I don't own any of these characters, shows, and you get the point.
Chapter 24: Change in Plans
Back at Maleficent's Lair, Johnny and Dennis were telling everyone what had occurred before they retreated. "So this huge dragon, kind of like that Aragorn guy from my world just crashes out of the sky and then that's when we decided to get out of there while we still could." Johnny 13 finished.
"Maleficent isn't going to like hearing that you two abandoned her like that." Sharon inputted.
"I think she'll be more focused on that dragon than dealing with those two cowards." Spectra spoke, angering Dennis and Johnny.
"Hey we were outnumbered and none of you were doing anything. No offense babe," Johnny said to his girlfriend.
A large portal emerged and all the ghosts and Dark Keyblade wielders watched as Maleficent arrived along with Pete and the Dark Dragon. While they were amazed by the size and appearance of the creature his current condition made them doubt whether he was powerful. Dan inquired "What happened to him?"
"Your younger self intervened and ruined everything." Maleficent told Dan. "Though he sustained massive injuries he will still be able to serve us. It will take time but he will recover."
"So he gets to sit on the sideline while we do all the work?" Plankton brought up. "That's not fair." Maleficent directed her attention to the miniscule genius and made her way to him. "What gives you the right to complain? As I recall you have done little to provide any assistance ever since your scheme in your world failed."
Plankton was starting to regret raising his voice to her. He pointed out, "Well I'm not the only one. What about Spectra and Desiree? Those two haven't done anything. At least I did something in my world."
"Spectra will have her opportunity to prove her worth soon enough. As for Desiree, she is both our strongest and weakest member." Desiree wasn't sure whether to be insulted or proud. Dan decided to explain to Plankton what she meant. "Since she's a genie she can grant most of our wishes, except for big ones like bringing all the dark Keyblade Wielders together. However, her wishes could also be used against us. If my younger self saw she was with us he could wish for us to be defeated instantly."
"Exactly. She has her role to play and we cannot risk exposing her." Maleficent finished. She also didn't want Desiree to participate because she knew that every time the genie made a wish she would get more powerful and Maleficent didn't want Desiree to become more powerful than her. Plankton could feel that he wasn't going to win this argument anytime soon.
"Be that as it may while those two have been lounging about I've been working on a new plan to get ahead of Spongefool and his friends."
"This should be good." Kitty whispered to her boyfriend sarcastically.
"As I'm sure you're all aware our main plan is to go from world to world gathering recruits to open the Well of Darkness and we've been going at a snail's pace. From what I've gathered from watching Maleficent it takes a lot of power to travel between worlds and she can only take so many of us at a time. In addition, I noticed a pattern where every world we go to those so called heroes are right behind us."
"No duh! What's your point?" Bertram interrupted.
"My point is that we can never make any real progress if those kids keep foiling our plans. If we're going to make any progress we'll need to divide and conquer. Half of us going to one world while the other goes to another; If one of us runs into those do-gooders the other will be able to complete their plan without disruption." Plankton summarized.
Maleficent spoke up saying, "I have already considered that as an option but with our current numbers we do not have enough members to do such a task. We also need to restore the Dark Dragon back to health if he is to be of any use to us as well as find new worlds and recruits. I will need all my power to heal him and I cannot waste it dividing ourselves apart."
For once Plankton was proudly smiling in front of the witch. "Already got that covered. I'm sure you're all aware by now that this isn't my first time traveling to other worlds. Long ago I teamed with three other masterminds to try and take over our worlds with… um less than stellar results. As you remember, Vlad Masters aka Plasmius, was one of them. The other two happened to be brilliant and one of them helped me devise a machine that could allow us to travel through dimensions."
"Is there a point to this?" Desiree wondered.
"Yes there is. I suggest that we recruit said ally of mine to join us and have him construct a device that can allow us to travel to other worlds without having to rely on the Darkness. Not to mention he could help us find more recruits. Heck I could probably take over his world too."
