It's been a while, but here is chapter eleven! I wasn't sure where I wanted to go with this chapter, I changed my mind about three times. I found one that I like, and well, we'll just go from there.
Guest, I love your idea, and I'm considering using it.
Invader Kathy Starsky, Princess Dia, Guest, dwellerofcrag, and ChangedMyLike4U: thank you for the reviews. You guys are awesome!
There is some violence and blood in this chapter. It's a little more than what is seen on an episode, but not super graphic or anything.
Also, there is a brief reference to my other story Banished in this chapter. It has no effect on the plot of this story, but I'm going to say that story happened in the same timeline as this one.
Dipper stood behind the counter of the gift shop while Mabel sat atop it, kicking her feet. Soos stood off to the side sweeping the floor and hummed the tune of a popular song.
The girl was in a merry mood. She found a pack of stickers in one of the drawers and had covered the entirety of her rainbow sweater with them. She slapped one on her brother's hat which made him whine in protest. He took off the cap and ripped the smiley face sticker from the side.
Dipper had woken in a foul mood. One look at the calendar that morning reminded him that he only had three more days until he was expected to return. Mabel was looking forward to the new school year, which was understandable because most everyone in her classes loved her. Dipper, however, was a different story.
He had made many friends in Gravity Falls, and had quite the adventure, and he hated to give that life up to return to California where the majority of the school ridiculed and bullied him. If it weren't for his sister, he feared he'd have no happy memories of his hometown.
The gift shop door opened and in walked the female employee. She was dressed as usual, but didn't greet them with her typical carefree smile.
Dipper had been worried about the teenager since the night of the party. Stan had called Wendy the previous morning and suggested that she take the day off. As it turned out Wednesday had been a slow for business.
"Morning, Wendy," said Soos.
Wendy offered him a week smile and polite salutation. She returned her attention to the twins.
"Dipper, Mabel," she said. She found it difficult to look the preteens in the eyes. "I-I owe you two an apology for Tuesday."
"Hey, you were upset," Dipper said as he stepped around the counter.
Wendy shook her head. "It was still uncool," she said. "I didn't mean to ruin the day."
"You didn't," Mabel said.
Wendy figured that Mabel was just saying that to make her feel better. That was something she admired about the girl.
"We had a good time," Dipper added. His eyes brightened. "Oh, I never got a chance to thank you for the hoodie. I can't wait for a chance to wear it."
"I'm surprised you're not now," Mabel replied and smacked Dipper on the back.
Dipper sent her a scowl.
Wendy and Soos laughed along. Dipper felt his cheeks flush, but chose to let it go if it meant seeing Wendy laughing again.
"So where is the creep?" Wendy asked. "I should probably apologize to him too."
"In the lab with Mr. Ford," Soos answered and pointed his thumb towards the vending machine.
"I've never been down there," Wendy said with a shake of her head.
Sometimes it still blew her mind that the innocent looking vending machine, where she had purchased (and stolen) snacks from several times was actually the entrance to a secret laboratory.
Wendy headed for the vending machine. Dipper grabbed her arm.
"Wait," he said. "Grunkle Ford might be working on something important."
"Yeah," Mabel added as she recalled the time Ford chewed her out when she went into the lab without permission. She waved her hands and continued, "And believe me, he doesn't like people interfering."
"Or nearly releasing a feral monster," Dipper added.
"It was an accident!" his sister exclaimed. Mabel shook her head then turned her attention to Wendy. "No, no, not a good idea."
"And you don't have to, you know," Dipper said. Both Wendy and Mabel stared at the Pines boy. Dipper rubbed the back of his head. "If you're not really sorry. I mean, he had it coming."
"Dipper!" Mabel scolded.
Wendy smiled. She rubbed Dipper's head, messing up his cap. "Thanks, but I probably should." She crossed her arms and stared at the vending machine. "He probably thinks I'm a total nutjob."
"Well, if you want to know the truth." He pulled Wendy's arm and she leaned down so that he could whisper in her ear. "Grunkle Ford told me you scared him real good."
