Jason moved forward on, starting to feel an aura that is familiar of excitement, the crispy chill in autumn yet he felt something new in the vibrant darkness of balance, and he reaches out with his left hand, leaning closer, and then finally grasps it in his fingers.
He then blacks out, seeing nothing for a minute or two before he wakes up, finding himself in a strange combination of a Chinese garden with a temple nearby and the Thunderdome in Toronto that he remembered visiting with Logan and Frederick when they were on summer vacation between sophomore year and senior year.
He saw many versions of himself, young and younger, playing with swords or mock-dueling, and he blinked, "Am I in my mind?", and a voice chuckles, "Very perceptive, Jason Valkara. I think Clint would give you a run for your money.".
Jason turns around to see a beautiful red-haired woman with jade green eyes, clothed in black and white, and Jason blinks in shock, "You're t-the Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff.", only having seen the first two Iron Man movies, and the Hulk movie since he left in the year of 2010 back on Earth.
"Like I said, very perceptive.", Natasha chuckled once more as Jason looked around, "Am I really starting to lose it now? I mean, this isn't real, is it? Or is it real? I'm already confusing myself...".
Natasha laughed softly, "No, no, you are sane, Jason. This is the mental plane in your mind, your mindscape of sorts. The gemstone you touched, that was the Orange Infinity Stone of Soul. Who knew that in this universe, the Stone isn't dangerous like my Stone was? Damn that Thanos.", muttering to herself with a scowl at the end.
"Sorry... just... having so many revelations and meeting quite a lot of folks that I didn't expect today is sort of shorting out my brain in a few ways.", Jason gave a nervous chuckle as he rubbed the back of his neck.
Natasha nodded, "That's very fair. Do you need a moment?", taking a seat on one of the boulders with a little smile. "Yeah, sort of...", Jason nodded as he dropped to the ground as he sat. "I'm just... I'll be okay... just need a bit...".
Natasha smiled patiently as she took a deep breath, relaxing as she listened to all the sounds in the garden around her, and the sounds in the distance as well, amazed to see such a famous building like the Thunderdome empty of seats yet it's somehow perfect-sized for Jason's mindscape.
A few minutes later, Jason glanced at Natasha, "You're not from this universe, are you?", and Natasha shook her head, "No, I am not. But when my soul was lost after I died, the Blue Fairy found me, and bought me here. And well, I wouldn't refuse her proposition of saving a world when I don't know what happened to my universe when I sacrificed my life to bring back the innocent lives that Thanos dusted away.".
"I have no idea what happened there either...". It clearly was something way in the future for him in terms of those movies. He also thought it might be better not to even say that she was from a movie; last thing they both needed was more confusion.
Natasha smiled reassuringly, "Do not blame yourself, Jason Valkara. I was surprised that I was part of a movie.", and Jason looked at her in shock, "Your thoughts are very loud here when we are inside your mind. I'm glad that people saw me as a good person of sorts in your universe when they watched me in Tony's movies. Oh, boy, he would be literally smug every moment if he knew about it.", with a fond smile.
Jason sheepishly smiled, "Is there someplace quieter?", and Natasha smiled, "Yes, to the spiritual plane. I can see that you want to talk with Li Shang as soon as possible. I couldn't blame you, and we can wait for the important stuff to talk about after we finish in the spiritual plane.".
"Thanks...", Jason sighed. He hated the fact that she read his thoughts there, but at least she was understanding. One less worry on his mind then.
Natasha smiled, getting up, holding out her hand, "If you're ready, I can take you now. Think of it as an instant teleportation.".
Jason looked at her, getting up, and took a deep breath before taking Natasha's hand, "Ready.", and Natasha nodded, and before Jason knew it, he was tugged, seeing flashes of color, and then finally landed somewhere else, letting go of the hand as he heaved, breathing deeply.
Natasha chuckled, "At least you didn't throw up. Time travel was sort of dizzy, through this is different.", and Jason sighed heavily before standing up, "Let me guess, you didn't want me to worry about being split in directions. Thank you for not telling me back there.".
"No problem, Jason.", Natasha replied as Jason finally took his first look at the spiritual plane, blinking in awe to see a sunset sky of pinks and blues and purples with clouds and stars, with pristine frosted hilltops with small waterfalls rolling over them, with blossom trees everywhere.
"Is this the spiritual plane?", Jason spoke in amazement, and Natasha walked on, with Jason following her, "Not quite. You see, every person has their own perceived image of what the spiritual plane is supposed to look like when they are either in limbo, near death, or on their journey to the heavens by crossing the bridge. This is your perceived image of what the supposed spiritual plane is looking to be.".
"Huh...", Jason looked at himself for a moment. "Not much difference then.", he gave a small chuckle. "Not yet. Anyway, in a bit, you'll see some differences. I promise you.", Natasha told him.
