I do not own Kingdom Hearts and/or Disney.
Mortem belongs to YamiChaos27. Thanks for looking over the battle. I hope the other scene with Mortem was good. If not, I can go back and edit them.
Special thanks to Flautist4ever for editing this chapter.
Journey of Discovery Final Mix chapter 2
JASON'S POV
I couldn't believe it. I was so close to being back home, and the crowded marketplace was keeping me from getting there. For the love of Gri, why couldn't people hurry up? I couldn't see anything that would help people. The food was all weird and the clothes were out of fashion.
As soon as I saw a gap open up in the crowd I pushed my way through. "Home. Soon I'll be back where I belong." I thought to myself while I passed someone buying some strange fish. However, the next stall had three white birds with yellow bills and webbed feet selling some potions and stuff, and all three were in sweaters and caps that were different colors. I think they were supposed to be ducks. "No talking animals. No weird magic stuff." I stopped as one of the moogles, some little white creature with purple wings and a balloon on its head passed in front of me. "And none of that."
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a little kid with someone that I assumed was their father. He was looking up at a statue of one of the heroes of this world with glee. "Daddy, can I be a hero when I grow up?"
"Of course you can. You can be whatever you want. Just work hard and follow your dreams."
Those words stung. Clenching my fists, I turned and stormed off with a huff towards the castle. "Dreams? What a waste of time." I thought to myself as I approached the castle entrance. "Everyone knows you exist to fill a certain niche in life. Hopes, dreams, aspirations… all of them are nothing more than roadblocks and distractions. And people here seem to think they accomplish something.
"Well, I wouldn't be in this mess if it weren't for my father. This is all his fault. When I get back home, I'm going to give him a piece of my mind, like I should've done weeks ago."
Four Months Ago…
My parents and I had just been eating breakfast like normal. Nothing was out of the ordinary. Dad was checking the news on his holo-screen while Mom was helping herself to some more energy drink. I was just trying to stomach this bland stuff that the government recently said was good for everyone to eat when the window became the giant holo-screen it did when news or a call came in. "Normans. Sorry to disturb your breakfast."
Mom nearly choked on her drink. "Professor Anton Yeller? Why are you calling us?"
The elderly man adjusted his glasses before he answered. "Your son has been selected for the Herald Program with Yeller Sciences, which will be the world's first step into space exploration. His involvement will assure his placement into a future career regardless of the history of his family unit."
"Hear that son? Your future is now secure." Dad said as he looked at me, his black hair being spiked up like it normally was.
I glared at him. "No. I'm not interested in working for some geek."
"Geek? Professor Anton Yeller is the greatest mind Harthyn has ever seen. To work for him is the opportunity of a lifetime." Mom said.
"My answer is still no."
Dad looked at the holo-screen. "Ignore him." Turning back to me, Dad's eyes narrowed. "This is not a debate, Jason. You have a rare opportunity to work for the most influential man in all creation. With his help, you have a chance to get recruited before you graduate. And you're going to take that chance. And I don't want to hear any arguing on your side. You're going, and that's final. Understand?"
When he gets like this, there's no way I can win against him. Never had, and never will. With a sigh, I looked back at my food. "Yes, sir." I muttered.
"I knew going into space was a bad idea." I thought to myself while I passed through the castle corridors. "I knew it, but he still got me to go into space. Well, when I get him, I'm going to rub this into his smug face. I won't let him talk me into something like this again. Maybe I'll give him a knuckle-."
A crash from up ahead interrupted my thoughts. It came from the study, where they were… oh no. Breaking into a run, I arrived into the study to find it a mess. Books were scattered everywhere, vialls were broken, and one of the guards, Leon, was on the ground. I ran over to him, looking over him. An arm and leg broken, and it looked as if he had been stabbed with something.
