The discalimer is still there. I own Kio, but I own nothing else within
this fanfic. Also, the song, "I'm Still Here" doesn't belong to me either.
It belongs to either John Rzeznik or Disney.
Kio was sitting upon the main mast, gazing out at stars and constellations without much conscious thought. The night was passing slowly, and Kio wasn't able to sleep well. Everytime she shut her eyes and tried to sleep, she would see Mr. Scroop coming towards her ready to strike. Or each time she was almost alseep, she would feel herself falling overboard when Scroop tried to kick her off deck, and would find herself on the floor underneath the cot she slept in. So Kio had given up and went to go watch the stars like she always did, and now as she was within the holds of deep space they were so much more beautiful.
I am a question to the world,
Not an answer to be heard,
Or a moment –
That's held in your arms.
Jim wasn't exactly sleeping well either, and decided to come up to deck as well. There wasn't much of anything else to do besides watch stars slowly pass, although he didn't find as near amazing as Kio did. He sighed and wandered over to the ship's wall between itself and the galaxy, leaning against it in deep thought. Kio perked up at the sight of Jim, happy to see that she wasn't alone out there either, but more happy that he was there in the first place. Quickly she scampered down the mast and onto the ratlines nearest to him. She looked over her shoulder, pretending not to notice him as he had his back facing her, and wasn't aware of her presence. She then smiled cheerfully.
"Hi," Kio said, causing Jim startle like she always did.
And what do you think you'd ever say?
I won't listen anyways,
You don't know me,
And I'll never be what you want me to be.
"Gezz, Kio – Don't sneak up on me like that!" Jim said turning around and rubbing his forehead as if he had a headache. Kio merely continued smiling, knowing that he would say somewhat of that sort. He grumbled something to himself that was inaudible to the alien, then asked her what she doing there anyways.
"I couldn't sleep so I came out here," she answered, "Why? You 'kay?"
"I'm fine. Just, same reason," he told her, slightly lying. There was an uncomforting silence as both looked out to the stars once again, both wishing the other would say something. Kio reluctantly gave in.
"Hey... Um... What happened to your dad? You said he went away and didn't come back...," Kio asked him quietly, hoping not to be lashed out at.
"Oh. Nothing, it doesn't really matter. I mean, we never really got along anyways...," Jim mumbled in reply, somewhat lying again.
And what do you think you'd understand?
I'm a boy – no,
I'm a man,
You can't take me and throw me away.
"Do you miss him?" Kio asked him with inertest, but again quietly, not wanting to upset him.
"Sometimes," he said, scanning the horizon for, probably, nothing in particular. "But we're – my mom and I – are getting along fine without him. At least she is. And again, I came here to rpove myself, and still... I don't know why I even try. I mean, it's clear that I'm not anything else than a screw-up," Jim said angrily, hating himself. Another awkward silence took place and Kio jumped down from the ratlines, walking over to Jim.
"Name something that you're good at. Go on, name at least one thing and I'll bet that I can connect it to many, many other good qualities that you can't see," she challeneged him with confidence. Jim thought about this for a moment or so.
And how can you learn what's never shown?
Yeah you stand here on your own,
They don't know me,
'Cause I'm not here.
"Heh, I know one thing that I'm good at that no one else is proud of. Solar surfing," Jim said, somewhat laughing at himself in semi-irony.
"Solar surfing?" Kio asked, Jim explaining to her what Solar surfing was excactly.
"Hm... You built your surfboard yourself, correct?" she asked, Jim nodded. "Then you must be very smart. There's two good traits."
"No one else thinks so," he said, irratated.
"I'll bet they do think you're smart. Hm... Let's see, along with that you act smart, and you're helpful. That's three good traits," she continued. "You helped the old creature from the ship. You're a careing person for sure. You cared to help out that guy, and you've comforted me a few times." Kio smiled softly. "Four."
"Four only, eh? I appreciate your concern, but I'm not the greatest person, Kio," Jim said.
"Four's a lot for someone who can't even see that in themselves! And besides, you came aboard to make something of yourself, right? Well, we're not at Treasure Planet yet, are we?" Kio asked enthusiasticly. Jim smiled lightly as he climbed up above her and sat on the mast connecting to the lines, soon out on a limb of it, wind rushing through hair as he turned his gaze to watch the sky, now seeing it a bit different than before. Kio was soon right there beside him, smiling warmly.
