Disclaimer: I do not own KH or POTC.
This story is a sequel to a KH/POTC: DMC crossover/one-shot AU I wrote last year called The Memory Witch. I admit, I am afraid to publish this, because of all the negative reviews the original got due to Davy Jones' unorthodox portrayal. But I did get a review where the reader wished the original was longer, and I wanted to write a sequel. As before, the starring characters are Naminé, from KH, and Davy Jones from POTC. This story, set several months after The Memory Witch, is an AWE AU. As in the original, Jones is portrayed in a sympathetic light, and more so here than in the original. So, if you don't like Jones portrayed in a more kindly way, please don't read this story. I add this request in light of the reviews the original story got for this reason. The story starts after Beckett has gotten Jones' heart and made him kill the Kraken. This story also assumes there are holding cells as well as a brig on the Endeavour, and Naminé knows about Jones, from their time together in the original story, while they searched for a way to send Naminé home. They learned all about each other during that time, and thus the story assumes this. Also as before, for the story's sake, Naminé can affect all people's memories, not just Sora's. Okay, enough rambling. On with the show!
Chapter One: Reunion
The East India Company men shoved Davy Jones roughly into the holding cell
Jones was furious; few dared they treat him this way.
"Ye can't keep me in here, ye bastards!" he yelled, beating on the door.
"Oh, be quiet, Jones. Remember your position." one of the guards sneered back.
"I cannot be locked up like some delinquent child!" Jones bellowed. He began to teleport through the door when something in the far corner of the room caught his eye. He turned back into the cell to see what it was.
A girl sat on a chair. A girl in a white dress, with blonde hair. A very familiar girl.
"Naminé!" Jones cried, hurrying over. "Naminé! How? When?" he stammered.
Naminé neither moved nor spoke.
"Naminé?"
Still no response. Naminé's head remained bowed.
Carefully Jones placed his claw under her chin, lifting her face up. Her eyes were open, but only a tiny bit and what showed was glazed and unfocused.
"Naminé?" Jones asked again. She looks like she's either drugged or under a spell. I wonder if she even knows I'm here. "Can you hear me, lass?"
Nothing. Jones gave her shoulder a gentle shake. Still nothing. He even gave her arm a tiny pinch with his claw. She was like a doll- no movement at all.
Might be a spell of some kind. Someone's only been drugged would've responded by now. Time to try something different. I hope she'll forgive me…
Carefully, gently, Jones placed his tentacled hand and claw on either side of Naminé's face, lifting it up again. Tentatively he leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips. It filled him with immeasurable warmth, to kiss Naminé. It felt almost right. Why?
What's wrong with me? Jones thought. Why do I feel so good, doing this? It can't be that I've fallen in love with Naminé. I can't have- I am incapable of feeling love… Aren't I?
When Jones released Naminé, her head bowed again. At first there was no result; Jones' worry intensified.
Then, at last, Naminé's eyes fluttered open.
Jones beamed. "Naminé!" He reached out to embrace her, but stopped himself.
"Mm…" Naminé moaned. She slowly became aware that someone was kneeling in front of her. Lifting her gaze, she met that of an old friend.
"Captain Jones!" she said, smiling. The she frowned. "How did you get here?"
Jones raised an eyebrow, confused. "What do you mean?"
"How did you get tomy world? Is this the day you can come ashore?"
"I'm… not sure what you're talkin' about, lass," said Jones, still confused.
Naminé looked around. "Wait. This isn't Twilight Town." She eyed the dark corners, the tiny barred window. "Where am I?"
"You're in a holdin' cell on board the Endeavour, the East India Trading Company's flagship." Jones replied.
"East India Trading Company?"
"Aye. They seem more bent on world domination than commerce, though, methinks." said Jones. "Why did they bring you here? And how?"
Naminé looked thoughtful, shaking her head. "I don't know. The last thing I remember is walking in Twilight Town. Then there was a flash, and- and…"
"And?" Jones prompted.
"I don't remember after that. The next thing I remember is seeing you. I must've been knocked unconscious or put under a spell. That's probably why I can't remember what happened. Did you break the spell, Captain?"
"Aye, lass, I did," said Jones, looking vaguely uncomfortable.
"How?"
"Well…"
Naminé had to smile- a tiny bit- at his bashfulness. Why was he being so shy all of a sudden?
