Ahkmenrah awoke like any other night. Life was thrust into his body suddenly and his limbs tingled, a numb feeling coursing throughout his veins yet dissipating quickly. He wiggled his toes and fingers until he finally had full use of his appendages, then burst out of his sarcophagus, gasping for fresh air.

"I really do hate it in there," Ahkmenrah grumbled to himself, sliding the coffin's lid to the side and climbing out.

The undead Egyptian unwrapped his bandages quickly. He couldn't wait to get out in the lobby for another night with his friends, Larry especially. Over the last few months since the Smithsonian incident, the pharaoh and the night guard had become closer than ever. They were two peas in a pod- they spent entire nights with each other, just talking or playing games. Larry had a knack for bringing Ahkmenrah new things to try that he'd never seen before, as well. He had grown fond of "video games".

Ahk smiled as he recalled all the times he'd beaten Larry at these games. The first time it had happened, Larry had dropped his controller to the floor, grinning but muttering "beginner's luck" under his breath. Ahkmenrah had laughed triumphantly.

Excited, Ahk could only imagine what wonder Larry would have for him tonight. Perhaps a strawberry milkshake or popcorn? They were his favorite foods, even though he didn't have to eat.

Unfortunately, Ahk was jostled out of his thoughts when light suddenly engulfed him. He looked to the tablet quizzically. If he had one, his stomach probably would have dropped to his feet: the golden slate was pulsating, rows of light shooting from the heiroglyphics.

The light diminished for a moment as Ahkmenrah attempted to discover what the tablet was doing by asking the gods- but without an answer from his deities, the Egyptian's world faded into blackness.

-----

Larry entered the dark tomb just as Ahkmenrah's lifeless body hit the floor. His eyes widened. The tablet was glowing still, but Larry payed it no mind as he rushed to his friend's side, the worst possible scenarios entering his mind's eye involuntarily. His heart was practically jumping out of his chest as he took Ahk into his arms. He wasn't breathing.

The night guard shook Ahkmenrah's body. Still, Ahk would not awake, and hesitant tears fought their way to Larry's eyes, spilling over onto his eyelashes and down his cheeks. No, no. This couldn't be happening! Larry shook Ahk again, attempting to wake the sleeping king.

He can't be dead. He can't be dead.

"Ahk! Wake up!" Larry whispered, gripping Ahkmenrah's shoulders. When the pharaoh would not obey, Larry ducked his head and closed his eyes, waiting. Waiting.

Larry sat like that for what felt like an eternity as the other exhibits slowly filtered into the room, expressions of confusion, grief, worry, and utter disbelief painted on their faces. Larry didn't notice them. He was too focused on Ahkmenrah, too busy wondering what the museum would be like without him.

Finally, Teddy stepped forward and placed a hand on Larry's shoulder.

"I need to take a look at him, lad," he told the shaken night guard. Larry bit his lip and nodded, but didn't move.

Teddy had just stepped forward to examine the pharaoh when Ahkmenrah's eyes opened suddenly and he breathed in a renewing breath, the first in a long while. Teddy smiled, and the inhabitants surrounding gasped happily as a whole, whispers and quiet rejoices forming in the mass. The night guard's heart skipped a beat and he coerced himself for overreacting.

Ahkmenrah probably just... stood up too fast and fainted or something. Yeah.

But when a very startled and red-eyed Larry looked into Ahk's eyes, he found himself peering into those that were not Ahkmenrah's, filled with malice and a hunger for who-knows-what. Larry's own eyes widened, and he released his grip on the pharaoh quickly, scuttling away on his back like a frenzied crab. Ahkmenrah- or whoever it was- stood, brushed himself off, and examined the room through heavy-lidded eyelashes.

When he spoke, his voice was different. Arrogant, demanding, deep with a resounding hatred. But most prominent of all, the voice had a lisp.

"I command you to take me to your leader," the unknown intruder spat. He crossed his arms, smirking, and peered at the people around him, all of them awestruck. "Well?"

Larry got to his feet carefully, slowly rising and recieving the Egyptian's attention.

"Ah, there you are. I didn't see you there. What, are you trying to hide from me? It's not going to work, you know," the intruder rambled, waving his arms at the night guard dismissively once he realized he was of no threat- his adversary didn't have his flashlight with him.

"Kahmunrah," Larry whispered, his eyebrows knit together.

The inhabitants who hadn't immediately recognized the voice gasped. The crowd was murmuring: some of them frightened, some of them filled with a vengeful hatred. Teddy was frowning profusely, and next to him, Sacagawea had worried tears in her eyes and a hand to her mouth. Attila was yelling something in Hun, and Jedediah, Larry noticed, was cursing as loudly as possible, attempting to lunge at the evil pharaoh-wannabe, but being held back by Octavius and a few of the cowboys.

Ahkmenrah's face contorted into a malicious grin as Kahmunrah laughed.

"Yes, me: returned from the dead a second time! And this time, I shall not fail," Kahmunrah was stepping closer to Larry as he said this, and soon had his face mere inches away from his enemy's. Larry's heart beat up against his chest. If it were not Kahmumnrah in Ahk's body, glaring at him evily, Larry probably would have been pleased that Ahkmenrah was so close. "You may have beaten me once, Larry Daley of Daley Devices, but you will not beat me again!"

With those words, Larry lunged at Kahmunrah, his face contorted with anger. He managed to get a good punch at Kahmunrah- er, Ahkmenrah's- stomach before he was pulled backwards painfully by an invisible force.

"Ah ah ah, you wouldn't want to hurt my dear baby brother, now would you? After all, he can still see and feel what is happening," Kahmunrah smirked and waggled a finger at the ruffled night guard.

Larry, confused, attempted to find what was holding him back, but there was nothing. He struggled against his invisible restraints but could not move. Finally, he gave in, glaring at Kahmunrah. If he so much lay a finger on Ahkmenrah's wellbeing, he'd get hell from Larry, even helpless as he was. Kahmunrah laughed again.

That did it for Jed. Enraged, the tiny cowboy pulled himself from Octavius' arms and let out a yell, grabbing for the Roman general's sword and running toward Kahmunrah's sandaled feet. Bemused, Kahmunrah kicked Jedediah to the side before he could do any damage. Sacagawea hurried forward and picked up the miniature, examining him for any wounds.

"Well, since it looks like I am not welcome here..." Kahmunrah sniffled dramatically as he waved an arm and immobilized the remaining spectators in the room, who were now yelling their protests and also attempting to attack, "I think I'll take the tablet and be on my way."

"I swear, Kahmunrah, if you-" Larry began, but was silenced suddenly when the invisible force constrained his throat and made it impossible for him to breathe. Larry spluttered, his face turning blue, as Kahmunrah shook his head dissaprovingly and took the tablet from its encasement.

Kahmunrah edged through the crowd of frozen exhibits, golden tablet in hand. When he reached the front of Ahkmenrah's tomb, he turned, his face darkening as he glared at a choking Larry. "You'll what, Daley? Come after me and destroy me just like last time? Send me, defeated, into the underworld yet again? You know full well that the underworld cannot hold me."

The evil man turned on his heel and left the tomb. Larry was just able to catch a glimpse of Ahkmenrah's crown disappearing around the corner of the hallway before he fell to the floor, his eyesight going black.