Chapter 115: Where is She?

Spark!

Jim jolted awake. Sparks popped into his eyes and sizzled across the floor. Jim grabbed his bangs. Panicked for nodding off, he raced for Silver's vitals gauge.

Mid-stride he stopped. Silver's gears were roaring. The internal mechanisms purred as the cyborg's robotic side recalibrated with the biological.

For a second Jim stared. Had it worked? Was the cyborg…repaired? Jim did not breath. His hands hovered. His fingers vibrated with the humming mechanisms. Then, when Silver released a soft breath, Jim slowly lowered onto his knees.

"…done."

Silver did not move. But the kitchen hummed with beautiful, metrical vitality of flowing machinery.

Wordlessly, Jim left. Once, he thought he heard a glitch. He paused. Without turning, he listened. Then, with a sputter, the circuits revved back into circulation.

Jim closed his eyes. He breathed. Then, he continued out the door, leaving B.E.N. to slumber, Morph to float dreamily, and Silver to revitalize.

As he left, the cyborg sighed.

Jim trudged up the stairwell. Feet dragging and eyes limp, he strayed though the dark hallway, too tired to find his way. Vaguely he remembered Dr. Sweet wanting him back in the Nurse's Office, but the idea was laughable. The wounds across his head and stomach would eventually heal. And his right hand was cursed, damaged beyond repair. Sighing, Jim knuckled the right hand against his chest. Pain seared across it as he thought of Wendy, Peter, and Silver all at once. Then…he thought of Ariel.

Ariel. Jim rubbed his chest, harder. Ariel. Was she even alive? Had she survived? And if she had, so what? Their futures were still two separate lines without any sign of converging. Ariel was still the dazzling, intense daughter of ancient mer parentage. And Jim was still the streak of grease on Admiral Triton's boot.

Jim faltered. He squeezed his right fist, trying to hide the scar. But the red hot reminder burned up his wrist.

Jim clenched his teeth. Abruptly, he turned. The ambiguity was killing him. He had to find her. Whether she was alive, dead, in love, or full of hate, he had to find Ariel. Now.

"Whoa!"

"—oh!"

"Aiya!"

"Who's that?"

"Step lightly! Lightly now! Good lord! Who –" Jim tripped, catching himself as a hand full of sharp nails caught him. He could not see, but recognized Captain Amelia's voice immediately. "What imbecilic fool runs around in the dark and ice at such early morning hours? Are you daft? Tis not even dawn and – oh this is a desultory round about! Captain Shang! The light if you please!"

Jim heard a click. A flashlight blared into his eyes. Arms raised, he waited for it to lower before squinting at the people before him. There were five. Captain Amelia. Captain Shang. Mulan. Ariel's older sister, Attina. And Admiral Triton.

"Hawkins? Hawkins!" Mulan's smile was starkly displaced against the frowns. Heedless, she hugged Jim, breaking through the officers like sun through the rain.

"Well. Victor's embrace. Very nice." Captain Amelia cleared her throat. She turned her eyes respectfully as Shang silently fumed. "Give them the moment, Captain Shang. Very clearly Captain Fa has not seen her comrades since the battle's after math."

Jim looked up. Beside Captain Amelia, Shang looked ready to commit murder. Not wanting to give Shang more incentive, Jim avoid eye contact. Admiral Triton caught it. Triton was cast in shadow, but his eyes glowed with undersea luminescence. He was staring at Jim's hand.

Adjusting his hand on Mulan's back, Jim looked to Admiral Triton's side. Attina was leaning against her father. Her chin was lowered. Jim frowned. She was crying.

Gently, Jim released Mulan. "Captain?" he asked, pocketing the right hand.

Mulan grinned. Mushu slithered from under her sleeve before she could answer.

"You said it Cuz! Wah –oo!" Slamming his lips into Mulan's cheek, Mushu burst into tears. "My little baby all grown up and savin' Fantasia! Oh it's too much for a dragon, it's too much! Cap-tain with a capitol 'C'! So salute fool! Salute!"

"Captain Fa – " Captain Amelia explained, rolling her eyes at Mushu, "— orchestrated her army with impetus and clarity. That's what we like to see – sticking to the basics but with powerful energy. Captain Fa also had the good fortune to stay alive – as dictated by luck in any war – and that is exactly what Fantasia needs from its protectors and defenders."

Mulan smoothed a loose hair from her eyes. "I had help." she smiled, nodding at Jim. "Hawkins is a quick thinker. Just like I told you, Captain. Plus…" holding Shang's hand, she winked at Jim. "…he can fly a burning magic carpet like it's no body's business."

The officers eased, seeming to accept Mulan's praise begrudgingly. Captain Amelia looked thoughtful.

