Chapter 4: A Shocking Revelation
'Gideon has become possessed by an orb and has gone after Mabel! What is going on there?'
"So tell me Dipper." Wendy begins. "Why did your parents send you two back here again for another summer?"
Just as Dipper opens his mouth to reply to Wendy, a blood curdling scream coming from the porch interrupts his thought. The tween and teen's attention is now turned towards the porch.
"MABEL!" The two say in unison.
Dipper drops the broom and Wendy jumps over the counter as the two rush outside to see what is going on. Stepping out onto the porch, Dipper and Wendy both see Gideon approaching Mabel with a black and purple orb in his hands and her back pressed against the wall of the shack, trying to get away from Gideon.
"You are the key the guardians have been searching for!" Gideon speaks, his southern accent darker than usual. "You must return to them!"
"Get away from my sister Gideon!" Dipper shouts.
Rushing over to Gideon, Dipper swiftly smacks the orb out of his hands, making it fly a foot away from the group. Hitting the ground, the orb now dissolves into a smoky mist with the mist now entering Gideon. Gideon swiftly turns to Dipper, a black mist appearing in his eyes.
"You will regret that boy!" Gideon hisses in a demonic tone.
"Wendy, get Mabel inside now!" Dipper demands. "I have a feeling that this is about to get messy and I don't want her involved in it!"
Nodding, the teen helps Mabel to her feet and ushers her inside to safety.
"They will have the key!" Gideon hisses s he begins approaching Dipper. "She must return to them! They need her!"
"You will pay for scaring Mabel!" Dipper shouts, balling his hands into fists. "I've been waiting for an opportunity to end you and I finally have one! I've been waiting a long time for this!"
Releasing an inhumanly roar, Gideon now lunges at Dipper, knocking the boy off the porch and onto the ground. Gideon is trying to grab Dipper's throat with Dipper holding on to his wrists to keep him far from his target. Feeling his grip slipping, Dipper is using all of his strength to keep Gideon from grabbing onto his neck.
"You can't protect her!" Gideon roars, his eyes wild with rage. "She will be handed over to the guardians! They need the key!"
"What are you talking about?" Dipper sneers, continuing to keep Gideon's hands at bay. "What guardians?"
"She belongs to them! You won't be able to stop me once the key is handed over to them!" Gideon continues as he tries to grip onto Dipper's neck.
Feeling his grip loosening on Gideon's wrists, Dipper is doing his best to hold on, making sure not to let him near his throat and Mabel.
"You're a lot stronger than you look!" Dipper manages to say. "But that won't stop me from keeping you away from Mabel!"
Inside the shack
Wendy is continuing to usher Mabel to her room for when Stan rushes into the shop, having heard the scream from the den. He notices Wendy and Mabel with an upset expression on her face.
"I heard someone scream!" Stan says to the girls. "What happened?"
"Gideon came over and gave Mabel a scare." Wendy calmly replies, only giving the part of the story.
"That little creep!" Stan yells. "I have had it with him! Are you ok Mabel? Did he put his hands on you?"
Mabel sadly nods no.
"This is the last time I'm putting up with this from that tall haired monster!" Stan declares. "Where is he?"
"Outside with Dipper." Wendy replies.
"Get her upstairs and calm her down while I go deal with him!" Stan exclaims.
Rushing out of the shop and to outside, Stanford immediately notices that Dipper and Gideon are fighting, Gideon having the upper hand over his great nephew.
"Hey! Get your hands off my great nephew!" Stan yells to Gideon. "First you scare my niece and now you're fighting with my nephew?! I've had it with you! This ends today!"
Beginning to approach the two, Gideon quickly turns to Stan with a demonic gaze.
"You might want to sit this out old man because you may get HURT!" Gideon yells.
An invisible force now slams into Stan, knocking him into the nearby garbage cans. Gideon now turns back to Dipper, the black mist surging through his eyes giving the boy an even wilder demonic look.