I then looked up to see the corridor leading to the computer room was open. Computer room. Where they were… oh, no! Getting up, I rushed through to find Ansem the Wise on the ground while some punk in black with red hair getting something from the massive, if primitive, computer. Behind them was the broken remains of the teleporter. "No!" I roared as I leapt at the punk. "What did you do? You destroyed my ticket home!"
"Cry me a river." He said as he backhanded me. The room spun around me as I fell, over, my head complaining like it got hit by a monorail. Looking back at the punk, he finished what he was doing on the computer, and then caused a dark oval to emerge from the shadows.
With a growl, I got back up and tackled the punk to the ground, punching him in the kidneys as I did so. We fell to the ground where I moved to punch him again. However, I was then blasted back by something, crashing into the wall. As I slid down, I saw the punk get back up, and it seemed like the shadows were moving along his entire outline like a dancing black fire. It also seemed to be coming from his body.
His eyes narrowed at me. "You just made a grave mistake."
"So did you." I said as I got back up, holding my fists up.
"You're going to fight me with your fists? You really do have a death wish." With that, he summoned the strangest weapon I had ever seen, stranger than even Leon's gunblade. It looked like a giant red key wrapped with chains in a criss-cross manner.
I ended up laughing. "You're going to fight with a giant key?"
"It's a Keyblade, and it's no laughing matter." He growled as he charged at me. He swung at me and I tried to duck, but that thing was faster than I anticipated. It ended up catching the back of my shirt and jerked me back. I tried to hammer drop the guy with the momentum from the Keyblade thing, but the punk caught me with his free hand. He didn't crush it, but his grip was iron. I realized I was out of my league in this fight. He was a disciplined, seasoned fighter, and I could see in his eyes he was not above killing.
With surprising strength he flipped me over his head, throwing me against the opposing wall. "Pathetic. Just pathetic." He said as he came towards me. "Last chance: stand down."
I responded by throwing another punch, but he sidestepped me before tripping me. I managed to look behind me to see him raise his weapon, his Keyblade, up to impale me. I rolled over because if I was going to die, I would not hide. Not that I was in any hurry to die, but I refused to die a coward. If anything I was going to give him a reason to respect me.
The next few minutes, I still cannot recall what happened. One moment the weapon was coming to impale my heart, and then the next he was on the ground after a bright flash, but that didn't surprise me.
What surprised me was that after that light I now held a weapon similar to the one the creep had, except it was different in every sense of the word. The blade was long and black, and the teeth of the key I swear was designed to look like a fist. And the keychain at the end was a boxing glove. "What in Gri's name is this thing?" I asked.
"You have a Keyblade?" The guy asked. "This has to be a mistake. There's no way you could be chosen for such an honor. That thing has to be flawed."
I rose an eyebrow. "You're talking about these chunks of metal like they're alive."
"I rest my case." With that, he charged at me, but my weapon seemed to fly up on its own. I don't know how to describe it, but it was like on autopilot. How was that possible? It was defying all known logic. The punk didn't give me time to think about it as he slashed and jabbed again.
Since my new weapon was in my left hand, I felt extreme awkwardness because I used my fists for every fight up until now. Time to adjust I guess. I swung my Keyblade around, blocking his latest slash. I tried to knee him, but he brought his fist down. I cried out in pain as he made my knee move further right than it was supposed to, and then he kicked me back.
"I tire of this." He said as he raised his Keyblade up, and it transformed right in front of my eyes. Now he had a bazooka on his shoulder, with the same red and black color scheme his Keyblade had. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of it. As he pulled the trigger, I tried to roll out of the way. However, there was a burst of darkness from that thing, pain, and then nothing.
"Jason? Jason!" I heard someone call my name as I opened my eyes to find Clair leaning over me. Groaning, I raised my head to see Ansem the Wise sitting against his computer while Aerith looked over him. Pain racked through my body as I tried to sit up, and Clair put her hand on my shoulder. "Not so fast."
"Where's… that…?" I tried to ask but it hurt to talk.
