August 10, 2017
8:30 PM PDT
Newlyweds Universe
Sarah Brown One sighed, as the train departed for a new world - thirty years into the past. Granted, she hadn't exactly had the easiest life - and the Griff-ruled reality that she came from was, essentially, a real life dystopia. Still, even all those years of living in that dystopian reality hadn't prepared her for dealing with her current situation.
Just when she had thought that her nightmare days were actually over, she ended up being captured by four of the most horrible people in the world - including an alternate version of the man who created the dystopia that she was born into. It felt so awful.
As she looked around, she felt surprised by just what she saw. She saw five girls who looked a lot alike. The one who looked most like her she figured to be her counterpart. Three of the other girls had darker hair and brown eyes, and the remaining one had lighter hair and blue eyes. The Sarahs' hair simply was a shade in-between, and they had green eyes. Still, the resemblances were eerily uncanny.
She then caught sight of her friend, Jennifer McFly - and two other girls who looked just like her. She saw ten girls who looked like teen versions of Marlene McFly, as well as a girl who looked like a teen version of Lorraine Baines. This made her wonder if the Tannens had previously taken a trip back to 1957, or somewhere around there.
She saw five girls who really looked like teen versions of Suzy MacArthur. As she took a closer look, she noticed that one of them had lighter hair. She just wondered if that girl could be Suzy's cousin, Julie.
The rest of the girls that were aboard looked unfamiliar to her. She saw two girls with curly bright blond hair - along with nine girls who rather looked like the lead actress of the 80s' fantasy movie, Labyrinth. She noticed a redhead and a girl with dirty blond hair, neither of whom really bore the slightest bit of familiarity with her.
"So, uh, what exactly is going on here?" Sarah One asked, nervously. "Are all the rest of you from 2017?"
"Most of us are," replied the girl who resembled her friend. "I'm not, though. I'm really from the year 1987. At least, I'm no longer alone. I'm Jennifer Parker, by the way."
"Technically, I also came from the '80s," added the redhead, "but I sure was captured in the year 2017. I'm Lisa Jung, by the way. I'm guessing that you don't know me?"
"No, I can't say that I'm familiar with the name Lisa Jung," replied Sarah One, shaking her head. She glanced at her counterpart and friend, as they also shook their heads. "Well, I can't believe this! You really do look like your granddaughter!"
"Oh, it's really about time I have a descendant who takes after me," replied Jennifer P, sighing. "Well, there is also Melody McFly here - who is my daughter from another world."
"Yeah, I'm Melody," replied the third girl who looked like the Sarahs' friend. "I suppose I don't exist in your reality, right? So far, there don't seem to be other worlds where I exist. That can be so disappointing."
"Oh, I'm afraid not," replied Jennifer M, sighing. "Marty McFly Jr is my dad, and Marty McFly III is my brother. Grandma Jennifer and I have always been very close. I really think it's cool being named after her."
"Well, this is interesting," commented Sarah One, sighing. "Okay, I was able to figure out that there are ten Marlenes on here - and four Suzys. I'm quite guessing that the girl with lighter hair who looks very similar to Suzy is her cousin, Julie? Also, was there a previous trip taken to the 1950s? I'm asking, because I see..."
"You must just be referring to me," asked the girl who resembled a teen Lorraine. "I'm actually another version of Marlene, which makes it a total of eleven of us. I really do have a hard time with the fact that I look so different from the others."
"You're also right about me being Julie," commented the girl who looked like Suzy with lighter hair. "So far, all of my other counterparts appear to have just lucked out. I do envy them, right now."
"So, us, are you also descendants of Dr. Emmett Brown?" asked the girl who looked like a slightly lighter-haired version of the Sarah. "I'm his great-granddaughter, while the three Maria Browns are his daughter. Since you look like us, I just figured that... By the way, I'm Susan Brown"
"We're his granddaughters, in fact," replied Sarah One, swallowing. "Verne Brown is our father, and..."
"Granddaughter?" asked Susan, stunned. "Okay, I quite remember how confused the Marias were by my being his great-granddaughter - even though I'm the same age as them. However, as you're from thirty years in the future... Maria doesn't exist in your world?"
"I'm afraid not," replied Sarah One, stunned. "There was just Jules and Verne. Verne actually moved to the year 2020 from 1910. Jules and my grandparents stayed in the past until the year 1925, when they finally decided to move forward in time to 2045. I'm sure that it was a very major change for them."
"I can imagine that it would be," replied one of the girls with bright blond hair. "By the way, I'm also Doc's granddaughter - but Jules is my father. I'm Harmony Brown, as is the girl here who looks just like me. We're both dating Marty Jr, by the way."
"Harmony," whispered Sarah One, as felt stunned. Her counterpart also looked a little stunned, while Jennifer M actually looked stricken. "Jennifer, are you okay?"
"I rather can't believe this," muttered Jennifer M. "In some other worlds, Dad ends up marrying this... this Harmony person. This is just so hard for me to..."
"I can imagine that it really would be shocking for you," agreed the Harmony who had previously spoken. "I'm sorry to shock you like this, but..."
"As much as we'd hate to shock you even more," commented one of the brunettes, "I am also dating Marty Jr. I'm Stephanie Stebbs, by the way. There are five versions of me - and four versions of my twin, Stacy. In the world that I came from, my twin sure lucked out - as she was living in Elmdale."
"Technically, I guess I'm also dating a version of Marty McFly Jr," added Susan, softly, "even though that isn't his name. His name is Calvin Klein III, but he's simply about the closest equivalent to Marty McFly Jr from our world. I think that's all of us, now."
"I haven't been introduced, yet," protested the girl with dirty blond hair. "My name is Julia Belle Rundgren, or JB. I sort of replace Marlene, in our world. I'm really a cousin to twins Marty McFly Jr and George McFly."
"Twins?" asked Sarah One, shocked. "I guess Sarah Two here is sort of my twin, but this is so... This is interesting, I guess."
"In some other worlds, he actually has a look-alike cousin," added one of the brunette girls. "I'm Stacy Stebbs, by the way. Three of us, me included, are really dating Marty Jr's look-alike cousin. Alex is his name. The fourth one is dating George, who is..."
"Marty Jr has look-alike cousins in our world, too," added Julie. "Although, they might be more like brothers. I'm dating Emmett David Brown, while Maria is dating George Emmett McFly. Doc has adopted that Marty who grew up in the Biff-ruled reality."
