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It was a sunny day as the crew on the Jolly Roger was getting ready to start their chores as two older men were sitting by the stairs. “Now, are you sure that you want to try this little trick of yours?” A larger man asked, standing beside a skinnier man as they both helped a smaller boy up who wore two purple bandanas. “Whoa...Yep! I’m sure, Papa Bones. The faster we get chores done, the faster we can practice more of the new songs you both made.” He answered, shaking a little on his legs to gain his balance.
“Alrighty, kiddo. Just holler if you need us and remember. Stay away from Captain for the morning. He’s still in a bad mood from last night.” Sharky warned. “Aye Aye, Papa Sharky!” He replied, grabbing the mop and bucket. “Good luck, Seth!” Bones said before the two went to mop the helm as Seth checked the soap bars under his boots, grinning and putting the bucket down before knocking it over and getting to work on skating around on the soap bars and across the deck while using the mop to clean the deck.
Smee hummed while coming out of the galley before stopping when Seth skated past him. “Morning Uncle Smee!” He called. “Morning, Seth!” Mr.Smee replied. “I left the railing area alone for you to walk past and take breakfast to Uncle Hook!” Seth replied, turning to skate backwards and look at his adoptive uncle. “Thank you kindly, sea cub!” He said, heading to the side of the deck to deliver the food to the Captain’s quarters. Seth pushed off his foot, twirling back around.
“Mr.Smee, where’s my-?” Hook stepped out of his quarters as he was cut off from suddenly slipping on the wet deck while Seth went wide eyed and quickly tried to use his mop to catch the Captain only to trip on the bucket and fly into Hook, both crashing straight into the side of the stairs with a loud crash. “Captain! Seth!” Sharky, Bones and Mr.Smee all shouted in terror and bolted straight over to them.
Hook grumbled, struggling to get the bucket off his head as Mr.Smee helped his Captain quickly while Sharky and Bones helped Seth off of the older man. “Gah! Finally, now what is the meaning of this, Seth?!” Captain Hook ordered, looking at the scattered soapy water and then behind him at the damaged and splintered wood of the side of the stairs. “I’m sorry, Uncle Hook. I was just having some fun with my chores and wanting to get them done a little faster today! It was an accident.” Seth explained nervously, getting the bars of soap off his feet real quick.
“First off, when you are in trouble, it’s CAPTAIN Hook. Second, fun with chores?! Chores are not supposed to be fun! And lastly, accident or not, you should’ve thought about the consequences of your actions if something like this happens!” Hook explained. “Please don’t make him walk the plank, Captain!” Bones pleaded. “He’s just a wee boy!” Sharky added. “Well, the boys are right, captain, sir. Seth is just a kid and you know what they say, kids will be kids.” Mr.Smee told his captain.
Hook reluctantly grumbled a little. “I hate that phrase...” He mumbled, “Very well, I won’t make him walk the plank, but that doesn’t get him out of being punished. Seth, for the rest of the day, you are off the ship so that your clumsiness won’t cause anymore trouble or damage while the crew and I fix what you have done. Maybe that will teach you a little bit of reflecting on your mistakes and learning from them. You’ll be allowed back on the Jolly Roger at sundown.” Hook explained, holding his hands behind his back.
“Sounds fair enough for me, Captain Hook.” Seth nodded, remaining cool and calm before grabbing his sword from a barrel and heading off the ship using a rope, jumping off and landing in the knee deep water. “Bye Papa Bones, bye Papa Sharky! See you later! I apologize for the mess!” He called while walking up to Shipwreck Beach. “Stay out of trouble, Sethy! We love you!” Sharky called. “Love you too!” Seth waved back and went off onto the beach to find something to pass the time.
Seth walked behind some of the ships and sighed, stabbing his sword in the sand and leaning back against the structure to wipe the sand off his boots. “Look alive crew! Shipwreck Beach, ahoy!” A voice yelled out as Seth immediately gasped and grabbed his sword before leaping into one of the wrecks and peeking through a hole, spotting three kids boarding off a smaller ship and heading onto shore. “Alright Cubby, which way to Seashell Beach?” A black haired boy asked, being around Seth’s age while standing with a girl just a bit younger than him and a smaller boy who held up a map.
