge, wouldn't it?"
"You're absolutely right, Teddy. That's why I've got Lepidus. He can keep an eye on Octavius, since he's the perfect size. That way, Jedediah won't suspect a thing." Larry concluded, smiling, He crossed his arms, and looked around at the faces of his gathered friends.
"Larry," Sacajawea said suddenly, in her usual soft voice. "Do you not think Jedediah may become suspicious? Can this Lepidus keep silent?"
"I don't see why not. He's done a good job so far."
"I am sorry, but what is this about?" Lepidus asked, rising to his feet. "I mean, if you wish for me to do you a favour, then I shall without question. But I would like to know why I am spying on Octavius. What has he done?"
"It's not what's been done, son," Teddy explained, looking at the Roman. "It is what has been done to him, that is the problem. Lawrence, explain."
The night guard nodded, and spoke. "You know he's hurt, right?" He asked.
"Indeed." Lepidus replies, his voice falling to a solemn whisper. "I was there."
"Yeah. He's not up yet, though. But he'd doing better. You remember what the doctor said, about the fire?"
The Roman thought for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, I do. He said that it could cause an infection, therefore slowing his recovery."
"Unfortunately, this fire might be lethal."
At this, Lepidus frowned, and his eyes filled with worry. "That is not good." He whispered.
"No, it's not. The thing he drank, or, was forced to drink, is called 'Bottled Fired', and it's highly toxic. And...well...he drank it, and he'd in serious trouble."
"How...how could he have consumed the...the Fire?" Lepidus stammered, fear in his voice. "Oh, this is very bad."
"It is. He might make it, or he might, well, succumb. We want you to keep an eye on him, and make sure he's okay. And if the worst happens, be there for Jed, and tell me immediately, okay?"
Lepidus just nodded, still shocked. "Why must Jedediah not know?" He asked.
Larry sighed. "If he does, he'll panic, and it might make things worse. If he finds out about Octavius, then we'll have more problems to deal with. And we've got enough problems as of now."
"Sir, I understand the how much you need my assistance, but how can I carry out your orders if I cannot even save Rome from disaster? If I leave Antonius to rule, then Octavius may not have an empire to go back to."
"And if you don't help us, he might not have a life at all." Ahkmenrah spoke up, silencing the Roman.
"I really do want to help you, but I do not think I can." Lepidus whispered, bowing his head. "And I do not want to fail anyone else."
"Lepidus, you are not a failure," Larry said, picking up the little Roman. "So you messed up a few times, it happens. And, as far as Rome's concerned, if Octavius is cured, then he can take back the city."
"If he is strong enough," Lepidus said under his breath. He then looked up, and saluted. "I shall not fail you, sir. I shall do my duty to the best of my ability."
"Thanks, Lepidus. I knew I could count on you. Believe me, Octavius will thank you."
With that, Larry placed the miniature on the ground, and Larry watched him walk away, hoping he could count on the little Roman to do the job right. As Lepidus walked towards the door to Larry's office, he was stopped by a sound unlike any other. It was high pitched, loud, and evil sounding, a Mayan war cry. He then the sound of gunfire, and broke into a sprint, rushing for the door. "Oh no," He whispered, reaching the door. He pushed in open, and saw just in time Jedediah grappling with a Mayan warrior, apparently losing, since he was pinned to the ground with a spear raised above his head. He ran forwards, knocking into the Mayan and sending him stumbling backwards.
"Lepidus?" Jedediah asked, panting as he took the Roman's outstretched hand and leapt to his feet.
"Yes, I am here. What is happening?" Lepidus replied, drawing his sword as a new wave of Mayans charging at them.
"No time! Guard Octavius!" The cowboy shouted, drawing his pistol, and facing the onslaught of men. "Go! Now!"
