Chapter 6: An Eventful Start
Stepping into the storage room, Larry, Beth and Nick followed Ahkmenrah.
"All clear," he told them as Larry glanced around warily. "The others thought we could use some help," Ahkmenrah told them, making them frown.
"Others?" Larry repeated, when suddenly Teddy burst from the crate, sending Styrofoam everywhere.
"Lawrence! I couldn't sit idly by, our very survival is at stake!" the former president declared. Beth smiled at the surprise stowaway.
"Alright, hey, Teddy, good," Larry nodded, trying not to look annoyed. "Good man to have in a crisis," he accepted. Attila suddenly burst from the box, spitting more foam peanuts everywhere. "Attila...okay, a little muscle," Larry nodded, and Sacagawea suddenly stood up as well. Beth giggled and Larry inhaled.
"This box is bigger than it looks," Beth commented as Larry grumbled under his breath.
"Obviously, we came along too," three tiny figures peered out from the fur that lined Attila's hat.
"You know you'd be lost without us, Gigantor," Jed grinned.
"Sounds like an interesting adventure," Claudia nodded from Octavius' other side. Larry frowned at Ahkmenrah, who shrugged. Dexter then jumped onto the side, chirping.
"And the monkey..." Larry sighed. To continue exasperating him, lights flickered and rose from the crate, and swirled around Beth, making her giggle. "And the horse," Larry frowned as the stars formed a solid being. The winged horse snorted indignantly.
"Pegasus," Beth corrected softly, petting the constellation as he nuzzled her. They looked up when yet another figure burst from the box, grunting. Beth put her hands to her mouth when she took in the Neanderthal's appearance properly for the first time, having been half asleep the last time.
"Dada!" he grinned wildly when he saw Larry. The Neanderthal looked identical to Larry, only with long brown dreadocks.
"Oh, no! No possible benefit whatsoever!" Larry complained, finally having had enough. "Beth, really?!" he snapped at the young woman who was unable to hide her gleeful laughter. She choked, putting her hands to her mouth and trying to calm down as Ahkmenrah patted her back gently.
"Really wanted to come," Ahkmenrah admitted with a sigh. Beth giggled as Larry sighed heavily, and Laa's eyes fixed on Nick.
"Yeah, this is my son – my actual son – Nick," Larry told him, and Laa looked at him sharply. "Nicky, this is...Laa," he sighed. Laa growled, glaring at Nick.
"He's just...tracking me..." Nick muttered, unnerved by the caveman. Laa made a series of grunts, as if mocking him.
"Laa," Larry spoke sternly.
"So Lawrence, what's the plan of attack?" Teddy asked when they finally started climbing from the crate.
"Uh, okay, we need to get to the Egyptian wing, find Ahk's father and hopefully get the Tablet fixed," Larry told them. Hearing a squeak and a thud, they looked at the crate to find Laa lying in the Styrofoam, eating the peanuts. "Laa, that's not food, don't..." Larry stopped, knowing he wouldn't win. "Alright, you know what? I have a job for you," he coaxed the caveman from the crate, and as he tried to teach him to block the door, Beth ran a hand through her hair.
"Hopefully it'll be a quick run through, but when are we that lucky?" she murmured.
"I'm sure it'll be smooth enough, my dear," Teddy smiled at her, but it faded a little as he saw her press her fingertips to her temples. "Headaches still plaguing you?" he asked, and Beth glanced away, her worry growing.
"Okay," Larry called as he approached, interrupting them. "This place is waking up for the first time and we have no idea what's out there. Stay together, alright?" he instructed, and they nodded. He led the way out of the storeroom and into the museum, as Ahkmenrah slid the Tablet into Nick's bag.
"This is so creepy," Beth commented as she looked around the dark corridors. It was silent, with only them making noise. "The Smithsonian was nothing like this," she murmured, drawing closer to Ahkmenrah out of instinct. The turned a corner and slowed to a stop when they saw statues moving around, turning to look at the intruders.
"We're all finding this super creepy, right?" Nick asked slowly as Dexter climbed up onto Ahkmenrah's shoulder, chirping quietly. The stars gathered closer around Beth, twinkling just as softly.
"They're just a little freaked out," Larry told him, staring at the statues too.
"First time we came alive, it took some getting used to," Teddy admitted. A centaur with no arms and one missing leg turned with them as they passed.
"Hey there, just uh, heading to Egypt," Larry told him carefully, glancing back as they passed, not making any sudden movements. "Come on, this way," Larry led them down another corridor, away from the statues, and Beth breathed a sigh of relief.
"This place is just too quiet," she muttered, looking around. Dexter jumped over to Sacagawea's shoulder, pressing close to the woman.
"I hear that," Nick agreed, just as on edge as she was. Both were used to the lively nature of the New York museum, and even the Smithsonian had been more alive. This was a little too quiet for Beth.
"We just need to find a map," Larry said, looking around for one. They stepped into another corridor, and the heads of different animals turned suddenly to stare at them.
"Aaand this place just got creepier," Nick whispered as they walked past, trying not to pay attention to the grunts and growls each animal made. A loud roar suddenly echoed down the hall, and they slowed to a stop.
