Lightning flashed as the Hydra, more commonly known as Grimm Ghidorah roared overhead.
"An enemy is almost thought of as anything but simply an enemy and the only thing that can be done about an enemy is to defeat him. Whether it is a game or in real life battle, you are expected to show no mercy to your enemy for you shall receive none in turn."
Major Glory is shown fighting Comrade Red before changing to show Dracon facing down Boris.
"However, there is a stark difference between an enemy, an adversary and a rival."
Ancient drawings are shown of Yellow Diamond facing Thor, the God of Thunder.
"A rival is a being who bores a personal enmity with another being, born out of a sense of competition or a slight of one's own person, be it their physical appearance, their wealth or even their own sense of honor."
Marie Kanker and Abigail Lincoln stare each other down in the fighting tournament they have taken part in.
"An adversary however is one that perhaps is an enemy one day and an ally the other. Of course, to gain an ally, there is always a cost as there is a cost in all things in life."
Salem is shown next, making a deal with Catra and Scorpia of Satyra.
"Such costs with an adversary comes from a form of payment in position or power or a form of pride and prestige. And sometimes, the cost can be even greater."
Bill Cipher is laughing as he makes a deal with Jasper, giving her Vlad's ghost powers while Vlad is turned into a Gem.
"That is when cost is a risk to one's own future or even their very lives."
The Dark Gundam is shown now, keeling for before Sammael, having emerged from the Dark Pool.
"In all these possible scenarios, the only factor that must be calculated is the personal cost of whatever personal gain and whether the cost is truly worth the price we all pay."
The Seer Grimm lowered to show Sammael grinning as he leaned forward, staring straight at the screen. "And the warriors, be they enemies, rivals or adversaries must never forget that they are not the only two in these equations. One choice can decide the destiny of many. There is a system, a balance, a line in which all it takes to affect is one simply choice."
Xxx
Down on the ground, Stan, Mabel, Zoe, Frida, Soos, and Wendy watched as Bill was shot back into the rift that he had come from.
Back down in Cipher's castle, Pacifica paused and looked up to see her 'father' being flung back into the rift. "FATHER!"
Bill looked down and saw Pacifica staring up in sheer terror, holding her hand to him.
A flaming hand.
He held out his hand to her and both snapped their fingers just before Bill Cipher vanished back into the Nightmare Realm.
"And don't come back you freak!" Stan shouted, punching into the air with a big smile as Bill vanished into the rift that was mimicked by his granddaughters and staff.
But Mabel noticed something just before Bill had been thrown into the rift.
A yellow specter resembling Bill as his body had turned to stone, flying straight at the stone pyramid that was Cipher's castle.
Ford frowned as he stared up at the rift and saw…nothing. "Why hasn't anything changed?"
"Huh?" Coop glanced at Ford.
"The moment Bill was thrown back into the reality should have returned to normal." Ford stated, concern in his voice.
"Maybe it's just taking a moment to reboot." Jamie shrugged.
BOOM!
Coop, Kiva, Jamie and Ford all looked down to see an explosion of blue fire from the floating pyramid.
"Or not." Jamie simply said.
"Impossible." Ford muttered with wide eyes. "How did he-"
"Talk later!" Coop simply said, angling MEGAS down towards the pyramid.
'I don't believe it.' Ford leaned back in his seat. 'He got the better of me again.'
Xxx
"Hmm looks like the party's about to hit the climax..." Nyx said with a slight smirk as she sat at a table alongside Pericles, Bunny, Mac, Molly, and the rest she had recruited for her own forming faction so far currently enjoying some cake while watching the conflict with Bill and Klarion play out with amusement,
"Shouldn't we help?" Bunny questioned looking up from her plate with some cake smeared onto her face,
"Don't worry our part will come soon enough..." Nyx said with a dark smirk, "Right now it's Bill and Klarion's show, and it looks like the spotlight is about to shine on Pacifica~"
She let out a dark chuckle while she picked up a napkin and before she realized it she was cleaning off Bunny face, "But I suppose it's time for us to get into our places..."
She admitted and looked at the table, "You all know what to do?" She questioned with those gathered at the table nodding, "Excellent..."
Nyx got up from the table only to frown at someone shouting her name, "Nyx!"
Causing her to sigh with obvious annoyance, "Then while you all are tying up the loose ends before we depart Gravity Falls it seems I'll be tying up some loose ends of my own."
She turned her attention to those that shouted her name, showing it to be none other than Tambry standing alongside Archer and Lana.
