Chapter Twelve

The Life And Death Of Dipper Pines

The sky was an inky black blanket, shining dots of silver woven in the tapestry of night. The full moon hung low, bathing the forest in a soft pearl light. A young woman stood at the edge of the lake, the night breeze catching her hair, pulling it into the wind behind her. I always loved this view. It's a shame that it will all be gone in a few days. Ah well, that's the trouble with opening a permanent hole in time and space. Jessica smiled at the thought of the unrestrained magic that would soon be flowing through the world. MY new world. And with that pesky 'Star-Child' out of the way, no one can stop me.

"Good-Bye Dipper Pines. You will not be missed."

Jessica turned away from the lake, striding across the beach to where a large, imposing man stood waiting for her.

"We can go home now, my love." She purred, running her fingers through his thick red beard. "The boy will no longer be a problem."

"YES, I SAW. WOULDN'T IT HAVE JUST BEEN EASIER TO SIMPLY KILL HIM?"

"Oh Daniel, where would the fun be in that? This way the very thing that he was supposed to protect will be his undoing." Jessica smiled at the irony. "Plus, it'll be that much more satisfying when I rub it in that annoying little wisp's face."

"YOU KNOW BEST MY DARLING."

"Yes, yes I do. You know, I really like you this way, completely loyal. I'm glad I took the time to finally strip away that little bit of resistance you had left." Jessica sighed. "There still is the matter of your brother to deal with."

"OLIVER IS BARELY A THREAT. MORE OF A NUISANCE REALLY." Manly Dan smirked. "I DOUBT I WOULD EVEN HAVE TO EXERT MYSELF TO TAKE CARE OF HIM."

"No Daniel. I would rather keep him alive. Your brother is hiding something from me, and it frustrates me that I can't find it in the corners of his memories. No, let me see if I can persuade him first. If he doesn't cooperate, then you can kill him."

"GOOD, I'VE BEEN WAITING SEVENTEEN YEARS FOR YOU TO SAY THAT."

"Aww, sweetheart are you still upset about that? Well, I guess you do have a right to be mad. I mean it was our wedding day."

Manly Dan's hands twisted and wrung the air, as his face contorted with rage. Jessica's laughter echoed through the forest.

"To be fair Daniel, you wouldn't be any the wiser of it, if I hadn't put that memory back into your head. Poor little Ollie still doesn't remember why he really ran away all those years ago."

"AM I ALLOWED TO TELL HIM? BEFORE I KILL HIM?"

"No…I don't think so. It might give him a reason to try a little harder. It's for the best if he remains in the dark. But enough of this, I'd like to go home now. Tomorrow will be such a busy day; after all, the end of the world doesn't come around too often."

The pair made the rest of the way to the truck in silence. Both lost in thought at what the dawn of the coming day would bring.

The cry of the lake loon echoed off the cliff walls, the wind blew softly through the reeds growing in the shallows, the drone of the insects all blending together to form a symphony of a summer night. Dipper Pines strode from beneath the trees. Wow. The First wasn't kidding when he said he could send me back to the moment I left. Alright I've got the element of surprise on my side. It's time to get to work.

/

Dipper made his way into the house just after midnight. Wow…two hours that's all the time that's passed since I left. Weird. He paused as he softly closed the door behind him, holding his breath while listening to see if he had woken anyone. Ok. Looks like nobody noticed I was gone. He nearly jumped out of his skin as a hand came to rest on his shoulder.

"Dipper Pines, I could not find you. I was worried." In the darkness of the room he recognized the voice, but the hand threw him off.

"Aurora? Is that you?" Dipper whispered, trying to calm his heart rate down. "Whose hand is on my shoulder?"

"It is my hand. Whose hand were you expecting?" Aurora inquired.

"Wait…your hand? How do you have hands?"

"I couldn't get comfortable sleeping in your bed with my wings, so I decided that it would be better to sleep as a human does. I could not find you. Where did you disappear to?"

"Hold on, time out. You can become human?"

"Yes. All dragons can shift their shape this way. It makes it easier to blend in. People tend to overreact to a dragon."

"Oh…I guess that makes sense."

Aurora's arm slid around Dipper, pulling him close to her. "I am glad that you are safe." She murmured as she held him tightly. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah…I…no. No I'm a little freaked out. Make that a lot freaked out."

