Warm sunlight washed over the rocky mining grounds, highlighting the machinery. Rays of sunlight peeked through the overcast sky. The clouds slowly dissipated until the sun vibrantly shined. The peace was quickly sliced by a soaring craft and a thrilled howl.

Jim threw his head back as the wind blasted his face. He swerved his solar surfer to the right and ascended a steep plateau. He pressed his foot back, swiftly lowering the sail. Adrenaline rushed as gravity took hold and pulled him back. He let the abrupt force weigh him down until he was a decent distance from the ground. He reached out to a large, polished pole and launched himself forward as he quickly stepped back, releasing the sail. He gripped the sail's handle and dove down to the ground. Before he could crash into the terrain, he eased the solar surfer down and landed it on the ground.

A pair of wide eyes gawked at him. A girl slouched back as the boy beside her sprung up with an enthusiastic fist in the air. A gelatinous pink blob floated eagerly and bolted towards Jim with welcoming chirps.

"Damn, Jim, you really gave that old thing some updates, huh?" the boy exclaimed.

Jim chuckled as he pushed back his windblown hair. "Yeah, I guess."

"Never seen you not wanting death, Hawkins," the girl teased as she leaned forward with a grin.

"Yeah, Hailey's right, never seen you actually enjoy yourself."

"Things are different, Kyle," Jim leapt off the surfer and approached the other teens. He barely got a step off before the little creature gave him a sloppy lick on the cheek. "Cut it out, Morph," he laughed.

Morph hovered over Jim with wide, curious eyes. Hailey propped her feet up on a stray piece of machinery.

"I mean, you did find a mysterious planet that was thought to be a legend, so I'm ironically surprised," Hailey said, "and you haven't gotten arrested in, what, six months? That's a record, Hawkins."

"Give the guy a rest," Kyle retorted, "he's redeemed himself pretty well."

Jim rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

Hailey stood up and put her hands on her hips. She pouted while she scrutinized Jim. "You also don't look like the undead for once, too."

Jim shrugged a shoulder. "It's good to be alive."

"Don't doubt it." Hailey replied. She kicked at the ground as she strode over to the solar surfer. "So," she started, gesturing to the craft, "you going to take her for another spin?"

"Not until I get some extra parts," Jim responded.

Morph swirled towards Hailey and Kyle. He giddily swirled around them while Jim got below his solar surfer.

"It's already pretty decked out, Hawkins," Hailey scoffed. "What else do you need?"

Jim fiddled with a few of the cables at the bottom of the surfer. "Just some more of these cables." he slid out from underneath and stood back up, facing Hailey. "And I'll be flying so fast, that I'll make my way across the planet in ten seconds."

Hailey jutted her hip to the side. "Hmm, can't wait for you to prove that, loser."

"I'll prove it."

"Sure." Hailey brushed back her bangs as she approached her brother. "Hey, Kyle!"

Kyle's head shot out from the other side of the solar sail, as did Morph's. Hailey signaled to him and both her brother and the pet hurried to the other two.

"Hey, kid, you cool with going to tell Mom that I'll be back later. Going to help Hawkins here get some crap."

Kyle sighed. "I want to come with."

"Kyle," Jim stood beside his friend, "it's fine. I'll show you how to fly one of these when it's finished. Sound cool?"

The younger boy's eyes lit up. He looked back at Hailey with a demonic smirk. "Well then, see you losers later!" He said with a salute before he bolted away.

Morph burst out in squealing laughter. Hailey snarled under her breath.

"Hey!" she shouted. "That's my job!"

Jim laughed as Hailey turned back to him with a balled up fist. Jim looked down at her hand and then to her fiery amber eyes.

"You want me to punch you?"

Before he could respond, Hailey punched him in the arm. Surprisingly for her small frame, Hailey still knocked the wind out of him. He looked down at the devious girl. Her nose crinkled.

"What?" she asked.

"Are you ready to go or what?"

Hailey puffed out a breath. "Sure, sure. Better get moving, huh?"

"Says the one who wasted five minutes insulting me." Jim muttered loud enough for her to hear.

Hailey slapped him in the arm again. "Hey!"

Jim quickly leapt onto his solar surfer. He raised an eyebrow as Hailey jumped on and threw her arms around his waist. Morph dove into Jim's pocket.

"Okay, I'm on."

Before Hailey could utter another insult, Jim slammed his foot back and the surfer catapulted into the air. Hailey shrieked and wrapped her arms tighter around him. She muttered exhilarated and horrified curses under her breath. They soared for a few minutes before the abandoned mines turned into the small town they knew too well. Jim took a sharp turn into the town with an excited shriek from Hailey. He maneuvered the solar surfer to the ground, to the entrance of a mechanic shop. Before the surfer landed, Hailey sprung off with a hysterical laugh.

