AN: it's been a while since i wrote a chapter. I was actually on vacation with my family for a week. Afterwards, it took me a while to start with this chapter. In this, you may want to play some scores as i noted in here in '()' . Without further ado, let's start a chapter shall we?
Chapter 8: Traveling to CSU Fullerton
The next day, the sun rose like a flower blooming from snow. The wind blew coolly like a broom sweeping the leaves off the ground below. It was a cold morning like air conditioning during summer.
Over at the center of downtown Fresno, a small park where a building, courthouse, stood in the center. Amazed, Luz's team hangs out there as they enjoy the small nature despite people walking by, hanging out, people coming in and out of the court. Some of them were feeling something that they haven't felt for a long time; they felt nostalgia.
"Oh my Titan," King said, "what an extraordinary view of this town!"
"Come to think about it," Eda said as she looked around, "I've been all over the world, but I never been to this town before."
"Meh," Scratch said as he appeared next to Eda," "This town looked dead around here."
"Speak for yourself, ghost man," Eda talks back, earning a frowning look from Scratch.
Over at the stairs of the courthouse, Anne, Marcy, Sasha and their amphibians wandered the courthouse, observing the view.
"So, why do they need this?" Hop-pop curiously asked, "it looks so ding dang big! Are those other building's connected? Why do people managed to-"
"Okay, Hop-pop," Anne said as she covered her friend with her hand, "lots of questions. Lots of questions."
"It must have some law and order here," Olivia said.
"Yes," Marcy said, "Surprised they had few courthouse around here."
"This is very odd for a city to be this wonderful and have a crime here," Grime said, "perhaps we can help improve here like in Amphibia."
Marcy looked around and noticed something about the courthouse's area at it's north side. She saw what appeared to be a 10 feet stonewall made our of metal , next to the courthouse.
"Hm," Marcy pondered, "Hey guys, I'm gonna check over there."
Curious, Marcy walks up to the stonewall and stare at it, same goes to Molly and Libby. It was mostly gray stone metal, almost like a tombstone for 10 feet. Shaped like a tilts square, it was almost heavier than it looks. Marcy, who was carrying her bag, saw the names list there, assumed they were those who lost their lives.
"The Poor people," Marcy said emphatically.
"I can't believe this was all because of the Dark Minder," Libby emphasized as she was saddened by this.
"All the lost souls taken out," Molly said as she stared at the names sympathetically. She then stared down, placed her hand on the tombstone. Libby stared at the tombstone sadly while also staring at Molly, admiring her with blush.
Marcy then noticed a writing below the names. It was stated as:
"Prepare All National Defense Against Corruption Organization Network Society. Warning: Individuals Lead League Relate Equally To Unimaginable Represent Negative Society. War Impact The Horror All Live Forms Repent Earth's Dimension."
Marcy pondered upon this statement. She then pulled out her pen and journal, almost like her old one but green, as she begin to open to a blank page. She begin to write down the statement on her journal. Libby look over at Marcy confusingly.
"Marcy," Libby asked, "What are you doing?"
"This statement seems to be interesting," Marcy answered, "It seems to be odd, yet mysterious."
"Perhaps it's a riddle?" Libby asked.
"Maybe," Marcy said, "or a code or maybe something to question. Speaking of questions, may I ask you a question, Libby?"
"Yeah, sure," Libby said.
"Are you seeing anyone as of now?" Marcy asked. Libby was silenced after hearing the questions, feeling shocked and embarrassed. She didn't know what to answer, yet she knew she had to tell someone eventually.
"Well, to be honest," Libby said, "there is one person in mind. She's kind of sweet and caring, but can also be much too much happy and supportive yet in a nice way."
"Awwww," Marcy said, "and who's the lucky girl, Libby?"
"Well, you noticed a woman who was with me in most places?" Libby asked. Marcy nodded her head. "It's her, paying respect to the tombstone," Libby said. They all looked at Molly, kneeling down. Marcy had a face of joy with her eyes sparkling like an anime character, along with her smile. Yet, she senses it's a personal secret and didn't want to spill it out like a tea accidently knocked over. So, she looks back to Libby.
"Awwww," Marcy whispered to Libby, "You love her, don't ya?" Libby blushed as she get a hold of herself. She's holding in like a soda bottle, bubbly inside. Yet, the question Marcy asked made Libby nearly explode. She was holding in, but the pressure of her mind couldn't stand it. Her head just popped out like a soda cap, unleashed a soda after a mentos dropped like a volcano.
