...
...
"So. How are we going to do this with your realm problem?" I heard my sister say the next day. I was lying on my head, relaxing with my eyes closed before opening them to the ceiling.
"I could ask the "guide" I was assigned to about the transformation thing I have in there," I said.
"Transformation... what does Grunkle Stan looks like?" She asked.
"He looks like himself when he was alive. Only this time, he's a gargoyle with fewer... features of a gargoyle. ... It's difficult when describing what he is." I answered, lying my legs out.
"So... he has his facial features from this world onto his humanoid gargoyle form?" She guessed.
"Yep," I answered, turning my head over at her.
"That makes sense. So when you transform, you will have your unique features from your body reflect on your soul." She said, smiling. "I wonder what you will turn into..."
"I'm in no rush to finding out what I'll turn into," I said, looking away and over at the window.
"How long until you transform?" She asked.
"Four days. Wait- FOUR DAYS?!" I immediately sat up and looked shocked. "It's been that long?!"
"Oooo! You got to tell me what you look by then!" She said happily. "So that I can draw you alongside Grunkle Stan!"
"Hah... yes," I muttered quietly, looking awkward before shaking it off.
"This realm is almost like a fantasy world or sounds like it. You get to do whatever you guys do in it, and it allows you to interact with us in it. That's really amazing! I wonder if I can get into it. How does it work?" She asked.
"... Randomly?" I guessed. "I don't know how it worked for me, one second I was here and the next, I was in that realm. It may come in randomly at times or if you're randomly picked."
"Oh, so... it'll be a while until you can get into it?" She asked, tilting her head.
"Yep." I nodded, turning my body over to sit on the edge of the bed.
"I see..." She said quietly, staring down at her drawings. "... Oh, should it be time to go for your studies with Grunkle Ford?"
"Not until a week has passed." I smiled.
"REALLY?! He let you have a week off?" She asked, jumping to her feet.
"Yep. I thank myself for behaving so distress." I said.
"That's ... not good but we'll work on that." She said, shaking her head. I glanced away at the corner of my room, noticing it was turning grey. I guess it's time. I looked back over at her as she smiled at me before looking at where I last glanced at.
"The realm is calling me," I said, frowning slightly.
"Aww, well, I'll be here when you return." She said, looking back at me. "Take care."
"You too," I said before blinking into the realm.
I stood on the Imperial Sphere's floor after landing through the transparent shield. I waited out there for about 10 minutes until coming here on my own. Apparently, the demon is late. Oh well, I can explore this sphere until he comes. As I took a step forward and looked up ahead, I watched everything around me fade into darkness. What is going on? I scanned around, noticing nothing but pitch black. I couldn't see anything. Is this some sort of ability a superior starry placed on me? I swear. Do not tell me it's Gidlax ...- Why is ...- Actually, I never asked why their names are different than their real names. I should do that while I'm here and ... out of this void.
I turned towards a light on my right, hearing some faint bird noises. I tilted my head before walking over to it. As I near, the light grew bigger, and bigger until it flashed everything around me. I slowly opened my eyes and I was in a forest, not just any forest, the one in Gravity Falls. I scanned my surroundings, noticing that I was back down on Earth. Why am I here? I shouldn't be here, not at this moment. I glanced ahead, hearing faint voices. I became curious before following those voices. As I walked near those sounds, they became clear and familiar. Mines and Mabel's. Wait. Mines?! What is going on?! Is this some kind of illusion?!
I spotted three people walking leisurely underneath the tree's leaves and branches. One was leading, one was swirling as the other one was behaving as I would. I tilted my head, walking closer to them. They appeared to be grey and became blurry instantly. I noticed some spots begin to turn grey, making me think this illusion is fading. I eyed the grey figures before following them.
"Ar' we ther' y't?" A distorted voice asked, making me covered my ears. Ouch. Now I don't recognize who said that.
"N't y't." Another distorted voice answered.
"A'w wh'n we g'nn' g't ther'?" The cheerfully distorted voice asked. At least they have different emotions fueling that distortion... I wonder why I can barely understand them. Is this illusion getting weaker and weaker?
"So'n." The leader distorted voice answered. I noticed the other one was falling behind as the two inched closer. I tilted my head and walked closer to them, curious as to what they have to whisper about while they have someone behind them. "Y'u kn'w wh't to do wh'n we g't ther'?"