"Gone. Along with the data he sought." Ansem told us. "Mortem managed to crack through all the layers of firewalls and encryptions Tron and I placed around that data."
"Mortem?" Clair asked.
I looked at her. "Punk who… destroyed…"
"It'll take months to build another." The scientist king told us. "I am sorry."
"What bothers me is that Mortem could use a Keyblade." Leon said as he walked in.
"Keyblade?"
"Like… gunblade… except… giant key…" I said. "Fought him…" Clenching my fist, I managed to pound it against the ground in my anger. "Mortem… will… pay." Then, in an instant, my Keyblade, the Born Fighter as the name seemed to come into my head, appeared in my hand, making my cousin jump into the air while everyone else was shocked to see it.
"What in Gri's name is that?" Clair asked me with a hand over her heart.
Leon answered with his own question. "How long could you use a Keyblade?"
"Now…" It was hurting too much to talk.
Aerith looked at her king and friend. "This changes things."
With a nod, Ansem looked at us. "There is much you need to know."
MORTEM'S POV
I exited the dark corridor into the base where the others were supposed to rejoin me, but I wasn't holding my breath. I didn't like them the second I saw them, and I wasn't disappointed to see that they were not here. I moved through the different aisles trying to find the one who acted like he was in charge, but that did not give him my respect.
"Did you get it?" I heard him ask from behind me. I turned, but to my surprise there was a robot waiting for me. "My little friend will take the data from you."
Holding the circular drive thing I had used to extract the data from Ansem's computer, I gave it to the robot. A chamber opened up and the drive was inserted, causing its eyes to light up and a series of beeps to be made. "What does that mean?"
"Your mission was a success. Tell me, did you also destroy the Alternate Reality Transporter?"
I scoffed at that. "Yeah, but I still don't get why you had me trash that piece of junk."
"It wasn't a piece of junk! It was an incredible leap forward in the name of science. As for why it had to be destroyed, it was necessary for my plans. Now they have a reason to leave Radiant Garden. You."
I glared at the robot for that. "You're using me as bait?"
"No. A motivation."
"Whatever. I just want to know how this data helps me get my memories back."
A holographic screen appeared in the air in front of me, projected from the chest of the robot. From it appeared the images of seven maidens, which took me by surprise. "The data that has been analyzed shows that there are seven hearts of pure light scattered throughout this… multiverse, as I prefer to make sense of this data. And when gathered together, they produce tremendous power. It stands to reason that if you were to collect all seven hearts, then you would have the power to restore your memories."
I couldn't help but think that he seemed to go through all that data faster than I thought was possible, but maybe the robot helped him. At any rate, I now knew what I had to do to restore my memories. "Where will I find them?"
"Take this device." The man's voice said as the robot produced another of the circular drives, just small enough to fit into my pocket and be usable. "As the data becomes translated and broken down, you will receive the locations of the hearts, and all you need to know about the worlds they are located on."
I scoffed at that. "Whatever. Just as long as I don't have to spend years searching."
"I will send others to assist you when the need arises."
"I do not need help. I can do this on my own."
"Don't forget, Mortem,"
"No, you don't forget. I work with you, not for you. I'm not some minion you can order around. I tolerate you and the others because you saved me from oblivion, but do not test me. Our interests are aligned for now, but as soon as I have what I want, I am parting ways with you and your group."
There was several minutes worth of silence. Finally, he spoke again. "Very well. Do as you wish. You'll find the information about the first heart's location in your holo-screen."
So that's what this thing was called. With the push of a button, I activated the blue light screen that I could interact with, and used it to study up on the world I was about to head to. Pocketing it once I was done, I opened another corridor of darkness and entered it, ready to claim the heart and retrieve my memories.
CLAIR'S POV
I couldn't believe it. Aerith had healed everyone by now, and had helped me to do it as well. IT felt good to help someone heal from their wounds. However, everyone was taking the matter of Jason using a Keyblade like it was a factor that could change the fabric of reality itself. Okay maybe not to that extreme, but it felt like that this was a bigger deal than I would've thought. I was feeling a little nervous from all this.