And I want a moment to be real,
Wanna touch things I don't feel,
Wanna hold on,
And feel I belong. And how can the world want me to change?
They're the ones that stay the same,
They don't know me –
But I'm still here.
"You know, most people don't see the 'good' in me like you do," Jim mentioned to Kio, still admiring the view from the mast.
"That's strange. I thought that they would have," she said, staring off into space again, without thinking very much. Another silence passed between them.
"I'm gonna go try and sleep now. Maybe I'll have some luck," Jim said, carefully getting down onto the deck in one piece, succeeding, and then heading down the stairs, yet he turned. Kio was still there.
"Thanks," he said, loud enough for her to hear.
"I know how you can repay me," she called out after him, before he was completely gone below deck. "Take me solar surfing sometime!" Kio finished and Jim left slightly smiling.
And you see the things they never see,
All you wanted I could be,
Now you know me,
And I'm not afraid.
Over the time that they had spent aboard the RLS Legacy, both Jim and Kio had grown to be close friends with Silver and each other – Kio being especially clingy for her helpless attitude. Both of the cabin ranked had found a father figure in Silver. They were way below deck, untying a spare boat for Silver to use, for some unknown purpose.
And I want to tell you who I am,
Can you help me be a man?
They can't break me,
As long as I know who I am.
And both were disappointed that Silver took off in the boat, hating to lose his company, and wishing so hard that he would come back. It was especially hard for Jim to watch him go, as it was so familiar of watching his father leave that horrid day.
They can't tell me who to be,
'Cause I'm not what they see,
Yeah the world is still sleeping while I keep on dreaming for me,
And their words are just whispers and lies that I'll never believe.
Silver then reared back to the ship, inviting Kio and Jim aboard.
And I want a moment to be real,
Wanna touch things I don't feel,
Wanna hold on,
And feel I belong.
Silver allowed Jim to pilot the boat, sensing that Kio didn't have a clue about working the boats, which he was correct, and was surprised when Jim took a hold of the controls and sent it out flying fast into the galaxy and headed for a comet. Kio gripped her seat, sitting in front, as she was nearly pushed back under the sudden speed.
And how can they say I never change?
They're the ones that stay the same,
I'm the one now,
'Cause I'm still here.
Kio stuck out her hand as Jim directed the boat flying right into a comet trail to catch some of the soft sparkling powder that she found fascinating, laughing gleefully with excitement. Silver was trying his best to keep upright as Jim took the boat into a spinning cycle, but surprisingly Kio was having a blast. Maybe the trip so far had changed her more than she knew.
I'm the one,
'Cause I'm still here.
Jim stopped it from spinning on and began to take it away from the comet, brushing off some of the powder from the trails, Kio doing the same, but trying to collect it. Now only if she had a jar to put it all in and reminisce of the night in the boat.
I'm still here...
He carefully flew the vehicle back to the Legacy, and all of them began to tie it up again.
I'm still here...
After they were finished tying up the boat they rested within its boundaries, taking part in conversing and all. Suddenly the ship gave a huge lurch, nearly sprawling the three out of the boat.
"What the devil...?" Silver began and went up on deck, followed by Kio and Jim. Doppler was up on deck using his spyglass to inspect a star they neared, which seemed odd.
"Good heavens! The star! It's gone super nova!" he gasped, obviously frightened and confused as to what exactly to do in the situation.
"All hands fasten your lifelines!" Mr. Arrow yelled as many members of the crew went running about the deck nearly in hysterics. Jim, Kio, and Silver all went to fasten their own (Kio had recently learned how to tie the knots).
"Secure all sails!" Mr. Arrow ordered. Jim went out on the limb with Silver close behind, Kio on the mast's upper limb above both. Sudden little rocks went flying from the sky and smacked against Silver's leg, sending him cascading downwards off the mast's limb.
"Silver!" Jim cried out and grabbed the lifeline with impeccable timing, saving the pirate from a horrid fall. Maybe even death. Silver reached out for Jim's shoulder from support, inhaling and exhaling heavily.