Quickly, Lepidus ran for the desk, and found a loose thread hanging down from the chair. He hurriedly climbed it, then, leapt for the edge of the desk. He hauled himself up, and quickly ran to where Octavius lay, and was mildly surprised to see the Roman with his sword drawn, looking as if he was ready to take on all challengers.
"Octavius?" He asked in astonishment. Perhaps Larry was wrong.
"Greetings Lepidus. Um, do you mind, uh, taking care of that?" Octavius replied, nodding to a Mayan warrior approaching.
"Oh, right." Lepidus said, running over. He kicked the Mayan backwards, sending him over the edge. He then turned back to Octavius, who had collapsed back onto his makeshift bed, his forehead sweaty from the effort of staring down the enemy. "Are you alright?" Lepidus asked, coming to stand beside him.
"Yeah, yeah. I believe so. Just tired, and a little weak. But I am fine. Are you?"
"Yes. Yes. Brilliant. Um, at a better time, I to discuss something with you, if you do not mind."
"Of course not…"
Suddenly, there was a shout from below them, followed by a yell of anger. Octavius narrowed his eyes, and once again picked up his sword. Jedediah couldn't hold off the onslaught on his own. He needed help. Fast.
"Help me up, Lepidus." Octavius said, struggling to sit up. But Lepidus held him down.
"No," He replied, taking the Roman's sword. "You remain here. I will help Jedediah."
Lepidus ran to the edge of the table, preparing his descent, when Jedediah's head suddenly popped up, an urgent look on his face.
'"The button!" He cried, suddenly slipping down as one of the Mayans grabbed hold of his foot. "Push the button!"
Lepidus looked at where the cowboy gestured, and ran as fast as he could to it, ramming into it with all his might. And a split second later, and alarm was blaring through the room, and Sacajawea's voice came over the intercom.
"Is everything alright?" She asked urgently, her voice echoing.
"No!" All three men yelled, as loud as they could.
"Do not panic! Larry and Teddy are coming!"
As the alarms and water filled the room, Jedediah continued fighting with all his strength, fending back the invasion as best he could. He was tiring, and was dismayed to see that there was no end to the flood of Mayans, and that he was running out of ammunition. He finally used his last bullet, and ran; heading for a nearby crack in the wall. He had just enough room to squeeze through, and crouched at the ready, poised to attack the first man who dared to enter. Suddenly, he smelled something burning. To his horror, he saw through the entrance a Mayan with a torch, and the others piling timber in front of the entrance, trapping him in. He was trapped. The Mayan threw down the torch, and the fire slowly spread. The smoke filled the little space, heating the room like a furnace.
Jedediah tried to beat out the flames, and even attempted to halt them with his Stetson. But all he did was spread the fire, and the smoke became thicker. It burned his eyes, and filled his lungs. He stumbled back into the wall, backing away as the flames consumed the space around him. He coughed violently, and fought for breath, desperately looking for a way out. He could hear the blare of the alarm, and then, suddenly, water. The sprinkler system had burst, filling the room with a rain that soaked everything, and everyone.
"Jed!" A voice yelled from the other side of the wall, accompanied by a wave of water, which quenched the fire, and half drowned the little cowboy. He gasped, and coughed a few more times. He was momentarily startled when there was a pounding on the wall, but was relieved to see more light flowing in as the opening widened. He felt himself being gently lifted, and let his head rest on Larry's hand as he caught his breath. "Jed? Come on, answer me buddy," Larry said, gently patting the miniature's back as he coughed again.
"I'm...fine…" Jedediah replied, coughing some more. "Just...shaken…" He then paused, and sat up, looking at the table. "Is Octavius okay?" He asked, straining to see from the distance he was at.
The night guard nodded, and made his way through the downpour to the table. He finally reached it, and found Lepidus covering his ears, and Octavius obviously in agony as the siren blared out through the room and the halls. Larry quickly took them up, careful not to move the injured Roman too much, and ran out of the room, shielding them from the rain that fell from the ceiling. He'd made it just in time.