A/N: Hello. Thank you for your patience. I git another Infinity Train chapter ready for you. Just 10 days away from the release of Book 3 on HBOMax. I can hardly wait! Oh, and there would be at least one additional piece of dialogue between Jesse and Grace that I added that I felt was more fitting in the new car. You'll see why soon. Anyhoo, enjoy. :)
Infinity Train: Book Two: Return to the Beach City Car
Chapter 7: The Mall Car
As the group of seven walked out, Grace followed and set down several bags of candy to the ground with the other Apex celebrating with their loot while Lena and Damien walked out enjoying theirs seeing as they were responsible enough to show the spirit of commerce before Tulip, M.T., Pink Steven, Jesse, Atticus (with One-One on top of him), and Alan Dracula turned around.
"Hm. Isn't it beautiful? It's okay. Admire me.", Grace spoke.
"I am not admiring anything!", Pink Steven retorted in a calm, yet stern tone.
"How long have you been on here?", Jesse asked.
"What did you do?", Tulip asked.
"A while, and what it took to be the best.", Grace responded.
"The best of what, may I ask?", Atticus asked as Grace noticed that neither M.T. nor Atticus had numbers on them and chewed a piece of candy.
"You got a name?", Grace asked.
"Nope.", M.T. responded.
"Matter of fact, we're still working it out for her. I have a name, though. I'm Steven.", Pink Steven introduced.
"I'm Tulip and this is Jesse, Atticus, M.T. (not an official name), and Alan Dracula.", Tulip greeted as Alan Dracula then turned around to face Grace, who was still eating the candy just as Lena and Damien approached.
"So, I take it that you guys are new?", Lena guessed.
"Well, I am. As for Tulip, I think it's her second time on the train.", Jesse responded.
"'Second time'? You mean she actually came back on the train?", Damien asked in surprise.
"Well, yeah. But only because I have a friend on this train who needs help, and that friend is Steven.", Tulip responded.
"Interesting. But we'll talk more about it later back at the base. Want some?", Grace offered to Jesse, holding a bag of candy.
Then, Jesse got the bag and ate one of the pieces.
"Good?", Grace asked before Jesse only made a bit of a face.
"It's...pretty good.", Jesse commented before swallowing.
"Ugh, I don't know why I said that. It tastes like old pennies.", Jesse added in disgust.
"Then, wheel it. You don't like it? Don't eat it. Kick it to the wheels. You do what you want.", Grace spoke before Jesse then kicked the bag up toward the ground, causing the wheel to tear up the bag, dragging several pieces of candy up and down until they get left behind on the ground.
"Look at you. I like what I see.", Grace grinned.
"I don't...", Pink Steven commented, glaring cautiously at Grace, who then turned the doorknob and opened it to show several kids hanging out in the desolate mall car that seemed more like a hangout.
"Cool...", Jesse spoke.
"What happened in here?", Tulip puzzled.
"Yeah..., we took over this car. Now, it belongs to the Apex. Cool name, huh?", Grace spoke.
"Meh. Kind of.", M.T. and Tulip responded.
"Sounds a bit too self-centered.", Pink Steven commented.
"Sounds a bit tacky if you ask me.", Atticus added.
"Yeah.", Jesse responded in awe.
"I got it from a book.", Grace spoke.
"Did it always look this...desolate?", Tulip asked.
"It's not exactly perfect, but we made due.", Damien responded.
"In any case, it'll probably look better in the sunlight.", Lena added before another voice piped up.
"Grace! Did you find some more strays?", Simon asked, sliding down the escalator before kneeling down a bit in front of Grace, who moved her hand, as if making a wavy line.
"Who's that?", Pink Steven asked.
"My second-in-command, Simon. I trust him with my life, even if he was wearing black socks with sandals when I first met him.", Grace introduced.
"Oh, thanks for letting me keep my cool factor for...10 seconds, there. Woof! We caught you just in time.", Simon responded.
"'Just in time?' For what?", Pink Steven asked.
"I thought I was doing pretty good.", Jesse responded.
"Yeah. Look at you two. With those numbers, you'll be stuck here forever.", M.T. added.
"Although, it would kinda depend on whether or not they even want to make the effort. I mean, stuck for a long time, sure, but not forever. You guys at least know what I mean, right?", Pink Steven asked before Grace and Simon turned to each other and chuckled.
"I...guess I'll take that as a yes.", Pink Steven spoke.
"I'm sure you all had the best of intentions..., you, but I'm afraid you've been leading Jesse in the wrong direction. This is what you want. This is strength.", Grace responded.
"Who in their right mind would tell you that?", Pink Steven asked in retorsion.
"Last I checked, numbers aren't strength, but instead the key to the strength you find within yourself.", Atticus added.
"Whoa! A talking dog?! Now, I've seen everything.", Grace spoke in feigned surprise with a grin.