“Looks like we can just follow along this path in the trees to get to Seashell Beach and maybe we can take the long route for a walk when we help Izzy find some new seashells for her seashell collection.” The smaller boy, Cubby, explained while looking up from his map. “Sounds good to me! Especially when it’s nice to get a wee bit of a relaxing time away from Captain Hook, the sneaky snook.” The girl, Izzy, replied while crossing her arms with a small grin. “Yo ho, let’s go, crew! Lead the way, Cubby.” The older boy said, walking after his crewmate.
The brunette boy ducked down to avoid being seen real quick when they walked past where he was hiding, listening carefully. “So why didn’t we take our usual way to Seashell Beach again, Jake?” Izzy asked. “Because the exercise is nice and plus, didn’t you mention it’s nesting season for the turtles?” Jake replied. “Oh right. Definitely don’t wanna disturb the turtles since their travel path is the same as ours when we head to the beach.” Izzy nodded as Seth felt his heart nearly stop at the name. “Jake?” He whispered.
“Did anyone hear something?” A fourth voice asked as Seth covered his mouth and sat down to fully hide himself when a bird flew up to the hole, but then flew off to rejoin his friends. “Probably just the wind, Skully. I think you’re being paranoid.” Cubby answered. “Hm. Probably.” The green parrot replied, flying above the group before they headed into the trees and onto a path. Seth poked his head up and looked around before sighing in relief. “Oh that was close. But, was that Jake? As in...No, you’re just crazy. But Uncle Hook said that those no good pirates are nothing, but trouble so I need to stay away from them.” He told himself, stepping out of his hiding place and dusting himself off.
Seth looked around and grinned a little bit. “Seth, for the rest of the day, you are off the ship so that your clumsiness won’t cause anymore trouble or damage while the crew and I fix what you have done. Maybe that will teach you a little bit of reflecting on your mistakes and learning from them. You’ll be allowed back on the Jolly Roger at sundown.” Hook’s words repeated in his head as he smirked. “Uncle Hook only said that I was off the ship till sundown which is pretty much all day. He didn’t say what or where I needed to be for the day. I just have to be back here before sundown and plus, Papa Sharky and Papa Bones never have let me see Neverland before. Now’s my chance! WOOHOO! Adventure, here I come!” He shouted before running for a random path.
“Gang way, crew! Seashell Beach.” Jake said as he walked onto the beach with his friends as Skully flew past. “And no sign of old feather hat anywhere.” Skully reported as he landed on a rock while Izzy nodded. “Just don’t jinx it.” She said, walking around with a satchel bag across her shoulder and chest. “Haha. I found a seashell shaped like a bird!” Cubby said, picking up a small seashell. “Don’t think I have one of those. Good eye, Cubby.” Izzy replied, examining the small item after Cubby handed it to her before placing it in the satchel bag. “Thanks!” He said.
Seth peeked his head over the bushes, watching them real quick before raising an eyebrow. “Collecting...seashells? Okay, a little weird.” He whispered to himself, silently asking and dropping down into the bush he was hiding in when Jake walked past. “Okay. Looks like they’ll be here for some time so I have time to go and explore without running the risk of bumping into these guys.” Seth whispered before getting up and running off.
Jake jerked his head towards the noise, looking around real quick as his hand went to his sword handle a little bit. “Hey Jake!” Izzy called, startling him out of his thoughts as he looked over. “Coming!” He replied, running over to his friend real quick to see what she needed. “Cubby found a crab.” Izzy giggled, trying to help get the small creature off her friend’s nose. “Get it off!!!” Cubby yelled. “Alright, hang tight.” Jake chuckled, walking over.
On the Jolly Roger, Mr.Smee was working on fixing up the stairs while Sharky and Bones were finishing up on cleaning up the deck. “Haha, Seth sure did do a good job at least. Had he never done that, the deck never would’ve been this shiny.” Bones said. “I just hope the youngster is doing okay. Then again, he’s been alone on the Jolly Roger before.” Sharky replied. “He knows how to defend himself too. Don’t forget that.” Bones added. “Seth is smart too. I’m sure that he’ll manage, boys.” Mr.Smee reassured them. “You’re right. Heh, who said parenthood would be easy?” Sharky said, chuckling a little while walking over with Bones to join Mr.Smee and help him with the stairs.
“Well done boys. I have never seen a deck more squeaky clean.” Captain Hook commented while walking over to the crew. “Well, it wouldn’t be squeaky clean if it weren’t for Seth and his idea to try to skate on those bars of soap.” Bones said as Captain Hook twirled his hook around his mustache a little. “Hmm...I suppose his idea did have good intentions,” Hook replied. “Maybe you could let the Sea Cub back onboard early?” Mr.Smee asked. “Don’t push it, Mr.Smee,” The captain warned. “Aye aye, sir.” His first mate nodded in understanding before getting back to work quickly.