"Please stop talking Nick," Beth told him, and the ground began to shake.
"What is that..." Larry frowned, and horns appeared from around the corner. Slowly, the skeleton of a triceratops emerged, and the group stared at it.
"We'll...just be down here..." Jed whispered.
"Yeah, we're not scared...it's just most comfortable," Octavius lied as the two vanished under the fur. Claudia rolled her eyes.
"The pair of you are idiots," she hissed.
"Oh shut up," Jed growled back at her.
"Both of you shut it," Beth snapped as loudly as she dared. Dexter climbed down into Sacagawea's arms.
"Lawrence?" Teddy muttered to Larry.
"Yeah?" the man leaned a little closer to hear him.
"I think it's safe to say that we're in a bit of trouble," the former president warned him. Larry swallowed, trying to hide his own fear as none knew if they should run or not.
"Larry, you think it could be like Rexy?" Beth asked him, gesturing to a tusk on the wall. He frowned at her, before realising what she meant. Edging slowly over as the triceratops growled at them, he reached out to the tusk.
"You mind?" he asked the boar above, and it quickly shook its head, snorting. "Thanks," Larry lifted it in his hands.
"Dad? What are you doing?" Nick asked with a frown.
"We can't get its rib, so maybe this'll work for fetch?" Beth shrugged as Larry approached the triceratops, speaking to it softly. It seemed to work, and the triceratops reacted with excitement at the idea of playing, wagging its long tail.
"Go fetch!" the guard hurled the tusk through the air, and the dinosaur caught it. Larry grinned, turning to the others as they smiled in relief. Beth relaxed, letting out the breath she'd been holding, before the triceratops suddenly bit the tusk in half.
"Um...uh oh..." Beth gulped as it spat out the fragments.
"Lawrence?" Teddy called nervously.
"Yeah?" Larry didn't look back.
"May I suggest a different plan?" he asked.
"What?" as Larry spoke, the dinosaur roared furiously.
"Run!" Teddy yelled, his voice echoing through the large halls. As everyone turned to run, Beth raised her hands, willing fire to create a barrier, only for nothing to happen.
"What?" Beth gasped, and gasped as as it ran towards her. She froze, at a lose, when she was hauled into the air by the stars that formed Pegasus. As she was tossed onto his back and he began to gallop away, she turned and held out a hand. This time water materialised, splashing the ground behind them, and with a deep exhale, she froze the water. They turned the corner, and the triceratops skidded on the ice and slipped, crashing to the ground with a large thud.
Turning her attention ahead, Beth saw the others ahead of them, only to hear a roar behind them. Glancing around, they saw the triceratops, who managed to clip Pegasus. The constellation let out a shriek, and collided with the wall, shattering back into a cluster of stars that swirled. Beth cried out as she was thrown through the air, and she hit the ground hard, crying out and rolling along. The dinosaur didn't even acknowledge her, chasing the rest of the group as Pegasus followed Beth in a swirl of stars that shimmered brightly.
Beth's entire body hurt from the impact, but hearing her friends in trouble, she pushed herself up. Immediately her legs gave in, and thin, yet strong arms caught her.
"Whoa, careful," a bright, English voice spoke behind her. Whirling around, Beth found herself staring up at a young, gangly young man with a mop of fair hair and green eyes. "You alright?" he asked with a smile. Beth pulled herself free, frowning at him.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she nodded, and Pegasus swirled around her.
"Who's this fine fellow? How beautiful," the young man commented as he watched the stars. He wore a purple tunic with a white long-sleeved undershirt, and black trousers, tucked into a pair of laced up brown boots.
"Pegasus, but I really-"
"Pegasus you say? Like the constellation?" the young man's eyes gleamed with excitement. "I see. But I wouldn't recommend running after the rampaging triceratops," he smiled pleasantly at Beth. She frowned even deeper at him.
"My friends are in trouble, and I need to help them," she turned to hurry off, only for the man to grab her arm. She immediately turned back, raising her hand, only for the fire to once again fail her. "What...why..." she looked down at her hand.
"Your powers aren't working as they should, are they Beth?" he asked her, more serious now. Beth looked up at him sharply.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her heart pounding. He smiled at her pleasantly, letting go of her arm. With a flourish, he bowed low.
"I'm Merlin, at your service," he introduced himself.
"Me...Merlin? Like...the wizard who helped King Arthur?" Beth demanded, gaping at him.
"That's me!" he nodded. "Well, that's the legend. I'm merely a statue brought to life by that interesting Tablet your friend carries," Merlin told her. Beth blinked rapidly.
"You...know?" she asked slowly. He nodded, smiling his goofy smile.
"I'm Merlin, wizard extraordinaire," he shrugged. "I catch on quickly," he told her.
"Right...well uh, I really need to go," Beth backed away as the stars swirled around her again.
"Even with your power over fire gone?" she froze where she was standing, and looked around. Merlin smiled sadly at her. "I also know that the power of the Tablet is dwindling, and your connection with it," Beth didn't respond. Her heart slammed against her chest at his words. Merlin watched her, his gaze searching hers for something, before his smile grew. "Well, I guess I'll have to go with you, make sure you're okay. It'd be wrong to leave a lovely lady like you to face a raging triceratops," Merlin decided.
