Marco Diaz vs The Falls

Chapter 14: In The Mindscape

-W-what?-Mabel asked confused as her cheeks slowly turned red

-W-what?-Isaac questioned at the same time, but his face only turned paler

Marco sighed again.-What I said: would you like to have a date with me?-

-You're... asking me out?-the brunette girl asked in confirmation

-I think so-the boy answered not really sure, but instead a bit afraid of what he would probably provoke

-Yes...-Mabel answered with a wide smile before giggling.-YES! OH, MY! YES! OF COURSE!-she screamed hugging the hoodie boy with all her strength

-Woah, wait!-the Latino teen exclaimed pulling her a bit away.-It's only a date, and we're not a couple... I just think that you must be right and I should try to move on... stop thinking about... well, you know-who, but you're not my girlfriend, okay?-he explained quickly

The girl chuckled.-Of course! Got it! 100% got it!-

-Right... so, eh, would you mind helping me cleaning the house?-

-What?-Mabel laughed at remembering the real reason why Marco had come to see her in the first place.-Oh, I thought that had only been an excuse to ask me out!-the girl confessed embarrassed.-But, anyway, sure! C'mon, Isaac!-she called grabbing the shocked boy downstairs

Isaac couldn't understand it. According to Mabel, his tips hadn't worked at all! Moreover, Marco had never shown any kind of interest on his friend, why would he change his mind all of a sudden? Is there any logical explanation? Was he really the only person who could notice the weirdness of the situation? Because Mabel seemed to be having the best day of her life, which only made the boy angrier. There was something smelly in that proposal. Had the young adult truly fallen in love with her? Was he really a Love Doctor? No, he wasn't it all. Perhaps he was just so unlucky that he really made a post-break up depressive boy like his crush. Yeah, that should be it... Wait a second... Crush?! The dark-haired teen's blood froze at the thought of being in love again. Let's just say, he didn't have the best of experiences. So, the idea of liking his only real friend was obviously terrifying, even if he knew it was true.

Mabel, on the other hand, was shining with happiness. Well, she was usually happy, but that didn't meant the context was less important! The girl's heart was beating so fast at the idea of having a date with the mysterious Marco Diaz, her crush. Or another crush or one of the few crushed that actually got to some place... eh, whatever... it was nice to see that her obsession with him wasn't in vain at all! Despite the boy's cold words, she knew that once he knew her well, he would definitely forget everything about that girl who stole his heart so bad!

Dipper sighed in relief when he saw his friends signaling at him. He could do tours forever, it wasn't really that hard actually, but the young teen didn't actually enjoyed lying to anybody, especially in a place like Gravity Falls. Having a fake magical creature in that town was like having plastic jewelry inside a diamonds' mine. The city was literately weirdness' magnet and they were showing a monkey stuck to a fish tail. As someone who fierily believed in paranormal activities, working for that tourist trap was somehow like betraying his beliefs. But everyone in the shack agreed that fake creatures were better than the real ones (or at least more harmless).

-Excuse me for a moment, Mr. and Mrs. Diaz-Dipper said as he walked closer to Marco, Isaac and Mabel.-So?-he asked in a whisper.-Is everything done?-

His sister nodded happily.-Everything is more than ready, bro!-she exclaimed with a giggle that sounded happier than usual

-Yeah... the place can't get better anyway... it isn't a mansion, you know?-Isaac commented a bit angrily

Alright, Mabel was happier than usual whereas Isaac was more sarcastic than usual. There was something he was indeed missing.-Well, grunkle Stan and Ford won't come back until midnight, so why don't you go tell your parents to go to the kitchen?-

-Sure thing-the Latino decided with a neutral expression as he walked along with the pine tree hat bearer

-Eh, Marco... what happened between Isaac and Mabel?-the 16-years-old wondered in a low voice tone worriedly

-What do you mean?-the young adult asked back a bit confused

-Well, they're acting weirder than usual-

-Oh, yeah, that! I asked Mabel out-Marco explained carelessly

-Uh, okay-Dipper finally understood, before realizing what his friend had just said.-Wait... You did... WHAT?!-The teenager shouted before signaling at him with a shocked face.-You said you didn't want anything with my sister!-

