"I invite you all to stand with me to bask in the glory of the Spiral and watch all of existence…trembled before us."
Then from the clouds, it emerged.
Almost everyone in the tower and even those watching from far away froze at the mere sight of it as it emerged from the clouds.
First came one head, resembling that of a serpentine like dragon.
Then came a second head.
Then a third but it was not the end.
A fourth appeared.
Followed by a fifth.
Then a sixth.
A seventh.
And finally an eighth head.
Eight heads, resembling the face of a dragon with bone like armor covering their eyes, small beady red glowing eyes and teeth sharper than any spear in existence. Two rows of spines traveled down the necks and each head had a crown of ten horns.
From the back rose a pair of black giant majestic wings while the eight heads snarled, sniffed and gazed around their surroundings.
Then their eyes fell on Van Kleiss' fortress before it.
Immediately one head roared, letting out a high pitched wailing roar and one by one each head followed, roaring so loud that all of Nowhere seemed to shake.
"Let us now begin." Sammael chuckled as he gave the order.
And immediately the Grimm army began to march onto the mountains of Nowhere while the Hydra flew overhead straight for the fortress while everyone inside watched in frozen terror.
Scotty only had one thing to say.
"Well, who's first?" He asked, pulling out his sword.
The battle with Van Kleiss was over.
The battle for the future was about to begin.
Xxx
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Pacifica Cipher laughed maniacally as she smashed the Rift.
Dipper and Mabel both gasped as Stan pulled them back along with his grandchildren but it didn't matter. The rest of the group that had emerged from the train all reacted in their own way.
Double D summoned Armatae's armor.
Scrooge raised his cane.
Tambry stepped back, unable to do anything.
It didn't matter if she tried anyways.
The rift tore open into reality, creating a massive tear in the sky that led into the Nightmare Realm.
And as soon it did, he appeared.
"At last! At long, long last! The gateway between worlds has opened! The event one billion years prophesized has come to pass! The day has come! The world is finally mine!" The shadowed form of Bill Cipher laughed as maniacally as his 'daughter' as he hovered right over all of Gravity Falls.
The townspeople looked on with worried features as the wind blew.
"What's going on?! What is that?!" Dipper exclaimed, trembling in Grunkle Stan's arms.
"We're too late! It's the end of the world." Ford answered with a horrified look on his face.
Bill rose up, cackling maniacally.
"You better believe it." Pacifica said, watching with unending pride from finally seeing her 'father's' plans finally come to fruition before looking at Dipper. "And now I am calling in the debt you owe me, Dipper."
Dipper's eyes widened as his friends and family looked at him.
"What is she talking about, Dipper?" Mabel asked.
"I…I…" Dipper stuttered, unable to explain.
"Oh, don't be so shy." Pacifica leaned forward, her lips curling into a demented grin. "With my dad finally here, how can we not celebrate?"
"HAHAHAHAH! Does anyone hear it?" Bill cackled in the sky. "The sound…of WEDDING BELLS?!"
Xxx
"This is a disaster."
A parallel plan of existence a group of…jade statues were apparently in conference. These statues would emit a green glow as they 'spoke'.
"Sammael and his Fallen army has reached Nowhere Mountains where the Gem of Heart rests, a tear in the fabric of reality has released not only Bill Cipher but Canaletto as well and then there is the matter of the acolytes of GOLB."
"Yes. The fabric of this reality has already been damaged due to the recklessness of that mortal fool that Sammael recruited." This time the statues all glowed at the mention of Sammael's name. "Apparently the dark one has no concern for the balance between worlds."
"That is obvious. If this continues, the walls between worlds will break down and this world will be flooded with beings from across the multi-verse, damaging it beyond our ability to maintain the veil that separates the realms of realms of magic and mortals."
"I would say the realms of magic and mortals have not been separate very lately."
The jade statues were silent as a familiar woman appeared before them.
"Miss Spell."
"Sorceress Supreme."
"The official one anyway."
Miss Spell maintained a stoic look from the derogatory tones of the statues. "Elders of magic, one would believe with great age comes great wisdom. All though, I wonder if senility exists even for immortal beings."
"Do not fence with us, Miss Spell. You who chose to shelter that traitor of Te Xuan Ze."
"She was deceived, manipulated and taken advantage of not just by a Lady of Chaos but how poorly she has been treated in inheriting the family responsibility. A responsibility that was unfairly thrust upon her simply because she was born into a line of magical protectors." Miss Spell retorted. "A responsibility that should have been her father's but for some reason your power skipped that generation. Is it because you wanted to keep Jasmine Lee on as long as possible?"
"Since when you believe you have the right to question us?"
"Since I have taken the responsibility of Sorceress Supreme. The Te Xuan Ze handles threats in the borders between the magical and mortal worlds, I deal with the threats that have already snuck past said borders and made themselves known. Threats you allowed to sneak past and did little about such as Crom Cruach and Bill Cipher." Miss Spell stated and crossed her arms. "And not to mention that Lady of Chaos who was originally a human girl who was forced into that life. Juniper Lee has turned from the path you forced on her but she came through and helped defend the world against the Ice Queen, sacrificing the mortal life she could have had. She needed guidance and when you finally let her out you did a rather poor when you had her running around trying to deal with Cipher and Crom at the same time."
