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Morty laid wide awake in the guest bedroom. Many thoughts weighed heavily on his mind. No matter how much he tossed and turned, he couldn't fall asleep. The events that had occurred just a few hours ago were not something he could let go of.
Professor Rick had yelled at Uli- yelled and 'cussed'.
He had also broken a few dishes, slammed several doors, hit walls, and shouted aloud in frustration.
Just like his Rick...
Morty thought about Professor Rick's behavior, and he couldn't quit picturing that broken, sad horror that covered Uli's face when he yelled at her to leave him alone and let him work. The way she had wilted in defeat and heartache as she wandered off to the safety of her own room.
Morty knew exactly how she felt.
Dozens beyond dozens of times Morty had experienced that exact same feeling. The crushing pain of wanting what's best for someone you love, and yet being completely hopeless against helping them as they refused to accept how much you cared. How you want their love and attention just as much as they need yours, but not wanting to give it as they remain blinded by their own ambition, addictions, and greed. How much it hurt when you try to help them, but get shot down by their cruel words of anger, loathing and spite.
Yeah. Morty knew a lot about that pain. It was the whole reason why he was trapped here in the first place. He had gotten tired of being surrounded by people who refused to take accountability or be responsible for their poor actions. He was tired of always yearning for love, physical touch, care, and attention, but yet never getting it without a cost. He was so sick and tired of being surrounded by addiction, selfishness, entitlement, and disrespect. He was tired of living the curse that is life with the smartest man in the universe.
And he somehow brought that curse here.
After seeing just how happy and how good of a person professor Rick was- and then witnessing how science and intelligence was dulling his behavior and ruining his relationship with his beloved wife- Morty realized deep in his heart that he didn't want to see the curse happen again. Not like this. They didn't deserve it.
After hours of thinking and plotting, Morty finally decided to pull himself out of bed and go to the garage.
Professor Rick was sleeping with his head resting in his arms against the work bench. Supplies, failed experiments, and papers laid scattered all around him. It was a mess.
Morty was relieved to see no traces of alcohol anywhere. He was worried that he would relapse after the events that had transpired the previous night. It appeared that, right now, he was just a little burnt out and exhausted, and that was okay.
Venturing back inside, Morty grabbed a blanket and returned to drape it over professor Rick's back and shoulders. Then he grabbed a trash bag and began to pick up every single trace of portal gun related material. Tools, equipment, blueprints, layouts, trash, and the failed experiments; they all went into the trash bag.
Morty made certain not to leave a single trace of portal gun science behind.
Filling up a total of three trash bags, Morty snuck the keys to the car and drove two blocks away to successfully dispose of the damaging materials. He got a little lost on his way back, but he found his way eventually.
By that time, the sun was rising in the horizon. He decided to go inside, shower, put on his day time clothes, and eat a bowl of cereal. While he was watching TV, Uli came walking through dressed up with her purse in tow. She briefly mentioned going to the store and left. Clearly she was still upset from yesterday's events. Morty didn't blame her.
It wasn't but a half hour later that Professor Rick finally awakened.
"What the hell?" Morty heard him yell from inside the garage. "Where is it?"
Morty stood up and waited beside the kitchen for the angered lion to come out of it's den.
"Where the hell is it? I-I was so close! Uli? Uli, I swear to God, if you-"
Professor Rick stormed into the kitchen but paused immediately upon seeing Morty standing there with a stern glare on his face.
"Morty?"
"Uli had nothing to do with it. I'm the one who threw everything away," Morty stated.
Professor Rick's eye twitched. He closed his eyes and shook his head as if he couldn't believe it. "You... You deleted my life's work?" He shouted, "What's the matter with you? How could you do that? I was this close to figuring it out- this close! And you threw it away? Oh my god. Oh my god!"
Morty began stomping over to the crashing out Rick.
Slamming a fist onto the dining table, Professor Rick continued to rant on, "I can't believe you did that. Now how am I supposed to get you home? I'm gonna have to start over from scratch. Fuck. Fuck! You're a real piece of shi-"
Morty's slapped him across the face.