There was a brief silence before Pete broke down in a fit of laughter. "HA HA HAW! You really think a pipsqueak like you could take over a world all by yourself? HAW! That's a good one. Who would let you be in charge of something that big and-"
"You're certain that this man can build the device we need?" Maleficent inquired. Pete stopped laughing and wondered if Maleficent was serious about this. Plankton nodded as she picked him up by his antennae.
"Very well. I will allow you to lead a team in finding this man and you can bring any of the ghosts here to assist."
"WHAT!?" Desiree, Spectra, Bertram, Johnny, and Kitty exclaimed.
"You can't be serious." Dan said in disbelief.
"I am. I need to focus on healing the Dark Dragon and Plankton needs to prove his worth to this group. He will go find this man and someone worthy of wielding a dark keyblade with no assistance from anyone from his world." She instructed.
"That's right-wait I can't take Dennis?" Plankton worried.
"Yes, and you had better make good on your word, otherwise it will cost you. I believe the appropriate price would be two antennae." Plankton felt intimidated especially when she started twisting his antennae in between her thumb and index finger. He gulped nervously and said, "Y-yes ma'am." She let go and let him plop onto the floor with his tiny heart racing a mile a minute. He was starting to regret this plan since the only real reason he wanted to recruit this guy because while a genius was but also kind of a mess-up and Plankton wanted to bring him on to make the microscopic menace looked better. He wasn't sure if it was worth risking his most sensitive body parts but there was no turning back now.
When Jake finally woke up he found himself in the back of Gramp's shop lying in a cot. He looked around and saw his grandpa was in a cot too and looked pretty bad. Just seeing his injured mentor made his blood boil and want to make Maleficent pay for what she did to him. It didn't last long as his mind flooded with questions about his encounter with the Huntsman. He wondered where Rose was sent to and more importantly how that horrible man was there in the first place. When Rose wished for the destruction of the Huntsclan he was one of many to be eliminated. Jake watched it happened and was sure that he was gone for good. It also didn't make sense how the Huntsman ended up in the basement in the first place and how he made the portal either. He wished it was a just his imagination but the wounds left from the battle proved otherwise.
His thoughts about that drifted as he wondered if his friends were okay. He winced as he got out of the cot and made his way to the door. He opened it slowly and walked out to see Trixie, Spud, and Danny waiting outside, with Fu and Donald busy mixing ingredients together for a potion. Fu looked up from his work station and was the first to greet Jake. "Hey kid, how ya holding up?"
Jake rubbed his arm and admitted, "I've been better. How's everyone else?"
"Compared to you and your grandpa we only got some scratches. Donald's been showing Fu how to make the potions he uses to heal us and so far everyone is doing fine. You and your grandpa are going to need more of it though." Danny told him.
The young dragon could tell his grandpa would need more help than he did. "How is he-? Is he gonna-"
"The old man's tougher than you think. He'll live if that's what you're wondering but he did have us worried. He's never been hurt this badly before. Maleficent really did a number on him." Jake balled up his hand at the mention of her. A part of him wished he had taken the opportunity to finish her instead of letting her escape with the Dark Dragon. At least his friends were safe though. There was something else bothering him that he wanted to know. "So how did you and Gramps ends up down there anyway?"
"Well after you got away and Dennis got the rest of your friends, I managed to get Bananas B to tell me where Gramps was. Turns out Maleficent had him keeping an eye on the old man for her. Once I got him we checked the shop and Sora's friends said Donald and Goofy got taken to Rotwood's place so we headed there, Donald filled us in, and after Gramps saw the huge hole in the ground we checked it out and joined the fight while Gramps tried to take on Maleficent."
He felt uneasy hearing about how much Maleficent knew and that even when he went into hiding his grandpa wasn't safe. No one was. Recalling the fight that happened something else was nagging at Jake. "So how are they going to cover up the mess we made last night?"
"Well it ain't easy but this ain't the first disaster the magic council had to cover up. It won't be easy but it'll be fixed. Speaking of patching leaks, Bananas is heading back to prison for helping Maleficent. They're hoping to get some information about what Maleficent is planning and dig up some information on the Heartless."
"That's a relief. So where is everyone else?"
