Suggested Song link:  https://soundcloud.com/adaramusic/open-eyes

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The black void of Space surrounded them, scattered with countless stars that twinkled every color imaginable. The last planet they'd explored had long since been swallowed into the black behind them, but they didn't mind. Wander was confident another was waiting for them not too far ahead; they just had to keep their eyes peeled.

Sylvia plodded comfortably along, walking with the steady, easy-going stride she used every time she traveled long distances. Wander lounged on her back, occasionally plucking out a string of notes on his banjo. They were not unwelcome to Sylvia's ears.

"Hater's birthday is only 154 days away," he murmured. "I'm thinking of planning him a surprise party."

Sylvia snorted with laughter. "Oh, that's gonna turn out well."

"You really think so?"

"Considering how his last birthday turned out? No."

"Well, Hater and I are friends now. That makes everything different."

"By friends, I think you mean, Hater no longer tries to demolish you every time he sees you."

"Close enough."

She hid a smile and continued to trek doggedly onwards.

After some time, she was startled by a light pat on the neck.

"Hey, you see those stars over there? They're movin' funny." Wander pointed.

"Where?" She squinted at where he was pointing.

A cluster of stars was moving sideways quickly and then disappearing. Others appeared to take their place. They all looked a little squashed.

"That's weird."

Wander tugged at her harness excitedly. "Can we go check it out?"

Sylvia ignored the queasy feeling tugging at her stomach. "If you say so." As she moved closer and closer, they found themselves approaching what looked like a huge round ball of blackness speckled with stars that was slowly rotating to the side.

"Whoa, that's a wormhole," Sylvia said, backing up a few steps. "These things are rare, and rarely used. They give me the creeps big time. Best to leave those things alone."

Her heart sank when she saw the look on Wander's face. "I've gone through a wormhole before," he said quickly. "They're fuuun. Come on, Syl, there's always a first time for everything!"

"No way. Who knows where that thing might take us?"

"That's the fun of it! We get to find out!"

She stood unamused as Wander did a little happy dance on her back, still in the saddle.

"Wormhole! Wormhole! Wormhole!"

"Alright, alright, since you've made it through one already, I'll try it out. But you've got to help me if things get a little crazy."

"Helping is what I do best!" Wander grinned. "Let's go!"

Her whole body tense, Sylvia walked forwards.

"I should mention, you gotta go faster and build up momentum, otherwise you'll get swept off your feet."

"Fine." She clenched her teeth. Come on, Sylvia girl...if a little shrimp like Wander can make it through one of these, so can you. She forced herself to break into a run. Her feet moved faster and faster until they were a blur. The closer they got, the faster the stars seemed to be moving. Everything in Sylvia wanted her to pull away, but she kept going.

"Don't want to push ya, but we need to be going even faster-

Wander's voice broke off as the wormhole finally grabbed hold of them. Sylvia stumbled forward and scrambled to regain her balance as their bubble was sucked through a tunnel of stars and galaxies. At first the bubble moved mostly in a straight line, but as they picked up speed it started to slide sideways, first left, then right, shuddering madly. Wander clung to her neck, laughing with exhilaration. Sylvia continued fighting to stay upright, but after a particularly rough patch she fell and the two tumbled around in the bubble. Wander managed to grab back onto Sylvia's neck and hollered in her ear, "Doin' great!"

Sylvia choose not to reply.

At last they were flung out of the horrible, roaring, rushing tunnel and back into Space, which they now flew through like a cannonball.

"Planet dead ahead!" Wander shouted. "Syl, you might wanna-

"I'm working on it!" Sylvia yelled, running against the opposite end of the bubble with all of her might. "Why did that flarpin' planet have to be so dang close!"

When she glanced back, Sylvia could see the planet growing rapidly. It was a mass of colorful blues, greens, browns, and purples, with a giant gray stain on one portion.

"Flabdrassin' Wander. Flabdrassin' wormhole," she growled, running harder. She felt a new force catch hold of them as they entered the planet's gravitational field. Normally the bubble was enough to counteract the gravity, but they were already moving at such a high speed that it did nothing this time.

"Just keep running, we'll be fine," Wander encouraged, sitting backwards in the saddle and watching the planet rush towards them.

Sweat was pouring down her body and her legs were burning with agony but still she kept going. Gradually she could feel the bubble slowing down, but it wasn't going to be enough.

"Wander! You think you could get your hat to give you another one of those "protection" bubbles you used when Dom's ship exploded? That could really come in handy right now!"

"Let me check." He reached in and pulled out a bubble caster. "I think this is it!"

"Then use it!" Sylvia yelled.

The moment the new bubble wrapped around them, her legs gave out and she slid backwards, causing Wander to tumble forwards. He grabbed onto her and she curled her body around him to protect him. Within seconds they made impact and everything went black.