"Looks as if the tables have turned as I will be putting an end to you!" Gideon hisses. "Say goodnight Dipper Pines!"
Feeling Gideon putting more of his strength behind his attack and his grip loosening majorly, Dipper now musters up the energy to keep his grip tight with the continued goal to evade Gideon. Removing his right hand from Gideon's left wrist, Dipper quickly balls his hand into a fist and swiftly swings it towards Gideon, punching him dead in the face. The punch was hard enough to knock Gideon off of him and onto the ground unconscious. With Gideon finally off of him, Dipper sits up and inhales a few breathes while coughing in the process.
"You're the one who needs to sleep for a while!" Dipper spits, now getting to his feet as he rubs his neck. "Nighty night Gideon!"
With Gideon unconscious, a black and purple mist now leaves his body and dissipates into thin air. A confused look crosses Dipper's features, having seen what left Gideon's body.
"What the heck was that?" Dipper asks himself, still puzzled by what he just witnessed.
"A little help here kid!" Stanford calls out to Dipper.
Now snapping out of his befuddlement upon hearing someone yell out to him, Dipper turns around and notices Stan lying on the ground underneath numerous garbage cans.
"Gruncle Stan!" Dipper cries as he rushes over to him. Reaching him, Dipper pushes the trash cans out of the way and helps his great uncle to his feet.
"Are you alright?" Dipper asks with worry. "You don't have any broken bones do you?"
"I'm fine, except my back." Stan answers, rubbing his back. "But I've been through worse, so this is nothing."
"That's good." Dipper nods. "What do you think we should do with Gideon?"
"Just leave him out here." Stan replies, the two now turning towards the unconscious boy. "When the mosquitoes come out, he'll regret being out here. Now you go check on your sister and hopefully she's not traumatized by any of this."
"That's what I'm hoping for." Dipper replies as the two begin making their way into the shack.
Attic
Wendy and Mabel are upstairs in the twin's bedroom as Wendy is trying to calm down the shaken girl. Mabel is lying on her bed curled up into a ball as Wendy rubs her back comfortingly to calm her.
"That wasn't Gideon Wendy." Mabel speaks, not making eye contact with the teen. "Something was controlling him, possessing him. I know that Gideon is weird, but that wasn't him that I saw. I saw it in his eyes, he was being controlled. Today, something wasn't right with him."
"What was that thing he had anyway?" Wendy questions, continuing to stroke the twelve year olds hair. "It looked like a ball of some sort."
"I don't know." Mabel replies as tears begin forming in her eyes. "But whatever it was, it was probably the source of what was controlling him. Gideon looked as if he was going to hurt me using that thing."
"If its one thing that I know about Gideon, at least from what you've told me, is that he would never put his hands on you." Wendy replies. "If he ever tried, you'd have me, your uncle, and Dipper burying him for you. No one will ever hurt you as long as me, Dipper, and your uncle draws breathe. We'll always have your back Mabes."
Wiping away what tears that have formed with her sweater's sleeve, Mabel now sits up and turns to Wendy, giving the girl a weak smile.
"Thank you Wendy." Mabel says, embracing the teen in a hug.
"No problem kid, anytime." Wendy smiles, returning the hug. "You know I'll always look out for you."
Just then, Dipper enters the room clutching his hat in his right hand. Both girls notice how dirty his clothes are along with a bad scrap on his right knee.
"Dipper what happened to you?" Wendy asks with concern, noticing the boy's appearance. "Did you get into a fight with Gideon?"
"Let's just say that I finally got the chance to teach Gideon a lesson when it comes down to Mabel." Dipper replies firmly. "Since he didn't get the message before, trust me, he got it now."
"Way to go man!" Wendy cheers, Mabel now releasing her.
"Way to go Dipper!" Mabel cheers, fist pumping the air.
"Wendy, I need to talk to Mabel in private." Dipper firmly states.