"Wake up!" Morty shouted. "Look at what you're saying. Look at what you're becoming. You're just one drink away from being just like my Rick."
Holding his face, Professor Rick gaped while staring down at the alternate version of his grandson, stunned and bombarded with unfavorable facts that hit him deep.
Morty sighed and gazed away. "I'm sorry. I... I-I never meant to bring this much chaos into your life. It-its almost like everywhere I go, disaster and misery follow. It's a curse."
Professor Rick took in his words and frowned in sympathy.
"I've decided that I don't want you working on the portal gun anymore."
"Wh-what?" Professor Rick gasped. "What do you mean? Why not? How will you get home?"
Morty held his arm and admitted, "My Rick will come for me... Eventually. I... I was just scared. With the portal gun being broken and the family chasing after me, all I could think about was getting home t-to my family, an-and you were the only person I could think of to get me there, but... It's not worth seeing your life fall apart just to save mine."
"But, Morty, I 'can' help. I 'am' helping. I'm close, I can feel it. I-I just need a little more time. I can do it. I'll build a portal an-and I'll get you home."
"Listen to yourself." Morty yelled. "This-that's literally all you can think about. Do-do you even remember the last time you showered? Or ate? What about when you yelled at your wife last night, huh? Remember that?"
Professor Rick's expression fell. He thought about what Morty said and glanced away in shame.
Morty added sadly, "I'm not gonna let what happened to my Rick happen to you. I want you to quit working on portal travel."
Professor Rick tensed, "But..."
"It's alright." Morty forced a smile. "L-like I said, ha... My Rick will come for me. Eventually. He... He needs me just as much as I need him. I just... I think I just got scared."
Finally understanding everything that Morty was implying, Professor Rick admitted with great guilt, "I guess I have been acting like a real ass, haven't I? Ugh, gosh, she must hate me."
Feeling reassured by the Rick's visual remorse, Morty smiled with more confidence and said, "I-I think I have an idea."
After spending most of the day in her room, Uli came out to prepare dinner. When she made it to the kitchen, she froze in shock at what she saw.
Professor Rick was standing in front of a homemade, candle lit dinner. He was wearing one of her favorite suits, his air freshly washed, cut and styled to it's own unique perfection. In his hand sat a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
Instantly, her eyes watered. "My love..."
"I made toast skagen, one of your favorites." Professor Rick smiled nervously. "And I brought you these. I'm-uh... I'm sorry for how I've been acting lately. I really let that stuff get to me, b-but I'm done. I'm done with the portal gun science. It's not important- not as important as you are."
Chest hitching with emotional breath, Uli shed a few tears and rushed forward to wrap her arms around her husband, "Oh Rick."
Professor Rick dropped the flowers to the table and hugged her back tightly. Relief bled from every nerve within his body, and it felt good. It felt good to be reminded of what was really important, and to let go of the unhealthy obsessions that put those important things in danger.
"I'm sorry," Professor Rick whispered. "I hope you can forgive me."
"Yes, my love," Uli whispered back. "I forgive you."
After a minute of much needed physical comfort, Uli took a step back and asked in concern, "But what about Morty?"
"I booked him a dorm at the college," Professor Rick answered. "We decided to wait until his own Rick picks him up. I gotta hand it to him, he's a brave kid... He... He's the one who convinced me to give up on the portal science."
Uli's eyes widened in realization. She held her chest and thought about Morty and his sacrifice. She was grateful for him. He truly was a brave hero. "We'll keep an eye on him together," She reached out and cupped Rick's face in reassurance. "Until his own grandfather shows up."
Professor Rick placed a hand over hers lovingly and in great appreciation. "Thank you."
The couple then ate dinner in peace.
Professor Rick talked about how he patched up the holes in the walls and hired a carpenter to come by and fix any lasting damage. He had also called the college in an attempt to excuse his absence. They forgave him and let him off with a warning. Tomorrow would be his first day back.
Everything was going to be alright.
"There's just one thing we have to worry about," Professor Rick stated.
