Chapter 1

Caves are curious, dangerous places. According to one illustrious author, "You don't know how far they go back, sometimes, or where a passage behind may lead to, or what is waiting for you inside." (1) The ancestors of Caspian X, King of Narnia, had reached Telmar from our world by sheer accident when they fled to a cave for refuge.

Now, on the maiden voyage of the Dawn Treader, the King explored many islands, and had many adventures. One of the islands, he and his companions came upon a cave that stretched far back with many windings and turnings…

A sudden draft blew out the torch in Caspain's hand, sending the party into pitch darkness.

"Stand still," said Edmund. "Don't get separated."

"Let's hold hands," said Lucy, remembering Susan's instruction when they had been called back to Narnia from the train station the year before.

This was accomplished with some difficulty, but in the end Lucy and Eustace were holding hands, with Edmund and Caspian on either side, and Reepicheep on Lucy's shoulder.

"This isn't rock," said Edmund, feeling the walls of what had been a cave before the torch went out.

"It seems to be walls of metal," said Caspian. "How strange! Is this some infernal prison of the Calormen? But how did we come here?"

"We were in a cave, Sire," said Reepicheep. "Many strange tales have been told of such places."

"We could be anywhere," said Edmund, "any world. Even our own."

"Do they have metal walls in your world?" asked Caspian.

"They do," said Edmund. "Especially in ship-building. This feels like riveting."

"What a lark!" exclaimed Caspian. "I've always wanted to visit your world."

"We don't know that's where we are yet," said Edmund. "And if we are aboard a ship, we'll have a lot of explaining to do. Animals never talk in our world, and mice are a nuisance aboard ship. Reep, don't challenge anyone to single combat. Let Lu and I do the talking."

They walked forward a few feet until they almost ran into another metal wall. Edmund fumbled against the wall until he found what felt like the outline of a door and banged on it loudly.

Soon, they heard the sound of running feet, then of bolts being slid back. The door opened suddenly, and the light temporarily blinded the Narnians.

When they were able to see again, they found they were all held securely by their arms, except for Reepicheep, who was being held by the scruff of his neck, kicking wildly.

"Don't hurt him!" screamed Lucy, terrified the strange men would break her courageous friend's neck.

"Unhand our subject at once!" said Caspian, straining uselessly against his captors.

"Be quiet a moment," said Edmund. "We mean no harm, and it is an accident we are here. Please do not hurt our friend."

There was silence. Then the strangers talked to one another in a language none of the Narnians understood. Then Reepicheep was placed back on Lucy's shoulder and they were led quickly out of the room they had been in.

They were hurried down a passageway and into another room. It was small, just large enough for them to stand comfortably, and lit by a single light in the middle of the ceiling. This captured Caspian's attention before the door had been closed and bolted.

"What a marvel!" he said. "It is as though the sun were captured in a tiny lamp."

"It's just a light bulb," said Eustace.

"How does this light bulb operate?" Caspian asked.

"It's electric," said Eustace. "It's powered by current instead of gas or oil, like they used to use."

"A current," mused Caspian. "How do ocean waves, or even a river, power this?"

"Not that kind of current," said Eustace, sounding exasperated. "It's the flow of electrons down a wire-"

Before Caspian could ask what an electron was, there was the sound of bolts being drawn back. The Narnians turned to face the door.

(1) This description of dangers in caves is from The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien (Chapter 4, Over Hill and Under Hill).

Author's Note: This is a cross-over cooked up in a conversation with BrokenKestrel (I'm working on the tomfoolery aspect we discussed...). It can be set at most any point during Voyage of the Dawn Treader between Dragon Island and Ramandu's Island. It is definitely set after 20,000 Leagues - I obviously assume the Nautilus survived the Maëlstrom. I hope to discover something of Captain Nemo's motives for abandoning human society, and his plans for revenge. This is my first time publishing a fanfic - I will do my best to maintain a regular updating schedule, but I do ask for patience as I learn to call the Muses!