"No problem." Wendy nods as she stands from sitting on Mabel's bed. "Just let me know if you two need anything and I'll be right up."
"I'll keep that in mind." Dipper replies, now approaching Mabel.
Wendy now leaves the room, leaving the two in there to talk privately.
"Mabel, are you ok?" Dipper asks, now embracing his twin in a hug. "Gideon didn't hurt you did he?"
"No, thankfully he didn't." Mabel replies, catching with her brother's gaze. "Dipper, who I saw today wasn't Gideon. That was someone else who was controlling him. Whatever it was he was holding might have been why he was possessed and the look in his eyes, I could swear he was going to hurt me. I haven't felt so scared in my entire life."
"I know." Dipper replies, his soft gaze staring into his sister's frightened eyes. "If I were in your position, I would be scared too. But just know that I would never let anyone hurt you. While I maybe a bit younger than you and you run my nerves ragged endlessly most times, I will always make it my duty to protect you. I love you Mabel."
"I love you too Dipper." Mabel replies, a soft smile surfacing. "Thank you for always being there for me and being such a good brother."
"You're more than welcome sister." Dipper returns the smile.
"Hey, do you think your book might have a section that talks about this?" Mabel inquires. "It talks about everything else like zombies and even vampires. Maybe it could help us figure this out."
"That's a good question Mabes." Dipper replies. "Let's take a look and find out."
Releasing his sister, Dipper reaches in his vest and pulls out his book. Beginning to skim through the book, Dipper begins trying to find a section on the orb that Gideon was holding along with the mist that possessed him. Continuing to skim the book from the front to the back, Dipper closes the book and turns back to Mabel having come up with zero results.
"No such luck." Dipper says. "It doesn't even talk about a mysterious mist that could possess someone."
"Mysterious mist?" Mabel questions.
"After punching Gideon unconscious, I saw a black and purple mist leave his body." Dipper explains. "The orb that he was holding is linked to the mist that possessed him."
"It all makes sense now." Mabel begins, turning away from her brother's gaze. "Gideon was being controlled and the look in his eyes, I was right to think that he was being controlled by something or someone. But what mysterious mist would control him and send him to me?"
"That's a good question that I wish I had an answer for." Dipper replies. "For something to possess him and immediately bring him before you, it's as if something or someone is trying to get to you. I remember Gideon's exact words while I was fighting with him: He said something about the guardians needing you, you're the key, you must return to them, and I won't be able to stop him once the key, you, is handed over to them. I wish I knew what that all meant."
"He called me the key too!" Mabel says, snapping her attention back to Dipper. "He said I am the key the guardians have been searching for and that I must return to them."
"That's lost on me too." Dipper shrugs. "But no matter, I will do whatever it takes to protect you from whatever is after you."
"Thanks broseph." Mabel yawns as she closes her eyes briefly and opens them again. "I don't know why I'm tired, but I am and just want to go to sleep."
"After what you experienced, it's understandable." Dipper replies. "So you lie down for a little while while I continue trying to figure all of this out."
Nodding, Mabel stretches out on her bed with Dipper pulling her cover over her. Taking one step away from her bed, Dipper feels something grip onto his right wrist, instantly stopping him. Looking down, he notices Mabel's left hand holding on to his wrist. Now turning to her, he notices her tired eyes staring back at him.
"Dipper, please don't leave me alone." Mabel says, her eyes practically pleading with him. "Stay here with me."
Smiling, Dipper nods.
"Don't worry, I won't leave you Mabel." Dipper says. "I'll be right here for when you wake up. I promise."
"Thank you." Mabel whispers as she releases his wrist.
"Anytime." Dipper smiles, placing a small kiss on his sister's forehead. "Sleep well."
Small snores can now be heard coming from the girl with Dipper tucking her left hand under her cover with the rest of her. Planting himself in front of his sleeping sister's bed, Dipper picks up his '3' book and begins looking through it once more to try to get a better beat on the situation that took place earlier with Gideon.