Uli had a pretty good idea. "Your son in law?"
"Yeah... But Morty and I have an idea." Professor Rick pulled out a recorder and grinned nervously, "If you're up for it, wanna see me act like an ass one more time?"
Uli raised a confused brow at him. "What?"
In the lone college dorm, Morty sat in bed listening to music on his phone. It was quiet and lonely, but safe. There was no possibility of Jerry knowing that he was here- not unless he somehow got the information from Professor Rick which Morty knew wasn't going to happen. They had an exceptional, fail-proof plan in order for when Jerry showed up, and Morty continued to hold out faith in it's potential.
He was almost excited.
With the sacrifice he made, there did come loneliness and a sense of despair. Had his own family really not noticed that he had been missing for literal weeks? Did they not care? Where was Rick and why wasn't he trying to reach him?
Staring out the small window, Morty sighed and fought not to dwell on it too much. He had gotten separated from his family enough times to know that he would eventually always return to them. Of course Rick was typically the one who saved him, but still...
Now that he's had time to process his feelings, Morty looked back and knew that he had reacted out of fear. Jerry scared him back there, and his first instinct was to locate the Rick of this universe. It was a force of habit. His Rick was the only one who actually listened to him and viewed his problems as somewhat valid- and he was also the only one who ever offered solutions or guidance no matter how nihilistic and careless it might seem.
He didn't mean to put pressure on Professor Rick. He was just scared, and he relied on the one person who brought him the most comfort and reassurance. The fear kept him from viewing other possible solutions besides portal travel. Witnessing Professor Rick's behavior slowly morph into his own Ricks zapped him out of his deeply rooted fear by introducing a different kind of fear.
The fear of destroying another family.
Morty couldn't let it happen. Not again. He lost his original family due to the selfishness of his own inconsiderate decisions. They died because of him.
He wasn't going to let it happen again.
A coded knock against the door caused Morty to jolt. He took his ear buds out and cautiously made way for the door. By the type of knock, he knew it was either Professor Rick or Uli, but he still couldn't get over the mountain of fear of the possibility of it somehow being Jerry.
He held his breath and opened the door.
"Good evening, Älskling," Uli greeted him with a large container full of food in her hand. "I brought you dinner."
Morty physically relaxed. "Aw, thank God... Thanks. You-uh... You wanna come in?"
"Certainly." She walked inside and closed the door. "Did you go to the pool today?"
Morty wandered to the bed and sat down on the edge. "Nah. Not today."
Uli set down the container and went to take a seat on the edge of the bed beside him. "You're still worried?"
"Yeah. Like, I-I know he doesn't know where I'm at, an-and you and Rick would never rat me out, but I just..." Morty rested his chin against his drawn up knees.
"It's alright. I understand. It's a scary situation, and a child like you shouldn't have to deal with it."
"I'm sorry for dragging the both of you into this," Morty mumbled. "I bring nothing but trouble everywhere I go."
"No, my Älskling, you don't." Uli rested a hand on his shoulder and explained passionately. "You saved my husband. You made a brave decision to stay here, and it saved our marriage, and I'm so grateful to you because of that. You are a kind young man, Morty Smith."
Morty smiled warmly at that. Tingles raced through his chest, and he felt his heart wobble happily. It was nice to be recognized and appreciated.
"So, what did you bring?" Morty asked, his nose finally registering the delicious smell in the atmosphere.
Uli answered proudly, "Arancini. Eat some. You look hungry."
For a couple of hours, Uli stayed and talked to him about random things. She was quite passionate about cooking foreign recipes, and she loved interior designing online.
Morty couldn't help but wish that a Uli existed in his dimension.
When she left, she gave Morty a kiss on the head and reminded him to call if he needed anything, and she took the container and bid farewell. Morty was then able to fall asleep without too many anxious thoughts screaming within his mind.
The day finally came.
Professor Rick was doing paperwork in his office room when a polite knock on the door caught his attention. Adrenaline hit him immediately, especially when Uli poked her head in and confirmed that it was them.
Together, they both answered the door.