"Um...okay," Beth's cheeks warmed, and with a smile Merlin walked back to the corridor where the triceratops had rampaged through.
"Now, where did they go?" Merlin wondered. Beth hesitated, looking around.
"I don't know..." she mumbled.
"Not to worry," Merlin held up a hand, and lights sparkled in his palm. Beth watched as the purple light shot out and flew down the corridor, waiting at the corner. "That way," he started walking, and Beth stared.
"You have powers too?" she asked, curious.
"Of course, I'm Merlin after all," the wizard chuckled, and Beth followed him, amazed. They followed the light, and after a few minutes, they heard a loud roar.
"There they are!" Beth ran ahead, and Merlin squawked in his alarm.
"No, wait!" he cried, following her. However, he tripped over his own feet and crashed to the ground, skidding to a stop as Beth continued running.
Coming to a massive wooden door that had been shattered, Beth climbed across the fragments, stumbling, and saw the triceratops skeleton in the middle, fighting what looked to be a knight.
"Beth!" Larry yelled, spotting her. "Stay back!" he yelled, but the skeleton spotted it. Using its tail to knock the knight away, it roared and raced towards her. Beth raised her hands and fired a jet of water at it as Pegasus reformed and reared up, but before Beth could focus enough to freeze the water, Pegasus was knocked away as well.
"Stop!" Merlin was in front of Beth in an instant, holding up his hands. Blue lights flew from them again, forming a purple shield around the two. The triceratops bounced off it and roared furiously, before the knight leapt onto its back with a laugh. "That's..." Merlin frowned, and they watched as the knight then punched the triceratops in the face. It yelped, and with a loud, echoing whimper, it hurried off; tail between its legs.
"Are you alright?" the exhibits were by Beth's side almost instantly.
"Bruised but fine," Beth smiled, but it failed when Ahkmenrah caught her gaze, knowing something was wrong. She shook her head, and glanced away. "Who is that?" she asked, looking at the knight. Merlin sighed heavily, and Beth looked to him, seeing his unsettled expression. The knight then pulled off his helmet, revealing blond hair and piercing blue eyes.
"Sir Lancelot, at your service," he smiled at Larry, taking back his sword.
"First Merlin, now Lancelot..." Beth grumbled as the others walked over to thank their saviour.
"Lancelot..." Beth looked at Merlin, who still looked worried.
"What's with you?" she asked him, and he blinked, as if realising he wasn't alone, and turned around.
"Oh, nothing, just a blast from the past!" he laughed.
"Bet...who is this?" Ahkmenrah asked her curiously, not having moved from her side. Pegasus hadn't either, swirling around the young woman.
"This is Merlin, from the same tales as Lancelot," Beth explained. He blinked, not completely understanding.
"Ah! And you must be the Pharaoh himself!" Merlin swept into a low bow, only to slip on a broken piece of wood. With a squawk, he face-planted the ground, and Beth sighed. "Excuse me," Merlin got to his feet and dusted off his purple tunic.
"Merlin!" he let out a cry as Lancelot hoisted him into the air in a tight hug. "It's been too long my friend!" he laughed, letting Merlin down. The man instantly fell to the ground, and Lancelot let out an even louder laugh. "I see you are still as clumsy as ever," he commented as Merlin sighed.
"It's good to see you as well, Lancelot," his voice was defeated, and didn't sound very genuine. Beth arched an eyebrow at his tone, but didn't say anything. Merlin got back to his feet again, and when he realised Beth was watching him, he shook his head a little.
"Right, well, thanks for the help, but we need to go," Larry cleared his throat. The others nodded, and they started to walk away. However, Lancelot strode ahead, blocking their path.
"Halt, dangley-bells!" he barked, holding up his hand and stopping them from walking. "There is strange magic in the air; dangerous beasts are afoot. It is the duty of a true knight to protect and care for those in need. We're off!" he turned and started walking, clanking in his metal armour.
"Guess he's coming with us," Larry sighed.
"Larry!" as they started walking, Attila called out. He spoke in his language, making Larry frown.
"Jed, Octavius and Claudia?" Larry realised as Attila patted his hat. He nodded, looking worried.
"They must have fallen out while we were running," Teddy realised.
"Let's hope that dino didn't crush them," Beth commented as they looked around, starting to retrace their steps.
"A tiny cowboy, and two Roman Generals, right?" Merlin asked as he walked with them.
"Yeah, how'd you know?" Larry asked, glancing around at him.
"Just need the basic details. Alright, now where are they?" he held up a hand, and purple light flew from his palm again. "That way," Merlin grinned, leading the way.
"O...kay...who's this guy?" Larry asked Beth.
"Merlin," she shrugged. Larry closed his eyes.
"Of course he is," he muttered.
"Hurry up, the spell won't last all day," Merlin called, and they started following him again.
Merlin is a character I've wanted to include since day one, since Lancelot was there I wanted to put in more from Arturian legends and Merlin was always a favourite.
Let me know your thoughts on it!
Please review!