DUST AND THE SWEEPER

Chapter 14 - The Journey

EMERGENCY! The Time Sweepers and Tom Toms make their escape from New Momentopolis as it crumbles under its weight from the tremendous earthquakes! Megastructures already fail to stay afloat but were thankfully the first to be evacuated. The World Ships, having risen from their bonds, slowly exit the world's atmosphere. And the rest of the city is emptied of all personnel. All apart from three in the rapidly shaking tower. Together, Picaro and Princess Lena head back to Central Processing where Aegis' brain awaits a transfer.

"All personnel have been accounted for," said the program. "I am unable to reacquire access to the World Ships at this time. Beginning transfer…"

"I sure hope this works," Picaro said, placing an orb into the power module.

In a few seconds, Aegis is uploaded while one of the automated racks in the chamber with them unloads an endoskeleton of one of the drones from the factories below. Very little time is left to complete it, so Lena inserts the makeshift brain into its cranium, immediately activating the Administrator's new droid body. Though flimsy, he steadies himself enough to quickly pull himself along with the duo to the exit where one of the dropships is waiting. As the facility shuts down without Aegis to operate, all the supports to the main brain come asunder, sending the supercomputer plummeting floor by floor deep into the tower! Lena, Picaro, and the rebuilt Administrator get onboard the ship just in time before the entire factory leans, making a nasty crash on its side large enough to break through the city walls and into the wastelands! The citizens evacuated watch as, yet again, they have to say goodbye to their home, coupled with an explosion engulfing the metropolis.

"We just can't get a break, can we," Chron bemoaned on the radio.

"Do not fear," assured the Admin. "There are two more locations where we can re-establish command. I believe Blinx can help us when we arrive in Aurora Village."

"Yeah, and Half and Half is right around the corner," noted Jimmy over communications.

"Then we'd better make sure they're accounted for," said Aniki. "Cino said the tremors stretch across the whole world. There's no telling what's going on with the ships and mechs reactivating."

Catherine in the ship with him and NecoJi nods, "Veeeery spooky."

"Let's hope young lad's still out there to greet us."

In a desert, Trio's time portal spawns where everyone can land, starting with Dust, then Blinx, Fale, Ginger, and Haley. They sit up, trying to get their bearings when Fidget is last to be launched like a projectile into each of them before the gate closes.

"Uuugh," Blinx moaned as he shook his head. "That's the last time I'm hoppin' through history."

Helping Ginger up and Haley up, Dust asks, "You two alright?"

"Arm's hurt, but I'll live," Haley replied.

"Least ya don't have a cracked spine like I do," Blinx smirked as he turned pulling up his jacket to show the brace on his back.

"I should have foreseen this," says Ahrah. "I've felt a disturbance since our previous adventure. But I could never pinpoint what it was."

"Neither could we," said Fale. "Sure, Mordecai said a few odd things 'ere an' there, but he's like that sometimes. Where are we anyway?"

"Good question," Blinx replied. "I thought she said she'd take us to the year 30 trillion. But it feels like…I dunno. Same time, different place?"

He checks his Sweeper clock and Fidget observes the land.

"She also said she's rusty," Fidget added. "Maybe she messed up."

"I…don't believe that is the case," Ahrah thought. "By the terrain, it almost feels like the plains where I was forged, long before your time."

Ginger asks, "You're not saying she's thrown us back in time, are you?"

"Evidently."

"He ain't wrong," answered the Time Sweeper. "My Sweeper's been messed with. The parameters were set too high like she wanted to knock us forward, but we went backwards."

"From what I glanced, I think Teth…or…Mina, had something to do with it," said Dust.

"Exactly how far," asked the Nimbat.

Blinx replied, "200+ years."

"Oh, that's not to bad. WAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!"

"Ey, chill! I can get us outta 'ere. Just as long as I can find a new time crystal…in the middle of a desert...on a hot sunny day."

All in attendance stand in absolute silence.

"You can scream."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"

"ENOUGH," Ahrah shouts! "You must conserve your energy. Don't waste it here."