Back on Neverland, Seth poked his head over the rocks as he looked at a sleeping crocodile as he smiled a little bit. “Whoa! Tick-Tock Croc! This must be his home. What did Uncle Smee call this place again? Uh...Crocodile Canyon? No, this place doesn’t even look like a canyon. Well, then again, what does a canyon look like?” He asked, walking out from behind the rocks before tensing up at stepping on a twig as his head swiveled up just in time to see the crocodile wake up, his eyes following the motion of a tick-tock clock.
“Heh...Nice Crocodile...I didn’t mean to wake you up.” He said quietly as the croc walked towards him, Seth frozen in place out of fear of not knowing what to do until the reptile sniffed him curiously and then growled, chuckling which made Seth go pale a little in ultimate fear. “BYE!” He yelled, bolting immediately with Tick-Tock Croc right on his heels. “He probably smells Uncle Hook’s scent on me!” Seth told himself, running in a random direction as the boy made sure that he didn’t stop.
Seth looked up as he ran into some trees and realized that he needed to get some height between him and the reptile chasing him. “Looks like I don’t have a choice!” He told himself, leaping off a rock and grabbing a vine before swiftly climbing it up to one of the branches and grabbing hold of the branch, hugging it like he was holding onto it for dear life. Seth held his breath when Tick-Tock Croc swiftly ran past him and the trees before walking back which was a sign that the crocodile had given up on chasing him.
“Phew...That was too close.” He whispered. “I’ll say.” A random voice suddenly replied as Seth tensed up and looked around. “W-Who said that?” He asked. “I did.” The voice answered as he looked down, spotting the painted tree as it blinked and smiled at him. “GAH! YOU JUST TALKED!” He yelled before gripping the branch when he nearly lost his grip. “It’s okay! Don't shiver your timbers, matey. We're all friends here in Tiki Forest!” The tree said as Seth peeked an eye open at hearing him. “T-Tiki Forest?” He asked.
“Here. Do you need a lending hand?” The tiki tree offered as he carefully lowered the tree branch with the boy gripping harder to avoid falling off, but slowly slid off when he was close enough to the ground. “Thank you, Mister Tiki Tree.” Seth said. “No problem, young matey. Where are you off to?” The tiki tree asked. “I’m exploring. It’s my first time here on Neverland.” Seth said. “Well then, I definitely recommend that you be more careful, matey. Especially when you experienced it firsthand that there’s surprises around any corner.” The tree said. “I will. Thanks again!” Seth said, running off while waving at the tree and heading off down one of the paths and this time, avoiding the direction of Crocodile Creek.
“Still can’t believe that I got a pinch to my nose...” Cubby said, walking up the path with his crew while rubbing at his nose. “It’s okay, Cubby. It happens. Remember when that hermit crab pinched Hook in the thumb? He wasn’t expecting it either!” Izzy giggled. “Yeah, that is true.” The young boy chuckled. “Hold up, crew!” Jake held out his arm and stopped his two friends behind him. “What is it, Jake?” Cubby asked. “Tick-Tock Croc’s footprints. And they look fresh. Better be careful because if there’s one thing we know, he’ll only come through this path because of you-know-who.” Jake explained.
The two kids looked at each other and crossed their arms. “Captain Hook.” They answered. “Actually, it was not Hook that Tick-Tock Croc went after.” A tiki tree said. “Wait, it wasn’t?” Izzy asked. “Nope. It was a boy, around your age, Jake.” The tree answered. “A boy my age? I...don’t think we met anyone my age before, have we?” The boy asked, looking at his friends as Izzy and Cubby tried to think real quick. “The only person I can think of is Marina, but she’s a girl. Maybe it’s somebody new!” Cubby said.
“Do you know which way he went, Mr.Tiki Tree?” Izzy asked. “He took the left path so that he could avoid Crocodile Creek. He just left not long before you came along.” The Tiki Tree answered. “Come on, mateys! Let’s go find this stranger!” Jake said, running ahead. “Aye aye, Jake!” The pair replied as Izzy fixed her satchel of seashells real quick so that they wouldn’t get damaged before following her friends.
