It was almost time. What everyone hoped would be the final match, was fast approaching.
Jim sat in the tent quietly contemplating the plan they had agreed on, and his life as well. He didn't want it to end here. Now that he had found Iris, there was so much more he wanted to do with his life. He gently caressed Iris' hair while she lay there still unconscious. The color of her skin had already changed and spread more in just the few hours it took them to gather a team that would go after Barlow.
"Don't give up on me now," Jim whispered and leaned in to kiss Iris' semi-cold forehead. To think there was a chance he'd never see those beautiful eyes again...was terrifying.
Lee stepped into the tent and stood a few feet away from Jim. He stared at him for a few seconds before saying, "Even if we get Iris' crystal back and kill Barlow, she must stay here. This is her home and next in line to take charge of our village."
Jim let out a small sigh that he had been holding in and pulled his gaze away from Iris and stared at Lee. "Is there something important you need to tell me, or did you just come here to shove my mistakes in my face?"
Lee made no comment on this and sat down across from Jim, sitting on the other side of Iris. "If you think Iris will leave this place with you, then you're wrong. She has to stay here. And even though you have soiled her body, I will still be the one she calls her husband-her mate."
Jim grabbed Lee by the tribal necklaces around his neck and pulled him close. "Get out," Jim let go of Lee and pushed him back.
Lee scoffed. "I want the best for Iris, just like you, and what I'm telling you is the truth." He stood up and checked his necklaces to make sure none of them were broken or out of place. "We are leaving soon, so you better get your mind together." Lee left Jim to wallow quietly in his thoughts again.
After much to consider, Jim made his way to his crew and teammates. They were all waiting for him and ready with weapons in their hands.
"Are you ready?" Kate asked, but Jim knew what she really meant by that: are you okay?
Jim gave her one nod. "Let's go, everyone." Of course Jim wasn't okay, but he had to be strong, brave, and collected. There were many times where Jim wanted to give up, stop fighting, but he couldn't do that. He was captain, he was Jim Hawkins, and so many people looked up to him. But he was also human and with that came uncontrolled spurts of feelings. Maybe someday he would be able to express those feelings to someone who cared, but for now he would have to hold it in.
Deep in the forest-the jungle, Barlow and his men walked. They were in just as much in a heap of trouble as everyone else, only difference: they were the cause of everyone's sorrows and their own.
They found a quiet place to sit and rest and mend their wounds while Barlow, their infamous leader, thought of a plan. He knew Jim and his men would be coming after them soon if not already. There was little time to focus on the matter at hand. Barlow wanted to take what they could get and get the hell off this planet.
It was such a small planet, but one that was so beautiful and full of treasure. Barlow needed to take what he could get and escape on the only ship still standing, which was on the other side of the island.
Finally, Barlow admitted to being lost, and with the handful of men he had left, he knew this would be difficult-but not impossible.
"Hurry up, men. We don't have much time left." He said this as he reached in his pocket and pulled out Iris' crystal. He held it up to get a better look at it and marvled at how the light from the sun reflected off of it from the cracks leaves and branches. So beautiful, he thought. This one crystal would set him up for months, maybe even years.
Just then one of the men groaned in pain and fell over as an arrow shot him in the chest.
"At the ready, men!" Barlow yelled as he knew Jim and his crew were already here.
Arrows came left and right, striking each and every one of Barlow's men dead. But they got smart and took shelter behind trees and giant boulders and even logs.
More arrows whistled through the air but when they were unable to penetrate another one of Barlow's men, they stopped.
Footsteps could be heard getting closer all around them and that's when the real fighting began. The tribes people and Jim and Kate with their crew, attacked all at once as they slowly crept up behind the enemy.
Another bloodbath ensued as screams from both sides cried out. Instead of earthly colors surrounding them, there was now a compiling color of red-blood-staining the trees, grass, and dirt.
With little time to react to the chaos happening all around him, Barlow saw his chances of getting out of here dwindling.
For once, things seemed to be going Jim's way. There was an end to all this madness, but Barlow wasn't about ready to give up. He still had tricks waiting to be brought to attention.
