TAoP Chapter 10

Out There

The ship had taken off and they were on their way to see new worlds. Illiana drove the ship again as Jayden and Max were discussing on which world to go to first. Penny sat on a chair thinking about their mission.

"Why are we going to Montressor?" Penny asked. Midnight jumped on her lap and went right to sleep.

"For us, we are going on a long journey, so because of that we need a better ship. Montressor provides us with ships that can last us a long time and we don't have to worry about repairs as much. The ship we are on now is for a quick journey," Illiana explained.

"Montressor and Fantasia trade with each other so we help them out and vice versa," Mix pitched in, listening to their conversation.

"I hope they give us a good ship! Do you think we will meet Jim Hawkins while we are there?"

"Well, first we have to meet up with Dr. Doppler, who will give us a ship. After that, we head of to Neverland so Penny can get her water," Jayden pointed out as she looked through his computer.

"Who's Jim Hawkins?" Penny asked, scratching Midnight's ears. Starlight was staring out the window pointing many of the constellations that matched the ones back home.

"Jim Hawkins is the boy who found the famous pirates treasure! He worked with Captain Jon Silver himself!" Illiana explained excitedly.

"Everyone has heard of his story. He's now training to become a captain someday," Jayden added.

"Oh…how much longer?" Penny was already bored. She could tell that this would be the hardest part of the journey.

"About five more minutes."

"Here, Penny, let me teach you some basics of sword fighting," Max offered, standing up from his chair.

Penny immediately lifted Midnight off her, but that took some time since his growth spurt. Finally, she managed it and took out her sword. Max came over to examine the blade his father has given her.

"Wow, not bad! Okay, first let me explain where we get the material from…"

"Oh! Jayden and Illiana told me that the blade won't hurt humans or animals. Only the Darkness," Penny said enthusiastically.

Max nodded, "That's right. Now where we the material to make the blade is a little tricky. Around our world there are these comets. Some of the comets hold a certain metal inside them. With this metal, we can bend it into any shape we want and this metal can stop the Darkness. We don't know why, but it is the only thing that can destroy them. All of our weapons are made from it: my sword and shield, Illiana's bullets, and even Jayden's staff has it. And now your sword has it. That's why my dad gave it to you because your dagger can't affect them. But I'd keep your dagger just in case.

"Now which hand do you use when you use your dagger?"

"Er…I use my right hand," Penny said as she reached for it.

"Okay, just like most people. Now you're gonna want to keep this on your left side so that you can reach for it easily." Max moved the dagger and replaced it with the sword. It reached down to her ankles and it weighed kinda heavy.

He handed her the dagger, "You can put it wherever you want."

"Okay…" Penny attached it to her right side next to her pouches.

"Alright, the sword is kinda like a dagger only it has a longer range…" Max continued to explain as the ship entered the new world and pulled into a harbor. There were many different kinds of ships: ships that looked like theirs and some that looked like pirate ships and their long boats.

Illiana parked the ship and they all got off. Upon the hill above them was a huge building that had a sign that read, Benbow Inn. Star hid in Penny's shirt since she had left her hat at the castle. Midnight moved closer to her side, unsure of what kind of place they landed.

So where is this friend we have to meet?" Penny questioned as they walked towards the inn. As they walked, she could feel a tickle in the back of her mind, much like the presence of a Heart. She began to notice the difference between a Heart and that of an animal's presence.

"The King sent a message ahead to have him meet us here. He usually eats here anyways," Jayden said stretching as they entered the building.

Penny gasped as she looked around. There were tons if people eating, talking and enjoying themselves in the inn. But that wasn't why she was surprised; the people weren't even people. They looked like aliens, some with tentacles and a family looked like frogs, and there was even a robot serving them.

What are these people? Midnight asked as he too looked at the people as they found a place to sit.

I'm not sure. I've never seen anything like it. Penny stared at everyone with her mouth open until Illiana nudged her.

"It's rude to stare, Penny," she whispered to the girl.

"But, why do they look like that?" Some more people walked through the door and one couple really stood out. One was a dog wearing a long red coat and glasses perched on his nose. His companion was a cat, standing straight and wearing what looked like a captain's uniform. Penny looked them over and felt that the presence got stronger.

"I don't get what the problem is. You don't mind that Max looks weird…"

"Hey! I heard that-" Max said but then Jayden interrupted him as he spotted the couple.

"Ah! Dr. Doppler!" Jayden stood and called them over to their table.

"Jayden! I'm glad we came here on time. I hope you haven't been waiting long. Amelia and I had to find someone to watch over our little ones," the dog, Dr. Doppler, explained as he held hands with the feline. As soon as he said the name, turquoise came into Penny's mind and she flinched at the force that was behind it.

The cat looked down at her with interest, "And what is your name, small one?"

"Penny. And I bet that I smell like a forest and a deep green color comes to mind when I mention my name," Penny stated as she yawned and stretched. Midnight looked back and forth at them and immediately committed Amelia's scent to his mind. He wanted to help Penny with her mission as much as possible. Penny smiled at him as she heard his thoughts.

Amelia smile and stood up straight, "Indeed, I'm Captain Amelia and yes, I had just started to sense you for awhile now. How did you know about that?"

"Because I've been sensing you since I landed here. You are very pretty shade of turquoise."

"Wait, you felt the Heart already? There's a Heart for this world as well?" Jayden asked. He pulled out his computer to take notes and to record everything Penny tells him.

"Yup, I could feel her getting closer, so I knew she was coming."

"What's this?" Dr. Doppler asked confused.

"Nothing, Dr. Doppler. I'll explain everything later," Amelia put her hand on his shoulder with a smile, "Don't we have a fine ship to show these kids?"