"Well, what're we supposed to do," Dust asked. "Search all day for parts that aren't here?!"

Fidget panicked, "I'll never get to see my Ori again!"

"We'll die from heat exhaustion," Ginger yelled.

Out of nowhere, Fale whines, "I'm gonna lose my husband to an evil space witch!"

That immediately gets everyone to stop and question him by looking at his face curiously.

"What…? We ain't allowed to be honest?"

Haley is the only one who hasn't bothered to breakdown from the situation. Her attention is drawn to the vastness of the desert when she spots a cloud of smoke from the mountains far from view.

"Hold on," she pointed. "See that smoke where I'm pointing? If nothing's out here, there wouldn't be any. There's probably a village someone in those mountains."

"Like a beacon," Dust realized. "Haley, that's perfect! How'd you know that?!"

"Uh, hello? I'm a blacksmith. You think you'd know a thing or two from living with me."

"So we just run over there and find help, right," asked Ginger.

Her brother nodded, "Yep."

"Great! Let's go!"

Ginger takes a step and quickly bounces back, barely cutting her sole when it touches Fafnir lying on the ground!

"OW!"

"Right. Fafnir's here," Fidget said. "And Fale, you still got the water sword on you!"

"Hey, yeah," he smiled. "Get ready!"

With a wave of Aquaritus, Fale attempts to summon water for the gang. …Nothing. All it does is puff droplets from its tip.

"Aw, what gives?!"

Ahrah explains, "I'm afraid it won't function without any form of liquid around to bend."

"That's crazy! I did it just a minute ago! Plus wata's scientifically in the air!"

"Y'probably got away with it cause it rained," Blinx shrugged. "But that's aight. We'll just keep swingin' Ahrah around to keep us cool."

"I am not a fan," the sword groaned.

"And Fafnir's not a heater," Dust smirked.

The entire village of Aurora continues to shape itself into something unholy. While not every home is ruined, nearly everyone has been evacuated, journeying to the entrance of the outskirts where the Mayor is regrouping the guards and prisoners. Commander Criteous is among them, still shaking more than Reed surprisingly about Trio's return. And some of the Moonblood soldiers along with Colleen tend to any wounded, like Matti and Sanjin.

"YOUCH," Avgustin winced from the pain in his cheek!

Colleen rests a cloth over his bruise. "Aw, don't be such a baby. It's just a little blister."

By the exit, the Elder observes the now purple skies and alien fauna wrapping around the trees and stone.

"So she has returned," the Elder gripped his staff. "I've dreaded this day. If only we knew where the Mithrarin and Time Sweeper were taken."

"Tethys said she rewound that time portal," Sanjin replied. "Passed out before she could tell me the rest."

"Even she's no help now," Avgustin worried.

"Not that she isn't any. Her Mom's stronger than all of us, including her. I know Fale's right there with her on how upset they are."

"Nya," Matti agreed.

Confident, Bram says, "I've got a feeling they'll be back before we know it. Not the first time they disappeared. We just need to work out what to do next while they're gone."

As if on cue, a swift wind breezes over the crowd, followed by a SHOOM from a dropship! So many ships rocket into the village so fast the people barely have time to react. Each shuttle is painted with a Time Factory insignia, letting everyone know they aren't affiliated with Gaius despite using some of the same technology. The one in command slowly hovers down in front of the exit for its leadership to greet the civilians.

"Sorry if we scared anyone," Aniki smirked. "We're…"

"The Time Sweepers," the Elder finished and smiled. "It's good to see you all together again."

"Great to be together, sir," he replied, shaking the Moonblood's hand.

"I take it we're on the same page to do with Trio," Bram asked.

"Trio," Lena wondered.

"Blinx and our local Goddess knew her. She said she was the Goddess of Time and Space."

"They're HERE," Picaro barked! "For real?! Last time we heard from 'em, they almost had the universe deleted cause of Benito's mess. And she's back doing this?"

"That would explain the weird satellites and time crystals buried here," Cino said stroking his beard.