Wendy grinned. "Good," she said.
Mabel glared at the two. She walked back over to the counter. She pulled out a notepad from a desk and began drawing pictures on the lined paper.
Dipper watched as the teenager took her spot behind the counter. With Soos having done all of the stocking earlier that morning, there wasn't much else to do until the next group of tourists arrived.
Dipper's smile fell into a frown. Of all the people from the town, there was no doubt that Wendy would be the one he missed the most.
"Confound it, Bill!" Ford huffed and grabbed the other man's wrist.
"It got what was coming to it," Bill retorted.
Bill winced when a clean dressing was pressed against the burn on his palm.
"At what cost?" Ford asked. He wrapped yet another bandage around Bill's hand. "You're lucky it wasn't worse, or you'd be in a hospital room right now."
Bill had been outside on the shack porch only a few minutes prior (with Ford's permission) snacking on a roll. He placed it down on a napkin to take a sip from his glass of apple juice. When he reached for the roll it was missing. Bill jumped up and looked around for his missing breakfast. He gasped at the sight of an orange, rodent-like creature running off with the roll in its mouth.
Bill had leaped from the porch. The four-legged creature was fast, but not nearly as quick as Bill. He pounced and grabbed the creature's back with his left hand while the right grabbed the roll. The monster shut its eyes and secreted a gas from the pores on its back. Bill yelped and let go at the rising heat. The creature abandoned the bread and took off into the forest.
The blond jumped to his feet, his eyes red, and fangs bared. Blue flames erupted from his palms.
Ford had heard his charge yell and rushed outside to see Bill about to use his magic. He called for Bill to stop, but the demon placed a forcefield around the creature. It shrieked and kicked its feet at the sudden loss of control of its body. Bill was about to rip off the monster's limbs when Ford clamped a strong hand on his shoulder.
"Bill, quick, put it in the container," he instructed and pointed to a glass tube he would use to store and study the creature.
"Not until I have my revenge," Bill hissed.
"What are you going on about?" Ford asked.
"It took my food!" Bill shouted. "Then had the audacity to attack me."
He opened the injured hand to show the palm to the scientist. Ford gasped at the burnt and bubbling skin. He took hold of Bill's thumb and pinky to bring the hand closer.
"Put it away then come inside," Ford instructed.
Bill gritted his teeth and clenched his hand shut. He hissed at the sudden pain from the pressure of his fingertips against the tender skin.
The creature fell into the container and Ford slammed the lid on top. The rodent scurried about in the limited space. Ford picked up his new specimen and beckoned for Bill to follow.
"Only you would touch a lava rat with your bare hands," Ford chided with a shake of his head.
"It took my food," Bill said and pointed to himself with the uninjured hand. He pouted then added, "And I'm still hungry."
"I thought you didn't like bread anyway," Ford mentioned. He snapped the bandage with miniature scissors then taped it in place.
"I don't like that squishy crap you made the sandwiches with," Bill clarified.
Ford placed what little remained of the bandages and antibiotic ointment back in the first aid kit then sighed. Bill had only been in his care for four days and already required three medical procedures.
"What am I going to do with you?" Ford asked outloud.
"You could always release me," Bill said as he leaned back in the chair.
The legs folded in and the chair toppled backwards taking Bill with it. Ford flinched at the sound of metal collapsing on the floor along with a one hundred fifty pound body.
Bill sat up in the heap and rubbed his back. He looked up at Ford and started giggling. The giggles quickly changed into a full laugh.
"What could possibly be so funny?" Ford asked.
Bill's laughter slowed to a stop. He offered the author a smile that nearly made him blush.
"Well, it hurts," Bill answered with a chuckle. He pushed a stray curl from his forehead. "But your face." He fell into another laughing fit.
Ford would have chided the smaller man's behavior had he not found it so pleasing. He was finally seeing a glimpse of Cipher's old personality. Besides, Bill's laughing face was too cute for Ford not to smile back.