"The talking dog has a name. And it's Atticus.", Atticus responded.
"He's right, though. When I was in that pod, the conductor, One-One, told me to get my number down. He was funny and gloomy.", Jesse responded.
"The little white thing?", Simon asked before he and Grace laughed.
"It took over the train from the real conductor.", Grace explained.
"Real conductor?", Tulip puzzled.
"Yeah. We've been on this train longer than you. Neither of us got intro videos from that liar! He took over and started brainwashing people.", Simon added.
"And now, for some reason, this fake little robot wants to get rid of all of us! It wants to kick us humans off our rightful train. This was the conductor. This is real. I'm real! And because I have the highest number, it's my responsibility to correct that little robots lies.", Grace added.
"They...are not...LIES!", Tulip roared as her skin glowed bright pink while her sclerae turned dark purple, unleashing a shockwave that shook the mall car like an earthquake for a few seconds, taking the apex by surprise as Grace and Simon found themselves struggling to keep balance until the shaking stopped just as One-One inadvertently fell off Atticus and rolled, still wrapped in the black coat.
"Whoa! Easy, Tulip! Don't lose your cool, remember?!", Pink Steven urged before Tulip started calming down a bit as her skin stopped glowing and her sclera returned to normal.
"Yeah. Sorry. Anyway, the point is, they may seem like lies, but they really aren't. And I should know. The first time I boarded the train, I didn't get any intro video either. The whole time I was on that train the first time, after that scuffle with those creatures that literally suck the life out of you, all I...", Tulip began.
"You mean the Ghoms?", Simon interrupted.
"Yes, I mean the Ghoms. Anyway, after that, all I ever wanted was to get out of this car, not wanting to end up like whatever happened to that guy I saw. But it turned out that when my number reached '0', that wormhole was actually the one that led me back home.", Tulip continued.
"Really? And how did you know that it wasn't some kind of death trap?", Grace asked glaringly.
"If it was, I wouldn't be back on the train to help Steven sort out his own problems here, would I?", Tulip responded as she held out her right hand, showing that while her number is at 750, the infinity symbol was present above her number.
"Whoa! You're a passenger?!", Grace exclaimed in surprise.
"But how? I just assumed that you were, like, a null, or something.", Simon spoke.
"A null? What's that?", Tulip puzzled.
"Yeah, we'll explain that later. But how did you get so big and monstrous?", Grace asked.
"And what's with that symbol on your hand? You know, just above your number?", Simon added.
"Well, first off, that was kind of a side effect from Steven's gem bonding with me. But only because he was corrupted at the moment. And that's why I need to help him. He doesn't have much time left.", Tulip answered.
"Yeah. I only have about like 10 hours before my human half dies.", Pink Steven added.
"Wow. That sounds...kinda heavy.", Lena spoke in surprise.
"I know.", Damien responded.
"And as for that symbol on my hand? Well, as soon as I get my number down to 0, that symbol would activate and let me decide when my own exit door would appear.", Tulip responded.
"Okay, hold up. Even if your number reaches 0, you still get to stay on the train?", Grace asked.
"Well, if I want. The conductor gave me that himself.", Tulip responded.
"And just who are you referring to as 'the conductor'?", Simon asked as One-One took off the black coat.
"Oh. Why, that would be me. One.", Glad One spoke up.
"One...", Sad One added, making Grace and Simon shocked as they gasped before the rest of the apex present turned around and saw One-One in shock, if not horror, halting their usual activities.
"Uh-oh.", Tulip spoke in worry.
"We've been breached!", one of the apex shouted before they started flailing about in panic as Grace and Simon turned angrily to Tulip.
"You! You led him right to us, didn't you?!", Grace exclaimed.
"No, it's not like that!", Tulip exclaimed.
"Ms. Tulip's right. I don't see any reason why you should get kicked out. You all seem happy here.", Glad One assured.
"Although I'm a little bit jealous myself.", Sad One commented.
"See? What'd I tell you? Funny and gloomy.", Jesse spoke.
"How do you know that any of that is the truth?", Simon asked.
"Because, if it wasn't for One-One, I wouldn't have found my way back home, much less got back on the train.", Tulip responded.
"I had a hand in this, too, you know.", Atticus spoke up.
"Oh, yeah. And Atticus, too.", Tulip added.
"It was a group effort.", Glad One stated, puzzling the rest of the apex enough for them to stop panicking and listen to the rest of what Tulip has to say.
"And the conductor you thought was...this? It turned out that Amelia was a passenger who became the conductor you thought she was by usurping him and moving him to the snow car for 33 years so that she can try to make a car based on her own world. She did that because she didn't want to play the hand fate dealt her. Because she didn't want a life without her husband, Alric.", Tulip explained as she moved her fingers across the red line paint on Simon's face.