"What's up family you've been enjoying the party~" Nyx said with a dark smirk, "It's certainly to die for don't you think? Shame, I'll have to take my leave soon..." Nyx said with faux disappointment, "but you know how it is ultimate power to claim, Elements to take..." An evil grin grew on her face as her hands crackled with energy, "Old bridges to burn~"
Xxx
"RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The people in the pyramid jumped back as Pacifica exploded into a pillar of blue fire.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!" Pacifica's voice began to change, becoming a mix of her own and…Bill Cipher's.
A blinding yellow aura surrounded her now, causing her skin to glow with the same color as Bill's with even a bowtie appearing around her neck and a top hat appearing on her hat.
"TO THINK YOU ACTUALLY FORCED MY HAND THIS FAR." Pacifica-Cipher laughed demonically. "IT'S A GOOD THING I TOOK OUT AN INSURANCE POLICY YEARS AGO WITH THE NORTHWESTS. YOU THINK JUST BECAUSE YOU THREW MY ORIGINAL BODY BACK INTO THE RIFT, THINGS WOULD BE BACK TO BORING NORMAL?!"
Pacifica-Bill floated up into the air, her bat wings blazing with blue flames.
"I MANAGED TO ESCAPE MY BODY AND MERGE MYSELF WITH THE HUMAN I GAVE A PORTION OF MY ESSENCE TO ON THE DAY SHE WAS BORN! NOW WE'RE NOT BILL CIPHER OR PACIFICA CIPHER ANYMORE! NOW WE'RE JUST CIPHER AND WE'RE GOING TO TEAR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU APART FOR MAKING US THIS MAD!"
Pacifica-Bill held out their hands and the blue pillar of flames that surrounded them blasted through the roof of the pyramid.
"BUT FIRST, WE'RE TAKING EVERY PIECE OF OURSELVES WE EVER GAVE TO YOU USELESS MEATBAGS!"
Xxx
In the Hall of Heroes, the remaining members of the Blind Eye Society suddenly fell to the ground, screaming as a yellow aura surrounded each and every one of them.
"Wh-What's happening?!" Toby cried as he felt a great pain, clutching his chest.
Tats fell to his knees, clutching his chest as the yellow aura around him was extinguished. "Our powers…They are being…drained!"
One by one, the members of the Blind Eye Society cried out as the yellow aura representing the power given to them by Bill Cipher was taken away.
Xxx
Pacifica-Bill smiled as streaks of yellow light shot down from above and entered their body, causing the azure fire surrounding them to intensify.
"THAT'S BETTER." They said, flexing a hand. "TRUSTING THEM TO KEEP THINGS RUNNING SMOOTHLY WAS A MISTAKE WHEN YOU ALL STARTED POKING YOUR NOISES INTO MY BUISNESS BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THE LOOKS OF SHEER BETRAYAL ON THEIR FACES WAS WORTH IT. IF ONLY THEY WERE HERE NOW TO SEE THE THRONE OF STONE I WOULD HAVE BUILT OUT OF THEIR OWN BODIES."
"What just happened?" Abby asked, having no clue what was happening.
"The members of the Blind Eye Society…They were people who worshiped Bill and he modified their Aura, giving them a power boost." Double D explained, sweating under his Armatae helmet. "I think they just took those powers back."
"RIGHT ON THE MONEY, SOCK-HEAD." Pacifica-Bill chuckled. "YOU ALL REALLY HAVE NO IDEA HOW LONG I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS. A BILLION OF YEARS OF SCHEMES, WATCHING THIS MUDBALL OF A PLANET TURN, WAITING FOR MY CHANCE TO TAKE OVER AND SHOW EVERYONE A REEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL PARTY. I ALMOST CAN'T BELIEVE THAT DAY IS FINALLY HERE."
They held up a hand, concentrating all the blue flames into one single hand.
"THOUGH I GOT TO ADMIT, YOU MEATBAGS HAVE REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEALLLLLLLLLLLLLY PUSH ME THIS FAR TO RELY ON MY LITTLE BACK UP PLAN, USING THIS MEAT PUPPET I DRESSED UP AS A SO-CALLED DAUGTHER TO KEEP YOU FROM THOWING ME BACK INTO THE RIFT. GOOD EFFORT." They used their other hand to give a thumbs up to everyone. "BUT NOW, SADLY THE GAME ENDS HERE AND THE PARTY STARTS."
And with that, the fire blasted towards everyone with the obvious intent to burn them out of existence.
Everyone screamed, frozen in fear.
And yet, one of them was experiencing the same amount of fear.
In fact, he was watching as everything around him began to slow down.
"What is happening?" Nigel wondered as the blue flames signifying his Ice Elemental powers seemed to flare, causing ice to form underneath his feet.
"The power of the Ice Elemental."
Nigel turned and to his surprise saw Elsa, the original Elsa smiling down at him. "Elsa? I thought…I wouldn't see you anymore."
