Author Note: Whee! Chapter Four is here! ... I'm running out of useless things to say... READ MORE BOOKS!

There's a part in here where Lora teases Jim with the sphere, which is actually pretty cute. You'll find out later on in the chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Treasure Planet, but I bet you already knew that. Any thing that doesn't come from the movie was obviously made up by me. Hurray for me and my peanut-sized brain!

The Sphere of Parmile

Chapter Four: Lora-Jane

Jim blinked numerous times, astonished by what just happened. Their surroundings had gone from a desert, mining planet to a thick forest. Large trees of great heights stretched around them. Calls of birds echoed through the branches and low growls could be heard from a distance. He had no knowledge of their new whereabouts, but this obviously wasn't Montressor.

"What... what just happened?" He asked himself slowly as he turned to B.E.N. and Morph. They both appeared to be as befuddled as he was.

The group heard fowl words being mumbled and they all looked to Miss Stanfun whom had walked a short distance away as Jim was questioning himself. She violently beat the gold sphere and cursed to herself, "Blasted sphere!"

"Hey!" Jim placed a gentle hand on her shoulder to gain her attention. She acted surprised as she stared at Jim with blue eyes full of alarm. It was almost as though she'd forgotten they were there, for a moment. Feeling he had her full attention he decided to ask his question once more, "Just what, exactly, is going on here?"

"We need to keep moving," Was Miss Stanfun's response.

"What?" Jim shouted. It was almost as though those were the only words she knew as she had repeated them many times before, "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Wait a minute! We're not going anywhere until you explain what happened back there!"

Miss Stanfun had proceeded to walk and ignore his questions. Frustrated, Jim grabbed her shoulder tighter this time and whipped her around to face him. With a strong grasp on her shoulder he shouted at her as she merely scowled, "Why won't you tell us what's going on?"

"Because it doesn't concern you!" She barked back as she once more broke free from his grasp and continued to walk away, "You should have heeded my warnings and never followed me! Now get as far away from me as you possibly can... I can't take the blame for the loss of more soles..."

At those last words, Jim could see the sudden change in her eyes. The emotion in her eyes that was once frustration had changed to sorrow as she spoke with a soft voice. He could almost feel the pain she felt with just those few words.

"Well we followed you..." Jim referred to him, Morph, and B.E.N., "So what do you plan to do with us now?"

Once again Jim had found a question that she could not find an answer to. She stopped in her tracks and stood there silently for a while until finally she gave in and sighed. There was nothing she could do with them. She could have left them there to fend for themselves, but that would be heartless.

Without even turning she gave an answer that Jim did not expect, but had hoped for. She spoke softly with a kind and innocent voice this time; "My name is Lora... Lora-Jane Stanfun. And I will answer your questions as soon as you give me a name to refer to you by,"

Taken back by how sweet she had become, Jim gave her the answer she desired, "It's Jim Hawkins,"

"And I'm B.E.N!" B.E.N. shouted merrily only to have Jim give him a rude look.

At the mere mention of Jim's name Lora froze. The name struck deep into her mind for she knew the name and had heard it once before. She peeked over she shoulder almost shaking as she breathed. Could this really be him?

"You're," She squinted her eyes as she examined him, "thee Jim Hawkins?"

"Yeah..." Jim took a step back stunned at what he'd heard, "You know me?"

A bashful smile came to her face as she almost stuttered her words; "I've... heard some rumors that... involved you,"

"Really?" Jim was starting to enjoy to the idea of being recognized through out the galaxy, "What were they about?"

She shook her head as she started draw near them, "I... can't quiet remember... But I'm sure they were all good."

Jim smiled warmly as he fell deep into thought. What wonderful remarks could random people have to say about him? The only journey that came to his mind was his adventure to Flint's Trove and that story was only known among a few amount of people. Perhaps in someone's eyes he was considered incredible.

Unfortunately, Jim was forced to shake the thoughts from his head as Lora stood before him and B.E.N. A rather adorable and puzzled look upon the young lass's face increased Jim's smile until pearly white teeth were exposed. However, the young woman's face did not changed even as he looked down upon her smiling brightly. She was almost finding it hard to believe that this young man was the person she'd heard of.

"You can't think of any thing in particular as to why you are so popular among the people?" Lora squinted her eyes at him once more.

"Uh, well, no actually," Jim admitted, "nothing comes to mind."