"Well, I…" Jones cleared his throat. "I kissed you, lass."
"You kissed me?"
"Well, you know,Sleeping Beauty, and all that. I thought it might work." said Jones nervously.
Naminé just smiled. So that's why it feels a little wet around my lips, she thought.
"As for why they brought me here, I-" Naminé was unconsciously feeling for something around her neck. "The key! It's gone!" she gasped. Her hands flew to her mouth; she looked fearful. "They took the key! I know I promised to protect it! I'm so sorry! I-"
Jones placed his claw and hand on her shoulders. "Naminé, calm down, lass. Calm down, now-"
"-how could they know I had the key?" Naminé was still whispering fearfully.
Jones, sighing, gently took her face between his hands again. "Listen, lass. I don't blame you for losing the key. I can't say how they knew you had it, either, I certainly didn't tell him, but this isn't your fault. They've already gotten the heart and the chest- no doubt that's why they brought you here."
"They have the chest?"
"Aye. Lord Cutler Beckett can now force me to do his bidding."
"Who is that?"
"The head of the Company."
"But why would the Company-"
"Want me? Probably for the same reason- yes, that must be why Beckett kept you alive after he took the key from you. Normally he's not shy about eliminating someone once their usefulness has run its course."
"E-eliminate?"
"Aye. He probably knows of your powers. Which probably means he's planning to use you in his insane plot to rid the seas of pirates." said Jones. "Just as the blackguard is doubtless planning to use me."
"I understand why he doesn't like pirates, but isn't this a little extreme? Forcing us into slavery?"
"Perhaps. But Cutler Beckett is a cold, cruel, calculating man who'll use anyone he must to achieve his goals." Jones said.
From outside the cell came voices.
"Sir! She's awake!"
"Finally. Escort her to my cabin, Groves." the second voice, menacing in spite of the aristocratic accent, said.
"Aye, sir." A key turned in the lock.
Naminé gasped.
"It's all right, lass. I won't let them hurt you." said Jones, his arms around her protectively. "I promise."
The two guards- one of whom was Groves- escorted Naminé to a plush cabin, the centerpiece of which was a beautiful, ornamented desk, behind which sat a sly-looking man in a wig and expensive-looking clothes.
Jones stomped in behind them, scowling.
"Welcome aboard the HMS Endeavour, Miss Naminé," said the man behind the desk.
Naminé just scowled at him.
"I am Lord Cutler Beckett, Supreme Head of the East India Trading Company. I thank you for handing over Davy Jones' key."
"I didn't 'hand over' anything! You had me kidnapped and stole the key from me!" Naminé finally spoke.
"Such spirit. Admirable in one so young, but inadvisable here." said Beckett in his snooty voice. "You see, Miss Naminé, I am in need of your services- I am certain you know which services I speak of- and your refusal will mean not only the end of your life, but that of your friend, Davy Jones."
Naminé knew it wasn't sexual services Beckett wanted; her ability to alter memory was no doubt the true "service" he required.
Beckett got up from his chair. He began to walk around the desk toward Naminé, who sat in a velvet-upholstered chair in front of it.
"Miss Naminé, I desire only to rid the seas of pirates, to make travel and commerce on the seas safer for one and all. Surely you think that a noble cause, do you not?"
Naminé recalled her encounter with pirate Jack Sparrow, how he tried to use her to free himself from a debt to Davy Jones. It was how she and Jones had met- and become friends. But it also had the effect of souring Naminé toward pirates for the rest of her life. She inwardly agreed with Beckett that pirates were a menace, but still…
"I've heard you had a, shall we say, less than cordial encounter with Jack Sparrow. He almost killed you, did he not?"
Naminé remained silent.
"Because you refused to erase Jones' memory of Sparrow's debt to him?"
Naminé said nothing.
"This was how you became friends with Jones, and how he came to give you the key to the Dead Man's Chest. This was why we had to locate you to acquire the key." Beckett went on.
"How did you bring me here? How did I get here? I can't remember anything of it!" Naminé spoke again.
"That, I'm afraid," said Beckett, "is a Company secret."
"What do you intend to do with me?" Naminé asked.
"I was elated to hear that my agents had acquired the key to the chest. I was also pleased by the special bonus we acquired along with it." Beckett walked slowly back around the desk and sat down. "I refer to, of course, your unique ability to see into, alter, and erase memory."