"Yes, I can sense it. Do you wish to talk about it or would you prefer to let me experience your memories through our bond?"

"No Aurora, you don't need to see that. Look the next day or so is going to be pretty intense. I know it's a lot to ask, but no matter what happens, you have to trust that I know what I'm doing. Even if things seem dire, just please trust me that I have a plan. You know I would do anything to protect my family and friends, and right now what I intend to do is the only way I know of to keep them safe."

"But…" Aurora squeezed him tighter against her. "What about after…What about your sister, about Wendy, about me? What are we supposed to do?" Her voice quavered.

"I know you're peeking into my head and I wish I could explain everything to you, but it's for your own safety if you don't know everything. I will need your help to make this work but you have to wait until I give you a signal. Until then don't interfere, no matter what you see."

"You are playing a dangerous game, Dipper Pines. You are hinging much on maybes. But I do trust you, completely. I will do as you ask."

Dipper let out a long sigh. "Thanks Aurora. You should probably go back to sleep; tomorrow is going to be a big day."

She moved from behind him, making her way to the stairs silently, the darkness hiding her from sight. "You need rest as well. Be well Dipper Pines, I will pray for you."

In the darkness he heard her creep quietly up the stairs. Well, that went better than I expected. He turned and made his way toward the basement. I really hope Ford didn't throw out what I'm looking for. Dipper spent most of the night going through various boxes in the basement looking for the items he needed. At around 3 he finally managed to dig the last thing he needed from the last box. Exhausted he fell into a deep slumber on the sofa.

/

Wendy's scream from upstairs caused Dipper to sit up on the sofa. What's up with…oh it's probably them freaking out over Aurora. Better go defuse that situation. He climbed the stairs rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Hey guys, what's everyone doing in my ro-" HOLY CRAP SHE'S NAKED! Was she naked last night? Quit staring! Face blood red, he managed to stammer out. "I'm-I'm gon-gonna go back downstairs." He quickly turned and raced back the way he had come. Great, now I've probably upset Wendy. Idiot. I don't have time to talk this out today. Too much to do. But I had better apologize.

Wendy. I'm so sorry about what happened upstairs. Embarrassing. I think it would probably be a good idea if you and Mabel took her to the mall to get some clothes. I really don't think she'll fit into anything Mabel has. Tell Mabel she can use my stash of money, just not to go completely overboard. I'll be running some errands all day trying to track down where the dragons came from. I know life's been crazy lately and we haven't had a whole lot of us time. I will make it up to you, promise. And whatever happens today know that I love you. And I'm sorry.

There. Hopefully that's ok. I'll have to talk to her about it later…along with the stuff about her mom. Gods it just keeps getting better.

A soft trill from his phone brought him out of his reverie.

Hello Dipper, can you please meet me I need to speak to you urgently. -Mom

Mom, what are you doing in town? You should have called…I kinda have plans. -Dip

Miles Dipper Pines I need to speak to you NOW. Meet me at Greasy's diner in 15 min or grounding will be the least of your worries. -Mom

Yes Ma'am. On my way -Dip

Great and the list grows on.

/

Dipper stood outside the diner, his trepidation steadily growing. Swallowing his nerves, he pushed open the door and made his way to the booth where his mother sat, a look of deep concern on her face.

"Hi mom, so what did you need to talk about that you had to sneak into town for?"

"What do you think you're doing young man?"

"I'm…sorry? But I don't know what-"

"When we agreed to let you stay in Gravity Falls you said that you would be careful."

"Mom I am. Everything is-"

"Tangling with Jessica Corduroy is not being careful."

"I…wait...but how do you…what?"

Meredith Pines sighed. "I know you don't really have a choice in the matter, I just wish that my baby boy could have at least grown up a little before he had to deal with something like this."

"Mom. How the hell do you know all this?"

"Language. Did you really think that your father's family had the lock on weird? I grew up in Gravity Falls too you know. My family comes from a long line of mystics, of seers."

Dippers jaw hung open as he stared at his mother speechless.

"Close your mouth sweetheart, you'll draw flies. Is it really that surprising Miles, granted I don't really see to many big events anymore, but how do you think I always seemed to know when you and your sister were in trouble or had a bad day or when the two of you were up to mischief."