"Stop," Jim yelled as the last of Barlow's men succumbed to a slow death. "He's mine." He said as he pointed at Barlow who now stood surrounded by everyone who was not his friend.
Barlow laughed. "You want to take me one on one again? You almost died the last time. Why not have your friends do the dirty work for you?"
Jim ignored the pirate's comment. "You have something I want." He held out his hand. "Give it to me and I'll let the animals of the jungle claim you instead."
Barlow laughed again. "You're more stupid than I thought, little captain." He snarled.
Kate let out an exasperated sigh. "Hand it the fuck over!" She yelled.
Barlow raised a brow at her and said, "You mean the crystal? Not a chance." He stuffed Iris' crystal back in his pocket.
At that moment a cry for help rang in everyone's ears-and then another. Soon, more cries sprung out throughout the crowded jungle.
"It's wild beasts!" Someone shouted before being taken down by the jaws of a lion like creature so huge that not even Barlow compared.
Barlow seized this moment for his opportunity to escape and bolted for the mountain, heading north.
Jim was swift and took after Barlow with Kate close at his heels. When Silver was nowhere in sight, Jim stopped for a second and scanned the area. "Silver," Jim yelled.
Among the chaos Silver answered back: "Go on, Jimbo! I'll keep things at bay here!"
Jim looked to Kate and she said, "Let's go, Jim. We can't waste anymore time."
The closer they got to the mountain, the less trees and tall grass and insects there were, and the more rugged terrain. In time the three of them were soon looking down at all the green. The air was different and the wind was more forceful without the help of the trees to keep it at bay. Barlow was also running out of places to hide. The only place for him to go was up. He suddenly stopped and spun around, taking out his gun and aiming it at Jim's head.
"Cover!" Kate yelled, her voice echoing across the mountain.
The two captains took cover behind large rocks and boulders.
Barlow screamed at them furiously, baring his fangs. "You can't kill me!" His eyes were crazed and blood shot, his veins pulsating from his forehead. "When I'm done with you, I'll take back your head and present it as a trophy for all the villagers to see. Anyone who gets in my way has a death wish!"
"Are you done babbling yet?" Jim yelled back.
Barlow looked in the direction where he heard Jim's voice and shot blindly, hoping to scare him out of his hiding place.
During this time, Jim and Kate took the opportunity to catch their breaths. Also, it allotted them enough time to reload their guns. Jim looked to Kate and helded up two fingers, signaling to her that he had two bullets left; Kate held up one finger.
They had three chances to properly take Barlow down.
With one final breath to calm his shaking nerves, Jim came out of hiding and quickly found Barlow. He aimed and fired, hitting his left shoulder. He fired again but missed the pirate by an inch.
"For fucks sake!" Jim ran up the mountain side, hurtling over large rocks to get to Barlow. "Cover me, Kate!"
Kate readied her gun and aimed for the perfect opportune moment, but she kept her distance as to not be within reach of Barlow.
Barlow, now wounded, struggled to get up as Jim quickly made his way over. Blood seeped from his shoulder. Jim might not have killed him-yet, but Barlow was deemed handicapped in this fight now. Still, Jim would have to be cautious, because an animal always fought best when wounded and cornered-and Barlow was just that.
The two of them struggled in a fight with their fists. Jim beat down on Barlow with his gun as hard as he could. "You fucked with the wrong captain, asshole!" Jim raised his gun to finish the fight with one final blow to the head, but Barlow took him by surprise and grabbed him. He flipped the young captain around on his back and punched him in the face. "You were saying?" He aimed his gun only mere inches away from Jim's face. "You can join your beloved now."
Jim took hold of Barlow's wrists and fought him in a desperate attempt to free himself from getting his head blown off. The gun clicked, hitting the ground near Jim's head. His right ear rang, becoming deaf, while he focused on hearing out of his left. "Do it now, Kate!" Jim could barely hear himself.
It was at that moment Jim looked up at the face of a pirate who knew his end was seconds away. The look of terror and anger filled this pirate's soul in a single moment and for a fraction of a second, Jim pitied Barlow.
BAM!
