DUST AND THE SWEEPER

Chapter 12 - Cool Down

Peace at last. With Benito's death, the enslaved Time Sweepers and Tom Tom Gang celebrate with a booming cheer loud enough to cover the entire metropolis. The once oppressive tower at the center of the megacity now shines as a beacon of hope, dinging the grand bell and shining a light from the highest floor stretching far out the atmosphere. A clear sign to any remaining Cat-Sith among the stars that it's finally time to come home.

By the city walls, those in attendance with Dust and Blinx made swift repairs to the Firebat and patched up the Mithrarin wherever they could. Aegis even provided them with parts from the research facilities to make a suitable replacement for Dust's eye -with the right color- and Blinx's Sweeper.

"Not much really needed fixin' boys," says Picaro. "You're all set!"

"I've even added an extra fuel canister if you need it," says Cino.

"Ey, thanks guys," Blinx grins. "Couldn't have done it without'chu. I'd love to stay but I've got someone back home who's reeeeeeeeeeeally gonna be mad at me fer takin' her bro."

"We're on the same planet Blinx," Aniki nods. "We'll still be in touch."

While shaking his old commander's hand, Blinx spots Dust standing idle at the launch bay looking on at the distant valley. There's an obvious aura of sorrow coming from him, but it's one that Blinx can solve with confidence.

"Gimme a minute. I'mma talk to my boy."

Coming over to the wolf, he asks him "Ey, you good sportsy?

"Yes and no," he replies. "I just tried to kill you, Blinx. I had every intention and I could've done it had you not been fast enough. I just…"

"Yeah…?"

"I just don't wanna end up killing another friend of mine," Dust says with pain in his voice.

"Well there sure ain't a reason to. Not only do I know how to beat yo cyber tail if need be, but I'm sure that Cassius side's put back in check after I went an' fried him. Besides, you were brainwashed. I know you'd never wanna kill me fo' real. Eheh… Right?"

"Right," says Dust.

"Right. Don't beat yourself up, ol' sport."

"I don't know if I can… It's very hard to when your old life keeps cropping back up every time you wanna move on."

Very casually, Blinx pats fingers Dust's patched chest and smiles, "An' deep down in dere, that old life belongs to Jin. Sure is a good pal to me."

The Mithrarin doesn't say more. Looking away, he sniffles and a tear runs down his cheek, much to Blinx's surprise.

"Erm…you alright man?"

"Y-yeah," Dust says wiping his eyes. "Yeah, I just…I got something in my eye."

Following a few more conversations and farewells to their fellow Time Sweepers, the two step foot at the side hatch of their shuttle for launch. The day is saved and the last thing left to do is make amends wherever possible. Coordinates are set for Aurora and the gates of the shield walls are open for a boost. Before they leave, Princess Lena walks over to them with her helmet tucked to her waist, putting it down to give her old rescuer a warm tearful hug. They embrace for a good few seconds which feel like an eternity before she lets go and shakes Dust's hand with a tip of her head.

"Thank you, Mithrarin."

"You're welcome Princess," he salutes.

Blinx follows along and gives a salute to the rest of his men who proudly do the same. Their final goodbye.

Thanks to the boosters at the shield walls, it wasn't long before the Firebat made it back to the village in record time. 9 o'clock sharp back in the hangar they exited from. Soon as it touched down on the main floor, Dust leaped from the cockpit with Ahrah in tow while Blinx shuts everything off, carrying Fafnir on his back along with his new Sweeper.

"You take Haley, I take Ginga'," Blinx asks.

"Yeah," Dust nods. "Just make sure to let Mordecai in on the sword later."

"Got'cha." Just before they walk out the door, Blinx stops the wolf. "Oh an' sportsy..."

"Yes?"

"I love ya, bros."

"…"

Ahrah breaks the silence. "Much appreciated."

While on his way to his home, Dust made sure to pay everyone in his path a visit to check up on them. Moska was the first to comment on the plants going mental thanks to Fuse. Reed even continued to rattle and ramble over the fight not being finished despite Fuse's death. Fidget, by now, should still be with Ori if she hasn't already, so Dust decides to get back on track to his house where Ahrah tells him, "Just leave me by the forge."

He said so a second before he gasps seeing the huge mechanical diamond smashed through the workshop! Thankfully, given everyone's comments on the fight that ensued, the Mithrarin isn't worried. He knows Haley's safe but no doubt shaken by all this right in the middle of her space. After setting the sword down and stepping in the entrance, shutting the front door and putting what's left of his tattered cape away, he's confronted by the scolding eyes of his wife sitting with her legs crossed in a chair with a single light turned on. Dramatic, but definitely gets the point across. Haley wants an explanation.