"Thanks lad," he said between breaths. Laser cannons were fired many times with full power aimed for a huge rock heading their way. Kio slid down a rope onto the mast which Jim and Silver were balancing on. They readied themselves for when it hit them, but that never did come. The rock was slowly taken back and sucked right up into a hole.
"Captain! The star!" a shrimpy little alien with a numerous amount of eyes cried out from the crows nest.
"It's devolving into a... black hole!" Doppler pointed out.
"We're being pulled in!" Mr. Turnbuckle yelled, being thrown from the steer of the ship, which was taken over by Captain Amelia.
"No, you don't!" she growled, taking it back into position, yet it did no good as they were being pulled in whether they liked it or not. Jim and Silver came down from the mast, however Kio was thrown from it with much force, being quite light and flimsy. She was knocked in front of Jim and Silver, which was lucky for them as a sharp, yet tiny, rock blasted to one of the scars of Kio's, which would have hurt them otherwise. She hardly ever felt what happened to the two large cuts on her face anyways.
"Curse these blasts – they're erratic!" Amelia said, her hands still upon the steering wheel.
"No captain! They're not erratic at all! There will be another one in exactly 47.2 seconds! Then the biggest migillar of all!" Doppler yelled.
"Of course! We'll ride that last migillar out of here! Brilliant doctor!" She said.
"All sails secured, captain!" Mr. Arrow told her.
"Good man! Now, release them immediately!" she called out to Mr. Arrow.
"Aye... captain... You heard her, men!" he said.
"Mr. Hawkins! Check and secure all lifelines!" she ordered him.
"Aye captain!" Jim rushed to go do so. Kio wiped away the new blood on the sleeve of her coat, which flew off her shoulders right after that as she stood up. She watched it go until it was sucked up by the black hole with despair. The perps were still inside the pockets, and the comet dust. What clothed her was a changed shirt and pants (her original set of clothes were all bloody) – the shirt was baggy for her and she used three belts to keep it on her. Two belts for the sleeves so they were not in the way of her hands, and one belt around her slim middle. It was a spare tan long- sleeved shirt of Jim's, the pants also a hand-me-down somewhat. Being of green hue and baggy, too large for her so a belt she wore had even less notches than the others. Kio began to climb up the ratlines to unfurl the sails as Arrow had ordered, when she saw him flew overboard.
"Oh no..." she mumbled. His lifeline must not have been secured. She was sure that Jim had simply not reached Arrow's before the alien had fallen to his death in space.
"Lifelines secured, Captain!" Jim yelled out to Amelia as Kio ran over to him and Silver.
"Hang on to your lifelines, gents, it's going to be a bumpy ride!" Amelia called out. Silver stood by the mast, over Jim and Kio keeping close so as to make sure they would not be lost. Kio whimpered once, right before they were consumed into complete darkness inside the black hole. There was a strange silence as everything was gone. There was nothing left of the RLS Legacy or the crew, and would be gone for all time's rest. Until the final blast of a wave from the hole drove the ship out of nothingness and sent them back on their trail. The crew cheered for Amelia and realizing that they were not dead, Silver, Jim, and Kio relaxed for a while. Morph had been to relieved that he dropped into a puddle.
"All hands accounted for, Mr. Arrow?" Captain Amelia asked. When no one came there was silence, and Kio nearly felt sick. She had seen what had happened to him, but not the real case. She was still arguing with herself if it was really Jim's fault or not. After all, the rope could have snapped. And how much would a large rock-built person weigh and still be able to keep a rope from snapping while being pulled into a black hole anyways? Mr. Scroop slowly came up on deck holding Mr. Arrow's hat with his head down, pretending to grieve for the loss.
"Mr. Arrow has been lost. His lifeline was not secured," Scroop lied, handing the hat to Amelia with fake sympathy. The crew turned to Jim with hateful eyes, Amelia looking on with grief, but still the look in her eyes demanded to know what had happened to him. Jim was confused at this point and ran straight to the lifelines, Kio at his heels.
"No I... I checked them all... I did, I checked them all... They were right here," Jim said, more to himself but turned to the captain with pleading eyes for forgiveness. Kio saw where Mr. Arrow's lifeline should have been, her ears drooping in pity for the cabin boy and looked on following his gaze to Amelia as well.