The bullet from Kate's gun burst out the front of Barlow's head and hit some rocks a few feet away. Blood and fragments of Barlow's brains and other bodily fluids landed on Jim, and the pirate fell limp on top of him.
With Kate's help, Barlow was flipped over on to his back and Jim was able to catch his breath once again.
"I'm sorry." Said Kate.
"What for?"
Kate took a few breaths and then said, "For taking your kill."
Jim smiled. He didn't care. All he wanted was Barlow to be good and dead, and now he was.
"We should get back to the others." Said Kate, holding out a hand to help Jim to his feet.
"I know, but first," Jim dug into Barlow's pocket and pulled out Iris' crystal. "Okay, lets go."
"What about Barlow?" Kate asked once she helped Jim up.
Jim shrugged. "What about him?" He looked up to the sky and saw black birds flying in circles above them. "Let the birds take care of him."
Kate smiled. "Sure, Captain."
As the duo made they're way down the mountain carefully and into the jungle again, they were pleased to see that the fight had ended in their favor. The tribes people were busy cutting up the beasts who attacked during the fight, and Jim's and Kate's crew members had their hands full with taking control over what little pirates were still alive after the fight.
Lee walked up to Jim and Kate. He had his share of cuts and bruises, but nothing fatal. "The battle is over. We've won." He looked passed them. "Where is Barlow?"
"We left him as an offering to the birds." Jim told him.
Lee held back a laugh with a grin. "I see. A wise choice."
Jim scanned the area for Silver but could not find him. "Where's Silver?"
Lee hesitated for a few seconds. "He was wounded during battle. The beast got him."
"Is he still alive? Where is he?" Kate demanded to know.
"He was sent back to the village to be treated."
"Let's go to him then." Jim said in haste. "What are we standing around for?" He also had Iris to think about. With her crystal back in his possession, her life could be spared.
Lee led Jim and Kate back to the village.
"Go see Iris. She needs you." Said Kate. "I'll go with Lee to check up on Silver."
Jim was reluctant to leave. He wanted to see if Silver was alright, but Iris also needed him. But if he were to see Silver first, the old scalawag would scold him and tell him to go be with his sweetheart. So, that's what Jim did.
Leland and the chief were still in the tent looking after Iris.
Iris' mother looked up at him with hope in her eyes. "I hear the battle is over. Do you have it?" Jim held the crystal up for her to see. She smiled. "Oh! Thank you! Quickly now, not another minute must be lost."
Jim knelt down beside Iris and placed the crystal back in its rightful place.
The three of them watched as the crystal molded perfectly into Iris' chest, its glow returning.
Slowly, but surely, Iris' natural color returned to her skin.
"When will she wake?" Jim asked.
"Not sure." Said Leland. "This sort of thing has never happened."
"Go be with your friend Silver. We'll call upon you when she awakes." Said the chief.
Jim made his way to the hut that Silver was being held and treated. Even though he was tired and could barely keep his eyes open, there were still things he needed to do.
"Ah, Jimbo," Silver said in a raspy voice. He had a bandage over his head and his one good arm had been mangled and wrapped in cloth and giant green leaves, and a fur blanket lay over him to keep him warm.
"Hey, Silver." Jim sat down next to him. "You did good today."
Silver laughed weakly. "Did I now? You're too kind, my lad." He coughed and spat out blood.
"Will you be alright?" Jim asked.
Silver grinned. "I'm still wondering that myself." He winced in pain and grabbed his gut.
Jim lifted the fur blanket and saw that his friends belly was wrapped up. No matter how well his wound was bandaged up, blood could still be seen staining the white cloth and the flat bed made of straw and leaves.
"How does it look?" Silver asked him.
Jim placed the fur over him again. "It looks fine." His words were almost caught in his throat.
"You're a terrible lier." Said Silver. "Kate said the last ship standing is able to be fixed up and prepared to leave within a few days. That's good news, is it not?"
"That's great news." Jim said. "And when we get back to Montressor you can stay at the inn until you're fully able to get out on your own. Remember what Admiral Blake said? You're an upstanding citizen now."
