Nick watched the front doors as the exhibits walked back inside. He held a list in his hands and was checking each of them off, making sure everyone was accounted for. The pen scratched the paper as he added a black checkmark next to "Three Neanderthals". They chanted happily in gibberish as they raced to their exhibit. Christopher Columbus nodded to him with a smile, marching back to his spot. The more check marks he made, the more his body started to relax. He led them into a battle and now he wanted to make sure everyone came back.
"Nicholas!"
A smile automatically came to his face at the familiar voice. He looked up to see Teddy walking up to him. Sacagawea was at his side with a quiver on her back full of arrows and a bow in hand. "Good to see you, lad!" The wax president clapped him on the back. "And I must say, you did a fantastic job getting the cavalry together. I don't think we would've managed without it."
"Thanks, Teddy. I'm just glad everyone's okay."
"From what I saw, I think our army is in good shape. You did well, son. Really honed your leadership skills."
Nick grinned broadly, not really sure how to respond.
"We missed you around here," Teddy continued. "Did you get taller?"
"That's what I said," Sacagawea told him.
"Um, I don't know. Maybe?"
"Seems like just yesterday you were a young boy. Time flies, hmm?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Mr. Roosevelt," called a new voice. He turned to see Doctor McPhee approaching. "Would you mind watching the door for a bit and making sure everyone returns alright? I need to have a word with Nick in my office."
Nick's eyes widened. What's going on?
"Gladly," the president said.
Nick handed him the list, confused, and followed the man to his office. McPhee closed the door behind them, and Nick slowly sat in the chair across from his desk. "Is, um, something wrong?" he asked as the man got to his own chair.
"Actually, yes. I have been here day and night so long that I'm starting to forget where I live. I need someone to take over the night shift, urgently. So, I'll be frank: Do you want the job?"
"...Wait, what?" Nick was sure he'd misheard. "You, you...want me to be the new night guard?"
"I'm not sure how much clearer I can make this. Your father recommended you. Pays eleven-fifty an hour, full time. You'd start tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"Like I said, I need to get someone new in here and since you watched your father do this for so long, plus kept the big secret…" McPhee shrugged, impatiently. "Yes or no?"
Nick's mouth was hanging open. His mind was racing. After a second, he finally remembered how to speak. "...Yeah! I, I'd love to, I mean-"
"Great, fill these out." McPhee handed him a few papers and a pen. "And just so we're clear, just because you're Larry's son and the exhibits like you doesn't mean you get to goof off, alright? No showing up late, no not showing up at all, because that can't happen here. Everyone has to be in their places at sunrise. No one gets stuck outside. Am I clear?"
Nick nodded quickly. "Totally. Won't happen, you don't have to worry."
"Don't give me a reason to." They shook hands and Nick began filling out the papers. Part of him still couldn't believe he was getting the chance to guard the museum. Once it was all through and McPhee handed him his official uniform, Nick walked back out into the museum in a daze.
"What did Doctor McPhee want?" Sacagawea asked, snapping him back into reality. She and Teddy were still watching the front door.
"Umm, well believe it or not..." He held the clothes up. "You guys are gonna be seeing me more."
"Wonderful!" Teddy shouted with a large smile under his moustache. "You'll do great, I'm sure of it! Everyone already loves you!"
"They'll all be very happy to hear the news," Sacagawea agreed.
Nick opened his mouth but was cut off as another one of the doors opened. Larry held it for Queen Shepseheret and Merenkahre as they walked in. "I think someone else will be glad, too," Teddy told him.
Nick sighed as he started to walk over to his father, who was telling the Egyptian parents where they could find their children. Once they began to walk away, Nick shifted uncomfortably. "...Hi."
"Hey," Larry began. "Did um...everyone make it back okay?"
"Uh, yeah, from what I saw. Teddy and Wea are making sure we didn't miss anyone."
"Good, good."
"Yeah." He cleared his throat and his eyes automatically went to the floor. "So, um...Look, about the other day, I shouldn't have walked out like that. It was...really immature and kinda stupid. You were right to be upset about the job and the bike and everything. I messed up. I'm..." He forced himself to look at his dad. "I'm really sorry."
Larry stuck his hands in his pockets. "I'm sorry, too. I came down too hard. I mean, yeah, you didn't make great decisions, but...you're still figuring out this whole 'independent adult' thing. You're gonna make mistakes. I just...I just get upset because I know you're a great kid and you can do a lot when you put your mind to it. That's why it's hard for me when you make those mistakes sometimes, but I get it. And I'm here to help you when you do eventually mess up, okay?"
A weight lifted off his shoulders as Nick smiled. "A'right, Dad. Oh! Hey, thanks for telling McPhee to give me a shot here. I just made it official and everything."
"Well, I figured since you basically grew up here, you would be able to handle it." Larry grinned. "But um, you should know there might be a few new additions."
Nick arched a brow. "What, you mean like, new exhibits?"