"Mr. Arrow was a fine spacer... Finer that any of us would ever hope to be," Amelia said quietly trying her best not to cry for her dear friend. "But he knew the risks. As do we all." She started to her stateroom, hoping for an escape from all of the crew's judging eyes, if she were to let go and just weep. She even ignored Doppler as she went, no energy left at all.
The night was a sleepless one once more. Nothing more to be done or said. Jim was still sitting in the ratlines, staring off into space, hating himself and life amongst that. That would be the biggest mistake of his life. Nothing could ever take back the fact that it was his fault a being was dead. And there was nothing worse than knowing that. For Kio, in truth with that in mind, loosing all of her memories was of a little cost. But she would never know the grief that had pained her in the past. Coming from below deck Kio rose, having watched Jim leave a while ago. She had figured that Silver would go after him, but so far it wasn't the case, so she was more than willing to go try and help him out.
She sat down by him on the ratlines as well, hesitating before talking. She sighed.
"You didn't mean to. It isn't your fault," Kio began, her eyes shut for a first instead of looking out at all of the stars.
"You wouldn't understand," Jim told her angrily.
"Probably not, but I know that you wouldn't ever try to kill a person. Intentionally."
"Just drop it. There's nothing left to do," Jim muttered. He didn't really want to fight with Kio, but he was too upset, and talking was just making it worse. At that moment Silver came upon deck and leaned on the wall of the ship.
"It weren't your fault, y'know," he said thoughtfully. "Why half the crew would be-"
"Look! Don't you get it? I mean I messed up! For once, I thought I did something right! But then, just! Forget it! Just forget it," Jim yelled, jumping down from the ratlines and leaning on the mast afterwards. Silver put his hand upon Jim's shoulder and turned him around forcefully. He began talking with him nearly angrily. Kio gone off the ratlines by now, and up on the limb of a smaller mast, hardly listening in on their conversation, save for a few words.
"You got the makings of greatness in ye! Stick to it! You just need to take the hell of a chance, and when ye do, I hope I'm there. Catching some of the light coming off your sails," Silver said, Kio listening fully on this part thoughtfully.
"I hope I'm there too," she whispered, inaudible to either Jim or Silver. The cabin boy wiped his eyes and leaned against Silver, who in return, hesitated then hugged him. It was clear that Jim saw Silver as a father-figure now, and it was sad to watch. For Kio at least, always sympathetic. Silver coughed and sent him to bed.
"Getting in too deep here, Morphy... Soon they'll be saying I've gone soft," the pirate muttered and began to leave, finishing his rounds.
"Payback time, kitty kitty," Scroop growled, flexing his claws at Kio. She had nothing to say, so she stood still, the spider coming closer for her. She looked around. There was nowhere to run.
"That's right. You can't get away from here, and you'll be dead if you try," Scroop snarled. Kio saw one way though. She scurried under Scroop and away, climbing up higher on the mast.
"You annoying little...," Scroop began as Kio got away. He chased after her, and for dumb luck wise he caught her and held her above the deck, ready to cut her up. Kio panicked and did what came to mind. She cried out for help. Very loudly. Scroop snarled.
"Shut up! Now you're in for it!" Scroop was about to try and kill her, but the call for help proved help, as Jim rushed up on deck, looking around for the voice he recognized to be Kio's. Then spotted Scroop hanging her above the deck, Kio trying to escape, and looked over at Jim as a God- sent. Now seeing Jim there as well, Scroop was thinking to kill them both off for what they did back when Mr. Arrow was around. He flung Kio off the mast heading for the main one, which was good luck as she hit it, but grabbed onto it as well, so she came down easily. Before so she noticed Silver coming to see what all the noise was about.
"Jim let's go!" Kio whispered harshly. "Silver's coming and Scroop can't do anything to us when he's around." Agreeing they both went back below, leaving Silver to handle it.
"What was that about?" Jim asked Kio.
"Scroop wanted payback, or somewhat," she answered tiredly trying to sleep in the cot, she called a bed. "Best watch out fer him..." she yawned before falling completely silent, even from the startle of Scroop again. All and all, Kio just hoped they would get to Treasure Planet in one piece.