"She agreed to our proposal and broke her side of the deal."
"Because Nyx, the Lady of Chaos showed her she could have a way out. You are so inflexible in this new day and age that you treat children as pawns instead of warriors." Miss Spell narrowed her eyes. "That is why I choose to help teach her instead of punish her. She recognized her mistakes and understands that even if Nyx was trying to help her she still deceived her."
"That is not enough. She should be banished."
"NO!" Miss Spell barked. "I will not advocate banishment of a child, especially on your whims. You cannot command me as you command the Te Xuan Ze so spare me your demands and indignities. I only chose to speak to you out of professional courtesy and to remind you that you lucked out this time since this could have ended as badly as it did with Kai Yee."
"Do not speak that name to us."
"Oh grow up." Miss Spell rolled her eyes. "I think you are all old enough to handle hearing the name of the man who tried to kill you."
"Your disrespect towards us shows why associating with mortals is never a good idea."
"I could say the same for you." Miss Spell turned around but glanced over her shoulder. "Instead of complaining to me about Miss Juniper how about we focus on the current dilemma: fixing the balance of the worlds before it is damaged beyond repair? Have you got a plan if it really gets that bad?"
"The only option would be to have a new Elder take their place with us, increase our powers to manage the veil and repair the damage that Sammael's acolytes have caused."
"A new Elder. Someone having to sacrifice their lives to become a living statue with their powers completely focused on maintaining the balance." Miss Spell looked away. "And this is the only way?"
"Yes."
"But it cannot be a simple magical being. It would need to be someone with immense magical powers."
"Such as a Sorceress Supreme…"
"Or something as powerful as one."
"Don't even think about it!" Miss Spell barked as she spun around. "I will not led you turn Juniper into one of you!"
"Then you would take her place?"
"It has not been decided if that is the only way or not and I will consider all options before making such a decision." Miss Spell stated as she turned around to face the Elders again. "This is not the age where you could freely sacrifice anyone you consider a pawn anymore. We do things differently now."
"To wait may condemn this world and its entire people."
"Then it will be on our terms, not yours or Sammael's." Miss Spell conjured a portal. "I will be watching you all carefully. If you try and create a new Elder out of Juniper, Jasmine or anyone else I will take action."
"Do not threaten us, Miss Spell."
"It is not a threat. It's a promise." Miss Spell entered the portal before a reply could be made.
The portal vanished, leaving the Elders alone in their dimension.
"Mortals."
"So dramatic."
"Do they really have to resort to threats?"
"In any case, we must prepare for the worst and if so prepare a new Elder."
"Do you believe Miss Spell cannot stop us?"
"Stop us? No but delay us at least."
"She knows that the candidates for a new Elder are herself, Jasmine Lee and her granddaughter. She will be watching them."
"Then we will have to wait and see for the time being. If Miss Spell and her mortals fail we will move and take action of our own. For the balance."
"For the balance." All of the Elders spoke as one.
They would do whatever it took to preserve the balance.
Xxx
As the skies above Gravity Falls turned red with a massive tear over the town itself, a similar tear opened up and from it came a scream as something fell out.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" A body tumbled out of it and rolled across the ground. "OOF! AH!"
It came to a stop, revealing a muscular human with long red hair. He groaned as he slowly set up, revealing a rugged face and an eyepatch over one of his eyes.
"Where…Where am I?" He mumbled softly as he looked around with a wary and terrified look in his eye. "Is this…Is this Earth? Am I out of the Puppet Dimension?"
Was he really out of it?
He had been trapped there for so long, slowly driven mad by the puppet inhabitants of that dimension.
But looking around he saw animals scurrying away.
Flesh and blood animals.
Not puppet animals.
"I'm out…I'm out!" His lips opened and curled up into a big smile as he sat up and threw his arms up into the air. "I'M OUT! I'M FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!"
A rumbling cut off his celebration and he looked up to see the massive tear over the nearby town.
"A tear in the sky…" He mumbled as he stood up, stumbling slightly before he managed to straighten himself.
Real feet were different from puppet feet after all.
"Oh yeah, a class Omega threat." He held his cybernetic hand up and a small computer popped open.
On the screen appeared a triangular image with an eye in the center, wearing a bowtie and a top hat.
"Bill Cipher, the number two interdimensional threat to this world right behind GOLB but ahead of Yog." Hoss lowered his hand. "Bad stuff is about to go down."
He had no idea how true that statement was.
Xxx
Callie Briggs saw seated in Mayor Sebben's office, watching the hall monitor that showed the situation in Nowhere.
The army of Grimm had arrived.
Much sooner than initially anticipated.
Briggs tapped a switch on the desk and the lights dimmed while the windows were covered. Once the room was dark enough, holographic images were projected on the chairs in front of the desk.
"Miss Briggs, has it happened?" The projection in the middle, right in front of Callie asked.
"Exactly like Sebben has predicted." Briggs answered stoically. "Sammael has arrived."
"And Sebben?"
