Bud. Bud Gleeful...but who else? Who else is in that cult? Can I trust Wendy? Soos? Or even Stan? How is this even in a children's show? Is it one of those not-original-but-added-because-of-my-existence sort of things? Ugh. Going one-to-one against a demon was hard enough for me...

...But then again, the more urgent I am, the calmer I should be. I should organize about them...at least for what I know, and what I need to know.

...What I need to know...

There's too much that I need to know. Heck, I may know nothing. I don't know the intentions of this thing, and what happened to this world because of me.

You know what's weird? Last time, I mean the time when I didn't have the Memento Mori and did nothing, I never heard of anything called the Society of the Open Eye. I mean, okay. I understand that those monsters that I face didn't come out last time because Bill Cipher probably never tried to fight me, but...the Society of the Open Eye? If it's a cult that is actively spreading across the town, I should've faced one.

...For now, I'm kinda sure that there's a difference between the two worlds...The world where I did nothing and got the Memento Mori, and the world where I got the Memento Mori and now actively facing Bill Cipher.

Okay, back to the cult itself. What can I assume from the information that Bud Gleeful is a part of that cult, and that they can manipulate anomalies?

I started to write it down on the whiteboard on the wall.

The eye-shaped amulet might be a key to something. Currently suspecting it to be...an intermediary for people to use the anomaly. How they attained it is a mystery.

If Bud Gleeful is in the cult, the next people I should suspect are the Gleeful family. Furthermore, Gideon Gleeful himself. However, something's telling me that Gideon is not the main part of this cult thing...

The leader of the cult...One thing for sure, he found out that I had powers. Unlike Bud Gleeful who only knew that I had some kind of powers, the leader must've expected what my powers were, since he used a specific anomaly to test me out. Who is he? It's a mystery...But probably some man in this town...

As I wrote down, I noticed something. The Ruleshorror anomaly...maybe it has something to do with me...Was there anything specific that the rule asked me?

...Yeah, come to think of it...there were a few things. The rule that made me not go downstairs...and the rule that made me ignore rule number four...

But how does that even matter with my abilities? Maybe it has something to do with the shack...

Wait.

Last life, when I had an encounter with Stanford Filbrick Pines...I met him under the shack.

Under...the shack...the basement, where the lab was.

"..."

If this anomaly was designed by the leader of the cult...then did he know about the lab? Did he know about Stanford? Then who is it? There are probably only a few people who actually know Stan is not...' Stanford'...

And why did he add this rule specifically then? I still need to understand the meaning of Rule Four, but...The rule that makes me not go underground specifically gives me information that I shouldn't go downstairs, and that there is downstairs...

For what purpose then?

Ugh. My head.

It hurts too much. I need some Migraines for my Ibuprofen...No, some Ibuprofen for my migraines...

...and I most certainly need some rest.


"...You're opening a what?"

['WE' are opening a fair. Now bring some tools and work!]

About a day later, Stan called me in the morning...for a fair. A fair? At the shack? What is he thinking about, how...? Do I have to do all the contracts and stuff? set up the food stands, get admissions...

...Well, I should say goodbye to my sweet rest...for a week.

I had to head to the shack as quickly as possible, and as soon as I got there Stan brought me to the large space behind the shack.

"...So we're going to..."

"Open a fair!"

" ...a fair? Like, seriously? Do you know how many safety evaluations there are for one fair ride? And considering your personality, you will just go and get some cheap stuff...How are we possibly going to get past safety inspections?!"

"That's the fun part, Ray. We don't! HaHaHa!"

Stan laughed maliciously. I sighed. Sometimes this old man gets too many weird plans in his head...although he surprisingly does have the ability to bring the plans into reality.

And most of the time, Soos and I need to work overnight to finish the job. Wendy...well, she...I'd like not to talk about her. I don't really see what's the problem, but we've been kinda...awkward since I killed doppelganger Wendy. And she's been working even less than she used to do.

Anyway...let's get to work. I wish I don't die after this, cause I don't want to go through everything again...the contracts, the constructions...ugh...People should really know that behind all the festivities going around near the shack, the employees are literally grinding their bones to make it happen.

"It's done!"

"Woohoo!"

Mabel and Dipper shouted out as I finished the last thing left for the fair...the entrance sign. I smiled as they screamed. After all that work, I sure did feel proud about my work.

"There she is, Mabel. The cheapest fair money can rent. I spared every expense."

Stan said as he approached us. Dipper, who was already on the sky tram before I could notice, suddenly fell from there. I was extremely surprised, but he seemed okay...for some reason. Isn't it normal for a person to die if they fall from that height? How is he...

"I've got a job for you two kids," Stan said. "I printed up a bunch of fake safety inspection certificates. Go slap one on anything that looks like a lawsuit."

" , you shouldn't teach those stuff to kids."

"Yeah! And is it even legal?" Mabel asked. Stan just laughed at her question, smiling.

"When there's no cop around, anything's legal! Soos! how's that dunk tank going on?!"

"Almost ready to go, ."

