THE TREASURES

Author's Notes: Okay, now the fun begins. Hopefully, this'll be a long chapter. I'm hoping it will be. Anywho, this is a continuation of the last chapter. Notice the prompt contains a plural, though I guess it won't be apparent until later chapters what this truly, truly means for the story. Anyways, try to remember that and start the chapter! :D

Before Sylvia could examine the object in her hand, Lenia grabbed it.

"Do you know what this is?" Lenia shrieked at her, holding the trinket behind her back as she stepped backwards away from the group.

Sylvia wondered aloud as she looked to the sky, "Um, it looked like a necklace." Then she looked at her friend. "Why? Is there something important about it?"

Lenia had tears in her eyes. "It's the only thing I have left of where I originally came from before I was taken away."

Everyone gasped before looking at her with sad eyes.

Lenia continued, "I have to protect it. It's special to me."

Wander took small steps closer. "Can I see it?"

Lenia shivered, tears ready to stream down her face. "I've never…"

"You can trust me, y'know. You can hold it and I'll just look. I promise I won't even touch it." He raised his voice. "And I'll make sure the others don't come close yet." They nodded, understanding the circumstances.

Lenia, still shivering, nodded. She then brought the necklace out from behind her back. The chain was made of beautiful silver. On it was a swirling design, almost like a swirling galaxy, filled with metallic stars. In the center was a bright gold star identical to the star on Wander's hammer and hat.

Wander smiled. "That's real gorgeous, Lenia. If it were up ta me, I would say you should wear it instead of keepin' it in yer bag now that yer away from yer mother." Then he frowned. "Other than that, I've gotta say I'm a little confused."

Taking off his hat, he looked to the star for confirmation and nodded. They were the same shape.

"Look at the star on my hat and the star in the center of the swirling thing there. They're the same. It's just a feelin', but I believe we may have been kidnapped from the same planet. We'll have ta find it, in that case. However, I could be completely wrong."

"In addition," He continued, "I believe that if my hat and my hammer have powers, yer necklace must have a power or two also. Have you tried to activate it?"

Lenia shook her head. "I mean, I saw a blue glow when I was younger, like when I was fourteen, but that was a long time ago."

Wander smiled in encouragement. "Try to remember what you did."

"Wander…"

"Lenia, if it could help you find your birthplace, wouldn't that help?"

Lenia sighed, looking away. "My real parents might have already moved on. That would kill me."

"You're always welcome to stay and keep traveling with me then. You know me; I don't know where I came from."

Lenia smiled. "Can you…can you help me put this necklace on please?"

Wander smiled. "Yessum!"

The orange Star Nomad reached behind her and helped fastened the ends of the clasp together.

After doing that and coming back around, Wander smiled, taking in what he thought was a lovely sight.

"Well don't ya just look lovely with that on? I mean, ya looked lovely before. But now ya look perfect. It completes ya."

"Let me see!" Sylvia urged as she and the others walked over.

"Fine, but don't touch." Lenia insisted.

"Sure, sure." Sylvia said, waving it off, much to both of the Star Nomads' discomfort.

"Wow, that necklace is gorgeous." Henri squealed joyfully before calming down. "And Wander is probably right about being from the same planet. That star in the center is proof of that."

"You heard what I said?" Wander asked.

Big Bill nodded. "And because of that, you may be the same species, which mean you could easily repro—OW!"

Sylvia glared at him and then smiled at Henri, who had quickly jumped onto the zbornak's back to punch Big Bill in the cheek before he could say anything stupid.

"Anyways, where were we?" Sylvia said roughly. Then she softened. "Oh yes, it's a very pretty pendant you got on that chain. Looks like a galaxy almost. And that star seems conveniently placed."

Shaking off what Big Bill was trying to say, that's when Wander got to thinking. Yes it is. Maybe like my hat and my hammer, it has some magical properties. Maybe we can tap into that.

"Lenia, try…tappin' the Center Star." Wander suggested.

Lenia attempted to take it off to better see it, but Wander stopped her.

"No, yer gonna have ta feel fer it. Once ya do, tap it or hold it down."

Lenia obeyed, holding it away from her, and felt for the Center Star. Once she felt it, she tapped it. When nothing happened, she held it down. What she didn't realize was that she had to briefly push it hard once until it rotated down onto the metal like the other stars.

The entire galaxy of metal began to glow until finally, a holographic light shot out…

It was an image of different galaxies, floating in a sea of stars, nebulas, suns, other planets, and invisible dark matter.

"I get it. This is a map, isn't it?" Even if his guess was correct, Wander wanted to be absolutely sure.

A new voice that seemed old and meek, but still wise, answered his question, "It is indeed, young Star Nomad."

Everyone looked around before turning to the holographic map as a star from the corner began to grow and danced off the holographic screen and onto the ground. There, it shift, grew, and took the form of an old but still holographic Star Nomad.

"Hello friends. I am Lore, the teacher of wisdom, knowledge, and tradition, hence my name. I am also the keeper of this map since the beginning and I will be guiding you on how to use it till you pass it on to your children."

Big Bill sniggered, earning a punch in the arm from Sylvia.

Wander felt it was only polite to introduce himself first, so he began. "Well, it is a pleasure to meet you, sir." He said with a bow. "My name is—"

"Wander, I know. I know all the names that have been spoken in the presence of the Star Amulet passed down to Lenia and now worn around her neck. I also know your history. You do not remember your family, do you, Wander?"

Wander shook his head. "No, do you?"

"No, but I do know that it is hidden inside you. When our true species locks away something from our past only one person from that past can set it free. Whether it is a family member or a lover, you don't know till the end when your memories are unlocked. Unfortunately, there are consequences for trying to set it free before it's time and before you've met the right person.

"Should something of the past be mentioned or a memory be somehow revived, your body will go into a state of shock – you will feel electricity going through your body and you will not be able to decipher between friend and foe. This is called Hyper Attack Mode and will last until you die or until your memories return, which will be when you revive them. Its better you unlock your memories sooner rather than later. Especially if your home is on the same planet that Lenia's is."

Wander looked at Lenia fearfully. He was glad that Lore had told them this, but he was afraid that something like this Hyper Attack Mode would happen soon.

Lenia stepped up to the map. "So, without saying any names, just in case, let me consult this map with Lore. Everyone else, please take Wander over to town for a drink. He looks nervous after this."

Sylvia looked at the orange Star Nomad and walked over to him.

"Hey buddy, it's gonna be okay. We'll find your home. I'm sure of it. You can do this."

Wander just nodded, rubbing his arm as Sylvia led him away.

A/N: Okay, I know I made it seem like years would go by before Wander would see his family again, but then I got annoyed and impatient. I can't do it. Just because he sees his family DOES NOT mean the story ends. He can visit them and then go back to adventures and stuff. Yup, we'll be seeing his family today! Hurray! :)