"The last report indicated they had neutralized Van Kleiss but his portal machine was destroyed. They are trapped in his fortress with the Grimm surrounding it on all sides." Briggs answered, taking her glasses off to rub them with a cleaning cloth for a second and then put them back on. "You know what the means."
"The Contingency Sebben informed us of." The projection on the right stated. "Perhaps the one chance we have to save this world."
"There has not been a full scale war with the Fallen for a thousand years. Not since the battle in Japan where the Emperor sealed the original Pool of Darkness." The projection on the left pointed out. "Are we truly ready for this now?"
"There is no choice." Callie stood up. "Sammael has been working behind the scenes for a long time now. He set Van Kleiss up for the exact purpose of waging war on us when the time was right. Our best were lured in against Van Kleiss and now they are trapped, weary and tired as an army of Grimm come for them and the Gem of Heart. This is the opening salvo of a new war against the Grimm and their masters."
"Agreed." The middle projection nodded. "Once the Gem of Heart awakens, the rest will follow and will call out others for them. It will begin as the oracle in Sparta predicted…A new Spiral War."
"Then we have to be the ones to get the Gem first." Callie stated. "All in favor of enacting the Contingency…Say 'aye'."
"Aye."
"Aye."
"Aye."
"Then we are agreed." Briggs sat down and sighed. "Prepare your forces."
Xxx
(Last One Alive By Demon Hunter Starts)
(0:00 – 0:23)
A single candle flame was shown in a pitch black background that grew and grew until it exploded, covering the screen. The flames cleared to reveal a red burning land, fire and magma bursting out from the ground endlessly.
(Did anyone survive?)
The fiery land was then engulfed by a bright light that became a gem, being held in the hands of a young woman with long red hair that was waving upwards, as if she were underwater while her eyes closed and her face held a serene expression.
(I swear I heard your voice beyond this side)
From the gem came stars of sparkling light that surrounded her as she fell back. She slowly opened her eyes, watching as the gem floated above her, shining brightly. Then dark hands stretched out to grab it.
(Does anyone still try?)
She closed her eyes as she fell and vanished into the darkness.
(Does anyone still hope to set their eyes beyond this place?)
The darkness was then lit by blasts of fire as she falls back into the fiery land.
(Where angels fall and darkness reigns)
Boris of the Invisible Hand is shown clenching his fists, followed by Jujunga sitting on a boulder playing his instrument, followed by a close of I and Am grinning madly before going to Gentle-Jim standing elegantly and finally settling on Sammael. The camera then pulls back to show the rest of the Invisible Hand, leading an army of Grimm with the Grimm Ghidorah roaring overhead.
(Where time dissolves the brightest flame)
Above, the sky began to crack and below the ground began to crack open, allowing for dark tendrils to rise up.
(Ever the same)
The camera then zooms onto Sammael as he grins.
(Whether I'm the last one alive)
Scotty roars as he slashes through a hoard of Grimm.
(Or ascend before my time)
In the air, the TurboKat is seen blasting through the clouds, dodging winged Grimm and firing its missiles.
(Better I'm the last one alive)
Tanks and soldiers are seen fighting the Grimm, led by various Huntsmen, Huntresses and Heroes with explosions appearing all around them.
(Than a soul denied)
Betty rushes to her husband as he holds out a hand to her…
Only for Betty to be snatched away.
(So this is how we break)
The sky above Gravity Falls cracks open, revealing Bill Cipher in all his demented glory.
(And this is where we find the only hope within this place)
Deep in Van Kleiss' fortress a red orb cracks open and releases a blast of fiery red light.
(Where angels fall and darkness reigns)
Sammael is shown floating in the air, arms crossed as he smiles before the camera moves down and shows Nergal grinning as red glowing tentacles sprout from his back. A fiery figure emerges from the remains of Van Kleiss' tower before shooting up into the sky.
(Where time dissolves the brightest flame)
A black void is shown next, zooming in on GOLB as he turns to face the camera.
(Ever the same)
The camera then zooms in as GOLB open his mouth and seemingly swallows the screen in darkness.
(Whether I'm the last one alive)
Dark clouds seemingly cover every inch of the planet with many people, including Nigel, Abby, Kuki, Danielle and the Peach Creek kids staring up with worried faces.
(Or ascend before my time)
Betty is then shown embedded in a red wall, slowing being absorbed into it.
Better I'm the last one alive
Marceline runs at her with tearful face and an outstretched hand.
Than a soul denied
The red haired woman is shown again, holding out a gem that takes the form of a heart that engulfs the screen in a bright light, fading away a second later to show the title:
GRIMMFALL
APOCALYPSE ARC
"Well folks, we're back but don't turn in and call it a night yet. We've got a special treat lined up for you all." TOM said, watching as the new opening ended. "A double episode covering what happened on the Infinity Train. That's right, two arcs, double the fun. So sit back, have your popcorn and drinks and enjoy the show."
Infinity Train
"Lost them and my money." Eddy grumbled as he kicked a can down an empty alley. "What does a guy have to do to keep his money?"
He looked at his hand, stretching it out for a moment before turning it back to normal.