"I am always here, Nigel. As are the rest of us, ready to help." Elsa answered. "Nigel, there is a reason why Bill Cipher sought to bring you, Abigail and Edward here. It's the same reason as the Gems. He's afraid of the Elementals."
That revelation took Nigel by surprise. "But…I've seen what he can do. Hard to believe my power can stack up to his in any way."
"You're half right. If Bill Cipher were to breach the barrier around Gravity Falls and cause reality to crumble, then you power would not be enough against him. However, while still confined under the barrier, Cipher is vulnerable to the deepest, darkest power that comes from the Ice Elemental." Elsa said solemnly.
"Deepest, darkest power?" Nigel asked, suddenly feeling worried.
"Yes." Elsa nodded. "The power…to manipulate Entropy itself."
Nigel's eyes widened in shock. While he was still a child, he was a very smart child. Smart enough to know what Entropy meant.
"Entropy?"
Elsa nodded. "Yes. Evergreen knew this as he was the first, but many other pieced it together in the following centuries. As you might be aware, Semblances are special abilities that allow Huntsmen and other warriors of our world to fight the Grimm and the Fallen. These special powers can even bend or even break the Laws of Physics. To put it simply, the power of the Ice Elemental has the power to break the laws of what you call thermodynamics."
Nigel was gaping now. "It can?!"
"You must have seen it by now, Nigel. The power of the Ice Elemental allows control over winter in all forms. The ability to create and control ice and snow, to lower the temperature of anything you touch. You felt this against the Ice Queen, remember?"
Nigel did remember.
The Ice Queen, formerly known as Patience St. Pim had come after him for his Elemental powers. She had the same powers as him, thanks to a wish granting crown but in the end, she couldn't be the true Ice Elemental for the power had rejected her, choosing to remain with Nigel and nothing, not even the Ice Queen or even Evergreen could change that.
"Just as you can control the temperatures of the objects you freeze; heat is not conserved between you or the objects you or even the Ice Queen can freeze. You can even bring the temperature down to absolute zero, which violates the first law of thermodynamics. Heat does not flow into you from your surroundings which you experienced during your battle with the Ice Queen. Your powers from the Ice allowed you to maintain a set temperature that was under freezing temperatures but at the same time, protected you from harm." Elsa explained. "Any normal person would have frozen to death in those conditions."
"And that breaks the second law." Nigel realized. "And the fact I can even reach Absolute Zero breaks the final law."
Elsa nodded. "Yes. Your father's Semblance works by removing heat from his surroundings, building it up until it is ready, and he unleashes in the form of fire from his hands. That's how his Flame Semblance works. Yours literally creates fire that freezes instead of burns, a direct violation of the laws of physics and thermodynamics."
Nigel remembered how surprised he and everyone else were that he could create flames that freeze instead of burning.
"Those flames do not simply freeze, they literally remove the heat from whatever they touch, causing it to freeze on contact." Elsa continued. "And the theory of Entropy is that it is the amount of information to describe a system. You cannot decrease Entropy since heat usually just moves from a hotter system to a cooler one to gain thermal equilibrium."
"But my Semblance doesn't do that…It removes heat from whatever it touches…" Nigel's eyes widened as he realized what it meant. "And that means…I could potentially destroy information on the fundamental level!"
That was….
Scary.
It essentially meant that he could literally freeze anyone and anything to death so easily that nothing would be left.
Not even a frozen statue.
"And that might be your greatest weapon against Bill Cipher." Elsa explained, causing the boy to look back up at her. "He seeks to plunge the world into burning chaos but not even chaos completely destroys energy or information, simply twists and breaks it apart."
"But if I use my powers right, I can literally break apart the 'information' in everything he controls and creates." Nigel caught on. "It can even counter his attempts to 'rewrite' the very 'information' of the world around him!"
"That is right." Elsa nodded.
Nigel was stunned to say the least that he had a power like this inside him the whole time. "Is this…Is this what happened to the Ice Queen? Did I break her apart when she tried to kill us?"
"No, her own powers did that when you broke the curse. When the curse of eternal winter was undone, so was her wish to remain eternal. Her own powers, the same powers as the Ice Elemental, kept her body temperature at sub-zero and her human body could not handle it. So, when spring arrived, she disappeared with the winter." Elsa said solemnly. "As did Evergreen."
So, both the Ice Queen and Evergreen were destroyed by the very power they sought to control. Even though they had tried to kill him and his friends, Nigel couldn't help but pity them.
"This kind of power…It's kind of scary." Nigel admitted as Elsa put a hand on his shoulder.
"It is." Elsa agreed. "But you are smart enough to not use this power foolishly like Evergreen and Patience did. You know where to draw the line. Let wisdom be your guide against the enemy you are facing now."