"This book has got to give me some kind of answers!" Dipper exclaims quietly. "It contains everything else from gnomes to giant vampire bats! Why is it that it can't give me the answers I'm looking for now? Don't worry Mabel, I'll get to the bottom of this and I don't care how long it takes to do so."
Being relentless in finding the answers he's looking for, Dipper continues searching the journal while Mabel sleeps soundly behind him.
Outside the shack, Gideon has begun stirring. Opening his eyes, the boy now sits up and begins looking around, noticing that night has fallen. Getting to his feet, he dusts himself off.
"What am I doing out here?" Gideon asks himself. "How long have I been out here?"
A mosquito now bites Gideon's right cheek.
"Ouch!" The boy whines, now slapping his cheek. "Dang mosquitoes! The only things I hate about this town!"
Having gotten rid of one pest, a swarm of mosquitoes now surrounds Gideon and begins biting him.
"Ouch! Ouch! OUCH!" Gideon screams as he begins trying to smack away the swarm. "Get lost demon bugs!"
Continuing to swat at the swarm, the boy now runs off towards his house cursing the swarm that is attacking him.
"I hate mosquitoes!" Gideon screams, continuing to run home with the swarm following close behind him.
Starry Element
Sitting on his throne, Narsus has watched what took place with Gideon and is nodding his head slowly with disappointment. The first pawn to be used for which he thought would be successful in his plan was a complete failure.
"Using him to grab the key was a mistake now that I've witnessed it." Narsus speaks as he strokes his beard. "His over infatuation with the key was his biggest weakness, which lead to his failure in obtaining her."
Continuing to stare at the crystal ball, Narsus doesn't notice Cyrus phantom into the area.
"Narsus, the job is done." Cyrus announces, now getting Narsus's attention. "He was given the orb to capture the key's mind."
"That I observed, but there was a flaw in the design of obtaining the key." Narsus replies to Cyrus. "The pawn that we used was defeated by the key's relative."
"But the plan was flawless!" Cyrus says. "I did exactly as you asked of me!"
"The flaw is not your fault and for once I can say that." Narsus says with a sigh. "You nor I didn't anticipate on the key being heavily guarded."
"So what's going to happen now?" Cyrus questions, now turning his attention to the crystal ball. "Use the key's relative to grab her?"
"That would be too easy I'm afraid." Narsus replies, shaking his head no. "This time, we will use someone who is willing to get what they want at all costs."
Turning back to the crystal ball, Narsus now spots his next target pawn and grins.
"Someone like this." Narsus grins. "I know without a shadow of a doubt that this one will be successful in obtaining the key."
"Let's do it." Cyrus agrees.
Gravity Falls (The Mystery Shack)
Mabel is still sound asleep and resting peacefully with Dipper sitting in front of her bed continuing to scan through the journal to find the answers he is looking for.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Dipper silently snaps. "Out of everything that this book has documented about every supernatural creature in this town, it doesn't have one simple answer to fill me in on what that thing was that was controlling Gideon! Unbelievable!"
Laying the book face down while still open, Dipper leans his head back against the bed's frame and releases a sigh.
"Mabel was right when she said that something magical was going to happen this summer." Dipper says. "If only she knew just how right she was."
Closing his eyes, Dipper now hears a knock at the bedroom door. Opening his eyes, he turns to the door to see his great uncle.
"How is she?" Stanford asks now stepping into the room. "Is she doing ok?"
"She's fine gruncle Stan." Dipper calmly replies. "She's just resting right now."
"That's good." Stanford says with a nod. "I want you to look after her around the clock and don't let her leave your sight. Who knows what that kid maybe planning next."
"I've got it covered." Dipper replies.
"I'll be downstairs if you two need anything." Stan offers, now leaving the room.
With that, Dipper leans his head back against the bed frame once more and close his eyes.