"What?" gasped Sarah One, as she could hardly believe what she heard. "I mean, we were told about the... Well, our situation is very similar. I came from a world where Griff became rich and powerful. Fortunately, I managed to escape - but that's how I ended up with this counterpart here."
"Did I hear this correctly?" asked one of the three Tannens, snickering. "I guess great minds do think alike. First, my gramps - and, now, me. This is totally awesome!"
"Totally awful, you mean," grumbled Sarah Two.
"Nope, I meant 'awesome', my sweet princess," snickered the Tannen who Sarah Two figured to be Griff. "Well, I'll let you get back to your jolly little conversation."
"Just who are all the Tannens, by the way?" whispered Sarah One, stunned. "Are the other two really Cliff and Griff? Also, I can't believe that Laura McFly would..."
"Amy Needles," corrected Jennifer M. "That's Laura's aunt. I remember Mom and Aunt Marlene telling me how dreadful Amy used to be, when she was younger. She has real bad teeth, as well. That's one way we can tell her from Laura, anyway."
"I guess we should be very relieved that Laura didn't turn on us, at least," Sarah One replied, sighing. "So, anyway, some of you are from the Biff-ruled world?"
"Well, we weren't," replied Julie, "but a version of Marty McFly Sr, a version of Doc Brown, a version of Jennifer Parker, and Ann Parker all came from that world. Ann is Jennifer's twin sister, and she existed exclusively in the Biff-rule world."
"There's also a third Marty McFly Sr," added one of the Marias. "He's just the one who from the originating timeline, where his parents were far less successful and far less happy. He ended up marrying Ann - and, together, they had George Emmett McFly."
"Whoa, this is heavy!" gasped Sarah One. "This makes me wonder what will happen, when my counterpart and I marry the Marty IIIs."
"We came from a world very similar to that," added Lisa. "A version of Marty McFly Sr, a version of Doc Brown, and a version of Sabrina Palmer escaped from the Biff-ruled world. As the Jennifer of that world wasn't quite involved - the Marty Sr of that world ended up marrying Jennifer's cousin, Sarah Parker. They had two sons, named Mike and Alex. I'm dating Mike, by the way."
"I'm sure not aware of the elder Jennifer having a cousin named Sarah," replied Sarah One, stunned, "but, then again, I guess yours is really a different world. Well, even if the circumstances may be less than desirable, I guess it's interesting to..."
"Also, who is Sabrina Palmer?" asked Sarah Two, confused. "I really can't say that I'm too familiar with the name."
"Sabrina is a..." one of the Marlenes started to say. "Well, she's a friend of our. She's been a good friend of Doc's since the year 1965."
"Well, that's different from our world," replied Sarah Two. "While Doc has had various friendly acquaintances prior to meeting Marty, he hasn't actually had a close friend. I wonder if Sabrina even exists in our world."
"It's possible that she doesn't," suggested Sarah One, swallowing. "So, I guess we're in the year 2017? It's a weird feeling, being in the past."
"I really see that you girls are sort of starting to like this," snickered Griff Tannen, as he made his way towards the back. "We do have a few powdered doughnuts left. If you girls behave yourselves, you can have some. You'll have to kiss me, though."
"What would you like to do, Xiff?" asked Cliff, grinning. "Would you like to stay here, and help Griff guard all the girls - or would you like to join Butch and me in capturing a few more hot chicks?"
"It's kind of a tough decision, Gramps," Xiff replied, grinning back. "One one hand, I'd just love to help Dad in entertaining the chicks. One the other hand, though... Well, I do feel up for a little adventure. I'd like to see what the year 2017 was like. So, with that considered, I think I'll join you and Butch!"
"Oh, goody!" shouted Griff, excitedly. "That means I don't have to share. Thank you for letting me have the hot chicks to myself, Future Son."
"Well, don't get all too excited, Dad," protested Xiff. "It'll only be temporarily, until we find some more girls."
"I guess that's really good enough for me, though," replied Griff, snickering. "I expect that you'll be gone for about a half-hour to about an hour."
"Yeah, something like that," replied Cliff, snickering. "We really would love to give Xiff the grand tour. So far, it doesn't look like this world is too much different from most of the others. This will be such fun!"
Sarah Two simply felt like vomiting, as she watched two of the Tannens and Amy step off the train. She couldn't believe her bad luck. She was at the mercy of a version of the same man who created the hellish world that she grew up in. She began to pray - as she hoped that, just maybe, she and the others would soon be rescued.
oooooooooo
Cliff grinned, as he really felt so excited with the prospect of capturing more girls. He glanced at Amy, who proved herself to be a useful ally - along with his new comrade, Xiff Tannen. He rather wondered how people would react to seeing them together.
"Well, Gramps, this is the year 2017?" asked Xiff, as the trio headed towards the Cafe '80s. "I never realized that time travel could be this much fun. It's rather a shame that we're in another reality, though. Otherwise, I'd really be able to make our family rich."
"We'll have time for that, later," promised Cliff, as the idea quite sounded appealing to him. "First things first, though. First off, let's take a look into the Cafe '80s - and see if any of our girls are inside."
"Ah, yes, the Cafe '80s," replied Xiff, smirking. "I hate to admit it, but things in our era sure have become dull. Of course, the rejuvenation surgery is a major invention - but, other than that... Well, to be honest, I do feel a little ashamed of my generation."
"That rather means you're quite special," replied Cliff, as he grinned at the alternate version of his grandson. He wondered if Xiff would also end up existing in his reality. He loved to think that, one day, he'd also have a grandson in Xiff. "It sure feels nice to know my lineage will carry on. I'd hate to have a wuss for a grandson, after all."
He rather started to think of his previous scorn towards certain members of his future son's generation, and how it really was pathetic that they had such an affinity for the culture of their parents generation. After having seen what he saw of 2046, though - he really couldn't blame Xiff for feeling the way he did. They might be able to fix that.
"Anyway, it's not really your generation," added Amy. "It's mine." She then glanced into the Cafe '80s, before adding, "Well, comrades, I don't quite seem to see any girls in there that... that we're after. Perhaps, we could just show Xiff the mall."
"Oh, I'd simply love that," replied Xiff, eagerly. "Anyway, I don't think our generation is much better. In fact, you'd simply be dismayed by how many of my peers still listen to that Led Zeppelin trash. I mean, c'mon, that band is over seventy years ancient!"
