Chapter 4: "Dat's It!"

A crow flew up to a lone rat sitting at the end of a pier. The rat looked at the crow. "You found Taryn yet?"

"No, Master." The insider bowed to his master, and continued. "He's either shrewd or hurt, because I just can't pick up his power signature."

"You better find him. I will not have my mission stopped by that little whelp." The boss said, looking to the west. "Destroy him, and anyone around him."

"Yes master." The insider looked up at his master. "Where are you headed?"

"Australia." And with that, he took off into the sky like a streak.

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It was noontime. The sun beat down on the aircraft graveyard. It was another beautiful day. A mouse and a squirrel were walking between the rusting hulks, the squirrel was burdened with little airplane parts.

"So…ugh…is this what you do most days?" Taryn struggled with the load.

"Yeah. I usually do it myself." Gadget was looking for something. "It's my alone time. I enjoy it. Sometimes I come across some really neat stuff. And since I have you here, I might be able to get something I've had my eyes on for a long time."

"So, now I'm your pack mule?" Taryn joked. "What next?"

"Well, how about being my excavator!" She was pointing to a half-buried electric motor. "I've been trying to get my hands on that for months, ever since I found it. But it's buried…and it's heavy."

"And you think I can dig it out." He said, setting the other parts down.

"Well, I'll help." Gadget pulled a couple of shovels out of her knapsack. She handed one to Taryn.

"I guess we ought to get started." Taryn dug his shovel in next to the motor.

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"By the power, where is he? Master will destroy me if I don't take care of this!" The insider said to himself as he flew overhead, scanning the city looking for Taryn. He continued to look through his ocular scanner to see if he could get any signal. Nothing. Not even the faintest blip. Could he be dead? He thought. Even if he was, I would need proof to take back to master. He shook his head. No, not this one! He's too tough to be dead. He's out there somewhere.

He touched down on a statue for a quick rest. No sooner than he touched down, a group of pigeons sauntered up to him.

"Hey, you! Dat's our statue! Get off!" The shortest of the three yelled up.

The insider just sat there, still scanning the sky.

"Hey! I'm talkin' to ya! Ya gonna get offa our statue, or do I hafta to get rough." The angry pigeon yelled again.

The insider let out a small chuckle, and continued to scan the sky.

"Oh! Am I funny to ya! Is dat it? Am I a clown, sent here to amuse you? Am I a comedian to you? Is dat it?" The pigeon quickly was loosing his temper.

"Come on, Pesto, he's obviously not listening!" One of the other pigeons tried to calm his friend down.

"No, Squit, this time, Pesto's right. This is our statue, and we're gonna fight for it." The third and tallest member of the group said.

"Dat's what I'm talkin' about, Bobby!" Pesto said. "Let's show dis guy who's boss!"

"I wouldn't. I have no qualms with you." The insider said. Then he looked down at the Goodfeaters. "Besides, I'll toss you around like nothing." Then he looked back to the sky.

"Dat's it!" Pesto screamed, and flew up for the insider. The crow didn't seem to notice this. I got 'im right where I want 'im. Pesto thought.

At that, the insider took one step to the right, avoiding Pesto altogether, sending him sailing over the back of the statue.

"Wow, he's good!" Squit said in amazement.

"After I'm done with 'im, your next, Squit!" Pesto said as he charged again for the insider, this time from behind.

The insider again stepped to the side, this time to the left. As Pesto passed by, the insider grabbed him by the back of the neck. He then threw Pesto down the front of the statue. Pesto landed in front of his friends with an astounding thud!

"Hey, Pesto, you alright?" Squit asked his fallen friend.

"Crap! He isn't here, either. Better check the south side." The insider said as he took off.

"Yeah, you betta' run!" Pesto yelled as he looked up at the departing crow.

"Uh, Pesto, I think he got the better of you!" Squit said.

"Yeah? Well, I'll get the betta' of you!" Pesto then started fighting with Squit. Bobby started laughing at the spectacle.

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After Taryn and Gadget got back from their little expedition, they were beat. From the shoveling to the lifting, they worked hard. Gadget had to scrounge up the parts for a makeshift sled to get it all back. As soon as they got back, Gadget collapsed from exhaustion. Taryn carried her off to her room, and put her in her bed. He then made his way to the room he had been staying in.

It's a real shame I have to erase her memory. Taryn thought. She's starting to grow on me. Like a little sister. Like my real sisters.

He opened the door to the room he was staying in. I've never felt this way about anyone but my family. Except…

He thought back to his childhood. On his fifth birthday, his father introduced him to some guy. "Son, I'd like you to meet Bastion Kilmartin. He's an old friend of mine."

Bastion knelt down in front of Taryn. "Hey there, little man. Your father named me as your godfather. You know what that means?"

Taryn shook his head.

"Well, that means I'm another person that can give you gifts." Bastion pulled a box out from behind his back. It had a bow on it.

Taryn tore open the box and pulled out a small rod. "What is it, daddy?"

"Got me? Bastion?" Ty looked to his friend.

"That, kid, is genuine Crasson Series 1 extending staff. Crafted by the great inventor himself. He made three of these. One is in the LWC museum, one is in the Louvre, and the final one got lost over the Antarctic. I spent five months looking for that just so I could give it to you."

"Wow." Taryn said, excited.

"Press that button right there." Bastion pointed to a button on the staff. Taryn pressed it, and the staff extended out.

"Gee, thanks Mr. Kilmartin!" Taryn hugged Bastion's leg.

"Kid, call me Uncle Bastion!"

"OK, Uncle Bastion!" Taryn went and started mock fighting with the staff.

"You think it's wise to give him that staff?" Ty asked his friend.

"Why not?" Bastion said. At that moment, Taryn knocked over a vase.

"BOYS!" Kendal, Taryn's mom, screamed from the kitchen. "What's going on in there?"

"Taryn, let's get out of here!" Ty and company made for the door, and left.

Taryn found himself clutching his staff. Hope I can find my way back home. He thought as he climbed into bed. I hope they're alright. He drifted off to sleep.

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