Nigel stared down at his hand, clenching it and then looked up with blue flames surrounding his eyes. "All right."
Elsa smiled down at him before she was gone and he was back in the pyramid, facing Pacifica-Cipher as they prepared to unleash their attack.
"NOW, LET'S START THIS PARTY WITH A BANG!" Pacifica-Bill cackled and let loose the gathered blue flames onto everyone in front of them.
"ABSOLUTE ZERO!" A frozen pillar unleashed itself, instantly freezing the flames and their progenitor.
Xxx
Outside the pyramid, MEGAS was flying down towards the fight when there was a blast of cold winds and the entire pyramid began to freeze.
"Is that is?" Jamie blinked.
"Not just ice." Kiva said, looking over the sensors. "There's something really cold in there. I've only seen temperatures this cold on ice planets where the temperature was too low to even consider colonizing."
"These temperatures..." Ford gasped. "That's down to absolute zero!"
Xxx
(Frozen by Within Temptation Starts)
Pacifica-Bill barely had time to blink before they were frozen head to toe.
"What?! What happened?!" The third eye on their forehead flashed and they saw the source of the ice. "The Ice Elemental!"
Nigel was surrounded by an aura of blue and white fire, even his eyes and hair had now become pure ice. The ground in front of him was freezing, turning to pure ice and that was when Pacifica-Bill realized what was happening.
(I can't feel my senses)
(I just feel the cold)
(All colors seem to fade away)
(I can't reach my soul)
"Of all the-" They could feel the ice that had formed inside them.
Not only had the Ice Elemental froze them head to toe in ice, but even their internal organs were frozen and were now threatening to break apart.
(I would stop running)
(If knew there was a chance)
(It tears me apart to sacrifice it all)
(But I'm forced to let go)
Becoming nothing but frozen dust.
"He's manipulating Entropy!" Pacifica-Bill's eyes flashed, their regeneration working like overtime to save them from breaking apart.
Bill had known the Elementals would be dangerous, even after he had made his grand entrance into this world.
Abby and Ed were staring in awe from behind, watching as Nigel using the power of the Ice Elementals had singlehandedly countered Pacifica-Bill's flames. Though, they also noticed that the ice was spreading.
(Tell me I'm frozen, but what can I do?)
(Can't tell the reasons, I did it for you)
"The Ice Elemental…" Scrooge McDuck realized, watching as the ice began to spread through the room and the pyramid. "Has he unlocked his full power already?"
(When lies turn into truth, I sacrificed for you)
(You say that I'm frozen, but what can I do?)
"Someone call for a pick up!" Everyone turned around to the massive hole in the wall, the sound of Coop's voice through the speakers of his mech called out. "Coop's quick get you out of falling pyramid service, open for business!"
(Everything will slip away)
MEGAS lowered its hands down onto the ground, allowing everyone to get on.
Abby turned around and saw Nigel hadn't moved. "Nigel, we got to go!"
(Shattered pieces will remain)
Nigel didn't move at all, not even blinking as he stayed still as a statue while the ice now covered the room and spread out through the pyramid.
"NIGEL!"
(When memories fade into emptiness)
"He can't hear you, lass!" Abby looked behind to see Scrooge McDuck standing next to her. "He's just as frozen as the rest of this place is being. He can't move channeling his powers like this."
Abby's eyes went wide, understanding what Scrooge meant.
(Only time will tell its tale)
"RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Pacfica-Bill let out a roar, breaking through the ice they had been encased in. "YOU THINK THIS WILL STOP ME?! I CONTROL TIME AND MATTER AT WILL!"
(If it all has been in vain)
The ground began to crack, spreading along the walls. White dust and snow began to fall as the room along with the rest of the pyramid.
(Tell me I'm frozen, but what can I do?)
"YOU THINK THIS WILL END ME JUST BECAUSE I'M IN A HUMAN BODY NOW?!" Pacifica-Bill cackled. "I JUST HAVE REGENERATE AND REASSEMBLE FASTER THAN YOU CAN FREEZE ME!"
(Can't tell the reasons, I did it for you)
With that, Pacifica-Bill let out another roar as fire blasted from their mouth. Their form began to dissolve and disappear as the room began shake and shatter.
(When lies turn into truth, I sacrificed for you)
"We got to go!" Ford shouted from inside the cockpit.
Ed held out a hand and a blast of slime shot out, engulfing Nigel and pulling him into MEGAS's hand. With him now safely onboard, MEGAS shot clear of the pyramid as it broke and shattered into a shower of icy and snowy dust, sprinkling onto the forest below.
(You say that I'm frozen)
MEGAS landed on the ground and knelt down, allowing everyone to safely disembark onto the ground.