-Is everything okay, boys?-Marco's mother, Angie, questioned at noticing the obvious argument they were having only a few meters away from them

-Everything's just fine, mom-her son reassured her before whispering to his friend.-Calm down, I'll explain later...-

-You'd better do, safe kid-Dipper muttered between teeth before taking a deep breathe, trying to control himself in front of his friend's (if he should keep calling him friend) parents.-We just wanted to advise you that Stanley and Stanford Pines aren't at home today because they're taking care of some business in downtown, Mr. and Mrs. Diaz-

-Oh, I didn't know they had another job moreover hosting the shack!-the woman exclaimed with a fake smile. The idea of her son being the only adult in the house wasn't really pleasant.

Sure, another job. If by job it meant a secret investigation about the inter-dimensional monsters that are currently terrifying the town, then yes, they had another job. And an even more demanding job than the first one, that was for sure.-Actually, they're just... filling some papers related to the maintenance of the shack-

-Yeah, and Soos is in the room upstairs too-the Latino boy added

-Who is Soos?-Rafael questioned surprised.-I thought the only people living here were the Pines-

-We are... in summer. Soos is the shack's host the rest of the year. He's not a bad guy, though he can be absent-minded sometimes...-the brunette teen explained to his friend's parents with a thoughtful look

-Oh, it'd be a pleasure to meet him!-the adults agreed with an enthusiastic expression. Of course, it was always a pleasure to meet new friends! And they would never miss a chance to have the feeling that Marco was even safer with three adults in charge of him...

-Right, we'll call him for the dinner... and talking about that, dinner's ready! So, why don't we go to the kitchen?-the karate boy proposed grabbing his mother's hand.-I'm sure you'll love the food that the Pines cooked!-

"Food that the Pines cooked" sure... it was obvious that food with the perfect quantity of every single ingredient couldn't have been cooked by the Pines. None of them were so obsessive with control, let alone being a cooking lover. So, everyone in the room, even the Diaz, who had tasted their son's food for enough time to recognize it, knew very well that food had been cooked by Marco, but they all pretended not to know it. Especially Rafael and Angie, who actually were a bit happy to realize that their boy was cooking again, which meant that he was being himself back again. So, moreover some sarcastic comment about how the food seemed "familiar", they just let it go.

-And what have you been doing the last week without us, son?-Rafael questioned with a wide smile

-Oh, well, you know... traveling around the town, visiting the forest, watching movies, teaching Dipper how to karate...-

-Oh, really? That sounds awesome! It's been a long time since you practiced karate!-

Of course it is. It's been a year since the monsters stopped bothering Star and Marco! Well, the real ones at least. The inner monsters were the ones that got stronger the last year in fact.-Yeah, I've been practicing karate lately too, you could say-he said a bit careless

-I'm so glad you're getting better, son!-Angie suddenly dropped out of her mouth with a wide smile.-It's good to see you're moving on-

Those words echoed through the boy's ears as he dropped his fork to the floor. He tried not to overreact over his mother's words, so he just shrugged and picked his utensil trying to pretend that his fork fell to the floor by accident and that he wasn't giving a lot of thought about that fact lately. But despite Marco's acting, Mabel wasn't famous for being careless or reserved at all.

-Yeah, he's really better!-the brunette girl exclaimed with a wide smile making Marco's eyes wide open in realization of the bad moment he chose to ask the girl on a date.-In fact, we're dating!-

The Diaz smiled.-Marco! Why haven't you told us about this?-

-Eh, we're not dating... I just asked her to go on a date with me... in the future...-he added quickly trying to think of the proper meaning of "dating someone" to prove that Mabel and him weren't under any circumstance actually dating

-You agreed on going on a date then you're dating-Angie explained with a giggle.-Don't be shy, I think Mabel is a good girl-

-Oh! Have you heard that? They approve me!-the twin exclaimed excitedly.-We're so in love with each other!-she continued making Marco feel bad

-Wait, it's a date... there are many kinds of dates, and we're not in love-he corrected as a matter of fact with a frown, trying to defend something that sounded impossible

-Then why did you ask her out, huh?-Dipper asked all of a sudden with an open glare. He felt confused and mad at the fact that his best friend had told him since the first day that he didn't have any interest on his sister and all of a sudden he asked her out, filling her heart with hope that will probably crash any time soon. Nobody hurt his sister! Not on his guard! Less a boy who stopped believing in love long time ago only because he had a bad experience.