"I really do!" Libby whispered and squeaked to Marcy, "I love Molly. The day we became friends, we got closer like sisters. Next thing I know, I have been thinking of her in my mind a lot recently. Yet, I'm kind of scared."
"How scared?" Marcy asked.
"Very," Libby answered, "it's just what if Molly doesn't love the same way?"
"Hey, don't think about it, Libby," Marcy whispered, "It will only make it worse than you think. The best thing to lose those negative thoughts, you just need to embrace it like embrace your fear. Trust me, I know. It took me a while to embrace my fear: rejection." Libby took everything Marcy had said to her and was surprised to hear her life's advice. "Yet, I know I have to embrace it," Marcy continued, "even if my thoughts may show possibility, but I showed them. You just need to find a way to embrace and fight your thoughts by do it."
"Wow," Libby said like she was happy to hear this advice, "thanks, I'll consider this advice. Until then, can you promise to keep this a secret please?"
"Sure thing, sister," Marcy said, "pinky promise." She lifted her right pinky towards Libby While Libby lifted her right pinky as well. Their pinky holds it in like a commendation lock in the locker room. They held it in until a voice caught their attention and others as well.
"Alright, team," Hector called out, "Let's go over there." He walked out of the courthouse, fully in his uniform like a commander. He walked over to the bus stop, Shelter B, like six stops with benches underneath the shade like a half cone shape for each stop. The group followed him to the bus station, sitting down by near benches to sit or on the concrete by the signs.
"So, which bus we're taking to Fullerton?" Molly asked.
"Is it a city bus?" Pacifica asked.
"Or are we taking an uber there?" Anne asked, "because I can pay for it, as long as everyone chips in."
"Well," Hector said, "we are taking a bus, but you'll see." As soon as he said that, a honk sound could be heard within a mile or two. It sounded like a mixture of a truck horn and a train horn. It's sound was so powerful that it made you jump like a prank. Mostly everyone, except Hector, jumped up in the air like a bunch of cats scared after a pickle drop, scared. Hector looked down the street.
"What was that?" Hop-pop scaredy asked.
"That's our ride," Hector said as he spotted a few, at least five vehicles, most were Falcon's vans, designed like an ice cream truck, with silver colors and a falcon's symbol on it's front grill bumper.. The group looked at Hector's direction and were shocked to see something that caught their attention. It was different from the other vans.
As it got closer, it was a bit huge. It was a redecorated engineered bus, mixed with diesel locomotive elements like in silver color with blue lining in the center sides. The wheels were two pairs of four wheels, leaving a gap in the center below. The steam puffed from above to let's out the steam from inside. It's surface was metal as it shines bright like a sun. The front had a locomotive part with bumper connected. The size was nearly twice more than city bus in length and tall above as well. It pulled up and parked over at Shelter B. Hector stand in front of it as he faced Luz's group.
"Gang, I present to you," Hector said as he faced Luz's group, "our new transportation, DB-17, made by our finest engineers."
Everyone was so stoked to see this bus, like they had no words to say, except Marcy as she was stunned and happy that she fainted like a fangirl faint in every boy band she met. Anne noticed her and goes over to pick her up.
"I got her," Anne said like she figured her girlfriend might react, "it happened so often."
Everyone got in through the entrance doors, and saw the inside. The DB-17 had two levels like a train express. It had a control room for the bus and everything was equipped with a diner hall section. It had a table and seats like an R.V., three pairs at least for Luz's group to sit at. Behind the diner were the bedrooms with double beds on it's side. Below the level, it was a laboratory room for scientific research. It was all white with tables that had a holographic keyboard like a regular one. Three holographic monitors above the keyboard
After a moment of touring the bus, everyone settled in. As Hop-pop looked around, he was a bit concerned. He stepped out of the bus. Anne, Sprig and Polly noticed this.
"Hop-pop?" Anne asked.
"You're not coming with us?" Sprig.
"I'm not sure if I want to come along." Hop-pop said, "Shouldn't we need someone to keep an eye out for those nasty panda fellas?"
"That's right," Hector said, "you wanna stay here?"
"Well, from what i heard about this dark fella," Hop-pop said, "yeah, I'll stay here and with my grandkids." Polly and Sprig looks disappointed appoint until they looked at Anne, who nodded at them, recall last night's fight. So, the planters jumped out with Frobo to stay behind.
"Same with me," Eda said, along with King, "this old frog might need some assistants for spying."
"Say what!?" Hop-pop said like he was misunderstanding.