Professor Rick didn't even have time to greet them before Jerry was asking in a rather earnest, frightening tone, "My son. Where is he?"
"He's not here anymore." Professor Rick answered as planned. "His original Rick came and took him home."
Finishing his glare-off with Jerry, Professor Rick looked past him and waved at his daughter with a sad but loving smile. "Hey sweetie."
"Don't you look away from me, ass hole." Jerry took a foreboding step closer, his body buckling up in a threatening manner. "Where is my son? I know he's here. If you don't tell me, I'll-"
"Don't you dare talk to my husband that way, you Skitstövel!" Uli pushed Professor Rick behind her and jabbed Jerry in the chest with a firm finger.
"Um, who is she?" Beth couldn't help but to ask.
Jerry stepped away from her finger but still retained his intimidating stance. "I'll talk to him however I damn well please. He has my son. I know he does! This doesn't have to be difficult. Just tell me where he's at and I'll leave."
"You don't believe us? Then here. I'll prove it to you," Professor Rick pulled out his phone and dialed Morty's number. He hit speaker and let it ring out loud.
"Hello?"
"Mort!" Jerry snatched the phone and brought it close. "Mort, are you there? Are you alright? Here, tell daddy where you are so he can pick you up. I've been worried sick."
"Umm, I-I'm not there anymore." Morty stated over the phone. "M-my Rick picked me up a few days ago."
"Liar!" Jerry suddenly shouted. "You're lying. I know you are. You're here. I can tell. I can feel it. You can't lie to me, Mort."
"I-it's true-urrp." A voice unmistakably belonging to a Rick said over the phone. "Y-y-you p-pieces of shit ar-uurp- really fuckin' freaky, you know that? Yeah, I-I've got Morty, so-so you creeps can fluck-j-just fuck off. Leave that dumb version of-of myself alone-urrp. M-M-Morty, is there anymore alcohol? G-grandpa n-needs more alcohol, Morty-"
"-Ok, geez. Y-yes, Rick." Morty's voice appeared back on the line. "See? I-I'm in my own dimension. It's over. It's time to leave Professor Rick and his wife alone."
Jerry's reaction was immediate and dark, "Listen here you little shit. You really think I'm gonna accept that? You are my son. Mine! And if you don't show up here in the next five seconds, I'm gonna take this gun and I'm gonna blow their fucking brains out! Do you understand me?"
Jerry turned around and demanded, "Beth. My gun."
"Wait! Mom, please don't do that." Morty cried.
"Morty?" Beth whispered, tears in her eyes.
"Mom, listen to me." Morty hollered over the phone. "Jerrys the reason why your Mort is dead."
"What?" Beth began to tremble in horror and disbelief.
"What? He's lying!" Jerry bellowed.
"If you don't believe him, then just read this," Professor Rick pulled a journal out and tossed it in Beth's direction.
Beth was too traumatized to catch it, so Summer grabbed it instead.
"I found that journal in a secret hideout that belonged to Mort. He hated Jerry and everything he did to him. That's why he wanted to run away." Morty explained.
"He's lying!" Jerry ground his teeth. "Mort loved me. He loved everything we did together!"
"Oh my god." Summer's expression twisted into pure horror. "He's right. It says it right here-hc... Mort, he... He really- hu-hey!"
Summer cried as Jerry tore the journal away from her.
"Mort loved us. He loved being strong. He didn't want to run away. This-ha- this is just some kind of ploy the other Mort must've made up. My Mort would never run away from me."
"It's over, Jerry." Morty spoke loudly through the phone. "Mort is dead. You pushed him to be strong, and he died because of it. You can't keep pretending like he can be replaced. He can't. Y-you need to be strong like he was, and you need to let us go and move on."
"Mom," Summer grabbed Beth's shaky hand with her own. "It's true-hu... Mort, he... He really hated his life. He really wanted to run away."
"No. No, I won't do that!" Jerry shouted. "I won't accept he's dead. Come back to me, Mort! Come back to me or I'll blow their fucking brains out! Where is my gun?"