Bill only stopped when the aching in his back increased. He moaned in pain then attempted to stand up. He lost his balance and fell back down. Bill chuckled, but the laugh quickly switched to a groan.
Ford shook his head then offered his hand. Bill extended his own arm. The strong six-fingered hand clamped around Bill's smaller one. In one thrust Bill was back on his feet. Ford placed his other hand on Bill's side to help steady him.
"I'd be doing you a disservice letting you go," Ford commented.
Bill stuck out his tongue at Ford. Ford turned his head and Bill gave him an innocent smile. Ford gave him a look of suspicion, but chose to ignore it.
Ford picked his jacket up off the back of the chair.
"I need to go to the store for a few things, do you want to come?" Ford asked.
Upon receiving no reply, Ford turned and nearly gasped at the sight of Bill standing with his back to a three-foot mirror, and his shirt up to the base of his neck. He was about to scold the demon for indecency when he noticed Bill's eyes on his own reflection.
A large bruise was forming on the lower half of his back from where he fell. Ford guessed he must have landed on a piece of metal.
"Does it hurt to walk?" Ford asked.
Bill shook his head. "I just wanted to see it," he answered.
"I'm going to the store and so are you," Ford stated.
Bill simply shrugged, glad to leave the shack for an hour.
The two emerged into the gift shop. Four faces stared at the two. Bill shrunk behind Ford when he caught the redhead's glare.
"Grunkle Ford!" Dipper shouted as he approached the older man. Ford patted the boy on the head. "Grunkle Ford!" Dipper cheered a second time while jumping. "Toby just stopped by. He said he noticed some strange creature in the woods by the entrance to town!"
"Hmm, sounds interesting," Ford said with a smile.
"So?" Dipper asked with a large smile.
Ford's smile widened. He turned to Bill and said, "I have missed monster hunting."
Bill smiled at the thought of doing something other than lying around the shack.
"Can we go check it out?" Dipper hurriedly asked.
Ford chuckled. "Bill and I are heading into town anyway," he said, motioning to the other. "We'll take a look on the way back."
"But Grunkle Ford," Dipper said, his smile faltering. "I want to go too."
Ford shook his head. "Dipper, you've only got a few days left. Do you really want to spend it on an errand?"
"Please?" Dipper tried again.
Ford looked over to Bill then returned his gaze to the child. "Very well," he said.
Dipper cheered then ran upstairs to the attic bedroom. Before the others could count to ten he returned into view. The boy nearly tripped over the rug. He caught his balance mid-run, then stopped in front of Ford and Bill. He held out the journal Stan had given him.
"I was going to wait until next summer," Dipper explained. He stared at the precious gift. "But I can get a chance to use it now."
Ford smiled at the boy's enthusiasm; Dipper reminded him too much of himself at that age.
The three climbed into the car: Ford in the driver's seat, Bill in passenger, and Dipper in the back.
Ford could tell from the window that Stan was not thrilled about him taking one of his employees with him, but the car was already rolling away before Stan had a chance to do anything about it.
They passed by the area that supposedly some supernatural creature had been spotted. Dipper stared out with both of his hands on the window. It was possibly the last paranormal mystery he would have a chance to solve. In less than three days he would be on a bus back to his mundane life.
The car pulled into the parking lot of a general store. The three walked to the entrance. So far the shop disappointed Bill as it didn't have an automatic door. He wondered if it would at least offer free samples.
Ford took a metal shopping basket on his arm. Bill looked around the store. It was less thrilling than Gravity Falls Supercenter, but still exciting to see something other than the confines of the Mystery Shack. Dipper walked with his hands in his pockets, he was ready to leave and investigate the mystery.
Ford filled the basket with the items he needed: bandages, antibiotic ointment, various food products (if Stan didn't like it, he wouldn't purchase it), rubbing alcohol (Ford used it in some of his mixtures), batteries, and a few tubes of liquid nitrogen.
