Opening File: Project Ultimate Hero

During the creation of the American Spirit, the Founding Fathers were made aware of Sammael and the Fallen. Realizing the danger that Sammael would represent not just to the future of America but also to the rest of the world, the Founding Fathers preformed the ritual that created the American Spirit that would endow whomever signed their name on the Declaration of Independence with great power to create a hero to defend all of America.

But that wasn't the end goal of the project.

It is believed that one day a hero would be born with enough power to defeat Sammael after the American Spirit was passed down several generations when it was revealed that the spirit would gain the power of any hosts it was bonded with. That meant for every host who had a special Semblance, that same Semblance would be imprinted on the spirit and it could endow the next hero with the powers of their predecessors. It was hope one day, a hero with a special Semblance combined with all the powers and Semblance of the previous American heroes would be strong enough to stand against Sammael and the Fallen, not as a rival but as the one to defeat them. After several generations had passed, it was believed that the hero Uncle Sam would be the one to defeat Sammael; however he fell in battle against the Grimm King…

But not before he passed his power to his nephew.

While Major Glory proved himself to be a well-respected hero, there were doubts that he would become as powerful as his uncle as he had not even unlocked his Semblance when he was given the power of the American Spirit.

…Or so we had believed.

Xxx

"The path of a warrior." Sammael slowly opened his eyes, regarding the audience. "A warrior can retreat if the battle is not in his favor but he must never flee. He may hide to surprise and ambush his enemies but he would never hide. In victory or defeat, he does not cease learning nor does he cease to prepare. Whether the opponent is good or evil, a warrior does understand or compromises with them. He seeks only the end goal: obliterating any enemy in his way."

Xxx

The Nerglings were still screaming as the tremors intensified. Steven looked around and saw five Nerglings that looked like…

"Garnet! Amethyst! Pearl!" Steven got up and rushed over to them.

Nergal growled and whipped his tentacles at Steven as he ran…

"Oh no, you don't!"

But luckily Johnny leapt in and slammed his hammer down on the tentacles before they could touch Steven.

"AH!" Nergal screamed in pain again, feeling the hammer crushing his tentacles. "DAMN YOU ALL!"

Johnny stood up as electricity sparked across his body. "You want the kid? You got to go through me!"

CLANG!

CLANG!

WHIP!

SLASH!

Deep in the center of the Earth, the battle between the reincarnation of the God of Thunder Johnny Bravo and the underworld demon Nergal raged on. Johnny had tried to smash Nergal's head in with his hammer but the demon was quick, using his tentacles to propel himself out of the way of Johnny's hammer and then immediately whipped them at his opponent as he turned to face him. The tentacles did indeed hit their target but Johnny's status as the God of Thunder granted him also Thor's near invulnerability to harm which allowed him to shrug off each hit. An even bigger disadvantage was that even when Nergal's tentacles made contact with Johnny it was useless to electrocute him.

It doesn't take be a demon of the underworld to know that being a God of Thunder makes you immune to electricity.

Luckily electricity wasn't the only thing Nergal was capable of.

"RAH!" Nergal roared as flames engulfed his body and they shot through his tentacles as they all slashed at Johnny.

The reincarnation of Thor spun his hammer and blocked each tentacle before swinging his hammer and releasing a blast of lightning that dispersed the demonic flames that came close to engulfing him. Nearby, Steven Universe was hiding behind a boulder he had found, watching the fight with wide eyes. He looked behind him see the Nerglings that he knew where his family along with Peridot and Connie.

He still needed to save them.

Taking a careful look at the fight and seeing Johnny was keeping Nergal occupied he knelt down to the nearest Nergling. His gemstone flashed and there was a purple light in the Nergling's chest that seemed to resonate with his own.

"Amethyst!" Steven gasped, accurately guessing the Nergling's true identity. "I need you to wake up! Please!"

He reached out and touched the light and his gemstone flashed even bright.

"Please…" He whispered as tears fell down his face. "I can't lose you like this."