"Yes…" Ears tilting, Captain Amelia considered Jim. But not condescendingly. "Yes. Captain Fa detailed your battle contributions. Unorthodox but…ludicrously effective." Her sea-green eyes brightened. "Ludicrously effective. And…I'd be proud to recommend you as a Fantasian officer. Special defenses. Air force. In any case…"

Captain Amelia tapped her heels. Then, she saluted. "Fantasia could use a man like you."

Jim stared. Speechless, he tried to think of something to say. He? A Fantasian Officer?

Mulan was beaming. Even Shang looked pleased – as long as Mulan was holding his hand and not Jim's. Blinking twice, Jim raised his head to Captain Amelia.

"I…" he cleared his throat. "Thank you."

Captain Amelia nodded. Never one for prolonged sentiment, she pressed on. "As you were. Now: Gents. Lady. Dragon. Hup to. Must away. Headmaster is waiting for us. Mr. Hawkins – we will be in touch. Head to wherever you were going. Infirmary, I hope. On we go."

The group followed. Mulan saluted cheerfully as she and Shang passed. "Night!"

Jim nodded. Still dazed, he continued down the hall.

"Wait."

Jim stopped. Admiral Triton had stepped in front, blocking Jim gently with his fist. Attina paused as well. Her father's abruptness seemed to tire rather than surprise her, but still Attina regarded Jim sympathetically.

Stepping back, Jim stared into the admiral's stormy eyes. He was suddenly surprised at the haggardness in Admiral Triton's face. He looked worn. No, he looked…tormented.

Jim started to speak. But the admiral interrupted.

"I do not trust you Jim Hawkins."

Jim stiffened. The triumphant feeling warmed by Captain Amelia cooled in his chest. Despondently, he glared.

Admiral Triton glared back. "But…you fought bravely. And as a warrior…" the old merman extended a hand. "…I owe you that respect. For saving Fantasia. And my daughters. So…"

Jim stared at Admiral Triton's outstretched hand. The right hand. Stunned he looked up. Admiral Triton's face was stern. But, deferent.

Slowly, Jim uncovered his right hand. Then, scar burning and eyes raised, he shook Admiral Triton's hand.

"Where…" Jim's eyes flickered between Admiral Triton and Attina. Ignoring every instinct and unable to stop, Jim asked the question. "Where is Ariel?"

Admiral Triton threw his hand down like a whip. Rubbing his palm as if Jim had dirtied it, he strode by. "Attina. Come."

"Wait! Wait!" Jim ran ahead, slipping on snow."Admiral wait. Just tell me – is she alive?"

Admiral Triton stared ahead. His paced quickened. "Yes."

Jim back stepped. His heart roared. Blood rushed to his ears. "Is she all right?"

Admiral Triton's jaw tightened. Attina whimpered. Again, she started to cry.

Jim read the answer in their faces. His heart stopped.

"Where is she?"

Admiral Triton pushed by.

Jim turned. He grabbed Triton's fist. "Where is Ariel? Tell me!"

"Ariel!" Admiral Triton rounded Jim like a shark. But all his ferociousness and all his anger were drowned in despair. "Ariel is a place where I cannot help her! Ariel is a place where I can neither fight nor love the pain away! I may cradle her in my arms as I did the day she was born, but without recompense! She will see no one! Hear no one! And hope for nothing!"

Attina was sobbing. Gathering his daughter, Triton pointed. "Fantasia is about to change, Jim Hawkins. The Otherworld is watching us. Hungrily. We have a new king. And I – or my eldest daughter – are expected to be chosen as guardians. Guardians of the Seaworld. And if that should pass – "

Admiral Triton exhaled. His hands trembled on Attina's shoulder. "— then I will be damned to protect Fantasia's oceans before I can protect my youngest daughter. When she needs me most. No. I do not trust you Jim Hawkins. And I do not trust you with Ariel – especially after…after she…"

Savagely, Admiral Triton turned away. "Stay away, Jim Hawkins. Where you belong." he said, disappearing with Attina down the dark hall. "Stay away from my little girl."

Jim stared, stones in his heart. Triton's warning unnerved him. Then, thinking of Ariel, he suddenly screamed.

"Where is she?" He ran three steps after Triton. Then, he shook. "Where is she? Where is she? WHERE IS ARIEL?"

"Hiding." said a voice. "From you."

Jim turned.

It was Peter Pan.

Jim grabbed Peter. He threw him against the wall. He wrenched when he tried to fly. Arm burning in pain he pressed both fists closer to Peter's throat.

He was only going to ask once.

"Where is she?"

Peter stared.

Then, slowly, he pointed.

"West Wing. Third door."