"What happened to the guy? Did he break up with her or something?", Lena asked.
"Worse. He died.", Sad One explained sadly, making Damien, Simon, Grace, and the others present gasp except for Tulip, Atticus, and Alan Dracula.
"Okay. Now, that is heavy.", Lena commented.
"Point is, if anyone has the highest number, it would be Amelia. And by that logic, Grace, that would make your number the 2nd highest.", Tulip explained.
"What?", Grace reacted in surprise.
"I know. When I saw how high her number I was the last time I was on the train, I couldn't believe it either.", Tulip responded.
"And you know what else? Amelia's still in the engine, serving as the engineer.", Glad One stated.
"She's been demoted since the incident.", Sad One added.
"The point is, you and your friends don't need to worry about getting kicked out of this car. You're all welcome to stay here if you want.", One-One assured.
"Wait. We are?", Grace puzzled.
"But of course! We're just going to help renovate this car for proper organization.", Glad One assured.
"I'm still not used to this kind of manual labor, though.", Sad One added.
"Yeah, I hear that. The last time you were involved with labor like that, you got dragged along with Tulip and Spinel with the big saw back home.", Pink Steven responded with a smile.
"Yeah. And even if it was an accident, Bismuth did not seem happy about what happened to her scaffolding.", Tulip added.
"Permission to speak, Grace?", Damien asked.
"You may.", Grace responded.
"One-One's offer might be worth considering. In case you haven't noticed, the car is looking run-down and abandoned.", Damien stated.
Then, Grace placed her fingers on her chin contemplatively for a moment before she spoke.
"All right, One-One. I'll take you up on your offer.", Grace assured.
"Really?", Tulip, M.T., Atticus, and Pink Steven puzzled.
"But why?", Jesse asked.
"Because I care about people. I care about you, Jesse.", Grace responded.
"What a coincidence. So do I.", Glad One grinned.
"Are you sure we can trust him, though?", Simon whispered.
"Don't worry. It's all part of my plan. And how it would go is...", Grace began before whispering into his ear, giving him some reassurance, not knowing that Tulip was listening due to her heightened sense of hearing in this state and gasped a bit in worry.
"Oh. I almost forgot why I came here. A new car dropped down about two ahead. I was hoping to take some scouts to give it a look.", Simon spoke.
"You know, it's been a while since I've checked out a freshly made car. I'll take this one.", Grace spoke before speaking quietly to Simon.
"Just make sure you let Lena and Damien in on your plan, okay?", Grace whispered.
"You got it.", Simon spoke.
"Jesse, will you be joining?", Grace asked.
"Excuse me! Hi! I respect the whole vibe you've got going around here, but we don't...", M.T. began before noticing that Alan Dracula went missing.
"Wait. Where's Alan Dracula?", M.T. asked.
"Who knows? Maybe he went off someplace to look for grass.", Glad One guessed.
"What, the deer? Probably taken to be stabled. Didn't think you'd want it running off.", Simon responded.
"Stabled? You took our friend and locked him up?! You didn't think to check with us or him?!", M.T. snapped as Grace backed away from the apparent awkwardness.
"Wow. That's a bit territorial.", Pink Steven commented.
"Hey, M.T. They're probably just trying to help. Mistakes happen. We're all human. Well, most of us, but I think you get the point.", Jesse responded.
"I respect that, Jesse. You guys stay here and find your friend so you can help One-One, Lena, and Damien with the renovation. You guys can talk to Simon if there are any problems.", Grace assured.
"Yeah, I don't know about this.", Pink Steven commented.
"And while they do that, you'll come with me so you can see what we do.", Grace spoke to Jesse.
"Is that okay?", Jesse asked.
"Yeah. It's fine.", M.T. assured.
"Are you sure? It would seem unwise to...", Atticus began.
"I said it's fine. I'll make sure Alan Dracula's safe. We'll talk later. Okay?", M.T. asked before Jesse nodded.
"All right, now, let's get you a harpoon pack.", Grace spoke before Jesse widened his eyes in surprise.
"Whaaaaat?!", Jesse exclaimed in surprise.
Outside, Jesse was still in awe over his harpoon pack.
"Cool.", Jesse spoke before Grace stopped him.
"Whoa, slow down there! You don't want to end up like Lucy. Aim first, okay?", Grace warned before she pointed to the scouts, who then shot out their magnetic harpoons toward a part of the car before retracting the harpoons, sending them shooting up across toward the latest car, leaving Jesse thrilled.
"This is the best day of my life!", Jesse exclaimed in awe.
"I know. I'm clipping you so I can catch you if you fall. But also, don't fall. Because I never tested it.", Grace warned before she and Jesse then shot out their magnetic harpoons and jumped across the car.
Meanwhile, the five friends were still looking for Alan Dracula.
"Alan Dracula! Alan Dracula! Do malls have crane games?", M.T. puzzled.