"O_O," Dust silently stared then gulped.

"Well, you made it back before midnight," says Haley. "That's a good sign."

"Heheh," he chuckles timidly. "I've got a lot of explaining to do."

"Not entirely." Haley unfolds her legs and stands up to Dust. "I figured out what was going on earlier. Question is, why not tell me and your sister about it?"

"We've fought a giant robot this morning and there turned out to be rogue Time Sweepers and thousands of soldiers out there," Dust fends. "What could you have done?"

"Why don't you ask everyone else since I was out there fighting Fuse's army of plants while you were gone? Not to mention that one guy who I think was some jealous friend of Blinx."

"Wait, so, Reed wasn't crazy when he said Ginger used a chainsaw for a weed whacker?"

Getting straight to the point, Haley pressures the wolf. "Dust, just save it. You're not really scared of someone hurting me. It's you, or more specifically, Cassius, is it?"

And no words have ever been spoken more truly than this. She knows him better than he gave credit for even as a married man. Letting out a sigh, he admits to her, "…Yes. That's exactly what happened to me and Blinx out there. I was manipulated and I almost killed him. I didn't want to invite you because…" He pauses to swallow from a crack in his voice. "…Because I don't wanna be the gun that kills you. I just wanna make sure you, Ginger, and the rest of the villagers are safe because I can't lose any of you to another Gaius war."

Haley's stern face doesn't budge. But her ears have flopped up from listening attentively. Now closer than ever, she warps her arms around Dust's shoulders and presses her lips against his. Like Blinx and Lena's warm hug, this gentle kiss lasts for, in Dust's head, hours, substituting for tears as far as letting go of his pain is concerned. Letting go of him, Haley says, "That's why I'm with you. Why else do you think Fidget, Blinx, and the rest wanna help so bad? We understand the risks, but you're not a one-man army. Together, we're a lot stronger than Gaius. And we're all here to remind you that."

Quietly, the wolf blushed and struggled to turn away to hide it. He asks, "You remember what your Dad said about me on our first date?"

"How could I forget? He said you're a nice guy, but you got a bad case of the Two-Face."

"Sure what I've felt like for a good while now."

"I know I've said it before, but as cliché as it sounds, I really wish I was there for Everdawn. I couldn't stand hearing you fought Gaius practically by yourself, and Fidget and Ginger came back in tears. One whack with the mallet doused in lava and it's over!"

"Tss," Dust cringes. "You really sure about that? Gaius was no joke."

"This coming from the guy who got bodied and almost killed by Blinx and a marauder. The same kinda guy I brought down in 12 seconds."

"12 SECONDS," he shouted when he turns back muttering, "That is pretty impressive…"

Lifting an eyebrow, Haley smirked, "Was that a compliment?"

"Haley, you're right about me. And I seriously mean that in the best possible way. This whole time, I've been thinking about how much you've done for me back home that…well…what can I do for you?" He stutters, "A-apart from me chopping down a dead, abandoned tree or getting groceries that is."

"Everyday you keep helping me with my job. But y'know what I really want?"

Dust thinks to himself, "Please don't be a baby. Please don't be a baby."

"I want you to try out your old suit."

"WOOHOO," Dust cheered than paused. "Wait…my old one? But it's gone, isn't it?"

Next to Haley's chair is a box she presents to the Mithrarin, taking out and unfolding an exact replica of his old attire, right down to the fabrics and the colors.

"I made it with some help from the Elder," she explains. "He said it's a perfect copy, just with some parts missing like your hat and boots since you already got 'em."

"This is all you want from me," Dust asks.

"All I ever wanted was to be right by your side and feel like I'm contributing. I think you've already taken care of that."

And holding the outfit gifted to him, Dust looks back at her and he smiles. Elsewhere in the village, Fale and Mordecai share a bench and look up at the moonlight with the shopkeeper leaning against the mouse.

"Is it just remarkable," Mordecai asks him. "So many stars out there, yet no matter how far, they always feel within our reach."

"Neva' took ya for a star-gazer, mate," Fale comments. "Blinx must be rubbin' off on ya."

"He sure is. You know, you certainly aren't Dust, but if I were Lady Tethys or the Elder, I would say you deserve that blade. I see no reason to sell it or let it rest as a stage prop. It seems to me the swords are finding their wielders after all."

"Been itchin' to bring that up too," says Fale. "Chum's got Fidget an' the cat-guy. Sounds like I could make my own trio with Guss an' Matt."

"That would be…interesting, if I do say so myself."

"An' hey…we've found Aquasword here. I only count two'a these things, not all five."

Mordecai rests his leg over the other and says to Fale, "Like I said, I'm certain they'll find their wielders soon."