Silver laughed weakly at this. "Isn't that something?"
"Do you object?" Jim asked.
It was a moment before Silver answered him. "Jimbo, my lad, me thinks I'll be stayin' here from now on. I'm in no condition to be moving around. You understand, right?"
Jim nodded. "Yeah, of course."
Silver narrowed his cyborg eye at the young captain. "You UNDERSTAND, right?"
Jim rubbed his jaw. "I won't allow that kind of talk. Captain's orders, you hear me?"
Silver smiled and rolled his eyes. "As far as I'm concerned, you can't boss me around. We're not on a ship, now are we?"
Jim was about to take his friend's hand and tell him something important, but was interrupted when Leland came into the hut.
"Jim, she's awake. Go see here, if you want. I can keep Silver company."
"Alright,"
"Go to her, lad," Silver said. "I'm not going anywhere."
Jim hesitated for a second and then leaned and whispered into Silver's ear: "You'll always be a father to me." He stood up quickly and straightened out his clothes before leaving.
The look in Silver's eyes was that of content. In that moment of his life, Silver felt as though he had fulfilled his purpose in life, and he was happy.
When stepped back into the tent he was overcome with joy as he saw Iris sitting up and slurping some soup.
The chief stood and walked over to Jim, placing a hand on his shoulder. She said nothing, only smiled and then left the two to be alone.
Iris set her bowl of soup down and opened up her arms to Jim. She let him bring her in into a warm embrace. They held on to each other for a long while, taking in each other's scent and warmth.
"I'm sorry," Jim whispered in her ear and then kissed her cheek.
"Its okay," she told him. "Don't blame yourself. This isn't your fault." She kissed him back.
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
Iris touched her crystal. "I'm okay. I just feel a little weak right now." She paused. "My mother told me everything that happened. You and your people saved my village, Jim. We are forever indebted to you."
Jim caressed her hair. "What happens now?"
"Well," started Jim. Kate's ship will be fixed and prepared to go within a few days, and from there we will be able to go back to Montressor."
Iris nodded. "I wish you could stay." She bowed her head, feeling sad.
"Come with me." Jim lifted her head to look at him. "You don't have to stay here. Let someone else take over. Haven't you sacrificed enough already? You should be able to live the life you want without others making you feel bad about it." He kissed her.
"And what if I choose to stay? What would you do?" She asked him.
Jim thought for a few seconds. "If that is what you want, then I won't stop you. But if you came with me that doesn't mean you'd never see your mother or village again. We can always come visit. But," he said in caution. "If you stay here it would be very hard to make you my wife and have a family together. I want you, Iris, but if staying here is what will make you happy, then I won't argue." He kissed her again. "And I would stay here if not for my mom. I can't leave her all alone."
"I know." Said Iris.
There was much to think about, but for now the two lovers stayed quiet as they continued to sit and enjoy each others company. To Jim, it had felt like years since he last held Iris so freely. He carefully slipped off her clothes and then his own and hid under the covers with her.
As Iris allowed Jim to caress her, she wrapped her arms around him and depended their kiss. Flesh against flesh was what they both desired from the other. And although still feeling weak, Jim took his time with her and was gentle. He sucked on her lips and kissed her neck and then left little trails of soft kisses on her shoulders and all the way down to her crystal where he massaged it with his lips. He then slipped his fingers down to her clitoris and rubbed slowly, working Iris into a lustful sweat and soon felt her body shake from an orgasm. Jim was in the heat of the moment and carefully slipped inside of Iris, feeling the juices of her orgasm surround his manhood. He hid his face into her neck and rocked slowly with her.
How could he leave her? How could he leave Iris behind? Now matter how badly he wanted her to go back to Montressor with him, the choice was ultimately Iris' in the end.
Jim reached his climax and struggled to keep his moaning to a minimum as the pleasure was absolutely overwhelming. His cum dripped from Iris as he released himself and lied beside her.
The couple fell fast to sleep in each other's arms and dreamed of nothing more than being together always.
The next few days passed quickly. Everyone worked together to heal the wounded and fix the ship, and Iris had returned to normal, walking around and talking with everyone.