"But how come you never said anything before? I mean mom, that's so cool."

"It can be yes, I just hope your sister sees it that way."

"Wait you mean Mabel can see stuff too?"

"Well not yet and that will really be up to her if she accepts. And also it will be up to you."

"Me…wait why is it up to me?"

Meredith smiled. "I think that before you go running off to do your errands you should maybe swing by your little treehouse. I think it will be worth the time."

"Ok no offense mom, but that's a little creepy like you know what's going to happen."

"Oh sweetie. I do. Mostly. The big events are always open to interpretation, plus the whole free will thing, sometimes the things I see never come to pass."

"Wow…and I thought I had the weird destiny."

"You should probably hurry along son." Meredith's eyes started to mist up. "Thank you for coming to see me Miles, I just wanted to say I love you."

"I love you too mom." Crap. She probably saw…crap. "Mom, I'm sorry that I worried you."

"I know Dipper, I just wish it didn't have to be that way. Now go on. You've got a world to save."

With a sad smile Dipper rose from the booth and gave his mother a swift hug, before he ran from the diner and into the woods. One more stop and then it begins.

/

Dipper approached the treehouse slowly. His mind was still trying to process the fact that his mother was a seer, and that Mabel had the potential to become one as well.

"Dip…Pleas…Relea…Me"

"Ugh, you again. I already told you I'm not…wait a minute. Do you know my mother?"

"Mere…Sage…Yes"

"OK seriously mom couldn't you have just said go free the weird spirit in the woods instead of getting my anxiety up. Alright so how do I do this?" Dipper asked the spirit.

"Pull…energy…directly…rift…open"

"Crap, I really hope Jessica doesn't feel this." Dipper closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm down. He pictured the rift in front of him, its energy weaving together like a tapestry. He let a small amount of energy trickle into his palms as he grasped the air in front of him, and pulled. Opening his eyes, he was once again confronted with a hole in reality, but this time it was of his own creation. "Woah…that's amazing…I feel like…like a god."

"Be careful with that line of thought Dipper Pines, that way lies darkness." A voice like the rustling of leaves spoke from behind him.

"Oh um yeah…sorry. It's just that's the first time I've ever done anything like this…how do I close it?" Dipper called over his shoulder, his eyes still trained on the crack in space time.

"For you it should be fairly simple. Just draw the excess energy into yourself as you normally do. The rift should close just fine, child."

Dipper felt the surge of power in his limbs as the rift energy entered his body. "It's getting easier to control… but let me guess? That's a bad thing too." Dipper asked finally turning to face the spirit he had freed.

"No child, your power is what you make of it. Just remember that it is for the forest's protection, never for your gain."

"Yeah I know that…sorry I don't mean to snap I just have a lot on my mind."

"It is understandable, with the burden you bear. Thank you for freeing me from my confinement Dipper Pines."

Dipper turned to go, he still had to one more stop before he could confront Jessica. "Yeah no problem, sorry it took me so long, I just thought you were someone else."

"Good luck Dipper Pines. I know that it is no easy thing you do to save your friends."

With the weight of the world on his shoulders, Dipper turned and made his way deeper into the woods.

/

Fuck.

Manly Dan Corduroy moved from behind Pike to stand in front of him, a double bitted logging axe held tightly in his hands. The older brother stared at the younger, loathing in his eyes. "I ALMOST HOPE YOU TRY SOMETHING."

"Wow…that anxious to kill your kid brother? Well I'm really in no hurry to die." Pike drawled. "So I guess I'm just gonna have to sit here and behave."

Dan narrowed his eyes at the bound man. "YOU, BEHAVE? NOW I KNOW YOU'RE UP TO SOMETHING."

"No, I think I'm just gonna sit here. Well, make that sit here watch you twitch as you struggle to follow that demon witch's instructions."

"DO NOT SPEAK OF HER THAT WAY!"

"Oh, my. I seem to have upset you. Terribly sorry. It wasn't my intention to imply that your wife is somehow a truly manipulative bitch. I'm just sitting here, not trying anything."