Seth slowed down as he stopped to catch his breath, glancing around a little to figure out his surroundings after managing to leave the Tiki Forest. “Hmm...Which way should I go?” He asked himself as he walked over to one of the paths, checking it real quick by looking ahead and then looking at the other path. “Okay, I’m gonna use my lucky doubloon to choose which way I go. Heads means I take the path to the left. Tails means I take the path to the right.” He told himself, flipping the coin in the air before moving out of the way as the doubloon landed on the ground which he looked at without touching it. “Right it is.” Seth said, picking up his doubloon and running down the right path.
Jake and his crew quickly ran over to the path as they stopped the moment they saw the intersection of the path. “Hey Cubby, which path leads to where?” Jake asked his crewmate who pulled out his map to look at it. “The path to the left leads to Big Bug Valley and the path to the right leads to Tiptoe Pass.” He answered. “Which way could the boy have gone?” Jake asked as Izzy walked over to the paths before gasping. “He took the right path! He’s heading for Tiptoe Pass!” She revealed. “Then yo ho, let’s go!” Jake told his crewmates before taking out his sword and leading his crew down the path.
The boy stopped at the sight of the tall stacks of coconuts as he gulped a little bit. “What is this place?” He asked, carefully walking down the path and following it while glancing around to look at his surroundings. Seth stepped carefully, nervous about the coconuts and also being wary about making a noise out of instinct. “This way, mateys!” A distant voice shouted as Seth tensed up and looked back. “Bilgewater, it’s those other kids!” He said before going pale at hearing his voice echo along the pass as coconuts began to tumble down from the stacks and piles.
Seth took off the bandana from his waist and unfolded it, putting it over his head before making a run for it right down the path, using the piece of cloth to protect his head from the falling fruit. Jake and his crew ran up as Jake quickly held his arms out to keep his friends from running forward. “Coconuts ahoy!” He warned. “Look!” Izzy said, pointing down the path and spotting the fleeing boy. “If we call for him, we could risk more coconuts falling!” Cubby pointed out. “Looks like we’re taking the high path to go around and avoid the coconuts.” Jake said, pointing out another path real quick.
“What about him?” Izzy asked, pointing at the other kid as Jake pulled out his spyglass from his vest and looked at the boy who quickly did a dive and rolled behind some rocks on the other side of the pass. “He made it!” Jake said in relief, putting the spyglass down and back in his vest. “Come on!” Cubby said, leading the two towards the other path to get across Tiptoe Pass safely without risking the falling coconuts.
He carefully sat up after retying the bandana around his waist, grabbing hold of the rock to stabilize him and was shaking a little from adrenaline and shock. “Phew...That was close. Again! But, there goes my way back to Shipwreck Beach. Guess that means I need to find another way back.” Seth told himself, “At least I lost those pirates.” He added before looking ahead after checking behind him as he then took off quickly.
The crew ran down the path after getting down from the high wall of Tiptoe Pass as they looked around once they made it down. “Where’d he go?” Cubby asked. “I don’t know, but he’s fast!” Izzy said, looking around as Jake spotted something shiny on the ground and walked over to the rocks, kneeling down and picking up the doubloon. “Looks like he dropped something.” He said, standing up and examining the coin before showing it to his friends. “Well now we definitely have to find him if this doubloon belongs to him.” Izzy told them. “Yo ho, let’s keep going!” Jake ordered before the team ran off.
Seth hurried onto the path before stopping at another fork in the path and looked around, trying to settle his growing anxiety in his stomach and went to take out his doubloon before going wide eyed at finding it no longer there. “No no no, my golden doubloon! I must have dropped it when I was avoiding the coconuts!” He said before looking behind him, “I wanted to explore Neverland, but I didn’t want things to end up like this. I feel so lost...I wanna go home, but which way is to Shipwreck Beach?!” He asked, walking around and looking at the different paths.
“I wish my dads were here...” He said, sitting down against a tree and hugging one of his knees, starting to feel scared and anxious. Seth thought back to this morning and glanced up at the sky while struggling to hold back his tears. “What if they noticed I’m not at the beach? What if they’re looking for me? They won’t know where I am or even went. I don’t know where I even am!” He rambled, only worsening his anxiety and nerves as he hugged both of his knees this time and buried his face into them, unable to hold back his tears.
Jake led his friends down the path as Skully flew up a little bit. “Crackers! Listen, mateys!” He said, flying back down as Jake, Izzy and Cubby stopped in their tracks to listen as they looked at each other in concern at hearing someone crying nearby. “Someone must be in trouble! Skully, lead the way and follow those noises!” Jake said. “Aye aye, Jake!” Skully said, flying up and leading them into the bushes as the three friends ran after their parrot friend.