The light of both his and Amethyst's gemstone flashed even and the Nergling let out a scream as its dark skin began to burn away. Steven gasped and fell back, watching as the Nergling was burned away…

Leaving an drowsy Amethyst. "Wha-"

"AMEHTHYST!" Steven cried and hugged her tightly. "I AM SO GLAD!"

"Huh…Ste-Steven…" Amethyst's vision was blurry and she had trouble recalling where she was or what had happened to her.

"Amethyst, you sit and relax." Steven gently pulled away. "I got to free the others."

"You may be Thor's reincarnation but you've inherited so much more from him!" Nergal taunted as he dodged Mjolnir being thrown at him and then used his tentacles to restrain Johnny's wrists to prevent him from recalling the hammer.

Johnny then snaps his fingers causing the hammer to come back but also hit Nergal's head forcing him to release Johnny.

"Dumbass." Johnny taunted as he caught Mjolnier. "And what are you talking about? What did I inherit from Thor!?"

"His sins!" Nergal yelled as he conjured up fireballs and threw them at the reincarnation of Thor forcing him to go the defensive. "Fighting Jotunn, the undead legions of Helheim, and Surtr's fire Jotunn was taking a heavy toll on him. He resorted to alcohol to drown his sorrows and that made him a danger to the people around him!"

The words ring in Johnny's ears causing him to see some of Thor's memories. He sees Thor, a seven foot tall man with messy red hair and a beard, he was rather muscular and obese, and he possessed a rather melancholic look. He next sees Thor drunkenly yelling at his sons Magni and Modi, and despite the two being adults they looked rather scared of their father. Another memory appears and he saw Thor kill a woman in a drunken rage after she merely asked him to leave her house.

After seeing all these bad memories he sees another memory appear. Thor is seen but he lacks his beer gut and standing next to him was his wife Sif. She was a beautiful, pale-skinned woman with blue tattoos on her arms and neck, blue eyes, and ankle-length braided bright blonde-golden hair. She primarily wore a light blue dress with glittery edges which left her arms exposed. Next to them were Magni and Modi but Thor held something in his arms, a baby girl.

"I need to be better for her." Thor said to his family as he looked at his newborn daughter. "I've done so many misdeeds and I want Thurd to be proud of me."

Johnny snaps out of the memory and glares at Nergal. "He made up for what he did! He got better!"

"Oh sure!" Nergal taunted. "He got his act together just in time to die! How about I kill you now and put an end to Ragnarok again!"

As the two god-like entities continued fighting, Steven was hard at work awakening Garnet and Pearl, using the same method he had used to awaken Amethyst to wake them. Pearl groaned as her gemstone shined along with his gemstone, eventually burning the dark skin away and freeing the Gem who fell forward and was caught by Steven and Amethyst.

"Wha-How did…" Pearl groaned as she looked up with blurry eyes. "Steven?"

"It's okay, Pearl. I'll free Garnet next and we can help Johnny stop Nergal." Steven gently placed Pearl on the ground, leaving Amethyst to guard her as he moved to free Garnet.

Amethyst looked at the fight between Johnny and Nergal, seeing Johnny was holding his own but Nergal was fighting back rather fiercely.

Then he caught a glimpse of Steven freeing Garnet. "Why you-"

"STEVEN!" Amethyst shouted.

Nergal released a blast of fire at Steven just as he managed to free Garnet and spun around, watching as the fire blast flew straight at him and Garnet. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-"

There was a pink light just as the fire ball hit and Johnny managed to score a hit on Nergal while he had been distracted.

"STEVEN!" The reincarnated deity along with Pearl and Amethyst shouted in horror.

Only when the smoke cleared, Steven was standing up and a pink shield was being projected from his arm.

"What?!" Nergal got up and gaped to see his attack had failed.

Behind Steven, Garnet rose up and put a hand on his shoulder. "Steven…Thank you. You saved all of us."