"I've scanned that book from front to back and came up with nothing." Dipper continues contemplating. "How am I going to protect my sister from something that I can't even begin to get a pulse on?"
Continuing to think about the incident with Gideon, the explanation that Gideon was giving him now plays back in his mind with the word Key standing out in the explanation. Quickly opening his eyes, Dipper immediately picks his book up and jumps to the section that talks about the star dimension and princess.
"Why didn't I see it before?" Dipper begins, now scanning the pages. "I've should have been more thorough!"
Now turning a page in that section, Dipper notices two pages that are stuck together behind the page that his is turning.
"What the?" Dipper asks, now peeling the two pages apart. Having the two pages separated, Dipper's eyes widen as he begins reading over the content.
"Ok this is new!" Dipper comments as he begins reading. "According to this, the cosmic guardians of the star dimension will use a powerful measure to reach the Key after picking up on her life traces. Using power orbs, the guardians will use anyone whom has come in contact with the Key, using their bodies as a host to carry out their mission. These power orbs are used to influence the Key to return to the dimension and fulfill her duty as the Princess of the Star Kingdom. After the princess returns to the kingdom, she will perform a ritual to open the fourth dimension of the earth and merge it with the star dimension, which will plunge the earth into a world of eternal darkness! The guardians will then feed on the souls of everyone on earth to regain their strength to rule the new world! The princess will then be sacrificed at the hands of the cosmic guardians!"
At the end of the passage, a picture of the orb Gideon was holding is displayed along with a picture of the princess being slain by one of the guardians. Dipper now goes into shock, which makes the boy drop the book onto the floor.
"It all makes sense now!" Dipper nearly screams, immediately shaking off his shock. "That is why Gideon was holding that thing and trying to get close to Mabel. And that also means that Mabel is….the Star Princess."
Turning to his sleeping sister, the younger pines swallows the lump in his throat.
"Oh…no." Is all he can say.
Northwest Manor
At the home of Pacifica Norwest, the blonde is up in her room with her friends, ranting on about how much she hates the Pines twins.
"Last summer was the worst with those two!" Pacifica screams, her two grovlers watching on with no words of their own to share. "Why did they have to come here? Here to my town? They could have went anywhere for the summer, but no, they had to come HERE!"
"Maybe their parents couldn't afford to send them anywhere else." Tara, her red haired friend, replies.
"Or maybe they were just bored." Mona, her dark haired friend, adds in.
"Ok I'm not being heard here!" Pacifica replies to the two. "I said they made my summer miserable all last year! Especially that Dipper when he exposed my family's secret! I will never forgive him for that! And his sister, don't get me started!"
"What secret?" Mona inquires.
"That is none of your business!" Pacifica snaps, causing the girl to cower. "You immediately forget I mentioned it!"
"So what are you going to do to get him back for that?" Tara questions to the blonde.
"That I'm still working on." Pacifica replies in a calm tone as she turns away from her friends.
While the blonde contemplates her next move, neither her nor her friends are aware of the smoky blue and black cloud that is hovering above them on the ceiling.
"I've got to think of something that will make sure they never return to Gravity Falls ever again!" Pacifica says, continuing to contemplate.
"That won't be too hard of task." Cyrus says to himself with a smirk.
Splitting himself into three, Cyrus now enters Pacifica and her two friends. The angered expression on Pacifica's face now changes to a devious smirk as her black eyes glaze over with a tint of light blue. The blonde now turns back to her friends.
"I've just come up with perfect plan!" Pacifica announces. "Listen up."
Oh no! Now Pacifica has become possessed and Dipper just made the biggest discovery of the summer, learning that his sister is the Star Princess and that his journal was right after all! With the guardians hot on her trail, will Dipper be able to protect Mabel? And just how far will Pacifica go with carrying out Cyrus's mission? Keep reading to find out the answers in chapter 5! Chapter 5: Cyrus's mission for Pacifica and Dipper tries to break the news to his sister!