Lora was still finding it hard to have any belief in him. What could make this boy so unique? This youth was no older than she and seemed like no more than the example of an average young man. But there was always that adage, 'Never judge a book by it's cover.' And the pages of this book had better prove to be marvelous as the cover was starting to bore her.

After a few brief moments of silence, someone would make a suggestion of where to go from where they stood. As the sun set and the forest grew shadowy, the group agreed that they should rest their energy until dawn. They gathered a few sticks and within a couple hours they had a managed to start a small fire to keep them warm for the night. Both humans had nothing but their coats/jackets to support their heads as pillows and the clothing on their backs as their blankets. Morph would lay with Jim and B.E.N. would have to spend the next few hours occupying himself in some way, as sleep was not one of his functions.

Now that they were all comfortable and relaxed, questions could finally be answered and the group could discuss what they would do in the morning. Jim was the first to speak; his question directed at Lora whom sat alone on the opposite side of the fire from him.

"So," He tried to find the right words, "Where did you find that... sphere?"

Lora glanced down at the sphere for a moment as if unsure how to respond, "I didn't find it..."

She didn't find it? If she was not the founder, than who was? Jim half expected her to sneer and say she'd stolen it; for a bit of humor. He still knew little about this woman, so there was no reason for him to not ponder that that she could possibly be a thief. But another theory struck him. If she was not the one that found the sphere, maybe someone had given it to her.

"Someone gave it to you?"

Lora slowly looked up, "In a way... yes,"

"In a way?" Jim gave Lora a puzzled look, "What do you mean?"

Lora shook as the memories that drifted through her head came about once again. That dark, storming night when the only family she had was slaughter before her home. Did she dare to bring those memories back into her mind? She couldn't lie... but she didn't have to tell the entire story...

"It was given to me by someone very dear to my heart... someone I lost long ago..."

The group fell into a state of silence as Lora's face saddened and tears welled up in her eyes. Obviously, there was more behind this story than Lora was willing to tell. But perhaps now wasn't the best time for Jim to force her to speak the truth. Maybe after he'd earned her trust she'd be more comfortable to reveal the whole story.

Jim sighed, "If you don't want to tell us... you don't have to,"

"No," Lora stuttered, "You assisted me after my accident; you deserve to know what all of you have gotten yourselves into. "

Jim, B.E.N., and Morph all embraced themselves for a long tale about the past of the Stanfun family and how they gained possession of a teleporting sphere. The story began with two explorers, Broderick Skull and Merrick Stanfun. The two had known each other for a few years and had adventured off on a voyage of discovery when they came across a mysterious, deserted planet. The strange markings on stones and trees seized their attention and they wandered the planet for months until they came upon an entrance to an abandon kingdom under the water. Merrick was astonished by the technology and intelligence of the deceased species and found something incredible hidden deep within the kingdom. A sphere that could teleport several individuals with the press of a button and by the mere thought of the location. But the sphere had it's limits; a mile to be exact. There was another interesting fact about the sphere that Merrick felt was extremely important; but that was a part of the story Lora's father had little knowledge of.

When Broderick suggested that they steal the sphere and use it for their own selfish desires, Merrick refused; but he agreed to bring what they found back to their home planet. However, once they reached their destination, Broderick attempted to thieve the sphere. But he was unsuccessful, and was arrested for his actions.

A few years passed, and Broderick escaped from custody and terrorized the city as he hunted for the sphere. In desperate need of keeping their citizens safe from harm, Merrick and his family were exiled from their home and were commanded to take the sphere with them. Merrick abandoned his wife and only son on a small planet for their own safety, while he disappeared and endeavored to conceal the sphere from Broderick. A few months later the sphere was sent to Mitchell, Merrick's son, accompanied by a letter explaining to Mitchell to never reveal the hiding place of the sphere to a single sole. Shortly after this, the lifeless body if Merrick Stanfun was found.

The three friends gawked at Lora with traumatized faces. "Unbelievable, isn't it?" Lora took a mouthful of air. Jim, B.E.N. and Morph all nodded in response.

"So, all of that... really happened?" Jim regained his voice as Lora slowly nodded her head. "And your father passed the sphere down to you before... you lost him."

The red and yellow illumination from the fire displayed the upsetting look on Lora's face. There was obviously more to the story then Lora was willing to tell. Jim was sure of this now. But what more could there be?

"But there's still one thing that bothers me;" B.E.N. broke into the conversation, "Why would Skull still want the sphere after all these years?"