Jason followed her, noticing that the path itself was made of cobblestones and bricks, not cement or dirt, and as he looked around, he saw the ponds of the small waterfalls surrounded by brilliant white roses and green clovers as big as mushrooms.
The walk continued for a few more minutes, and then Jason saw a flash of red in the distance as they turned around a large blossom tree, seeing a stone bridge with red accents of Chinese design, and metal lanterns of American design on top, and there, about some feet before the bridge, is Li Shang himself, suited up in a mix of his Captain outfit and his camp outfit.
Natasha patted his shoulder, "I shall wait here, Jason.", giving him a supportive smile and a soft nod as they stopped at the blossom tree's edge. "Okay then...", Jason took a deep breath as he walked forward as he got closer to Shang whose back was to him.
"Welcome, Jason... I've been expecting you.", Shang spoke as Jason was only a few feet away, but he still didn't turn around to look at him.
Jason exhaled softly, and stood up firmly as he spoke, "Li Shang, I know you are blunt, so I will cut to the chase. Yes, I do have feelings for Fa Mulan, but I do not wish to hurt her by betraying you without your permission to allow me to court her.".
Shang gave a small scoff at the request. "You don't really need permission from the dead, Jason, especially whether or not you wish to pursue a relationship with her. I only want her to be happy; the loss and with the war added to it, has really affected her more than she gives away.".
"Well, still, I thought it was better to ask at least. And I honestly wish you could tell her yourself; I feel that's a reason why she might not be more like 'Let's have lunch or something'.", Jason said.
"Is that normally a phrase to describe when a woman wants to court you?", Shang chuckled.
Jason blushed softly, "Normally back on Earth, yeah. But I don't see a way to convince her that you want her to be happy and that I got your permission to court her without making her think that I am crazy...".
Shang gave a chuckle, "Mulan is always one for asking for proof.", turning around at last to face Jason, and Jason blinked, seeing scars, but not war scars, more like sickness scars, and he exhaled, "You have an idea to convince her?", not judging him, only focusing on Shang's words.
Shang was stoic, clearly noticing Jason's change of direction, and he smiled approvingly, drawing out two pendants from his pocket, one of yin and another of yang. "She buried them with me. It's time for them to have a new home. When you give them to her, tell her that Captain Li Shang formally breaks the betrothal contract, freeing Fa Mulan to seek new love and court whoever she wants to.".
"Uh, would these have been in a place that would've been next to impossible to find?", Jason asked as Shang nodded.
"Unless you knew exactly where to look, which she knows for a fact you don't, that should be enough.", Shang said.
Jason chuckled, "Yep. It is enough to convince me, and if it did, it would convince her too.", and Shang smiled, passing over the pendants to Jason, and with a nod, "Take good care of Mulan, Jason Valkara, and I have already forgiven you for the slight mistake you made last night, yet I was glad that you caught yourself in time. You are a good, honorable, respectful man.".
"Yeah, folks keep telling me that... but some days, I don't feel like it myself.", Jason admitted as Shang nodded, "I know what troubles you; at the end of the day, it's up to you to decide if what others say about you is the truth, and to settle what's done is done in the past.".
Jason smiled, nodding, "I appreciate the advice, Captain Li Shang.", and Shang smiled, and then a drum gong was heard with Shang looking back, "Better get going. And oh, give Scar a nasty arrow shot where the sun doesn't shine. His armies have been giving Mulan's battalions trouble over the past four years.".
Jason smirked, "You got it, Captain. He will wish for mercy when he's down and out for good.", and Shang gave him a salute before turning around, and crossed the bridge, disappearing into the mist.
"If I get the shot... might just take the opportunity to get him in the head if it comes to a choice." Jason chuckled as he looked around. "Now, where the heck do I go?".
Natasha cleared her throat, and Jason looked back, blinking, "Right, I forgot that you were waiting for me.", and Natasha chuckled, "No harm done, Jason. Let's head back to your mind. The temple in the garden will hold all your thoughts from being heard by me, plus, it's private enough to talk about the important things I need to speak about.".
Jason nodded, tucking the pendants in his pocket, and glanced at the bridge with a smile, "Yeah, let's go. I'm all done here.", taking Natasha's hand, and Natasha smiled, the familiar feeling of teleportation washing over Jason, and a moment later, he recognized his mindscape, with Natasha letting go, and walking into the temple.
Jason followed her into the temple, and they took a seat on the mat pillows, with Natasha speaking, "I am bonded to the Orange Infinity Stone of Soul for you are to be the wielder of it, and I am to be your soul guide, and the icon of your dragon form, but only if you accept it on your will.".
"Do I get a choice?", Jason flashed a toothy grin as Natasha rolled her eyes; she could tell he was going to accept from the very start, but obviously wanted to say a little joke. "No, no choice.", Natasha smirked back.