"Y'p! T'-" The voices faded as my surroundings turned completely grey. I frowned before getting met with the void again. I sighed and shook my head. Stupid illusion. I'm not so sure why it showed those three, and then mines and my sister's voices. Were they the folks in the illusion? I shook my thoughts out of it, I should be focusing on something else. It is just an illusion, it will not show up again.
I heard another voice behind me, making me turn around towards it. Is it another one of those illusions? I blinked as my surroundings returned slowly. Soon I was back in the Imperial Sphere again, having a bewildered facial expression. "Are you finally there, Pinetree?" I turned towards the voice, staring at the demon.
"... Wait, that was happening in my head?" I blurted out.
"What... was?" He asked.
"Some superior starry cast an illusion on my mind and I was seeing things," I answered.
"... There are no superior starries around..." He responded, raising an eyebrow.
"There's ... nobody?" I asked, scanning around my surroundings.
"Yeah, there's nobody." He answered, turning away from me.
"Then, how did ... this illusion appeared out of nowhere?" I asked with a continuous bewildered facial expression.
"Illusions happen in both the target's mind and in existence. If it was an illusion, I would have seen you walking around. Instead, you stood there as if you were getting an omen. Maybe a vision of some sort." He explained, walking forward.
"Does that happen to ... pre-superior starries?" I asked, glancing at him before following behind.
"It does not happen to them at all. So you're the first." He answered. "That might be because your nearing soon."
"Yeah ... four days until then," I commented, gulping nervously. "What will happen until then?"
"I would tell you when it's the day." He answered.
I narrowed my eyes and huffed. "Will the soul pulling stop by then?" I asked. He stayed silence, not saying a word about it. I grunted and sighed. Okay, let's talk about something else then since I'm not getting my answers.
"Why are you're name is Bilx instead of Bill?" I asked.
"... To avoid superior starries finding you, and killing you where your physical form is." He answered.
"How does that even work? It's just a name." I said, looking confused.
"If a superior starry is gifted with special permission by the Lord himself, they are allowed to go through a dimension portal, which allows you to travel to other dimensions in this twisted universe." He responded.
"... Really?" I said, looked surprised as curiosity rose within me quickly.
"If that superior starry manages to find your world and figure out who you are, they might just kill you just for fun." He continued. "See how you react to your own death in the world you grew up in."
"... Alright, I get it now," I said, becoming uncomfortable.
"Though, if they were to find you right now, you will be both gone in your world and this realm." He explained.
"... How come?" I asked.
"Your form hasn't come yet in this realm. So, anyone can kill you if they have gotten their hands on your name and permission from the Lord. Fortunately, he allows some superior starries to explore the other dimensions. So. Be careful." He answered. That's unfortunate on my part...
"Not much of a special chance of that opportunity," I commented. "More like a common occurrence."
"Yep." He said. "Careless Lord at that."
"At least you don't need to worry about anyone finding you. You're already dead." I hissed.
"Am I?" He asked. "Am I completely gone from existence?"
"... No and that's the trouble of that," I grunted, glaring at him.
"It's not like I can plan normally with so many freaks around." He grumbled.
"Good," I said. He halted and turned towards me with an irritated expression. I shrugged with a careless expression, thought a smirk slowly appeared on my face. He grumbled quietly before turning away and back to walking towards the terminal. I dropped the smirk before looking curious. I followed behind, catching up to him. "Why do you look like a starry human?" I asked.
"... That's just a fake appearance." He answered.
"... Fake?" I said. "Are there any more of your kind who have fake appearances?"
"Think I'm the only one." He answered, halting before turning towards me. "Why do you want to know?"
"Just wondering how a tiny triangle became a "meat bag" such as yourself." I mocked him.
"... I can't wait until you transform." He hissed before turning away and walking off.
I chuckled before looking up at the transparent shield.
I stretched out my arms, cracking some joints before glancing over at the arena. I looked at the railing, watching it circle around the below ground. There seem to be seated circling around the wide arena below. I leaned on the railing, glancing around at the folks that showed up. These past days have been peaceful so far, well, been dodgy with minions appearing out of nowhere. Like, how do they even find me?! Do I have some sort of tracker on me? I sighed, rubbing my head. I'm also not ready for today. I was left here to wait for the other starry humans that were picked to be superior starries. Yes. It's the day. And I'm not looking forward to it.