"Now I see why you're always riding that stupid thing!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah, you definitely earned the courage badge back there." Jim responded as he landed the surfer.

Hailey put her hands on her hips. "You calling me a wuss?"

Jim smiled at her smugly. "Yeah."

Hailey raised a fist, but quickly dropped it to her side. "Fine, I'll let this one slide."

Morph launched out of Jim's pocket as Jim opened the door. The pair entered the shop through a creaky wooden door. An alien with spindly tentacles was passed out at the counter with a book draped over her eyes. Jim chuckled under his breath before turning to find his friend was gone.

"Whoa…" Hailey hummed from a part of the store.

Jim approached her and noticed her gawking at a large gear hung on one of the walls.

"So this is the crap those miners use?" she inquired as she ran her hand along the side of it.

"Yeah, but there haven't been a lot of miners coming in for those lately."

Hailey nodded. "Right."

She pulled her hand away from the gear. Jim stared ahead at the gear.

"Yeah," He rubbed the back of his neck. "Ok, I'm just gonna grab those cables. I'll be right back."

"Take your time, loser." Hailey replied. "We all know this is your equivalent to a fancy jewelry store or something."

Jim rolled his eyes as he walked few aisles to the back. The store always had the same layout, but it made it easy to find whatever he needed. He honed in on the area where the cables were located.

After he plucked the last fine cable, he froze. He pulled his hand back and lowered his head. Morph whined from his side. He proceeded to quickly grab the cable.

"Hey, look, guess who's shoplifting again."

Jim groaned as he got up and turned around. He huffed out a breath through his flared nostrils. Morph chattered anxiously. He kept his eyes off of the fair alien boy as he walked towards the front of the store.

"You just gonna walk out with all those precious pieces?"

Jim's gait stuttered as his teeth clenched.

"You ignoring me, Hawkins?"

Jim kept his eyes focused on the aisle ahead of him.

"Hey!"

An aggressive hand yanked Jim back and spun him around until he faced the pale alien. Morph emitted a high-pitched growl. Jim looked back up at his opponent, doing his best to keep everything under control.

"Look, Ryan," he started. "I'm not here to get in any fights. Just leave me alone."

He turned around, but not before Ryan grabbed him again.

"Think you're so tough, huh?" Ryan chortled.

Jim yanked his arm out of the alien teen's hand. "Leave me alone." He repeated.

"And let the Flounders' get robbed? You're a criminal, a creature of habit!"

"Things are different. Leave me alone."

"Are they really?"

Ryan diabolically grinned as he weaved his way in front of Jim. Morph sunk down to Jim's shoulder with a whimper.

"Hey!"

All eyes shot to the front of the store, where Hailey fumed. Ryan chuckled as he pushed past Jim.

"Hailey Santiago," Ryan started as he welcomingly opened his arms. "Didn't expect to see you h—"

"Shut up, Ryan, and do me a little favor called 'leave him alone or I'll punch you.'" Hailey snapped.

Ryan lowered his head with a frown. "Hailey, I don't get you sometimes. You're smart and pretty, yet you hang around a mindless criminal like Jim." He gestured to the tense human teenager to his side.

Hailey clenched her fists. "At least I'm not a shallow prick!"

"It's got to be a human thing." Ryan scoffed. "I mean, you humans are pack animals."

"Oh, now you're going to be speciesist? Fantastic!" Hailey cried, throwing her arms up in the air.

"Humans are a fascinating species, I must admit."

Jim's tense shoulders loosened as he followed the voice to a neighboring aisle. Jim squinted as he saw the silhouette of a surreal figure, distinctly alien, but also so human that it made one think twice before realizing it. The alien man stood tall and had a piercing, yet warm gaze. He was very tall with close-cropped white hair. A scar marked his forehead, which only made his gaze somewhat more intimidating. He had a few small, rusty gears in his hands.

"I overheard some chatter. Is everything alright?"

Everyone was silent for a few moments.

"No, everything's fine." Jim quickly said.

The alien man shot him a skeptical look before his gaze loosened on the teenager. Jim furrowed his brows as the man's stare lingered. The alien man blinked before returning to his harsh look.

"Sorry about that," he stated. "You just seem familiar."

"It's fine." Jim replied shortly.

The man nodded firmly. "You seem like a fine young man, could I please get your name?"

"Jim."

"Ah, interesting." The man rubbed his chin inquisitively. "And what are you doing here?"

Jim presented the cables. "Just making repairs."

"Oh, so you have a student job at the mines?"

"No, it's more of a hobby." Jim said as he pulled back the cables.

The man bobbed his head. "I see, so you're an engineer?"

Jim fiddled with the cables in his hand. "Never considered myself one."