"OLIVER I SWEAR, IF YOU INSULT HER ONE MORE TIME I WILL-"

"Not do what you want to. I know you'd like nothing more than to sink that axe right in my chest; but your whore of a wife made it perfectly clear, you can't kill me unless I try something."

The axe passed less than a hairs breadth from Pike's face, before sinking into the floor.

"You missed." That was when the air was knocked from his lungs as a fist the size of a cinderblock came crashing into his stomach.

"I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO KILL YOU, BUT SHE NEVER SAID I COULDN'T BEAT THE EVERLIVING HELL OUT OF YOU."

"Was that supposed to tickle?" Pike wheezed. "Cause that kinda tickled."

A back hand to the face had Pike seeing stars.

"YOU NEVER DID KNOW WHEN TO SHUT YOUR MOUTH. ALWAYS WITH A JOKE. TELL ME LITTLE BROTHER, IS IT FUNNY NOW?"

A short barking laugh escaped Pike's lips. "Heh. You hit like a gnome."

Fury was etched into Daniel's face. His hand twitched toward the handle of his axe.

"Ah-ah-ah. Remember, mom said you couldn't play with your toys until she said so." Dan's hand dropped back to his side clenched in rage. "God, you are so whipped. It's really pathetic, even if it is a total magical mind fuck."

"SHUT YOUR FUCKING MOUTH OLIVER. I SWEAR TO GOD I WILL FUCKING END YOU."

"Promises, promises."

The blow rocked Pike's head back, he could feel the blood flow from his mouth. OK. That one really did hurt. IF it's gonna be this way, maybe I should fill Danny boy in on who he's actually dealing with. A maniacal grin spread across Pike's face as he turned back toward his brother. The burning intensity in his eyes had Dan take a step back.

"You really do just see me as a screw-up don't you? Every time I come home 'Oh, it's just Oliver, the lazy mechanic, wonder what trouble he's in now'." The sarcasm that seeped through his voice was biting. "How do you think I knew about the binding ritual in the first place Danny? While you stayed here in town guarding your precious secrets, I was out in the world making a fucking difference. You really think Jessica is gonna win? She doesn't stand a chance. Because if Dipper really is gone, then it falls on me. Playtime is over big brother. You wanna fight, you got one."

Manly Dan Corduroy was known far and wide for being one of the strongest lumberjacks to ever grace God's green earth. The man who could fell all but the oldest oaks in a single blow of an axe. The man who could wrestle bears, and run with Man-o-taurs. The man who had grown up knowing that Gravity Falls and the world beyond were full of strange, unimaginable things. But all these facts could not prepare him for a seemingly simple thing. The blow that had been launched at his miserable, smartass brother's face never connected. It had been caught.

"WHAA-GGGGHHHH!" The question that was forming in Dan's mind never left his lips, as Pike slowly applied pressure to his brother's trapped hand.

"I really don't want to do this Danny. I know that not all of this is you, that she's messed with your head something bad. But if you don't stand down and stay out of the way, I will put you down." Pike said, his tone flat and emotionless.

"WELL SINCE YOU SEEM TO BE TRYING SOMETHING, I GUESS THAT MEANS I DON'T NEED TO HOLD BACK ANYTHING EITHER." Dan bellowed as he swung his free hand into Pike's midsection. The force of the punch sent Pike flying backwards, tumbling over the chair he had been tied to. Pike turned the fall into a roll, immediately bouncing to his feet, just in time to dodge an axe swing leveled at his neck.

Fuck.

/

Jessica stormed from the diner, murderous intent in her eyes. That boy is really starting to annoy me. I don't know how he managed to come back. But I swear Dipper Pines DIES today.

"Mom? Where are you going?" Wendy called after her mother.

Jessica paid her no heed as she dashed down the street, her raven hair billowing in her wake. She gathered the magic in her fingertips, so intent on her objective, she did not care who saw. I will tear that little brat in two.

"Mom! Wait up! What's going on?"

"Not now Wendy!" Jessica snarled at her daughter. "I need to go have a talk with your little boyfriend."

"Woah…mom…your hands…"

Jessica wheeled about facing Wendy. "Now really isn't the time, Gwendolyn. Why don't you run along and see if you can find your little friends. Don't worry about me, everything is going to be fine, as soon as I deal with a troublesome pest." Jessica's words flowed smooth as silk.