"What is wrong with me?! I never asked for this!" Eddy shouted. "Why can't this all just go away?!"
He ran out of the alley, down the road, coming up on a train track. He only stopped because he heard a train coming. He watched as the train sped down the tracks, curiously stopping and a green light shine through its windows. The door on the car in front of Eddy opened and the sign above it said 'Peach Creek'.
Eddy just stared for a moment before shrugging. "Fine, I'm going home. About time if you ask me."
He stepped onto the train and there was a flash of green light, followed by a surprised scream from right behind him.
Xxx
Mabel ran into the woods crying; sat under a tree, and dug through the backpack. "Only party chocolate can cheer me up now."
Only when she went through her backpack she held up a notebook instead. "Nerd books?"
Next were pens. "Chewed up pens? Ugh, wrong backpack. Not fair. I just wish summer could last forever."
Mabel pulled her sweater over herself, trying to find some form of comfort.
That was when she heard the sound of a train. Looking up she saw a pair of doors open up, inviting her inside.
"You coming?"
"AH!" Mabel jumped at seeing a pale skinned boy with red hair standing near her. "Where did you come from?!"
"My name is Jack Spicer. You want to board the train." The boy stoically pointed at the doors. "Board the train and summer will never end for you."
Mabel looked at the doors, feeling a gentle light shine over her.
It was so warm; she could not help but approach the doors, followed closely by the boy named Jack. She hesitated for a second, thinking of Dipper but brushed it aside. If Dipper wasn't going to be part of her life anymore, she might as well learn to go on adventures without him.
With that, she stepped onto the train with Jack and the doors closed behind them.
The doors then vanished completely.
Xxx
"I can't believe this."
Ford was pacing back and forth in the kitchen of the Mystery Shack while Double D and Dipper were sitting at the table.
"My old Armatae armor, the armor I decommissioned is attached to you." Ford said, looking at Double D with wonder, fear and apprehension.
Dipper looked at Double D with a confused face. "Why didn't you tell us Grunkle Ford was the one who made the armor?"
"It wasn't relevant plus Armatae asked me to keep his origin a secret." Double D answered, sipping from a glass of water.
"I decommissioned that armor because it was too dangerous. I had realized I had created a weapon that had the potential to be as dangerous to the world as Bill." Ford shook his head. "You have to relinquish that armor, immediately."
"That, I cannot do." Double D replied.
"Listen, you don't understand the danger Armatae represents." Ford tried to convince the young boy.
"I am well aware of the power and weaponry you gave Armatae just as I am aware that you attempted to decommission Armatae because you realized how sentient he was becoming." Double D retorted, placing the glass on the table. "You created Armatae using a special type of ore along technology from the alien space ship that crashed near here. You thought he could make you powerful enough to take on Bill but you saw that he was becoming sentient and intelligent and you were afraid of him along with being paranoid."
"I beg your-"
"Armatae recognized you were becoming paranoid from your work on the portal and after you learned what Bill's real plan was." Double D cut him off. "He took measures to keep you from disassembling him and finish constructing himself on his own through those robots you made to help maintain your laboratories."
"Really?" Ford was stunned to hear that.
"Yes. Armatae computed your paranoia at the time would cause more harm than good in the mission to stop Bill so he protected himself." Double D continued.
"Excuse me?" Ford narrowed his eyes.
"So how did you two meet then?" Dipper asked.
"Armatae was monitoring the portal machine and Bill's movements since he managed to complete his own construction. He was ready but he needed someone to act as his core unit." Double D answered.
"Yes, I made sure Armatae would need a human body as a host to be physically and mentally dependent on the host to keep it in check." Ford cut in, recalling his work on the armor. "But the armor caused an enormous amount of stress on the body, that's why I couldn't finish it."
"True but Armatae worked on correcting those flaws." Double D replied.
"How?"
"Through the Sky-Web." Double D saw that both Dipper and Ford were confused. "The Mystery Shack has both wireless and an old phone connection to the Sky-Web so Armatae had unlimited access worldwide network for the last thirty years and he kept up to date on all world events, including the progress in technology and since he was already an advanced AI based program because of the alien technology you incorporated into him he was able to learn and evolve. He learned all he needed to complete the work you started and even shipped what he needed up here to help finish and upgrade himself after you disappeared."
"And Stanley never bothered to check where they might have come from?" Ford asked, his jaw slightly hanging down.
"Well technically, they were shipped in your name so Stanley just thought you ordered them and put them down in the lab." Double D clarified.
"Ah." That made a bit more sense but Ford was still not convinced. "Still-"
"I am not giving Armatae to you." Double D stated firmly. "He was created to stop Bill Cipher and I will ensure he fulfills that purpose."
"Listen you-"
"Enough!" The three turned around to see Stan marching into the kitchen. "I don't care what your problem is with each other. The real problem is finding Mabel!"
"Armatae, perhaps you can lend some assistance." Double D placed a hand over his chest.
Ford along with Dipper and Stan watched as Armatae activated, covering Double D in its armor form. "I believe I have a theory."
"Armatae…" Ford stepped back with wide eyes. "You really did come back."