Donald stopped his work and decided to answer this time. "We're getting ready to head out. Maleficent is gone and is probably searching for another world to corrupt and recruit people to her plan. We gotta get out there and beat her before she opens the Well of Darkness and we can't waste time. They wanted to wait and make sure you were okay but we had to get the ship prepped and need everyone to help. Everyone except Danny though."
Jake nodded understanding the situation. It also occurred to him that since he had a Keyblade now he might be going with them as well. "So does that mean I'm tagging along with you guys? I mean I got a Keyblade but I want to stay and make sure that my grandpa is okay and that my world is safe."
"Well Maleficent on the loose no world is safe. On the other hand we can't force you to go with us so the choice is up to you. If we can we'll return to your world and take you with us to seal the Well of Darkness."
"I speak for everyone on the team when I say that we could use you on the team Jake." Danny encouraged the dragon. "I know it's hard leaving your world but it's for a good cause. You've seen what Maleficent can do and why she shouldn't have access to that kind of power." Danny didn't mean to put Jake in a tight spot but he did believe Jake could learn more if he joined them. Plus, he could relate with Jake and liked hanging out with him. Jake was still unsure if he could just leave everything behind. He was the American Dragon and he couldn't just drop everything to travel the universe.
"I think you should go." Lao Shi stated. The old man startled everyone when they saw him in the doorway leaning on a cane.
"Gramps what are you doing? You should be getting rest!" Fu reminded him as he went to help the old man back. Lao Shi stopped him and continued speaking.
"Jake, this danger that is presenting itself to us cannot be ignored. What Maleficent is planning is far worse than any magical creature can do. These people need as much help as possible if they are to defeat her. I should know; I personally faced her wrath and was lucky to survive. I will take your place protecting the city and enlist your sister to help as well." Gramps told his pupil. "I think this would be best for you. These warriors can teach you to wield the Keyblade much better than I ever will. You've come a long way in your training and I am proud of you. You have shown me that you have grown over the years and that you are capable of doing great things. I wish I could have realized that before this all happened. Maybe then the Dark Dragon would still be trapped in his prison and Rose-"
"Gramps, stop right there." Jake interrupted. "None of this is your fault. The only one we can blame is Maleficent and the Dark Dragon. You were just looking out for me like you always do. I'll admit I was mad when you tried to keep this all a secret but I realize why you did it. You didn't want me to get hurt or to rush into it and make things worse. A friend of mine helped me see that and I appreciate it."
Trixie and Spud were a little confused about who Jake was talking but for Lao Shi he was very proud of his young student and grandson. Jake looked to Danny and asked, "So when are we heading out?"
"Just as soon as I get my stuff together then you and me can go with them." Fu answered to Jake's surprise.
"Say what!?"
"Yeah I talked it over with Quacky over here-"
"HEY!"
"-and we decided that its best I tag along. If all your battles are going to be like this you're gonna need a lot of potions and someone to keep an eye on you." Fu explained. While Jake wasn't disappointed, he certainly was shocked. Danny also remembered something as he handed something to Lao Shi. "By the way, I found this down in the basement too." It was the Eucronos Hourglass and while a little ashy it was good. "Nice job kid. I better put this somewhere safe to we get back."
Once Jake and Fu were ready, Danny and Donald lead them to where the Gummi Ship was hidden. The two were in awe at the size of the brightly colored ship. Trixie and Spud rushed inside to get a look before the ship launched while Fu and Jake took their time. Inside, Jake spotted Sora and waved to him. The brown haired boy smiled and waved back. Jake remembered something he had to tell the Keyblade Wielder before he forgot. "I'm guessing you decided to join us?" Sora teased.
"You know it. By the way, when I was getting the Keyblade I met a friend of yours who wanted me to tell you something." Jake said. "He said that Clockwork is doing fine."
Jake walked past a shocked Sora and while the young dragon wasn't sure what it meant he could tell Sora did. "Hey wait! Who told you that?" Sora called to Jake. He turned around and said, "I'm not sure, I didn't get his name. All I know is that he's a mouse that said he helped one of your friends before.