"Everyone, head back to the town. You'll safe there." Scrooge said, pointing in the direction of Gravity Falls.
(Frozen)
"Safe?" A pillar of blue fire exploded from the ground, revealing Pacifica-Bill, fully healed from being frozen. "We haven't even started!"
(Frozen by Within Temptation Ends)
INFINITY TRAIN ARC
"It seems your plan to destroy the Infinity Train has failed."
Sammael closed his eyes, sighing before looking out the window of his cabin. "So, it has. The Spider has destroyed the experiment. Pitiful creature, so powerful and yet its pride is so easily wounded. I won't let this stand."
"Caution, Sammael. You still need to attain all twelve of the Spiral Gems before you even think of going toe to toe with the Spider." Moloch pointed out. "Trying to engage it in the Astral Realm will only see your mind and soul torn apart."
"As if that has not been done to me already." Sammael held up a hand and flexed it. "My body, meant to die from a plague, saved by drowning me in a sea of black, torn apart when I fell into a well of light, my mind, my sanity, all stretched and ripped apart until I could finally find the strength to put myself back together and re-emerge back into this world."
His hand clenched and his eyes glowed, highlighting the cabin in a crimson light.
"The Spider is just one of many grievances I have to address but I am patient. As you say, the Spiral Gems must be found first." Sammael lowered his hand and the red glow from his receded. "If the Gem of Creation was moved from the Infinity Train, it must have been moved to another planet."
"Assuming it's even still in our dimension."
Sammael's lips curled into a smile. "We don't have to worry about that. Even if it was, the awakening of the Gem of Heart would only call Creation back here. The Twelve are designed to always be united when in the hands of a wielder. Creation will return. In the meantime, we'll finish off what's left of Van Kleiss, preferably cripple the so-called heroes and attain the Gem of Heart before we move on to find Creation."
"Heart, Creation, Strength, Destruction, Mind, Form, Soul, Nature, Sight, Bond, Youth and Ability. That is the order of the Twelve." Moloch recited and recalled.
"Yes." Sammael closed his eyes. "Sight is with the Sebbens, Bond has been found, Soul has found a host Heart's location has revealed and will soon be awakened, and six others are located in the strongholds of our enemies. The only ones uncounted are the Gem of Destruction which a copy of has been found, the Gem of Form's location is likely out there in the universe. The countdown has begun…"
"To the Spiral War."
Xxx
Meanwhile, with Ed and the others, they all watched as the Dark Substance suddenly burned away, allowing Ed to dissolve the slime dome.
"What happened?" Stan wondered.
"If I were to hazard a guess, something must have destroyed the source of the Grimm matter." Ford pondered.
"So, we're safe now?" Jonny asked, lifting up Plank and sighed in relief. "Yeah, I'm relived too buddy."
"If the Spider was successful in destroying the source of the Grimm, maybe we are safe." Ford answered unsurely. "Provided it releases Dipper."
"Dipper…" Mabel muttered, and she took off running. "I'm coming, Dipper!"
"Dang it, Mabel! Slow down!" Stan called out, running after her, followed quickly by Ford.
"Just when I thought we were getting a break." Kevin muttered, shaking his head.
"Come on, guys! More adventures!" Jonny laughed as he followed after the Pines.
"A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse." Rolf simply said, following along with the rest of the group.
In one of the cars, Eddy found himself on a…moon with various creatures partying when he was covered in slime to protect him from the Dark Substance.
"GAH!" Eddy screamed as he broke free of the slime once the Grimm matter was gone. "I HATE THIS PLACE!"
"Tell me about it." A female voice said behind him.
He turned to see a girl a few years older than him with purple hair.
…
…
…
"So, who are you supposed to be?"
The girl glared at Eddy, as if seemingly annoyed by just his mere presence for a full moment before she finally answered. "…Tambry."
"Tambry huh?" Eddy said and then shrugged. "Cool, my name is Eddy."
"Good for you." She said simply, not bothering to look at him.
Eddy frowned, not liking the way this girl was acting as it reminded him all too much of how everyone had dissed him.
"So-"
"I'm going to stop you right there." Tambry held up one finger. "You want to hang around here, go ahead. Just remember certain rules. Rule Number One: Don't talk to me."
"Hey-"
"Rule Number Two: Don't interrupt me while I'm in the zone." She said, going back her speaker equipment. "I'm composing my art and forgetting I'm on some weird train."
Tambry nods her head back and slips her headphones on, acting as some kind of DJ. The denizens in the party car danced to the rhythm of her music.
"I-"
"Rule Number Three: No talking in the middle of a party." Tambry continued, eyes closed as her head nodded to the beat of the music.