"Yeah, I was talkin' to McPhee and I thought it would be nice for Ahk if Lancelot got transferred here permanently. But then you can't have Lance without Trixie, so now he's gotta get her too...and also a certain ancient Egyptian in a giant hat."
"...We're talking about some other Egyptian in a giant hat, right?" Larry shook his head. "Okay, wow, umm...I mean, you don't think that's gonna cause...problems, do you?"
"We talked about it and since he's kinda on our turf, I don't think he's gonna be an issue. Plus, you saw what happened back there."
"Oh, you mean that thing he told us not to talk about?"
"Yeah, that."
"Got it. Okay, well sounds like I'm in for a fun night tomorrow. At least Trixie won't get here for a while."
"You'll get the hang of it. If I can do it, so can you. Night guarding wasn't always easy, but it was worth it. If I didn't have a job I really liked, I'd come back in a second."
Nick's eyes got bigger as the thought grew. "I mean, you could come visit when you have time. You snuck me in all the time. I don't think McPhee would care if you came to hang out once in a while."
"Yeah? You're gonna break the rules and let someone in after closing?"
"Well, only if you have all your homework done. Grades come first, Dad." Larry laughed at that one. "Really, though, why not come back tomorrow?"
"...I mean, I guess I can take a few hours tomorrow night. Watch you try to handle all this for the first time, make sure Ahk's alright, keep an eye on Kahmunrah...speaking of which, I should go find him. I don't think anyone has run this whole 'move in with your brother' thing past him yet."
"Yeah, that might be a good idea."
Kahmunrah was leaning against the wall outside the Egyptian Exhibit. Lancelot had placed Ahkmenrah into his sarcophagus once they'd arrived. Seeing him lying there, unresponsive, was just uncomfortable, so he'd decided to wait outside the room for his parents. He'd been thinking about the night's events and ignoring anyone who passed by.
The sound of sandals slapping against the tile floor made him look up. His mother was running up to him, looking panicked. He straightened and saw his father was in tow. "Ahkmenrah is fine," he began, trying to calm her. "He's just asleep in his-" His mother suddenly grabbed his face, squishing his cheeks.
"Are you okay?!" she practically shouted. "What did that lunatic do to you? I told your father he shouldn't have let you leave!" A smile came to her face out of the blue. "But you did it! You helped stop Zalaam and rescue your brother! Oh, I'm so proud of you, Kahmun!" She started pinching one of his cheeks and Kahmunrah was extremely thankful that no one was around to witness the action. After a minute, she finally put her hands down. "Mr. Daley told us what happened on the way here. Thank Ra you are both alright!"
"Yes, and now we never have to worry about Zalaam returning," Merenkahre added.
"Speaking of Zalaam," Kahmunrah began, rubbing his face. "I assume you have no other magical rivals who could possibly come back to exact their revenge?"
"Oh, of course not," the Queen said, sweetly. Apparently, she was too happy to catch his sarcasm. "I'm just so relieved that you and your brother are okay! I only wish we could be here when Ahkmen wakes. We've got to return to our own museum before that poor night watchmen girl gets in trouble. But I am at least going to go check on him whether he is awake or not," his mother decided. She walked into the Egyptian Exhibit, leaving only his father in front of him.
Kahmunrah cleared his throat and held out the borrowed khopesh. Merenkahre looked at it for a moment before taking it and replacing it back on his side. "Mr. Daley said you were a great help to them."
"Did he?"
"You gathered this museum together and helped save your brother." Merenkahre looked away for a moment and Kahmunrah expected that to be the end of it. "... You did well."
He put a hand on Kahmunrah's shoulder before going to join his wife in Ahkmenrah's room. Kahmunrah was left alone in the hall once again, his father's words hanging in the air. For a moment, all was quiet. There were no loud exhibits walking down the halls, no thunderous stomping of the tyrannosaurus rex. Silence. Peace, both internally and externally.
"Hey, Kahmunrah."
Larry Daley approached him and the moment of quiet died.
"Um...so it looks like everything's wrapping up here," the man began. "Ahk should wake up tomorrow, your parents need to get back to Britain-"
"What of the Mirror?" the Egyptian interjected.
"We're having that sent to the federal archives under the Smithsonian." The man suddenly got an uncertain expression and Kahmunrah's suspicions were raised.
"While we're on the topic of the Smithsonian," he began. "I'm assuming you aren't planning on sending me back into the Underworld?"
"What? Oh, no, actually...I mean that's kinda up to you."
Kahmunrah raised a brow. "You're asking me if I want to return to the Underworld?"
Larry waved his hands. "No, no, this is coming out wrong." He pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Okay, look, just...Do you wanna stay here with Ahk or would you rather go back to Washington?"
Kahmunrah did a double take. "I'm sorry? Did you just ask if I wanted to live here?"
"I mean, lately it seems like you're cool with Ahk now and you did help us out, so...yeah, that's what I'm asking. But like, if I'm wrong and you'd honestly rather go back to not coming to life just to get away from him, that's fine, too. Ahk's room has space for someone else, we could get another sarcophagus...your decision."
