Chapter 2: "Twisted Alliance"
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction based on existing works. All original characters and plotlines are my own creation, but I do not claim ownership of any pre-existing characters or content. All rights to these pre-existing works belong to their original creators. This is a non-profit work created solely for the enjoyment of fans and no copyright infringement is intended.
Mori's skepticism hung heavy in the air as his doppelganger's request for help echoed in the dimly lit room. The tension between the two mirrored figures was palpable. When Mori didn't immediately respond, his copy let out a scoff that seemed to dance on the edge of mocking amusement. "Still the stubborn one, huh?" the copy taunted, a twisted grin playing at the corners of his lips.
Mori's gaze remained unyielding, his eyes locked onto the malevolent version of himself. "Don't expect me to jump at your every command," he retorted, his voice laced with suspicion and a hint of defiance.
The copy's eyes narrowed as if assessing Mori's resolve. "Oh, I don't," he replied, his tone dripping with a mixture of amusement and something darker. "But maybe you should consider if holding a grudge is worth it."
Mori's response was swift and cutting, "I don't forget the feeling of an arm being shoved into my chest."
The copy waved a dismissive hand, his grin widening. "Ah, that old memory. You're letting a little pain cloud your judgment."
Mori's brows furrowed, his skepticism only deepening. He wasn't about to let his guard down around this twisted reflection of himself. The copy's tone shifted, his voice dripping with a sinister edge. "We have bigger problems to deal with now," he stated, the nonchalant façade crumbling to reveal the urgency beneath.
Despite his reservations, Mori's curiosity was piqued. He crossed his arms, an unspoken signal for his copy to continue.
"Tell me, Mori, what do you know about the multiverse?" the copy inquired, his tone almost conversational.
Mori's expression shifted from wary to thoughtful. "It's a theory that suggests every decision and event spawns alternate versions of reality," he replied, his words measured as he recalled his limited knowledge.
The copy's lips curled into a demonic grin, his amusement unmistakable. "Close enough," he said with a mocking lilt. "Think of it like the Schrödinger's cat experiment, but applied to the entire universe."
Mori's gaze remained fixed on his counterpart. The copy's grin persisted as he continued, his voice dripping with something that was equal parts sinister and charismatic. "You're smarter than you look."
Mori's response was curt, "Flattery won't get you far."
The copy's demeanor shifted, his amusement giving way to a chilling intensity. "Here's the thing," he began, his tone dropping to a low, conspiratorial whisper. "I've been wandering through these realities, absorbing the energy from the versions of ourselves that die. It's a power only released upon death, a power I crave."
Mori's brows furrowed, suspicion mixing with a hint of fear. "typical villain jumbo?"
The copy let out a low chuckle, his eyes gleaming with a twisted delight. "Oh, hell yeah. But I've made a mistake this time, Mori," he admitted, his tone tinged with an unexpected hint of vulnerability.
Mori's interest was piqued, despite himself.
The copy's lips curled into a humorless smile. "I never anticipated a version of myself developing a natural counter to my abilities, remaining oblivious to the danger I pose. The irony is both maddening and amusing. And now, here I am, stuck with you."
Mori's expression remained stoic, but a spark of realization flickered in his eyes. This malevolent version of himself wasn't just an enemy; he was a prisoner of circumstance, bound to his existence.
The copy's laugh echoed through the room, a blend of amusement and bitterness. "Funny how things turn out, isn't it? Partners in an accidental dance, Mori Kang."
Mori's glare remained unwavering, his skepticism unrelenting. "You still haven't answered why I should help you," he stated bluntly, his voice laced with a raw edge of irritation.
The copy met Mori's gaze, his eyes holding a challenge. "If you think I'm evil, Mori, you haven't seen the worst versions of us out there," he replied, his tone carrying a sinister undercurrent that sent a shiver down Mori's spine.
Mori's lips tightened, a reluctant acknowledgment lingering in his eyes. The multiverse was vast, and for every darkness they knew, there could be a thousandfold worse waiting in the shadows.
"What do you want from me, then?" Mori asked, his tone demanding yet tinged with a cautious curiosity.
The copy's lips curled into a sardonic smile. "Simple. We're bound together now, you and I. It's a matter of survival. You think you're just a normal human? Well, that 'was' applies more than you realize," he retorted, his words dripping with mockery.
Mori grunted in annoyance, his frustration evident. He couldn't deny that his copy had a point. The boundaries between normal and extraordinary had blurred since the moment their fates intertwined.
"But I have power," the copy continued, his voice a dangerous whisper. "And you have the body. We're incomplete without each other."
Mori's mind raced, connecting the pieces as a realization dawned.
The copy's grin was sharp, almost predatory. "Exactly. Think of it this way. You're the driver, I'm the engine, and this body is the car. We're an odd team, but we're in this together."
Mori's brows furrowed, the metaphor taking shape in his mind. It was an absurd comparison, yet strangely fitting for their unique situation. "You have the weirdest analogy." he quipped, a hint of reluctant amusement in his tone.
The copy chuckled darkly. "Well, considering the circumstances, it's a fair assessment."