"Well, yes, but not the ones with grass in it, silly.", Glad One responded.
"Simon said that Alan Dracula was taken to get stabled. What could he mean by that?", Pink Steven asked before suddenly, a voice popped out from behind.
"Check it out. I'm all wobbly.", one of the apex kids spoke, apparently using M.T. like a mirror from behind.
"Hey, can you cut that out? She's not a mirror.", Pink Steven urged.
"Yeah, she is, Null.", the kid responded, suddenly snapping something inside Pink Steven.
"What did you just call me?!", Pink Steven growled.
"Uh, Steven?", Tulip spoke in worry.
"You heard me. Grace and Simon say you're not even real.", the apex kid responded, further angering Pink Steven.
"Oh, yeah? Well, Grace and Simon are about to lose the shortest member of their club!", Pink Steven threatened as he made a spiked shield before he then launched it toward the kid, who gasped in shock before he dodged it with a roll, making it hit the windows of a store nearby as they shattered.
"What the...?!", the apex kid spoke in surprise.
"That real enough for you, punk?!", Pink Steven growled.
"I like you. You're silly.", the kid responded before he then took off laughing.
"Why, you little...! Come back here!", Pink Steven shouted as he gave chase.
"Steven, wait! You shouldn't...!", Tulip began before groaning in frustration.
"It's no use. He's practically gone the way of the dodo.", Sad One discouraged.
"Yeah, you're gonna have to excuse him. He tends to get on everyone's nerves, even your friend.", Lena spoke.
"Heck, he even gets on my nerves sometimes, but I ignore him. Wasn't exactly easy to do the first time, but I learned.", Damien added.
"What are you guys doing here?", M.T. asked.
"Well, we were just getting started in the car's renovation.", Damien responded.
"We just need to pick up a few things first before we can get started.", Lena added.
"Such as?", Tulip asked.
"Well, this white paint and paintbrush, for one.", Lena spoke.
"Not to mention that paint roller, too. We don't exactly have any pulley-system that can help, but our harpoon packs should help as a close second.", Damien spoke.
"Harpoon packs? Fascinating. So, that must've been how you travel from car-to-car.", Glad One spoke in wonder.
"Yeah, but in the hands of the untrained, it can be potentially hazardous. Take Lucy for example. One time, she accidentally set the harpoons off right in the eyes.", Damien responded.
"Ouch.", Sad One spoke.
"'Ouch' is right. It's a good thing those harpoons weren't pointy, though. Or she really would've lost her eyes.", Lena agreed.
"She really should be careful using those next time.", Glad One commented.
"Oh, she is.", Lena assured.
"And she's getting better since then.", Damien assured.
"Speaking of better, you and Lena seem to be the only people around here who know better.", Tulip responded.
"Yeah. It looks that way.", Lena responded.
"We're mostly in the Apex to help better the group and try to set a good example.", Damien spoke.
"Well, it's not doing so hot, is it?", M.T. guessed.
"No, but at least we're trying.", Lena responded.
"We'll talk more later as we work along.", Damien responded.
"Uh, okay.", Tulip spoke.
"Oh. And, uh, M.T., was it? You might want to hurry and find Alan Dracula and Steven.", Damien suggested.
"Uh, thanks?", M.T. spoke, puzzled, before taking off for them.
"Well, as long as we're talking as we work, there's something you should know about how I first met Amelia.", Tulip responded.
"Really?", Damien puzzled.
"Well, don't keep us in suspense. How'd you meet her?", Lena asked.
"Well, you probably wouldn't like what you're about to hear.", Tulip responded as she, One-One, Atticus, Lena, and Damien went to where they can do some renovation.
Meanwhile, Jesse followed Grace and her scouts to the latest car with Jesse stepping closer to notice his reflection and then step back a bit in worry.
"You good? Something I should know?", Grace asked.
"It's fine... probably. I just, um, I don't know all the rules.", Jesse responded.
"I get it. The train can be confusing. And lonely. That chrome girl and that pink boy. They're...quite the characters.", Grace spoke.
"Oh, yeah. M.T. and Steven are great.", Jesse responded.
"Where'd you meet her?", Grace asked.
"They day me put sunglasses on Alan Dracula and wasn't a fan, although at least Steven was calmer about it. But they, along with Tulip, Atticus, and One-One, stuck with me when I needed it, especially when they didn't have to. We rode a compass like a pirate ship, almost kicked a toad, went to a carnival, and...oh. Yeah. You were there for that one.", Jesse responded as he snapped his fingers.
"They seem nice, but...they're a little bit different from us, huh? I mean, I can understand Tulip, but M.T., was it? She and Steven don't have numbers.", Grace spoke.
"Yeah, well, they wouldn't. They're not passengers.", Jesse responded.
"Exactly. They're nulls.", Grace responded.
