Thank you to everyone who has stuck with this story. I know I've taken my sweet time with it, but I am glad to say that it is finally complete. I hope you enjoy

Sacagawea was the first to approach the fallen king; silently crouching down beside him, she took his hand in hers. A simple gesture, but one to show that he was still loved by them, regardless of what had transpired. They stayed like that, in silence for several moments until she spoke. "Ahkmen, do not forget that you are loved, by all of us. It was difficult, I know, but you did what was right. You do not believe me, I see that, but you must. You saved us all."

Jed and Octavius stood together, uncertain as to whether or not to approach. They looked at each other with concerned eyes. Neither one was particularly emotional, and feeling that their efforts might hinder rather than help, they held back. Larry was the next to approach and he crouched down beside Sacagawea, placing a hand on Ahkmenrah's shoulder like a father speaking to his son.

"Ahk, are you okay?" Larry asked, but he was unsurprised with the lack of response. It had to take a lot out of a person, killing your brother after almost being killed by said brother. Sighing he glanced past the young king and to the shattered window. Colour was beginning to return to the sky, they had an hour at best before the sun rose. "We need to get out of here. I've gotta get you guys back to New York."

"But Gigantor," Jed looked up at Larry with pained eyes, "They don't want us there anymore."

Larry shook his head, "I want you there. I'll figure out a way to keep you guys there. I promise."

Ahk slowly looked up, thoughtfully running his hands over the inscriptions on his tablet, "Well." He said, pushing past his heart and focusing solely on his head, he was a king once, he needed to act like it, "I suppose we had better return this museum into its proper state." He stood up, walking over to where his crown had been discarded by his brother. Slowly, he picked it up, the golden fabric of his robes glistened in the light as he straightened. With a sense of purpose, he placed the crown upon his head and turned back to face his friends. "Larry, go with the lovely Miss Amelia and the honourable Tuskegee airmen back to the museum of air and space, ensure everyone there is back in position for sunrise. Thank you each and every one of you for your help, I am honoured to call you my friends." He fought back any emotion as it rose to the surface, continuing to thank his friends and delegate tasks. It was only when the room was empty that he allowed himself to cry.

He dropped to his knees before the gate, clutched the tablet to his chest, and wept. "I'm sorry." He whispered, "I'm sorry, Kah, I'm sorry. I had no choice… you left me no choice. I had to do it… I had to." He knew he couldn't justify his actions just as well as he knew that his brother would never forgive him, and as well as he knew that he would never forgive himself.

They had waited until night fell again before they started their journey, Larry had thought it would be easier if they were all awake. Ahk felt numb. Rarely speaking to the others. He couldn't bear to look at their faces, refusing to see the disappointment in their eyes and the disgust they must now feel for him. If he couldn't face the others, how would he face Teddy? After being released from his sarcophagus and meeting the exhibits who had left him trapped there, and after a period of adjustment and forgiveness of course, he had only ever had the highest respect for the man. What would he think of him now? Ahk closed his eyes, resting his head in his hands. He was a murderer, no better than his brother. He deserved to remain in his sarcophagus, and never see the light of the moon again.

It was night, and when they were perhaps little more than a half hour away the truck stopped, and Larry climbed into the back. "So guys, I've been thinking. I think I have a plan."

"You think you have a plan?" Octavius queried, "You know, that doesn't inspire me with much confidence."

"Me either, Gigantor." Jed concurred, "We're going to need more than a maybe plan if we wanna get back in that museum for good."

"Will you just let me tell you the plan guys, before you decide it's a crap one?" Larry asked, and the two miniatures shrugged, "Anyway. I was thinking that we spill the beans to McPhee."

"WHAT?" Jed exclaimed, "Guys this is crazy." He turned around, searching for the support of his fellow exhibits. Sacagawea's face was unreadable, as though she both wanted to believe it could be a good plan whilst simultaneously finding the idea abhorrent. Ahk stayed silent, and Larry couldn't help but feel a sharp pang in his heart at the pain his friend was so clearly going through.

"No, listen, you guys. I think this could really work. What if we started up a night program or something? Play it off as special effects instead of magic. It'll generate some revenue for the museum meaning we wouldn't have to cut back on any exhibits, meaning no one gets sent to the archives! So? Thoughts?" he asked, scanning the faces of the room, "And Ahk," he added, capturing the attention of the young king, "I think you would be the perfect man to speak to McPhee with me." That got Ahk to look up, and got everyone else in the crate to stare at him.

Attila clapped a hand on Ahk's shoulder and nodded, "Shiny king. Good friend. Good king."

Ahk looked up into the eyes of his friend, but he was still blind. He couldn't see past his own fear and pain to the truth that his friends still cared about him, that they loved him unconditionally. "I'm sorry, Larry. I can't." he shook his head, fingers nervously playing with the tablet, "There are better people to choose from amongst us."

"Ahk," Jed said before anyone else could step in, "You're the strongest one amongst us. Now wait, you gotta let me finish before you go all defensive and self-hating, ok? There's a reason we all love you here. Heck man, you're like a brother to all of us. It don't matter what your real family is like, we're your family, and like it or not you ain't getting rid of us any time soon."