"So, this is what I have to look forward to," grumbled Amy. "Perhaps, I could return to 2047 - and just purchase a book to make myself rich. In fact, I'll even share it with the Griff. Perhaps, he'll then see that I'm simply the better girl for him - instead of Spike."
"Perhaps, we all really could," Cliff replied, grinning. "So far, there was a world where Dad became rich and power - and a world where my son became rich and powerful. It makes me wonder if we'll actually come across a world, yet - where it's my turn to..."
"That's a very good possibility," replied Xiff, as the trio made their way to the mall. "It gives me the warm fuzzies, seeing how some people are dismayed to see two of us."
"As this is an EJ world," pointed out Cliff, "my wussy nephew, Bill, probably also exists here. I imagine people wouldn't expect for my son and nephew to work together."
As the trio neared the mall entrance, Cliff caught a rather familiar sight. He pulled Xiff to the side, so that the good Amy and Eric wouldn't notice them.
"This sure is a nice evening," the good Amy was gushing. "I just picked up some more diffusers from Pier One Imports. Anyway, just as I was getting ready to leave, I saw Marlene McFly and the Stebbs twins enter. They seemed to be in such high spirits."
"Yeah, I heard them mention today also being a big date for them," replied Eric. "I can imagine that the Stebbs twins are especially ecstatic. It's been four years, since..."
"Yes, thank you, wuss me," muttered Butch Amy. "Well, we know where our girls are. I say we get up and at 'em."
"What about Suzy MacArthur, though?" asked Xiff, confused. "Shouldn't we be..."
"This is an EJ world," explained Cliff. "So far, I never found a Suzy MacArthur in these worlds. Of course, it doesn't necessarily mean that she doesn't exist. It means that... Well, it just means that the McFly Junior butthead is extremely fickle! Fickle McFly!"
"At least, this time, we'll actually be able to catch both Stebbs girls," Amy replied, triumphantly. "This simply must be yet another world where the McFly Junior butthead has either a twin brother or a twin cousin. An Alex or a George. I wonder which it is."
"Yes, I wonder," Cliff replied, smirking. "Well, it don't really matter. What's really more important is that... Well, two Stebbs are double the fun and double the pleasure."
"Aw, shucks," muttered Xiff, as he looked disappointed. "I mean, I really was hoping that we might... capture another young Suzy MacArthur. Granted, we already have four - but I... Well, I really wanted to encounter a young Suzy who wasn't yet..."
"It'll happen, soon enough," Cliff assured, smoothly. "Just keep in mind. This isn't the last world that we're visiting. Granted, you're still new - but you still have a very long adventure ahead of you. I'm sure that you will get your opportunity, at least once."
"In that case, I guess that's all right," Xiff replied, as a grin spread across his face. "At least, there's still Marlene. Also, I never was real fussy - when it comes to my babes."
"That's the spirit, Xiffster," replied Amy, as he slapped Xiff's back. "Well, I'm glad that you decided to join us. Y'know what they say: the more the merrier."
"To be honest, it was a tough decision for me to make," admitted Xiff, chuckling. "Who could really resist the opportunity to help Griff entertain twenty-some girls, after all?"
"Math was never my strongest point," replied Cliff, "but I'd say that we currently have closer to thirty girls." Looking up, he added. "Well, here we are: Pier One Imports."
"Yes, it's about party time," Amy replied, snickering. She glanced around the store, as she whispered, "Well, comrades, they're there! The Stebbs girls and Marlene. They're busy looking at scented candles, and they are completely oblivious to our presence."
"Just the way I hoped it would happen," Cliff replied, smirking. "Well, we'll just have to sneak up on them. It's so much more fun to take them by surprise."
"In that case," Xiff replied, chuckling, "it looks like I've just made the right decision. I'm sure that you wouldn't object to a little more... assistance. Oh, I quite love how these girls are blissfully unaware that their beloved plans are just about to change."
"Yeah, I'll bet they're just greatly anticipating their big date," replied Cliff. "The Stebbs girls, I mean. All primed up to spend a lovely romantic evening with Marty Jr and Alex. Or is it Marty Jr and George?" Chuckling, he added, "Or does it really even matter?"
"No, it doesn't matter," replied Amy, grinning. "I'll just bet that the McFly twin is every bit of a butthead as McFly Junior, especially if he also looks like McFly Junior."
"Yes, Butch, you're totally right," agreed Cliff, as he started to lick his lips. As the trio slowly crept up towards the girls, Cliff felt himself growing giddy with excitement.
oooooooooo
"I really love shopping at Pier One!" gushed Stacy Stebbs, as she picked up a scented candle. "I mean, the aroma here is so heavenly - and..."
"I see just what you mean, Stace," replied Stacy's twin sister, Stephanie. "Well, it's so hard to believe that it's been four years, now. It almost seems like yesterday, when I first met Marty. There's definitely no question about it, Marty is my soul mate!"
"I'm certainly quite happy for you girls," commented Marlene McFly, smiling. "I used to not understand how you guys could... Well, of course, that was before Mike Hartford entered my life. It's so hard to believe that we've been dating for over a year, now."
"It sure is strange to think of how fast time flies," agreed Stacy, dreamily. In fact, she really did recall how Marlene used to "play the field" - as far as dating went. "Well, the boys are all at the food court. We were gonna meet them there, after we..."
"Asian Spice has simply got to be about the best scent," replied Stephanie, softly. "Of course, I really enjoy just about all of the scents that they have. This place is just..."
"I really like the Downpour scent, as well," commented Stacy. "I might pick up a little of both. Anyway, Todd Brown sure is a cutie. His mother really agreed to be out for the whole night, so we'll have the whole place to ourselves. That'll be awesome."
"I agree," replied Marlene. "Well, Mike and I also plan to make this a special night. This is just gonna be so... On a side note, I've quite been listening to a lot of Led Zeppelin. I had nearly forgotten about how... I'm sure beginning to remember why I loved them so much. After all, I really do think Stairway to Heaven is a very gorgeous song!"
"Actually, to be honest, I was never all too fond of Stairway to Heaven," commented Stephanie. "Personally, I think Led Zeppelin's most beautiful song just has to be Over the Hills and Far Away. I know Marty usually cries, whenever he hears that song."
"So does Dad, sometimes," Marlene replied, nodding. "I don't cry, but I also think it's a lovely song. It might actually be my second favourite song, after Stairway to Heaven. Another song I love is Ten Years Gone. Lately, that song seems to resonate with me."