Skully flew over some of the foliage and then landed on a branch as the three kids peeked over the bushes to avoid scaring whoever was there, smiling at recognizing the boy they had seen earlier. “There he is! It’s the boy we were looking for,” Cubby whispered. “Do you think he’s okay?” Izzy asked in concern. “Doesn’t look like he is. Come on, let’s go help him.” Jake said, getting up and walking out of the bushes with Cubby and Izzy getting up and following after him immediately.
“Hey there.” Jake’s voice spoke up as Seth gasped, looking up quickly and went wide eyed at seeing the three kids. “Stay back!” He said, standing up, and unsheathing his sword and pointing it at them. “Whoa! We don’t mean any harm. My name’s Jake and these are my friends - Izzy, Cubby and Skully.” He introduced. “Wait, really? But my uncle told me you guys are no good pirates who cause nothing, but trouble?” Seth questioned, lowering his sword and looking at them in confusion.
“Well, we aren’t. And here, we can prove it.” Jake said, reaching into his vest while approaching Seth and pulling out the gold doubloon, holding it out for him. “My gold doubloon! You found it?!” He asked, carefully and gladly taking it back. “We found it back at Tiptoe Pass. It is yours, right?” Cubby questioned. “Yep! It’s mine all right! It has a chip on the rim!” Seth answered, “So wait, my uncle said that you guys are no good and just some meddling pirates. If you’re giving me back something I lost, then that means...?” He started.
Jake and his mateys looked at each other before looking back at him. “Who’s your uncle?” Skully asked. “Captain Hook along with Uncle Smee. And then there’s my dads, Sharky and Bones.” Seth explained. “Captain Hook’s your uncle?!” The crew asked in surprise, looking at each other and then back at him. “If he’s your uncle, how come we’ve never seen you before?” Cubby asked. “Ah, that’s because I’m put in charge of watching the Jolly Roger. And whenever I hear we have intruders onboard, I hide because I get nervous and scared.” Seth explained.
“That actually makes sense. Well, what’s your name?” Jake asked. “Oh! Sorry. My name’s Seth.” He answered as Jake went a little wide eyed. “Wait, Seth? As in Seth from back when Hook and Peter were existing guardians for me before Hook lost his hand?” Jake asked, beaming a little while Izzy, Cubby and Skully looked at each other in pure shock at their friend suddenly recognizing the name. “You...You still remembered me?” Seth asked, smiling some before Jake put his sword down and immediately hugged Seth. “Are you kidding?! I never did! I just thought you left and went somewhere else!” The spiked hair boy replied.
Seth hugged him back, happy at being able to realize and confirm that this was the boy he knew before and recognized. “Ahem.” Skully cleared his throat, landing on Izzy’s shoulder as Jake let go of Seth, looking at his friends. “Sorry, mateys. Guys, this is Seth! The boy I told you about when we first met, before we became a pirate crew!” Jake explained. “Oh yeah! I remember you talking about him,” Cubby replied. “Just never thought we’d get to actually meet him!” Skully added.
“How long has it been?” Jake asked. “Almost two and a half years since we last spoke or saw each other. I always thought you had forgotten me.” Seth answered, rubbing his arm a little. “Well, when Peter had the fallout with Hook after the day he lost his hand to the croc, I guess Hook and Peter didn’t think about our relationship to each other and how it would affect us. I really wanted to ask you to join my crew back then, but by the time the accident happened...I was too late and I was forced to lose you. And when I never was able to see you, I always assumed that maybe you went to live with Mama Hook,” Jake explained.
“Nah, Papa Sharky and Papa Bones managed to convince Uncle Hook to let me stay since I was a member of the crew as well. And I wasn’t able to find out where you went and then I heard that there was a new crew of pirates that was always foiling my uncles’ plans. I can’t believe I never put two and two together.” Seth chuckled. “Another question - If you’re here, where’s Hook?” Izzy asked curiously.