Octavius stepped forwards, "Ahkmenrah, I understand your pain. I do. I too have taken lives I did not want to take. We must all make sacrifices in the field of battle."

"I'm a murderer…" he stammered but Larry quickly cut him off.

"You're a hero, Ahk. Whether you like it or not, you're a hero. A hero and the best shot we've got at convincing McPhee that I'm not crazy."

Sacagawea nodded, taking Larry's side, "Larry is right. We are wax figures, seeing us come alive could be written off as actors with an ability to stand still for long stretches of time. But seeing you return from death, that is irrefutable. Ahk, you must put aside your pain for now, for in time – and with the help of your friends – you will heal."

Taking a deep breath, slowly Ahk nodded. Already he could feel some of the anguish leaving him, his friends were right. They always were. "Alright." He nodded again, managing a small smile.

"Thanks man. We'll make this work together, all of us." Larry grinned and wrapped his arms around Ahk, pulling him in tight far a hug that was too long and too tight but everything that Ahk needed. The young man breathed deeply into the lingering hug, allowing himself to relax and truly feel their victory. "You guys can camp out in the basement tonight, and at nightfall tomorrow I'll get McPhee and see what we can do about getting you all reinstated full time."

Once back in the museum, Sacagawea, with Dexter perched upon her shoulder, led the others down to the basement, but Larry hung back with Ahk, walking him to the tomb where they would replace the tablet.

"I know you probably don't want to talk," Larry said, "But I'm worried about you Ahk, I'm really worried about you."

Ahk remained silent until the tablet was slotted back into its spot above his sarcophagus. He ran his fingers along the top of what had been his prison for so long. "How can I say that I am a better man than him? He was my brother and I sent him to the underworld, to hell." He shook his head, "In truth, I don't believe I ever was a better man. After all, this isn't the first time he has died, and it was I that orchestrated that. I killed him twice."

"And he would not have hesitated to send you down there either, he tried to choke you to death, remember?"

"That was more than an attempt." Ahk corrected, "I think, at least for a moment, he succeeded. But with the tablet I cannot truly die again."

"Even more reason to do what you did." Larry shrugged his shoulders, trying not to dwell on the image of Ahk's body, limp and lifeless on the floor at the foot of the gate.

"My family…"

"They would know you did the right thing. They'd be proud of you." Larry pulled Ahk into another long hug, "But it doesn't matter what your mom and dad would think Ahk, we're your family now. Every one of us, and we are proud of you. Got it?" he felt Ahk nod gently against his shoulder.

"Thank you Larry," the young king whispered, "Thank you for everything." He stepped back, taking off his crown and resting it atop his sarcophagus, "But if you don't mind, I think I would like some time, just for myself. He may have been evil, but I must mourn him."

Larry nodded respectfully and stepped back, "Just shout if you need me, Ahk, I've got your back, ok? No matter what."

Ahk nodded his thanks and Larry quietly exited the exhibit. He headed toward Teddy who was sat with Sacagawea who appeared to be filling him in on the events of the past few days.

"Lawrence." Teddy smiled and stood up, beckoning Larry over with outstretched arms. Larry found himself being tightly squeezed and clapped on the back by the former president. "Might I extend a hearty well-done, lad. Excellent job on bringing them back, but you know they can't stay down there forever."

"I know, I know." Larry nodded, "I've got a plan in the works, Sacagawea can fill you in."

"I must ask, however," Teddy continued, "What of our young pharaoh?"

Larry sighed and shook his head, "He's gonna need some time to heal. Killing your brother and kicking him into hell isn't something you get over in a day. I'm not sure, I'm not really qualified for that. I think we're just going to all keep an eye on him, make sure he's reminded that he didn't do anything wrong. Hell, he saved all our asses, he's a real hero. He just might need reminding of that every now and then." Teddy and Sacagawea nodded in understanding. "You know, Teddy," Larry continued, "There is actually one thing I wanted to ask you. That other night, you were going to tell me something, the whole secret to happiness thing."

"Yes, I remember" nodded Teddy.

"But I think I figured it out. It's doing what you love, isn't it? What you love with the people you love. Took me too long to see it but I do now."

Teddy shook his head, a small smile playing upon his lips, "Actually, I was going to say 'exercise', but I think I prefer your version, it works well enough too." Larry chuckled, shaking his head. "Welcome home, son."

"Thanks Teddy." Larry smiles, taking this as his cue to leave. It had been a long couple of nights, and he needed to get back to his son.

The reveal of Ahkemnrah and the exhibits to McPhee the following night had gone better than expected, and after his boss had managed to convince himself that he was not having a heart attack and that Larry was indeed telling the truth. After that everything seemed to fall into place. The museum would now be open late, the exhibits would now be conducting their own tours and correcting the inaccuracies of history. Even Ahkmenrah had regained enough self-confidence to tell stories of his past life to their young visitors, as well as translating (and altering for younger audiences) the stories that Attila told them. Children and adults alike rode upon Rexy's back as he took them around the museum, and both Teddy and Sacagawea led groups of entrances patrons, children and adult alike. They seemed happier than they had ever been; it was truly a marvelous thing to be able to be a part of the world and not stuck standing still as they had before, watching time pass them by.