"That's a good song, too," agreed Stacy, smiling. "Even thinking of the song's title can really make you feel nostalgic. Ten years ago, Steph and I were nine years old - and I think it's fascinating just how much... Sometimes, in fact, I really do miss being a kid."
"Yeah, tell me about it," Marlene replied, with a wistful sigh. "I feel bad, now - when I recall how I used to be in a hurry to grow up. In fact, I really used to be critical of my brother for... Well, for rather wanting to just maintain the carefree stance of being a child. He never cared about what was 'in', or avoided doing things that might be..."
"Aw, Marly, don't be so hard on yourself," protested Stephanie, as she gave Marlene a friendly shove. "We all simply have regrets in life, after all. Even if Doc does have a time machine, I think it's best to just live in the present - and not fret over the past."
"My sister's right, Marly," agreed Stacy, nodding. "Now, don't get me wrong. I think it sure can be nice to reminisce over the past, and look back very fondly all on the good times that we've had. Also, it's rather important to learn from all of our mistakes. Still, it's not very healthy to dwell on... all the things that we shouldn't've done. It just..."
"Well, you girls are right," Marlene replied, smiling. "It's so very hard for me to believe that I'm almost twenty, though. I'm not gonna be a teenager, for much longer. It just scares me, a little - thinking of how... Sometimes, being an adult can be so stressful."
"I understand just what you mean," agreed Stacy, nodding. "Even if we might still live at home, it's... It quite scares me to think of how cynical so many people can be - and don't even get me started on politics. Just stay the hell away from political websites!"
"I don't even touch politics, if I can help it," Marlene agreed, shuddering. "That can be such nasty business, and it... On the plus side, though... Well, as adults, we really do have more freedom to... Well, to do whatever we want. Within reason, of course."
"Well, that part is true," Stacy agreed, softly. "After all, we can stay up as late as we want - and we can simply eat whatever we want, as well. Although, for as long as we live at home... Our parents have never quite been overly strict with us, but there are still rules that we have to follow - and, also, they just don't like us to sleep in all day."
"Speaking of sleeping in," Marlene commented, laughing, "I can still remember how I'd sleep in until about noon, while my brother would be up at about the crack of dawn. I just... It was so weird, as my brother isn't even quite ten months younger than me."
"Now your brother sleeps in, as well," Stephanie replied, softly. "It's so funny to think of how... Of course, high school is quite a lot different from primary school. You have a lot more homework to take home - and, in addition, there's the peer pressure to..."
"You also don't have any recesses," pointed out Stacy. With that, she thought fondly to how much she rather enjoyed swinging on the carousel horses. She figured that, if she quite had an opportunity to change one thing about the educational system, high school students would also have recesses. "I mean, study hall is not the same as..."
"That's quite a good point, Stacy," agreed Marlene. As she glanced at her watch, she added, "At any rate, girls, I do think it's about time that we check out. We don't want to keep the boys waiting. I'm sure they're quite enjoying their cheese sticks, but it's a bit... In fact, I also have a real craving for cheese sticks. Of course, Lila would be..."
"Lila really takes her diet quite seriously, doesn't she?" asked Stephanie, as the three girls burst out laughing. "It's nice to see that you've been loosening up. Lila really is a nice girl, too - but... Well, she actually can be a little too critical of our eating habits."
"Yeah, in that respect, she rather can be too uptight," agreed Marlene, nodding. Just then, her eyes grew wide - as she gasped, "Holy shit! Girls! We really have to get out of this place! C'mon, you two! Hurry! Hurry!"
As Stacy glanced behind her, she saw why Marlene was very panicky. To her dismay, she saw two Tannens - followed by a brunette who actually looked a lot like Amy Needles. When the hell did Bill and Griff Tannen ever get along? This is so scary!
"Yikes, you're right!" shrieked Stephanie, as she grabbed at Stacy's arm. Stacy's heart was pounding, as she couldn't get over the unusual turn of events. "I guess we simply have no choice but to... But, gee, I really was hoping to use that Asian Spice for..."
"Well, you want Asian Spice?" smirked one of the Tannens, as he and his two lackeys quickly made their way to the girls. Reaching for a fragrance can, he simply began to spray the fragrance into Stephanie's face. He bellowed, "I'll give you Asian Spice!"
"You leave my sister the hell alone!" shouted Stacy, as she simply attempted to knock the can out of the Tannen's hands. However, the other Tannen really grabbed at her wrists. "Just what the bloody hell is happening here? Bill Tannen, how could you..."
"You think one of us is Bill, eh?" smirked the Tannen that was holding Stacy's wrists. "I hate to break it to you, girly - but you're not very bright. Haven't you figured it out?"
"Figured what out?" snapped Stacy, as she glanced over at Marlene. As the girl who resembled Amy placed a cloth in front of her face, Marlene passed out. "You horrible bastards! Why the hell do you feel the need to... Can't you just leave us alone?"
"Well, sure, we could leave you alone," snickered the Tannen with the fragrance spray, "but just what would be the fun in that, eh?" Stacy watched, as her sister also passed out. "What do you know? Two down, one to go. Good night, Miss Stebbs."
Tears filled Stacy's eyes, as he hoped desperately that Bill hadn't turned on them. He was always the nice Tannen, and he always really disapproved of his cousin's tactics. Bill didn't actually turn on them, did he? Still, what other explanation could there be?
Before she could react, the Amy look-alike threw the cloth in front of her face. As she struggled not to pass out, she started to think about Todd - and she simply wondered if he and his friends were growing a little impatient. She really was starting to lose the battle - as, before she knew it, she felt her consciousness slipping away from her.
oooooooooo
"Wow, I can hardly believe this," groaned Marty McFly III One, as he glanced outside the bus. "Just when I thought that our nightmare days were over, this..." Tears filled his eyes, as he added, "Oh, I feel so bad. I bet the girls must be feeling so terrified."
"I rather understand what you mean, bro," agreed Marty III Two, sympathetically. "I mean, I can't even quite begin to imagine what your life was like - when you had Griff as your stepfather. Still, I imagine that your life wasn't... exactly a bowl of cherries."
"At any rate," Marty III One replied, sighing, "it quite feels incredibly odd to think of how we're rather surrounded by all these teenage versions of our father, as well as even a teenage version of our grandfather." Beginning to cry, he added, "It's really so painful, thinking of how my father... My father is dead, and these guys all..."
