Chapter 13: A New Home

Returning to the British Museum, the group reached the Egyptian exhibit much faster this time. Ahkmenrah approached his parents, holding the restored Tablet in his hands as they smiled proudly.

"Well done my son," Shepseheret praised, tears in her eyes as she touched his face. He smiled at her, and as Merenkahre walked over to speak with Larry, Beth heard someone clear their throat behind her. She turned around, and smiled, bowing respectfully to the Gods there.

"Great work, I knew you had it in you. Unlike someone," Thoth grinned, glancing to Osiris, whose skin flushed green in what Beth took to be a blush.

"We can't all be the God of Knowledge, you know," he argued weakly.

"Yes, but you don't need knowledge to have a little faith, dear," Isis smiled at her husband. Horus grinned, giving Beth a thumbs up. The warmth she had felt the last time she'd met him returned, and she smiled back.

"You did an awesome job," he praised.

"I agree. And look, the Tablet is nice and sparkly again," Khonsu smiled, putting his hands on Beth's shoulders and steering her over to Ahkmenrah and his mother. "Try and keep it this way, this time," he told her, patting her head. Beth laughed, feeling like it was her father speaking to her.

"I'll try, if I have all the information this time," her eyes sparkled, making him laugh.

"I like this girl. She isn't afraid to stand up to you sorry lot," Isis grinned.

"I gotta ask, why me?" Beth asked.

"And how has she returned to us?" Shepseheret asked curiously.

"You were always meant to be the Guardian," Khonsu told Beth. "You were blessed with your powers to protect it from anyone. Unfortunately we didn't quite predict your unfortunate end by the jealous brother," he sighed. Shepseheret's eyes widened in horror. She'd wondered just how Safiya had died all those years ago. "That's why we put you through those tests. To prove you were capable of protecting the Tablet at all costs. That you were truly worthy of defying your unexpected fate. And since you passed and reconnected with the Tablet, like I said before, as long as it lives, so shall you. That is why you have not aged since that night," Khonsu explained. Beth blinked rapidly at him.

"I just went through a pretty hectic night. You think you could lay off with that kind of insane revelation for now?" she complained, and he laughed again.

"Sure. Your memories will eventually make sense, especially now with the Tablet at full power," Khonsu patted her head again. "Just be sure to stay with it," he advised.

"I will," Beth nodded, smiling. She glanced to Ahkmenrah, who smiled back at her.

"So does this mean you two are finally going to stop sneaking around?" they paused at Shepseheret's words.

"Wh-what?" Beth blinked at her.

"Oh, my dear," Shepseheret smiled in amusement, reaching out to touch her cheek. "I am no fool, and I most certainly am not blind. My husband may have affiliated with Khonsu, but I did not go my life without consulting with a Goddess," she said.

"And unfortunately for you," Beth jumped as a pair of arms wrapped around her arm. "That Goddess happened to be the Goddess of Love," Beth stared at the beautiful woman she recognised.

"Nenet?" she breathed.

"Hathor, actually," the woman Beth remembered as the servant girl who had helped Safiya and looked after her smiled. "I couldn't help but get close. I have a bit of a weakness for blooming romance," she admitted. Beth's face lit up red as Hathor walked to stand beside Shepseheret.

"And you two were very sweet," the Queen smiled, laughter in her eyes and voice as Ahkmenrah went as red as Beth, looking to her helplessly. She looked the same way, embarrassment in her expression, before she sighed heavily.

"Damn gods," she grumbled, reaching out and taking Ahkmenrah's hand as he moved the Tablet to hold it in one hand. He pulled her closer, making her smile despite their embarrassment.

"I see..." Merenkahre blinked rapidly at the sight as he returned to stand beside his wife. Beth struggled to hide her smile, seeing where Ahkmenrah got his clueless look from. "So even though I betrothed you to my eldest son...you two..."

"You can't help who you fall in love with," Hathor told him sternly.

"I agree," Shepseheret smiled.