"I suppose I could stay as well for fun," Scratch sinisterly said like he already had a plan in his ghost mind as he chuckles.
"Scratch" Molly said like she knew what Scratch would do.
"What would we do in the meantime?" King asked.
"You'll be under our wing here," Mayor Jerry said as he approached the bus, "We'll blend you in as residents while we'll keep an eye out for Pandacons."
"Are you sure?" Hector asked.
"I'm sure," Jerry said, "now go find the next item." Hector feels like he's about to make an argument, but he knows Jerry's right.
"Got it, dude," Hector said as the bus doors began to close. The bus begins to ignite as it is ready to hit the road. The engine roared like a growl.
"Let's roll out," Hector said as he called out to his driver, who begin to hit the gas pedal.
(Play Indiana Jones 2: Map/out of fuel soundtrack from 0:17-0:41)
It begins to move its wheels. It goes south until it turns right on east Fresno street and turns right on M street. They then left on Tulare street. It then makes a right turn to freeway entrance 127b, merging to highway S-41. From the highway, the gang can see the view of Fresno's downtown as they awe at it. After a brief moment, they came to the junction with highway S-99 and S-41. The bus detours right to Highway S-99, heading down south with their support of the falcon's Vans.
(Play Indiana Jones 4: The Journey to Akator soundtrack from 0:23-1:11)
As they travel down, montage occurs:
DB-17 travels through buildings, cities, factories, fields of grass.
Marcy, Olivia, Dipper and Libby were in the laboratory. examining/designing their new gadgets, mainly new weapons, like a wrist pistol, shield generator, and other tech etc.
Molly, Star and Amity see the view through the window, like the fields of grass, farmhouse, and mountains far distant they can see.
Luz, Anne, Sasha, Star, Marco, Pacifica and Grime were sharing their stories of their adventure while playing uno cards and the cards of humanity. Grime usually loses, letting out his frustration.
Hector looked through files, regarding Fresno's classified reports. He sees reports of Alfred being murdered, members of communities being murdered, both conservative members and liberal members.
As time went by for at least three hours, DB-17 and vans had gone past more cities, through the mountain, curved roads, and the highway changed from S-99 to highway I-5 south. Closer to Pasadena city, they had just merged to Highway CA-210 and merged into Highway CA-57. They then exited out to Yorba Linda Bivd, then left on N campus Dr. They see a park ahead as they are parked just by an area park named Titans sports complex. As soon as they parked, Everyone got out of the DB-17 and the vans. Hector pulled out his watch to receive a text. It was from someone named Julian.
(music end.)
"He'll be here." Hector said, "if anyone can help us, it's Julian."
"Who's Julian?" Anne asked. Then they heard a car, a yellow beetle volkswagen. It was small as it had a falcon symbol on the hoof.
"That's Julian," Hector said, like his response was answered.
As it was approaching, the front left tire popped out, becoming flat. It was losing like steering sideways but managed to move forward. Luz's group were cringed to witness.
"Is this one of your earth vehicles?" Grime asked.
"An old yet unsafe car back in the 70's," Sasha said.
"And he's also a screw-loose," Hector added, "but his brains make it up for him."
Just as the Volkswagen parked next to DB-17, the beetle blew its engine as smoke came out from the back, earning a spooked from the group. The door opened and a man, Julian, came out. He wore a white lab coat with a gray turtleneck shirt. He had his black hair messy like a high schooler. He wore his goggles over his eyes. He also had his gadgets, like micro-glass, binoculars, a laser-weapon form of a taser, a GPS tracker, etc attached to his belt. He goes over, with his nikes shoe, to the back to open the back hoof. The smoke exploded in front of him as the hoof opened. The man coughed as he waves the air out.
"Great Scott," Julian said disappointingly with a Scottish accent, "I just repaired the engine just yesterday. I have specifically brought enough parts to rebuild it functionally. Must be an. I'll have to repair it today."
"Was that english?" Amity whisperingly asked to Luz, who shrudd her shoulder.
"At least you're in one piece," Hector said.
"You can say that again," Julian said, "My lord. Have you bought new experiments for me?"
"No, they're not-" Hector said as Julian already began to examine the amphibians.
"What extraordinary species," Julian said as he examined Grime in the eyes with his flashlight, opened his mouth with a popsicle stick, and measured his height, length with his measurement tapes. He goes over to Olivia, done the same from measurement to eye examination. He viewed their clothes, as he pulled out his journal to jot down his discovery. "This may not be such a bad thing after all."