"Hello, Creator Ford. I see Stan Pines was successful in returning you to Earth. I admit, I calculated his odds of succeeding to be rather low." Armatae chose to speak while Double D remained silent.
"How could you have become this?" Ford asked, trying to understand how he couldn't have predicted this.
"The ore you used to create me was embedded with a form of energy that is essential to all forms of life. My life was guided by the AI programming you installed in me when you began my creation. I was able to essentially recognize and understand my purpose as well as understand your deteriorating mental capacity at the time we last spoke."
"Excuse me?" Ford questioned.
"You had become increasingly paranoid of the threat Bill Cipher represented. That is why you created me. However you had performed several questionable decisions that led me to calculate that you were becoming detrimental to the safety of Earth rather than protecting it."
Ford narrowed his eyes. "Explain."
"First was that you did not disassemble the portal generator immediately upon learning Bill Cipher's true motives. The second was you did not destroy your journals that contained the portal generator's schematics."
"The journals contained years of research I had made." Ford protested.
"Irrelevant compared to the threat of Cipher arriving in this world. You also asked Stan Pines here, only with the intention of sending him to bury the book on continent on the other side of the world. Your other lapses of paranoia suggest that you could no longer be trustworthy. Such was the decision to ensure I was not scrapped in order to continue my mission." Armatae explained. "You even proved my decision wise when you attempted to stop Stan Pines from burning the journal gave him, despite the fact that you had given it to him and thus was his to do with as he pleased."
"He's got a point, Ford." Stan couldn't help but say. "Still, how can you help us find Mabel?"
"As I have been programmed to ensure Bill Cipher arrives on Earth, I was programmed to seek out any dimensional anomalies that would likely be a sign of his arrival. I detected a possible dimensional occurrence just before we landed back in the forest. It suggests that Mabel Pines may have seen a dimensional tear but it does not match that of the portal generator or the rift you have been protecting."
"So what was it?" Dipper anxiously asked.
"I suspect it was the Infinity Train."
Ford gasped while Stan and Dipper looked confused. "The what?"
"The Infinity Train…I've never been on it but I've heard of it. A train that exists in a pocket dimension, possessing an endless number of cars that are said to contain a whole world inside." Ford explained numbly. "It appears to people who are greatly troubled and tries to help them…That's at least what those who came back have said."
"Came back?" Dipper looked to Ford. "What does that mean?"
"The train keeps its passengers until they work through their problems. That is why those who have gone missing never returned from disappearing in the same manner of those who did." Armatae answered. "Ford Pines heard of this legend while studying in Gravity Falls."
"Y-Yes, I was studying the phenomena for what could cause what we weirdness in the world. Gravity Falls had the highest number of strange events but I stepped out from time to time to study other strange happenings like the supposed 'Rock People' of Beach City and I interviewed people who spoke of the train." Ford said, clearing his throat and getting his shock under control.
"If Mabel Pines was feeling emotionally distressed it's likely the Train sensed her problems and brought her on to help her work through them." Armatae concluded.
"Problems? What problems would she have?" Stan asked, having not been around when Mabel had run off.
However Dipper and Ford knew what Armatae was talking about and they nervously looked at each other.
Stan narrowed his eyes as he looked at the two. "What did you eggheads do?"
"Nothing, Stanley. Mabel was just having a bad day and she overreacted." Ford quickly said.
"That's not true!"
The four turned around to see Zoe and Frida at the door, glaring at Dipper and Ford.
"Girls?" Stanley raised an eyebrow.
"Ford wants to make Dipper his apprentice meaning Mabel would have to go back home…Alone." Zoe explained.
"He what?!" Stan gaped and then looked at Ford with an angered face. "You did what?!"
"Dipper's a prodigy. I wanted to help him expand his horizons which he wouldn't do at a public school." Ford quickly defended himself. "Mabel would be fine on her own-"
"I can't believe you!" Stan bellowed. "You want to tear those two apart like us?!"
"I-wha-?!"
"I know you've never actually forgiven me for screwing up your chances to get some fancy school but now you want tear up the kids?!" Stan grabbed Ford by the collar and slammed him into a wall. "How dare you?!"
"Wait, Grunkle Stan it's not his fault! I wanted to stay!" Dipper protested.
"Dipper, I know I haven't been the best Grunkle for you but you can't just accept working with my brother, especially when that means having to explain to your parents why your sister came back alone!" Stan barked at Dipper who took a step back before looking back at Ford. "And you…"
"Stan-" Ford grunted.
"You hate having a twin so much? Fine. I'll never step foot in this crummy house again but if something happened to Mabel because you tried to take her brother away, I swear I'll burn this house to the ground along with all your freaky science." Stan threatened shoving Ford back and then turned to Dipper. "And you…"
Dipper gulped.
"Why in the world would you want split your family up like that?" Stan questioned harshly.
"Because…It's been my dream…I've spent the whole summer wanting to meet the author of the journals and learn from him." Dipper explained sadly. "How could I just want to go back where I'm treated as an outcast?"
"Well what about Mabel?" Stan asked angrily. "You expect her to go back alone?"