Kahmunrah arched an eyebrow, not exactly certain how to respond.
The first thing he noticed was his breathing. Or rather the fact that he seemed to be the one in control of it again. Ahkmenrah's eyes snapped open in shock but all he could see was darkness. He jolted up and was surprised when he hit his head. Groaning, he lay back down and placed a hand on his forehead. A small stream of light was coming in now and Ahkmenrah realized just where he was. He stretched his hand out and felt the cool lid of his sarcophagus. I'm back in the museum. A weight lifted off of him. He was home. Zalaam must have lost. It's finally over.
He moved the lid until it hit the floor and sat up. His eyes widened as he took in the scene. His room was huge! The hieroglyphics on the walls had been repainted and added to. It was at least twice the size it had been! The Tablet was in its usual place, glowing with energy. When did they do all of this? Osiris, how long was I asleep?!
He stepped out of the sarcophagus just as the Jackal guards pointed their spears at a familiar face. Doctor McPhee held up his hands defensively and backed up a bit. "No, no, let him pass!" Ahkmenrah said in his native tongue. "He is no threat." Obediently, they lowered their weapons and the man walked into the room.
"Thank you for that," he said. "Glad to see you up and on your feet! How are you feeling?"
"I..." He paused for a moment to double check. His wrists were healed, as if they had never been bound to begin with. "I feel fine. Like nothing happened."
"That Tablet of your works wonders. Thank goodness you're okay, the museum would have gone nuts if you hadn't woken up soon."
"Doctor McPhee, how long was I asleep for?"
"Oh, not long," he assured. "Apparently, you passed out after you got that Zalaam out of you yesterday."
"Yesterday," he repeated. "And Zalaam is gone? No one was hurt?"
"He's in that Mirror thing and everyone is just fine. By the way, what do you think?" He gestured around the room.
"It's wonderful! I can't thank you enough. Surely, there's something I can-"
"Don't even start." McPhee smiled. "You just went through Hell, not to mention all the help you give around here. You deserve it." Ahk grinned, knowing he shouldn't argue with him. "Oh," McPhee began. "I'm sorry to say your family had to return to their museum already."
"...I see." The smile disappeared for a moment. He'd wanted to tell his parents he was alright. And Kahmunrah...well, he'd at least wanted to say goodbye after everything that had happened.
"Although," McPhee brightened. "Now that we know your Tablet can work through the phone lines, any time you miss them, you can just ask our new night guard to help you with the phone and give them a ring."
"Thank you, Doctor, that would...new night guard? You found someone?"
"Oh." The man smiled. "I think you'll like him. Actually, I should be off. Just wanted to drop something at the Hall of Miniatures and make sure you woke up. I'll pop by every now and again though, just to make sure the place hasn't burned down."
"Well then, it's been a pleasure, Doctor."
"The feeling is mutual, Pharaoh." The two shook hands and departed the Egyptian Exhibit. Ahk was anxious to find his friends. He didn't have to look far at all before he heard the familiar sound of Texas's hooves.
"Ahkmenrah!" Teddy dismounted quickly and before he knew it, the young man found himself being crushed in the President's hug. "Thank goodness you're alright! You are alright, aren't you?" He finally released him.
"I'm fine, I assure you."
"Thank God. You scared us, son. Everyone's going to be so glad to see you. And hey, a lot's changed in just one night!"
"Yes, I heard from Doctor McPhee that we have a new night guard. Have you met them yet?"
Teddy gave him a confused look. "You don't...know who it is?" The Egyptian shook his head and Teddy got a sneaky smile under his mustache. "Well, then we should go find him!" He wrapped an arm around him and guided his horse with the other hand. "I think you'll be happy." Everyone keeps saying that, he realized. "That's not all that's changed. Did McPhee tell you that Lancelot is remaining here?"
His eyes widened. "Lance is here? Permanently?" The man nodded. "That's great!...Wait, what about Trixie?"
"She's on her way," Teddy explained. "Which might be a bit hard to handle at first, but at least she might keep your brother in place, hmm?"
Ahkmenrah stopped dead in his tracks, causing Teddy to do the same. "...Brother?" he repeated breathlessly. "You, you mean Kahmunrah is here?"
"Well, yes. Doctor McPhee didn't tell you that, either?"
"No, he said my family had already left! I assumed he meant all of it."
"Your parents had to return, yes, but Kahmunrah decided to stay here."
He wanted to stay, Ahk thought. He couldn't believe it. It was as if he was in a dream. He wondered if he should ask Teddy to pinch him. "You haven't seen him, have you?"
"No, not yet. I assume he came up from the basement, though. We're working on getting his sarcophagus. You'll have to make space in your new room." He laughed. "Why don't we find our new night guard and see if he's seen him, hmm?"
A/N: Only one more chapter to go! :( I'm going to miss this story so much. But the last chapter will be a bit longer as well! Thank you all so much for sticking with me and for giving so much support. You guys are amazing. Pleas stay well and be safe.