"Has the chief told you how everything will go when we prepare to leave?" Leland walked over to his son.
"'We'?" Jim said.
Leland cleared his throat before saying, "Did you really think I wouldn't come back?"
Jim said nothing in regards to what his father said. "Yes, the chief told me." He thought he would at least answer his father with that.
The plan was: when the ship was ready, the people of the village would gather at the mountain and form a circle. With the power of their crystals resting within them, they were able to control the swirling storm that surrounded the planet and would be able to make an opening for the ship to pass through.
"How long are you going to stay upset with me?" Leland asked.
"As long as it takes."
Leland sighed. "Jim, I had no ship to get back to you. I had nothing to fix the lifeboat that I arrived here in. I was stuck!"
Jim turned to his father. "Look, we can talk about this later. I have other things on my mind right now." He paused. "And I'm not mad...at least not as much as I was. You helped Iris and for that I am grateful. The best thing you can do for me is give me some time, okay? We can talk more once we set sail."
Leland nodded. "Alright, Jim." He gave his son a pat on the back and started walking away. "Everyone is heading to the mountain soon. That's where we will say goodbye."
In the next few minutes everyone gathered together and started their walk up the mountain. They had climbed higher than when Jim and Kate fought Barlow and could see the ship floating in the air, ready to go.
Beside Jim and Iris, Silver was carried up on a cot made out of wood and straw. He was too weak to move on his own. Iris held on to his hand as they walked, comforting him.
When they reached their destination, the people of the village formed a circle and held hands. This area of the mountain was fertile with luscious green grass and flowers, and among the beautiful landscape were crystals of past lives; they gleemed in the sunlight.
Silver was removed from his cot and placed down on a soft patch of grass. He groaned in pain. "Gently now." He said.
Iris and Jim knelt down beside him.
"What's with all the gloomy faces?" Silver tried to joke but he only made himself feel worse and coughed up blood. The blood was dark and thicker, showing signs that his body was quickly shutting down.
"Thank you, Silver, for keeping me safe." Said Iris. "I will never forget you."
Silver smiled. "Ah, no need to thank this cyborg. It was my pleasure." He winced in pain again.
"Are you scared?" Jim suddenly asked. He struggled to keep his wits about him.
A thoughtful look spread across Silver's face. "No. My only regret is not being in your life longer." He then pulled something out of his pocket: a tiny golden ring. "I've held on to this for far too long." And he placed it inside Jim's palm.
"What's this for?"
Silver smiled, his lips quivering as he struggled to hold it. "When I was young I loved someone, but I missed my chance. My sweat heart has long since been gone. This old heart of mine knows that ring can be put to better use. No sense in holding on to it any longer." He coughed up more blood.
"Thank you, Silver." Jim and Iris looked at each other. They both knew that Silver wanted them to be together, and thus he had given them the ring that would one day, hopefully, unify a marriage.
Silver looked up at the sky. It was so clear and beautiful, and at long last, Silver breathed his last and passed on from his mortal life and into the next, and he did it with a faint smile on his face.
Jim and Iris stepped away from Silver's body and watched as the grass grew and entangled the old pirate. It covered him completely and pressed his body to the soil of the land, securing that spot as his grave.
Everyone was waiting for Iris to join the circle now.
"You can still come with." Jim told her. "We can still have a life and family together. We can make things right."
Iris' face was twisted with pain and guilt. She didn't know what to do. "I will never stop loving you, no matter how far away you are from me."
Jim heaved a heavy sigh. "So this is your choice?" Iris said nothing. Jim grabbed her hands and rubbed them gently. He had told her that he wouldn't argue with her. "Iris," he leaned his forehead against hers as he whispered her name and gave her one last kiss.
Kate's voice spoke out. "Jim, we should get going."
Jim looked back to see Kate standing with Admiral Blake and Amelia. They were all waiting for him.
Before turning away, Jim kissed Iris' hand. He didn't want to leave, but he had to. His place wasn't here, it was back in Montressor where his own mother anxiously waited for his return.
When Jim was gone from sight, Iris joined her mother in the circle.
