A/N: Well? Who liked it, who didn't? Come on, people, there's about five to seven hundred of you in the Treasure Planet viewer community (which isn't a lot considering this is a world wide site) so I need at least one of you to tell me if I'm murdering Treasure Planet.
Disclaimer: I do not own Treasure Planet.
"B.E.N.! Get out of my bag!" Jim yelled impatiently, pulling the robot out of his— actually, Doppler's— bag.
"Whhhaaa!" The robot yelled as Jim threw him backwards. As soon as he was able, though, he latched himself onto Jim's waist like a three year old, trying (but failing miserably) to look like one as he pouted and gave his case, "But… but, Jimmy, I thought we were best friends. You… you can't brave the STA all alone…"
"B.E.N.," Jim said with mock patience, "Do you know what the STA stands for?"
"Space Travel Academy, Jimmy o' buddy." B.E.N. beamed for getting something right.
"And do you know what the STA is?"
B.E.N.'s eyes faded out slightly as he collected data, then came back as he spoke with increasing eagerness, "As all boys school until five years ago, now the academy accepts girls, though at this present time there are only two hundred twenty in a school of seven hundred fifty one. Teaches young pilots, gunmen, first mates, and…"
"Exactly, and are you any of those things?" Jim said, crossing his arms.
"Erm… well that depends… I fiddled with those wires back on the ship…"
"Heh…Yeah, and almost got me killed!" Jim said, packing another set of pants (which looked exactly the same as every other pair of pants, because they were delivered to him when he came back from the Voyage. Fire did not make good soap) into his bag.
"Bububububububu…" B.E.N. began stuttering.
"Robot, cease your incessant blathering," both B.E.N. and Jim stood and straightened up, as if someone had magically replaced their spines (or, in B.E.N.'s case, spinal circuitry) as their former-captain entered the room. Amelia's clothes, though not the Captain's garb she usually wore, was still perfectly clean and neat, though odd to see on one who seemed disappear outside of her profession, like seeing a teacher outside of school. Her eyes flickered briefly to Jim's over-large, badly packed suitcase before turning back to the robot. "Out." This one word sent B.E.N. who, as a robot, was essentially impervious to any attack, scuttling out of them room like a beaten dog.
When there was no sign of the simpering robot, Amelia raised her fist to her mouth and gave a light cough, to ensure Jim's full attention. "Right… er… Jim Hawkins, I'm not particularly good at this sort of thing, but," Amelia's bright blue eyes softened, "I'm proud of you."
Jim was completely speechless. "Wha…"
Amelia gave him a little smile before straightening her hair and shirt. "Yes well, I decided that since you seem to be willing to grow up, and make no mistake, you shall mature most rapidly at the Space Travel Academy, I should give you back something you've lost."
Jim frowned; he had not lost anything, as far as he knew, "What did I…"
"This." Amelia reached into an invisible pocket and pulled something out.
Jim eyes grew wide as shaking hands reached for the object. He turned it over in his hands in wonderment as he gazed at his blurry reflection. It was amazing in his eyes, it was dangerous in the hands of the malicious, and it was destroyed. So what was it doing here?
"The map?" Jim gasped as his throat finally became unglued.
Amelia smiled. "I had Delbert take a look at it. Apparently, it has a built-in preservation instinct system. It probably felt the seismic vibrations from the exploding planet and moved itself to catch the ship as it passed. This thing is quite resourceful. Quite like its new owner." Jim's heart dropped. He looked up to Amelia's face to find her smiling warmly at him. "Mr. Hawkins, I hope that you will take good care of that little piece of machinery." She added in an undertone, "I'll say this once more, we're all very proud of you."
Jim nodded. "I won't let you down," he said in a detached voice.
Amelia frowned for a moment and leaned down speak to him. "Jim, he's not coming back."
Jim frowned. "I know," he responded quietly.
Amelia straightened and gave him one last concerned look before leaving.
Jim sighed and sunk down on the cot that his mother normally occupied. He turned the map over and over in his hands, thinking about everything and nothing; feeling the weight of the new responsibilities thrust upon him and the light bliss of complete happiness of one reaching one's goals.
Letting out a frustrated huff, Jim quickly moved his hands, pressing buttons at random and at the same time, casting his heart out like bait on a fishing line, wanting to see the stars. The neon green illumination that eerily lit the room was like a warm and comforting fire on a cold day.
Jim flopped back onto the bed and watched as the planets floated by in their little orbits, careless and free of all the worry set on him. He got into the Academy of his dreams; he was going to be a better pilot than his father ever was. This opportunity would open so many doors… which was exactly the problem.
Every time a door opened for him, it led to another and another. He never got to choose what was behind those doors besides the first step he took. It never ended. One goal was achieved, but now another was placed in front of him.
He would work the rest of his life! What happened to sailing the star blasts, wild and free, without a course and without treasure to run after? He did not know, but he sure as hell would not find out at this fancy school.
He sighed again. This school, however, would get him a place in the world, where he could make a name for him. He would not be forgotten after he died.
Finally, with his hopes fighting with his dreams, he fell into restless sleep.
A/N: I actually like this chapter, even if it was short, but the question is, do you?