"They're what?", Jesse puzzled.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot that you don't know. Null, it means nothing. Not even a zero. I read it in a book.", Grace responded.
"Oh. Yeah.", Jesse understood nervously.
"Humans get numbers and nulls just tag along. They're not bad. They're just...not like us. And there's so many more of them.", Grace explained.
"Hm. Well, I guess, techinically, they're not like us.", Jesse responded.
"You've explored the train. It's dangerous out there. You almost jumped out of your shoes when you saw the cubes.", Grace spoke, spinning the cube.
"It's not the cubes. It's the reflection. M.T.'s has some...run-ins with the cops. I guess they would've popped out for me now, if they could've. She'd be in trouble, though.", Jesse responded.
"Sounds like she's got a lot of problems that you got pulled into.", Grace spoke as she stopped the spinning cube.
"It's not like that. She needed some help and I practically offered to pitch in. She can actually be really cool once you get to know her.", Jesse assured.
"We'll see.", Grace responded.
Then, one of the scouts appeared and spoke to her.
"We found a null. Don't know if it's dangerous.", one of the scouts reported before Grace spun the cube again.
Back at the mall car, M.T. was searching for Pink Steven and Alan Dracula.
"Alan Dracula! Where are you?! Steven!", M.T. shouted just before quickly dodging a sudden burst of laser eyes and noticing Alan Dracula in practical distress.
"Hold him still. Come on.", the apex girl urged before giggling.
"What?", M.T. spoke in worry.
"Let him go right now!", Pink Steven shouted as he then pushed the boy away from the rope while M.T. unlatched the saddle and tipped the girl down.
"What is wrong with you?!", M.T. shouted.
"Uh, I wouldn't do that if I were you.", Pink Steven warned.
However, the boy only kicked at M.T.'s leg against his warning and wound up hurting his foot and tumbling down on the ground.
"Hey. I warned him.", Pink Steven spoke before the apex boy noticed his number getting raised up from 210 to 218.
"Yes.", the boy spoke in joy before the girl went over to him.
"Nice.", the girl grinned.
"All right, you two. Get out of here.", Pink Steven urged as he created a spiked shield, urging the kids to turn tail and run.
"Ow.", the apex boy spoke, trying to run.
"Honestly...", Pink Steven sighed.
"Simon is going to have some explaining to do.", M.T. spoke as she took the rope off of Alan Dracula's mouth.
Meanwhile, as the four were painting with One-One overseeing the progress as he sat on the deck chair, Lena and Damien were quite surprised by the story.
"She did what?!", Lena exclaimed.
"How could she?", Damien added.
"I know. I was just as mad at her for that. At least, until I figured out that Amelia did all that because she was hurt and afraid to face the changes in her life just like I was once. Of course, I wouldn't have figured that out without the cat. And when Steven and I confronted her, we had to put a stop to what she was doing because of how it was affecting the other cars, including Corginia.", Tulip responded.
"True story.", Atticus added.
"Anyway, we managed to turn Atticus back to normal and now, One-One's back in charge.", Tulip responded.
"And after Tulip returned home, Amelia even volunteered the job to become the engineer of the train, which is the second best job on the train, until her number reaches 0.", Atticus added.
"Wow. I never thought of Amelia that way before.", Lena commented.
"Yeah. Me neither. So, this engine of the train. Is it far from here?", Damien asked.
"Wouldn't know. This is the first time I got to this car. But with the right variables, we could be able to move this car closer to the engine. Why do you ask?", Tulip responded.
"Because, if we had Amelia with us, we could get this car all Spick and span to help it run more efficiently and the Apex would finally be set straight and make an honest, less destructive living.", Lena responded.
"Yeah, but...the cat warned me that you guys are not to be trusted. So, if we're going to do this, I need proof. Proof that at least you two can be trusted.", Tulip responded.
"Well, should we?", Lena asked.
"Considering that she wouldn't trust us otherwise, I don't think we have much choice.", Damien responded.
"All right. So, what do we have to do?", Lena asked.
"I want you to tell me what you were really going to do. And I want the whole truth.", Tulip responded.
Meanwhile, Jesse and Grace arrived near one of the car's denizens.
"Is it dangerous?", Grace asked.
"Doesn't seem like he can touch us.", one of the scouts spoke before Grace went up to the jellyfish-like denizen and moved her hand across it, tickling it.
"Does he have anything besides these cubes?", Grace asked before the denizen shook his head.
"Not that I could find. It's all junk.", the scout responded.
"Let's see.", Grace sighed before looking toward one of the cubes nearby and then kicking it, shattering it into pieces, much to the denizen's dismay and Jesse's befuddlement.
Meanwhile, M.T. and Pink Steven went over to Simon.
"Simon! Do you have any idea what is going on in your car?", M.T. shouted.
