Grim Tales: Empire of Death

I own no rights to The Grim adventures of Billy and Mandy, nor am I affiliated with Grim Tales by Bleedman.

This is a sequel to a previous fanfiction I wrote called Grim Tales: End of Reign.

Part 1: The Council

"I have not been looking forward to this." The tall hooded skeleton said to the giant spider as they exited out of the portal.

"I know, but this is important. We'll need everyone's help if we want to rebuild." The spider said.

"It's just with all the crap my mother pulled I can't help but imagine what they're going to demand from us."

If it wasn't clear, the tall skeleton is Grim Jr, or just Junior for short, of the family Grim and the giant spider is his servant Jeff…the spider (Billy never exactly was keen on giving him the family name).

Jeff hadn't always looked the way he does now, as anyone who works up the nerve to get close enough would notice. There are many parts of the spider's body, most notability at his neck, where his parts are stitched together. He's a ragdoll now, a body made to hold his spirit so that he may interact with the living. Junior had found his soul wondering around after the war and given how badly Jeff wanted to make up for the misdeeds he had done (which was a total of one misdeed in a lifetime of being literally the nicest guy in existence) Junior decided to make Jeff his servant. Given their mutual friend and Jeff's kind nature, Junior felt he'd be one of the few people he could trust now.

And boy did he need someone to trust.

At the age of 21 Junior has taken on the title of the Grim Reaper, the embodiment of Death, just like his father before him. And it was not going well.

It wasn't the job itself that bothered him, at least not as much as he thought it would growing up. Where his father had been a "Grim" Reaper, Junior was more of an apathetic one. After the horrors of the war he just survived he recognized that there were fates far worse than dying and often told the souls he reaped to suck it up. Though the job was dark and the hours unforgiving, it wasn't so bad.

No, the problems the newest Reaper faced were those created by striking down the most powerful dictator the Underworld had ever known. While Death had always been worshipped, striking down the woman many felt to be the Devil elevated Junior to an almost godlike status in the eyes of some. But the reverse was true as well, as Mandy had developed quite the following in her conquests and was being worshipped as a God long before Junior came around, thus making him the Devil in their eyes. For every day since he'd become Death Junior received death threats and curses and on several occasions the Church of Mandy attempted to ambush him on the job or suicide bomb Castle Grimskul (which wasn't the brightest idea given that Death can see suicide coming a mile away).

And when not dealing with the religious extremists Junior had the rest of the Underworld to deal with. Many feared that he might be even worse than his mother and those who didn't avoid mentioning his name out of fear called for his removal from the head of Death's domain, wanting the rip the evil line out by the roots. Junior was almost certain that the Council of the Underworld was telling him to resign when he got their letter, until Jeff clarified to him that the letter was inviting him to the council, which is where they were heading now.

"The last time the Council officially met was when they were trying to get my mother and Him to patch things up, wasn't it?" Junior said.

"I think so." Jeff thought back. "The main purpose of the Council is to try to keep all the layers of the Underworld peaceful."

"I think we can assume it didn't quite work."

Jeff shook his head and didn't say much as the two made their way down the halls of the old ruins. After a bit of time they finally came across someone else, whom Junior recognized instantly by his trademark spikey hair.

"Atem!"

The former pharaoh turned and was likewise delighted to see them. "Junior. I had guessed that you'd be coming to this."

"Ahh, Atem, you have no idea how glad I am to see a friendly face here." Junior said, shaking his hand. "But I thought the Council was only for representatives of the Big Five realms."

"Normally yes, but in these…hectic times…the council for now is reaching out to gain the most stability. Especially with what happened to the Land of Tainted Souls."

Atem was once a great Pharaoh in Egypt over 3000 years ago. Through a series of complicated events he was reborn (sort of) into the modern world until his host was able to put his spirit at rest and allow him to move on to the afterlife. After his many trials he was given the position of high priest in Anubis' court, making him second in power only to Anubis himself. The Courts of Anubis had always had a very good standing with the house of Death and thus Junior had met Atem quite a few times during his childhood when he had to speak to Grim on Anubis' behalf. Often while waiting Atem would teach Junior how to play new games (Junior always lost but Atem made them fun at least).

"So how come you're here instead of your boss?" Junior asked.

Atem looked down, hiding his face. "During the war, as I'm sure you've heard, Mandy took a rather large swing at the many Pantheons of the realms. The heads of each, Zeus, Odin, Amaterasu, and Ra, as well as their closest children, were the first she targeted."

Junior remembered the first time he'd ever entered his mother's vault. While there had been many items of interest within the one he remembered now was Thor's hammer, whose name he could never pronounce. It was notable to him not only because his mother was somehow able to get the powerful weapon from Thor, but also the fact that it stayed there meant that Odin could not force her to give it back to Asgard. After that Junior had little doubt that Mandy would pick a fight with even more Gods. And win.

"Osiris fell trying to protect his father." Atem continued. "And Anubis is still recovering along with Horus. For now, they have me temporally in charge."

