Prologue: Through the Time Stream
"Wilbur? A little of attention here!" Lewis called.
Wilbur didn't pay any attention to his friend and continued to stare absently out the glass window. "Wilbur!" Lewis exclaimed, shaking the arm of the other boy.
Wilbur glanced at Lewis for a moment. "It's the sunniest day outside, Lewis!" the teenager protested. "Can't we just stop it here and go play something out there?"
"Wilbur! You dragged me here in the future to help you with your homework, not to play!"
"Okay, next time I'll tell the truth," Wilbur told him, smiling mischievously. "Come on, Lew! I called you here because I needed a friend, not my father to end my vacation!"
Lewis' blue eyes narrowed, but he didn't answer. Wilbur smirked. "All right ..." he said, an idea beginning to form in his mind. "Why don't you finish this part of Science and Math while I go downstairs and take care of my History homework?"
Without waiting for an answer, Wilbur grabbed his bag and left the room. Lewis just sat there for a moment in surprise, when he realized what Wilbur's words really meant. Instantly, he ran into the nearest transport tube, ending up in the garage, where his suspicions were confirmed. The newer of the two time machines was gone.
"Lewis!"
He heard Carl calling hin and whirled around to face him. "When'd you get here?" the robot asked.
"I think about more or less then an hour. Does Wilbur actually know where to go?"
"He left a note, probably for you. Why are you even here?"
"Wilbur wanted me to help him with his homework. He didn't give me much choice, either."
"Then why'd he leave with the time machine and leave you here?"
"I think he's bored. You know Wilbur."
Carl sighed sadly. "I know. You're not ... thinking of going after him, are you?" he asked, seeing Lewis walk closer to the older time machine.
"Someone has to keep him from doing something idiotic."
The truth was that keeping Wilbur away from any problems was almost a Mission Impossible, but he'd have to try. Wilbur was his son, after all.
Wilbur landed the time machine near a large pyramid in Egypt and got out before making it turn invisible. He was going to have a little fun with photographing, and would certainly take anywhere from one to ten while he was at it. Deep down, he felt kinda bad for leaving like that, which was why he's left the ticket to Lewis ... he'd probably realize soon what had happened, and therefore, wouldn't worry. Not to mention that he'd be back soon too!
Wilbur approached the pyramid carefully, his camera in hand, and before he could even realize what was happening, he was surrounded by a group of men carrying sharp spears. They spoke to him, but Wilbur couldn't understand a word of it. He attempted to turn on his translator, but instead found that the device was out of battery power. "Oh, come on!" he exclaimed in frustration. "Why do I never remember to check the battery on these things before I leave the house?!"
Things certainly were not going very well, but before anything bad could happen, Wilbur was spotted a bright flash of light in the sky. The other machine time! And Wilbur was pretty sure he knew who it was. The men ran off, frightened, and Wilbur just stood there with a grin as Lewis landed the other time machine in front of him. "Don't come out!" he called as Lewis opened the glass hatch of the red ship. "We're leaving."
He could recharge the device's power and then return. "And save the sermon for later."
Wilbur ran back to his own time machine, and climbing in, started the engine. The two flew upward, leaving Egypt, and the ships crossed the barrier of time itself at the same moment. Neither travelers realized the impact that it caused. Suddenly, pink covered the hatch, and Wilbur, not seeing anything, struggled to not lose control. He made a forced landing with the ship – more like a crash – into something wet that was definitely wet. Stunned, he opened the glass hatch ... and could notbelieve what his eyes were seeing.
Lewis realized something was wrong the moment the time machine came across the time stream, but didn't have much time to think. Something slammed into one of the wings of his ship, and he fought to keep control, but it appeared to be impossible. Finally, he slammed into the ground hard.