"Would you-"
"Rule Number Four: Don't talk to me when I'm explaining the rules." Tambry again cut him off, smiling as she danced to the rhythm.
Eddy growled. "Why you-"
"Rule Number Five," Tambry's console suddenly changed and shifted, becoming a gun that she picked up and pointed at Eddy. "Never touch the DJ's equipment."
"Yeesh, what is your problem?!" Eddy finally had enough. "You're the first human face I find on this stupid train other than the loser friends who dumped me, and you turn out to be worse for no good reason?!"
Tambry's eye twitched as Eddy turned out to be even louder than the music she was playing.
"What you think you got some kind of special problem that you can sit and act like you don't give a flip about anyone or anything?! That's so stupid, I actually believe Ed is smarter and more mature than you!"
Tambry's hand clenched.
"Don't read me the 'I got it bad' card! You think you've got problem? LOOK AT ME!" Eddy shouted as his arms began stretching all over the party area.
Denizens stopped and looked at Eddy, many of them making 'ooh' and 'aah' sounds as they watched.
"You think this is normal? I'm like some kind of alien here!" Eddy then stretched his legs, allowing him to tower over Tambry. "And no one, not even my own friends seemed to care what I am going through!"
Eddy's Number: 2334-2456-2500
Tambry just looked surprised as Eddy's neck stretched down, allowing him to stare down Tambry right in the eyes. "So, tell me, Duchess of DJs, what's so bad in your life?!"
…
…
…
"My sister has been turned into a demon and I never noticed it." Tambry simply said, leaning back in her chair.
Eddy raised an eyebrow.
"It happened under my nose, and I never noticed it. Years went on and I was too wrapped up in my own crap to notice what was happening with my sister." Tambry stared down at the ground. "And when I finally found out, it was too late. My sister was gone…Changed before my very eyes…Into a killer."
Eddy blinked.
"An assassin…a murderer." Tears slipped down Tambry's cheek as she glared back up at Eddy. "So maybe I might not be an alien, but I can say I have not had it easy. I just want to listen to these tunes now, because anything is easier than just going back and having to see the monster that my sister has turned into."
Eddy's mind suddenly flashed to what Ed had said about Sarah.
"…Sarah's missing, and Mom was sent to a place to help her get better." Ed explained. "I moved in with Rolf."
"Eddy…" Ed shook his head. "Double D lost his parents like I lost Sarah."
'What the…Why am I thinking about them now? They don't care about me.' Eddy thought to himself. 'Wait, that slime…That was Ed's power. So Ed saved me. But why would he save me if he and Double D ditched me?'
For Eddy, it used to be simple.
Make scams, earn money, prepare for life as a Huntsman so he could become someone everyone thought was cool…
Like his brother.
His brother…
His brother who conned people, although much more successfully than Eddy.
His brother was accepted into society easily, and Eddy was respected because he was with him. After he left, Eddy decided to follow in his footsteps, but failed miserably in the process. His brother was popular because his scams and pranks worked, while Eddy's backfired and ended in him and his friends getting pummeled and walking away empty handed. Eddy's brother was someone who people wanted to be around because he was fun and popular.
Eddy wanted to be better than him.
So yeah, he tried to start training to be a Huntsman but the only person who had any experience in helping with that was Rolf.
"Three-Haired-Ed Boy has much to learn." Rolf shook his head.
But things didn't go so far.
"Is this the best you can do?! Rolf has seen better performance from a pile of rats fighting over corn!" Rolf, the self-proclaimed 'son of a Huntsman' barked at the 'Hunters in-training'. "You make Rolf sick! If you were up against a Grimm you would all be goners, Ed-Boys, Jonny-Wood Boy and Go-Go Nazz Girl.".
The obstacle course included a pit Rolf had personally dug out with a tree he had knocked down as the only way across. The trainees had fallen in a dozen times, coming out muddy and bruised each time, followed by a jagged run that they had tripped on more than once, and struggling to avoid a stampede of barn animals.
Even though Rolf had proven himself to be strong.
"Impressive."
Rolf looked over his shoulder, seeing three strange girls appear in his backyard. The one on the right had blond hair with buck teeth and wore a gray T-shirt, red shorts, red shoes with black soles, and yellow socks. The one on the left wore a black tank top that halted above her midriff, a pink belt, and green non-camouflaged BDU pants. Her hair was short and blue and it covered her right eye.
The last one and the one in the middle wore a white tank top with red polka-dots on it and a pink belt with blue jeans and golden earrings. Her hair was red and it covered her eyes and she had a few freckles on her face.
"And who are you and why do you trespass on Rolf's home?" Rolf asked calmly but could feel something off with these girls.