"Well, son, I'm here," commented Marty Jr Thirteen, softly - as he placed a comforting arm around Marty III One. As the latter couldn't stop crying, though - he added, "I do see what you mean, though. Even I'm not exactly the man who... brought you life."
"This sure just creeps me out," groaned one of the teenage Marty Jrs. Marty III One lifted his tear-stained face, and he saw that it was Marty Jr Twelve who had spoken. "Granted, I had come from a reality where I was nearly sentenced to fifteen years in prison - but the idea of me... I can't believe that a version of me was... murdered?"
"I'm afraid so, Younger Me Twelve," replied Marty Jr Thirteen, sighing. "The Marty III that's crying came from a world where I was brutally killed by Griff Tannen. This quite makes me feel... Well, I do understand how you... and, likely, all the others... feel."
"I'm not really a version of Marty Jr," commented Alex J, in a near whisper, "but this is real troubling to me, as well. I just can't imagine what I would do, if my beloved cousin was to... meet such a fate. I guess this just goes to show the many possibilities of..."
"This sure is quite similar to our world," added Alex P, sighing. "My father came from a reality where Biff Tannen was very rich and powerful, and I can imagine that it wasn't a lot of fun. Dad has told us about all the abuse that he has endured at the hands..."
"... of Biff Tannen," finished Emmett D, softly. "I came from a world like that, as well. Worlds Six and Seven, by the way. I can really imagine that, with Griff being rich and powerful... Well, I'm sure that your experience was real similar. The major difference is that... Well, the fact that the reality occurred further into the future. Still, it's a..."
"I've experienced a little of that world myself, actually," explained Alternate Marty Sr Thirteen. "When Griff seemed to become incredibly rich overnight... Well, it was such deja vu for me. I sure even found that I was starting to take on the role of Doc, who had never returned from the past. Hell, I even ended up being committed - just..."
"Whoa, this is quite heavy," breathed Mike M. "I guess, sometimes, history really does repeat itself. I hope that this doesn't happen in our reality. That's be rather awful!"
"I sure hope not, either," replied Local Marty Sr Thirteen, "for your sake. What's even more heavy, though, is this fact that... Well, according to Jules and Verne, there was even a reality where Buford Tannen became rich and powerful - and that was also..."
"That really is heavy!" gasped Teen Marty. "I mean, even without all the wealth, Buford was a very dangerous man. I simply can't even began to fathom such a world. Well, at any rate, who did he end up forcing into marrying her: Maggie... or Clara?"
"It was Clara," replied Local Marty Sr Thirteen. "He ended up just killing Doc - which, I suppose, isn't real surprising. I feel rather bad for the alternate versions of Jules and Verne from that world. Is there a chance that we might just end up... in that world?"
"Not unless Cliff really gets the urge to travel back to the early 20th Century," replied Doc Three. "According to my theory, that world might rather destruct by... whenever it was that Buford just decided to travel back in time... in order to make himself rich."
"This sure is all interesting," commented Doc '87, sighing. "Well, are any of you feeling hungry? All we really have for right now are rice crispy squares. We had some stuffed shells and garlic bread - but we ran out, a couple trips ago. Perhaps, as we meet..."
"That's okay," replied Marty III One, as he wiped the tears from his eyes. "I'm not too hungry right now, anyway. I'm just concerned about the girls, and... I sure hope that Xiff... and the others... don't end up hurting them. My Sarah simply hasn't had a very easy life. Mine wasn't that easy, either - but she had to fend for herself, for a few..."
"Yes, I understand," replied Alternate Marty Sr Thirteen, softly. "Well, I see two other man who are... the same age as my counterpart and me. According to the name tags, they read 'Calvin Klein Sr'. Would they, by any chance, happen to also be versions..."
"We are you, in fact," replied Calvin Klein Sr Nine, quietly. "In Worlds Eight and Nine, I really ended up being stuck in 1955 - and, by the time 1985 rolled around, I was thirty years older. The circumstances of us being stuck in 1955 were a bit different, but..."
"We actually don't have time to get to get into that, right now," pointed out Doc One, grimly. "We're almost at the Courthouse Square. If we get quite lucky, we might even be able to find the girls - before the Tannens find them. At least, we can hope..."
"Fat chance of that happening," grumbled George A. "At this rate, it looks like we'll be at this for... Well, I really hate to be pessimistic - but I find myself starting to be..."
"I rather do understand how you're feeling," replied George E, sympathetically. "Even though we came close, a few time. Goodness, I hope that the Tannens were bluffing! That really would be awful, if they... Well, I think I could go for a rice crispy square."
"I guess I'll have one, as well," replied Marty III One, sighing. "I'm still not feeling too hungry, but I guess... Well, on the positive side, there just are more of us. Still, with Xiff having joined them... Man, it's hard to believe that we're back in 2017. This..."
"I'm rather not sure how similar your 2047 is to ours," commented Marty Jr Four, "but I've visited the 2046 of our world, and... Well, from what I just could tell, the classics were back in. The '60s, the '70s, the '80s, and the '90s - most particularly. It just..."
"Is Led Zeppelin still played on any of the radio stations in 2046?" asked Teen Marty, concerned. "For that matter, what about Huey Lewis and The News? I'd hate to..."
"Believe it or not," replied Marty III Two, softly, "Led Zeppelin sure is still quite a much appreciated band in our time. After all, they are rock legends. I'm not quite sure if the same is necessarily true of Huey Lewis and The News, but... Well, there really are still some radio stations that play their music. In fact, you're also still quite popular."
"Well, that is quite good to hear," replied Teen Marty. "Even though I don't come from the same kind of world as you ... Well, it quite provides one bright spot in this moment of darkness. Of course, if Jennifer and I never make it back home..."
"... it would endanger my existence," finished Marty Jr One, softly. "Also, Marlene. As well as the older versions of you and Mom. Gee, Young Dad, did you really have to..."
"I'm sorry, Future Son," replied Teen Marty, softly. "I didn't mean to be so insensitive. I guess I was just a little..."
"That's okay, Young Dad," replied Marty Jr One, as he placed his arm around the teen version of his father. "I guess we're all starting to feel a little on edge."
"I'm gonna start landing," announced Doc One. "I see Marty Jr and Mike Hartford just stepping outside the mall, along with a boy who I'm unfamiliar with. I'm really not sure if he's privy to you-know-what - but, considering the circumstances, it's not the..."
