Back to the Cage

Chapter 7

When he came to, the first thing Morgan felt was a soft blanket over him. Then his head resting against a pillow and shortly followed by his body realizing he lay in a bed. Slowly letting his eyes open to find himself in the cabin with Roxas sitting at the bedside. The ship is swinging back and forth, with flashes of light outside the window of the cabin. Dark grey clouds in the sky with the sea itself raging currently. Yet his ship simply bobs back and forth gently. Hopefully the Jackdaw and Black Pearl were safe. Last he knew, they were fighting a monster so why was the sea now brewing up this storm? Is she mad at him? Did someone else do something wrong to anger her?

"And Calypso is still angry so if possible, can you tell me what happened so she isn't raging at us anymore?" the words caught him off guard for a second since he didn't notice he could actually hear again.

Morgan looks from the window to Roxas and sees a wet rag placed into a bowl of water. Slowly he sat up and sees a better view of the raging sea outside the window. The blond follows his gaze and got his attention back on him.

"I know you choose not to talk and that I can normally understand for anyone but seeing as she is raging currently. I have to ask if we are the cause of this anger. Did us risking your life make her angry?" Roxas asks him. "If that is the case, I'd like the chance to apologize."

Looking from him to the ocean then back to him has him realize that they figured they believed to be the reason behind her anger. The thing they didn't understand is the ship wouldn't be here if that is the case. It would be gone from under them or be rocked hard enough to make them want to leave. No, there has to be another reason as to why she is angry. One unrelated to them. Perhaps she is sensing the fact that someone she despises is coming here that is a threat? Morgan took a deep breath then and looks at Roxas. Only one way to convey what is going on. Speaking with a very hoarse and under used voice, Morgan began to speak slowly. Hoping that his old voice's pitch still lingered. Even after his neck being sliced all those years ago.

"Found no treasure...for starters." He spoke, taking a few breathes. "Only ruins with the exception of one man." Morgan took another breath. "He spoke about my eyes, an ex-wife and called himself a god." With a final breath, he finished up with. "Said his name is Seymour then flooded the temple."

Roxas nods, "so she is angry about that, not us. Okay, good." He let a held out breath. "See, I thought we made her mad by sending you down there alone but if it isn't us then I won't worry too much."

The door opening makes both look to see Xion walk in with Ryan, Rex and Lara following her. When they saw him awake, the three ran right over and left closing the door to Xion. She simply smiles and does so. Letting the kids happily jump onto the bed and hug on their friend. All asking if he is okay and if he needed anything. Even after he shakes their head, they all seem worried that he is simply not wanting to be a bother. Morgan shook his head to show he meant it. He is fine. Shaking his head when Xion also asked the same once at his bedside. He let Roxas explain what is going on to them. It is then revealed why the sea is angry. Riku and Kairi called Xion and said they had landed in Port Royal. Calypso clearly didn't intend for the task to be easy.

"That explain why she is angry." Roxas let a sigh out. "Well, we can't sail anyways. The ocean is too rough around us. I doubt she would care to see us take him even closer to them. It leaves us with one issue, that being...they will do so anyway. Angering her even more so."

Xion looks out the window, "whatever the case is, they are here. One ship must have a save point they can access to get to us. Regardless of how much power she throws into the ocean."

The blond let out a sad, annoyed sound: "there is one. On the Black Pearl. It was how he'd get to this world to help Jack easily. So yeah, her raging isn't going to help. They can get here through that."

"Well Morgan stealthed his way in that monster fight. Perhaps...he can stealth his way out?"

"I love your enthusiasm dear but how many hiding spots are actually on a ship this size?" The blond questions her with a gentle smile.

Xion didn't give an answer so he just took a hold of her hand. It was sweet to see them still be happy. Even when it is clear they weren't able to have what they wanted. Not that he has seen many couples until recently but these two clearly loved every part of one another. Hopefully they wouldn't lose that if he got forced back there. The last thing he wished to see is such a loving couple break apart. If possible, maybe they could trick the two into thinking they did get him aboard the ship and leave him here. The idea makes him mentally smack himself.

"Morgan, what happened down in the temple?" Xion asks sitting on the bed. "You almost drowned."