"Easy, M.T. I'll deal with this. Simon, I have some complaints about what happened recently.", Pink Steven spoke as he stopped M.T. before speaking to Simon.
"Huh? You two are still here?", Simon asked.
"Your little toadies were trying to saddle Alan Dracula, shaking.", M.T. reported.
"And the way they were treating him while they were trying to saddle him? That's enough to turn my stomach!", Pink Steven added.
"The deer? What?", Simon puzzled.
"Wait. You're not even paying attention, are you?", Pink Steven guessed.
"Hey, look at me when I'm talking to you. Who do you...?", M.T. urged.
That seemed to be he last straw for Simon before he snapped and stood up, towering over the two.
"I'm talking now! I've got a number and you and Steven don't. You three are only as good as you are useful. I thought we could at least get something from the deer, but now, it's more hassle than it's worth. We're done with you. Get out of here before Jesse gets back. You can't help him like we can.", Simon responded.
"Funny. I was just about to tell you the same thing!", Pink Steven retorted before then creating a pink spiked shield.
"You want a go? Huh? Come on!", Simon goaded.
"You want it? You got it!", Pink Steven responded.
"Steven, are you really sure?", M.T. asked.
"Yeah. And don't worry. I'll hold back as much as necessary to make sure I don't kill him. Even if it might be by accident like this one time.", Pink Steven responded.
"Wait. You killed someone?", Simon asked angrily.
"Technically, it's more 'shattered' than killed, but yes. And even then, I pieced Jasper's gem back together. Normally, Simon, I'm not a killer, so I'm only using as much power as needed to set the record straight.", Pink Steven responded.
"And how do you know that you won't claim me as your second victim?", Simon asked smirkingly.
"I just know. Okay? And if there is going to be a second victim, it would be someone who actually left me no choice and deserved it, but as bad as you are, you're not it. And there's nothing you can say to make me think otherwise.", Pink Steven responded.
"Hmph. I wonder.", Simon smirked.
Meanwhile, Tulip was quite shocked.
"You two were going to do what?!", Tulip exclaimed.
"Grace's plan was for us to dismantle One-One when you were least expecting it so that we can take over the train.", Lena responded.
"Ugh! I can't believe this! I never should've trusted you two!", Tulip shouted angrily with her eyes glowing dark purple in the sclera, only leaving Lena and Damien saddened by her harsh words before Tulip then continued onward after taking a deep breath with her sclera turning back.
"At least, that's what I would say if I didn't figure out Grace's plan.", Tulip spoke calmly.
"Wait. You what?", Lena puzzled.
"But how did you know?", Damien asked.
"I just overheard what Grace was telling Simon earlier. I do have 20/20 hearing now.", Tulip responded.
"Come to think of it, it did make sense about why you had One-One move his deck chair away from that big chunk of debris.", Lena guessed, pointing to the scene just before the chunk of debris landed next to One-One.
"Funny. I never noticed that chunk of debris next to the chair.", Glad One spoke.
"And right now, it's a good thing you did. It wasn't exactly easy setting up that big chunk either.", Damien grinned.
"The only question is, why is it that you chose not to dismantle One-One?", Atticus asked.
"Because he doesn't seem as bad as Grace thought he was.", Lena responded.
"And also because he's the only one who can help us find Amelia and set the Apex straight. We can't do that if he's gone.", Damien responded.
"Plus, I think he's growing on me.", Lena responded.
"Yeah, well, he tends to have that effect on people. I'm just glad to know that I can finally trust you two.", Tulip responded.
Then, suddenly, her hand glowed, catching Tulip's attention just before she looked at her hand and noticed that her number was going down to 500 just before her body started shrinking to the point that she shrunk by two more feet, looking more human-like and now able to wear clothes.
"Whoa. My number changed. Steven's gem. It's actually getting better.", Tulip grinned.
"So, where are M.T. and Steven now?", Atticus asked.
"If I had to guess, I'd say they're currently being restrained by the apex kids near the car's exit door in a bid to wheel them and turn Jesse over to the Apex.", Damien responded.
"If we can hurry back, we can still save them.", Lena assured.
"Thanks.", Tulip grinned.
"You two did the right thing telling us. You certainly are true friends in my eyes.", Atticus grinned.
"Aw. Thanks, your Majesty.", Lena grinned.
"Please. Call me Atticus. That's what my friends call me.", Atticus grinned.
"All right.", Lena understood.
"Oh. And before we go, first things first. If we hurry, do you want some clothes that can fit you at this height?", Damien asked.
"Clothes?", Tulip puzzled.
Later, Tulip was now trying on a similar get-up as M.T., only the short was light green and her pants are dark blue while she wore shoes similar to the ones she wore last time.
"So, why did you stop painting? Don't tell me. Is it because you wanted a fashion break?", Glad One happily asked.