Marty III One swallowed, as he looked outside the bus window. He saw, yet, another youthful and vibrant version of his father - along with a boy who he really didn't know from his world, but had numerous counterparts on the bus. He felt a little nervous.
oooooooooo
"These are very delicious mozzarella cheese sticks," commented Marty McFly Jr - as he glanced up at his friends, Todd Brown and Mike Hartford. "Well, I wonder just how the girls are doing. It's hard to believe that four years have since, since the day I first..."
"I know what you mean, Marty," agreed Todd, nodding. "I think it was so nice of you, in fact, to hook me up with Stacy. Even to this day, I feel rather amazed by... by just how well we hit it off. Anyway, I'm looking forward to spending the night with her."
"I'm definitely happy for you guys," gushed Mike. "Marly and I haven't been dating for as long, but... Well, it's been a little over a year - since the day we first met. It's quite hard to believe that... Man, just where has all the time gone? Even with the possibility of time travel, you can't exactly... Of course, I know all about the risks that can..."
"I still can't believe that you actually spent a week inside your father's body, Marty," commented Todd, in a near whisper. "I mean, I've always rather enjoyed much stuff from the 1980s - but I can't imagine... sharing a body with your father? That just..."
"Yeah, that really was more than a little tough," agreed Marty Jr, nodding. He smiled, as he thought back to that week. It certainly was an adventure to remember. "It was so... It's amazing to think that I inspired my father to... to write that story for 1984."
"Man, I just hate that book!" muttered Mike. "I mean, George Orwell's book. I love the story that your father wrote, though. I thought it was so entertaining. I can quite see that he has some of your grandpa's writing ability. It'd just be way scary, though - if a world like that really did exist, somewhere. Honestly, that book gives me nightmares."
"Yeah, Orwell's book does paint a real depressing world," agreed Todd. "It also makes you really think, though. At any rate, it's just rather hard for me to believe that my... that my mother and I were actually... born in the same year. It's just seems surreal."
"I know what you mean, Todd," replied Marty Jr, as he flashed a lopsided smile. "I can still remember how... I still simply can't get over how Haven Brown and Tori Haven are the... the same person. Yeah, I guess that's just a weird phenomenon of time travel."
"It's strange that I used to be playmates with my mother," Todd replied, laughing. "Of course, I sure had no idea that she was my mother. I just figured it was a coincidence that Tori's last name happened to be the same as my mother's first name. It's simply a weird... Well, I must have about the oddest family tree - when you factor in how..."
"Well, it can't quite beat that of Jules and Verne," pointed out Marty Jr, as he thought of the family's scientist friend. "I mean, Doc met Clara back in the Old West - and then they... I wonder how tough it was for Clara to adjust to the... to the 20th Century."
"I really wonder how hard it was for my mother to... adjust to the 1980s," commented Todd. "In a way, though... Well, I kind of can't help but envy her. Well, it was cool for Dr. Emmett Brown to adopt my mother. It really makes me feel a little special, as well."
"That does sound rather fascinating," agreed Mike, laughing. He glanced at his watch, as he added, "The girls sure should be here, very soon. Say, I think I'm gonna order a bunch of mozzarella cheese sticks. That way, I can just enjoy them at home. After all, this place can be... too noisy. Why don't the two of you stay here? I'll be right back."
"Sounds good, Mike," replied Marty Jr. Turning to Todd, he added, "There's really one convenience to this era: thermo-boxes. I mean, I sure also love riding my hoverboard - and you know how much I love that acid cap. Still, the music of this era can be a..."
"I think rock and roll is starting to make a real turnaround, though," pointed out Todd. "Well, I also enjoy the internet - even though I can't get over how nasty some people are, once they get behind that monitor. It sure make you wonder what they're like, in real life. I mean, it's sure as if all the stuff about 'treating others the way you want to be treated' just goes... right out the window. I've seen some real brutal flame wars."
"Yeah, Todd, I sure know what you mean," agreed Marty Jr. "I mean, I try to behave the same online - as I do, when I'm not online. Cellphones are also real nice, and they can come in real handy. Although, sometimes, they can also just be a real nuisance."
"I'm back," announced Mike, as he returned to the table. "Well, I was just thinking we should take a little walk. I'm really wondering if the girls lost track of time, or if they... Well, I really hope that they're okay. Perhaps, a little bit of patience is all we need."
"I think I could stand to go for a little walk, as well," agreed Marty Jr, as he stood up. "We shouldn't go too far from here, though - in case the girls should show up. I really am looking forward to our evening. The Stebbs girls are both very nice people to..."
"I feel up for a walk, as well," added Todd, as he also stood up. "It'd be rather nice to stretch my legs, a bit. Also, I think I might've eaten one too many mozzarella sticks."
"Same with me," agreed Marty Jr, nodding. "Those things are so delicious, though. It's just hard to know when to stop. I mean, the marinara sauce is also real good." Just as the boys stepped into the corridor, Marty Jr noticed a rather terrible sight. "Holy shit!"
Marty Jr was in a state of shock - as he saw his sister, his girlfriend, and his girlfriend's sister being dragged out of the side door by two Tannens and a brunette. It sure was a horrible sight, as he was just unable to fathom the idea that Bill would work with his cousin on kidnapping people - or work together on anything, for that matter.
"Yeah, 'holy shit,' is right," agreed Todd, grimly. "I just don't understand how Bill could really agree to..." He snapped his fingers, as he gasped, "Hey, wait a minute! What if the other Tannen... isn't Bill at all? Some time travel hanky-panky going on, perhaps?"
"Oh, brother, I hope not," grumbled Marty Jr, as the very thought quite filled him with dread. "I mean, if Griff Tannen somehow... quite acquired access to a time machine... Although, the idea that Bill would assist Griff in... Well, is there any other plausible..."
"Oh, that wasn't Bill," Mike pointed out, softly - as he pointed to his right. As Marty Jr turned to where his friend pointed, he saw Bill stepping outside a video store. At that moment, Marty Jr realized that this sure had to be an extraordinary situation. "Under normal circumstances, we'd call the police - but, seeing how this doesn't appear to..."