"Well, if your spending your time working with gears and gadgets, I'd assume you are."

The man hardily patted Jim on the back, nearly forcing the breath out of the teen.

"It's nice getting to know you, Jim. You better run on home though, I caught wind that there might be a storm in the next hour."

Jim nodded dumbly. The man strode into the other aisle, leaving the group of teenagers alone. Jim glanced over at Morph, who had slunk out from behind the teen's back. He looked over at Hailey, who still had her fists balled up. Jim hit Ryan with a final glare as he silently turned around with Hailey and Morph following behind. He headed towards the front counter, held in his shaking breath before letting it out.

He calmly purchased the cables from Mrs. Flounders, the store owner and after exchanging a few sentences of small talk he promptly left with his friend. As they walked down the main road, Hailey roughly tapped Jim on the arm.

"You're leaving tomorrow?" Hailey asked.

Jim nodded with a hesitant smile. "Yeah."

"And when are you coming back again?"

Jim's eyes drifted to the side. "Probably not for two, three months."

"That's not that bad." Hailey turned her head to Jim. "You nervous?"

Jim chuckled. "What makes you think that I—"

Hailey's brows furrowed. Jim looked away as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yeah, guess I kind of am."

Silence sliced between the friends. Even Morph, who had been babbling rapidly and dashing around had quieted down. Jim shoved his hands in his pockets, feeling his chest twist. He glanced over at Hailey. Her pace eased and she embraced herself, rubbing her bare arms. Jim looked up at the cloudy sky and grunted lowly. Jim pulled off his jacket.

"Here," he said, getting Hailey's attention. "You want this?"

"Nah," Hailey said, quieter than usual. "I'll be…fine…"

Jim flinched at her response. "Hailey, there's something wrong."

"What makes you think that?" she asked.

"I'm not an idiot, you're not acting like yourself."

Hailey's eyebrows scrunched more and her nose wrinkled. She sighed as she looked directly at her friend.

"Look, Jim, I just—" she paused as she slowly turned her head. "—I'm gonna miss you. You've been there for me when nobody else was."

A meek smile crossed Jim's face. "Trust me, you've done more than a lot of people have."

A raindrop fell on the ground. Another few landed in Jim's hair, shoulders, and face. He looked up at the start of a shower.

Hailey walked a few steps ahead before whipping her head around. "C'mon, loser, wanna get home before you get soaked?"

Jim rushed forward, instantly passing Hailey and nearly knocking her over at the same time. He heard her happily growl, "You jerk!" as she quickly caught up to him.

Hailey returned home, barely rained on. Jim had to trek a little further away and by the time he returned home, he was drenched. Morph had taken refuge in his pocket, but didn't seem too affected by Jim's waterlogged clothes. The parrot-like blob's noises were garbled as he peeked out of the pocket and received a pat on the head from his owner. Jim returned his attention to the heavy wooden door and pushed it open.

The inn was cozy, with pleasant heat radiating around the dining area. Morph slunk out of Jim's pocket as he drifted around the teenager.

"Must be nice to be dry, huh?"

Morph giggled as he nuzzled Jim's cheek. The boy slowly crept to the stairs, but he was quickly pulled back into a pair of metallic arms.

"Oh, Jimmy, it's so good to see you again!"

Jim glowered as the robot arms nearly suffocated him. He wrangled out of the arms and faced the wide-eyed robot. Before he could speak another pair of arms wrapped around him. He didn't try to escape the loving, gentle grasp. The arms let him go. He turned to face his smiling mother, Sarah. She brushed away a strand of his damp bangs.

"Looks like it rained on you."

"Yeah," Jim said. "Hailey was the lucky one."

"Hey, sis who is it?" a stern voice called from the kitchen.

"It's just Jim, Emily," Sarah called

A woman with wild red hair and observant green eyes poked her head from the kitchen. "Ah, dammit, James," she groaned. "You're getting the floor wet!"

Before he could say anything, she pointed to the stairs.

"Go get changed. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes."

Jim looked back at his mother with a meek smile. Sarah shook her head as she stifled a laugh.

"That's Aunt Emily for you," she whispered. "She's right though, go get into something warm and come downstairs."

"Thanks, Mom," Jim replied as he hurried up the stairs.

When he got to the top of the stairs, he ran directly to the guest room he'd taken over for the past few months. Morph hovered alongside him as Jim opened the door.

The room was sparse, with a few belongings he managed to have after the former inn burnt to the ground. Wind gusted into the room from the open window. Jim hurried to the window and shut it, making sure to lock it.

"That's weird," he mumbled. "I swore I locked it."