Naminé knew what he was going to say before he said it.
"No organization in the entire world will have an interrogator like the East India Trading Company will. This is what I require of you. Often, when we detain prisoners with information that will lead us to pirates, they refuse to divulge it. You will look into their memories and find out what they know. Once you've told us what they know, you will erase their memories completely." said Beckett with a smile.
Naminé gasped loudly.
"They must be punished for associating with pirates. At least I am doing the merciful thing and keeping them alive."
"What?! No! If you erase someone's memory, it's like you erase their very existence! I won't use my powers that way! Not again! Never again!" Naminé cried vehemently.
Beckett sighed. "I expected you would say that, Miss Naminé. Mercer?" He looked at his scowling, black-clad assistant.
Mercer produced the key and the chest, and opened the chest. The sound of a deep, resonating heartbeat filled the room. He lifted a large, barnacle-encrusted, beating heart out of the chest.
Behind Naminé, Jones' face was a mixture of fear and fury.
Mercer then pulled out a dagger. He held it poised over the heart.
"No!" Jones yelled. "You realize that if you stab the heart, yours must take its place, and you must take mine, as captain of the Flying Dutchman, forever?!"
"Indeed, Mercer will, Jones. But at least then, I will have one of my men at the helm. A man loyal to the Company."
"Loyal to you," Jones snarled.
"I would behave myself if I were you, Jones. You are hardly in a position to oppose me. And you, Miss Naminé. I suggest- highly suggest- that you reconsider your decision before finalizing your refusal. After all, Davy Jones' life is in your hands. Either he lives, or he dies. The choice is all yours. I could just kill you, as well, if I wish." Beckett hissed, smiling evilly at Naminé. "You're all dismissed."
Mercer returned the heart to the chest and locked it, then hung the key around his neck, tucking it inside his waistcoat.
Naminé began to sob, burying her face in her hands.
Jones moved to help her to her feet and take her to the Dutchman, but Beckett stopped him.
"No, Jones. Your little friend stays here. I will not allow you two to plot together. In the meantime, I am stationing some of my men on your ship, as well as Mr. Mercer and Admiral Norrington, to ensure you do as you are commanded. The chest will stay here as well- unless you disobey. You will help us destroy the pirates- track them down, destroy their ships. Help us get prisoners to interrogate. And the seas will belong to the East India Trading Company. None will dare oppose us, not with you at the head of my armada, Jones. That is, if Miss Naminé cooperates. Now go, Jones. I believe there is nothing further to say to you."
Beckett's men began to herd Jones out of the cabin. But he forced his way past them, toward Naminé's chair. Her shoulders convulsed with sobs. Jones bent down, placing his hands on her shoulders.
"Be brave, lass," he whispered, and then he was pulled away from her.
Naminé spun around, her face streaked with tears. She grabbed Jones' tentacled hand.
Jones looked back at her. He clutched her hand tightly, his long tentacle-like forefinger wound around her wrist. I can't keep my promise to protect her if I'm separated from her. Now it is she who'll have to protect me.
"Be brave, lass," he said again, "I know you'll make the right choice. Whatever choice you make, I'll never hold it against you. Hold on. I'll see you again when I can."
Two etc men grabbed their arms and began to pull them apart.
"No! No! Captain!" Naminé wailed. The idea of being alone with Beckett, and apart from her only friend in this strange world, frightened her.
Finally, they were ripped apart, and Jones was herded roughly out of the room.
Naminé's arm was still outstretched. "No! CAPTAIN!!"
"Oh, yes." Beckett stood up and walked toward the door. "There is, actually, one more thing, Jones. I know you can teleport between ships. If you dare try to visit Miss Naminé here, without permission, it will not matter what choice she makes. I will not tolerate disobedience from you, Jones. If you disobey me, in anything, you will die, and so will Miss Naminé. So you see, each of you has the power to end the life of the other- it all rests on how you behave. Now go."
Then Jones was gone. Naminé was left sobbing in her chair.
"Take her back to her cell." Beckett ordered his men. The he looked at Naminé. "You have two days, Miss Naminé. I will expect an answer then."
Next up: Naminé's choice, and love blossoms!
Okay, that was chapter one. I hope it was okay, if a bit long. Chapters will be longish in this story. Please read and review, but as always, NO FLAMES, please.