"I'm May Kanker." The blond girl answered, sticking her tongue out under her teeth.
The blue haired girl popped a piece of bubblegum in her mouth. "I'm Marie Kanker."
"And I'm Lee Kanker." The red haired girl finished. "We're the Kanker Sisters. We just moved in. Nice to see the place our ancestors bought is still in one piece."
"Bought?" Nazz asked.
Double D's eyes widened. "That's right! The Kanker family gained the deed to Peach Creek at the time of building in exchange for protection from the Grimm."
"So they own the cul-de-sac?" Eddy asked.
"You betcha, small fry." Lee answered, smirking.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SMALL?!" Eddy shouted, looking like he would have tried to attack the Kankers but tripped and fell over.
"Eddy, calm down! No one was saying that." Double D said as he and Nazz helped Eddy back onto his feet.
Lee chuckled. "Looks like we got a fighter here girls."
"Cute chubby cheeked ones too." Marie agreed.
"Maybe we should see how they are." May suggested with an excited look.
Rolf stepped forward. "There will be no fighting with Rolf's students. Newcomers come looking for a battle you may speak to this son of a Hunter."
"Oh, sounds like a challenge. You heard him girls." Lee said, crossing her arms.
"I get first dibs." May said, taking a step forward.
"Fine but leave enough of him for me." Marie said, stepping to the side.
May took off, lunging at Rolf who spun out of the way, tripping May and watching as she skidded several times across the ground. "Charging Yellow Head leave herself wide open, she practically screams her attack before she makes it."
May got back up, shrugging off the dirt and turned around with a smile. "Okay, let's get dirty!"
May preformed a hand stand before leaping up and preforming a spinning kick at Rolf who ducked. May aimed her fist down but Rolf jumped back, watching as May's fist hit the ground, creating a small crater.
"Charging Yellow Head compensates for lack of skill with brute strength." He continued to lecture her as she charged for another assault.
"Whoa!" Nazz gasped at May's strength. "Is that her Semblance?"
"Unlikely." Double D answered, his mind keenly analyzing the fight.
May moved at high speed, attacking Rolf with deadly ferocity but Rolf remained calm as he dodged her blows until she threw a punch. Rolf grabbed the arm and used the momentum to throw May over his shoulder, sending her flying back at her sisters, landing on the ground in front of Marie.
"Why am I not surprised?" Marie said, stepping over May with an eager grin. "Not bad, Farm Boy. You held off May but let's see how you do against me?"
Rolf could tell that his new opponent was a lot smarter than his previous one and it showed as Marie stopped just a few feet away and readied herself. This one was not going to rush at him like her sister had done.
For a moment they remained there as Marie exhaled, slowly blowing a pink bubble of gum. Rolf realized almost too late that it was not ordinary based on the glow which originated from within…
Kicking off, Rolf launched himself backwards as the bubble popped and unleashed a concussive wave which travelled outwards. Maria was left unharmed by it, but the ground ahead of her was torn up, kicking up grass and dirt into the air and propelling Rolf back further before he dug his feet in and crossed his arms in front of his face. Just as he lowered them he found Marie in front of him, winking up at him as she resumed chewing her gum and threw a swift kick up towards his head which Rolf dodged and simultaneously spun, sweeping Marie's grounded foot out from under her and followed up with a second kick to Marie's side as she fell, sending her sliding back.
"Blue Girl demonstrates keen use of strategy, but wastes opportunity to brag instead of striking." Rolf noted, cracking his knuckles as Marie climbed back to her feet. "Tricks and toys shall only carry you so far, Blue Girl."
Clenching her fist, Marie ground it into the dirt and launched herself towards Rolf much like May had, once again stopping short and launching a series of punches and kicks at Rolf, who effortlessly dodged or blocked them while also putting Marie off balance by tugging her forward when she over extended her reach, not even bothering to strike back. However, she made good use of her gum, repeatedly blowing an explosive bubble when Rolf least expected it, and each bubble seemed to have a different effect based on the type of Dust that had been used in its creation.
A stream of fire, a stream of air so cold that it froze part of Rolf's yard, one even created a burst of electricity which Rolf was only protected from by his Aura.
However, Rolf had not been idle in this fight, observing Marie after the first few bubbles to see when she would blow another. He realized that the signal was when she began to chew faster in the moments before she exhaled.
After kicking her back again, Rolf observed this and shot forward as she began to blow a bubble…and covered her mouth with one hand. Marie's eyes widened with panic, realizing that the weaponized Dust Gum in her mouth had already been primed and was charging up to explode!
Rolf returned her earlier mocking wink and jammed his hand upwards against her lower jaw, making her bite down on the gum while it was still in her mouth and generating a vortex of air which rocketed her backwards while only pushing Rolf back a few feet. Marie flew across the yard and slammed into May, leaving Lee Kanker to face the Son of a Huntsman.