While Jake walked off to get set up Sora knew who Jake had encountered. "His majesty?" He whispered to himself.
At the control room, Spud was checking out the control panel and the various instruments. Trixie was looking bored and ready to get off the ship. She wanted to say goodbye to her best friend before he left for who knows how long. Donald came into the room and announced, "Alright you two, we're going to take off soon so you better so good bye to Jake and get off."
"Awww can't we stay. This ship is awesome!" Spud whined.
"No way." Donald responded shaking his head. "We're only taking Keyblade Wielders and people that can help us."
"We can help. I super smart." Spud begged.
"Right, and Goofy's a genius."
"I'll prove it. I think I know most of these controls." He went to the control panel and pointed at the various buttons. "This one checks the radar, this checks atmospheric pressure, this activates back up power, and this one starts the ship, and-"
Beep!
Spud and Donald froze as the slow but brilliant boy accidentally hit the last button. "Whoops." He squeaked. The bay doors closed and the ship ascended into the air. Then it flew into the sky and sped up and disappeared into the sky.
Jake and Fu found an empty room and started settling in as the ship shook. The two figured it was just turbulence or something and paid no mind to it. "Hey Jake, I know this might not be easy for you to answer but it involves what happened to you, Rose, and Gramps." Fu asked. Jake had a feeling where this was going. "Danny told us that when he found you and Gramps you were fighting a guy that he described to look a lot like the Huntsman. I mean I know it's impossible to be back but I can't figure out how he knew what the Huntsman looked like. That didn't happen right?"
Jake was silent for a moment before he replied, "I wish it didn't, but Danny was right. The Huntsman was there. He made a portal to another world and threw Rose into it. Danny managed to blast him and the Huntsboys in as well before it closed."
Fu feared that it was true but just couldn't believe it. "Please tell me you're messing with me. There's no way he could be there, it's not possible."
"I know, but it's true. He's out there Fu and Rose is stuck in that world with him." Jake sighed.
Fu could tell Jake missed her dearly. "Wish I could help but I can't. I don't have the materials required to make that portal potion here or at the shop."
"I just hope that we come across that world and get there before something happens to her or he does something."
Jake hoped that he would find Rose, but he wanted more than to just find her on this mission. He wanted to help his new friends and stop Maleficent at any cost. He just tried to remember what Rose and that mouse told him about focusing on the big picture. Rose was important, but he needed to remember that not only was the Dark Dragon out there but also the Huntsman.
In another world, the man on Jake's mind was listening to 88 and 89 recap to him what had transpired since his demise. They were nearly done and what he had heard didn't please him. From what they told him there was nothing left of the Huntsclan. They were the only ones who remained, not counting Rose because she betrayed them. She was nowhere to seen since they entered the portal. The Huntsman would have given chase but was attacked by the world's wild life. They were no match for him but he had no idea where she was. He could track her but it was difficult for him to find a reason to keep going.
"And that's basically everything that's happened up to now." 88 concluded. "Any questions?"
The Huntsman was silent for a moment before he asked, "Why?"
"Uh come again?"
"Why? Why would you bring me back?"
"That is something I would like to know, and more importantly how." Rotwood added. He was with the group as well, though he was tied up and being held prisoner.
"Well we figured that whoever won the fight would go after us so we went for the toughest guy we know, our master the Huntsman." 89 started but was cut off by 88.
"Then I got the brilliant idea to use that Eucronos Hourglass thing to go back in time and get the Huntsman before Rose made the wish that offed him, make some potions to get us out once the big guy was done and to heal him."
"Didn't I tell you two the dangers of altering the past?" Rotwood reminded them
"Yeah but you were gonna do it anyway. Besides, he wasn't going to exist after that point so no harm done."
"No harm done? NO HARM DONE! Because of you two we are trapped in another world with monsters everywhere and no way home."
"Not to mention that because of you I have to live the rest of my days knowing that those dragons are alive, the Huntsclan is no more, and that witch who helped the one dragon escape is out there doing who knows what."
