Running Out of Time (Tommy Timetraveler AU)

Chapter 4

You guys are gonna hate us.

MEANWHILE...

XD stood in the white castle, pacing across the hall. Beside him, nervously wringing his knuckles, the Overseer stood. "There's been a disturbance. A world has already fallen, and the Revolution Era is all mixed up. We must do something, and fast."

"What do you suggest?" Death asked, reclining on a nearby couch, her face hidden by the veil she wore. XD looked at her, a snarl escaping his lips.

"Your son has caused too much damage. Let me destroy him, once and for all."

Death jumped to her feet, wings flaring, a glare replacing her clam features. "What did you say, XD?" XD stared at Death, the mask he wore giving no hint of what his facial expression was.

"He's a nuisance, and he needs to be taken care of." Death stomped towards the other, fiercely grabbing hold of the other god's cloak and yanking him forwards, forcing him to meet her blazing eyes.

"You touch my son, and it's war." XD gently shoved the shorter lady off, sighing as if a plan of his had been ruined. If this threat didn't happen on an almost daily basis, XD may have been intimidated by Death and actually considered her words.

"Fine, Death, what do you suppose we do then, hm? Let this child destroy the realms as we know it?"

Cold hands released his collar and Death stepped back, her gaze drifting to the large glass windows in the hall.

"We grow weaker each day, XD. We cannot stop the boy ourselves. But I understand. You won't let a mortal destroy everything you created. Our light dwindles as it is. But I will not allow my son to be broken before his time. What I suggest is that we bring in the other Time Traveler."

A crash echoed across the hall. Both gods turned, staring at the Overseer, who had once held a small crystal ball, jump back quickly. At his feet lay the remnants of the orb.

"Overseer? Is something wrong?" XD inquired.

"I- I can't bring him back. Not yet, XD. He isn't ready. Traveling to too many places... it could rip his mind, body, and spirit apart. I won't risk another Time Traveler," the cloaked man said. XD couldn't help but get more frustrated by the Overseer's words, looking back towards Death as if saying 'see? Disposing of the child is the only way to save the universe!'. Death couldn't help but glare at the other god.

Death hummed letting her angry gaze leave her face as she approached the guardian. "We have to take a chance. The librarian knew what he was up for when he accepted your power. He's willing to die, if it can save everyone he loves."

"And yet you protect your son," XD intervened. Death cast him another fierce glare before focusing back on the Overseer.

"Please. Call him. I will give him some of my strength, may he bring Tommy home safely."

From under the cloak blue eyes considered the goddess.

Her expression did not dwindle.

"For you, my lady," the Overseer said, and he raised his hand over the scattered remains of the crystal. They slowly rose, piecing back together before resting in his palm.

And blinding light filled the hall.

⏳️

Karl stared at Tommy's still body in worry. He had bandaged the teen up, but taking a look at his eyes made Karl wonder what was happening to the boy. It definitely was not normal to see one's eyes glowing when they are asleep. He sighed, sitting down in the seat he had next to the couch in the library. He didn't know what was happening to Tommy, let alone how to help the teen. He was stumped, worrying that Tommy may be stuck in this state forever.

He had closed his eyes for one second, and then when he opened them he was standing in a familiar marble hall, three people before him. He stood up quickly, staring at the three strangers before him. He looked around, finally recognizing where he was. But how did he get here? He had always used the portal to enter this realm, him just showing up didn't make sense to him.

"Welcome, Traveler," a smooth voice said. Karl snapped to attention, gaze flicking to the three figures. One stood taller than the rest, cloaked in an emerald green with gold trim and green and blue gems entrusting a small gold clip keeping the cloak together. Their face, covered with a hood, was replaced with a mask, and was marked with two letters: XD. Wings of pure white feathers protruded from their back, and two golden halos circled his head in the shape of an X.

Next to this weird god was a woman wearing a black dress, the skirt reaching the ground and pooling around her, and poofy sleeves covered her arms, much like Technoblade's. On top of her head was a huge hat adorned with wither-roses, a veil covering Karl's view of her face. Her hair, falling over her shoulders, was brown and curly, from what Karl could see. Black wings, like Philza's, folded on her back.

And the last was the one person the librarian recognized. The Overseer of the In-between, cloaked in his usual blue and white robe.

"Who- it couldn't- you two-" Karl was at a loss for words. He knew the two gods, he had seen one in a book of myths, and he had personally met the other. The first was a god of life, the second of death.

"You're- You're Kris- Death and XD," Karl breathed, slowly backing away. "A-Am I in trouble?!"

Death laughed, her wings ruffling. Despite Karl's fear the chuckle washed over him, smooth as silk and clear as water. He relaxed the smallest bit, though he stayed with his feet planted firmly to the ground and his eyes wide.

"No, child," XD rumbled and Karl stiffened, looking over. "You are the exact opposite. We have entrusted you with a vital task, one that will put the fate of the many realms at stake. You are the only one who can find Thomas."

"Tommy? Wh- what happened?" The two gods looked towards one another before looking back at the concerned time traveler.

"Well... He's kinda... uh, traveling to other time-periods, and might be destroying the timeline, and he could end the world as we know it." Death explained, and Karl didn't know how to process all that information at once.

"Wait- he's what?" the mortal asked, and XD huffed.

"Here, ok? If you don't stop Tommy from making the realms go boom, then we're gonna have a problem- like a HUGE problem. If you fail to stop the little shit- (At this Death mumbled, "Language.") -from breaking our world, then I'm disposing of him like I had first planned." Karl blinked.

"By dispose, do you mean-?"

"Yes, I mean that."

"Oh."

"We're going to send you to different periods of time, tracking Tommy down. Your mission is to bring him home safely, before anything goes wrong. Already your Present has been affected by his choices in the Revolutionary Era," the Overseer added. "If you fail I will bring you back to the castle, hopefully preserving some of your memories-"

Karl stepped back again. "What did you just say?"

The two nearby gods traded nervous glances.

"Karl, you know this," XD said softly. "Every time you travel, you lose a bit of yourself along the way."

"So... you're risking everything that is mine... to save the universe?" Karl whispered. "What happens if I refuse?"

Death sighed. "Then Tommy must die," she said.

A silence fell over the hall.

"Do I have a choice?" the mortal asked.