I'm not so sure why we are needed here, maybe it's a ceremony where all superior starries must meet and watch each of us transform? Infact, how do we even transform? Do they have some special items to make us transform? I wish I could ask my "guide" but unfortunately, he's not here. ... Will he not be my guide anymore once I transformed? Wait, no, that wouldn't make sense. Does it? I don't know. I shook my head before watching some superior starries take their seats.
"Hey!" I turned towards the voice, glancing at a starry human who was running up to me. "I didn't miss it!"
"Why would you miss it? Your guide would make sure you arrived just in time." I said, giving them a dull look.
"Right... Anyway, how did your training go?" They asked, looking excited.
"... My training? You mean the lessons?" I asked.
"No. You know, The Spar Sphere where you practice defending yourself?" They said.
"... You were ..." I trailed off before becoming irritated. "You were supposed to train to defend yourself? Well, I have just an f-cking useless guide!" I hissed, turning away as I slammed my wrist down against the railing. I winced a bit before rubbing it.
"...Didn't they teach you other parts of the realm?" They asked, looking frightened by my reaction.
"He did ... he did ..." I answered quietly, turning back to them.
"Well, then that's good. Maybe for that reason is that he's waiting until you transform so he can train you!" They said, bouncing in their spot.
"... That could be it. He did mention we were returning to the Spar Sphere again." I muttered.
"Yeah! So, what do you think you'll transform into? I'm hoping I will have claws like Gidlax!" They said.
I sighed, shaking the thought out of my head. "I don't know. I'd rather wait and see."
"Well, okay." They nodded, turning towards the arena, spotting two more starry humans down there. "We should go down there now, I think."
"... Can I ask something?"
"What is it?" They responded, turning towards me.
"... Did your guide say anything about the process of transforming?" I asked.
"She mentioned that we stand in the center and wait until it happens. She didn't want to spoil it for me, it seems bland to just stand in the center. I thought that you would have a calling place where it allows you to transform." They answered. "I guess not."
"Maybe it used to be that way." I guessed.
"Maybe so." They said quietly. "Well, I'm going down there to join the others. Meet you there?"
"Yeah... in a minute..." I muttered.
"Alright!" They soon took off and climbed down the stairs. I looked away and observed the older superior starries. Older. Well, they have been here longer than I have. Each of them has a different appearance, unique and all around. I tried to spot some if they were similar to one another as in being related. I did spot some, which is interesting. I wonder how many superior starries are out there. I stood off from the railing, eyeing the three starry humans down there. A figure was standing by them, giving them some instructions. Maybe. I don't know.
I felt like someone was watching me from behind, I looked behind me, spotting Gidlax. I sighed and glanced over to the starry human that was beside him. Still, mind-controlled as they will ever be. I breathe in and out, watching him approach me. "Well, well, well, I didn't get enough time to do what I wanted," Gidlax said. You know, you can mind control me right now, in front of everyone. "I guess I'll just have to wait and see what you look like."
"Intriguing, isn't it?" I said.
"Well, that is what everyone is here for. It is required for every "Superior Starry" to be here." He said, rolling his eyes. "I rather do something else than just to see you five transform."
I watched the mind-controlled starry human walk around us and down the stairs to them. I also spotted some older superior starries joining in the seating range. The seating spots were almost full as it was almost time. Nervousness traveled down to my arms, to my hands, making me shake slightly. "You're scared of transforming?"
"... Not scare, nervous," I responded.
"Nothing will go wrong, hell it won't because it never will. Every single superior starry here has transformed in this arena." He said. Never say never, because it will.
"Well, if it does, you will be happy to see me suffer just standing there," I responded.
"... You're right, I will!" He chirped. "Thank you for reminding me, Dipper." I stayed quiet, glancing down at the arena, I looked over at the remaining superior starries, seeing that the Lord was with them. "Well, it's time for me to go, you should go down there too." He added on before shoving me down the stairs. Luckily I didn't fall all the way down there. There were pathways in between the seating areas. I sighed in annoyance and stood up, making my way down to the arena.
The other starry humans look warily and frightened of me, besides the one that I talked to earlier. They waved a hand for me to come to stand by them. I looked uneasy before walking over by them. I halted and turned towards the figure who was approaching me. They handed me a white ring that was the size of my hand. The figure turned and walked away, handing the last one to the mind-controlled starry human, who wasn't a puppet anymore.
"That lady says these will help us transform." The starry human said right beside me.
I blinked and stared down at it. "By how?"