"Why didn't you say anything?" he asked his wife. She gave an elegant shrug.

"I wanted them to fight for it themselves, like you did for me," she smiled at him. Merenkahre sighed, smiling back at her as she touched his arm.

"I planned on it," Ahkmenrah nodded. "But someone didn't want me to," he glanced to Beth, who went red.

"Hey! That's not fair," she planted her hands on her hips and glared at him. "You never told me you were gonna be Pharaoh," she argued, and he rolled his eyes with a light sigh.

"This again," he murmured, but was smiling. "You always bring that up when you're in the wrong," he teased her. Beth went even redder.

"Oh shut up," she grumbled, folding her arms. He laughed, pulling her close again.

"You do truly care for each other..." Merenkahre murmured, and smiled. "How can I come between that?" he shook his head, making them smile.

"I told you my father is not so stubborn," Ahkmenrah whispered to Beth, who went even redder and hit him lightly. Seeing Larry talking with the other exhibits, Beth pulled away to approach.

"What's up guys? What's with the sad looks?" she asked, frowning.

"We've decided that the Tablet should remain here, with Ahkmenrah and his family," Teddy's words made Beth freeze, her eyes wide.

"Wh...what? But you guys-"

"It's okay Beth," Larry put a hand on her shoulder. "It's what they want. They belong in New York, Ahk belongs here. And so do you," he said quietly. Beth's eyes stung as tears filled them.

"But...it's not fair. After everything...we saved the Tablet...and we still have to say goodbye?" her voice shook as they smiled gently at her.

"We will miss you too," Sacagawea told her, pulling her into a hug. Beth choked as she hugged the woman back. Ahkmenrah approached, having heard, and smiled at Larry.

"Thank you, for giving me back my family. Larry. Gua-" he choked, his smile turning forced. "Guardian of Brooklyn," Larry nodded at him, not trusting himself to speak.

"Dad, if we leave now, we can still catch a flight. Get home with everyone still awake before the sun comes up," Nick spoke softly, looking at his phone.

"Yeah...okay. Let's go home," Larry nodded, shaken. Beth hugged him tightly, and he squeezed her, letting out a shaky breath.

"Thanks Larry, for everything," she sniffed. "No matter what, you're still family," Beth pulled back quickly, and smiled despite the tears. "You can't get rid of me that easy," she told him.

"Good. Take care of yourself, and them. They'll need a proper night guard," Beth smiled at Larry's words.

"Will do," she saluted, before turning to hug Nick.

"Just so you know, I had the biggest crush on you when I was a kid," he told her quietly, and she smiled.

"I miss that cute kid sometimes," Beth kissed his cheek. "Don't be in a rush to grow up Nicky," she told him as he blushed.

"Yeah. Oh, and if you tell anyone I said that, I'll deny it vehemently," Beth laughed as he threw her words back at him.

"Whoa," Larry stopped as they went to leave, only to find Lancelot and Merlin approaching with the Triceratops skeleton.

"It's alright Larry. We've reached something of an understanding," Lancelot grinned.

"Her name's Trixie," Merlin smiled.

"Really?" Beth raised an eyebrow.

"Merlin named her. Said it was his right since I stole his horse," Lancelot rolled his eyes. "Trixie, sit," he instructed. The skeleton wagged her tail, before sitting as instructed.

"Wow...that's really good...good job Lance," Larry nodded. Beth groaned.

"Thanks Larry, leaving me in charge of this place with them?" she demanded, and he shot her a grin.

"Let's say it's payback for all the torture you put me through," he called as the others followed. Beth rolled her eyes, before smiling as Pegasus flew around her in his constellation form. He switched to nuzzle her face, and she giggled.

"I'll miss you too buddy. Take care," Beth patted his neck, and he shattered again, flying off after Larry. The man let out a yell as Pegasus lifted him into the air, and Beth laughed. "Sorry Larry, you're on your own with that one!" she called after him. As they disappeared out, Beth sighed, her smile fading. "Damn," she whispered, closing her eyes as her shoulders shook. A hand took hers, and she looked up at Ahkmenrah, who smiled at her, tears in his own eyes. She leaned against him, sniffing, and he let out a soft sigh.

