9. Dust Is Our Friend

CHAPTER Nine Dust Is Our Friend Thomp! Thomp! The giant clomped up the hills toward the Oobja village. Batamogi waddled as fast as his short legs could carry him. His whiskers curled in fear. "I hope we can save my people!" Julie raced next to him, her black helmet shining in the afternoon sun. "We'll save them. Don't worry." Wham! Bam! Zor hurled boulders at the kids. "Well, okay. Worry a little!" Julie said, pulling the king out of the way just as a boulder crashed nearby. They dashed through the pass and into the village before Zor got there.

The Oobja were hiding in their homes. The kids rushed to the big wooden wheel. Batamogi ran to the control stick. "Princess Julie, the honor is yours!" Julie nodded, then pulled the control stick as Neal had done before. Errrch! The Wind Wheel began to turn. It spun faster and faster. Whooosh! A dark funnel of dust started up from the middle of the wheel. It rose high into the sky, spinning like a tornado. "I'm good at controlling things," Max chirped. "Let me help." He wrapped his eight legs around the control stick and pulled hard.

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King Batamogi joined him. Whooosh! The dust funnel shot up the hillside. Then, there he was. Zor. His giant bronze head peered between two peaks. He hoisted himself up and climbed through. "ARRR!" he bellowed down at them. Just as he lifted his giant foot to stomp the village, the dust storm spun up at him. Zor raised his giant arms in front of his face. He backed away, pawing at the spinning wind. "He can't see," Eric said. "It's working!" Zor backed up to the summit of the highest hill. He shielded his eyes with one hand and swatted the brown spinning air with the other. Still the dust storm came at him. Zor stepped backward once more. Krrrakk! The ledge beneath him gave way. "AHHH!" the giant screamed. He tumbled backward off the mountain and hit the valley below with a thundering crash. BOO-OOM! Batamogi and Max slowed the wheel. The dust storm died away. The village fell quiet. The kids rushed down to the giant metal man. His bronze body was cracked and crumpled. He shuddered, then lay still.

His giant lips quivered. "Shh, everyone," Eric said, creeping slowly closer. "Zor's going to say something." "A… A… Agrah-Voor!" the giant said. He breathed a single long breath. Then he spoke no more. He trembled once, and his dark eyes closed. "What's Agrah-Voor?" Neal asked. KKKK! The sky turned red above them. "Never mind that! Sparr is coming!" said Julie. A second later, Sparr shot down from the sky. He landed on the dusty plain next to Zor. His face was filled with anger. His purple fins turned black. "He doesn't look happy," Neal muttered. The spiky points running back from the middle of Sparr's head seemed to glow bloodred. "Ah, my Zor, my Zor! Giant man of bronze," Sparr said. "For ages you have lain asleep, waiting to do my will! And now…" "Yeah, sorry he's all broken up," Eric said. "Bring the garbage truck," Neal added. Sparr turned. "You puny children think you have beaten me? This is just the beginning. You will never win. Now tell me what Zor said!"

Eric made a zipper motion across his mouth. Julie shook her head and crossed her arms. "Tell me!" Sparr commanded. "Or else." Finally, Neal raised his hand. "Zor said…" "What?" the sorcerer shrieked. Neal frowned. "He said you should…" "Yes?" the sorcerer said. "He said you should get a life!" Neal finished. Sparr rose up over Neal. His eyes flashed with terrible anger. "Those were your last words, you foolish child. Now, all of you, prepare to meet your doom!" Eric gulped and turned to Neal and Julie. "Doom. That's not really a good thing, is it?" Neal shook his head. "I'm pretty sure it's not."