I'm Still Here-
Kio was sitting upon the main mast, gazing out at stars and constellations without much conscious thought. The night was passing slowly, and Kio wasn't able to sleep well. Everytime she shut her eyes and tried to sleep, she would see Mr. Scroop coming towards her ready to strike. Or each time she was almost alseep, she would feel herself falling overboard when Scroop tried to kick her off deck, and would find herself on the floor underneath the cot she slept in. So Kio had given up and went to go watch the stars like she always did, and now as she was within the holds of deep space they were so much more beautiful.
I am a question to the world,
Not an answer to be heard,
Or a moment –
That's held in your arms.
Jim wasn't exactly sleeping well either, and decided to come up to deck as well. There wasn't much of anything else to do besides watch stars slowly pass, although he didn't find as near amazing as Kio did. He sighed and wandered over to the ship's wall between itself and the galaxy, leaning against it in deep thought. Kio perked up at the sight of Jim, happy to see that she wasn't alone out there either, but more happy that he was there in the first place. Quickly she scampered down the mast and onto the ratlines nearest to him. She looked over her shoulder, pretending not to notice him as he had his back facing her, and wasn't aware of her presence. She then smiled cheerfully.
"Hi," Kio said, causing Jim startle like she always did.
And what do you think you'd ever say?
I won't listen anyways,
You don't know me,
And I'll never be what you want me to be.
"Gezz, Kio – Don't sneak up on me like that!" Jim said turning around and rubbing his forehead as if he had a headache. Kio merely continued smiling, knowing that he would say somewhat of that sort. He grumbled something to himself that was inaudible to the alien, then asked her what she doing there anyways.
"I couldn't sleep so I came out here," she answered, "Why? You 'kay?"
"I'm fine. Just, same reason," he told her, slightly lying. There was an uncomforting silence as both looked out to the stars once again, both wishing the other would say something. Kio reluctantly gave in.
"Hey... Um... What happened to your dad? You said he went away and didn't come back...," Kio asked him quietly, hoping not to be lashed out at.
"Oh. Nothing, it doesn't really matter. I mean, we never really got along anyways...," Jim mumbled in reply, somewhat lying again.
And what do you think you'd understand?
I'm a boy – no,
I'm a man,
You can't take me and throw me away.
"Do you miss him?" Kio asked him with inertest, but again quietly, not wanting to upset him.
"Sometimes," he said, scanning the horizon for, probably, nothing in particular. "But we're – my mom and I – are getting along fine without him. At least she is. And again, I came here to rpove myself, and still... I don't know why I even try. I mean, it's clear that I'm not anything else than a screw-up," Jim said angrily, hating himself. Another awkward silence took place and Kio jumped down from the ratlines, walking over to Jim.
"Name something that you're good at. Go on, name at least one thing and I'll bet that I can connect it to many, many other good qualities that you can't see," she challeneged him with confidence. Jim thought about this for a moment or so.
And how can you learn what's never shown?
Yeah you stand here on your own,
They don't know me,
'Cause I'm not here.
"Heh, I know one thing that I'm good at that no one else is proud of. Solar surfing," Jim said, somewhat laughing at himself in semi-irony.
"Solar surfing?" Kio asked, Jim explaining to her what Solar surfing was excactly.
"Hm... You built your surfboard yourself, correct?" she asked, Jim nodded. "Then you must be very smart. There's two good traits."
"No one else thinks so," he said, irratated.
"I'll bet they do think you're smart. Hm... Let's see, along with that you act smart, and you're helpful. That's three good traits," she continued. "You helped the old creature from the ship. You're a careing person for sure. You cared to help out that guy, and you've comforted me a few times." Kio smiled softly. "Four."
"Four only, eh? I appreciate your concern, but I'm not the greatest person, Kio," Jim said.
"Four's a lot for someone who can't even see that in themselves! And besides, you came aboard to make something of yourself, right? Well, we're not at Treasure Planet yet, are we?" Kio asked enthusiasticly. Jim smiled lightly as he climbed up above her and sat on the mast connecting to the lines, soon out on a limb of it, wind rushing through hair as he turned his gaze to watch the sky, now seeing it a bit different than before. Kio was soon right there beside him, smiling warmly.