Soos, who was still using a blow torch to reinforce the dunk tank handle, smiled as he gave Stan a thumbs up. It seemed like Stan was planning on making that dunk tank undunkable, so that he can mock people as much as he want, and at the same time get money.

Stan walked toward the tank and hit the handle a few times. It didn't even move a bit.

"Ha, you got it rigged from here to Timbuktu! There's nothing on Earth that could knock me down!"

"Yeah, except for like a futuristic laser arm cannon."

...it was all too stupid for me to get involved with that. Anyway, what should I do? Oh right. I need to keep an eye on people in case they do something wrong...Well, I should go back to work then.

I hope nothing weird happens today. I'm already so tired after all the work...


...So, there I was, glancing at the CCTV from inside the shack. Nothing particularly strange was unfolding, thankfully. Feeling a bit hungry, I decided to take a break and venture out to the fair for some lunch. The question mark-shaped corndog beckoned me—why not give it a shot?

As I approached the food stands, Dipper and Wendy caught my eye, both holding the very corndogs I had my sights on.

"Wendy. Dipper."

"...Hey, Ray."

"..."

The air turned a bit awkward. The fact lingered in my mind—I'd offed someone who looked exactly like Wendy, and she had to deal with disposing of a body that was eerily similar to her. Not the ideal foundation for a healthy friendship.

"...Well, I was trying to grab some of those corndogs, Dipper. How do they taste?"

"Not bad. It's funny how they even have this shape, though."

"But they're still...delicious?"

Wendy added, holding up the question mark-shaped corndog next to the sign that said 'delicious.' Dipper and Wendy laughed, and I smiled along. Just then, a blob of mustard dripped onto Wendy's clothes.

"Aw, Boo! I'll be right back."

Dipper watched as Wendy headed off to the restroom.

"...Isn't she so cool, Ray?"

"Cool? Well...maybe one could deem her that way."

I knew Wendy had this cool demeanor, and she remained calm in weird situations. But I sensed Dipper's 'cool' meant more like admiration than just acknowledging her chill vibe. Does Dipper...?

"Hey, Dipper... Do you..."

"BlahBlahBlah! What are you guys doing!"

Before I could inquire further, Mabel suddenly jump-scared me from a bush. I nearly smacked her face. When did she even get there? And did she take that cotton candy into the bush with her?

"Well, it's nothing, Mabel. What are you doing here?"

"Oh, just here to ask my brother how his little da-"

"Nothing! She's here to ask me nothing!"

Dipper said, blocking his sister's mouth. Mabel also frantically nodded as they whispered to each other. My guess might be accurate...

"Dipper...You..."

"...Okay, fine. I admit it. I li-"

"You really do want to be like Wendy, don't you, Dipper?"

Dipper paused for a moment, whispered to Mabel, and then nodded.

"YES! That's right! I want to be like her! Um, and become tall...? I guess?"

He was acting all unnatural, but whatever. I just shrugged and tried to grab the corndog—

"Hey, have either of you dorks seen Wendy around?"

"...Valentino."

It was Valentino. I felt my migraines coming back. His face now just irritates me for some reason.

" She's at the bottomless pit. Why don't you go there?"

Dipper said, with dissatisfaction evident on his face. Valentino then scoffed and took some of Mabel's cotton candy.

"Hey!"

I stopped Mabel from rushing towards him. Stealing from a kid. How pathetic.

"I'll just buy you a new one, Mabel."

"But he..."

"Making a fuss is just what he wants. He craves attention and reactions. Trolls are best dealt with by not feeding them attention."

"Who do you think you're calling a troll, nerd?"

Valentino yelled from behind, but I ignored him.

"See that? He's so desperate for attention...But remember. Animals, we should not feed them. They should go out in the wild and find their own source of food rather than humans. Let's just walk away from here and don't make eye contact with the troll. Okay, kids?"

The twins giggled as we walked away from the angry troll. He cursed at me, but I covered the twins' ears, so it was okay.

"We really need to keep him away from Wendy. He's such a jerk!" Mabel said, with a frustrated face. She was holding another cotton candy I bought from the stand.

"I'm with you, Mabel. But he's a jerk with a guitar and skinny jeans. We need to be careful," Dipper said, punching his left hand with his right hand.

"I don't know, kids. It's not up to us to decide whether that thing and Wendy should date or not."

The kids seemed extremely surprised at my words, looking at me as if I were a monster.

"...I can't believe you say it like that, Ray..."

"I thought you hated him?"

"True, I dislike him. But according to what I know, it's not right for us to decide other people's relationship things. Providing information about Valentino to Wendy? Well, maybe that'll be okay. But we should not manipulate and control the situation so that Wendy will hate Valentino. That's just wrong."

The twins didn't seem to understand, but it was okay. They are kids; they will soon learn about complex relationships.

"...Huh, I really don't understand...OH! MY! GOD! A PIG!"

Instantly, Mabel ran toward a weight-guessing game that dealt pigs...Hmm, it's been a while since I ever had some Korean-style Barbeque. Maybe I should try it...? Nah, I'll just buy some meat on the way home.