Tilly let out a soft sigh as the sun set over London, and she stepped into the museum to do a final run through to ensure nobody had gotten in.

"Laa..." she whispered, her heart hurting as she thought of the mysterious man she had fallen for the previous night. "Huh. The curator said something about a new Night Guard to help with the trouble caused last night...where is he?" Tilly wondered aloud as she walked into the Egyptian exhibit. Her eyes rested on the Golden Tablet that now hung on the wall behind the third sarcophagus that had been added. "Wonder what that thing is," she murmured, before it suddenly began to glow. Her eyes widened, before an array of sounds could be heard throughout the museum.

Tilly whirled around, her eyes growing large as things started to come to life right in front of her. "What...on earth..." she breathed.

"Hey there," she screamed and whirled around, narrowly avoiding the young woman standing behind her.

"You?" Tilly stared at the Egyptian girl with curly black hair who had been with Larry the previous night. She wore a pair of black skinny jeans and a blue plaid shirt, with a torch at her side.

"Name's Beth. I'm the new Night Guard," Beth introduced herself with a bright smile. "Larry did tell you that tonight it would be the best job ever, right?" Tilly remembered the man telling her that before he'd disappeared with the others, including the 'fat Asian dude' and the evil monkey. "Well...welcome to the endless wonder," Beth gestured, and Tilly realised that there were three other figures approaching, wearing Egyptian garbs, and the three Sarcophagi lay empty.

"What," Tilly stared at her. Beth giggled.

"Best prepare yourself, because this is going to be a very strange night for you," she told the blonde.

"It already is..." the English girl told her. Beth's smile widened.

"You say that, but you've yet to meet the womanising wizard and the idiot knight. Oh, and Trixie. She's going to be fun," Beth chattered.

"Bet...ease in," Ahkmenrah sighed, approaching her. "She isn't quite used to oddities such as yourself," Beth pouted at his teasing.

"I'm not an oddity," she mumbled.

"Well, you kinda are the weirdest thing about this place so far," Beth gaped as Ahkmenrah tried and failed to hide his laughter. "I like it. You and me are gonna be good friends," Tilly smiled, and Beth returned it despite her blush.

"I think you're right Til," she nodded, and linked arms with her. "Now, let's go meet the rest of the museum," Beth led her down the corridor. "Oh, and maybe do something about that Mount Vesuvius, so the miniatures don't have to run away screaming every night and leave us with lava to clean," she commented.

"Wait, what?" Tilly frowned.

"I think she's gotten stranger, since she returned to our world," Merenkahre commented. Shepseheret nodded in agreement.

"Three years, no Larry Daley. He was the one who took the fall for me. Got me my job back," Doctor McPhee reminisced as Tilly and Beth stood on the other side of his desk with a briefcase. "I heard he went back to school, got his degree, became a teacher. I'm very glad," Beth smiled at his words, nodding.

"History teacher, shockingly," she giggled.

"Well, when he heard about this travelling exhibition, Larry insisted that I deliver this to you personally," Tilly opened the briefcase, and Beth lifted the Tablet out. While it had been three years since the events of the British Museum, she was still a little wary about others touching it.

Three years since she'd left New York, saying goodbye to the exhibits there who were her family. In those three years, nothing quite as exciting had happened, and the residents of the British Museum had gotten used to their new night-life. Beth, and Tilly, had earned their respect quickly, and Tilly learned quickly that Larry had been right. It was the best job ever.

"Ah, the supposedly magical glowing Tablet," Doctor McPhee laughed as Beth handed it over. "Larry Daley and his fanciful tales," he laughed. Beth rolled her eyes.

"You say that like I didn't make an ice sculpture of you using magic," she muttered.

