Epilogue
"Until Next Time"
Seeing as the fun was over, the Manotaurs decided to head back to their cave in the woods, though they opted to stay their giant size, much to the Multi-Bear's dismay.
"We'll never forget you, Manly One!" they declared, running back into the forest and toppling an endless amount of trees as they went.
***
Junko hugged herself, shivering slightly. She felt the excitement and relief that poured off the people around her. It was unique... a unique feeling that lodged itself deep in her chest. The girl found herself smiling, lost in the moment, her despair over opening that portal forgotten to her for now. She hadn't been able to stick around to witness the downfall of the Arch Demon, so the fact that she was still here, to bask in
this victory...
"... Wait, who the hell was that triangle guy anyway? I don't even know what's going on!"
Junko sighed, crossing her arms. She closed her eyes and thought for a moment, wondering if she would be stuck here for the time being. She didn't exactly have control over her power to send herself away, but... Maybe if she could manipulate those portals now, maybe it meant she was gaining some kind of control?
"Why is this so confusing... why do I have this power, anyway?"
Junko opened her eyes to find Sam before her, though she had no idea who he was. She supposed he seemed familiar...
"Hey," she said, cocking her head to the side slightly,
"do you wanna join my fan club?"
***
...
The reverse version of Gideon just appeared to be traumatized - and he hadn't even really contributed much. He was a bit of a coward, that much was obvious, but that wasn't what he was worried about. Bill was dead, now - not he, nor anyone else, needed to fret about that any longer. No, the boy's major concerns were about something else entirely.
"...Pacifica?" Much like earlier, there was still silence. This fact filled the young boy with dread, and he gently shook his cousin in hopes of waking her up.
"C'mon, now, Pacifica," he muttered. Still, it seemed the girl wasn't stirring. However, her chest still seemed to rise and fall ever-so-slightly. That was a good omen, at the very least, right?
The young boy simply didn't know anymore.
With an expression that made it seem as though he were about to outright start bawling, the nine-year-old tightly hugged his injured and unconscious friend, holding her close and trying desperately not to tear up. Ironically, however, someone else had started to.
"H-hold me, m' queen!" the original Gideon exclaimed, jumping into Mabel's arms and starting to cry on her. Looked like the Reverse Pines had been a bit too much, even for the one they were the equivalent of in their world.
"..."
For a few moments, Mabel was silent, her expression unreadable as she stared down at the crying trash baby boy in her arms. But slowly, her expression twisted into that of horror.
"....AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! GET HIM OFF OF ME!" she exclaimed, suddenly dropping the boy and beginning to run around frantically.
***
After freeing the book captives, Ford had stayed by Lalonde's side, protecting her for the duration of the battle. A sigh of relief escaped him when it was all over (though he had worried their inability to use the zodiac would spell their doom), and he directed the Dipper clones to gather his niece and nephew. His expression was grim as he looked down upon the pale woman, the blonde looking like she could crumble at the slightest provocation.
When Dipper and Mabel neared, Lalonde finally stirred. Ford let out a gasp and asked,
"how are you feeling?!" She didn't answer for a moment, instead raising a hand to indicate for him to hold off. He waited patiently while Lalonde sat up on her own, eventually rubbing her head and letting out a tired sigh.
"I'm sure you have a few questions."
Dipper moved next to her, dropping down to his knees to bring his level with her.
"No way, we're just happy you're okay! You... wouldn't be the first to be possessed by Bill, anyway."
Having joined Dipper's side, Mabel offered Lalonde a bright smile, though the girl felt extremely exhausted.
"Haha, yeah. You don't need to feel bad. Bill was, like, super smarticle. And good at doing puppet-y stuff."
Lalonde shrugged.
"Oh, dear. Is that so? Well..." She began to stand up, and Ford reached for her hand to help her to stand. She nodded to him as thanks.
"I was aware the whole time, as you probably know then. You shouldn't worry-- the demon did a surprisingly strong job of copying my mannerisms. Though, it would be nice to get to know you all again... Anyway, as you probably imagined, it was he who rigged the portal to go haywire."
"Speaking of which," Ford muttered, rubbing at the back of his head,
"we will have to begin work once again. Otherwise, all of our new friends will be permanently stuck in our dimension!"
"If our dimension is really our dimension anymore," Dipper added.
Lalonde shook her head.
"No need, dear. I don't suggest you mess with the portal ever again... you and I both know the risks involved." Ford nodded, understanding.
"But I know how we can get everyone home. I have certain... contacts. I just need to borrow your technology for a time, Stanford. My employer would likely terminate my position if they knew what I was considering due to do, but considering my circumstances, maybe I have already been terminated."
Ford was happy to let Lalonde use whatever she wanted, and it wasn't long before she had what she described as an interdimensional communicator.