"You mean Maleficent?" 88 asked.
"Yes. Thanks to you two I'll have the rest of my life knowing that they are still around and I am helpless to do anything about it." He aimed his spear at them and started to charge an attack. "I should end your pathetic lives here and now. Give me one good reason why I should let you two continue to live."
The two boys cowered in terror and were petrified. Mostly because they were trying to think of a good enough reason to convince their master and they only had one shot. "Um… you don't have to worry about running into that dragon Rose likes?" 88 told him.
Huntsman yelled with rage at the mention of that dragon and stabbed his spear into the ground. "In what way is that possibly good? Of all the dragons I have hunted, none have I wanted more than him dead. It is because of him all of my schemes have been foiled, it is because of him that Rose has turned on us, and it is because of him that we are the last of our kind. Now I will never have my revenge on him and his grandfather for what they've done because they are…" The Huntsman froze as he felt an epiphany coming on. "…not in this world."
88 and 89 were still quivering in fear thinking the Huntsman was going to end their lives right there. "The dragon isn't here." He repeated. "I may not be able to hunt him, but he cannot stop me." He started pacing around the fire as the boys realized he wasn't going to kill them. The Huntsman was deep in thought and completely forgot about them. "With the dragon unable to find me, I could finally go through with my plans without resistance. I'm in a world filled with monsters and people who hate them as much as I do. That's the destination I selected. It should be easy for me to restart the Huntsclan with new warriors. I could make it more powerful than before."
"Uh sir, are you okay?" 89 asked.
"Boys, it was a mistake for me to even consider giving up the hunt. For once you may have done something right."
"We did?" The two said simultaneously.
"Yes. There's still a chance for me to rebuild the Huntsclan. It will take time but I will make it so and soon I will find a way to return to our world."
"And how do you plan on doing that?" Rotwood questioned. When the Huntsman directed his attention to the professor it sent chills down the principal's spine. "With the right bait. The dragon will come for Huntsgirl, I don't doubt it. We just have to find her before he gets here and hold her hostage. He'll have no choice but to take us back. Then we will track down that demon Maleficent and destroy her dragon and all the others."
"Aren't you forgetting that Mr. Long has a Keyblade and he most likely won't be working alone? He has a ghost in case you don't remember."
"Oh I haven't forgotten, that's why I have you professor."
"Me?"
"Yes, not only do you know the dragon personally but you have vast knowledge of magical creatures. Even before these told me about you I've heard of your work. Until now I always thought you were just one of those raving lunatics but it seems you'll be quite useful."
Rotwood swallowed the knot in his throat and said, "Well I suppose I don't have much of a choice do I?"
"No you do not. So tell me everything you know about the Heartless, Maleficent, and most of all, Jake Long?"
Phew, and that ends it for the world of the American Dragon: Jake Long. I know the Huntsman seems like he didn't get much time in the story but believe me he will appear later on just like some of the other characters I have planned. It will be a while though.
For those upset about Rose sorry I had to separate her and Jake but its not always a happy ending. For the record she and the Huntsman are in a world Sora and the gang will visit. I would have given more hints but it would have spoiled it instantly.
I'm having Fu come along because halfway through writing these last two chapters I realized that I need an excuse to explain where Sora and everyone are getting the potions and ethers. He won't make many appearances and Fu will mostly be like a summon character like Bambi or Simba. He will make brief appearances like Jiminy, who will appear.
Lastly, regarding why it took so long, I'm not gonna lie. Most of it was laziness and schoolwork. I'm not gonna justify why I took so long, it may surprise you to know that I am learning something in college. It's that you shouldn't try to explain why your work is the way it is. If it's good, you should just let it speak for itself, don't make up excuses.
I wish I could say that I'll add more often but I don't want to sound like a broken record. I'll do my best. I have thought about getting a co-writer since I have plenty of ideas its just I have a hard time getting myself to actually write. I just don't know who to ask. If you're interested, let me know. If not, then stay tuned for the next chapter and world, please review and subscribe, etc. etc. Also, Happy Easter.