-Marco, there's nothing wrong about moving on and...-tried to start the Latino's mother, but her son didn't let her finish

-Easy for you to say...-he commented angrily when the situation overwhelmed him.-You have the guy you love in front of you, don't you?-

-Marco, honey? Are you feeling wrong again?-the woman asked worriedly again

The boy stared at her. She didn't understand. Well, nobody did. It didn't matter how hard he tried it, he knew very well that the only way in which he'd feel complete would be in the moment in which he found Star again, though he had given up on forgetting her many weeks ago, after knowing about the blood moon bond. But his parents didn't seem to get it, he wouldn't let her go. It wasn't only because of the fact that he didn't want to, he couldn't do it either!

-I've finished my spaghetti-Marco suddenly said standing up, not wanting to argue anymore.-I'll be in my room for a minute-

Sadness, darkness, anguish and anxiety, those were the feeling showed in the Marco Diaz's face as he walked quickly to the room he shared with the Pines boy. Everyone in the kitchen stared confused at his reaction... well, everyone but his parents, who quickly looked down ashamed and shook their heads in disappointment. Mabel's face was clouded up, once she finally thought Marco had accepted her, he did that! Why?! She was super patient and adequate, right?

Dipper, on the other hand, was the less hesitating from the group, deciding to stand up from the table and walk calmly to his bedroom. He had never seen his friend so upset, and maybe that was the reason why he decided to follow him, ignoring all the signs that advised that the Latino didn't feel like being with many people. The 16-years-old knew better than just wait for him outside until he felt less angry. Moreover, he still wanted to know more about his sensei's background story, and he knew that was the perfect moment. The teenager was finally ready to hear whatever happened with him and that girl who meant so much in his life.

"Really?! Hugs!" "C'mon, wild man!" "Now we can be mess-up twins!" "Marco, you are awesome, we don't have to focus on who saves who, the only thing that matters is that we have each other's back" "Now, I know you can dance..." "Just let Marco go!" You believing in me is all I need" "We can kiss..." "I can't... I won't... I need you"

All those moments started to flashback inside the young adult's mind as he stared at his best friend's crown in his hands, leaning his head against the bed border. He felt horrible. All of a sudden, that momentary happiness he felt because he was beginning to fit in and having new friends was gone. Almost as a reflex act, he closed his eyes and put his left hand on his chest, trying to feel any sign of her. It didn't matter what, he just needed to feel her one more time again, to feel that he was doing everything for a reason that he hadn't been cheated, that he was walking through the right path again. Summing up, what Marco needed was hope, that blind hope he had again. But he felt nothing, and that worried him more. The karate boy used to be able to feel Star, to feel her emotions, but now he couldn't, and that was making him more paranoid than usual.

He sighed sadly with tired eyes, holding the only piece of Star he had and staring at it as if it could magically turn into his princess. The teen felt guilty for dating Mabel, even if it was to give her and Isaac a lesson, because he wasn't only betraying her lover, but also kind of lying to the Pines girl, again. And by doing it, he was adding another lie to his endless list that wasn't pleasant at all.

-You know, there's a limit for everything, even for our deal...-Dipper commented as he got inside his bedroom making the Latino hide the crown quickly under the bed

-Are you really going to tell me off?-the young adult asked sarcastically as he turned around to face his friend

-Telling someone who is older and knows karate off, no thanks...-the brunette opined with a chuckle.-But I think you should tell me the truth about what is going on-

-You want to know why I asked your sister out?-

-Not only that, I want to know why you're doing this to yourself? What happened between you and that girl to leave you so...-the teenager tried to think the correct word to finish his concept

-So depressed?-Marco completed rolling his eyes

-Those weren't the exact words I was looking for...-his friend explained, trying not to sound mean.-Maybe something like... destroyed...-he dropped off before realizing that word was worse than "depressed".-Or heartbroken! Yeah... oh, wait, I don't know if that's worse...-