"It is in a primitive working condition," she explained. She was showing Ford and the twins the object, leading them back out of the Mystery Shack as she did so.
"But it is fine for what I intend for it." She set the device up in the dirt in front of shack, pressing a few buttons on it so that it began to emit a low hum. She then stood back and crossed her arms.
"We can't talk directly into it, but it is now sending a signal. The beacon will summon a group known as the Coalition."
***
It wasn't long before a portal would appear by the beacon and out from it drove a strange school bus with an orange-haired woman at the wheel.
"Someone rang for the Magic School Bus?" The woman asked, her doors opening up and welcoming anyone and everyone who would require a ride home. However, a girl stepped out of the bus first, a look of mild anger flashing across her face at the sight of Lalonde.
"Hey... you're not with the Coalition! What's the deal? How did you know how to call us?!"
Lolonde sighed.
"Dear, it will take me a while to explain, but..." she turned, sweeping her hand at the crowd,
"you might not be surprised to hear we have just gone through one of those death games. Everyone here will need passage home, if you may. I will freely allow myself to be taken in for questioning."
The girl marveled at the amount of people. She was about to speak when Dipepr interrupted her and said,
"h-hey, wait!" He pointed over at Hisoka.
"You have to arrest that guy... he committed a murder!"
The girl groaned.
"This was not what I was expecting today... Okay. Hey, you! Clown guy! You're under arrest!"
Lalonde crossed her arms and eyed the two Gleeful twins who had put the group through so much trouble.
"May want to see about arresting that pair as well, dear."
As people were now deciding where they wanted to go, Ford decided to pull Stan aside for a moment, wanting to say something he never got to throughout all this.
"Stanley..." Ford sighed.
"I know when I came back, we weren't on the best of terms. Since then, we haven't really had a chance to talk... but, I think now will be my last opportunity to say I'm sorry." Ford paused to reach into his jacket's inner pocket, pulling out a picture of Stan and Ford when they were children.
"And, before you ask what I mean," he said, holding up a finger.
"I decided I want to head out into the great beyond once again! This time, maybe with this Coalition group's help, I'll have a better time of it."
"We're brothers, Stanley. Never forget that."
Stan stood brusquely as Ford told him his plans.
"Fine! Go gallivanting across the universe again! But on one condition..." He placed his hand on Ford's shoulder.
"You'll take your foolish brother with you. I... I know we haven't talked much since you got back, but losing you again... at the end of the day, Ford, we're brothers and the Pine boys are going to show the entire multiverse a thing or two! Whaddaya say?"
Ford stared for a moment, but eventually nodded and smiled.
"That they will."
"You're right, Stanley. We're brothers. Never forget that."
Starring
@C.T. as
GwenPool [Marvel Comics]
@DapperDogman as
Sans [Undertale AU] and
Ryner Lute [Legend of the Legendary Heroes]
@T.O.M. as
Ougi Oshino and
Kanbaru Suruga [Monogatari]
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Gran and
Djeeta [Granblue Fantasy]
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Koyomi Araragi and
Shinobu Oshino [Monogatari]
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Karen Araragi [Monogatari]
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Thor Odinson [Marvel]
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Samurai Jack [Samurai Jack]
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Clarence Irawn [Fallen London]
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Alex Mercer [Prototype]
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Meteo [L]
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Jennifer Walters aka She-Hulk [Marvel Comics]
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Pearl [Steven Universe]
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Hideo Kawamura and
Will.CO21 "Wiruko" [Sentou Jousai Masurawo]
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Aster the Whismur [Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire]
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Lon'qu [Fire Emblem Awakening/Murder Games] and
Inigo [Fire Emblem Awakening]
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Max Caulfield [Life is Strange]
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Ciri [The Witcher]
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Lena "Tracer" Oxton [Overwatch]
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Lincoln Campbell [Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D] and
Thomas "Tommy" Merlyn [Arrow]
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RGB [The Property of Hate]
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Sam Winchester and
Dean Winchester [Supernatural]
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Duke Togo [Golgo 13] and
Michaelangelo "Spike" Scarlatti [Flashpoint]
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Roman Torchwick [RWBY]
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Da'losen Lyison and
Kepti [Original Characters]
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James 'Bucky' Barnes [MCU]
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Gilgamesh [Fate Series]
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LeShawna [Total Drama]
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Uncle Chan and
Jade Chan [Jackie Chan Adventures]
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Michiko Malandro and
Hana "Hatchin" Morenos [Michiko and Hatchin]
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Enzo Amore and
Colin "Big Cass" Cassady [WWE Kafabe]
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Aran Ryan [Punch-Out!!!]
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Kirby [Kirby Franchise]