Steven looked up to see Garnet smiling down at him. "Garnet…"

"Now, hurry and free Peridot and Connie." Garnet turned her gaze to Nergal, glaring from underneath her glasses. "We'll take care of Nergal."

Steven nodded as Garnet walked past him, summoning her gauntlets. Amethyst and Pearl summoned their weapons as well, glaring darkly at Nergal who looked between them and Johnny.

"Nergal, what you did to us…It was a violation of everything we believe in. Everything I stand for! Forcefully melding us into your sick and twisted mind, letting you control us like mindless puppets. An even perversion of fusion than I ever thought possible." Garnet's hands clenched into fists and she brought one up to her chest. "I swear, as a Crystal Gem we are going to free the Cluster from your grasp…Nergal…"

She glared angrily at Nergal as she brought her hand from her chest and held up both fists, ready to fight. "PREPARE TO MEET YOUR FATE!"

Xxx

It was a dark night in Gravity Falls and deep inside the lair of the Society of the Blind Eye a dark ritual was taking place as all the red robed members were gathered chanting around a triangle shaped alter with torches alit with demoniac blue fire at each of its points.

"Triangulum, entangulum. Meteforis dominus ventium. Meteforis venetisarium!"

As the chanting continued among those gathered for this "sacred" ritual in the name of the "great one" two stood out the most. The first and only robed figure with his hood down the Leader of the Society of the Blind Eye Blind Ivan, the second and the only figure not wearing the blind eye robes but instead a business suit who stood beside him at the front of the alter Preston Northwest.

Both of whom were the only ones not chanting and had their gazed locked on the struggling on the alter Ivan with fanatical devotion and glee, Preston with cold apathetic detachment as the form plead toward him. "Preston please help me!"

None other than his heavily pregnant wife Priscilla Northwest who he brought here knowing the time for her to deliver had arrived she stared up at him with tears running down her face but Preston just looked coldly down at her with disdain not saying a word.

While Ivan step forth and turned to face the Blind Eye mass, "The blessed night is upon us!" He declared with large insane grin while his eyes danced with madness, "For tonight the herald of our master arrives."

He said half turning and gesturing toward the stone statue that hung on the wall above the alter of their master who would one day liberate this world…Bill Cipher. The chanting of the surrounding robed figures started to intensify while the blue flames of the three torches seemed to flare.

"Triangulum, entangulum. Meteforis dominus ventium. Meteforis venetisarium!"

Ivan than turned fully to face the struggling and desperately crying Priscilla, while reaching into his robe and pulling out a large sharp ritual dagger. Priscilla went wide in pure fear as she begged, "N..o...NO..PLEASE!"

"Triangulum, entangulum. meteforis dominus ventium. meteforis venetisarium!"

However her pleas fell on death ears as Ivan with a maniacal grin raised the dagger high taking it in both hands staring down into her eyes his own carrying a look of complete insanity and devotion to his master, with not a hint of any mercy or pity to the society's unwilling sacrifice.

"TRIANGULUM, ENTANGULUM. METEFORIS DOMINUS VENTIUM. METEFORIS VENTETISARIUM!"

And as the chanting of the Blind Eye reaching a high piercing roar the three torches exploded in three towers of blue flame and it was at that precise moment.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Ivan brought his dagger down and a piercing cry of pain and anguish echoed throughout the lair.

Xxx

A bit later Ivan was bowing before the statue of Bill Cipher with Preston and all the other members bowing down in reverence as well behind him. But Ivan, Ivan was holding out a small figure in his arms covered in blood in offering to their Lord as he spoke nothing but reverence in his tone, "She has arrived master, at long last your herald, your daughters has arrived to help lead us to your glorious new era."

At Ivan words the statue of the eye began to glow and soon a blinding flash emitted from it as the hovering form of Bill Cipher emerged from it his singular gaze locked onto the small bloodly thing in Ivan's hands.

"Oh I've got big plans for you kiddo…BIG PLANS!" Cipher said with the last two echoing in a deeper demoniac rumble before in front of all his mortal followers he burst out into his signature insane laughter, "HEAHAHHAHAHAHHAhAhAhaHaHAHAHHHA!"