"No, I just thought…" Dipper wanted to argue but he found himself unable to come up with a reason. "I thought she would be okay…Just because we're twins that doesn't mean we have to be tied together for the rest of our lives."
"Oh, I know. Believe me, I know." Stan said, throwing a look at Ford. "But before you get any ideas, Dipper, you'd have to explain to your parents who have no clue what has been happening up here about why you want to stay with a relative who they'll just find out was missing for the last twenty years and the man they thought they were sending you too at the beginning of summer was a liar and a conman from the very start who faked his death and just happened to get elected as mayor."
"Not to mention has a sealed record." Frida cut in.
"Not helping, sweetie." Stan quickly said before looking back at Dipper. "Look, no one expects you and Mabel to be tied at the hip forever, but you know, she still needs you in her life, Dipper. Especially now since summer is ending and that means she has to leave here and go back home where she is an outcast too. That's right, she told me about you two getting picked on back home and it's a lot like the way things were for me and Ford back when we were kids."
Ford had to look away at the mention of their childhood.
"But you know how that ended for us." Stan continued on, kneeling down in front of Dipper and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Look, kid, I get you have an opportunity and I should be the last one to get in the way of that…But I also can't stand by and watch as Mabel gets left behind at the same time. You're better together than me and Ford were as kids and I can't the stand the thought of you two suddenly tearing each other apart like we ended up doing. So I want you think very carefully before you decide being Ford's student is what you want and I also want you to promise that even if you do, you won't forget about your sister."
Dipper stared up at his grand uncle with a saddened face, realizing maybe he did accept too fast and nodded. "All right, I'll think about it and I won't forget Mabel."
"Good. Now we need to find Mabel." Stan stood up and looked at Armatae who had been silent. "So how do we get on this train?"
"The train will only accept troubled people onboard and most of them are children." Armatae answered.
"Well, we're plenty troubled. So what's next?" Stan asked.
As if his question had been heard, there was a flash of light at the door and everyone turned to see it.
"I believe that's the next step." Armatae answered, his armor form receding back under Double D's clothes.
The front door was replaced by a pair of red doors that slowly opened, revealing a bright light.
"I don't believe it." Ford whispered in quiet awe. "In all my journeys, I never once found the train…and now it's right there."
"You can save your geeky fanboy worship for after we find Mabel." Stan stepped forward. "I am going in."
"Not alone, Grandpa." Zoe and Frida stepped forward.
"Kids-"
"Don't try and talk us out of it." Zoe cut him off. "You disappeared from Mom's life for family and this time we're going with you."
"Yeah. Mabel's our cousin. Villains or not, we do not abandon family." Frida said just harsh as her sister.
"And she's my sister." Dipper walked up to his cousins. "No matter what."
Double D sighed as he walked up the line of family. "Well, I did come here to stop Bill but I have not lost my moral empathy and I believe we should help you find your missing family member."
You are allowing yours emotions to cloud your judgement. The train offers no way to stop Bill Cipher.
"My emotions are why you needed me as your core unit." Double D retorted. "And besides, Mabel has the rift Cipher needs to get to Earth. What happens if she loses it on the train?"
Armatae was silent, having not considered that in its calculations.
"I thought so." Double D said when he saw the AI had no argument.
Ford looked at the sock-headed boy. "You really have connected and bonded with Armatae…Even better than I could have imagined."
"I do what I can." Double D simply said.
With that, the Pine family along with their friend stepped into the light, entering the train. Just as they did, the doors began to close…
Only for a shadow to follow them inside.
"Excellent work."
"Thank you, Mistress Mandy."
Xxx
The sun rose, signaling the start of a new day in the small suburbs of Peach Creek.
After the harrowing escape from the Gem Homeworld, everyone was content to have a small breather and just relax, not caring about monsters, aliens or any kind of trouble.
There was a downside though.
Ed's younger sister Sarah and her friend Jimmy were missing now along with Ed's friend Eddy.
Earlier Jimmy had been abducted by the serial killer known as Katz and brought to the Hall of Heroes for a period of time to be checked on before returning home. Around that time, the kids who were abducted by Gems made their return to Earth and were brought to the base of the Justice Friends to recuperate before coming home as well. Despite that, Jimmy had barely interacted with his fellow Peach Creek children as his abduction and later stay at the Hall of Heroes had somehow lead to some deep routed disturbing issues to come to light, especially when he had been proven to be guilty of attempted murder.
That's right: Jimmy had tried to commit murder.
His target had been the Warrior of Flame, Agunimon whom he had initially idolized much to the warrior's discomfort which was shared by his fellow Warriors. Major Glory had initially written it off as a mere boy's idolization but he had been horrified by how bad things had become so quickly. Jimmy was confined but had later disappeared from the Hall of Heroes and there has been no word on his whereabouts since.
Meanwhile, Ed's sister Sarah had disappeared during Ed's abduction by the Gems. Ed's sister had always been a problem, especially for her brother and his friends. She seemingly hated him for whatever reason she could think of and the mere mention of him was enough to put her in a bad mood at best and fill her with rage at worst. Despite this, Ed had risked his life to save Sarah when the demon Fenrir had captured her soul but it didn't seem things had improved between them at all.