"She says once everyone settles down, we will feel like something is changing within us." They answered. "The item will disappear I think... so I don't know how they make these things. But they do glow pretty!"
"I hope... that will happen to me," I said, examining it before looking back up to them. Because I feel like, it will not. I may be just overthinking it again. Ugh, I need to stop that. Just relax and breathe, the time will come and I will transform whatever form I become.
"Ah! The lord is coming! You know, he was scary when we first met him, and now ... he doesn't seem scary." They said. I turned my body and eyed the lord who was standing next to the wall. He was talking with the figure who handed us these white glowy rings. I sighed before hearing the chatter vanish. "Woah ... that-"
"Shush!" I hissed in a whisper at them.
"Sorry!"
I shook my head and stood up straight, lifting up the ring and stared down at it. "Welcome to the Transforming Ceremony!" Lord Galroon announced loud and clear. "I'm glad that every one of you showed up. Now, the five chosen superior starries who were picked 14 years ago will be transforming into wonderful creatures today!" I heard some excitement squealing beside me as I sighed in annoyance. Oh boy. "Now, let's be patient and wait for them to begin."
Silence came to us as the unbearable feeling of all eyes were down upon us was making me more nervous than before. I attempted to distract myself from them by looking down at the ring and waited for my time to come. I saw a small white orb moving towards the starry human beside me. I widened my eyes as I stepped away from them. They soon became completely white, having so many white particles swirling by them. So this is what it looks like. They were bouncing up and down, making me step back and the others back. Soon light flashed our eyes, causing us to shield them before opening them up again. The starry human transformed into a creature who had three fluffy tails, fox ears, and some markings on their skin as a red fox.
I blinked, surprised at their transformation. Wow. That was cool to watch. Wait, I'm not in the stands! I'm here with the others transforming into what I assume something ... based off of our spirit animal. And theirs were a fox. I nodded slowly before glancing over at the other starry humans. One of them begins becoming white instantly as anyone around them backed away. They transformed into a creature that was hideous to describe. I shivered before looking over at my right side, watching another one transform into a scaled humanoid. Soon the other two followed along at the same time, one turning into a dangerous-looking humanoid as the other turned into a passive one. Every one of their forms looked so unique from one another. Besides the hideous one. Ugh...
I glanced at them before looking down at the ring, confused for a moment. I should be going after them. "Welcome Cax! Jeraxy! Jessix! And Kitz." I heard the lord announced their names. I looked up and lowered my hands down. I watched the newly superior starry look happy, sad, mad, and proud of their forms. I blinked, feeling the nervousness crawl back to me. Maybe it's just taking its time to get there. It should be starting anytime. I tapped on the floor, getting impatient. I soon saw all eyes fell on me again as I froze like a deer in the headlights. I felt my heart begin to race as my breathing fasten.
"... Why isn't he transforming? The ring should be helping him." The fox humanoid asked, looking worried at me before turning their gaze over at the lord.
"Don't worry, he just needs an extra push." Lord Galroon said.
"Maybe he's scare to transform." One of the new superior starry said. And of course, it's the one I called hideously.
"You're feelings won't get in the way of transforming." The lord said. If you know that, then why am I not transforming?!
"What if he's soul stressing?" The white fox humanoid guessed.
"... Soul stressing. Great, what did you get yourself into?!" The lord hissed at me. I don't know and what the hell is soul stressing?
"Stop it! You're gonna stress him out even more." The white fox humanoid said, smacking him on the arm.
"Okay! Fine, What should you think we should do, Witx?" He asked, turning towards them.
"Like other superior starries who weren't able to transform here, they will have to go to a place where they feel comfortable to do so," Witx explained.
"Of course, how could I forget about the others." The Lord responded, rubbing his head before turning towards everyone in the seating range. "On this special event, everyone is allowed to leave and go back to what they are doing. Guides, keep doing your job!" Most of the superior starries in the stands obeyed. I watched some of the mentors go up to the newly superior starries and take them away. I frowned and looked down at the floor. "This is tiring. I wish we don't have those types of superior starries."
"Well, it is what it is," Witx said. "Starry human, come forth please." I looked up at them and walked over to them slowly. The white fox humanoid placed their hand out, giving me the idea that they want the ring back. I placed it in their hand as they took it back. "You're going to have to find a spot to transform alone. It's an unfortunate end that we won't be able to see what you are." That's fine, I'd rather not have stalkers watching me.