But what made the scene all the more chilling was the bloody figure in Ivan's hands, a newborn babygirl, and how she shivered whether from fear or excitement who could say…

Before erupting into a fit of demoniac giggling that echoed after her father as her eyes opened for the first time revealing yellow demoniac cat eyed eyes, "Heehehhehahahah~

Xxx

Bunny smiled while giving a little aerial twirl in her dress, "I feel so pretty."

For Pacifica and Dipper's 'wedding' Bunny had been chosen to be the 'flower girl' while the Metallic Katz were going to be the bodyguards for the wedding which was taking place in Bill's fortress floating over Gravity Falls.

"Man, never thought I would be attending a wedding at the end of the world." Mac tugged the bow tie of his tuxedo.

"At least we're not being chauffeurs for the happy couple." Molly would have rolled her eyes if she could as she straightened out her dress.

Bunny turned to the two cyborgs. "What was your wedding like?"

Molly sighed blissfully, "Ah my wedding day now that takes me back, it was wonderful." She said wistfully before her tone turned completely flat, "Despite the fact that mister cheap skate here opted for a Vegas wedding."

Mac gave a snort as he crossed her arms, "I didn't hear you complaining when we robbed seven casinos." He then gave Molly his best swarmy grin that caused her to look away and if she still had flesh and blood she'd probably be blushing at his words, "Heck you practical made all our hostages deaf with your squealing yes."

Molly huffed, "That was only because of that huge rock you had just taken from that old rich lady to use to propose." She said in denial only for Mac to chuckle as he wrapped his arm around her waist pulling in close,

"Now don't be like that Mol you know the rock was just a small bonus compared to prize." He said with arrogant grin causing Molly to snort as she retorted, "Yeah you're a real prize Mac."

But she did give Mac a faint smile, "Buttt I will admit it was romantic and as crazy it sounds you have had your moments."

Mac smiled with a chuckle, "Same to you Mol as far as I'm concerned you're the best cold hearted killer a gangster could ask for in a partner for crime and life"

Molly cooed a bit, "Ah Mac."

She leaned down and gave his cheek a 'kiss' causing Mac to look away with another slight chuckle before the laughter got louder causing Molly and Bunny to look at him curiously, "Remember that priest who married us?"

Molly snorted and gave her own chuckle at the memory, "Ah how could I forget the poor sap was practically stuttering over the vows."

Mac gave her a grin, "Well you were holding a gun to his head."

They both burst into laughter at the memory.

Xxx

"Now how do you feel about screaming severed heads on pikes alongside the aisle?" She arched a brow with smirk, "Do you think it screams me, or would it be too gaudy?"

Dipper remained silent, not even glaring at Pacifica who was happily showing off the decorations for their 'wedding'. He had been brought up to Bill's fortress and placed in a room that resembled his and Mabel's room back at the Mystery Shack.

Why did it all come to this?

He and his family had rescued his sister but the moment they stepped back on Earth it all seemed to go so wrong.

"Oh so silent." Pacifica patted Dipper on the cheek. "Perhaps you'll be more willing to talk once Nyx goes out and gathers our guests. As for me, I still need to decide who the best lady will be. I would say Nyx but she's got her own plans…Perhaps Bunny will be up to."

Dipper blinked at Pacifica, "Who?"

Pacifica gave a wave of her hand, "Oh she's Nyx's kid I think she'd be a good fit for the role." She explained.

Dipper eyes slightly widened as he asked in confusion. "Wait Hoagie and Nyx have another daughter!?"

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that loser." Pacifica brought a hand to her chin. "I suppose we should try and track him down as it seems he is nowhere to be found. Father and Klarion thought he would simply die in the Pillow World but it turns out Nyx was more crafty than both had given her credit for. Her little magic allowed her to help cheat death for Hoagie when he should have been dust and bones long ago."

Dipper wondered where Hoagie had gone to as well but maybe he could be the ace in the hole against Bill and Pacifica.

