Chapter 25:
Dipper kept his eyes firmly shut as he waited for his life to end, wishing he could have done more to make up with Mabel.
"STOP!"
The shout echoed through the throne room, causing Bill to freeze and Dipper's eyes to snap open. Both Bill and Dipper turned to see Ford had come back into the throne room.
"Stop right now Cipher," Ford ordered, standing defiantly before the large demon. "I will not let you hurt Dipper."
"Well this is certainly a surprise Sixer," Bill said, looming over Ford. "I thought you considered Pine Tree a traitor. What changed your mind?"
"Dipper may have betrayed us to help you," Ford agreed but continued to glare at Bill. "But he is still just a child and he's my nephew. So I'll take your deal. I'll let you into my mind. My only condition is that you let my brother and the kids go free."
"I'm glad to see you've come around Sixer," Bill said with glee, dropping Dipper unceremoniously on the floor. "I accept your conditions. It's a deal!"
"No!" Dipper protested weakly, trying to get up. "Don't trust him."
Ford didn't acknowledge Dipper as he shook Bill's flaming hand. As soon as the deal was struck, Bill's body turned to stone as his essence went into the mindscape. With one last triumphant laugh, Bill dived into Ford's mind. Dipper could only stare on helplessly when the sound of footsteps drew his attention. He turned to see Grunkle Stan walk in, holding the memory gun. Then Dipper realized that he had six fingers.
"Ford?!" Dipper said in shock, before turning to look at the one that was still kneeling. "Grunkle Stan?! What's going?"
Back when the Pines family first fled the throne room
"Stop! We can't leave yet!" Mabel protested as Stan dragged her along. "We have to help Dipper! We can't just leave him there to face Bill by himself."
"I know Pumpkin," Stan assured seriously. "And I'm not going to let him. I'll keep him safe, I promise."
"There's nothing you or anyone of us can do against someone like Bill," Ford said coolly. "The best thing we can do is regroup and make sure Dipper's sacrifice isn't in vain. Besides, he brought this on himself by siding with-"
Ford was cut off by Stan coming up and punching him in the jaw. Ford stumble back in surprise before glaring at his brother.
"What was that-" Ford began, rubbing his jaw.
"Shut up!" Stan shouted jabbing his finger in Ford's chest. "For once in your life, you are going to listen to me and what I have to say you heartless jerk! I don't care that you think that Dipper betrayed us by going with Bill, you are no better. I've been studying your journals and I know you fell into the same temptations. And while you were an adult when all that happened, Dipper is still just a kid. He was tricked just like you were, but he's better than you have ever been because he still cares about his family no matter what. You might consider yourself a hero, but Dipper is the real hero here. He's willing to give up his life to keep his sister safe and you have NO right to judge him!"
His speech finished, Stan stood back and glared at his brother while Ford processed everything that was just said. Ford then realized that Stan was right. He knew personally just how tempting Bill's offers were and how could he fault Dipper for making the same mistakes? He felt ashamed of what he said to Dipper and how he was so willing to condemn a child. How had he become so cold-hearted?
"You're right Stanley," Ford finally replied, lowering his eyes in shame. "I've been doing a great disservice to Dipper and I'm sorry. I'll do anything I can to help save him."
"Good," Stan nodded. "Do you still have that memory gun with you?"
"Yes," Ford replied, pulling it out. "I thought about using it to erase Bill from someone's mind, but the only mind he wants to get into is mine and I've got a metal plate in my head that prevents the gun from working on me."
"That's why I have an idea," Stan grinned. "But I'm going to need your clothes…"
Back to the present time
Ford carefully adjusted the memory gun to say Stan Pines before taking careful aim at his brother. Looking away at the last second, Ford fired the gun and erased his brother's mind, destroying Bill along with Stan. The deed done, Ford dropped the gun to the floor while those that had been turned into tapestries returned to normal. The Fear-a-mid began to tremble and soon the roof was pulled away to show everything being sucked into the dimensional tear. Brick by brick, the Fear-a-mid, and all the weirdness was sucked away. Soon the tear closed and a wave of energy passed over the town, returning everything back to its natural state.
"You did it, Grunkle Stan!" Mabel cheered, running up to the wooden clearing they were now standing in. Mabel happily puts Stan's fez on his head while Dipper and Ford looked on in sadness.
"Oh… hey there kiddo," Stan greeted with a confused smile. "What's your name?"
"Grunkle Stan?" Mabel said in confusion, her smile slipping.
"Who you talking to?" Stan asked, looking around for someone that recognized the sweet girl in front of him.
"C-come on… it's me…" Mabel pleaded, tearing welling up in her eyes. "It's me, Grunkle Stan! It's me!"
Dipper came over and hugged his sister, while Ford rested his hand on her shoulder.
"We had to erase his mind to defeat Bill," Ford explained sadly. "It's all gone. Stan has no idea, but he did it. He saved the world. He saved Dipper. He saved me."
Ford left Mabel to kneel in front of Stan.
"You're our hero Stanly," Ford said as he hugged his brother. Mabel started to sob while Dipper looked at everyone with sadness. It was all his fault that Grunkle Stan was like this. If he hadn't fallen for Bill's manipulation, Stan wouldn't have had to sacrifice himself to save them all. He wished there was something he could do to make everything right. Suddenly an idea came to him. Maybe there was something he could do after all. With determination, Dipper walked up to Grunkle Stan with his hands lighting up with energy.
"What do you think you're doing Dipper?" Ford asked with a hint of suspicion, shielding his brother.
"Bill may have been an evil demon, but he was a great teacher," Dipper explained. "I think I might be able to help Grunkle Stan get his memory back if you let me."
"Please Great Uncle Ford," Mabel begged, hope returning to her. "I trust Dipper and I know he won't hurt Grunkle Stan. Please just let him try."
"Alright," Ford decided, reluctantly stepping back. Dipper sent him a grateful smile before focusing on Grunkle Stan. He places his hands on the side of Stan's head and let their energy and minds connect. Dipper carefully reached through Stan's mind and helped bring all the forgotten memories he could find to the surface. He was relieved to find no trace of Bill as he worked. Once he did as much as he dared, Dipper withdrew his mind and stepped back. Stan blinked a few times before focusing on the people in front of him.
"Dipper? Mabel?" Stan said slowly, holding his head as his memories came back to him. "What's going on? Did we get rid of the stupid triangle?"
"You're back Grunkle Stan!" Mabel cheered, hugging him. "And yes! You did it! You saved us all!"
"Well, what do you know," Stan smiled, hugging her back. "Guess I was good for something after all."
"Thank you Dipper," Ford said, smiling at his nephew for the first time. "I'm sorry I've doubted you. You are a far better brother than I ever was. Don't you ever change that about yourself."
"Don't worry I won't," Dipper replied, returning the smile. "And thank you, Grunkle Ford. That means a lot to me."
The two joined in the group hug, happy that everyone was alright. After everything that they went through, they were now closer than ever. The future was bright and no matter what, they had each other. But hidden underneath Dipper's shirt on the back of his shoulder, Bill's mark still rested though it had been forgotten by everyone. And in the midst of this celebration, the image of Bill blinked.
The End?
AN: It was satisfying having Stan punch Ford and tell him off. And of course, this isn't the end. I have plenty ideas for a sequel, but it will probably be a little while before I start posting it. I don't where, I don't know when, but I'll write again some sunny day...
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