Right now, Ansem was at the huge computer he had, pulling up and organizing the data to try and make it into some sort of presentation. I felt like we were back at school for a moment, but thinking that was a mistake because that made me look at the ruined machine. Our way home, gone. Was this because of me? Was Gri punishing us because I had wanted to stay here?
"Ah, here we are." Ansem said as he finished. Turning to us, he explained, "What you are about to learn is a secret you must guard with your lives. No matter what, you must not divulge the information you are about to learn. In the wrong hands, this knowledge can bring chaos and ruin to all."
I nodded. "I understand."
"Whatever." Jason said.
Pressing a button, a diagram showing lots of circles and equations appeared before us, and a Keyblade in the middle. "Before you is a sketch of the Keyblade. For years it was regarded as a weapon of myth and legend, but now we know for a fact it exists. To fully understand its potential you will have to know of the history behind it.
"Long ago, it is said that all people used to be one, bathed in the glorious light that was shared by all. As time passed, some tried to take the light for themselves, and created darkness. A war broke out that resulted in the apocalypse.
"Before you can ask why we are here, it was in that moment that seven lights which had survived the destruction worked to rebuild what had been destroyed. To prevent such a cataclysm from occurring again, they buried the light deep within the new world they had created, and divided the world into the present universe we have today."
Jason yawned. "Yeah, real interesting. But what does this have to do with us?"
The scientist king frowned at him before he answered, "It was during that war that the Keyblade came into existence. The legends surrounding it vary in description, but from what I've pieced together it appears that there were those who tried to use the Keyblade to take the light, while the others were made to protect it. So, like those who bear them, these weapons can either be a force of good or evil for Kingdom Hearts."
I raised my hand. "Excuse me, sir, but what is Kingdom Hearts?"
"It is the light I spoke of." Was the answer I got. "It is the source of all light in existence, and what allows everything to exist. We are all connected to the power within Kingdom Hearts, and if it were to fall, so would every world out there."
"Wait. You mean there are more besides Harthyn and Radiant Garden?" Jason asked. "How many more are out there?"
"We haven't been able to document every world out there." Cid said. "It's been an ongoing investigation. Near as we can figure, there are as many worlds as there are stars in the sky."
I gasped. "That means there could be limitless worlds out there."
"Exactly." Ansem said. "Your world is a new world for our records, evidence of an ever growing multiverse. Keep in mind that another world is not the same thing as another planet, because a planet is part of a world that requires a means of traveling a great distance to reach them. A world is another existence that can either be achieved by advance science, complex magic, or a combination of the two.
"Not long ago, I began studying the heart and its potential. My research brought chaos to several worlds, and it was only because of a boy chosen by the Keyblade that the madness was stopped and countless lives saved. Only now there is the matter of this Mortem, and the fact that you can now use a Keyblade, Jason Norman."
My cousin just scoffed at all this. "Real fancy work, doc, but I couldn't care less. I want to find this Mortem jerk and knock his lights out for ruining my chance to get home."
"Jason." I glared at him, but he ignored me.
Leon answered for Ansem. "If a Keyblade chose you to be its bearer, then it must mean something's coming. Mortem has the powers of darkness, and was able to beat me with ease. You didn't even leave a mark on him from what I've heard."
Jason got up, looking like he was ready to fight, but Merlin stopped him. "Now, young man, if you go rushing headfirst into things, you won't ever get anything done. There's a reason we have brains in our heads instead of rocks."
"Besides, with the Keyblade, you have the power to travel to other worlds." Aerith said.
That got Jason's attention. "I can? Why didn't you say so?" He held out his hand, but nothing came to it. He made a few gestures with his hand, but nothing happened. Frowning, he tried again, with the same result. "Darn it!" He cursed, clenching his fist. We all jumped when his Keyblade came flying into his hand. "Finally. So how do I make it take me home?"