"You are in pain, my child."
A few tears ran down Iris' cheeks. "I'm strong enough." She replied. "Lets start the chant so that our friends may be able to pass safely."
The chief let go of her daughters hand and turned her about, facing her. "Go, Iris."
"But what about you, mother? And everyone else?"
Iris' mother looked at the villagers. "We are strong enough."
Iris smiled sadly. "And who would be chief next if I am gone? It is my duty as your daughter."
The chief leaned in and kissed Iris on the forehead. "And it is my duty as a mother to see my daughter happy." She looked to Lee. "Besides, I have someone in mind who would be a great leader for our village."
Iris gave her mother a tight embrace. "I will miss you." She sniffed.
"We will see each other again." The chief said and broke away from her. "Now go, be with the one you want!"
"I love you!" Iris said before taking off and down the mountain side and back to her village and all the way to the beach where Jim was getting ready to board the ship.
Jim was one of the last to board the ship. He had waited, hoping Iris would come find him.
"Jim," Kate said. "Are you ready? Everyone else is on the ship." She was already making her way up.
"Yeah," said Jim. "I'm ready." He climbed on to the ladder.
"Jim!" A voice shouted out across the beach. Jim looked back and hopped off the ladder as he saw Iris pop out from the trees. She was running towards him as fast as she could.
"Wait!" She yelled breathlessly.
Jim started making his way to Iris, picking up speed and meeting with her the rest of the way. They collided together and fell on to the soft sand. Iris gave him soft kisses all over his face and lips and held on to him tightly.
"I'm going with you! Please, don't go without me!"
"Never," Jim returned those loving kisses.
"Come on you two love birds!" Kate called out to them.
Jim swooped Iris up into his arms and carried her to the ladder.
"Its good to have you back, Iris." Kate said and she gave Iris a genuine smile before getting on to the ship.
Once on deck, everyone looked to the sky and saw the storm of crystals spreading apart.
"Now is our chance!" Hollered Amelia. "Men, ladies, at the ready!"
"Hey," said Kate. "This is my ship."
Amelia grinned. "I can't help myself."
The ship started up nicely and took off at a light speed, slowly gaining momentum. The gravitational lever was pulled and the shield formed around the ship. Everything was right again.
Iris looked back at her home, the place where she had grown up, and watched as it got smaller. And soon, as they passed through the storm without any troubles, the crystals took their original form and the planet was once again protected.
"We'll see them again." Jim told her.
Iris nodded. "I know."
"Jim..."Leland came up behind them. "Can we talk now?"
Jim looked to Iris. "I'll be in one of the rooms." She said to him.
Jim and Leland were now alone and away from prying ears and eyes.
"What do you want to talk about?" Jim asked.
"Everything," he said. "But for now lets talk about us. Let me start by apologizing again. I never meant to hurt you and your mother the way I did. I was a foolish man."
"At least you finally admit it."
Leland sighed. "I'm thankful for Silver. He was there for you when I couldn't be." Jim didn't say anything, so Leland continued. "Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes we have to make mistakes or go through heartache to find those reasons."
Jim crossed his arms. "Are you saying that your abandoning us was for a reason?"
Leland chuckled nervously. "When you put it like that it sounds really bad, but yeah, maybe that was the only way you could have ever met Silver. Without him, I think our situations right here and now would be very different."
Jim felt stupid for thinking that for once his father made some sense. "If you say so."
"And when we get back to Montressor," Leland said. "I'm going to get an honest job and work very hard."
"No need." Said Jim. "I've given mom everything she could ever want or hope for. I'm the one who worked hard for her."
"And you did a fine job." He opened his arms. "Can I have a hug?"
Jim looked around the ship to see if anyone was watching them.
Slowly, but surely, Jim leaned in and gave his father a quick hug.
"Was that so bad?" Leland asked.
Jim struggled to find something to say. "It was...okay."
Leland chuckled. "Go ahead and be with your woman. I won't keep you any longer."
Jim made his way across the ship and looked up at Kate as she minded the ship. "What room is Iris in?"