And I want a moment to be real,
Wanna touch things I don't feel,
Wanna hold on,
And feel I belong. And how can the world want me to change?
They're the ones that stay the same,
They don't know me –
But I'm still here.
"You know, most people don't see the 'good' in me like you do," Jim mentioned to Kio, still admiring the view from the mast.
"That's strange. I thought that they would have," she said, staring off into space again, without thinking very much. Another silence passed between them.
"I'm gonna go try and sleep now. Maybe I'll have some luck," Jim said, carefully getting down onto the deck in one piece, succeeding, and then heading down the stairs, yet he turned. Kio was still there.
"Thanks," he said, loud enough for her to hear.
"I know how you can repay me," she called out after him, before he was completely gone below deck. "Take me solar surfing sometime!" Kio finished and Jim left slightly smiling.
And you see the things they never see,
All you wanted I could be,
Now you know me,
And I'm not afraid.
Over the time that they had spent aboard the RLS Legacy, both Jim and Kio had grown to be close friends with Silver and each other – Kio being especially clingy for her helpless attitude. Both of the cabin ranked had found a father figure in Silver. They were way below deck, untying a spare boat for Silver to use, for some unknown purpose.
And I want to tell you who I am,
Can you help me be a man?
They can't break me,
As long as I know who I am.
And both were disappointed that Silver took off in the boat, hating to lose his company, and wishing so hard that he would come back. It was especially hard for Jim to watch him go, as it was so familiar of watching his father leave that horrid day.
They can't tell me who to be,
'Cause I'm not what they see,
Yeah the world is still sleeping while I keep on dreaming for me,
And their words are just whispers and lies that I'll never believe.
Silver then reared back to the ship, inviting Kio and Jim aboard.
And I want a moment to be real,
Wanna touch things I don't feel,
Wanna hold on,
And feel I belong.
Silver allowed Jim to pilot the boat, sensing that Kio didn't have a clue about working the boats, which he was correct, and was surprised when Jim took a hold of the controls and sent it out flying fast into the galaxy and headed for a comet. Kio gripped her seat, sitting in front, as she was nearly pushed back under the sudden speed.
And how can they say I never change?
They're the ones that stay the same,
I'm the one now,
'Cause I'm still here.
Kio stuck out her hand as Jim directed the boat flying right into a comet trail to catch some of the soft sparkling powder that she found fascinating, laughing gleefully with excitement. Silver was trying his best to keep upright as Jim took the boat into a spinning cycle, but surprisingly Kio was having a blast. Maybe the trip so far had changed her more than she knew.
I'm the one,
'Cause I'm still here.
Jim stopped it from spinning on and began to take it away from the comet, brushing off some of the powder from the trails, Kio doing the same, but trying to collect it. Now only if she had a jar to put it all in and reminisce of the night in the boat.
I'm still here...
He carefully flew the vehicle back to the Legacy, and all of them began to tie it up again.
I'm still here...
After they were finished tying up the boat they rested within its boundaries, taking part in conversing and all. Suddenly the ship gave a huge lurch, nearly sprawling the three out of the boat.
"What the devil...?" Silver began and went up on deck, followed by Kio and Jim. Doppler was up on deck using his spyglass to inspect a star they neared, which seemed odd.
"Good heavens! The star! It's gone super nova!" he gasped, obviously frightened and confused as to what exactly to do in the situation.
"All hands fasten your lifelines!" Mr. Arrow yelled as many members of the crew went running about the deck nearly in hysterics. Jim, Kio, and Silver all went to fasten their own (Kio had recently learned how to tie the knots).
"Secure all sails!" Mr. Arrow ordered. Jim went out on the limb with Silver close behind, Kio on the mast's upper limb above both. Sudden little rocks went flying from the sky and smacked against Silver's leg, sending him cascading downwards off the mast's limb.
"Silver!" Jim cried out and grabbed the lifeline with impeccable timing, saving the pirate from a horrid fall. Maybe even death. Silver reached out for Jim's shoulder from support, inhaling and exhaling heavily.