Thankfully Roxas answered for him. Allowing Morgan to stand up slowly and recover without losing his balance or worrying the two. In the time it took to give her the short explanation to her, Rex, Ryan and Lara all gave what he assumed to be the hug they waited to give. Then they listened to what their keyblade master had to say. Morgan just heads to the doors and opens them wide. Walking out into the storm and shutting them behind him. The sea all around their area full of harsh waves, heavy rain and wind. Yet this small area around his, the Jackdaw and the Black Pearl remain dcently calm. Taking the chance of the somewhat quiet air, he grabs loose rope and swings to the deck of the Jackdaw. Landing in front of Kenway and surprising him.

"Captain Morgan, you seem to have a knack for this already. I knew the basics would help but seeing them now used." He proudly nods. "You have skill. Allow me to increase that."

He throws Morgan a simple cutlass which clatters at his feet. A simple fix of him just picking it up and letting the assassin pirate fix his stance. He waited for Kenway to stand ready then. The pair stare the other down while he is given a lesson in fencing which sounded and felt easier than wielding such a heavy blade. Kenway taught him how to defend himself first followed by how to attack. The crash course after being if he could recall all of that during his first battle. One that had to use all he just learned and his natural stealth ability. To make it difficult too, Kenway said he would only do this one time. The rest would be on Morgan and any battle he came across after this. Improvisation would be key and that is where Jack himself thrived battle wise. He did seem to be banking on him staying but something told him that wouldn't be much of an option. The two keep fencing on the deck of the Jackdaw. Morgan getting a little better by the second at managing to get behind Kenway.

Due to the lack of hiding spots, he couldn't really hide but he could fight decently enough. The cutlass weight didn't bother him as much as the keyblade weight. It took him longer to feel his lungs actually protest about the excursion on them. Only when he felt the first ping, did he raise a hand and stop the practice.

"You alright lad?" asks Kenway, bending to his level and placing a hand on his shoulder. "You didn't hurt yourself did you?"

He shook his head. Both looking in different directions. Kenway looking towards nothing but the ever expanding ocean and he looking towards the Leviathan and the Black Pearl. Two familiar figures in bright colored clothing stood on the deck of the ship. They were back already. Something that Kenway saw as a threat and had Morgan stand behind him.

"State your business!" He shouts. "Where be Jack?"

"Out cold and drunk, typical pirate. Hand Morgan over or we'll take him by force." Riku shouts, summoning his keyblade. "He doesn't belong here. In fact, he never has belonged here!"

"He was born here by a woman who lives or lived here. You can't get anymore home base then that." The pirate stays between him and Morgan.

Hidden blade ready to be revealed. Especially when they jumped from Captain Jack's ship to Morgan's ship.

"Stop before it gets worse mates. You will not get him to leave again." Kenway reveals the blade. "I have killed many with this and you will not be the first."

"Then we'll burn your ships to nothing. He can't stay here. It's not safe." scoffs Riku, now ready to just attack because he can.

Morgan went to get between them but doors bursting open from his captain's cabin prove to be distracting. Roxas and Xion rushing out with Rex, Ryan and Lara on their heels. The two instantly between them and Kenway and Morgan. Not armed but ready to be armed from how frustrated their expressions were towards the two.

"The hell you think you are doing? The ocean is angry as it is. Now you are here?" Xion asks. "And you Kairi, you are a mother...and you are acting as if Morgan has no rights and is some...piece of meat!"

"I am making sure he is safe, that he is healthy...and that no pirate raises my best friend's son." She states, now glaring at Xion. "You would do that same thing."

This time, she scoffs: "I'd give the boy a chance to pick. You went to Ansem, you heard about his blood. Kairi he needs to be near water. You can't take him away from this!"

"He is half human. He'll be fine. He can't stay in a world where disease runs rampant."

"While we argue over a child, we forget he can hear us!" yells Roxas, pointing Morgan out. "You two can't use him a replacement for your guilt over losing Sora. He isn't his father. He is the son of him but not him. The idea you want to put him in that place though, knowing full well how wrong it is."

