Author's note: I know I'm delayed but these years are been tough with me. Still, I haven't forgotten about any of you and we move on after a REALLY long inspection of Journal 3. Let's see what's in store!


12. The Slithering Shadow

Stan jumped behind a fallen log, barely carrying his brother. The hounds had been following them for at least half an hour and both twins were at the end of their ropes. Ford's breathing was becoming too swallow, his time running out. They were now really close to the waterfall but the older twin could barely walk. Stan took a look around and leaned back. They needed an idea and fast.

"Six, still with me?" whispered Stanley.

"Think so" the scientist was starting to find it hard to keep his lungs filled.

"Almost there, pointdexter. If only we could dodge those beasts, we would have gotten there by now" grumbled the con man.

"You should go ahead of me, Lee. I would wait here"

"One more stupid suggestion and I'll carry you bride-style. Am I clear?" Stan frowned.

"Transparent" Ford nodded, his head feeling unusually heavy.

"I know you're tired, Sixer"

"More than what you think" muttered Stanford, but his words didn't reach his twin. "There is more than one way in, Lee. Sylvia told me. We can't be far from one"

"Ok, so how does your secret door look like, hu?"

"Not sure" Ford looked around but found nothing. How were they gonna enter if the only possible door was closed? The scientist sighed and the con man leaned back. They were stuck and darkness was beginning to fall. A few seconds ran past and Stan heard a small hiss. They were not alone and that couldn't be good.

"Hey, Ford! You heard that?"

"Hu?" the scientist looked at his brother in confusion. A small cloud of black smoke slithered across the grass and Ford stood up.

"What are you doing? Get down, you nerd!"

"Chist!" Stanford shushed his brother. He knew well this creature, too well. "Good evening"

"Good evening" a soft spoken voice replied. "I haven't seen you in a while, Six Fingers. I thought you finally came to your senses"

"Well you thought wrong"

"It's a pity" a large shadow appeared before them and Stan went pale white. It was a huge black snake, a feathered-cobra staring dead eye at them. "But it's nice to see you with those of your kin, Six, at least they keep you… occupied" the reptile kept talking in a gentle tone.

"This is my brother, although I'm sure you already knew that"

"Obviously" the snake talked in a nonchalant way. "You ran into the hounds and now me. Must be your lucky day"

"I got something to ask you"

"Do tell"

"We need to get in. I need to speak with Sylvia. It's an emergency. You know I would never ask if it wasn't important. Please" Ford felt his legs about to give away.

"You poor thing. You poor sweet thing. Hasn't even occurred to you that I can take you back to your beloved Dimension 52? We could spare your family from watching you play hero" the cobra hissed and Stan looked at his brother.

"Not now, Nazo. I got things to do. Open the hatch, please"

"As you wish, but remember that my offer still stands" the reptile disappeared in a puff of smoke. Before any of the twins could talk, the ground vanished under their feet and they began to fall through what it seemed as the insides of a machine or factory. Stan grabbed hold of a pipe and then his brother's coat. When the con man saw the iron gangway under them, he dropped Ford before coming down.

"Hot Belgian Waffles! What the hell was that?" Stan could hardly find his breath. "First that giant worm and now this?!"

"Nazo"

"What?"

"A creature of smoke and Dark Matter that travels through the universes like a shadow, he's the living mystery, a riddle to never be solved… In other words, trouble. Whenever there is a small trace of anger or darkness, Nazo appears to blow on the embers to raise the flames. He has helped destroyed many worlds"

"And you just talked to him? Are you nuts, brainiac?"

"If he's here, it's because he's aware of the recent events. But Nazo won't stay as long as I'm here. We know each other and he knows I won't let him stay"

"Well, some comfort that is. Now what? Where are we?"

"In the galleries that run under this valley, in Sylvia's home"

"Then we made it!"

"Not quite. This place is home to other creatures aside my friend and many of them are not friendly"

"Oh, great! Just great" Stan huffed. Ford shook head and tried to get up, but his legs wouldn't let him. "FORD!" the con man ran to his brother. "You ok?"

"No" his strength was giving away, his status worsening. "If we don't hurry…"

"Hey, we're inside, right? That gives us an edge" Stanley grabbed his brother gently and began to carry him through the gangway. "Ok, how do we find your friend?"

"Sylvia can't be far. She must be around here somewhere" Stanford leaned heavily on his brother and almost felt again. "I can't do this"

"Of course you can! Stop whining and get…" Stan noticed then the tired expression of his twin. "I know you're exhausted, Sixer, but you can't give up now"

"Leave me here. I'll tell you how to find her"

"Not a ghost of a chance. You're coming with me! I can't go back home without you. Dipper would kill me and… I can't live knowing I left you to die"

"I can't move, Ley. I can hardly breathe"

"We'll think of something. C'mon!" Stan tried again. A loud chorus of growls stopped them in their tracks. The inhabitants of the galleries had noticed and weren't too happy about having humans in their den. "You want a bite, ugly bunch? Come and get it" Stanley stood up for the challenge but knew his twin was running out of time. The monsters began to close in on them and Stan walked back, Ford getting heavier. A loud whale roar echoed in that precise moment. The creatures fled instantly and the con man smiled. "Ha! In your faces, buckos!" Stan was celebrating when he saw Ford closing his eyes and passing out like a rock. "FORD! No! C'mon, not now! You can't do this to me! Wake up, Sixer. Wake up! Don't you dare leave me! Stanford!" Stan tried everything but his twin was out cold. Whatever had given out that last roar was surely going to have them for dinner. Stan stood up, ready to give his life for his brother, when he saw an animal with a long neck and horse mane going towards him. "You stay away from him! Or I'll clover you! I mean it!" the creature ignored the man and took a good look at Ford.

"Six, is that you?"


Back on the scene. You guys better not think that the hounds have left the building, mark my words.

More to come!