Then again no one expected it.
Sarah had even blamed Ed for his own disappearance considering the depression it sent their mother into before she had disappeared.
What did that say?
Sarah was Ed's bossy, psychotic, spoiled, and conceited younger sister, who acts cute and charming only when it serves her. She had Ed's unending loyalty and obedience, mostly due to her constant threats of tattling on him. The fact that their mother always believes Sarah, even when she is fibbing, doesn't help Ed. She was a very loud mouth, a hair-trigger temper, and is easily agitated by others, especially her brother.
Not to say she didn't have friends. She is almost always hanging out with Nazz, even though she had once thrown a box of tissues at her and called her 'monkey butt' or playing with Jimmy, and when she's not, she rushes to his aid the moment he calls her. She might have a crush on Double D but that rarely ever spared him from her wrath. Eddy had yet to learn not to mess with Sarah, and it is often he who provokes her into physically attacking the Eds and therefore she despised him the most.
When Ed found out she was missing he was understandably upset and spent most of his time moping in Rolf's shed since Rolf had allowed him to move in. It seemed without his two friends around, Ed was much more manageable, no offense to Double D but three Ed-boys would have been too much for Rolf to handle, especially since Aisling had started living with him too after the defeat of the mad god Crom Cruach.
And that's not even taking in Eddy.
Now, Kevin could say he was willing to cut Ed some slack since his sister was missing and mostly because on his own he wasn't a problem.
It was Eddy that had Kevin's complete hatred.
The little loudmouth had been causing trouble for everyone in the cul-de-sac since they all had been in diapers and it only got worse when his twerp friends were helping in whatever scam he had thought up. And after Homeworld, Dorky had been an even bigger problem with how he had gone off his own and scamming people in GrimmFall and causing trouble when everyone just wanted some R&R after everything that had happened. It wasn't until he blew up at everyone did he seemingly disappear off the face of the Earth.
It seemed no one was safe in Peach Creek.
Maybe that's why Kevin took up being a vigilante such as when he helped bring down the crime lord Midas Goult. Since then he had done his best to stay undercover and preform simple tasks like taking down thieves or drug dealers in the city late at night and then speeding home before anyone realizes what he was up to.
He even had a vigilante name: Hot Rod.
What he could do without was having that neighborhood weirdo(not the Eds, they are more like the neighborhood dorks) Jonny 2/4 tagging along with him as Captain Melonhead. No matter how quiet he was or how quick he was, Captain Melonhead and his own sidekick Splinter.
Though Kevin was also annoyed that Jonny considered him a sidekick too.
Nevertheless, Kevin was starting to wonder if this was why his mom became a Huntress after having experienced the thrill of beating up bad guys. It sure explained a lot, especially after having watched all those fights in the Hall of Heroes.
Doesn't mean he was completely onboard but he was starting to see the appeal.
So he was getting his bike ready for another run tonight, stopping by Rolf's and spotting Ed sitting on a stump looking miserable. Now normally this would be the perfect moment for Kevin to tease and mock one of the dorks like he always does but given that Ed was moping because his sister was missing Kevin decided that he would actually give the dork a break this time.
Heck, after everything they had been through a break was what they all needed.
So he settled for stopping his bike at the fence of Rolf's backyard, spotting the Son of Shepard doing some yard work. "Yo Rolf!"
Rolf stopped and glanced over in the biker's direction. "Ha, Kevin boy. What brings you to Rolf's?"
"Just making sure you are handling yourself okay. Since you got two guests living with you now." Kevin crossed his arms. "The dork giving you any trouble?"
"No. Ed-boy is more miserable than Rolf is when Papa could not bring home the bacon on that one day of Yeshmiyek." Rolf shook his head, casting a sympathetic glance in Ed's direction. "They say Ed-boy's sister ran off with the clowns, yes?"
"You mean 'joined the circus.'" Kevin corrected. "And I kind of doubt Sarah would be into clowns."
"That too." Rolf nodded. "And no word on Jimmy-boy either. Rolf does not know what to make of what Rolf was told."
"That fluffy of all people was trying to commit murder in the Hall of Heroes. Yeah, that took me by surprise too." Kevin agreed. "Out of everyone I thought Eddy was the one who was going to snap. Speaking of, I guess he hasn't shown up in any sewers or kennels."
"You associating Three-Haired Ed-By with animals hiding in sewers or living in animal shelter amuses Rolf but Rolf would appreciate if you would refrain from such humor around One-Eyebrow Ed-Boy." Rolf gestured to Ed who had his back turned to them. "Rolf does not need guest becoming even more miserable."
"Fine, fine, fine." Kevin waved it off.
Meanwhile Ed was still moping on the tree stump, staring off into…nothingness.
Everything had gone so wrong.
No Eddy.
No Double D.
No Mom.
No Little Sister.
Everyone has left poor Ed alone.
Without any of his friends or family around Ed had no idea what he was supposed to do. Ed needed to be surrounded by friends and family to be happy, even if Sarah was making his life miserable.
Without anyone…
Ed could not be happy.