Seth sighed, rubbing his arm at remembering the situation he was currently in. “Well, I accidentally made a mess back on the ship and because Uncle Hook was in a mood still from last night about the Golden Twilight Treasure, I got kicked off the ship for the day as punishment. I ended up thinking that actually it would be a good opportunity to explore Neverland. And then of course, I saw you guys at Seashell Beach and then at Shipwreck Beach as well which I made the note to avoid you. So I went ahead and started exploring where I accidentally woke up Tick-Tock Croc who chased me into this Tiki Forest and I was helped by one of the trees after I couldn’t find a way down and then I went ahead and started exploring again. And now I know why I should’ve known that place was Tiptoe Pass because I heard you guys and I accidentally raised my voice which caused the coconuts to fall. I escaped using my bandana as a cover from the falling coconuts, but I also knew I needed to find a different way back to Shipwreck Beach since the path I had taken was covered in coconuts. And now I’m here and I don’t know how to get back to the beach because I have until sundown before my crew and family come to pick me up. If I don’t get back by then and they don’t find me, I’m going to probably cause them to get upset with me for running off. I’m lost and I don’t know where or which way to go.” Seth rambled.
The crew stood silent, a little shocked at the whole explanation as Izzy walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay. You’re lucky we found you then! Because we have the best map holder and navigator in the whole of Neverland!” She told him. “Really?” He asked. “Yep! That’d be me!” Cubby answered, pulling out his map immediately and unrolling it as Seth hurried over and stood by him along with Izzy and Jake while Skully sat on Jake’s shoulder. “We’re here at this fork in the path on which the path on the right goes to the Bottomless Pit while the left path will lead us towards Big Bug Valley. Which we’re in luck! The fork we found your footprints at will help because the path you didn’t take leads us to the same place; Big Bug Valley! If we’re fast enough despite the long route, we’ll be back at Shipwreck Beach before or by sundown!” Cubby explained.
“And if we have an emergency along the way, I have my pixie dust to help us out!” Izzy added, holding up her pouch. “My uncle was wrong about you guys. You guys are AMAZING!” Seth said, hugging the three of them. “Come on, let’s get you to Shipwreck Beach!” Jake told them as the crew cheered before running down the path they needed to go on.
After a few minutes, the crew ran over to the edge of a swamp as Seth gagged. “Oh that smells worse than the galley back on the Jolly Roger!” He said, covering his nose. “Yep, it’s Stinkpot Swamp.” Cubby said, plugging his nose. “Stink is right.” Izzy giggled, doing the same. “If I step in there and come back to the Jolly Roger smelling like this, I may be in trouble.” Seth pointed out as Jake looked at the trees and grinned. “We don’t have to step in the Swamp. We can use these vines to swing across!” He pointed out.
“Good idea, Jake!” Cubby said as Jake climbed up a tree and quickly tossed a few vines down for his friends as the two checked their hold of the vines and see if they were strong enough for them. “We’ll be in the air?” Seth asked nervously. “Probably only for a minute or two if we’re quick. Wait, are you afraid of heights?” Jake asked. “Yep...” The brunette boy answered. “It’s okay. We’ll help you out.” Izzy offered as Jake slid back down on his vine. “All you have to do is not look down and keep your eyes forward so that you can focus on where you’re going and also be able to swing from vine to vine across the swamp. Think you can do that?” Jake asked.
Seth listened before taking a deep breath and nodding a little. “Yeah. I think I can do that,” He answered. “Watch and learn!” Cubby said, taking a few steps back before racing forward and swinging off the ground, reaching out and grabbing another vine and proceeding to start going from vine to vine. “Your turn, Iz!” Jake said. “Yay hey, let’s go!” Izzy cheered, doing the same as Cubby and following right behind him. “Here, how about you go next? That way, if something happens, I’ll help you out.” Jake offered. “Okay, Jake.” He nodded before taking a few steps back and then running as fast as he could, launching into the air.
The boy yelled momentarily before focusing ahead of himself, reaching out and grabbing another vine and copying the friends. “H-Hey! I’m doing it!” Seth called. “Yo ho, way to go, Seth!” Jake yelled back, following behind him. “Look at you go!” Skully said, flying in between the kids. “Wahoo! This is what I call fun!” Cubby said from ahead as Izzy leapt forward for a vine, gasping at missing it as she yelled. “Izzy!” Jake yelled in worry.
“I got ya!” Seth shouted, leaping off his vine, and then grabbing another, sliding down before wrapping the vine around one of his legs, flipping himself upside down, and grabbing Izzy’s hand while swinging back up and falling off his vine, both of them rolling onto the ground just a few inches from the swamp. Jake jumped off his vine when he got close as Cubby helped Izzy up while Skully landed by her. “Izzy, are you okay?” The parrot asked. “I am thanks to Seth.” She answered, catching her breath before checking her seashells and sighing in relief at seeing them undamaged and okay.
