My muse is a sadistic slavedriver. :P As I stated at the end of my last story, I had a few ideas, and this was one of them. I can't make any promises of how quick I can get the chapters out, but please bear with me, and I think I can make it worth the wait. ;)
(edit: Punctuation and grammar fixes. I have got to learn not to be too overeager and use
Microsoft Word next time...-ties string to finger-)

Set four months after my first story, I'm going to call this one:

Shattered Memories
by Time Guardian

Quest compound, Maine-

Jonny Quest brandished a short Japanese sword and a look of deep concentration. He stood in the courtyard of the Quest compound and opened his senses.

-He's around here somewhere-

A rustle near the hedges at the start of the path reached his ears. Jonny quickly ran over to the bush and neatly cleaved it in half, revealing Hadji, holding a sword of his own.

Eyes wide, Hadji stepped out from behind the destroyed greenery and faced him. "When you told me that you were going to teach me sword techniques, I didn't think that you would engage me in a battle, and besides, wont Dr. Quest be mad about the bush?"

"Relax Hadji, I'll take care of it. As for the lesson, consider the sword an extension of your arm," Jonny lectured, starting to walk away. "Bend and flex it to your will. Once you have done that, if someone attacks-"

Whirling around, Jonny brought the sword down quickly, only to be deflected by Hadji bringing up his sword in defense.

Jonny smiled, placing his sword back into the sheath at his side.
"-Your reaction time will be much quicker. Nice going Hadj."

Hadji sheathed his sword as well. "The encouragement is appreciated. So, how did you convince our father to allow you to continue your sword training, especially since we are doing this in real time and not in Questworld?"

He thought he saw Jonny wince, but it was quickly replaced with a grin that didn't look natural.

"Told him it sharpened my reflexes and my senses, plus practicing my technique allows me to clear my head. Besides, as much as I wanna see dad's new invention, he's been trying to strong-arm me into using a new program he formulated for Questworld to help me restore more of my memories. I told him that I didn't want to remember anymore, and I have been avoiding going into the lighthouse ever since."

"But why, Jonny?"

Jonny untied the sword from his belt, lost in thought.

"Hadji, when I was under the service of Zin I did some evil things and was subjected to things that I don't want to remember. When you two found me under the bleachers half-dead that day, I regained two of my most cherished memories: I remembered my name, and I remembered that I had a family that truly loved me. I decided that was enough for me."

He started to walk towards the main house, but felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Memories are just that- memories. They can only hurt you only if you let them, Jonny."

Jonny turned back to Hadji, the forced grin back on his face.

"Ahhh, enough about me. Jessie tells me you have found the girl of your dreams. Tell all."

He laughed as he saw a distinct blush creep over Hadji's features.

"She is a beautiful European exchange student I met at school last week. Her name is Melanie and she has the most beautiful raven colored hair I have ever seen."

Jonny smiled. "Sounds like a vision indeed, since you almost floated away on me there. I am glad you found someone that likes you. So, When do I get to meet her?"

"Well, when are you coming to regular school? You can meet here there."

Jonny winced.

"Can't...the school board still has an issue with me bringing weapons on campus, and for trying to kill one of their 'guest speakers'. Dad's appealed their decision, but that's gonna take a while. For now, race is still teaching me."

Hadji frowned, "That's too bad. Hmm, actually I think I may have a picture."

He dug deep into one of his pockets. Drawing out a slightly crumpled 4 X 6 photo, he handed it to Jonny.

"Yes, here is a picture that we took together for the yearbook." Jonny took a look at the picture. In it, Hadji was sitting on some steps and gazing into the eyes of a girl with long flowing black hair. The camera caught a glint of her eyes, which glowed with the color of jade.

-Her eyes-

Something bothered him. Jonny could have sworn that he had seen her before recently, and that it wasn't for a good reason.

He handed the photo back to Hadji. "She is quite beautiful. Well, this has been quite a workout. I think I'll go get a good night's rest before I start in on the essay Race gave me to do. Night Hadji."

Hadji stared at him for a moment before replying.

"Night Jonny."

-Jonny...-

-No, go away-

"Nooooo!!!!!"

Jonny sat up in bed drenched in sweat.

As he gathered his thoughts and wits together, Jonny punched his pillow in frustration. For the past two months he had been free of the nightmares-until tonight.

-It's that blasted picture-

Wearily getting out of bed, he came to a decision.

"IRIS, where's my dad?"

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Quest sat at the kitchen table, pouring over computer printouts and eating the last piece of chocolate cake. Their housekeeper had made it that evening and between his sons and Race and Jessie, they had managed to consume all but that last piece.

He heard the swinging door to the kitchen open.

"Dad? Are you in here?"

"I'm at the table Jonny."

Dr. Quest saw his exhausted son come over and sit down beside him.

"You are up late. Something on your mind?"

"Dad, That program that you made for Questworld...how soon can you get it running?"

Dr. Quest checked his watch. "I can have it set up first thing in the morning.

Why?"

"I have a feeling there's something important that I need to remember, but I can't put my finger on it. I figured the program could help me figure out what that was."

He smiled. "Fair enough. I'll let Race know you'll be working with me in the lab tomorrow."

"Thanks dad."
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Jonny woke up early the next morning, dressed quickly and went for his regular morning run. It was one of those habits that was hard to break, so he worked himself hard during his recovery, and was soon back to running on a daily basis.

He did his customary five mile run around the neighborhood. When he returned, Jonny quickly showered, changed, and went to the lighthouse.

when he entered the top room, Jonny found his father sitting at the controls of a large machine.

Multiple screens were linked together into one massive network of communication, and before those sat two reclining chairs, styled unlike anything Jonny had ever seen before.

In fact, he had seen none of it before, and was quite awed by the whole setup. He had been avoiding his introduction to the Questworld system because his dad wanted him to use it to regain his memories, but after the events of yesterday...

His father looked up from his work. "Well, what do you think of Questworld?"

"It's impressive," Jonny admitted he walked over to one of the two seats and sat down. He stared at the screens, which currently were showing line after line of programming code. "Most virtual reality technology out there will not let you be fully interactive."

Dr. Quest nodded, "True, but with the bioengineering programming and research, I have been able to make a fully immersive experience, one that can benefit the medical community among countless other scientific endeavors."

He walked towards Jonny, with what looked like a small disc. "Clip this to your ear, and it will become your visor. You'll have audio contact with me in virtual reality, so I will be able to keep in contact with you."

Jonny did as he was instructed and soon found the back of his chair reclining back until his upper body laid flat.

His father asked him one last time. "Are you ready Jonny?"

A chance to back out? Maybe. After all, Jonny had been afraid to let the genie out of the bottle, but when he saw the girl in the photograph that Hadji was in love with, something sinister clicked in the back of his mind. He had to find out and protect Hadji.

"Let's do this."