"I'll call Grandpa," suggested Todd, as he reached for his cellphone. "Let's just get out of the mall, and... Let's go to my grandparents' place." Marty Jr swallowed, as he and Mike followed Todd outside the mall. "Hello, Grandpa? This is Todd calling. I was at the mall with Marty and Mike, and... We saw Griff and another Tannen... Yes, I'm sure."
Marty Jr was distracted from Todd's phone conversation with Doc, as he caught sight of a hover-bus descending in front of the pond. Granted, in 2017, hover-buses really weren't too uncommon. Still, there was just something unusual about the hover-bus.
As the bus door opened, he was shocked to see Doc standing there. As he glanced at Todd, he saw that his friend looked rather stricken - just as the cellphone fell from the latter's hand. He and Mike went to steady Todd, who sure seemed to be on the verge of fainting. Very cautiously, Marty Jr and Mike began to drag Todd to the hover-bus.
"I apologize for the shock," Doc commented, quietly, "but it's simply good that I found you when I did. At any rate, do you guys happen to be... missing any girls?"
"In fact, we are," replied Marty Jr, as he shock very rapidly turned to fury. "We were leaving the food court, as we caught Griff and... Well, we just caught those bastards dragging away... Say, Doc, weren't you just on the phone... with Todd over here?"
"Uh, no," replied Doc, in a near whisper. "In fact, I'm afraid to say that I'm really not the Doc from your reality. Why don't the three of you climb aboard, and then I quite can explain to you more about... I don't blame you for being confused, but it's a..."
Marty Jr simply felt a mixture of rage, shock, and confusion - as he and Mike dragged Todd onto the bus. As he glanced at Mike, he noticed that his friend appeared to feel the same way. Todd, on the other hand, just appeared to be a near-catatonic state.
"Todd, are you feeling okay?" asked Mike, just as he and Marty set their friend down on one of the seats. "Well, Marty, he actually doesn't appear to be responding. As if worrying about the girls really wasn't bad enough. Also, I have my box of mozzerella sticks. I suppose if any of the other occupants here are feeling real hungry, they..."
"In fact, some of us rather are," replied a Doc. As Marty Jr looked up, he saw that the Doc who had spoken was wearing a name tag that read "Doc Thirteen". "We don't just mean to impose but... Well, I know some of the folks on here are feeling real hungry."
"Don't worry about it, uh, Doc Thirteen," replied Mike, even though he did sound just a little begrudging. Marty Jr couldn't blame his friend. "What all is going on, though?"
"Well, I see that I'm surrounded by many versions of myself," replied Marty Jr, just as he looked around, "along with several people who quite look like me - but, apparently, are not me. I see a few versions of you, in fact - as well as a few versions of Dad."
"I sure don't see any other Todds on here, though," Mike replied, quietly. "It looks like there's even a middle-aged version of you on here. I simply just about mistook him for your father. Then I see four even older versions of your father - although, two of..."
"Two of them are Calvin Klein Sr," Marty Jr replied, stunned. "While I've never really seen any photos are the fashion designer, I'm pretty sure that he wouldn't... This is just so... I see a version of Aaron Nelson on here, as well - and two Bill Tannens. At least, they're versions of our friends - but they've never quite learned about the..."
"It's nice not to be mistaken as evil, for once," commented Bill One, dryly. "I guess not all the versions of me sure know about the time machine - but, since Bill Four and I are dating one of Doc's granddaughters... Well, they figured that it was okay for me..."
"Melody and Jamie Brown," whispered Marty Jr, as he caught sight of the two female teenagers. "Not too many females aboard, I guess. Well, I really see a version of my mother on here. I also see that a Susan Brown, a Jessica Brown, a Julia McFly, and a Suzy McFly are... It sure seems very... Well, I don't recognize any of the other four women. This seems to be..."
"What the hell is going on here?" demanded a familiar voice. Marty Jr looked up, as he saw that Todd was finally alert. "One minute, I'm on the phone with Grandpa - and..."
"I'm not sure of how to say this to you, Todd," Marty Jr replied, nervously. "We're on a bus with duplicates of Mike and myself, as well as Dad and Doc. I even just see a... a Marty III. Apparently, he must be a version of my future son. This is so... weird."
"There are two Marty IIIs," corrected Mike. "At any rate, I still simply don't get what's up with all these name tags. I mean, what's with all these numbers? I am confused."
"You guys don't know what's going on here, either?" asked Todd, in a near whisper.
"Well, no, not really," replied Marty Jr, quietly. "Perhaps, one of the other occupants aboard would care to fill us in on what's going on - and how this pertains to the girls."
"I'm a newcomer, myself," explained Doc Thirteen, nervously, "but I'll just do my best to explain. Apparently, Cliff and Griff Tannen - along with Amy Needles - have been capturing girls, as they travel from world to world. From our world, they recruited Xiff Tannen - which now makes the gang a... a quartet. This must be... World Fourteen."
"That's right," replied Doc One. "I'll take it on from here, since I've been on the trip for much longer. It sure started back in 1987, in our world. By the way, Teen Marty is the Marty Sr of that year. Cliff of the year kidnapped Jennifer, and then they went to..."
"Cliff brought the time machine to 2017," continued Doc '87. "It was there that he met up with Griff, and then they went to capture Marlene and Harmony. Harmony is Marty Jr's girlfriend of that world. After I tried to stop them, they then ended up..."
"They then began travelling to different worlds," added Doc Five. "By the way, Three, can you let us know when we're by the McFlys home? Since this is an EJ World..."
"Yes, I know the drill," replied Doc Three, as he sat in the driver's seat. "Continue with your story, please."
"Right," Doc Five replied, very nervously. "Well, by the time Cliff and Griff entered our world, they recruited Amy Needles to join there group."
"Wait a minute!" gasped Marty Jr, as he could hardly believe what he heard. "While I know that Amy's dad used to give my dad a hard time, she's just a perfectly nice girl. Also, what is this about me dating a Harmony? My girlfriend's name is Stephanie."
"Yeah, I really figured that the Amy from your world would be nice," replied Doc Five, quietly. "In our world, unfortunately, she's not. As far as for the 'girlfriend' thing... It kind of is hard to explain. You don't always end up with the same girl, though. It's..."
"We don't have time to get into that, right now," protested Doc Thirteen. "It looks like we're a little too late to save the girls of your world, but..."
"We just caught those bastards dragging the girls out the side door," fumed Marty Jr, as he was suddenly filled with rage. "They were too far ahead for us to, and we quite figured that..." He pounded the back of the seat in front of him, as he shouted, "How can those lo-res bojos do this to us? Those bunch of scuzzballs really know how to..."