"Larry said you could be trusted," Tilly told him, making his smile fall.

"I on the other hand was on the fence," Beth shrugged.

"What do you mean?" the man asked, confused. Beth and Tilly grinned at each other. Tilly then leaned on the desk, and McPhee leaned backwards.

"With a top secret knowledge," she whispered.

"What secret knowledge?" McPhee asked, baffled and wary of the pair. Beth's watch then beeped, and she smiled, walking over to the door.

"Get ready," she leaned against the wall.

"For what?"

"For this!" Tilly grinned, and the Tablet suddenly lit up in McPhee's hands, making him almost drop it. His eyes widened and he smiled in awe, looking up at the pair.

"It does glow..." he whispered.

"It does more than glow," Beth smirked, and on cue, the museum came to life, filling with all sorts of noise, and after a moment, music too. "Oh, the party has already started!" Beth opened the door and strode out. Tilly led McPhee out as he walked slowly, warily, and stopped when he came to the main foyer and found everyone partying.

"Told you the Tablet was magical," Beth moved past the man, and he smiled widely, amazed as he watched. Beth took to the air, landing up top. "Come on Lance, quit being a party pooper," she told him, leaning on the railings.

"I'm quite alright. As a Knight of Camelot-"

"No. None of that," Beth scolded him. He yelped as he was hoisted into the air by sparkling lights. "You owe me, so get partying!" she called as Pegasus dropped Lancelot on the dance floor with the rest. The constellation then returned to Beth, twinkling as he swirled around her. "I missed you too buddy," she smiled as he nuzzled her.

"You've grown," she looked around at Virgo as the maiden constellation approached with Scorpio.

"Apparently I can't grow. Other than my hair I guess," Beth shrugged, playing with her hair, which had grown much longer over the last few years.

"You know what I mean," Virgo rolled her eyes good-naturedly. Beth grinned.

"It's good to see you," Beth told her, before jumping down and landing beside Ahkmenrah. "Wonder if Larry will show his face," she commented, leaning into him.

"He will. He's family too," Ahkmenrah pressed a kiss to the side of her head. "Now go say hi to everyone," he told her.

"Oh, bossy," Beth grinned at him.

"I am the Pharaoh of Egypt. It's second nature," he smiled, and she took his hand.

"Well, my lord, come with me and say hi," Beth pulled him along through the crowd, saying hi to everyone as they continued to party.

"Good to see nothing has changed here," Khonsu commented, leaning on the railings.

"Beth can't change, according to us," Osiris reminded him, grinning.

"You're as much of a pest as she is," the Moon God rolled his eyes.

"Pest she may be, but she's still your chosen champion," Horus leaned on his other side. "But we have a couple of things left to address. Like, for example, Safiya's fate changing suddenly, and Kahmunrah's growing need for chaos," Khonsu's smile faded as he watched Beth trying to encourage Ahkmenrah to dance.

"Set has been working in the shadows for many moons," Osiris sighed heavily. "And his puppet may be dead, but we all know that isn't the end. I fear my girl may have work ahead of her yet," he shook his head, feeling guilty.

"But who knows? It could happen at any time," Horus shrugged. "Just as long as Ra doesn't find out how much we've been meddling. We've been pushing it, giving Bet'anya powers, and Thoth's inclusion of Merlin," he looked to the wizard, who tripped and fell with a squawk as he partied with the Huns. Khonsu hummed in agreement.

"Well...I suppose that's a problem for another night gentlemen," he decided, turning and walking away. "Let's let them enjoy their party. After all, they waited three years for it," Osiris and Horus exchanged grinned, and vanished into the night as the party remained oblivious below.

Well, finally it's done! It's taken me some amount of time, but it's done! Thank you to all who took the time to read, review, favourite and follow this story and the series in general!

I'm not too sure if I'll do another story for this series, but you never know. At the moment I want to focus on my Power Rangers series, and possibly give my Bleach fic a little love too. But who knows...

I hope you enjoyed it!

Please review!