"Well, first off, it's more like for her rather than for us.", Lena responded.
"And as for everything else, we'll explain on the way.", Damien responded before Tulip stepped out, wearing said get-up.
"So, how do I look?", Tulip asked.
"Not a bad look.", Lena grinned.
"Now, you definitely look like M.T.'s sister. And speaking of, we'd better hurry.", Damien urged.
"Right. We're on it.", Tulip assured before she grabbed One-One.
"Hurry for what?", Glad One asked.
"Well, I'll explain on the way, but you probably won't like it.", Tulip responded.
"That sounds ominous. I really don't like it!", Sad One exclaimed a little as Tulip then took off with Atticus, Damien, and, Lena following them.
Meanwhile, at the new car, Grace walked over to Jesse.
"I'm afraid your first raid didn't have any loot. Next time will be better, but that doesn't mean it's a total waste.", Grace spoke as he walked Jesse over to the cubes and then shattered another cube with a kick before the scouts kicked the other cubes, saddening the denizen even more.
"He doesn't seem to like it.", Jesse spoke before Grace turned to face Jesse.
"Nulls can't feel anything. They're not real.", Grace playfully argued.
Then, Jesse hesitantly walked over to one of the cubes, took a deep breath, and then tapped on the cube, giving it a hairline fracture, and raising his number from 16 to 22 before Jesse sadly walked out with Grace following him before they arrived back at the mall car with Simon walking up to the two.
"Empty-handed, but high-spirited?", Simon asked.
"Eh. Could've been worse. Jesse was a natural.", Grace responded.
"Hey. Where're M.T. and the others?", Jesse asked.
Sure enough, as if to answer, Jesse heard grunting before he walked over to the source with Simon trying to stop him.
"Hey.", Simon spoke only for Jesse to brush his arm off and then noticed that while M.T. and Pink Steven were being restrained (with the latter forced to keep his shield up to prevent the other apex kids from attacking him) by half of the apex kids, the other half was trying to saddle Alan Dracula like before.
"Hey, let us go!", M.T. grunted.
"Jesse, don't listen to them!", Pink Steven shouted, struggling to keep the apex kids off him with his shield as they were pushing against it.
"Steven...? M.T...?!", Jesse spoke worriedly.
"I'm so sorry you two had to see this. I tried to take care of it before you came back. She broke Todd's foot.", Simon explained.
"Okay, first off, his name's Todd? And secondly of all, technically, he broke his own foot. He should've known better than to kick against metal, especially someone who is made entirely of it!", Pink Steven argued.
"What are you doing to them?! And for that matter, what have you done with Tulip, Atticus, and One-One?!", Jesse asked angrily.
"Let's just say that One-One had a little accident. As for the others, you don't need to worry about it. When you're part of the Apex, the Apex takes care of you.", Simon spoke as he placed his hand on his shoulder only for Jesse to angrily brush aside the arm off his shoulder.
"Stop it! Tell me exactly what you're doing to my friends! Now!", Jesse demanded.
"They were trying to trick you. So, we're gonna wheel 'em.", Grace responded.
"I...wh...what?!", Jesse exclaimed.
That was the last straw for the usually complacent Jesse.
"What is wrong with you?! Get your hands off them!", Jesse shouted as he walked over to them.
"Jesse, think about what you're doing.", Grace urged only for Jesse to stand up for himself.
"Don't tell me what to do! I'm not going to be a part of anything like this, on or off the train! I'm done with you and anyone else like you.", Jesse responded adamantly before a roar suddenly shook the car, causing the apex to lose their balance, freeing M.T. and Pink Steven before Jesse turned around to notice Tulip, Atticus, One-One, Lena, and Damien.
"Hahaha! Well said, Jesse!", Atticus spoke proudly.
"Did you really think we wouldn't find out?", Sad One added intensely.
"Tulip! One-One! Atticus! You guys are okay.", Jesse grinned.
"Yeah. Thanks to them.", Tulip responded, gesturing to Lena and Damien, who grinned lightly.
"Seriously? We gave you two one job. One! Job!", Simon exclaimed.
"Yeah, well...up yours.", Damien responded, making Simon gasp in shock.
"All right. Horsey ride's over, kid! Get outta here!", Lena urged, scaring the kid away before removing the rope from Alan Dracula's mouth.
"Here. Feel better?", Lena asked.
"I'm sorry I left you guys.", Jesse apologized before Alan Dracula snorted, puffing at Jesse a bit.
"Aw.", Jesse grinned before getting puzzled.
"Uh, Tulip? You suddenly look a bit smaller than last time.", Jesse commented.
"It's my number. It went down to 500. We're halfway done.", Tulip grinned.
"I guess it might have something to do with my self-doubt starting to slip away.", Pink Steven guessed.
"What gave you that idea?", Atticus asked.