-Good to know there are many synonyms that can describe me-the Latino boy remained sarcastic before sighing.-It's complicated to explain... but I'm having only one date with Mabel to get rid of her-

-If you're planning to act as someone horrible and rude, I'm telling you, it won't work-

-No, I will open her eyes about many things... moreover she made a bet with Isaac about dating me-

-So, you helped Mabel win?-

-Surprisingly, I think I helped Isaac-the karate boy suddenly realized with a nervous smile.-They bet that he couldn't make her get a date with me-

-Oh, so that's why she was acting weirder than usual...-

-Get it now?-

-So, you're gonna hoist them with their own petard?-

-That's a way of seeing it-

The pine tree hat bearer thought it through a bit, slowly understanding it. Okay, it was indeed an original way of revenge, and he could tell that Marco was being honest when he said he didn't want anything with his sister. So, he decided to let it go, deciding in a long time ago to trust someone blindly just because it felt like the right thing. On the other hand, the fact that he was starting to worry about his friend's depressing state wasn't a mystery. The teenager felt every time more the need of knowing exactly what happened between him and that mysterious girl he's so in love with. Because, c'mon? It's impossible for someone to be so sad about that... right?

-So, when did you and your ex break up?-

The Latino boy stared confused at that question. Great, now he had to tell him about his story with Star... wait, was it even considered as a break up? Or an argument? Well, as everything in their relationship, their goodbye was as confusing as their hello.-Three weeks ago...-

-Woah, it's quite recent, I kind of understand why you're still upset about it-admitted his friend surprised about that new information

-Thank you!-exclaimed the karate boy glad to see that someone finally understood that he didn't need a new girlfriend any time soon.-It's glad to see I'm not that obsessed for someone!-

-Well, you still hurt yourself for her-

"Better said, Bill Cipher hurt me disguised..." the brunette thought bitterly trying to ignore that little fact, knowing fully well that he had to hide under any circumstances the fact that he knew Bill, at least until his deal with him was over.-That doesn't count-he mumbled before sighing.-It was an accident and my parents thought I made it on purpose, it doesn't count, Dipper!-

-Fine... don't you really wanna talk about it?-the 16-years-old insisted with a sincere concerned look

Marco sighed.-Thanks, Dipper, but no... At least not yet-

-Well, if you ever wanna talk, just know that my sister won't miss an opportunity to listen to someone crying and make it smile-he said with a chuckle making his friend laugh a bit

-Cool, I'll take it in account-

After sharing a few smiles, Dipper told him to go downstairs to eat dessert once he felt ready. Then, he just left him alone for another couple of minutes. In that meantime, the young adult took the crown out of its hide place and put it back inside his bag pack. If someone found that crown, he'd have to give many explanations... especially if somebody realized that the crown was made of gold and had real jewelry... but he obviously didn't have that in mind when he brought it with him. It was a little habit he was having, and it was healthier than lying: he kept reminding himself that his soul mate still was alive and that he would save her. Though sometimes, he just wanted to see if she still remembered him, or at least where she exactly was...

-I hope you are okay...-he muttered before going downstairs again

The darkness was unbearable, but at the same time somehow comfortable, as if she had secretly gotten used to it. Where was she? Don't you ever dare to ask, because she had no idea, but that didn't stop her. For some reason, in fact, the girl just felt like she had to keep on walking in the dark. Keep moving on, as she always used to think, in order to find a brighter place to hide. Hide from what? Eh... well, she wasn't sure either... but something within her was telling her to hide.

And as she continued walking, she looked up at the red sky above her. It was somehow familiar, but no matter how hard she tried it, her mind seemed to have left her a long time ago, though a flashback came to her mind... a flashback of a masked face. Yeah, a masked stranger reflected under that red sky produced for the blood moon. A chill climbed up her back as a burning feeling got inside of her at the memory of that mysterious boy who could still move her. Who was that familiar stranger? The girl didn't care, but she felt angry at him, angry for another reason she didn't understand.

It was pure madness, but sweet dreams were made of that weird feeling of a permanent intrigue in real life you would actually care about. She wasn't thinking. She just was walking through the darkness, trying to avoid all the people who were also there, even if she couldn't see their faces, due to the darkness. She could only see shadows.