"Right, of course. If you four could follow me please."

"Woah!" Penny gaped at the huge ship that stood in front of them. Star flew all around it to see how big it was, while Midnight went on board to check it out.

"Yes, nice isn't it? This is the R.L.S Treasure. Amelia had gotten it for you when she heard your King's request," Dr. Doppler explained as they all went to examine the ship.

"I have taken the liberty of stocking it with food and other supplies for you. Now do any of you know how to actually sail this kind of ship?" Captain Amelia asked as Penny ignored everyone and explored the ship.

The ship had two masts and many sails that were trimmed and ready to fly. There was a wheel at the end of the ship on top of an elevated level so one may sail the ship. In the lower decks, Penny found the familiar hammocks and in the room next to it, the kitchen. Further down the bottom were all of their supplies and she hoped there was enough for everyone. Penny could feel Amelia searching for her so headed back up on the deck. She found Dr. Doppler talking to the trio.

"Now then, could you explain to me why I can sense you and only you?" Amelia asked from behind.

"Oh, umm…I guess there are these people called the Heart of the World and they are very important. I believe I'm the only one that can find you guys," Penny tried to remember what Yensid was talking about, "But I do know that I'm supposed to give you a bead and you give me one back." She pulled out two beads and handed one to Amelia. With her bead, she turned it into the same green colored one just like the one she gave Minnie.

Amelia looked at the bead with interest and held hers for awhile. Just after that, she handed the bead over to Penny. It was a bright turquoise and she could see all the way into her mind. Penny tied the bead to the opposite side of Minnie's bead and felt both of their strings grow brighter.

"Make sure you keep that bead with you at all times, so we can stay in contact with each other," Penny said as the captain took Penny's bead.

"I will accept the bead and pray that I do not lose it. As you are on your travels, I hope you will be careful. I hate to see you get hurt on your first time seeing different worlds," Amelia smiled down at her, "The Darkness will not take you kindly even if you are a child."

Before Penny could reply, she walked briskly off the ship with the doctor.

"Alright, hoist the anchor! Let down those sails! We have worlds to see!" Illiana yelled out as she headed for the helm. The boys ran up to the sails and let them down as the ship rose from the harbor. Penny looked over the side and spotted the couple. She smiled and waved, thinking, I'll be fine! I'm with my friends. I will protect the Hearts!

When the boys came back down, they showed Penny what to do while on the ship and to trim the sails. After that lesson, she climbed the rigging to see all the stars and some other ships sail by with Starlight by her side. Midnight whined from the deck since he couldn't climb the ropes.

No fair! I want to see what's out there!

Don't worry! There are better things to see on other worlds than what is up here, Penny called down to him.

The boys were checking the supplies and Illiana kept course since she was the only one of her friends to study sailing. After some time, Penny noticed a world coming up and recognized the island within.

"Illiana! I spot Neverland!" She called, jumping down on the deck and running towards her.

"Of course, we have to get your water and you have to see your family," Illiana said.

"Not to mention, we have to see if you can find the Heart here," Jayden added, coming up from below the deck. Max watched the island grow larger since he was the only one that hasn't seen it yet.

Illiana landed right in Mermaid Lagoon, just like their first visit. Jayden and Max rolled out two large barrels as Penny jumped on the edge of the ship. Midnight climbed up with her, eager to see this world since he didn't see much of the last one. Star had already flown to the island, but waited for them.

Just as Penny jumped, Jayden grabbed the back of her shirt, "Woah, hold on there! There's something o have to give you." He pulled her back on the deck.

"What is it?" Penny sighed. She couldn't wait to see the Lost Boys and hopefully Peter.

"This," he pulled out a green ribbon and tied it to her neck. At the end of the ribbon was a moon and star charm, "is a little invention that I created myself. It allows you to talk to all of us, even if we are far away from you, much like your ability to talk to the Hearts and animals. I've made one for all of us." He handed one to the other two and put one on himself. Jayden's was a wrench on a blue ribbon; Illiana a flower on a purple ribbon; Max a skate board on a red ribbon.

"How does it work?" Max asked as he examined his.

"It's very simple: whenever we are separated or just want to talk privately, we touch the charm and think of the person we want to talk to. Then we can all talk as a group or separately telepathically. It requires magic so make sure you don't spend it all on the charm."

"Hmm, how clever," Illiana mumbled as she got ready to go the island.

"That's great but can I go now? Please!" Penny impatiently asked jumping up and down on the deck. Midnight barked in agreement.

Jayden sighed, "Yea, go on. But wait for us on the shore!"

Penny had already jumped in the water with Midnight as Jayden finished talking and they both swam to the shore. Once they got out, they both shook themselves dry and Midnight started to sniff around. Penny unhooked her pixie dust pouch as Star landed on her shoulder.

"Star, take Midnight and go get some more dust." Question chimes. "He can carry the pouch for you." More chimes and Star was flying, waiting.

Midnight, can you carry this and follow Star? Make sure you don't eat anything or be any trouble, she knelt down to his eye level and petted his head.

But…I don't want to leave you, Midnight cocked his head and whined.

Don't worry! I'm safe here. Please? She can't carry this when it is full.

Okay, but don't you get into any trouble while I'm gone. Midnight took the pouch with his mouth and followed Star into the forest.

As Penny stood, she felt a familiar presence, but different at the same time. She glanced around and Cubby came stumbling out of the woods.

"Penny! Where have you been? But, uh, more importantly, have you seen Jane?" He called out, running towards her. Midnight blue popped in her head just like when Wendy's name is mentioned.

"Who?" she asked.

"Peter brought her here and he wants to make her into a Lost Boy!"

"What?"