Epilogue

Hello, my faithful readers. That's right! I've finally decided to write the Epilogue to this story. You didn't really think I was just going to finish it when Jim and Silver departs. I've also been slowly editing this story. I've only done the first two chapters so far.

I would say I was busy that I couldn't write this chapter. But I'd be lying. Truth is, I had major writer's block. However, I've overcomed it and decided to wrap this story up. I've also started a new story, but I don't plan on uploading it to Fanfiction just yet because I'm just working on the rough draft, planning it all out. I still have to go back and add more description in.

Anyway, enough of my rambling. Let's get on with the story!

Here I was once again, on the small mining planet of Montressor. The last time I had stood foot on this dock was a year ago, but I wasn't here to look at the scenery. I had came for a map. The map for Treasure Planet which a fifteen year old boy held in his procession. I had burnt down his home own in the process, feeling guilty about it to this day. But in the place where the Benbow Inn had stood was a large place that kind of resembled that old bed and breakfast home.

I smiled, knowing Jimbo must had discovered the gold I left in his pocket. I pulled the hood further over my face as I ascended towards the large house, making sure my cyborg parts were not visible to the public eye. I was still a criminal, but I had a good reason to come back to this place. I read in the newspaper about the Benbow Inn reopening. I just had to come see it and check up on a certain teenage boy.

I peered through the window, thankful that they decided to have their celebration on the bottom floor. The first thing I noticed was a familiar teenage boy dressed in fancy white clothing I grinned, instantly recognizing him as that same troublemaking lad I had met a year ago. He danced with a lady who I guessed was his mother. They both smiled at each other. My eyes widened as I saw the Doc and Captain dancing, staring at each other with a loving gaze. I didn't expect them to end up together, but I guess it was obvious.

I flicked my gaze back to Jim who now stood on the sidelines, clapping to the beat of the music. I smiled, proudly nodding my head as I examined him. Jim's gaze fell on me, instantly making me duck below the window, praying the boy had not seen me there. I quickly walked away from the house, it was better to be safe than sorry. As much as I would had loved to talk with Jimbo and catch up, I knew that I had to be on my way. It was for the best after all.

A pink blur flew across my face, starling me, I almost fired a gun at the creature, but quickly realized that it was only little Morphy. He lovingly cuddled up against my cheek, purring with delight. I smiled, returning the affection to my pat. "He really missed you," a familiar voice said from behind. Surprised, I whipped around, instantly knowing who it was. "But... He isn't the only one..." Jim met my gaze, smiling. He walked towards me. I smiled back, not knowing what else to say. For once in my life, I was speechless. "Not that I'm not happy to see you, but what are you doing here? It's dangerous and risky." Jim scanned the dark area as if expecting random people to appear in a puff of smoke.

I chuckled at that statement. "I guess I learnt from the best."

Jim smiled, playfully rolling his eyes. "Funny..."

"Well... I best be goin'." I was already beginning to walk away. But something behind me stopped me from getting very far. I cocked my head over my shoulder, a small hand grasped hold of my coat, following it up to the young boy that I had come to care about.

"You never told me about why you wanted that treasure in the first place." He raised an eyebrow at me, smirking.

"I'm a pirate. W'at other reason is t'ere?"

"Silver, you gave up the loot of a thousand world up just for a teenage boy," he stated, the smug obvious in his voice. "And you said if we ever met again, you would tell me." He folded his arms across his chest, staring up at me with a know-it-all look. Drat! He had me there! Why did Jimbo had to be so smart?

Grumbling, I turned my back and headed up the plank towards my ship. "Come a long t'en." I heard the energetic footsteps leap across the plank of wood. I felt the corners of my mouth lift up.

Once we were settled down in the small Galley, bowls of soup in front of us, I decided to start on my long emotional story. Clearing my throat, I averted my gaze to the ceiling window, million of stars sparkled down on me. "It all started w'en I was jus' a young lad meself."

"Hard to believe you were ever young," Jim cut in, catching the smirk out of the corner of my eyes. Shooting him a glare, the boy closed his mouth, awkwardly looking around the room to avoid my piercing gaze.

"As I was saying." I stared up at the stars once again, feeling the horrid memory flashing across my mind as if I was re-living that day. I heard the people screaming, the thunder cracking across the sky and the sound of gun shots. "Me father had been a pirate fer as long as I could remember. W'en I was 'bout ye age, he decided ta take me on a voyage with 'im. Jus' like any kid, I was excited about being on me very first ship." I chuckled at the memory before feeling my expression darkening.