"The third door down on the upper level. By the way," she said. "Nice hug."
Jim was embarrassed. "Shut up."
Kate only laughed.
Just as Kate said, Jim found the room where Iris was. He saw her clothes on the floor and could hear water running in the bathroom. When he opened the door he saw the mirror fogged and steam rising from the shower. He quickly undressed and joined Iris.
They washed each others bodies and traded sweet kisses back and forth before hopping out of the shower and drying off.
"Go wait for me in the bedroom." Jim told Iris.
"Why? Just come with me."
"I'll be there in a moment, I promise." Iris left the bathroom and Jim picked up his pants and pulled the gold ring from his pocket and brushed off any dirt that might have gotten on it.
When Jim went to meet up with Iris she was lying on the bed, waiting for him. The view of her naked body on top of the silky covers was so inviting.
"I have something for you." Jim stood at the foot of the bed.
Iris crawled over to him and sat up on her knees. "What is it?"
Jim opened his palm, revealing the ring.
A somber look spread across her face. "Silver,"
"He wouldn't want us to be sad for him." Jim told her as he took her hand and slipped the ring on her finger. "Iris," he said. "Please, be my wife."
Iris smiled, blushing. "Yes."
They fell back on to the bed together, making love as they would for the rest of their lives.
Epilogue:
A few years had gone by and Iris and Jim were making their way back to an old familiar planet surrounded by a beautiful storm of crystals. They opened up, providing safe passage for the grand ship to pass through.
When they landed, the island had changed little, but it was not the same for those who lived there.
Iris' mother, Lee, and a few others were there to greet them.
"I see you brought visitors." Said Lee.
A small child was hiding behind Jim. She poked her head out and gazed up at the strangers before her. Her blues looked up at them in wonder, her short brown hair swaying in the wind. And in Jim's arms was a small boy, a toddler, and he too had green eyes and brown hair like the little girl. But it wasn't just the four of them; Iris was with child, her third one, and she was more than half way through her pregnancy.
Also, Leland and Sarah were there as well.
"This is Iris' home planet? Amazing!" Sarah was in absolute awe.
"I'm glad you like it so much." Said Iris' mother and she bent down to greet the little girl. "What is your name?"
"Naomi," the girl replied. "Who are you?"
"I'm your grandmother."
Naomi looked up at her in shock and then flashed her eyes up at her parents, smiling.
"And who is the little boy?"
The little boy was too shy to answer, so Jim said, "His name is Sebastian."
Lee stepped in. "Its good to see you. Let's make our way to the village." The jewelry and necklaces he wore signified that he was now the chief. Iris was happy for him.
The village had grown since last they were here. People were cooking food and prepping for a celebration. This was a very much long awaited day. There was singing and dancing and people doing tricks with fire and objects. Jim and Iris enjoyed it and their kids loved it.
Once everything had settled down and it was close to nightfall, Jim and Iris led their children up the mountain side. A trail had been made to make the walk easier and fire totems were set up to help guide their way.
"Where are we going?" Naomi asked.
"Its a surprise." Jim told her and he put his fingers to his lips.
When they made it, they saw just how much greener the area had become. And in the middle, where an old familiar grave lay, Iris and Jim knelt down beside it.
"What's this?" Naomi asked.
"A grave," Iris answered her. "Our friend, Silver, was buried here six years ago; a year before you were born."
"Oh," said Naomi. "You mean the Silver you have told us about before?"
Jim nodded. "Yes, but there's one last story we need to tell the both of you."
Sebastian clapped his tiny hands. "Story time!"
Jim cleared his throat before starting: "On the clearest of nights, when the winds of the Etherium were calm and peaceful, the great merchant ships, with their cargos of Arcturian solar crystals, felt safe and secure. Little did they suspect that they were pursued by..." Jim paused. "Pirates!" The children gasped. "And the most feared of all these pirates was the notorious Captain Nathaniel Flint."
"What happened next, daddy?" Little Sebastian spoke up.
Jim smiled to himself. "There were nights when the winds of the Etherium, so inviting in their promise of flight and freedom, made one's spirit soar!"
And they did...
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