Jason laughed heartily, "Okay, how do I accept it?", and Natasha smiled, "Say, 'I, Jason Valkara, accept the position of being the wielder of the Orange Infinity Stone of Soul, protect it from harm, and use it for good, and listen to my soul guide as long as I live, and have my dragon form to use for good and to bring peace to all of Enchantia until the end of my days.', and you have to say it with all your heart, no hesitation at all, clear?".
Jason nodded, and took a deep breath, and said what Natasha told him to say, and Jason felt incredibly powerful yet humble all at once, and Natasha smiled warmly, "Well done. Where do you want the tattoo to be?".
Jason smiled, "Well, I know you like to be sneaky and surprising when you do your Widow thing, so why not have my tattoo coiled around my leg, with your eyes watching straight from the ankle?", gesturing to his right leg.
Natasha grinned, "Couldn't have said it better myself. Ready to exit the place and reunite with Mulan?", and Jason nodded, "More than ready...I hope Mulan isn't too mad at me as I was gone for probably half the night or something.", before taking a deep breath as Natasha touched his shoulder, and before he knew it, he was back in his physical body, bruises and exhaustion everywhere as he found himself on the hilltop outside the unique building that is now disappearing from sight, seeing Mulan's frantic, worried expression.
"Uh, hi...", Jason responded to Mulan's expression as the woman was inches away from him. "Sorry, didn't mean to make you worry and all... uh, sort of mental journey and all I just took.". Her expression softens a bit.
"Oh, was that it? Next time, leave a note, why don't you?", Mulan huffed with a relieved sigh.
Jason nodded, sitting up, grunting slightly, "Yes, ma'am.", seeing two new things on himself now, the familiar orange gemstone now shrunk somewhat to be an amulet necklace, and with his right pant ruffled high, he can see a coiled dragon tattoo in orange-gold, with gleaming jade green eyes.
He heard an amused chuckle, no voice, but just amusement like a chuckle from the tattoo, and Jason smiled slightly before looking at Mulan, "What time is it?".
Mulan raised an eyebrow, "About three hours before sunrise. You're very lucky that you left obvious signs for me to track.", picking up the torch she had planted on a boulder nearby, and Jason smiled sheepishly as he ran his hand over his hair, dusting off his clothes when he felt his pocket on his vest over his shirt, and remembered the pendants...
He exhaled deeply, deciding to do it at the campfire, and besides, they were a bit out in the open with Mulan's torch, and smiled wryly, "Let's head back to the campsite. I'd be happy with some jerky meat to eat, and...there's something I gotta tell you, but not here in the open, okay?".
"I certainly hope so... you have a lot to explain to me.", Mulan said as he chuckled, "More than you would ever imagine.".
Mulan nodded, "Alright, let's go then.", helping Jason to his feet, and they turned around to head back to the campsite, and about 15 minutes later, they're back at the campsite, with Jason digging into the bag of jerky meat, sighing heavily, "Gods, I needed that.", drinking out of his water bottle between bites of meat.
Mulan shook her head with a small smile, waiting for him to finish as she made her tea, slowly sipping it, and after five minutes, Jason smiled, "Alright, I'm all good now.", and Mulan nodded, "Go tell what you can.".
Jason hummed slightly, "I actually met Aslan.", and Mulan widened her eyes, "You met the great Aslan! I've heard of his incredible abilities with the fabled Deep Magic. Is he kind and good as they said?".
"Pretty much... didn't talk with him long to be honest, but you would be right.", Jason explained. "Of course, for the most part, I was meeting a few folks from my past, my dads, for instant, my true and adoptive one.".
Mulan gaped in amazement, having heard Jason's backstory, and his origins, and smiled warmly, "Oh, that must have been wonderful.", and Jason smiled, "It sure was. They both told me that they were proud of me and Logan, especially my true dad. I never thought I'd see him again ever since I lost him at 7 years old, you know?".
Mulan nodded, "He's happy then?", and Jason grinned, "He's at peace. He's together with my mom and is friends with my adoptive father which is great. And he got more friends in the heavens to count than he imagined.".
"That's good to hear, and I'm happy that you're at peace knowing that your dads aren't alone.", Mulan smiled, and Jason nodded, "Indeed. Have you seen anything different about me?".
Mulan tilted her head, "I know you said that some of your team got amulet necklaces, but I couldn't see them, but I knew of their tattoos, and I saw them, and now, I can see a tattoo on your leg. Is that the icon for your dragon form?".
Jason nodded, "Yes, and my soul guide is the tattoo, or rather hiding as the tattoo. Her name is Natasha Romanoff, and we have like a brother-sister relationship from what it feels like. She's clearly a big sister of sorts.", not wanting Mulan to think that it was different than platonic in a way.