Wendy's eyes clouded briefly as the words took hold on her mind. "Oh, OK mom. Yeah maybe I can see if the girls still want to go shopping. Or if Dipper's done with his errands, maybe he wants to watch a movie."

"NO! Stay away from that Pines brat! This has gone on long enough, Wendy you will not see him anymore."

Wendy stood mouth agape at her mother's outburst. "What? No, I'm not going to stop seeing Dipper. What's wrong with you, mom? He's my boyfriend." Wendy anger burning through Jessica's subtle manipulations. "I'm not going to stop seeing him just because you say so."

A low growl escaped the Corduroy mother. "I will deal with you later, young lady. I don't think I like this rebellious streak you've developed, it's too much like your father's. Just as soon as I'm done with Dip-."

"JESSICA CORDUROY! I'M WAITING!" The call echoed through the streets, pulling at the attention of the townsfolk.

Once again Jessica, was moving toward the center of town, drawn to the source of her frustrations.She sent out a call with her mind, a summons. DANIEL, I HAVE NEED OF YOU. COME TO ME NOW. I think that my lumberjack should be more than enough to take care of one lone Pine. I can only imagine the look on his face as he's chopped down. So focused was Jessica on her goal, she failed to realize that Wendy was still following her.

/

Mabel had just reached the edge of the woods when she heard the cry.

"I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO END THIS? ARE YOU AFRAID? COME OUT AND FACE ME!"

That's Dipper. Who the heck is he screaming at that I can hear him way out hear? I better hurry, this sounds serious. Before the young girl could take two steps she was driven to her knees for the second time that day as a vision overtook her.

Two figures stand locked in combat, a knife held in their hands.

The clouds churn as the sky rips in two.

A flash of steel, the blood begins to flow.

A smile rests on the young boys face, as his opponent raises their hands in triumph.

"Just let me go Mabel, it needs to be this way."

Slowly the world came back to her, as tears streamed down her cheeks. NO! I won't let it happen. Please hold on Dip. I'm coming. Adrenaline fueled by fear coursed through her body, as she rushed into town, desperate to save her brother.

/

"Come on Danny put the axe down and we finish this as God intended, sportsman like. Though I think the odds are slightly in your favor." Pike quipped as he ducked another wild swing of Dan's weapon.

"YOU CAN ONLY DANCE FOR SO LONG, BEFORE I SPLIT YOUR SKULL IN TWO!" Dan yelled as the axe head buried deep in the wall.

Pike rushed in, delivering a flurry of blows driving Dan back towards the door. Dan rolled back onto one leg, looking like the force of Pike's punches would topple him. "You? Beat me? Inconceivable!" Just as Pike was to deliver a blow to the jaw Dan rocked back forward, wrapping Pike in a rib crushing bear hug.

"Oh shit." The air was slowly driven from Pike's lungs as the steel like arms slowly constricted.

"LET'S SEE HOW MUCH IT'LL TAKE BEFORE YOU POP." Crack. The sound of a rib breaking echoed through the room.

I need to get out of this now. He squeezes anymore that rib is gonna puncture my lungs. Time to fight dirty.

"He-y D-anny, Why do you thi-nk she di-dn't want to kill me?" Pike managed to wheeze out. "May-be she just wa-nted a re-al man arou-nd."

Dan's eyes shot wide. "WHAT DID YOU SAY? SHE SAID YOU DIDN'T REME-." Dan stopped as Jessica's voice overrode his thoughts. I have need of you. Come to me now. "LOOKS LIKE YOU GET TO LIVE A LITTLE LONGER. TIME FOR A NAP I THINK." Pikes body was hurled against the wall, his head bouncing hard from the impact.

His vision blurred as he slid to the ground, focusing enough to see the lumbering form of his brother leave him behind as he left the room.

Crap. I need to follow him, but this rib needs attention. Shit, I've had worse. Let's go crash a party.

Using the wall to leverage himself to his feet, Pike stumbled through the door after his brother.

/

The sky had turned an ominous shade of gray, heavy clouds concealing the sun. A strange eerie quiet had descended over the town, only to be shattered once again by the young man standing in the center of the town square.

"THIS ENDS TODAY!"