"Thanks lad," he said between breaths. Laser cannons were fired many times with full power aimed for a huge rock heading their way. Kio slid down a rope onto the mast which Jim and Silver were balancing on. They readied themselves for when it hit them, but that never did come. The rock was slowly taken back and sucked right up into a hole.
"Captain! The star!" a shrimpy little alien with a numerous amount of eyes cried out from the crows nest.
"It's devolving into a... black hole!" Doppler pointed out.
"We're being pulled in!" Mr. Turnbuckle yelled, being thrown from the steer of the ship, which was taken over by Captain Amelia.
"No, you don't!" she growled, taking it back into position, yet it did no good as they were being pulled in whether they liked it or not. Jim and Silver came down from the mast, however Kio was thrown from it with much force, being quite light and flimsy. She was knocked in front of Jim and Silver, which was lucky for them as a sharp, yet tiny, rock blasted to one of the scars of Kio's, which would have hurt them otherwise. She hardly ever felt what happened to the two large cuts on her face anyways.
"Curse these blasts – they're erratic!" Amelia said, her hands still upon the steering wheel.
"No captain! They're not erratic at all! There will be another one in exactly 47.2 seconds! Then the biggest migillar of all!" Doppler yelled.
"Of course! We'll ride that last migillar out of here! Brilliant doctor!" She said.
"All sails secured, captain!" Mr. Arrow told her.
"Good man! Now, release them immediately!" she called out to Mr. Arrow.
"Aye... captain... You heard her, men!" he said.
"Mr. Hawkins! Check and secure all lifelines!" she ordered him.
"Aye captain!" Jim rushed to go do so. Kio wiped away the new blood on the sleeve of her coat, which flew off her shoulders right after that as she stood up. She watched it go until it was sucked up by the black hole with despair. The perps were still inside the pockets, and the comet dust. What clothed her was a changed shirt and pants (her original set of clothes were all bloody) – the shirt was baggy for her and she used three belts to keep it on her. Two belts for the sleeves so they were not in the way of her hands, and one belt around her slim middle. It was a spare tan long- sleeved shirt of Jim's, the pants also a hand-me-down somewhat. Being of green hue and baggy, too large for her so a belt she wore had even less notches than the others. Kio began to climb up the ratlines to unfurl the sails as Arrow had ordered, when she saw him flew overboard.
"Oh no..." she mumbled. His lifeline must not have been secured. She was sure that Jim had simply not reached Arrow's before the alien had fallen to his death in space.
"Lifelines secured, Captain!" Jim yelled out to Amelia as Kio ran over to him and Silver.
"Hang on to your lifelines, gents, it's going to be a bumpy ride!" Amelia called out. Silver stood by the mast, over Jim and Kio keeping close so as to make sure they would not be lost. Kio whimpered once, right before they were consumed into complete darkness inside the black hole. There was a strange silence as everything was gone. There was nothing left of the RLS Legacy or the crew, and would be gone for all time's rest. Until the final blast of a wave from the hole drove the ship out of nothingness and sent them back on their trail. The crew cheered for Amelia and realizing that they were not dead, Silver, Jim, and Kio relaxed for a while. Morph had been to relieved that he dropped into a puddle.
"All hands accounted for, Mr. Arrow?" Captain Amelia asked. When no one came there was silence, and Kio nearly felt sick. She had seen what had happened to him, but not the real case. She was still arguing with herself if it was really Jim's fault or not. After all, the rope could have snapped. And how much would a large rock-built person weigh and still be able to keep a rope from snapping while being pulled into a black hole anyways? Mr. Scroop slowly came up on deck holding Mr. Arrow's hat with his head down, pretending to grieve for the loss.
"Mr. Arrow has been lost. His lifeline was not secured," Scroop lied, handing the hat to Amelia with fake sympathy. The crew turned to Jim with hateful eyes, Amelia looking on with grief, but still the look in her eyes demanded to know what had happened to him. Jim was confused at this point and ran straight to the lifelines, Kio at his heels.
"No I... I checked them all... I did, I checked them all... They were right here," Jim said, more to himself but turned to the captain with pleading eyes for forgiveness. Kio saw where Mr. Arrow's lifeline should have been, her ears drooping in pity for the cabin boy and looked on following his gaze to Amelia as well.