"You just can't stop being king of things, can you?"

"Unfortunately."

Both laughed with each other and Jeff was happy to see his new master relax a little.

"By the way, I don't believe I ever got to thank you for-" Junior started to say before he suddenly stopped talking and sighed. "Atem, if you'll excuse me, someone's about to try and take my head."

"Pardon?"

Junior shifted his head back just in time to dodge the battle-axe that was suddenly thrown into the wall. Atem and Jeff jumped back from it startled while Junior was unfazed.

"YOU GOT A LOT OF DAMN NERVE SHOWING YOUR FACE HERE!" A female voice yelled.

"Hi, Chi." Junior said, clearly not surprised to see her.

The pitch-black woman in the bright pink kimono walked angrily down the hall to the Reaper. "Don't you "Hi, Chi" me, you bastard! I told you want I'd do to you if I ever saw you again!"

Atem tried to get between them. "Lady Chi, please! Calm yourself! What's the matter?"

Chi just pushed the former pharaoh out of her way. "This bastard took the love of my life away from me! Mimi's dead now because of you!"

Jeff tried to step in. "Chi, please wait! You don't know what happened!"

She glared at the spider. "I don't need to hear a thing from you, you eight-legged traitor! How dare you go and work for the guy who got my beloved Mimi killed!"

"But Lady Chi-!"

"Jeff, that's enough." Junior interrupted. "We don't need to explain ourselves to her."

"But Junior-"

"No, Jeff."

The spider followed his orders and went quiet.

Junior turned his attention to Chi, whose shapeshifting abilities created the sword she brought up to his neck, to which Junior responded by bringing the curved edge of his scythe up to her's.

"Go ahead. Try it." He dared her. She wasn't intimidated and stared right back into Junior's gifted eyes with all of her hate. Atem and Jeff sweat as the pressure emitting from the two Underworld lords filled the room and crashed against them. Both feared who was going to make the first move when suddenly a deep male voice came from out of nowhere.

"Fighting in the council's sacred ruins? Why, that's against the rules."

From out of the wall appeared a very white man in a just as white striped suit, with his black gloves, boots, and trademark hat serving as the perfect contrast.

"Stay out of this, Walker." Chi said to the ghost warden.

Walker walked right up to the two, hands behind his back to add more drama to his presence. "The council has always strictly prohibited infighting between members. We're not going to have a problem here, are we?"

Without taking his eyes away from Chi's, Junior said "No. No problem. Not as long as she doesn't have another tantrum." And lowered his weapon.

"Coward." She called him.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, brat."

"Good enough." Walker settled.

Walker is the self-titled warden of the Ghost Zone. He came in to establish order to the chaotic realm after Pariah Dark, the former king of all ghosts, was locked away (twice). He's a stickler for rules, though mainly just the ones he makes up or that support what he wants. He actually had the Ghost Zone ally themselves with Mandy during her war and because of this choice he's one of the only two surviving members of the original Big Five.

Before Walker could walk away Chi pointed her finger right between his eyes. "The next time you interfere in my business I'll make you eat that hat with whatever remains of your jaw when I'm done with you."

"Are you threatening me?"

"Just giving you a fair warning."

Walker was not amused. "I'm willing to cut Junior here some slack because Death has always been good at following the rules I've set out for the Ghost Zone, but you, little missy, aren't exactly earning any favors from me. I never liked your father or that cesspool of a city he built. If I had my way, I'd have kicked the both of you out a long time ago and started that place over from scratch. Make it more…orderly."

"Well my father's city is mine, not yours, and I don't need your opinion about how to run it." Chi told him.

"You'd be surprised how much better of a leader I prove to be than you."

"You think you can take it from me, tough guy? You're welcome to try."

"I'll keep that in mind." Walker said threateningly.

Another voice from down the hall was heard. "Now, now, Walker, you just broke up one fight. No need to start another."

All turned to see the light-blue man in a dark business suit who walked toward them. It was the other surviving member, Hunson Abadeer, ruler of the Nightosphere.

"Abadeer." Walker said with some distain.

"Oh, come on, Walker, I know you don't like my realm that much either, but you have to admit it's a rather orderly chaos."

Walker just glared at him for a minute before straightening his collar, hmph-ing, and walking away.

Hunson turned to Chi and Junior. "Don't mind Walker. He's never been all that friendly with the group. I think he just hates not being the one in charge of everything. In fact the only person I recall him ever getting along with was your mother, Junior."

"Gee, I wonder why?" Junior asked sarcastically.

Hunson checked his watch. "Oh my, look at the time! The meeting's going to start soon. How about we all walk there together?"

Chi, not being the most pleasant person to hang around with, declined the offer by storming off without a word.

"What's up with her?" Hunson asked.

"I took someone she loved away from her." Junior said.

"Oh yes, that old story. Don't worry too much about it, Junior. In jobs like ours you'll find it happens all the time. Stops bothering you after a while. Jeff, good to see you found work again after what happened. Have you lost weight?"