Letting out a low whistle, the red head clapped slowly. "Not bad."
Rolf watched as Lee clapped a few times, taking a few steps forward. The entire time Lee had remained composed, even as Rolf took down her sisters.
"Well, I suppose it is my turn." Lee cracked her knuckles and with that rushed at Rolf who only shook his head.
It seemed these Kanker girls were little more than children, masquerading as true Huntresses.
However just as Rolf blocked the first punch and grabbed Lee to end the fight quickly her image vanished and a fist to the face sent Rolf staggering back.
"Whoa! Rolf didn't even react!" Eddy said, watching as Lee slugged Rolf who did not even defend himself right in the face.
Rolf rubbed his jaw gently, looking at Lee who was still smirking.
"Looks like you ain't so tough after all." Lee remarked.
Lee then lunged at him again, launching a few quick strikes which Rolf dodged, stepping back carefully and trying to analyze his opponent. Just as he was about to block another fist to the face he let out a grunt as a foot slammed into his torso, knocking him down. Rolf jumped back up to his feet and stepped back, trying to see what it was that was making this girl able to slip past his guard.
Could it be her Semblance?
It was possible she had some form of super speed Semblance or an illusion based one.
"Come on, Mister Son of a Huntsman. Is that all you got?" Lee taunted.
Rolf remained composed, remembering his Hunter training from when he was a little boy. The foolish rushed in and met their ends. Rolf saw one thing and felt another…
That was it!
Rolf closed his eyes and activated his Semblance.
"No? Then I'll make the next move!" Lee said, charging again.
"Rolf, move!" Nazz shouted.
Rolf made no attempt to move as his body flashed and a screech was heard inside his mind. As Lee moved into range she let loose a barrage of punches that Rolf blocked or dodged. Lee grinned and looked at him, projecting her intended attack for him to see while aiming a kick at his knees. Just as she swung her foot Rolf reached and grabbed it, catching her attack.
"What?!" Lee gasped, shocked at seeing Rolf catch her sneak attack.
"So, this is how Red Bushy Top has been sneaking past Rolf's guard." Rolf grinned, keeping his eyes closed. "Your Semblance, it projects images into Rolf's vision. Red Bushy Top has been using this to sneak past Rolf's guard. Fortunately, Rolf has a counter for you see if Rolf simply closes his eyes and relies on his senses enhanced by the Semblance of this Son of a Huntsman your power is no match for it!"
"Your Semblance?" Lee asked before Rolf swung her over his shoulder, tossing right at her sisters and knocking them down.
"Rolf's Semblance allows him to take on the certain attributes of animals." Rolf said, turning to face the Kankers. "I can choose the agility of a cheetah, the strength of a gorilla, or even the camouflage of a chameleon but in this case Rolf chose to be blind as a bat!"
Rolf opened his eyes, showing that he was now blind.
"Your blind?!" Lee exclaimed.
"With Rolf's vision now useless Rolf's other senses were enhanced, especially my hearing." Rolf deactivated his Semblance, allowing his vision to return. "Your ability is powerful but Red Bushy Top relied on it too much, giving Rolf a chance to understand and adapt! Now that Rolf understands how you three fight you may be free to leave the property of Rolf's family!"
Lee smirked. "…Fine, since you showed just how interesting you and those ankle-biters behind you now are. We'll leave quietly, for now. But remember, Farm-Boy, this cul-de-sac belongs to the Kanker Clan so we actually own this ground you stand on. We'll be watching so you better be on your guard and you'd better make sure those students of yours amount to something good…Or else."
With that the Kankers let out one final laugh as they turned and left.
"Those girls are crazy." Nazz said once they were gone. "I really wish we'd seen the last of them."
"Unlikely, given their claims and attitudes." Edd sighed in relief that the fighting was over for now.
"Guess that means we better be on guard, uh guys?" Eddy asked.
Rolf turned and faced the kids. "That is enough training for today. Come back again and be prepared. For the appearance of multi-colored demon girls means that training will be more serious than ever!"
Everyone groaned at that.
Xxx
"I'm coming, Dipper!"
Mabel ran as fast as she could through the train cars in the direction she hoped where she would find Dipper.
After everything they had been through, she hoped…
No, she prayed she could make things right with him.
'Dipper, I'm so sorry I ran out on you and the others. I wanted so badly for the summer to never end, for us to always be together that I…'
Mabel couldn't finish her thought, only choosing to run faster.
She had to find him and make things right.
In her determination, the outline of a star surrounded her and she shot off with even great speed through the train, her mind solely focused on finding her brother.