"We aren't…"

"Aren't what? Using him as a means to overcome the guilt of not being to find him in time? Overcoming any guilt you had when you could interact with him before the final battle?" Roxas took a step closer and they took a step back. "Or do you want him to take his father's place and take a test that he failed?"

"What is your point Roxas?" Kairi asks as the storm brewing around them got worse. "What are you getting at?"

"He isn't a place holder. Get over it!"

Morgan watched as they began to argue over him of all things. Where he belonged, what he should do to honor his father's name and other topics that all had him at the center. While they argued, he got Kenway's attention. Pointing at everyone arguing then pointing up.

"You don't have to go with them just to protect us here lad. We can fight them off."

Morgan walks between him and the arguing crowd. Shaking his head to show things weren't so clear cut with them. Especially considering that they could summon their weapons.

"If you are sure about this," Kenway held up one finger and walks to his cabin.

Opening the doors and heading inside, out of Morgan's sight. He waited patiently for him to return quickly with three items. Two swords, the original swords Kenway once wielded and a water skin.

"Take these with ya," He taught him how to hide the flask under the long coat. "If that blade your father left is too heavy, and these aren't then use the swords until then. They are yours so don't worry about returning them."

The pirate then pulls him into a hug, one he returned with the only free arm he had.

"Come home soon."

They let go and he nods. Turning and jumping across to the deck of his ship. The landing made the fighting stop long enough for them to see him head to Roxas's side and just point up.

"See, he wants to go." Riku reached out but Morgan instantly unsheathed one sword on him.

Making him withdraw his hand back.

"With us, not you." Xion states reaching her hand out. "At least, I assume so?"

The blade gets sheathed and he took a hold of hers. Roxas could only let a sigh of annoyance out but looks at them and stood between Morgan now.

"We'll follow you. Go...before I actually attack you for once." The blond scoffs then spit at their feet.

"How…"

"I don't care right now Kairi. Just go. You two done enough." The blond got the kids to follow right by them.

Xion holding the hands of Rex and Morgan. Ryan and Lara following their favorite keyblade masters and talking with Sora's son. Even as they got onto the Black Pearl and head into the cabin. By time they got onto the ship, the sea around them began slamming up against the ship. It seemed angrier the minute they took their friend's bloodline away but it honestly is just water. As if anything beneath this ocean could physically harm or come back to even haunt them.

Xion didn't wait for the other ship to power up. She simply powered theirs up and went on ahead. Angry, upset and other emotions all over her face that Morgan couldn't quite get a grasp on. The most he saw being that none weren't positive. Clearly the idea of him giving up again to go back is something that...upset her. Well not just her but everyone. Ryan and Lara look just as upset as Xion did. Rex wore the face of worry and anger. Roxas looked to have all of them in just a simple thin lipped stare through the window of the ship.

"This isn't right." Xion spoke up.

"No, it is not but here we are. Morgan didn't want a fight. That is his father's influence and for that, I am proud but I do wish he could have stayed. He'll be healthier by the ocean but they don't want to believe that I guess." Roxas finished with a long sigh. "The hell is wrong with those two? Ever since they lost him, they act as if they have something to repay outside of...what he did."

"Could it be what they did during the time he was there?"

"It could be. Dad said they would more often pick on Sora bout how he lacked the power of waking, how forgetful he was...what he couldn't and could actually accomplish." Ryan lists off.

"My mother didn't do that but she wasn't there to really back him either. She was training with my dad." Lara spoke up.

"I know but mine did. He, alongside Master Yensid and Master Mickey all compared him to themselves and their accomplished goals." sighs Ryan. "maybe it isn't just a desire to see him back at their side. Maybe...it's to make up for what they did to him."

The ship got quiet then. Only for Roxas to turn his chair to face Morgan then. A finger pointed at him.

"Don't ever let them make you feel bad for being you Morgan, got it!" He says. Morgan nodded quickly. "Good. We'll train with those swords at night okay? They seem to be easier on you."

The blond smiles at him, his finger now gone and the hand gripping the other.

"I am sorry about what has happened. Once again, they want you back..in your cage." The fingers began to tap against one another. "It's my story all over again."

Xion sighs, "We'll free him. You'll see."

"I know we will."