I glanced over at Jim, his eyes were practically glued to me, his hand automatically swirling the spoon around in the soup. "The voyage was to find the Treasure planet map." I saw how fast Jim's eyes widen.

"That explains your obsession..." For a moment, I thought he was mocking me again, but by the thoughtful look in his eyes, I thought otherwise.

"Aye, ye right 'bout t'at. I wanted t'at treasure ta make me father proud. Just like yeself and ye mother."

"What about your mum...?" That question took me by surprise, I literally coughed on air. Jim stared at me with wide blue eyes, quickly averting his gaze anywhere, but at me. "Sorry, maybe I shouldn't had brought that up."

I chuckled, it was dry and lifeless. "Ah, no need ta apologize. It's alright ta be curious. Me mother actually hated me father being a pirate, they were always fighting down stairs when they t'ought I was asleep. W'en me father wanted ta take me on me first voyage, me mother immediately hated the idea."

"How 'bout I start from the beginning." I settled myself into the seat opposite from Jim, regaining the young lad's attention once again. "It all started when I was just a young lad, like yeself"

A teenage boy sat by the docks, awaiting the arrival of his father. He turned fifteen today and his old man promised to give him the best birthday present ever. His Mother stood in the door, watching her son with a bleak expression. The teen got to his feet as he spotted a ship in the distance. It was no doubt his fathers. The boy had a huge grin plastered on his face, eagerly waiting for the ship to dock. It felt like miles away. "Mum! Dad's 'ere," He called up to his mother. She glared at the ship, not sparing a single glance at her son.

John's face fell upon seeing her strange behavior. He had hoped she would had shown a bit of excitement. Shrugging it off, he resumed his gleeful gaze as the ship docked, passengers exiting. He eagerly scanned the faces until seeing the person he was looking for. His father ran down the plank, tackling his son in a warm bear hug, "Johnny boy!" The mother's expression never faltered as she watched the scene. "Let's go inside." His father released his son, leading him inside by the shoulder. As they passed the doorway, John took note of the awkward eye contact between his parents.

John jumped onto the couch, quickly accompanied by his father. "Did ye find th' Treasure Map?"

His father's face fell, sighing. "'fraid not, Johnny boy. T'at blasted cabin boy is nowhere ta be found." Anger in his tone.

"Billy Bones?" John questioned

"Aye. T'at's the one," his father confirmed.

"So... Ya told me ye 'ad a surprise fer me birthday. W'at is it?" John urged, hopeful green eyes staring up at his father

Chuckling, the man nodded. "Right... Well... I was hopin' ye would join me aboard me ship."

"Would I ever!" John agreed, jumping to his feet.

His father got up and settled a hand on one of his son's shoulders. "T'en it's settled!"

"William Fly!" The two turned their attention to the woman standing in the doorway of the kitchen, her expression blank and unreadable. "Can I talk to you in the kitchen?" Without waiting for a reply, she exited the room.

The teen gave his father a worried look. William smiled down at his son, lightly patting him on the head. "I'll be right back, Johnny boy." He ascended towards the kitchen, disappearing behind the wall.

Muffled voices could be heard from the kitchen. Letting his curiosity get the better of him, John sneaked up to the doorway and stayed out of view of his parents.

"William! How could you promise to take him into space without consulting me!?" his Mother yelled, gesturing to the lounge room her son was in.

"I knew you'd be like this, Mary." William shrugged.

"Well, of course! John is far too young to go into outer space!"

"He's fifteen! I think that's old enough!" he snapped, glaring at his wife.

"What would you do if he got hurt!?" Tears glistened in her eyes, threatening to fall at any givin moment.

"We are pirates! There's nothing in this whole Galaxy that could harm us!" William spread his arms out to gesture towards the Galaxy.

"John is staying right here!" Mary screamed, tears streaming down her face.

William glared at her, his blood boiling. He raised a fist. John's eyes widened in shock. Not wanting to watch anymore, he turned his head away and squeezed his eyes shut. A loud slapping sound echoed throughout the room. When the teen finally looked back, his mother was on the floor, sobbing her heart out. His father stood over her, his hand shaking in fury. John felt his heart shatter. He slid down the wall, hugging his knees close to his chest, trying to pretend none of this was happening.

