Author's Note: First Gravity Falls story so meh if I fucked up on anything let me know.
Dipper sat on the windowsill up in the attic. He looked out and watched Mable and Wendy play monkey in the middle with Soos. The Journal lay in his lap as he watched their antics with a smile. Said smile turned to a grim look as he eyed his Wall of Conspiracies. He glared at a crude drawing of Bill Cipher thanks to Mable's artsy skills. He knew that Bill had taken an interest in them, mainly himself. Multiple deals of varying prices and rewards were thrown at Dipper. Only one was taken and that was Dipper's first and last deal that would be made with the Demon.
Dipper's hands curled into fists, barely stopping himself from letting his fingernails dig into his palms too deeply. Bill was planning something, that much he could garner thanks to multiple hints and condescending speeches from the All Seeing Demon. Dipper needed his own counter plans. All he had was his Journal while Bill had powers that Dipper had yet to see in full action. Dipper knew he wasn't the strongest, Rumble Mcskirmish had made that clear. Although Dipper lacked brawn he made up for it with his ingenuity. Dipper's brain was his strongest asset and it was time to put it to work. Dipper had to become stronger in both body and mind if he wanted to stand a chance.
Putting his brain in overdrive Dipper began to formulate a plan. For his strengthening he would visit the Manotaurs. For his mind he would visit his old friend the Multi-Bear and perhaps they could send him to more teachers. Dipper knew he'd need all the Aces up his sleeves he could take. The only problems he could see with this plan were the Manotaurs "Dislike" for Dipper and everybody's concern for him. Mable would be the most worried for him and try to stop him, he would not have any of that. Soos would probably offer his sagely advice once more and Wendy was a wild card, she could praise his want for self-betterment or she could scold him for his brashness to shoulder the burden on his own. Grunkle Stan would be the easiest, in fact he might even be a little impressed with Dipper's willingness to become stronger.
With his plan in mind Dipper got up from the sill, Journal in hand and grabbed his backpack he brought with him from Home. 'Home', he thought melancholy, he shook his head, the Mystery Shack was his home and it needed his help. Running downstairs he grabbed a couple bags of beef jerky while leaving some money so Grunkle Stan wouldn't sue him later. As he stepped outside the Mystery Crew turned their attention from their game to him. "Hey bro, where ya off to?" Mable asked when noticing his backpack. Dipper merely shrugged, "Just doing some more exploring in the woods. Nothing serious or anything, just some scouting," he answered casually. "Need any backup dude?" asked Soos while still trying to get the ball Mable and Wendy were tossing over him. "Na, I got it, I'll be fine but thanks for offering Soos." Wendy while still keeping the ball from Soos with ease, probably practice with her younger brothers, simply said "Be careful man, try not to maim yourself too badly," with a teasing grin. Laughing along with them he made his way into the woods without looking back. Assured by Dipper's words Soos was the first to knock Wendy and Mable out of their stupor when he snatched the ball from Wendy and laughed. His laugh was cut short when Male came crasing into his side, causing him to tip over with Wendy on the way down for a body slam.
Dipper meanwhile made his way deep into the woods, clearly out of the Normal part and into the Deep End he has laughingly named. He reached around into his backpack and pulled a pack of jerky out and popped it open. He didn't have to wait long as the heavy footsteps that Dipper easily recognized became audible. Bursting through the foliage and shrubbery whilst yelling, "Manly!" appeared a face that Dipper remembered since this was the first Manotaur he met. Locking eyes with Dipper the Manotaur known as Chutzpar snorted with annoyance. "You again? Did you not choose the Multi-Bear over your brethren? The only reason I am not attacking you right now Destructor is because I thought of us as brothers when we trained you. It's obvious you came here again to speak, so speak," Chutzpar says, surprising Dipper with this new knowledge. Dipper or Destructor coughed a little before speaking, "I need you and the other Manotaurs to train me again." Chutzpar laughed loudly, "I thought you didn't want to kill the Multi-Bear?" Dipper sighed a little, "I'm not after the Multi-Bear, I'm after something even more dangerous," Dipper replied quietly. Chutzpar stopped his laughter, "What could you be possibly be hunting that would make you come back to us for training?" Dipper was silent for a moment before answering, "A Demon."
Chutzpar was blindsided by Dipper's answer, a Demon of all things that Destructor had decided to hunt. Sighing loudly he motioned for Destructor to toss a bag of jerky over. Pouring the entire contents into his mouth while tossing the bag over his shoulder he turned his attention towards Destructor. "Alright, I'll let the other Manotaurs know of your return and the Hunt for a Demon. Come back again tomorrow around dawn, your training will start then. For now go and do what you need to Destructor because tomorrow everyday for training is going to be Hell for you."
As Dipper the Destructor watched his friend depart, he remembered he still had to go and talk to the Multi-Bear for training. Not waning to burn the limited daylight he began to make his way towards the Multi-Bear's mountain in hopes of a teacher that could impart his wisdom and perhaps something of a more magical nature. The road to confronting Bill was long and winding but somehow, Dipper felt oddly okay because progress was being made. Unaware, Dipper failed to see the eye that watched from above nor did he hear the sinister chuckle that followed him disguised as a breeze