"And since the rest of the heroes are still fighting off in Nowhere against the Grimm we should be able to kick off the wedding and Weirdmaggdon without a problem." Pacifica chuckled.

"But you won't be able to get the past…weird barrier around Gravity Falls." Dipper pointed out.

Pacifica smirked at Dipper, "While that little barrier might be stopping daddy for now, it's nothing but a temporary roadblock." Her eyes flashed her demoniac Cipher yellow, "Because that barrier will be brought down…and when it is…"

She giggled her eyes glowing and her smile crazed, "The new era of Weirdness will begin!" She stepped forward closer to Dipper, "And nothing will stop it," She took another step with Dipper taking a nervous step back for each step she took forward, "Not your family. Not the heroes. Phil Ken Sebben. Not even Sammael!"

Dipper gave a gulp staring into her eyes as he was backed against the wall.

He was scared…

And yet curious.

He had heard that name before.

"So this is the one the Spider chose to kill me." A boy with purple hair in ponytail and red eyes with sclera said, staring what was supposedly Dipper. "No matter how powerful the Spider thinks it is, it could never measure up to the cunning of Sammael. You think it would have learned by now."

Dipper spoke up imploring to Pacifica though with an undertone of curiosity in this tone. "Pacifica, just who is Sammael?"

Pacifica gave a giggle as she glanced over her shoulder with a smirk, "No one special just the King of the Grimm."

Dipper felt his heart freeze at her words, "King…the Grimm have a master!?"

Pacifica shrugged, "Well masters technically in the Fallen but Sammael is the oldest and most powerful of them all." She gave a clench in her hands, "And he's been a minor thorn in father's side. Fortunately he'll be removed like all others soon enough."

Pacifica whirled around to face Dipper, "But since you brought this up, I suppose it is time that my future hubby was finally fully brought into the loop~"

She sent Dipper a wide smile, "It's time you realize just how big this conflict is and what my father is liberating this world from."

Dipper stared at her in shock for another moment and then asked something that froze Pacifica for a moment, "But why me?!" She turned her head locking her eyes on his own as he continued, "Why do you want me of all people to marry you?!" He asked the question that had been plaguing him.

Pacifica sent him a smirk, "Why do I need to have a reason?" She asked as she reached over and pinched his cheek hard, "Can't I just like you for your good looks~"

She gave a little giggle as she let of his cheek while Dipper raised his hand up to rub it.

Pacifica stopped her giggle giving him a serious look, "But to answer your question, there's just something about you Dipper." She took a step forward causing Dipper to take a step back giving a nervous gulp at the look in her eyes, "Something that's just drawn me to you since you first step foot in Gravity Falls."

She took another step causing Dipper to take another step back, "You're handsome."

Another step forward and another step back, "Smart."

A devious smile grew on her face as she stepped forward with Dipper stepping back again, "Driven."

Her eyes changed into the signature demoniac Cipher giving off a glow as Dipper felt his back hit the wall, "And though you might try to deny it, we both know you've got your dark side."

She let another girlish giggle that came across as demoniac bone chilling as she placed her hand on the wall by Dipper's head staring into his eyes, "After all, I'm sure there are quite a few people you'd love to broken and humiliated before you, like that arrogant four eyes who mocked the supernatural.

Pacifica brought her face nose to nose to Dipper with him despite the danger and it being Pacifica felt his face glowing red with him being a turmoil of feelings and shock at what was happening to even protest as she said in whisper, "Really when you put it all together how could I not want you my sweet little Pine Tree."

She gave another giggle and before Dipper could do or say anything else his eyes popped wide open in shock as she latched her lips onto him giving him his first real kiss and vice versa.

Xxx

"It seems that Snively's fears about this Bill Cipher were more than warranted."

