Chapter Text
Lady of the crystal and fighter of all;
Keep your mind focused and you shall never fall.
The first thing Alex felt when they landed was intense heat. It was warmer than the rainforest; like a sweltering heat that rolled over her. At least they landed on something soft and not wet this time.
Opening her eyes, she sat up and glanced around. Sand, that's all there was. Sand as far as the eye could see and the bright blue open sky. The sun was also high in the sky, beaming down upon them. Alex stood up and brushed off the sand coating her. There was a small cluster of rocks they were in front of but other than that, there was nothing but sand. She glanced down at the others who were starting to sit up and check over themselves.
Deciding to try and look around some more, Alex scrambled up the side of a nearby sand dune. Getting to the top, Alex felt irritation when all she saw was more sand. There was maybe a rock formation in the distance but Alex couldn't tell if it was real or not. Skidding back down the dune, the others were now standing and huddling in the shade of the rock formation. Everyone looked annoyed by the heat but they looked physically fine.
"Do you have any idea where we are?" Andy asked Alex when she walked over.
"I have no concrete ideas but we're in some sort of desert," she replied.
"Yeah no shit," Robin sniped, seeming more prickly than usual.
Alex rolled her eyes and continued, "I think there was some sort of big rock formation in the far distance we could head to but it's seems like quite a walk."
Aster peaked out from the shade, staring up at the sky. "I think it's best we wait at least a little bit. Walking directly under the sun in this heat is a death wish," she commented.
"And it'll give us the opportunity to change into something more comfortable," Andy stated, pulling at the collar of his turtleneck (how he wore that in the rainforest and didn't complain Alex would never know).
While they waited for time to pass, the group took turns walking around the rock structure and changing into more suitable clothing. Alex didn't change into any new clothes, all she needed to do was roll up the bottom of her dungarees and the sleeves of her top. Andy took off his turtleneck and rolled up his jeans, leaving him in his jeans, a pale green t-shirt and shoes. Aster had changed into a black sleeveless top and rolled up her leggings and had the new (old?) addition of her Flexline boots (how was it comfortable not ever wearing shoes?). Sam only removed his hoodie and bandanna, leaving him in a plain white t-shirt and his trousers and boots. Robin changed the most; he had removed his jacket, plaid shirt and rolled up his jeans, leaving him in his jeans, a maroon red sleeveless top and trainers.
On a side note, the young wizard looked absolutely miserable. From what she'd gathered, Robin didn't originally live in Avant City but lived somewhere up north. He must not be used to the heat. He'd be fine though, they'd all be fine if they were smart. Alex leaned back against the cold stone and waited for time to pass.