Dipper woke with a start. He had cried himself to sleep in the cave, thinking about how hopeless he situation was. But now his animal senses were picking up a scent. Dipper sniffed the air but quickly covered his nose. The air was rank with the smell of smoke, no, fire! 'Not even humans could escape this stink' he thought. That was when he discovered why there was fire. He stepped out of cave and sure enough, the mob was almost right outside. Dipper knew if he stayed he would be trapped. So he got down on all fours and took off running, trying his best to lose them. He ran and ran and ran without stopping or looking back. His feet and palms were getting sore. They were covered with splinters and cuts from running so recklessly on the forest floor. He kept running, though not as fast as when he began. They soon caught sight of him and were getting so close that Dipper felt the fur on his tail getting singed. Suddenly Stan stepped out in front of him. He tried to stop but ended up tumbling from his speed and landing head first on the ground. Dipper's vision blurred for a second or two before he looked up and saw Stan holding up a torch. He began to lower the torch. "Grunkle Stan, no!" he tried to say but all that came out were animal sounds. Stan continued to lower the torch until it was just above Dipper's face. He heard the mob chant,
"Kill it! Kill it!" He felt the sweat run down his face. He squinted his eyes, anticipating his death. Then something unexpected happened. Stan lifted up the fur on Dipper's forehead. In light of the torch he saw what he was looking for; the big dipper birthmark that had earned his nephew's nickname. Dipper opened his eyes, surprised that he was still alive. Stan winked and spoke to the crowd.
"Listen folks, this is all just a big misunderstanding. Dipper isn't dead. He's been staying at a friend's house this week. Gideon made the whole thing up." Murmurs and whispers went through the mob. "That's right. He just wanted you all to look like a bunch of morons. And this thing is just Mabel's new pet." Stan grabbed Dipper by the arm and held him up for everyone to see.
"Now why don't you all put out your torches and go home." The crowd all nodded, threw their torches in the lake, and went home. Well all except one.
"Looks like you figured it Stanford," Gideon chuckled evilly. "Too bad; he could've made a good throw rug." Dipper wiggled out of Stan's grasp and tackled Gideon to the ground. The two wrestled around, Dipper having the advantage do to his gargoyle strength. Finally they stopped, Dipper had him pinned to the ground and was holding something in his claws. It was a vial containing orange liquid. He tore off the cork with his fangs and drank it to the last drop. Bud Gleeful appeared behind Dipper. Gideon shoved the gargoyle off of him and took off running. Before he could pursue him, Bud picked Dipper up by the arm and threw him against a huge boulder. Dipper let out a whimper when he hit it. He fell and hit the ground with a hard thud. He let out one last groan and closed his eyes. Blood dripped from his mouth and his head drooped forward.
"That'll teach you!" laughed Bud. He ran to catch up with his son. Lightning flashed, piercing the night sky. Thunder cracked and boomed shortly after. It began to rain. Stan ran to Dipper. Mabel came out of her hiding place. They both knelt by the gargoyle's side. Tears formed in their eyes. They looked at Dipper. His clothes were torn, his fur was caked in mud, his body was covered in harsh bruises and cuts, his skin was pale and cold. Then something began to happen; something wonderful. All the fur, the horns, tail, and the wings disappeared. Dipper's feet, hands, teeth, ears, and nails became human once more. His skin become soft, fleshy, and his normal skin tone returned. However, he was still pale, very pale, as if...
"Dipper, please don't die!" screamed Mabel. The fact that he was human again didn't matter to Mabel. She wanted her brother alive. "Dipper," she cried shaking him. "Please, wake up!" Stan Pines put his hand on his niece's shoulder, startling her.
"Come on kid, its...too late." Mabel believed this as well. She stood, crying uncontrollably. As they turned their heads away, they heard a familiar someone speak.
"Man, I am going to feel that tomorrow." the person paused, as if taken aback by their own voice. "My voice... I got my voice back!" Dipper shouted. Stan and Mabel turned around to see Dipper look himself over, confirming that he was human once more.
"Dipper!" Mabel ran to her twin giving him a big awkward sibling hug. "You're back!" she yelled happily.
"Yeah, well, that orange stuff I drank was the antidote."
"How'd you know it was the antidote?" asked Stan.
"I didn't actually. When I was fighting Gideon, I saw it and realized it was the exact opposite color to the transformation serum, so I took the chance." Dipper's face grew a little serious. "Grunkle Stan, how did you know it was me?"
"You think a little difference in your looks and voice could fool me kid? Not likely." he tossed a book to Dipper. "It helps to do a little research though. Thought you'd want this back by the way." Dipper looked at the cover. It was the 3 journal!
"So do you believe us now?" Mabel asked.
"Nope." replied Stan, winking.