A shadowed form stated standing in the woods just outside the limits of Gravity Falls observed the rift hovering in the sky as well as the assault of demoniac weirdness invading the area, or at least the area outside the town limits. He thought with a thoughtful hum as he observed that any demoniac creature or weird abomination were repelled by some sort of barrier which made it more than obvious to him that despite the critical situation with this entity this Bill Cipher at least someone had been making preparations in the event of this worst case scenario of Cipher reaching their dimension.

"Though fortunately something seems to be containing this Bill Cipher and his army in the surrounding area...at least for now." He said out loud having been able to observe Cipher's ilk making attempts to leave past a certain point all meeting failure.

He then turned his head looking over his shoulder as the loud voice of his companion echoed behind him, "Who cares? This will just make it easier to destroy these freaks in the name of the glorious genius that is Lord Eggman!" Another larger form came to stand by him their foot steeps echoed by mechanical stomps.

"Patience!" The first figure held up their hand, paying no heed to their companions annoyed glare they carried on explaining, "While I agree with the sentiment, this is not a threat we must take lightly." They gestured toward the weirdness infecting and surrounding Gravity Falls as emphasis, "And with our Master and the rest of our comrades needed in Nowhere it falls to us to either deal with this threat." He turned his head back toward the direction of the rift, "Or impede Cipher long enough for Doctor to arrive and with the resources of his empire crush him!"

Their companion at the end of the speech gave a sadistic chuckle, "Please as if the doctor should lower himself dealing with these bargain bin freaks. As the Doctor's most loyal follower it is my solemn duty to show these fools the error of their ways in thinking they can claim the world that rightfully belongs to the greatest genius this world has ever seen!"

They proclaimed and explained with zealot passion to their comrade, though gave heavy emphasis on the words most loyal follower. Then they turned their gaze onto the town proper itself seemingly the only shelter from the bizarre twisted weirdness invading the immediate area, "But first things first before we take care of the trash from the multiverses junk drawer. We must focus on the priority mission given to us by our glorious lord!"

The other shadowed figure gave a hum seemingly in agreement also looking at the town, "Yes and I believe we both know where we are likely to find the targets."

Xxx

INFINITY TRAIN ARC

Opening File: Eddward Marian Vincent

Eddward Marian Vincent, also known as Edd mostly referred to by his nickname 'Double D,' is physically the weakest but the most intelligent member of the Eds. Edd is a rather scrupulous, but kind and good-intentioned youth. Docile, polite and disciplined, he willingly adheres to the laws and regulations of his community. With his love and desire for order, he occasionally undertakes the role of a peacemaker. He is incredibly gentle and accepting, albeit sometimes awkward and timid in his interactions, particularly with people of the opposite sex. Although considered an outcast, he is a generally well-respected, if not appreciated, member of his peer group, whom he gladly counsels and assists if need be.

It is often suggested through his interactions with the other children in the Cul-De-Sac that if it were not for Ed and Eddy, Edd would be welcomed among their group. Even so, perfectionist Edd is something of a 'goody-two-shoes,' wishing to please and accommodate to the needs of others. Edd is quite delicate and mysophobic, disliking any potentially 'harmful' form of physical activity and among all, contamination. He will go great lengths to cleanse his environment, and exhibits numerous idiosyncrasies; among these odd habits are his tendency to name tag his every possession, to the extent of claiming to 'not be able to rest in an unlabeled setting.'

He has a significant dislike of sports as well, rooted perhaps from an infamous, scarcely mentioned dodgeball incident from his childhood. What Edd lacks in physical strength is substituted by his intelligence, in a total reversal of the dim-witted yet physically stronger Ed. Exceptionally precocious, Edd is a promising young inventor with an interest in science. Although clever and perceptive, his foresight is often denied by an insidious Eddy.

It is then that he displays his characteristic neuroticism and sarcasm, to the chagrin of his friends. Edd has also proven on many occasions to be quite brave. At first glance it seemed Edd had a distant relationship with his parents, as sticky notes are the only means of communication in his home. Yet Edd claimed that his parents always massage his feet with oil before going to bed, among other nice things.