"Jerry, wait," Beth attempted to stop him.
"Outta my way, you decrepit bitch," Jerry shoved Beth to the ground on his way to the car.
Beth whined loudly in fear and shock. "Hu... J-Jerry?"
"Here, it's not safe. Get inside." The woman who claimed to be her dad's wife said and knelt beside her to help her to her feet.
Professor Rick did the same with Summer.
Beth watched through tear-filled eyes as her husband yelled and shouted at the alternate version of their son over the phone. Was it really true? Did Mort really want to run away? Was he truly that unhappy? Also, seeing Jerry behave like this...
It was scary.
Unconsciously, Beth allowed Uli to guide her into the house. She couldn't bear to witness her husband act like that anymore. It was terrifying and she didn't feel safe.
"Are you alright?" Uli asked her after they were secured inside the house.
Beth gazed around at the beautiful home, but she couldn't yet appreciate it through all of the overwhelming emotions she felt. It was a lot of information for her to process. Their Mort was dead and apparently hated his life and had always wanted to run away. Jerry was acting like an insane, unhinged psychopath and had physically hurt her. Her father was apparently in a loving, healthy relationship and appeared to be completely sober and living in a gorgeous, fancy house.
Eyes falling on her father, Beth practically whimpered, "Dad...?"
"It's alright, sweetie. I'm here. I'm not gonna let him hurt you," Professor Rick smiled and gently went to cup her face. "Wow... My daughter... You've grown so much, and yet... You're still my beautiful little girl."
Beth gaped. It had been so long since she had spoken to her father. Jerry had always convinced her that he was nothing but an obsessive, cruel drunk with no job or life. Not only was he a college professor, but he was happily married, and he seemed to be completely sober.
And he still loved her.
"Oh dad," Beth reached out and embraced him.
Stunned, Professor Rick almost couldn't believe what was happening right now. It was a moment he had dreamed about for almost two decades. Now that it was finally happening, he was speechless, but no less grateful.
Smiling with watery eyes, Professor Rick lowered his arms and hugged his daughter back. "It's alright. I'm here... I'm here."
"What're we gonna do now?" Summer cried.
Uli rested a hand on her shoulder and said, "It'll be alright. We are safe here. The police are on their way."
A harsh, loud thump against the door caused everyone to jump.
"Open this God damn door," Jerry yelled.
"Uli, get everyone to the basement," Professor Rick calmly demanded.
"No one has to get hurt. Just open the door and I promise I won't shoot." Jerry hit the door again.
Uli frowned in great concern, "My love..."
"It'll be fine, I promise." Professor Rick gave Uli a quick kiss. "Please go. I'll be alright. I promise."
Uli hesitated, but she soon grew the courage to guide Summer and Beth to the safety of the basement.
Professor Rick watched them go until he knew that they were safe, and he took in a deep breath and reached into his coat. Pulling out a small gun, he checked the cartilage and made sure the safety was off, and he breathed out a shaky breath.
Jerry continued his verbal and physical attacks against the door. He even tried shooting at it a couple of times.
Professor Rick trembled and pointed the small gun at the weakening door. It was officially the most frightening situation he had ever been in, but he wouldn't back down or run away. He had a family to protect. Jerry was a delusional lunatic, and he wasn't going to let him hurt his family any longer.
A piece of the door went flying off upon the third gun shot.
Professor Rick jumped and cocked the gun. He would do it. The second Jerry walked through that doorway, he would do it.
He would shoot him.
The sound of sirens stirred great hope within Professor Rick, but just as Jerry refused to acknowledge them and quit beating on the door, he also refused to lower his own gun.
"Jerry Smith, this is the police. Drop the gun now and get to the ground." The police began to threaten.
"No!" Jerry screamed. "Mort!"
He must have done something to threaten the police for gun fire and bullets filled the air like confetti.
Professor Rick covered his ears for around ten seconds until the atmosphere went completely silent.
It was done. It was finished. Jerry was now gone. They were all finally safe.
It was done.
