Chapter Five

"That sounds like a very complicated story." Zahra nodded as she finished explaining to Manfred to story of the tablet, and how her parents met.

"Yeah, but my parents just adore each other. They tried to have a second child and my mother did become pregnant a second time but lost the pregnancy. She can't have anymore, and it was only after the loss of the pregnancy that they discovered that I would have had a younger brother. In a way though, I'm grateful that pregnancy wasn't carried to term, because then this choice would have been passed onto my younger brother."

"I have two younger brothers myself, I could never imagine anything happening to them." Turning the corner, the two walked down the hall that had all the animal heads that were stuffed and mounted on the wall. They then went back to the room they had been in before.

"Here, I'll put some music on." Zahra took her phone out and played the song My Immortal by Evanescence. It was her all time favourite song, and she often listened to it when she needed to think about a serious decision.

"Would you like to dance?" Zahra nodded.

"Sure." Having this time alone with Manfred gave Zahra the chance to get everything off her chest and to enjoy herself away from her family and friends. Of course she loved and cared for her family and friends more than anything, but it was still nice to have this time. Once the song ended, Zahra got her phone and took a photograph of herself.

"Come here so I can get a picture with you."

"What is that device you have there?"

"It's called a cell phone. It works the same as a telephone does, but you can take it anywhere with you. Most cell phones now a days can take pictures, record videos and play music." Zahra allowed the Baron to examine her phone more closely, but he didn't seem too interested.

"I prefer speaking with someone face to face." Zahra nodded.

"Yeah, but with cell phones you can keep contact with friends and family no matter where you are in the world. That's what makes them so great." Zahra snapped a few pictures of herself with Manfred.

"Okay, to take a picture you need to press this button here. I'll go stand over there and look out the window and once I'm in place, I want you to press the button, okay?"

"I can do that. If you can do this so easily, then I am more than capable of doing so." Zahra stood by the window and looked outside at the stars and held the pose until the heard the click of the camera.

"Thanks. I want this for my parents so they have something nice to look back on." Manfred blinked.

"I take it you plan to sacrifice your life?"

"Yeah, I do. One of my friends, Teddy Roosevelt once told me that some people are born great, while others have greatness thrust upon them. He said that this decision is mine alone to make and that he would give his full support to whatever I decide."

"He sounds very wise, then."

"Yeah, Teddy is pretty great." At that moment, Dexter came into the room with Jedediah and Octavius hanging onto him.

"Jed, what happened? Is something wrong?"

"Some crazy knight took the tablet and won't give it back! This is the last round up, partner." Zahra nodded.

"Alright, we need to go find the tablet and fast. Manfred, it was nice talking to you, but I have to go." She gave him one last hug and a thank you before running off. They met up with Larry.

"As far as we know, this Lancelot guy hasn't left the museum yet. As long as we can prevent him from leaving, we can find him." Larry then told Zahra to go and check the main lobby. As the teenager ran through the halls, she ran into Manfred again, who by this time had gotten into a physical altercation with the knight she assumed was Lancelot.

"HEY! GIVE THAT TABLET BACK NOW!" Running as fast as she physically could, Zahra managed to tackle Lancelot to the ground, knocking the tablet out of his hands. She quickly grabbed it and took off with Manfred following her.

"There's not much time left. It's now or never." Running back to the Egyptian wing, Zahra found the exhibits from New York, along with her parents and grandparents. They were then joined by Larry and Nick.

"Have you made your choice? As you can see, there is very little time left." Merenkahre stared at his only grandchild. He truly hated that such a young girl had to make such a difficult decision. However, he trusted her judgement, having been told what an excellent student she was at school and how responsible she was.

"Yes, I have decided to go through and save the tablet. Although I do not want to do this, it has to be done. I have to put everyone else before me, because that is what a Princess does." To everyone's surprise, it was Kahmunrah who went into tears, heartbroken over losing his niece. Akhmenrah comforted his older brother, knowing the two needed each other now more than ever.

"Then go with your grandmother and she will help you change into the appropriate clothes." The two women left for a few moments, and returned with the fourteen year old Zahra wearing a pure white skirt, with a strapless top that cut off just above her midriff. She really looked beautiful.

"If anyone chooses to stay behind, I will not think poorly of you." However, everyone came to say goodbye to the fourteen year old. Nick stood by Zahra.

"You're really brave for a teenager. I'll never forget you." Zahra hugged Nick.

"Thanks, Nick. You're like a brother to me, and I'll never forget all the things you've done for me. Taylor, you're like my sister. I know that you'll go on and live your life for the both of us." Zahra gave Taylor the other half of the friendship bracelet and hugged her best friend. She went around, giving everyone a hug and telling them what she appreciated about them the most. Everyone was crying.

"Although I only knew you for a few hours Manfred, what I appreciate about you the most is that you listened to what I had to say and offered very good advice." She gave him one last hug, having developed a kinship of sorts with the German pilot.

"I am glad I was able to help you." Zahra went and stood under the direct light of the full moon and closed her eyes and smiled. Even though she knew what was coming, she was at peace, knowing she was doing something to benefit those she cared about. Feeling the dagger going into her skin in between her shoulders, the teenager didn't make a sound. Zahra could see her own blood literally soaking the tablet and the tablet itself was glowing brightly, it's power returning. The death itself was quick, but it was not painless, and Zahra could feel everything spinning, and then the world went black.

The tablet's power was restored.

It was over.