Eddward moved to Peach Creek as a young boy and became friends with two boys named Ed and Eddy on the very day. Since then, the three have been the best of friends but quickly became social outcasts due to the mischief they would cause with their scams. Despite this, Edd has not seemed to regret his friendship with the two and has helped in Eddy's schemes even when he has often questioned the safety and moral implications of the scams. For the most part, Edd had no interest in becoming a Huntsman as he had not even unlocked his Semblance unlike Ed or Eddy but would support them nevertheless.

Edd always wears a sock like hat that he is so desperate to keep what lies under it a secret. This is due to an incident involving a chemistry set that left his head heavily scarred and his hair discolored. Only his friends, Ed and Eddy have ever seen what is underneath the hat and they have so far never told anyone what they saw. Eddward has spent many years working on a way to try to reverse the chemical damage to his head but had no success.

Until he received an invitation to Gravity Falls.

Unfortunately the brief joy he felt from having the damage repaired and his hair restored came at a deep cost as his parents were tortured by cult fanatics worshiping the demonic entity known as Bill Cipher and later died from their injuries, causing Eddward to spiral into grief and wishing vengeance on Bill Cipher. He would later become the core unit of the weapon Armatae that makes his chances for vengeance possible…

Close File

Xxx

"Uh…"

When Double D first opened his eyes he found himself…staring up at the face of an apple with a straw hat on its head?

"Howdy stranger. What brings you to these parts?" The…apple asked with a friendly smile.

Double D blinked as he slowly sat up. "Umm…Do you know where I am?"

"Why' you're in the Farming Car. A nice little place where we fruits and vegetables live in peace." The talking apple gestured with his hand.

Double D followed the gesture and indeed saw a farming community that looked very similar to when he and his friends tried to trick Rolf into thinking he had returned home by way of a magical wish granting shoe.

Only it was real and the people were actually walking and talking fruits and vegetables.

"How is this possible?" Double D whispered to himself, wondering if he was dreaming.

The natural order seems to be much different here in the Infinity Train.

Double D gasped slightly and looked down at his chest. "Armatae?"

Yes, I am here. You were unconscious when you came aboard but I monitored your vital signs. There was a voice, an electronic voice suggesting that it was an artificial intelligence like myself that explained our purpose here on this train. You were in a capsule of some kind and your memories were copied and extracted.

"My memories were copied and extracted?!" Double D exclaimed, causing the apple to stare at him.

Affirmative. It seemed the train was making a file for you, based on your memories in order to determine your mental state. Look at your right hand.

Double D held up his right hand and saw a green glowing number on the palm.

2012

"What is this?" Double D tried wiping the number off his hand. "It's not a tattoo. Tattoos don't glow."

It's some kind of energy that has seemingly linked you with an energy signature I have detected from the train. Ford Pines spoke how this Infinity Train takes on and keeps passengers so they can work through their own personal problems.

"Personal problems?" Double D muttered, frowning to himself as he considered what his own personal problems could be.

Well, the death of his parents came to mind.

That had been traumatizing, he knew enough about psychology to know that. Having read up on almost all the books of child psychology, he could probably diagnose himself.

Perhaps your love and desire for order in all things, fearing physical activity, your need to label everything in sight, or how upset you can be when you find someone superior to you in intelligence-

"Thank you, Aramtae." Double D snapped, somehow sounding both stoic and sarcastic in one sentence. "But I don't need to be psychologically analyzed."

Isn't that the train has already done? Analyzed your psychological status and perhaps this number has been assigned to you based on what has been found.

"Simply pointing out my flaws will not help me, supposedly if being here can even help." Double D shook his head as he stopped at a farmhouse and sat down in the shade. "I would need to face these problems…And I can't even do that here."

You mean-

"Cipher." Double D clenched his glowing hand into a fist. "My deepest problem currently is Cipher for his actions that led to the death of my parents."

And yet you chose to come here to help locate Mabel Pines.

"Because it is the right thing to do." Double D retorted. "I cannot let vengeance consume my life. I know enough to understand what might happen if I allow that."