"Though, I'm sure your guide may tag along if anything happens," Witx said. I just said I didn't want to have any stalkers watching me. [[ Stalkers, nice one, Pinetree. ]] I heard the demon's voice in my head.
"Well, good luck." Lord Galroon said before turning away and walking off with Witx. I stood there before turning towards the demon who was standing beside me. I blinked before relaxing. I breathe in and out, folding my arms.
"This is ... horrible," I commented.
"Well ... this realm has its few problems." He said.
"I can tell," I grumbled.
"Anyway, should you be thinking about a place to relax until your transformation happens?" He said.
"... I don't know what place I want to go to. I don't want to go to ANY of the ones in Sector 2." I hissed.
"Good idea, let's avoid that one until you can take care on your own." He said.
"I can take care of my own just fine, Bill!" I hissed, turning and walking over to the staircase.
"Oh, I didn't realize that. So are you able to defend yourself from the sector 2 governor?" I heard him question me. I grumbled quietly before arriving at the top.
"No, but-"
"Then you're not." He snapped in my face. "Let's go. I think I have the place in mind." He added on, leading the way. I shivered before following behind. We headed over to the terminal as he inputted in a new destination. A Living Sphere in Sector 3. I wonder what this one could be. Maybe the same civilizations that I once saw before. I hurried over to the hover bus and got on after the demon. The bus moved and traveled over to the destination, taking a lot more time to get there. I leaned on the window, watching space zooming past us. I closed my eyes and rested there until we arrived. Once we did, I was shaken awake from my small nap, soon being dragged off of the bus.
We walked out from underneath the terminal, staring ahead at the vast trees. I blinked, trying to look for a pathway to the town here. "Not all Living Spheres need a town to be called Living Spheres. These woods hold in starry animals." He explained.
"... Make sense," I mumbled.
"Now go, I'll be here in case Claws decided to follow." He said, turning away. I looked over and nodded before glancing back at the woods and walking into them. I looked up at the tall trees, observing each branch and critter that runs through here. I glanced down and looked at the bushes, the greeny, and creatures that decided to poke their nose into something that they shouldn't have it in. I shook my head slightly before turning left and ended up in a clearing. This seems nice. I walked forward and sat in the grass, crossing my legs and looking up to the sky, which had an evening shade to it. I closed my eyes, breathing in and out. Okay, I just need to feel this feeling of changing. Though I don't even feel like anything is changing. Why do I have to be the difficult one?
I rubbed my head before flinching at a twig snapping. I immediately turned towards it, spotting a deer that stood there in a frozen state. I sat there completely still, confused as to why it's that close to me. It flickers one of its ears before stepping closer to me. I leaned back a bit, watching its every movement. It halted beside me before sniffing at my hair. It soon moved beside me and lie down, curling up. I blinked, confused at its behavior. I tilted my head before placing a hand on its back. I felt it flinch before lifting its head and looked over at me. "... Aren't you docile," I commented, removing my hand from it.
The deer closed its eyes as its appearance faded away. Some white orbs caught my attention before something bright made me close my eyes. I opened one eye before opening the other, glancing around for the deer. It really did fade away. I wonder why. Wait, maybe it's because I touched it and that causes it to fade? No. I don't think so. I shook my head before placing my hand on the ground as I was getting ready to get up. I widened my eyes at them, looking at the different colors in them. I leaned up and lifted them up, staring at them. Both of them appear to be completely brown with white spots appearing right where the brown coloring ended.
Wait. I need to see a mirror or something. I pushed myself from the ground and stood up, only to wobble a bit. I caught and balanced myself out. Okay, don't fall. I told myself before taking a step forward. I walked carefully as I searched for a pond. I found one as I sat by the shore and stared down at the water. I widened my eyes at the sight. My face looks exactly as I would back on Earth, however, it had brown and white spots all over it. Especially around the deer ears. Wait, did me and that deer fused? Is that what it took to transform?
I nodded slowly before getting up to my feet. I stared down at my bottom half, eyeing my legs specifically. Apparently, I gained a new joint as it causes me to walk weirdly. Fun. Something caught my eye as I looked over. I stared at a brown tail having some white fur around the tip. I tilted my head grabbing and pulling it close to me. I felt it yank something behind me as I let it go, wincing a bit. Okay, I have a tail. That's...- wait, deers don't have long tails. Nor do they have ... claws for feet. I have no idea what I am, and I don't want to go hunting down and see what I am.
This'll be fun to explain.
End of Chapter 6