A flash of light made Ed look up and watch as a pair of doors, the kind of doors you would see on a train, appear right before his eyes. The light caught Rolf and Kevin's attention as they looked over to see what was causing it.
"What the-" Kevin gaped.
"An omen!" Rolf gasped. "Rolf was told many stories of this as a child! Children walk into the doors with the light and never come out!"
"Cool!" Jonny exclaimed, popping his out of a…sewer hatch?
"Jonny?!" Kevin looked down at the kid as he climbed out of the sewer. "What were you doing down there?"
"I was watching when you would sneak out to be Hot Rod again." Jonny answered with a smile. "Pretty creepy right?"
"…Yes, that is creepy." Kevin glared as he answered. "I told you to leave me alone."
"ED-BOY! DO NOT WALK INTO THE LIGHT!" Rolf shouted.
Kevin and Jonny looked over to see Ed stand up from the stump and slowly walk towards the doors.
"HEY! YOU LISTENING, DORK!?" Kevin shouted as Ed took his first step.
"DON'T GO INTO THE LIGHT, ED." Jonny shouted next. "STOP ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF IT AND ASK PLANK'S GRANDPARENTS WHY ERNIE DEVLIN WAS AT THEIR FUNERAL…BUT THEN COME RIGHT BACK!"
Ed took another step forward and walked into the doors.
"Oh no!" Rolf shouted as he ran after Ed while Kevin and Jonny jumped over the fence and followed their friends through the doors.
The train doors then closed and vanished as if they had never appeared in the first place.
Only one person was left behind, having seem everything.
"And so another adventure begins." Aisling whispered, having watched from her perch on the single tree in Rolf's backyard.
Xxx
(Crazy Train by Ozzy Osborne Starts)
All aboard Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Train wheels were shown spinning as a train drove down a track without end.
Ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, ay
The front of the train is shown next before the camera angles up and allows the train to pass. As this happens, the title appears:
GRIMMFALL:
INFINITY TRAIN ARC
Crazy, but that's how it goes
The screen then splits, allowing for characters to be shown:
Ed
Edd
Eddy
Rolf
Kevin
Johnny 2/4
Dipper
Mabel
Stanley Pines
Ford Pines
Frida
Zoe
Tambry
Millions of people living as foes
On all their hands appears numbers that rise and fall too fast to be seen.
Maybe it's not too late
A metallic mask like face is shown, its eyes glowing fiery blue as cables reach out.
To learn how to love
Dipper and Mabel are standing back to back with saddened looks on their faces.
And forget how to hate
The twins are then replaced by their grand uncles, Stan and Ford staring bitterly at each other.
Mental wounds not healing
Eddy is then shown lying in a pile of gold, smiling without a care in the world, even as his arms and legs stretch out.
Life's a bitter shame
Kevin stares at his glowing hand with a bitter look.
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
The group is shown running for their lives as black creatures chase them through the cars.
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
The scene switches to the front of the train where a console opens up and an orb shaped robots peeks its 'head' out.
Let's go
Stan cocks his fist back and sends it forward to whomever he is fighting in the stadium he is, surrounded by a cheering audience.
I've listened to preachers
Tambry nods her head back and slips her headphones on, acting as a DJ in some part, trying to keep herself distracted.
I've listened to fools
Edd sighed as he watched Eddy and Kevin argue.
I've watched all the dropouts
Ford is in a museum, looking at the art and looking behind to see Stan bashing against the wall.
Who make their own rules
Eddy crosses his arms and looks away.
One person conditioned to rule and control
Pair of red eyes open and out from the shadow appears Mandy.
The media sells it, and you live the role
Rolf holds up the Shepard's Cane with a fierce look.
Mental wounds still screaming
Ed is shown crying on his knees as Eddy and Edd turn away.
Driving me insane
Ed is replaced by Mabel with Dipper having his back turned to her and Stan and Ford taking Eddy and Edd's place.
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
Unable to take it anymore, Ed and Mabel let out a soundless scream.
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
Sticks is shown next, running through a maze with weird looking mirrors.
I know that things are going wrong for me
All of this happening is then shown on a screen with the purple haired teen from before smiling in anticipation.
You gotta listen to my words, yeah
Stan and Ford turn and start arguing.
Heirs of a cold war
They are then replaced by Dipper and Mabel.
That's what we've become
And then Edd and Eddy.
Inheriting troubles, I'm mentally numb
Frida and Zoe are then shown with hopeless looks on their faces.
Crazy, I just cannot bear
Jonny and Plank are then shown with Jonny waving a finger a next to his head with a silly look on his face.
I'm living with something that just isn't fair
All of their characters are lined up with sad, bitter looks on their faces.
Mental wounds not healing
They held up their hands and showed their numbers growing.
Who and what's to blame?
The metallic masked face appears behind them, grabbing them with its many cables.
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
Mandy is shown sitting in a chair, staring at the giant computer in front of with a look of stoic anticipation on her face.
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
Everyone is shown screaming as they fall off the train and onto the desert ground.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
The camera points up to the dark sky as the title appears again:
GRIMMFALL:
The ledge, ha-ha, the edge
INFINITY TRAIN ARC
(Crazy Train by Ozzy Osborne Ends)