"Please, Marty, just try to calm down," urged Todd, as he placed his hands on Marty Jr's shoulders. "I'm just as upset about this as you are, but..."
"You bet your ass I'm upset," fumed Marty Jr, as he still had steam to let loose. "I just would like to... I swear, if I get my hands on those lo-res bastards, I'm just gonna..."
"Todd's right, Marty," agreed Mike, gently. "Just getting yourself worked up like this is not gonna save the girls. It's just gonna... We have to be calm and rational about..."
"I'm sorry, guys," muttered Marty Jr, as he took in a deep breath. "I'm just real pissed off that... Well, this was supposed to be our special night - and..."
"I'm disappointed, too, Marty," Todd replied, softly. "Still, flying into a rage isn't the..."
"Yes, Todd, I know," Marty Jr replied, in a near whisper. "I simply wish we could've..."
"Here they are," called out Doc Three. "Well, I don't see any sign of Marty McFly Sr - but I see myself, a version of Clara, and a blond woman that I don't recognize."
"Well, that is Haven," announced Marty Jr, as he glanced out the bus window. "Haven Brown. She's the girl that you and Clara adopted from the future, and she's also really Todd's mother. Believe it or not, she even used to be the same age as Todd and me."
"That's fascinating," muttered Doc Three, as he opened the door.
"What's all going on here?" asked the local Doc, as he stepped onto the bus. "I was on the phone with Todd. He told me about how he saw the girls being captured, and then we... Well, somehow or another, our connection rather seemed to have gotten lost."
"Goodness gracious!" cried out Clara, as she glanced at all the occupant. "How come I see all these Emmetts? Also, so many Marty Jrs? As well as Marty Srs? This is so..."
"Todd! Todd!" cried out Haven - as she just made her way over to the seat where her son, Marty Jr, and Mike were all sitting. "Tell me, Todd, how are you feeling?"
"Things can be much better, Mom," replied Todd, as his voice sounded quavery. Marty Jr glanced at his friend, and saw that he was crying. "Oh, Mom. Mommy. I'm scared."
"I can understand that, honey," replied Haven, as she placed her arm around Todd's shoulders. "I'm very concerned about the girls, as well. It just seems to be so..."
"Why don't you grab a seat?" suggested Doc Three. "We'll explain more to you about what's going on, after we enter the next world. For now, we don't have..."
"What exactly is going on here?" demanded the local Doc. "I mean, why do I see... so many versions of me? Also, what's with all these numbers after the names?"
"Speaking of which," commented Teen Marty, "I guess it's time to make out some more name tags. All right, here's who of our new occupants are: Marty Jr Fourteen, Mike H Fourteen, Doc Fourteen, Clara, Haven, and Todd. I guess that would be..."
"So, we're really from World Number Fourteen?" asked Marty Jr, as he glanced at Mike H and Todd.
"Yeah, I guess so," Todd replied, shrugging. "Even though, I'm still not sure of what is happening here."
Marty Jr sighed, as he turned back to the front of the bus. He really felt so dazed and confused. What was supposed to be one of the best nights of his life was very quickly turning out to be one of the worst.
"There are many of us others who are married to Clara," explained Doc One, "but you are the first to have actually come aboard. We do have a Haven in our world, but she probably isn't the same as yours. As for Todd, he actually doesn't exist in our world."
"Well, I can hardly believe this," muttered Clara, as she grabbed a seat. "Well, I really would like to come along - as I too am concerned about the girls. I really hope you can tell us more about... If those Tannens do anything to hurt the girls, I'll..."
Suddenly, a loud beep was heard - which nearly jolted Marty Jr out of his seat.
"Great Scott!" gasped Doc One. "The train has left the world. It appears that they've entered another EJ world, so they..."
"A what kind of world?" asked the local Doc, confused.
"I'll explain more of this to you, later," replied Doc One. To Doc Three, he added, "I guess I'll still take control, since the next world is also..."
"Right, of course," replied Doc Three, nodding. "So, anyway, someone had brought food aboard."
"Yeah, that was me," replied Mike, quietly. "I ordered 250 mozzarella cheese sticks to go, and four litres of marinara sauce. I'm more than very happy to share, if you guys are feeling hungry. In situations like this, we..."
"Those sound good," gushed Marty III Two. "Even though I'm feeling sick with worry about the girls, I suppose I could get some food into my system."
"Mike, Todd, and I have already eaten," explained Marty Jr, "so we're not hungry."
"As much as the mozzarella sticks really sound tempting," commented Teen Marty, "I quite think I'll pass. After all, some of us have just had a dinner of stuffed shells - so it's really only fair to let the newcomers eat a little something."
"I can hardly believe this," muttered Marty Jr. "I'm surrounded with many versions of myself, a teen version of my dad, two versions of my future son, and even an adult version of myself. What about all these people who look like me, but are not me?"
"In some worlds, you have a look-alike cousin," added Alex J. "That's where I, along with Alex P and Alex K, come in."
"Don't forget about me," protested Mike M. "In one of the worlds, I'm also Marty Jr's look-alike cousin, as well as Alex P's twin brother."
"In another world, I'm Marty Jr's twin brother," added George A. "I seem to have a lot in common with the Alexes, even though they're..."
"Emmett D Brown and I are also look-alike cousins of Marty Jr," explained George E. "I just... We might be more like brothers, though - considering..."
"We could discuss more of that, a little later," added Calvin III, as he waved his right hand. "Technically, I sure guess I am another version of you - even though my name is different. Although, considering how Marty McFly Sr became Calvin Klein Sr..."
"I'm in a very similar situation," added Marty K Jr. "My name is Marty Klein Jr, and I also... have Calvin Klein for a grandfather."
"Whoa, this is certainly heavy," breathed Marty Jr, as he could hardly believe what he heard. "I mean, even if I'm well-familiar with time travel - the idea of there being other worlds just seem to be so..."
"Everyone," announced Doc One, "brace yourselves for dimensional displacement."
Marty Jr Fourteen swallowed, as he felt nervous about entering a world that wasn't his own. On the other hand, though, he was even more intent on rescuing the girls. He hoped that the chase wouldn't take very long.
As soon as the time bus reached 88 miles per hour, it vanished from the Newlyweds Universe - leaving behind a pair of fire trails in the sky.