“That was smart, Seth!” Jake said, helping him to his feet. “I just did that.” Seth replied breathlessly. “Thanks, Seth! Where’d you learn that?” Izzy asked. “I saw Papa Bones do it once when he was cleaning the ship so that he could reach the barnacles a little better. Even though he accidentally caused his boot to slip off and he fell in the water by mistake.” He chuckled, “I guess it was just from instinct since I saw your crewmate was in trouble.” He added.
“Can we do it again?” Seth asked, earning himself some laughs from the four friends. “Maybe some other time. For now, we gotta get to Big Bug Valley!” Skully answered. “Skully’s right. Let’s go!” Cubby replied before leading the way again with the others following behind him.
“MR.SMEE!” Hook yelled from the Jolly Roger as the rotund male rushed over and saluted his captain. “Aye aye, sir?” He asked. “How long has the Puny Pirates’ ship been sitting there at the shore?” Hook asked, pointing his hook out towards Neverland as Mr.Smee used his small telescope to look at the ship. “Oh! Well, this is the first time I’ve seen it at the beach all day, sir. They must have just got there,” Mr.Smee answered. “Boys! Set sail for Neverland! I have a feeling those pipsqueaks are searching for treasure.” Hook ordered.
Sharky and Bones both paused on working on the sails before looking down immediately at hearing Captain Hook give out orders. “Aye aye, Captain!” They replied. “Think he’s letting Seth back on the ship early?” Sharky asked. “I don’t know! I hope so. Even though it’s only been a while now.” Bones answered as the two started to head back down towards the deck quickly and helped get the Jolly Roger sailing towards the shore of Neverland.
Back on the island, the crew walked into the large meadow of giant bugs and insects before pausing so they could rest their feet. “Phew...I never walked this far before.” Seth said, running a hand through his hair while taking a minute to rub his ankles. “Maybe you can try convincing Captain Hook to let you go on more adventures. So that way, you can bond with your crew, your family and learn more about Neverland so that way in the future, you won’t run the risk of getting lost again.” Izzy suggested. “That actually isn’t a bad idea. I might do that. Thanks, Izzy.” He replied.
“Not a problem.” She replied. “I gotta say, this has been quite an adventure today!” Seth jeered, standing back up. “Look alive, crew! The Jolly Roger is heading for the shore!” Skully said, flying down as Seth’s face went from excitement to pure shock and terror. “Oh no, they’re gonna see that I’m not at the beach! This is bad, this is really bad!” Seth rambled, pacing quickly. “But I thought that you weren’t going to be coming until sunset.” Cubby replied before Jake gasped a little at realizing the reason. “Bucky! He must have seen Bucky at the beach! Knowing Hook, he’ll probably think that we’re searching for treasure like we always do!” Jake explained.
“This sounds like one big emergency.” Izzy said, standing up and placing her hand under her pouch. “Seth, you’re gonna go higher than those vines back at Stinkpot Swamp.” Jake told him. “I-I don’t know if I can go that high!!” Seth replied in concern. “How about this? Me and Cubby will hold your hands while you use your bandana to blindfold yourself.” Jake offered. “But what if I fall?” Seth asked. “We won’t let that happen to you. Pirate’s Honor. Just think happy thoughts and keep a smile in your heart.” Izzy instructed, taking a pinch of her pixie dust and waiting for Seth’s approval.
Seth took a deep breath, calming himself down as he grabbed his bandana and moved it down over his eyes, allowing Jake to help him tighten it real quick. “Happy thoughts, happy thoughts.” He told himself as Cubby and Jake both took his hands and nodded to Izzy. “Then it’s pixie dust away!” The girl commanded, throwing the pinch of dust on herself and her friends as Seth squeezed his grip on Cubby and Jake’s hands when his feet left the ground, but relaxed when he didn’t feel himself fall in response.
“Let’s go!” Skully said as the crew immediately flew off into the air with Cubby and Jake guiding Seth by holding his hands like they promised. “How are you doing, Seth?” Jake asked. “I’m doing all right!” He answered eagerly. “What kind of thoughts are you thinking?” Cubby asked. “My dads. No matter what, just thinking about them always brings a smile to me on the inside and the outside.” Seth answered. “You wanna try taking a peek?” Izzy asked. “No thanks!” He responded nervously as Cubby and Jake both gasped at feeling Seth suddenly dip a little in his flight.