At the college dorm, Professor Rick told Morty all about what had happened the week after Jerry's defeat.
Apparently detectives were investigating suspicious documented behavior that was going on between Jerry and Mort. It was quite disturbing and sad, but at least the source of all that trauma and pain was now erased from this world.
Professor Rick got to spend quality time with his daughter and granddaughter. It was a delicate time with what was happening, but he was grateful to be able to have them in his life. Uli and Summer got along tremendously while Beth took time to process her shock and grief.
Morty's plan had worked. Of course he would have rather it worked without Jerry having to die, but not all wins were obtainable. They were lucky to achieve the feat they had. He wouldn't complain.
"I wanted to give you something," Professor Rick reached behind him and pulled out a dark red MIT ball cap hat. "It belonged to Mort. I never knew him, but I do know that he was strong and brave... Just like you. Wherever he's at now, I think he would want you to have it."
Trying not to tear up, Morty reached out and took the hat. "Thank you."
Grasping Morty's shoulder, Professor Rick looked at him with pride and appreciation. "You're a good person. I hope one day your Rick realizes just how remarkable a grandson you truly are."
Morty bit his lip as tears leaked out of his eyes. "He won't."
Professor Rick shook his head, "I think he will. In fact... I think he already knows."
Professor Rick lifted his arms out.
Morty wiped his eyes and gladly accepted his offer for a much needed hug.
He absorbed this moment- soaked it up and memorized it like it were a lifeline. He may not get to feel anything like this again. He was proud. He was happy. He was safe and relieved and grateful. It may not have been a hundred-percent perfect, but he managed not to destroy the lives of this family. He pushed his fear and needs aside, and he did his best to fix the damages he brought to this world. He may have even erased a certain amount of evil that caused damage to this world before he ever even arrived. He was allowed to feel proud of himself.
And he was allowed to enjoy this hug.
For it may be a long time before Morty ever gets hugged again.
(Three weeks after Jerry's defeat.)
Morty had spent lots of time in the college dorm playing games on his phone and laptop. Every day either Uli or Professor Rick brought him food. Sometimes he would take walks in the courtyard, feed some birds at the park, or visit the rec center, but most of the time he stayed indoors.
Professor Rick and Uli kept him updated about Summer and Beth.
Summer was all for the death of Jerry after reading the journal and learning just how much Mort had been suffering. She bonded wonderfully with Professor Rick and Uli and their cat. Despite still being depressed over the loss of her brother, she was recovering well.
Beth's story was a bit more frail. She was still in shock from all of the events combined. She had trouble taking everything in, and she stayed silent most days. Uli tended to her the most, offering her blankets, beverages and food while her father was at work. She did open up in small bits to Professor Rick, but guilt from her blindness kept her from forgiving herself enough to embrace happiness or acceptance. One day she would get there though. Aside from her husband, she had a good family.
Professor Rick continued to be an admirable person. He kept going to his meetings, he kept teaching science, and, most importantly, he continued to love and support his family. Morty almost wished that he was his original grandpa.
A portal opened up in the dorm.
Rick walked through.
Morty took off his headphones and pushed himself away from the desk. He rubbed his eyes to make sure that he wasn't seeing things, but he knew it was no trickery of the light. Rick was here. Was he happy? Yes and no. He was relieved to finally be able to return home, but he was upset to have to leave behind the home his heart craved deep down.
"What the? The fuck is this place? I-I thought you'd be somewhere cool, l-like an alien resort or an arcade." Rick frowned in lack of amusement.
Morty stood up, grabbed his MIT ball cap and said, "I was funeral hopping and I broke my portal gun."
Rick rolled his eyes, "Uurp-figures, moron. C-come on, I need'a show you something."
Morty said nothing as he was dragged through the portal. His chest ached, and he tried to give one last look to this short-lived dimension. He would never again see Professor Rick. Nor Uli, Beth, or Summer. And that was okay. At the end of the day, Morty knew that they were safe and happy, and they had all loved him with all their hearts. He smiled and closed his eyes as he vanished into his own dimension.
Goodbye... World of dreams.