-Well, well, well...-one teasing voice said in the middle of the crowd

The blonde girl stopped in her track. She slowly turned around. She remembered that voice... she remembered that voice! But whose voice was? Who talked like that? It wasn't a common tone of voice; in fact, it was rather robotic-like...

-Who are you?-the princess asked taking her wand that was on hidden on her dress to protect herself

-Oh, don't make such a big deal, devil head-band...-the voice said chuckling, as if it knew that she couldn't really hurt him

-Show yourself!-the girl demanded loudly

-Who said I was hiding, princess?-

The girl wide opened her eyes as she realized what that insane tone meant. She turned around slowly to see how the crowd of people was making space to show a red spotlight reflecting on a boy in a suit. His suit, as well as his hat had a Día de Los Muertos fashion. He was looking down, so she couldn't tell for sure, but she had a feeling like the boy was wearing a mask. All of a sudden, her mind kind of woke up.

-Marco?-she asked confused as she ran to where he was

The stranger looked up, but instead of being the Latino boy, it was her ex-boyfriend, Tom.-Hello, Star Butterfly-he said with the demon's voice

As soon as she heard his voice, Star quickly pulled away from him.-Who are you?-

He grabbed her hand.-Does it matter?-he questioned with another familiar voice now. The stranger spun her around, and when she was able to look at him again, it wasn't Tom anymore, being the musician Oskar now

-What are you?-the princess asked this time with a stunned expression.-And where are we?-

-Well, now... I am just one of your old silly crushes! Ain't I right?-the creature commented with an evil chuckle.-But if you want a more pleasant view...-he spun her around for the last time, as he turned into the masked boy from her flashback.-What do you think of this one?-

Star let go of his hands with all her strength, not wanting to stay close to someone who was so extremely similar to Marco but who wasn't himself. He wasn't real, but instead some kind of weird illusion.-Stop it now!-she reclaimed holding the wand she had hidden in her dress and pointing at the apparently shape-shifter

-Or what? Are you going to shoot me?-the stranger asked, still looking and sounding like the boy she madly loved.-I'd like to see that, devil head-band! It's not every day you got the chance to see a girl shooting her soul mate willingly-

The princess' hands started to shake at the thought of hurting Marco, and it didn't matter if he wasn't really him, she just couldn't do it... and that thing knew it. After everything they went through, even if she was still mad at him, even if she still felt like he broke her heart... Star couldn't hurt him. So, she slowly put the wand down.

-Very well, princess...-the creature said with a smirk

-Fine, what do you want?-the girl asked with angrily

-Oh, wow, I thought you'd be nicer! After all you're a princess! Where are your manners?-the fake Marco teased with an annoying tone

-Oh, c'mon, what I last needed was my mother in disguise terrifying my dreams...-

Wait... dreams? Where did that come from? And then she kind of realized that she felt pretty sure about being in a dream, which was weird. Alright, you can realize you're dreaming sometimes (according to what Marco had once told her) but she felt way too conscious. It was like she was awake in the middle of the weirdness of the dream.

Fake Marco folded his arms with a grin, as if he had heard her internal dilemma.-Sweet dreams are made of this after all, aren't they?-

-What? About what?-

-That's what people don't understand about their dreams!-he laughed taking off his mask, showing the face from the boy she desired for.-They are the pure shape of your mind... they can be about your wishes, about the people who used you, or abused you... and the ones who would want to be abused-

-I've never met someone like that-the girl reproached with a look of misbelief

-Oh, but you should-he replied back.-After all, life isn't easy for damsels in distress...-

-I'm not a damsel in distress!-she shouted angrily

-Perhaps, but we both know you're not in the best conditions if you're in the mindscape!-he laughed with a hysteric laughter that made Star feel even more uncomfortable by the situation. That thing, no matter how much it looked like him, wasn't Marco at all. And what was worse, he didn't even seem to try to imitate him: he was enjoying the awkwardness he provoked on her.