Bill approached Ford with two Mondos: a blue one in the right hand, and a red one in the left. He practically begged the scientist if he could have them. Ford sighed and compromised that he could have one. Bill scrutinized both bottles, weighing the pros and cons of each. In the end he selected the blue one merely because Dipper mentioned he liked the red one better. Bill placed both drinks in the basket, which went unnoticed by the man paying.
Ford stood in line to purchase the items. Dipper flipped through one of those poorly photoshopped paranormal magazines, while Bill felt the need to inspect every selection of candy. When it came his turn to check out, Ford grabbed Bill by the arm and pulled him along. He quickly paid and the three were back inside the car.
Before they could even get out of the parking lot Bill reached forward to play with the buttons and knobs on the control system. He laughed when he turned the air conditioning on full blast. Ford smacked his hand away, so Bill went for the radio. His finger clicked through the channels. There wasn't much of a selection, but he still found the edit he made of alternating singers, commercials, and radio hosts to be hilarious.
Gold eyes fell on a knob next to the seek button. The volume was turned up to full blast on a rock station. Dipper clamped his hands over his ears and shouted something that was drowned out by the song. Bill started screaming. Ford turned the volume down to the minimum and let out a sigh.
"Keep your hands in your lap," Ford instructed the passenger then returned his attention to the road.
Bill stuck his tongue out at Ford, but complied with his order-for a total of ten seconds.
Ford groaned at the sound of Bill rummaging through the plastic bag. He sat up with the two sugary beverages in his hand. He tossed the red one to Dipper. The full bottle slipped through the brunet's fingers and rolled under the passenger seat.
Dipper waited for Ford to halt at the stoplight. When the light turned green, Dipper unclasped his seatbelt and lunged forward to grab the drink as it rolled back.
The boy clamped his seatbelt and waited for his great-uncle to begin scolding him for a dangerous move. Ford hadn't even noticed as they were approaching the area that Toby mentioned seeing the strange activity.
Ford veered off the road and pulled into the wooded area. The three inside rocked as the tires went over roots and rocky terrain. The scientist put the vehicle in park.
Bill finished the rest of his drink then licked blue liquid beads from his bottom lip. He tossed the empty plastic on the floor then ripped his seatbelt off.
Three doors opened and shut in a round. Ford fastened a crossbow to his back and buckled the strap over one shoulder. He checked to make sure that the two daggers were stowed in his jacket pockets.
Ford inhaled the scent of the forest and was flooded with a hundred memories at once. How much he would give to return to the days of his youth where all he had to chase was his dream, and the various creatures that called Gravity Falls their home. He looked over to his right and saw a child who was practically a clone of his childhood self. To his left was the being who had once accompanied him on the hunts, but never in physical form.
Some of the excitement dissipated at the realization that the very person who had used and betrayed him stood by his side once again. He had to remind himself that this time he was the one with the upper hand, and there was no way Bill Cipher would have the opportunity to harm him.
Ford felt a sudden wave sorrow with the knowledge that the former member of his hunting party would never accompany him again because of his own selfish dreams and ambitions. No one knew how Ford nearly cried when he saw Fiddleford after their victory against Bill, and how much it burned that the old man could no longer remember him.
Still, time changed everything. Ford was about to set out with a new crew. The members had changed, but the mission was still the same.
Dipper stepped forward. He checked his vest pocket to make sure the journal was still present. It had been his dream since finding the original journal to spend an afternoon chasing down the mysteries of the town with the author. He never imagined it would be so close to the end of his stay.
The three journeyed into the woods. Shoes crunched pebbles and the first of the fallen leaves.
Bill felt grateful to Mabel for buying him a pair of red tennis shoes from a thrift store the previous day. The dress shoes were cool, but impractical for hiking.
"What exactly did Toby say he saw?" Ford asked the child.
Dipper looked around for any sign of something suspicious.
Toby had stopped by to drop off a stack of his independent newspaper (that no one read), and when Soos had politely asked him how his day was going, he supplied the group with his tale of terror.
"He said it cast a large shadow and managed to knock down three trees," Dipper answered.
"Right there!" Bill shouted and ran off in the direction of the fallen trees.