"We've got a lot to catch up on," said the Mayor. "But first thing's first. Our town's got a weed infestation. We're headed to the isle for now. Maybe we can all set up shop while we're at it."

"Sounds like a plan," the Princess nodded. "The last place we could've stationed in was totaled."

She turns on her communications from her wrist gauntlet. "I want every engineer in the isle across that bridge. We'll work closely with the people to make sure everyone's accommodated."

It's been two hours and a half since the gang started wandering through the scorching desert yet they've hardly reached the mountain border.

Dust grunts as he walks, "So…much…sand! The one thing Gaius could take but not me."

"This makes me wish I wore shoes today," Haley confessed.

"Surprisingly, it's not my feet that burn," said Ginger. "It's my head..."

Abruptly, Ginger collapses into Blinx's arms! Her weight causes even him to fall on one knee trying to steady himself.

"Ginga'?"

Dust starts waving Ahrah around to generate some air but she's out like a light.

"She's exhausted," the sword said. "We'll need to carry her as we go. Thankfully, it seems we're almost there."

"He's right," Fidget sighs while slowly hovering down. "Only a few more…hours…"

PLOP!

Even the Nimbat passes out from heat exhaustion, landing firmly atop Dust's hat.

Ahrah corrects himself. "Alright. We'll need to carry both of them."

Fale helps Blinx lift Ginger and asks him, "Can ya fast forward us a little, mate?"

"Not when my battery's melted. The lady got us good, I'll give 'er that."

"Just remember," Haley said. "When we get there, Fidget won't smell like roasted Nimbat and we'll have food and…water. Fale, you really sure you can't give us at least a drop?"

"I can try again. Hold on."

Fale whips out his sword again, and with a few waves is able to generate only a few drops of water from the cutting edge of it. Blinx, Dust, and Haley open up so it lands on their tongues, but when Fale gets the chance, he finally succumbs to the heat and collapses.

"Gee, an' I thought he was more prepared than all of us," Blinx snarked.

The remaining two Warmbloods faintly land on their knees, steading themselves before Haley falls asleep. Dust keeps Ahrah planted in the ground to keep himself up, but not for long now. Blinx holds him by the face and says, "Don't tell me I gotta carry all'o you to safety."

"To think the mother of the entire universe was hiding out here the entire time," Dust sorely spoke. "I-If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't exist."

"Neither would I, mac. Guess she wasn't kiddin' when she said she's a force o' nature. Doubt the timeline goin' bad's been the only thing keepin' her busy though."

"It's not," the wolf coughed. "Sounds to me like she would've done all this…either way. Sounds insane but…I'm beginning to wonder if she had something to do with the war here too."

"Well, I dunno if I'd take it that far. I'm convinced Garry was just crazy."

"Gaius…"

"You call him one thing, I'll call 'im anotha'," Blinx grinned.

"…"

"Sportsy…?"

Dust finally faints into the sand, dropping Fidget beside him. All that remains is Blinx, still stood firmly from the shock of his friends giving up so soon. The heat is unbearable, but the Cat-Sith is able to fan him and everyone else with Ahrah as best he can for the journey ahead.

"Looks like it's all on us, huh sword?"

"It won't be 5 more hours judging by the sunlight before nightfall," said the blade.

"Well, I guess I'll have ta get creative. Maybe with enough wind we can make a fort, or…"

As the Time Sweeper faces the cliffs, he spots something dark speeding across the plains like a motorcycle, leaving a trail of dust behind. Blinx's eyes widen and he yells, "Hey, someone's over dere!"

"I see them too!"

Blinx waves his arms, "HEY! HEEEEEY!"

Realizing they can't hear from his distance, he combines the powers of Ahrah and Fafnir to launch a fireball near the speedster's line of sight. Fortunately, they've noticed and proceed to turn to the gang's direction!

"YES! We're gonna make it, sportsy! We're go…" His jaw quickly hangs. The rocketing Nimbat makes it to him in a few moments, then leaps in the air for a punch!