-Mindscape?-Star questioned surprised as she looked at the sides. She had only heard about the "mindscape". It was the thoughts of one person represented in one dimension that only a few inter-dimensional creatures, such as demons, were able to visit.-How did I even get inside my mind?-

-Oh, you have been wandering around here like for...-the fake Marco took out a clock out of who-knows-who.-Oh, about three weeks! And you realize it now? Woah, girl, you're quite slow, don't you think?-

-Th-three weeks?!-The girl touched her forehead in realization before a headache started to attack her again.-What's wrong? I don't remember being in this place before!-

-Funny fact about the mindscape, you don't usually remember what happens here after you wake up again! At least something out of normal happens, like a peculiar dream or a peculiar visit...-

-What do you want?! What are you? A monster? A demon?!-

-Is there a difference?-he chuckled.-Okay, okay, unfortunately for you, I'm not your soul mate, but a demon who would probably destroy your inside instead! But then again, is there a difference?!-

-Why are you here, demon?-

-Oh, yeah, business time!-the demon said before leaving his Marco's disguise and turning into a one-eyed yellow triangle wearing a black bowtie and a black hat.-Name's Bill Cipher and you're the crazy princess who is turning the whole multiverse upside down! Even standing in the mindscape!-he said with the same voice from the first time Star turned to see him, with his obviously real voice

-I wouldn't say I turned it "upside down"-she reclaimed rolling her eyes.-Have I?-

The triangle laughed.-Oh, boy! You're so naïve for having done such a mess!-the demon continued laughing.-Anyway I'm not here to talk to you about that, girl! I'm here for your little earthling lover-

-Marco? Does he even know you?-

-It doesn't matter, though it's a big probability, but the real reason why I'm here is because he's in big trouble... so, what if we make a little deal to keep him breathing?-he proposed and when he said "deal" his hand suddenly had blue fire on it before turning back to normal

-Deal?-the girl laughed.-With a demon?! No, thanks, I've got enough experiences with demons and I know you're crazier than me-

-I only ask for something quite considered taking in account I'm protecting the life of a simple mortal... I only want your powers-

-You want my wand?-

-What are you? Moreover a rebel a deaf princess?!-the demon questioned rolling his eye slowly, to make her notice that he was actually rolling his eye.-I don't want that toy you use unnecessarily. What I want from you is your pure powers, the ones you use naturally, the ones that run in the family, the reason why you have those hearts on your cheeks-

At that, the princess tensed up again.-You want to take away my magic?-

-Hey, you'll still have the wand! We know that any magical or not magical being can use it!-

-In change of protecting someone who is in the safest dimension in the multiverse?-Star asked confused.-Marco is perfectly fine! And I won't be swindled for a nacho, thank you-she said turning around

-I thought you'd say so... but I won't blame you... anyway, if you ever want to make the deal, just tell me!-the demon said before turning into Marco again.-It's not my life the one that is in danger...-he said with the Latino's tone making the princess stare at him one more time.-Oh, wait a second! It's my life after all!-the disguised triangle laughed at his own sick joke before disappearing in a flash of light, leaving everything in the darkness again.

Hello there, guys! I hope you're doing well! I'm fine... sure fine... after all those cute svtfoe episodes... I'm perfectly fine (dying inside xD)

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this new chapter! As I still think we're seeing little of Star, I decided to show her state in the present... and she's in the mindscape. But how come was she there? What's up with all that darkness?

And poor Marco, his feelings are quite a mess, huh? Well, there's a reason why the story is called vs the falls, right? (bad joke xD).

Next chapter we'll see Mabel and Marco's date! And... a guest visitor (if it could be called visitor)... who do you think it'd be? (spoiler: it's a svtfoe character)

Answering time:

Macky125: Yep, Isaac indeed won... but what did he win exactly? And the date will be in the next chapter, what do you think would happen? As always, you're an amazing reader! Thank you so much!

NBoss01: Mmm.. it's possible, you'll have to wait till next chapter though xD But Isaac was indeed upset in this chapter... Thanks! I'm glad you noticed that I added many new things! They're quite hard, taking in account that many things probably won't match the serie (because I started writting this before season 2), but I'm doing my best :D

ddkeac: Thank you so much, friend!

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Guys! Thank you so much for all the reviews, follows and favorites! I love you so much! It really motivates me! :')

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