Ford and Dipper kept up with the other. Bill stooped down to examine the markings on the base of the trunks. He sniffed it then ran his hand along the splintered wood.
"Any clues?" Ford asked while he looked at the rough stump.
"I know that smell," Bill replied as he stood. He glared hard at Ford. "Unfortunately, this stupid bond keeps me from tapping into my vault of knowledge."
Ford sighed. He recalled that the best thing about Bill was his all-knowing brain. Now he contained no more than an average human. Dipper might even be a step ahead of him now.
"Well...sometimes sacrifices have to be made," Ford said as he pushed by the blond.
Bill muttered something that neither Pines heard. Ford figured it was better that way.
None of them noticed the shadow that followed.
Ford made sure to stay ahead of the other two. He pushed through the many branches and listened for any sound-be it animal or monster.
"Are you sure you can't remember?" Dipper asked Bill.
The demon walked in tow with the child. "Nothing, Pinetree," he said. He glared ahead at Ford. "Until Sixer releases me, I won't have an answer for you."
Dipper never would have believed that he would be on an adventure with the creature who had spent all summer trying to destroy him. Mabel had been foolish enough to trust and form a friendship with him. Dipper crossed his arms. It would take more than an apology and a makeover to win him over.
Bill suddenly stopped. He swiftly turned and examined the forest. He pivoted to check the other direction. Dipper tried to question him only to be cut off with Bill's extended finger.
"Bill, what's wrong?" Ford asked.
The two jumped back at the swift brush against their faces. They sharply turned at the sound of Dipper's screams. Ford faltered at the sight of his nephew being hoisted twenty feet in the air. Something was coiled around Dipper's waist.
Both men gasped at the appearance of a massive being that held the young Pines hostage. The creature was covered in chestnut fur. It had ten eyes, arranged in a similar pattern to a spider's. Eighteen legs protruded from its body. Each appendage ranged from fifteen to thirty feet in length. One of those legs held tight to the trashing preteen.
Ford ripped the crossbow from his back. He aimed for the creature's stomach. With a squinted eye he pressed his finger against the trigger. He released an imprisoned breath when he pressed the trigger. The arachnid moved into a defensive stance and used Dipper's squirming body as a shield.
Ford cursed and quickly pointed the weapon to the sky. The arrow shot off into the distance. The startled cries of various animals echoed through the woods. Ford's heart skipped at the thought of having nearly murdered his nephew.
"Help me, Grunkle Ford!" Dipper screamed.
Bill's golden eyes glowed. He held out his arms and bent his fingers towards him. A blue forcefield appeared around the creature. He pulled his arms against his chest and the two legs that supported the monster's frame were ripped clean off. Yellow blood spurted and the monster faltered. He caught himself with two other legs.
Ford used the distraction to shoot an arrow into the monster's chest. He screamed out in pain and released his hold on Dipper. Bill used his magic to levitate himself, and caught Dipper midair. Bill tightened his hold on Dipper and landed in a kneel.
The two looked up to see Ford prepared to take a second shot. The arachnid sprung up and with quick moves of two legs knocked Ford to the ground.
Bill released his hold on Dipper. He stood with clenched fists. His eyes glowed crimson. The engravings on his pinky glowed a gold hue. The markings on Ford's finger did the same.
Ford groaned and lifted himself with his arms. He swore as his leg refused to budge. The gray-haired man wiped dirt from his glasses and gasped at the creature readied for a final strike.
A figure swiftly moved in front of the monster. Ford blinked at the sight of Bill standing before the monster that meant to end him. Bill placed his palm against the spider-like creature's abdomen. He felt power pulsing through his veins-it felt amazing. He screamed and a blue aura shot through the creature's stomach. In two seconds time the monster's body splattered about the forest.
Ford attempted to stand, but his left leg exploded in pain. He clutched at the injured limb then lifted his eyes to see Bill standing with his arm outstretched and breathing heavily. He was drenched in the monster's yellow blood. Bill's eyes shut and he collapsed facedown on the ground.