“Think about your dads, think about your dads.” Izzy said quickly, realizing she distracted his thoughts by mistake as Seth went back to flying after he started to rethink about his parents. “Shipwreck Beach, dead ahead! And Hook’s almost there!” Skully said. “Alright, Seth. You’re going to feel like you’re dropping, but that’s only because we need to land. Okay?” Jake told him as Seth nodded. “Aye aye, Jake.” He answered. “And...dive!” Cubby instructed as the five of them dove straight down. In response to the feeling, Seth gripped Cubby and Jake’s hands as the pair adjusted their positions and carefully landed on the beach behind one of the shipwrecks.
“And we’re on the ground.” Skully said as Seth landed and allowed Jake and Cubby to help him fix his bandana back around his head where it originally was. “We did it. We made it!” Seth said, standing up and grinning a little at seeing the Jolly Roger just about starting to pull up to the shore as he turned back around to the others. “I can’t thank you guys enough for everything.” He added, hugging the three of them as Skully landed on Seth’s shoulder as a way to join the hug without getting squashed.
Once Seth let go, Bucky’s bell suddenly rang which caught Seth off guard momentarily. “Guess that means you gotta get going. I wish I could go back in time and redo the whole day again.” He told them. “You know, maybe we can set up secret meetings so we can go on more adventures together.” Cubby suggested. “We’re on good terms with Sharky and Bones. Maybe they could help arrange plans so that you can sneak off the ship and visit from time to time. And if you can’t get away, there’s always next time,” Izzy added.
The boy smiled and nodded. “Thanks, you guys.” He said before turning to Jake who rubbed the back of his head, sighing a little. “I really wish I could’ve offered you a place on the crew before everything happened.” Jake admitted nervously. “Hey, I’m not mad, Jake. You’ll always be my friend and family, no matter what. And maybe one day, I will hopefully be able to join your crew with the approval of my dads and Uncle Hook.” Seth replied as the two boys shared a smile before hugging each other tightly.
“Sethy! Where are ya, laddie?!” Sharky suddenly called out as Seth let go of Jake and waved to the three kids to avoid drawing attention before running out from behind the shipwreck and running towards the Jolly Roger. “In here.” Skully whispered, guiding the kids into the shipwreck and letting them watch everything safely without being seen. “Papa Sharky! Papa Bones!” Seth yelled as the two pirates both opened their arms and immediately embraced their son once he ran into their arms.
“You’ll never believe the adventure I had today.” Seth chuckled. “You can tell us later. Captain Hook says that we’re going on a treasure hunt because he believes that those popinjays are hunting for treasure too.” Bones told him. “Oh, you mean those kids that Uncle Hook talks about? They’re not hunting for treasure. They were actually going to Seashell Beach and collecting seashells and taking a break from being chased by Hook or dealing with him. I heard them talking when I was playing by the shipwrecks earlier.” Seth explained as Sharky and Bones looked at each other. “Well then, maybe we should let you come with us today. Whatcha say?” Sharky asked. “YES PLEASE!” Seth answered.
Izzy, Cubby, Jake and Skully eagerly shared a quiet high five at hearing them talk. “Come on. Let’s sneak off to Bucky and let Seth take the lead for his family.” Jake whispered. “Aye aye, Jake.” They replied quietly before Jake led them out of the wreck and walked towards Bucky who extended out his gangplank for them. “Ahoy popinjays! Whatcha got there?” Bones called out as Izzy looked at her crewmates. “Just some seashells! No treasure hunting for us today.” She answered. “Blast...” Hook grumbled from overhearing them while standing on the deck.
“See ya some other time, Captain Hook!” Jake waved to them as Seth waved back to Jake with his dads before grinning. “Hey Uncle Hook! Am I allowed to come back aboard now?” Seth asked as Hook sighed. “Alright, alright. But no more dilly-dallying today!” He answered as the boy fist pumped the air before running into the water and grabbing the rope, climbing back up as he paused and looked at Bucky who sailed off back to Pirate Island as Seth shared one last wave to his friends without his Captain and Uncle noticing.
‘I will never forget to-’ His thoughts were cut off from slipping and falling down, his foot catching the rope and taking off his boot, making the boy land in the water as he surfaced and burst out laughing. “Hey! He pulled the move I did last week!” Bones laughed as Sharky chuckled. “Like father, like son!” He confirmed.