"Well, let's just say that Simon had a hand in that, even if he didn't realize that.", Pink Steven responded.
"Huh. I guess he did help with something after all.", Lena grinned.
"But why did you two help us?", Jesse asked.
"Good question. Why did you two help them?", Grace asked glaringly.
"Sorry about this, Grace. Fact is, we don't hate you. We just don't like your methods.", Damien responded.
"Don't you get it? Finding Amelia is the only way to set the Apex straight and make things right. We can't do that if One-One is dismantled into pieces.", Lena added.
"Come on. You can't seriously be buying into his lies, too!", Grace responded.
"Whaa, whaa, whaa!", Lena retorted as she clapped with one hand, making Grace gasp in shock before Simon gasped as well.
"Oh, dang. You just got roasted.", Sad One commented before Grace's glare turned fierce and angry.
"Fine. I tried to do it the easy way, but you made it hard. If you let the nulls take advantage of you, they will.", Grace responded.
"That's just your opinion based on what happened to you, isn't it?", Damien guessed, making Grace gasp for a brief moment before then regaining her composure.
"Heh. Nice guesswork. Anyway, you'll thank me for this later. Hey, Bane! You can come out now!", Grace shouted before Bane then suddenly hopped off the rooftop of a nearby shop with a flip and then landed on the ground, his presence known, sending shock to Tulip and the others as they gasped.
"Well, it's about time. Your timing was flawless as well.", Bane smirked.
"Eh. I try.", Grace responded.
"I thought that entrance was quite dramatic and riveting myself.", Glad One spoke.
"Well, now that I'm here, all I have to do now is signal the agents here and I'll be on my way to collect the bounty.", Bane smirked before Lena only stood in his path with her arms wide.
"Forget it! I don't know who you are, but whatever you're going to do, I won't let you do this!", Lena shouted.
"I already have, soldier girl.", Bane discouraged with a smirk as Grace handed him her handheld mirror before he opened it to show M.T.'s reflection in the mirror, making her gasp before Agent Mace popped out of the mirror.
"How nice to see you again, sliver.", Mace smirked.
"Oh, great, as if we don't have enough problems on our plate!", Pink Steven groaned.
"Time to go, everyone!", Tulip urged before she, M.T., Alan Dracula (who turned into a speeding wheel), Jesse, One-One, Pink Steven, and Atticus took off just as Mace got out before Siev, and Officer Shard got out.
"I don't know where we can hide!", M.T. shouted.
"I got you! We're getting out of here!", Jesse assured, making M.T. smile.
Then, M.T. and the others noticed Jesse's hand glowing.
"Jesse! Your number!", M.T. shouted, puzzling Jesse before he lifted up his hand to notice that his number is dropping down to 0.
Then, Jesse's exit door appeared and then opened, showing a way back home for Jesse.
"Your exit door. It's here.", Pink Steven grinned.
"We're going home. We're free!", Jesse grinned before Shard spoke to them.
"Not if they catch us. Make haste!", Atticus urged before Jesse went through his exit, hoping to bring M.T. with him, only for her to get stuck, unable to step through the exit as Jesse turned back before M.T. tried pressing her foot toward the exit, but failed.
"What?!", M.T. exclaimed.
"Uh, One-One, why can't she step through? Why can't she reach him?", Tulip asked.
"Because she's a denizen. Denizens don't have numbers.", Glad One explained.
"And you can't go home without a number.", Sad One added.
"Seriously?! You didn't even think to tell us?!", Pink Steven exclaimed.
Then, Jesse stepped back and held hands with M.T.
"Jesse?! No. No, no, no!", M.T. spoke frantically as Jesse was slowly getting through his exit only for him to get all the way to the exit.
"No...", M.T. spoke sadly before the exit door closed with the knob turning before it disappeared with the harpoon pack falling into the ground.
"Man...what a bummer...", Sad One commented.
"Uh, you think?!", Pink Steven exclaimed.
Then, M.T. sadly knelt down in disbelief before Tulip placed her hand on M.T.'s shoulder.
"Don't worry, M.T. Knowing Jesse, he'll find a way to get back on the train for you.", Steven assured.
"How do you know that?", M.T. retorted with a sad glare.
"I came back on the train for Steven, didn't I?", Tulip responded with a grin, making M.T. smile as well before Tulip helped M.T. up.
"Uh, guys? I hate to interrupt this touching reunion, but...", Lena spoke up, pointing to the four flecs behind them.
"We still have to deal with those guys first.", Damien added.
"So long, sliver...", Bane smirked.
A/N: Oh, boy. Looks like the flecs finally broke out and resumed their hunt for M.T., but this time, with the two apex passengers going rogue to help Tulip and the others escape. This might be frightening and interesting all at once. So, how do you think the next episode would go differently, judging by the circumstances? I'm certain to be interested. Until next time. :)