"It's not that simple." Merlin said. "The Keyblade is a divining rod of sorts. From what I've seen, it takes you to where you need to be."
"Before you throw another tantrum, hear us out. If Mortem's part of a larger threat, then it's your responsibility to find it and stop it because if left unchecked it might end up coming to your world as well. If you find it and stop it now, you may end up saving Harthyn from danger." Leon said.
"And this could be connected to the Spatial Tremor which brought you here." Ansem added.
Aerith looked at him when he said that. "I thought it was just a world wide earthquake."
"No. It was not. The event which brought them to our world happened in space, as they claim. I have checked with some of our friends on other worlds, and they also experienced tremors as well. Whatever happened was not confined to our two worlds."
"Are you saying the brat might be tied in to the Spatial Tremor thing?" Cid asked.
"I'm saying the two might be connected." Looking at us, the scientist king asked, "I know this is not what you've wanted, but I ask you to follow the Keyblade where it takes you. Try to unravel the mystery behind the Spatial Tremor and Mortem, and stop whatever threats may be rising out there."
Looking down, I thought about what I had learned. Parallel worlds? Forces of darkness? This was like something I would've read in one of my books. I was excited and terrified at the same time. I wanted to go on this adventure, but I was worried about what we might encounter. But then, if Jason got better with his new weapon, we might be able to get home. And in the meantime, I could probably learn more about magic and get ideas for a book. "Please, Jason. This is a chance for you to get stronger to beat Mortem."
"Even if I said yes, how would we find him? He could be anywhere in this multiverse." Jason pointed out to us.
The old wizard smiled. "Oh, I know how to fix that problem."
"What an incredible piece of junk!" Jason said as we arrived at a special part of the castle. There were all sorts of tools and equipment scattered about, and vehicles parked in odd locations. In the center of it all was a bright yellow and red spacecraft of some sort. It looked a little like something you'd find in a child's playset.
"Junk? I'll have ye know that this is the most advanced Gummi Ship to exist!" An annoyed voice with a strong accent said. I turned to see a duck in a top hat and a blue coat with a cane marching towards us with an offended look on his face.
Merlin walked over to the duck. "It's okay, Scrooge. He's got more muscles than brains."
"You mean these two are the ones you want flying my Gummi ship?" The duck, Scrooge, asked.
THe wizard nodded. "Yes. They need it to track down someone who could be a threat to many worlds."
"You expect me to say yes to allowing teenagers to pilot the most advance Gummi Ship in existence just to stop a possible threat?"
"You remember how much chaos Xehanort caused, and he was alone too. Until he made his Organization. We can't risk something like that happening again. Besides, we've contacted Sora. He'll be along as soon as he can."
"Sora?" The duck's demeanour changed to a more positive one. "Well, then. We'd better get a move on. Don't want to be late."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Who says you're coming?" Jason asked.
"My ship. My rules. I'm coming." The duck told him. "Besides, I'm not letting a lad and a lass pilot an incredibly sophisticated vehicle without adult supervision. I built it, I own it, I decide who uses it. Either ye go with me or ye find another Gummi."
I looked at Merlin, hoping he could help us. He had influence. He should be able to convince this duck otherwise…
"Fair and reasonable terms, Scrooge."
"What?" Jason and I asked at the same time.
The wizard looked at us. "Scrooge McDuck is a valuable ally. He is a seasoned adventurer and well-versed in business matters. He can teach you many things. Besides, he is right. This Gummi is his, and he has every right to deny you if he chooses. He's made his terms and it is up to you to accept them or not."
My cousin sighed as he looked at the duck. "How long until we can depart?"
I hope you enjoyed. I wanted to give thanks to TruthoutrunstheFiction for her idea on how to use Scrooge McDuck.
Oh, for those who want to see what happens after Lost and Alone, that story will be going up soon. It will be under JoD: Road to Recovery, and will feature the cast from before.