I released a sigh upon recalling that moment. It was the day my family fell apart. I still remembered how scared I was. I glanced up at Jimbo. His gaze was full of sympathy. I attempted to smile, but it didn't quite match my mood. I turned my back to the boy, trying to distract myself with the dishes. "What happened next?" came his voice small voice.

I chuckled, cold and lifeless. "Me Father decided that it was best if they split up. He took me wit' 'im while me Mother stayed behind..."

"Why didn't you stop them!?" he yelled, the chair skidding along the wood.

I whipped around, anger consuming me. "W'at was I supposed ta do, lad!? I was only a teen at the time!" I snapped.

Jim held a hurt expression, his gaze falling to the floor. "Sorry..." he mumbled, seating himself backdown.

I smiled apologetic. "Me too, lad. Ye know t'at I would had done w'atever it took ta keep me parents together. But... T'ere are some t'ings t'at are jus' meant ta be..." Jim nodded in understanding, his sullen look never changing. I joined Jimbo at the table, sitting opposite from him. "Shall I continue, Jimbo?" He sadly nodded, directing his gaze upon me once again. "Well... It was not long after that event that they decided to split up. Me dad was loading the ship..."

The teen watched his dad chuck their belongings onto his ship. His usual cheerful expression was now dark. John trembled at the sight. He turned back to his mum, she watched him from the doorway. Her expression a mixture of sadness and anger. She flicked her gaze to her only son, allowing a small smile to make its way to her lips. She made her way down the steps until finally she stood in front of him. "John... Stay safe..." Mary pulled him into a tight embrace, fighting back tears.

"John! Hurry up! We're burning daylight!" William shouted from the ship.

Mary released him from the hug, pulling back a stray hair from her face. John gave him a quick glance before looking back at his mother. Without saying a word, he turned his back on her and ascended towards his father. He didn't dare look back. This was for the best, after all. At least that's what he kept telling himself.

John climbed up the plank of wood. Once his feet hit the deck, his father pulled away from the docks. His anger never fading as they left their home. It was only when they departed that John dared to look back. His Mother stayed in the same place, watching them leave her forever.

I paused, inhaling a shaky breathe. I checked Jim's expression. He had a blank look as he stared up at me, his head resting in his hands. I was a little reluctant to finish the story. It got pretty gruesome after that.

"You don't have to continue if you don't want too." Jim's voice broke me from my thoughts. I turned my attention back to him. His gaze was still upon me.

I smiled. "It's alright, lad. I promised ta tell ya, didn't I?"

Jim nodded. "What happened next?"

"Well, lad... Me father and I went lookin' for a place ta stay. But bein' pirates, it was harder t'an ye t'ink it would be. We were traveling through the Lagoon Nebula when we were attacked."

John ducked for cover as laser beams hit their ship. William instructed the first mate to take the helm, drawing his sword and preparing to fight. The Captain of the other ship ordered for his crew to board William's ship. As they fought to the death, John cowered in the corner, trying to block out the tragedy. He didn't have any fighting experience, his father was supposed to teach him, but never got around to it.

That's when the teen saw his worst nightmare; His father was knocked to the floor, blood seeping through a fresh wound on his side. William weakly made eye contact with his attacker. He was a big bulky alien, raising his sword and ready to end William's life. Instinct, John sprinted into action, picking up a stray sword and sliding to where his father laid. Metal clanged through the air. The bulky man scowled at the teen. "Leave my dad alone!" John pushed the sword against against his own. The man stumbled backwards and toppled over the railing, releasing a fearful yell as he fell. John rushed back to his dad, frantically checking his pulse. He had one, barely.

"John..." William extended a hand and lightly touched his son's face.

"I'm here, dad," John said, holding his father's hand in his own. "We have to get you to a hospital."

"John... It's so use... Get out of here while you still can..." William's voice grew softer, looking like he was half asleep.

"I won't leave you!" John rapidly shook his head, tears filling up his green eyes.

"Be a good boy, John..." Those were his last words before his eyes closed, never to open again.

Tears steamed down John's face, sobbing uncontrollable. A bright purple light brought him back to reality. He whipped around, staring in horror at what he saw. Those pirates were pointing a cannon right at him. He didn't have enough time to get out of the way. John watched in hopelessness as the giant laser ball headed towards him. He squeezed his eyes shut as it made contact with his body.

"Was... That how... Um..." Jim stuttered, eyeing my cyborg arm.