"Haha! Good one, mister Abadeer!" Jeff said, remembering him from his time as Him's servant.

Hunson Abadeer was rather…unique…among the rulers of the Big Five. He was evil, no question, but if you were to meet him in person (outside his realm at least) he'd seem like a fairly cool guy, at least until he'd eat your soul. Ok…maybe not "cool" per say, given how old fashioned he is, but he is the kind of guy you wouldn't mind talking to (again, at least he'd eat your soul). Normally this kind of trait would just be how any other demon would get close to you, but Hunson is…unique…and his traits seem rather genuine. If he wants to steal your soul, he'll just come out and say "I'm stealing your soul!" and if he just wants to hang out, then he just wants to hang out (though he might later decide he wants your soul). And he's probably the only one among the original Big Five who doesn't want to amass a bunch of power for himself but instead just wants his daughter to take over the family business when he's gone, which is actually kind of sweet. It was because of his satisfaction with the realm that he owns and because he rarely left it that he survived the war, mainly because no one, not even Mandy, had any real reason to go after him.

There are only two real rules when it comes to Hunson Abadeer: don't eat bananas in his presence and if you enter his realm, you are never leaving.

The four walked on until they came to a doorway blocked by two stone golems. Waiting around the door were the red ninja guards of Aku city and Walker's green police goons.

"Servants and guards are not permitted passed this point." The two golems said in unison.

Jeff remembered this from past meetings and understood. "Good luck, Junior!" He called as he stayed behind when the leaders entered through the doorway.

…

The doorway was a portal that transported them to a large circular room with a bonfire in the center. Great chairs were set out on the floor in a perfect circle, with the other leaders having already taken their seats. As Junior sat he took note of who was there.

Starting from his left Atem, the representative of the Egyptian Pantheon sat down.

Then was Walker, representative of the Ghost Zone.

Then was Sally, the guardian squirrel of the gates of Hell and representative of (what do you think?).

Then was the Tooth Fairy, the widow of the late Jorgen Von Strangle and the representative of Fairy World (who Junior could have sworn his father told him was a cowboy and not an actual fairy, but whatever…).

Then there was Chi, successor to the late Aku and representative of the City of Aku, currently staring daggers at him.

Next to her was the weird blue squid thing known as Lord Helix, God of anarchy, though in his case anarchy represents freedom and having everyone, not just the majority, have their opinions matter, no matter the consequences. Beyond that nobody's quite sure what he actually does.

The fat, grey blob next to Helix in the eye-scarring pink and green outfit is known as the Demon God Dumplin. Not much is really known about him other than that he hails from another universe where he may or may not have eaten everyone.

"How does someone become a Demon God?" Junior once asked his father in his youth.

"By killing the previous Demon God."

His mother called it efficient.

Due to his power and sadism (and weird sexual tastes) Dumplin was considered a possibility to replace Him as ruler of the Land of Tainted Souls if something ever happened to him. A job he will unfortunately not be able to take anymore.

Sitting next to the Demon God was Heaven's representative, Doug, who even among dogs had such a kind and loyal soul. He and Sally were seated at opposite ends of the room so they wouldn't kill each other.

Then was Ma-Ti, a hero who had been fairly unremarkable on Earth but through a journey of self-discovery ended up in the land of Carealot, where his power of heart was strengthened to the point where he became the most powerful being in the realm. The Care Bears named him their champion and he was chosen to represent them (popular rumor is that Mandy didn't take her war to Carealot because the place was so sweet and innocent it made her vomit something terrible).

There was an empty chair next to him. Junior couldn't help but wonder who that was for.

And finally sitting right next to Junior was Hunson Abadeer.

Standing in the center of the room next to the bonfire was the stenographer and coordinator of the meeting…Kermit the Frog?

"Dare I ask what the hell?" Junior said to him.

"The coordinators of these meetings always have to be from neutral grounds and since I have no real ties to any of the realms, they thought I would be the best choice."

"That sounds fair, yet random."

"I said the same thing when they made me do this."

As everyone settled in Kermit address the room. "Alright, the meeting is about to start we're just waiting on-"

"SURPRISE!" Yelled the massive red flaming eyeball that appeared behind him.

Kermit screamed loudly and flailed his arms wildly above his head (which is his reaction to most things honestly).

The eyeball then transformed into a bright yellow triangle with a single eye and a tophat. "Oh man! Sorry to keep you waiting everybody, but I really love doing that to these things. Well, that and I like to keep people waiting. Hunson, what's up?!"

"Bill, glad you could make it. I saved you a seat."

"My man!"

Bill Cipher, an insane, near omnipotent dream demon and representative of the mindscape. Well known for doing whatever he wants for reasons that are never really clear to anyone but him (sometimes not even that) and it scared people to no end knowing that he and Hunson were somehow good friends.

Once Bill took his seat (or at least hovered over it) and Kermit's heart stopped pounding in his throat, the frog address the room.

"Now that we're all here, let us begin."