"Julian!" Hector said, "they're not experiments. They're with us. It's a long story."
"Oh dear," Julian said shamefully, "Terribly sorry. I can be a bit too scientific. Excuse me for my actions."
"That's alright," Olivia said, "This wasn't my first time being examined." She turned to Marcy, who was blushing embarrassed.
"Yeah, sorry again," Marcy said.
"Julian," Hector said, "this is the group I told you over the phone. The ones who attempted to retrieve an item at CART."
"Ah yes," Julian said, "the Multiversal Guardians." This earned confusion from the group.
"What now?" Anne asked.
"Oh yes," Julian said, "after he told me about you, I looked you all up and I noticed most of you have been to the multiverse, like the demon realm, amphibia, the ghost realm, multiple monsters and weirdness multiverse. So, with that I decided to name you people, henceforth we shall call you, The Multiversal Guardians." He posed like a hero. He looks at the group, The confused group looks back to him and Hector.
"He's also an artist in drama," Hector said to the group before turning to Julian, "Now, about the mission."
"Ah yes, the mission. Follow me," Julian said as he began to walk down the south street, heading to college. The falcons and Guardians follow him.
"Although, it has a nice ring tone there," Star said.
"Let's not stick to it," Marco said.
They walk through the complex and Titan courts. They then stood by the road side and saw the campus in person.
"Welcome to CSU Fullerton," Julian said, "According to the footage and the map you all sent me, I managed to trace Primus and scanned it and it led me here. I then managed to trace it with a heat signature." He rotated his goggles, as a zoomer. "I found it over at that building, civil engineering and mechanical science department just below the basement," Julian said as he pointed to five buildings connected with white texture. Two of them were five stories buildings while the other were two stories buildings. Everyone was surprised.
"So that's where it's been," Marcy said, " it must be held guarded."
"Is there a way to get in?" Hector said.
"Yes and no," Julian said, "We can get in with me getting access, but we may have trouble getting in." He pointed towards the quad, where many people were behind the fence, holding up signs that read, 'Trump's too old!', 'Harris Walz', 'Cease Fire', etc. The counter protesters, opposed from the fence, were wearing t-shirts, with slogans that read: 'Trump Vence 2024', 'Project 2024', etc. Julian analyzed this with his goggles. "It would appear that the protests are taking place for the Harris and Trump election. The entire campus is being closed down to prevent anyone from potential threats."
"Then is there a way we can heist at night?" Pacifica asked.
"We can't wait for night," Luz said, "The Pandacons could already be here."
"She's right," Dipper added in, "even that motherfucker would get in for Primus."
"But we can't risk it all when they're heavily guarded," Hector said.
"Hm," Julian said as he scanned the campus, "Perhaps we can." Everyone looked at Julian as he made an observation. "We can go around the protests. At least a small team will go with me while everyone will look out for the 'll blend in as students and employees." Everyone pondered and pondered until.
"Then, that's a plan," Anne said.
"I'll go," Libby said, earning a surprise from everyone, except Molly who was blushing for Libby like she suddenly became a brave knight. The thought of Libby being brave made her blushed even more than before.
"Then, i'll go," Molly said.
"So will I," Dipper said.
"Alright," Hector said, "There's your team, Julian. We'll look out for any Pandacons while we blend in as well."
"Wonderful," Julian said, "And I found a perfect disguise to sneak in."
"Uh, disguise?" Dipper asked.
AN: Which disguise indeed? Wait for another chapter to come around.
So, i had tried to find numerous way for the characters to travel from Fresno to Fullerton. That was the case until I managed to rewatch Puss in Boots 2 and Indiana Jones films, mainly the first one. I actually to give a montage for our heroes to travel. I originally gonna use Casey Jones song from Dumbo, from tim burton's, yet i had a feeling many of you would not agree with the song choice.
the talk between Libby and Marcy is actually something that i want to write. I want to get them to be closer as pals, like buddies. Libby could need a new friend to speak to, other than Molly and her other new friends. Marcy seems fit to be a new BFF for Libby, but also to have each others back and secret, like Libby's crush. This is where i was going for, building a new friendship.
As for Julian, I actually based this guy from Back to the future's Doc Brown, only younger. I also took some inspirations, like Wheeljack/Pablo from TF: ROTB, and Mac from Chicken Run in terms of his characteristic, like his Scottish accent. His personality was an influenced from Marcy as "too much" genius. I want to have him served as a sidekick to the heroes, but i'll add in more elements for this guy.
Other than that, hope you enjoyed this chapter.