I smiled, but it didn't match my mood. "Aye, lad. I t'ought I was goin' ta die. But... A rescue ship came and saved me life. T'ey fixed me up wit' t'ese gadgets and taught me how ta use it." I flexed my cyborg arm, changing into various items then back again.

"Don't you wish that you could do it over?" Jim asked, frowning.

"O' course I do, lad. But... It can't be helped." I turned my back on him and proceeded with the dishes. Something wet rolled down my cheek. It took only a second to realize it had came from my one good eye. I was crying. I roughly brushed it away. I couldn't risk Jimbo seeing me cry.

I suddenly felt something tugging on my coat. I thought that it was Morph, but looking down, it was actually Jim. He stared up at me with sad blue eyes. I smiled, resuming my work. There were only two bowls to wash since it was just me and Jimbo. I didn't mind the extra work.

"I was twelve."

I gave Jim a confused look. "W'at?"

His eyes were full of determination. "I was twelve when my dad left..."

"Ye don't 'ave ta tell me, Jimbo. I understand how hard it is ta talk 'bout yer old man." I stored the plates into the cabinet as I spoke.

"I know... But I want you to know that I trust you as much as you trust me." I glanced down at Jim. The young lad hung his head, but his eyes were still visible. I can't believe I've only just noticed he got a hair cut. His rat tail was also gone. A grunt snapped me out of my thoughts. I realized Jimbo had heaved himself onto the table, legs crossed. "Ever since I was a kid, my parents always fought when they thought I was sleeping. But I didn't think much of it because people fight, right? I believed that they loved each other..." Jim paused, gazing at the wall instead of me. I rested a hand on his back.

I felt sympathy towards the lad, but I couldn't let that show. He's not telling this story because he wanted me to feel sorry for him. He's telling it out of trust.

"My dad, being a spacer, used to be away for months. He missed several of my birthdays and a few Christmases. When he finally did come home, he wouldn't even acknowledge me. It was as I didn't exist..." Jim balled his hands into fists, glaring at nothing in particular. Even the comfort my hand provided wasn't enough. "Until finally... He just left... I tried to run after him, but I was too late... He was gone..." Jim pushed himself off the counter, looking up at me.

I offered a smile, but the lad just turned his gaze away. The memories were probably too much for him. I still hated thinking about my own past. But I had more of a gape. His father abandoned him and his mother just five years ago. It's probably still clear in his mind.

Before realizing what I was doing, I wrapped my large arms around Jim's small figure, pulling him into a hug. I tightened my grip. Jim didn't reject the hug, neither did he accept it. He simply took limply in my arms with his head against my belly. I smiled, feeling tears welling up in my eyes. I wasn't sure if it was for my sake or Jim's. I didn't care at the moment.

I wasn't sure how long we stayed like that. But when I finally did release the boy, I was choking back tears. I turned my back to the young lad, running a hand across my eyes. When I turned around, Jim had his eyes locked to mine, smiling. I returned it. Coughing, I broke into the awkwardness that filled the air. "Well, Jimbo. Ye best be headin' back ta th' Benbow Inn. Can't 'ave a party wit'out th' guest o' honour, am I right, lad?" I joked, pretending the seriousness from before never occured.

"Right," was Jim's only reply. He snatched the white jacket from a chair, shrugging into it after we ascended up the stairs.

Jim leaped off the plank of wood, blue eyes gazing back at me as I made my way towards him. "Where will you be heading next?"

I smiled. "Anywhere the wind takes me, lad!"

"Well... I hope the wind brings you back to Montressor." Jim's gaze fell to the ground.

I smiled warmly at that, stepping forward and resting a hand on each of his small shoulders. "I'd be seeing ya, lad." I offered a smile. He returned it, somewhat, sadly.

Before I even had time to react, Jim threw his arms around me, burying his head deep in my chest. "Be careful..."

I wrapped my arms around his small figure. "Always..." I pulled back, planting a soft kiss on his forehead before getting to my feet.

I got into the small ship that I had brought, taking off towards the sky. I gave Jim one last wave as I started off towards the stars. I saw something shinning in his eyes, several falling onto the ground. I could feel the tears pricking at my eyes, wanting nothing more than to stay with him. But it was better this way, for me and him. I'm sure our paths would cross again one day, but until then, I will never give up on ya.

Who would had guessed a fiteen year old boy could soften this old pirate's heart. I guess that's what I get for getting in too deep.

Alright. There you have it. That concludes this story. Don't forget to leave a review, I always appreciate feedback!