Mori's skepticism lingered, but a sense of reluctant acceptance began to take root. Their fates were intertwined, whether he liked it or not. As much as he loathed the malevolent version of himself, they shared a common fate now—one that required them to work together.
Mori's eyes narrowed as he considered his doppelganger's proposal. "I want to hear more about this deal," he stated, his voice a mixture of curiosity and wariness.
The copy's grin widened, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Oh, you caught on too early," he admitted, his tone playfully taunting.
Mori's gaze remained fixed on his malevolent counterpart. "This can't be as simple as you're making it sound," he asserted, his skepticism refusing to waver.
The copy's amusement seemed to deepen as he leaned in, his grin never fading. "You're right, of course. It's not that simple. But it's not too complicated either," he replied, his tone carrying a hint of mystery.
Mori's patience wore thin, his impatience evident. "Get to the point."
The copy's eyes held a predatory glint, his amusement shifting into something darker. "I give you power. And in return, there will be times when I have control over this body. You know, when you're way out of your league or when I need to stretch my legs a bit."
Mori's mind raced, calculating the risks and potential rewards. The idea of sharing control with his malevolent counterpart was unsettling, to say the least. Mori's lips tightened. He understood the implications. Sharing control meant relinquishing a part of himself to the darkness within. But the potential benefits were undeniable, especially in situations where his own abilities fell short.
"Here's my condition," Mori stated firmly, his gaze locking onto his counterpart's. "If you're going to take over, if you're going to use this body, then the only targets you can harm are the worst of the worst. Irredeemable scum."
The copy's eyes held a glint of intrigue, his grin taking on a sinister edge. "So, you're giving me a free pass to be as violent as I want?"
Mori's tone was unyielding, his stance resolute. "Against criminals who deserve it, yes."
The copy's surprise was evident, his brows rising in genuine astonishment. "Well, not as fun as I hoped, color me impressed, Mori. Didn't expect you to have that kind of edge."
Mori's response was unwavering, his voice laced with a steely resolve. "I have no qualms about taking out the scum of the earth."
The copy's grin returned, a mix of admiration and amusement. "My, my, you've got a real hero complex, don't you?"
Mori's expression remained impassive. "Call it what you want. But that's my condition."
The copy's amusement seemed to grow, his eyes glinting with an odd mixture of fascination and something darker. "Very well, then. Let's seal the deal, shall we?"
Mori's gaze held steady as his malevolent counterpart extended a hand toward him. The tension in the room was palpable as Mori considered the implications of this fateful handshake. As his hand met his counterpart's, a surge of something electric coursed through him, a symbolic union that bound them together in a partnership neither of them could fully comprehend. Mori's grip tightened as he shook hands with his malevolent counterpart, a moment of connection that felt both unnerving and strangely intimate. As their hands parted, Mori's thoughts churned, his curiosity unquenched. "So, what dimension are we in?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of uncertainty and intrigue.
The copy's grin remained, a reflection of mischief dancing in his eyes. "D070623," he replied casually.
Mori's brows furrowed in confusion. "D070623? What's that supposed to mean?"
The copy let out an exasperated sigh, his patience wearing thin. "We're in the Jujutsu Kaisen dimension, you dummy," he explained with a touch of annoyance.
Mori's confusion only deepened, his mind struggling to catch up. "Juju- what now?"
The copy rolled his eyes, his irritation was evident. "Do you even read manga? We're in a world where Cursed Spirits feast on unsuspecting humans, and fragments of the demon Ryomen Sukuna are scattered about. A world of curses and jujutsu sorcerers."
Mori blinked a few times, the pieces slowly falling into place. "Oh, right. Jujutsu Kaisen. I knew that."
The copy's gaze remained fixed on Mori, disbelief radiating from his every expression. "You're lying," he stated flatly, his tone a mix of exasperation and amusement.
Mori scratched the back of his head, a sheepish grin forming on his lips. "Okay, fine. I didn't know. But I get the idea now."
The copy's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Sure you do."
Mori pressed on, his curiosity unabated. "What timeline are we in?"
The copy's shoulders lifted in a nonchalant shrug. "Beats me."
Mori's gaze flickered toward his own hands, his body taking on a faint transparency. "I'm waking up," he realized aloud.
The copy's eyes widened in realization. "Damn, already? Time flies when you're having fun, huh?"
Mori's expression tightened, urgency mingling with frustration. "Is there a faster way to get back?"
The copy's grin turned wicked, a predatory glint in his eyes. "Sure, there's a faster way," he replied before delivering a sudden, painful kick to Mori's lower region.
Mori's voice was a mix of agony and disbelief. "What the hell was that for?! Oh god, my voice just turned into high pitch…"
The copy's laughter echoed through the room, a triumphant edge to his amusement. "Faster enough for you?"
As Mori's surroundings faded and darkness overtook his senses, he couldn't help but curse his malevolent counterpart's sadistic sense of humor. In the ever-shifting expanse of the multiverse, Mori Kang's consciousness slipped away, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions, newfound powers, and a partnership that defied the very fabric of reality itself.