"Mr. Arrow was a fine spacer... Finer that any of us would ever hope to be," Amelia said quietly trying her best not to cry for her dear friend. "But he knew the risks. As do we all." She started to her stateroom, hoping for an escape from all of the crew's judging eyes, if she were to let go and just weep. She even ignored Doppler as she went, no energy left at all.
The night was a sleepless one once more. Nothing more to be done or said. Jim was still sitting in the ratlines, staring off into space, hating himself and life amongst that. That would be the biggest mistake of his life. Nothing could ever take back the fact that it was his fault a being was dead. And there was nothing worse than knowing that. For Kio, in truth with that in mind, loosing all of her memories was of a little cost. But she would never know the grief that had pained her in the past. Coming from below deck Kio rose, having watched Jim leave a while ago. She had figured that Silver would go after him, but so far it wasn't the case, so she was more than willing to go try and help him out.
She sat down by him on the ratlines as well, hesitating before talking. She sighed.
"You didn't mean to. It isn't your fault," Kio began, her eyes shut for a first instead of looking out at all of the stars.
"You wouldn't understand," Jim told her angrily.
"Probably not, but I know that you wouldn't ever try to kill a person. Intentionally."
"Just drop it. There's nothing left to do," Jim muttered. He didn't really want to fight with Kio, but he was too upset, and talking was just making it worse. At that moment Silver came upon deck and leaned on the wall of the ship.
"It weren't your fault, y'know," he said thoughtfully. "Why half the crew would be-"
"Look! Don't you get it? I mean I messed up! For once, I thought I did something right! But then, just! Forget it! Just forget it," Jim yelled, jumping down from the ratlines and leaning on the mast afterwards. Silver put his hand upon Jim's shoulder and turned him around forcefully. He began talking with him nearly angrily. Kio gone off the ratlines by now, and up on the limb of a smaller mast, hardly listening in on their conversation, save for a few words.
"You got the makings of greatness in ye! Stick to it! You just need to take the hell of a chance, and when ye do, I hope I'm there. Catching some of the light coming off your sails," Silver said, Kio listening fully on this part thoughtfully.
"I hope I'm there too," she whispered, inaudible to either Jim or Silver. The cabin boy wiped his eyes and leaned against Silver, who in return, hesitated then hugged him. It was clear that Jim saw Silver as a father-figure now, and it was sad to watch. For Kio at least, always sympathetic. Silver coughed and sent him to bed.
"Getting in too deep here, Morphy... Soon they'll be saying I've gone soft," the pirate muttered and began to leave, finishing his rounds.
"Payback time, kitty kitty," Scroop growled, flexing his claws at Kio. She had nothing to say, so she stood still, the spider coming closer for her. She looked around. There was nowhere to run.
"That's right. You can't get away from here, and you'll be dead if you try," Scroop snarled. Kio saw one way though. She scurried under Scroop and away, climbing up higher on the mast.
"You annoying little...," Scroop began as Kio got away. He chased after her, and for dumb luck wise he caught her and held her above the deck, ready to cut her up. Kio panicked and did what came to mind. She cried out for help. Very loudly. Scroop snarled.
"Shut up! Now you're in for it!" Scroop was about to try and kill her, but the call for help proved help, as Jim rushed up on deck, looking around for the voice he recognized to be Kio's. Then spotted Scroop hanging her above the deck, Kio trying to escape, and looked over at Jim as a God- sent. Now seeing Jim there as well, Scroop was thinking to kill them both off for what they did back when Mr. Arrow was around. He flung Kio off the mast heading for the main one, which was good luck as she hit it, but grabbed onto it as well, so she came down easily. Before so she noticed Silver coming to see what all the noise was about.
"Jim let's go!" Kio whispered harshly. "Silver's coming and Scroop can't do anything to us when he's around." Agreeing they both went back below, leaving Silver to handle it.
"What was that about?" Jim asked Kio.
"Scroop wanted payback, or somewhat," she answered tiredly trying to sleep in the cot, she called a bed. "Best watch out fer him..." she yawned before falling completely silent, even from the startle of Scroop again. All and all, Kio just hoped they would get to Treasure Planet in one piece.
I'm Still Here-