The teenager thought nothing more of it as he approached the dresser on the other side of his room and took out dry clothing. He pulled the dry clothes onto his freezing body, savoring the newfound warmth. Morph perched himself on top of the dresser, looking away out of courtesy. After he was dressed, Jim sauntered to the door. He turned back, motioning to Morph to join him.

Morph froze in place with a whimper.

The floorboards creaked.

Jim's eyes widened. His heart stopped. He didn't look back, in hopes that he didn't hear that.

"You've got a nice body, has anyone ever told you that?" A feminine voice asked.

Jim spun around with a gasp. A figure in baggy clothing stood at the far end of the room, shrouded by the shadows of the unlit room. The stranger tipped their tricorn hat lower.

"What?" she drawled. "You afraid of the dark?"

Jim backed into the window. "W—who—?"

"Doesn't matter who I am," the girl said. "All I care about is where it is."

Jim gawked at her.

"Don't act stupid," she snapped. "Where is it?"

"Where is what?"

The girl snarled. "Rumor has it that there was a map—a map that led to the legendary Treasure Planet. Am I wrong?"

Jim scowled. "Yeah. You are."

The young woman was silent. The quietness unsettled Jim, as he felt her eyes piercing from under the hat and above her long coat.

"So that's how it's going to be, huh?" she said, stronger than she had before. She drew a hand behind her back. "Maybe I'll have to get an answer out of you."

A glint reflected from her hand. Jim quickly lunged forward, only for the girl to dodge him. He whirled around to a hand thrusting a knife towards his face. He dove down and the girl stabbed the wall. A hand snatched him by the arm. The girl's small, delicate hand had a firm, relentless grip. Jim struggled to shove her off. The teenager kicked back and she grunted. That still didn't get her off of him and he felt a sting on his arm. With a final twist of his arm, the girl released. Jim looked down at the blood dripping from his arm. When he looked up, the girl stood by the window, cackling.

"You put up more of a fight than I thought you would!" she said. "Maybe now isn't the best time for this little visit." She mockingly saluted him as she climbed out the window.

Jim bolted to the window and looked down. The young woman ran from the base of the inn and to a longboat tied up a few feet away. Jim's attention quickly averted to his bloody arm. He cursed under his breath as he pressed down on it and made his way to the neighboring bathroom. He opened up one of the cabinets and extracted a medical kit. The teen wrapped up his arm with gauze until blood didn't seep through.

"Damn, that's deeper than I thought," he mumbled as he stood up.

Jim lumbered out of the bathroom. A series of affectionate licks covered his face, but abruptly stopped to a low whine. Morph's eyes directed at Jim's bandaged arm.

"It's okay, Morph, I just—my arm got caught on a gear, that's all."

Morph's eyes still lingered, but the blob drifted to Jim's side and nestled down on his shoulder. Jim walked back to his room. Fortunately, there weren't any bloodstains and he didn't need a lecture about it from Aunt Emily. Before leaving, Jim double-checked that the windows were closed and he walked out of the room.

Before he could walk down the last step, B.E.N. sprung in front of him with a gasp.

"What was going on up there?"

"W—nothing!" Jim replied quickly.

"There was something going on, don't hide it!" the robot exclaimed.

Jim looked up to his mother and aunt eying him watchfully. Aunt Emily put a hand on her hip.

"Are you sure, because it sounded like something happened," Sarah added.

Jim nodded. "Yeah, I know, I just accidentally knocked something over. It's fine."

Aunt Emily kept her eyes on him as he approached the table. He took a plate from his mother's hands.

"It's okay, Mom, I've got it."

"Oh, thanks," she chuckled.

Sarah continued to the other side of the table, passing her sister. Aunt Emily grabbed Sarah by the arm and whispered in her ear. Jim didn't catch what she said, nor did he catch what his mother's response was. As Jim finished setting the table, Sarah came up behind him and wrapped her arms around him. She grasped him tight.

"I'm going to miss you."

At first, the sudden embraced shocked Jim, but he turned around returned the gesture. He let it seep in as the realization struck him. Sarah let him go, pushing back as she looked up at her son.

"I can't believe you're leaving tomorrow," she said softly. "And that you're going off to the Interstellar Academy."

"Yeah, it's gonna be different." Jim said.

"Different? Jim, it's an honor to be not only accepted but recommended to that Academy." Sarah embraced her son again, this time her voice wavered, "I always knew you'd do something great. I'm so proud of you."

Sarah embraced him a second time. This time, warm droplets fell on Jim's neck. Sarah lingered longer this time, clinging tighter than she had before. The rambling mumbles from Morph and the boisterous banter from B.E.N. ceased. Sarah pulled away and cupped her son's face in her hand.

"I hope I've told you that." Sarah said delicately

Jim leaned into her hand. "You did. A lot."

Sarah quickly grabbed her son and kissed him on the forehead. "Congratulations, Jim."