"That is what I can't seem to understand," Lora exclaimed, "You would think after 65 years, Skull would have lost interest and began a new hunt. Which just builds more evidence to my theory," Lora held the sphere before her and examined her reflection in it, "that Skull knows something we don't. And whatever it is, it's certainly worth all this waiting," Lora removed the sphere from her vision to look into the eyes of her fellow companions, "We cannot afford to give him the chance to use it."

"And we won't." Jim spoke, "At least not without a fight."

Lora beamed a warm, confident smile. This boy was either incredibly brave or absolutely brainless. He was risking his life for a complete stranger whom he still knew little about; other than the background of her family. Perhaps his heart was just drawn to voyaging, no matter the jeopardy. It was going be unbearable to see him go, just like all the others. No one has ever continued to exist after being around her. All those people, so many people, gone, never to see the light of day again, because they came too close to her.

'He has no idea what he's getting himself into.' Lora thought, 'Just don't get attached, Lora. It will only make this all the more painful.' Maybe after a while he would become wise of the danger he so eagerly hurled himself into. Warning him now was useless; he was too delighted to depart now. Though she did enjoy the company, and he did serve a purpose to the sphere now.

"Okay, I believe it's my turn to ask a question," Lora broke from her thoughts.

"All right, ask," Jim braced himself for any thing she would be willing to ask.

"Just what exactly where you doing with my belongings?" Lora smirked.

Jim coughed and blushed as he laughed nervously, "Well... I..."

Lora lifted the sphere with one hand and used her other fist to rest her chin on; "Perhaps you were corrupted by the gold of the sphere? You haven't stopped gawking at it since our conversation started." Lora moved the sphere from left to right and observed as Jim's eyes helpless followed. With a satisfied grin, Lora tossed the sphere into the air and caught it. "Or has the story of its discovery completely baffled you? No! That couldn't possibly be it!" Lora began to tease Jim. "You didn't even know of the sphere's tale when you first saw it. So tell me, James, just what is it about this sphere that has you so hypnotized?"

"Oh, that's easy!" B.E.N. nearly shouted, "It's because it looks just like the map to Treasure Planet!" Lora dropped the sphere and looked on in shock as these words.

"B.E.N.!" Jim wasn't sure Lora was ready to believe this.

"What? She deserves to know!"

"Treasure... Planet?" Lora appeared to be astounded. "Is this some kind of joke? You can't really mean Flint's Trove. It's not possible! It's not real!"

"Actually, it's about as real as that sphere," Jim directed a finger at the sphere laying on the soil.

Jim commenced from the moment he encountered Billy Bones and the discovery of the sphere that took him on the most thrilling expedition of his life. Morph provided many imitations of their fellow shipmates and B.E.N. interrupted to narrate his side of the story of when he stumbled upon Jim. In return, Jim informed Lora of the plentiful times B.E.N.'s antics almost had them destroyed. After explaining about his years in the academy, Jim clarified the comparisons between the two spheres. Much to Lora's surprise (whom was still in much disbelief), the spheres were very identical. The only differentiation was Lora's sphere's ability to transport through teleportation.

"So, all of this really happened? You're not pulling my leg?" Lora murmured.

"Honest." Jim simply replied. "It's really odd; the spheres are almost identical. They must have some kind of connection."

"Well, there's no use in asking the same questions over," Lora yawned, "It's late, we should get some rest and conserve our energy. We'll search for a town in the morning and maybe find some answers. Goodnight, boys."

The travelers put out their fire and rested on the ground for a long night of relaxation. When the sun would rise at dawn, the real journey would commence.

Next Chapter...

Chapter Five: Creatures of the Forest

Author Note: PLEASE READ! Okay, I know what you all are probably thinking. It's a little weird that Lora somehow knew Jim's name, right? There is a big reason behind this, but I'm not going to tell you. However, if you pay close attention to the story you might figure it out, but it will be revealed later on in the end. So what could it be? Did Lora and Jim meet once before in their childhood? Did someone tell Lora about Jim? What could it possibly be! Well, you'll just have to find out or figure it out. But if you do, please don't tell everyone! I want to keep it a secret.

That reminds me, for those you that noticed that Jim's speech is a bit more elegant from the way he talked in the movie, it's probably because I'm terrible at making characters talk normal. Plus, I figure that since Jim is going to the same academy that Amelia went to, he'd probably talk "all-proper" like her or at least similar to it.