Wendy soon came back, and Dipper waved at her. It was time for me to go back to work.

"Well, enjoy the fair Dipper. I worked hard for this, so enjoy your best."

"Thanks, Ray."

"And Wendy, didn't tell you to clean the trash can?"

Wendy didn't answer and just whistled as she looked somewhere else. I sighed. Guess I gotta do that too.

"Just enjoy the fair, Buddy."

"Thanks, Ray. You're the best."

I left them and walked to the nearest trash can. It was all full... So, where was that replacement trash bag...? Hm...


"...Ugh."

I grasped my head, fumbled in my pocket, and fished out some Advil. Popping it with a sigh, I knew it would take a while for the medicine to kick in, but I needed relief.

Dipper was the reason for this migraine. He hadn't left the security office, his wails and muttering of despair filling the air.

"Buddy, can you please stop? What's the matter with you today? Weren't you supposed to be hanging out with Wendy?"

"...It's all meaningless now, Ray. All meaningless..."

"Why?"

"...I'll show you..."

Dipper grabbed me by the waist and pulled me toward the fair. Everything seemed normal, and I couldn't spot any issues—

And then, there it was. Wendy and Valentino, hands entwined in an affectionate embrace.

"Huh."

"What do you mean, 'huh'? This is the end of the world, Ray! She...She's..."

"I really thought Wendy would have slightly better taste in men, but maybe not. Anyway, Dipper, this is none of our business."

"This IS our business, Ray! I...I have a crush on Wendy... So, this is definitely my business."

...Crush? On Wendy?

"..."

So that explains it. This little guy had been acting weird alongside Wendy because of that. Why didn't I figure this out sooner? Come to think of it, it's all quite obvious...

"Ha."

"It's not funny, Ray! I...I tried so hard, but I messed up. I threw a ball, and it deflected and hit Wendy's eye... And Robbie was there, and he helped her..."

Look at this little guy, hanging by the thin thread called hope. He knows he doesn't stand a chance with Wendy, but he can't let go of that glimmer of hope. To him, it feels like that hope just vanished before his eyes.

"I'm sorry for you, man. And Wendy really does have a weird taste in men. But just think of it this way. Do you think they'll last long? I'll bet they'll break up in less than a month. Then, you'll never have to worry about other men taking Wendy away from you."

"...really?"

"I'm sure. And... Well, maybe after that... you can confess to her. Tell her your true feelings. The worst she can say is no, right? So cheer up."

Dipper nodded. I patted his back and pointed at Mabel.

"Go hang out with your sister. 'Cause family will always be there for you when you're feeling down."

Mabel was playing with her new pet pig, which she apparently named 'Waddles'. She waved over to us, and I directed Dipper that way.

...But the fact that Valentino is dating Wendy was extremely surprising for me too. Seriously, Wendy? Valentino? Out of all men? Well, she's a teenager. I don't understand teenagers nowadays, but maybe those hideous skinny jeans and the fact that he can play the guitar are so 'charming' to her.

I don't know about skinny jeans, but I can play the piano, violin, flute, harmonica, ukulele, and ocarina... Well, it doesn't matter. I'm not looking for a date.

...Since nothing weird (except for Wendy dating Valentino) happened today, I shall cherish the moment. And—

-Tick.

...

-TICK!

"...What... the heck?"

Something felt off. My instincts were screaming at me...! Where is it? What is it? Where's Mabel and Dipper...?

They were gone. In just a few minutes, they were nowhere in sight...! I should check the security camera.

I rushed toward the security room and checked the screens. Dipper and Mabel were...phew, thank goodness. They were just playing with a tape measure in the shack...

...and they pulled the tape measure and disappeared.

"...What?"

[TIME PARADOX DETECTED. TIME PARADOX DETECTED.]

"Wait, what the...!"

[EMERGENCY EXPURGATION PROCESS EXECUTING... Please wait outside the line. Please wait outside the line.]

I frantically looked around me. Everything and anything were rewinding, back to a certain place. Line! Where is the line...?

That was when I saw a red, holographic circle line...right near the security room. I ran over the line and waited. What is going on? Time paradox? What time paradox? I...don't understand!

Suddenly, everything started to disappear. Like the world's pixels were breaking down, it vanished... and the whole world, except for inside the line, was enveloped in darkness.

[Time paradox sort-Lead role out of the main timeline... Expurgating time paradox...]

Only this screen, the sort that I saw when I died, was repeatedly flashing in front of me, describing something I couldn't possibly understand.

"What the heck are you talking about?! What is going on?!"

I had to know. Something was wrong, and if I fall from here... I might just end up like the Doppelganger me...

"I said, answer...!"

/! !$! $! $!$ # !#! $! $!% !-

"Agh...!"

I covered my ears from this sudden radio frequency hitting my ears... And then opened my eyes. In front of me was...

"...A...giant Axolotl?"

There was a giant Axolotl, floating in the void...looking at me with its empty eye sockets.