Is it truly that simple?

Double D didn't answer.

How could he when he was not sure he might not somehow go insane from everything that has happened?

The loss of his parents…

And they weren't just killed they were tortured by monsters worshipping an even worse monster.

"Young Eddward?"

Double D perked up at the sound of his name being mentioned and his eyes widened when he saw Ford Pines approaching. "Mr. Pines. I didn't think I would run into a familiar face so soon."

"Neither did I." Ford replied as he approached the young prodigy. "How long have you been here?"

"I woke up not too long ago." Double D answered as he stood up. "I have seen no sign of any of the others aside from you. Do you have a number?"

"You mean this?" Ford held up his right hand and sure enough there was a glowing number on the palm.

2034

"Armatae and I are of the opinion these numbers represent whatever psychological test the train performed on us when we boarded." Double D showed Ford his own number. "Though I am not sure what else they represent."

"I remember listening to a little robot voice before I woke up here." Ford brought a finger to his chin. "It claimed we have to bring our numbers down to zero if we are to ever exit the train. As for how we do that…"

"We must solve the problems in ourselves." Double D finished for the older man. "A strange form of therapy if there ever was one. Forcing us to work through our own problems or we never see home again?"

"I have come across many questionable forms of psychological treatment and I am sad to say this is not the most morally questionable I have ever seen." Ford admitted as he looked around. "This farm setting inside this car already makes it much more pleasant. Perhaps the setting and the fruit farmers are a method to put our minds at ease and contemplate."

"I know one friend of mine who would find himself very happy here." Double D admitted.

"As do I. What is the most surprising is the train found a way past the metal plate I have in my head." Ford tapped a temple and a metallic banging sound was heard. "I had this plate installed to keep Bill Cipher from taking over my mind. I thought if it could Bill out it would keep anything out. This train unlike anything I have encountered before."

"I can only presume the methods Armatae used to safe guard my own mind were equally worthless as well." Double D surmised. "Can we presume the train is prepared in the event a passenger is hostile?"

"I am unsure on that." Ford looked at a pair of talking…grapes. "I doubt these…inhabitants would be meant to handle any problems while looking like this and acting so friendly."

"Perhaps they can help us." Double D offered. "They might know the way out of here."

"A logical assumption." Ford nodded in agreement. "I believe it will be safe to ask around. We'll have to move quickly to find the others."

With that, Double D and Ford walked around and asked questions of the inhabitants about the train. While they did not learn much the denizens did lead them to the door that would take them to next car. They even offered the pair some food and water for their journey which the pair was grateful for. After bidding good bye to the denizen, Ford and Double D opened the door and looked upon the outside of the Infinity Train.

"My word!" Double D gasped, seeing the endless desolate land outside of the train. "What kind of world are we in?"

"Evidently a world where the train is the only hospitable place." Ford answered as the door closed behind them. "Making it clear that staying on this train to work through our problems is not just a choice, but a necessity."

"Is there any way to know how long this train is?" Double D wondered.

My scans pick up an incalculable number of cars that make up this train.

Conclusion: It has an unlimited number of cars and is why it is called the Infinity Train.

Ford glanced at Double D, knowing that Armatae was communicating with the boy. He still didn't know what to make of his former creation bonding with a kid a few years older than Dipper and Mabel and that it did so against Ford's wishes. Right now the priority was to find Mabel along with the others and then find a way off this train and get back to Earth to seal the rift.

Time was running out.

"I suppose the only logical step is keep moving up. Perhaps if we can reach the very front of the train, the conductor might know where everyone else is." Ford concluded, facing the door to the next car.

Double D nodded and the pair walked up the bridge leading to the next car. They opened the door and peeked inside.

It was all pitch black and they couldn't hear anything.

Sharing a look, Double D and Ford mentally debated entering this car before sighing and taking a plunge into the unknown.

I would like to thank nightmaster000 and EndeavorT for supplying the majority of scenes for this chapter. Merry Christmas and looking forward to a brand new year with more action on the way.