Dipper's shout rang throughout the town, the words echoing into the woods beyond. A small crowd had begun to gather, curious as to why he was bellowing into the evening air.

Where is she? Does she know this is a trap? No, I made sure nobody knows what I'm doing. Dipper stretched the last bit of stiffness from his joints. Did not expect this many people…I'll need to keep her focused on me so they don't get hurt. He felt the familiar tingling of magic in the air. Showtime.

The crowd parted as Jessica made her way down the streets, her hands blazing energy. Absolute loathing twisted her features as she stared Dipper down.

"You shouldn't be here, you should be lost in the rift, dying in some god forsaken dimension."

"Sorry to disappoint, but I don't die so easily," said Dipper with a grin.

"We will see about that." Jessica's voice dripped venom as she hurled a bolt of fire directly at Dipper. The flames died before they could even touch his skin.

He smirked at her. "Is that really the best you can do?"

Jessica shrieked in rage as she hurled bolt after bolt at the boy, her anger only making her attacks stronger. But they all fizzled into nothingness.

"How. Are. You. Doing. This." Each word was punctuated by another failed fire ball. "You are a nothing, just a little kid. You should be extra crispy by now."

"Looks like you're going to have to get your hands dirty if you want me gone." Dipper had assumed a position of complete relaxation. OH THANK GOD ITS WORKING.

Jessica smiled and let her hands drop to her sides, as she heard someone bull his way through the crowd. "Or I could just have someone do it for me. Dipper you remember my husband don't you?" She indicated to the giant lumberjack who had just shouldered his way through the crowd. "Sweetie, do me a teensy, tiny favor and kill that little annoyance."

"WITH PLEASURE." Manly Dan strode toward Dipper, axe gripped tightly in his hands.

OK this was not part of the plan.

/

Wendy stood transfixed in horror as her mother began to hurl fireballs at Dipper. All sound faded out as she stared at the impossible scene before her. This isn't happening. This can't be happening. How is she doing that? Why would she attack Dipper? Oh god what do I do? The anxiety that Wendy normally kept buried deep came rearing its head as her boyfriend and her mother stood in the middle of the street hurling magic at each other. Someone needs to do something. I need to do something. Is that…oh thank God dad's here, he'll put a stop to…why is he moving towards Dipper? And why does he have his axe? NOOOO.

"NOOOO!"

Time seemed to slow to a crawl as Wendy watched the axe descend toward Dipper's head.

/

Clap. The bladed of the axe stopped its descent as it was trapped between a pair of hands.

"YOU!"

"Oh come now Danny boy, fighting children? Why don't you pick on somebody your own size?" Pike flung the axe down into the concrete. One arm wrapped protectively around his chest. "I believe that I was in the middle of kicking your butt before you ran off. Perhaps you'd like to finish."

"YOU SURE SEEM ANXIOUS TO DIE, LITTLE BROTHER."

"Daniel dear, don't take too long with that idiot. You still have Dipper to deal with."

Pike raised a single finger salute in defiance.

Daniel charged, shouting a deafening roar, directly into an uppercut. Dan's eyes glossed over as he swayed on his feet, before toppling with a mighty crash.

"Wow…glass jaw. Who knew? Pike stood looking down at his brother's unconscious body. "Now it's your turn Jess-oh shit no."

While Dan had charged Pike, Jessica had rushed Dipper burying a knife into his chest.

"I think this will take care of you." Jessica whispered into Dipper's ear. "So ends the light of another star." Dipper grasped at Jessica's wrist, his hands fumbling wildly. The light in his eyes dimmed as gravity pulled his body to the ground. Jessica stood arms raised to the sky as the clouds began to echo with the rumble of thunder. No one can stop me now. Let the rift finally be opened. Nothing. No glow encased her skin, no energy crackled at her fingertips. The magic was gone. She turned to face the boy, who lay dying in the street. A smile plastered on his face as he choked out the simple phrase.

"I win."

/

Stay Tuned Next Time For Chapter Thirteen. Into The Light.

/

Ok I know I've said it before. I know I'm gonna say it again. Thank you. All of you who read this. It really does make my day just to see the views climb, but it really makes my week that you guys take the time to review, so SHOUTOUTS!

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