Dipper limped over to the two older men. He stumbled once then picked himself up off the ground.
"Dipper," Ford called. He managed to pull himself into a sitting position. "Are you okay?"
"I'm-I'm a little scratched up," the boy admitted. "How about you?"
Dipper knelt down next to his grunkle. Two large gashes were cut into Ford's cheek, the top one barely missing his eye.
"I can't move my leg," Ford confessed as he rubbed the throbbing limb. He pointed to the other member of their party. "Check on Bill."
Dipper crawled over to Bill. The older man's eyes were shut, but Dipper could see the slow rise and fall of his back. The child shook the demon and called his name twice.
"He's out cold," Dipper said to Ford. His gaze landed back on Bill. "But he's still alive."
Dipper reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. Fortunately it had not been crushed when the monster grabbed him. He dialed the number of the Mystery Shack. After two rings Stan picked up. Dipper quickly explained the events that had taken place. Stan instructed him to stay where they were.
Dipper leaned against a tree. He looked over at Ford who was feeling his leg for any abnormalities.
"Grunkle Ford," Dipper said. The mentioned looked up at his name. Dipper took a glimpse over at Bill then placed his eyes back on Ford. "Where did he get all that power from?"
Ford sighed. "I don't know," he answered. He looked down at his own pinky. The color had returned to normal.
"You don't think he got all his powers back?" Dipper asked.
One look at Bill answered that question for Ford.
"I don't think so," the scientist said. "He's expended all he had. But it was quite a boost."
"Does it have anything to do with the spell?" Dipper asked.
"Don't know," Ford said. He leaned his head back hoping to relieve some of the pressure building up behind his eyes. "I'll have to do more research on it later." He straightened his neck then glared down at his injured leg. "Worst case I'll be confined to a chair for a while, so I'll have plenty of time to look into it."
Not much longer they heard the approaching of a vehicle. Soos pulled his truck into the woods and came to a stop by the crew. Stan sat in the passenger seat, anger displayed on his face. Mabel and Wendy sat in the backseat.
"Stanford, you butthead," Stan ranted the second he stepped out of the truck. "You take my car and then you go and get yourself all banged up."
Stan grabbed his brother under the arms. Soos gently took the older man's uninjured leg while Wendy supported the other one. They carefully sat him in the bed of the truck with his legs out straight. Soos grabbed some blankets he kept in the backseat incase of emergency and tucked them around Ford.
Stan held out his hand for the keys. Ford reached into his coat pocket then tossed them to his scowling twin.
The group returned to the scene where Dipper still stood next to the unconscious body.
Stan grabbed Bill and flipped him over his shoulder.
"Careful, Mr. Pines!" Soos gasped. "He might have a concussion."
"He'll have more than that when I'm through with him," Stan grumbled.
Bill was placed in the back next to Ford. From what Ford could see Bill was a little bruised up, but didn't suffer any major injuries.
Soos gave the word he would be dropping them both off at the hospital. Ford sighed then looked back over at Bill. He knew it was just a matter of time before Bill was checked into the hospital, but never thought he'd be joining him.
Stan announced that he would be driving the other car. Mabel decided to ride with him.
Dipper climbed in the truck and sat in between Soos and Wendy. Soos suggested that Dipper get checked out as well while they were there. Dipper nodded, but wasn't paying much attention to the handyman's words.
All Dipper could think of was that he was the reason Ford suffered an injury. Once again he had done something that cost someone else. He hung his head, proving to himself again why he hated himself.
This chapter was pretty long, but hopefully entertaining. I thought I'd add a little action/adventure in there to spice things up a bit. A little angst there at the end, but hopefully that keeps things interesting.
When writing this chapter I had the image of Ford with a crossbow. The thought was too awesome, I just had to include it.
Also, as to why Stan seems mad at Bill there at the end, at this point he doesn't know the details of what happened, just that Ford, Bill, and possibly Dipper were injured. He blames Ford, and also assumes it was partly Bill's fault. You all know how Stan gets when Dipper's (or Mabel's) safety is concerned.