You guys are the most patient readers in the world. It's been over a month this time. I spent three weeks working on cosplays for Super Con, and the week after had no motivation to do anything. Anyway, after a long hiatus, the new chapter is up.
This chapter has a lot of action. It also has some violence, blood, and character death, just as a warning.
Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed chapter 33: Fantasy Fan 223, Frostbite, Energy witch, ImpossibleJedi4, TDICELEBRITY14, Berrybanana05, Guest, Marisol777, and young red-winged soul.
young red-winged soul: I haven't really thought about it. He might make an appearance in a future chapter, especially when Kryptos returns.
The Pines brothers stared at the woman in their way. Soos backed up against the wall, cupping one hand over the other and bringing them towards his chest. The teens inside his grasp whispered in panic at the sudden darkness all the while Soos hoped Powers didn't hear.
The agent stood with her arms crossed tapping her foot, however the grin never left her face. Abigail reached into her holster and pulled out the gun. She twirled it twice then pointed it in the direction of the suspects.
Stan surveyed for a way out. The direction in which they came led to the isolation cell. The only chance they had would be to pass by the armed obstacle.
"I see you took advantage of the momentary black out to escape," Abigail taunted. She grinned at Stan. "Perhaps if you didn't go after your brother you would've made it out." She took three steps closer. "Not that it would've mattered, we would've caught you again anyway."
Ford pushed ahead of his brother. The gun moved to him.
With a hand over his chest Ford said, "Your husband promised to let them go." He waved his hand in front of him. "I'm the one you want. They're innocent."
"Perhaps they were," Abigail retorted. Her grin widened. "But breaking you out is a felony." She tilted her head. "Your pathetic plea bargain won't matter much longer."
Ford glared. "You never intended to keep your word," he growled.
Abigail said nothing, only smiled.
"And the kids?" Ford asked.
"They've seen too much," Powers replied with a shrug. She pressed the gun at Ford's forehead. "But not for much longer."
In a flash Stan advanced with a right hook. His fist caught Abigail's temple knocking the glasses from her face. She fell down in a sloppy heap, the gun falling from her grasp. Stan rushed ahead and grabbed the weapon. He looked over his shoulder to see the other two staring in shock and beckoned them to follow.
Ford rushed by the agent as she moved to her knees. Soos stared down at her for a moment then hurried after the twins. Abigail picked up the spectacles and threw them on her face, the left lense now cracked.
She hurried down the cooridor to the main lobby only to find it vacant of three fugitives. The woman screamed then rushed into the break room.
"All of you, patrol the area for..." Abigail trailed off when she saw three of the cops laughing hysterically while another stood on the table balancing cups on his head. The youngest had fallen asleep against the wall. "This isn't a drill, get your asses in gear!" she shouted.
The four awake all turned to her wearing dopey smiles. The one on the table fell to the ground and laughed as he hit his funny bone. The others guffawed at the scene completely ignoring the federal agent.
Abigail sharply turned from the farce and gripped her phone. Teeth bared and hands shaking she pressed the number for her husband. She huffed at the first two rings. Albert picked up on the third to which she screeched out that the Pines and Ramirez had escaped.
A few seconds passed as Albert listened to his wife's frantic breathing.
"Albert!" she yelled.
The male agent stared ahead. He quietly ordered, "Contact all units and have them track down the fugitives." He paused then added, "I want Stanford alive."
"Understood," Abigail said. "I love-"
Before she could finish Albert snapped his phone shut. The device in hand he returned his attention to the lab he just barely missed last time.
The agent moved towards the desk. "All this time it was under our noses," he said to himself as his fingers stroked the desk. Disheveled papers of what was likely a report littered the top. "There is too much we'll need to discuss."
Back in the forest the girls waited for the gnomes to come to their decision. Grenda watched as her friend stood to pace the area in front of them for the fourth time. With arms crossed Pacifica glared at the huddled creatures. A part of her wished she had brought her gold club in hopes she could handle them the way she had with the liliputians.
The brunette tried her best not to think of what horrible things might be happening to Bill or her grunkles at the moment. She hoped and prayed with every ounce of her soul that Gideon's plan worked. She pulled the walkie talkie out of her sweater pocket; the red light at the top left proved that the batteries hadn't died, nor had she accidentally turned it off.
The girl inhaled in a futile attempt to keep her nerves under control. Too much time was being wasted on deliberation. She wondered why Gideon hadn't called. Had they been captured or held up? Was it possible he wasn't able to access the police department's computer?
The gnomes spoke in a louder volume. Mabel wrapped her arms around herself hoping it meant they reached concluding statements and would make their decision. Even more she hoped the delay wouldn't cost her loved ones.
Another five minutes passed, each passing second causing Grenda and Pacifica's patience to thin.
Mabel jumped when she heard static on the walkie talkie. She picked it up and brought it to her face, begging for the person on the other side to answer. She heard a weak voice muffled by static.
"Gideon, I can't hear you," Mabel said.
The boy spoke something the girl couldn't understand. Mabel smacked the side of the walkie talkie and yelled for her former enemy again.
"Can you hear me now?" Gideon cried from where he leaned over the loudspeaker. He had adjusted the microphone while Fiddleford used both hands to press the talk button.
"Yes," Mabel answered.
"You're gonna need to hurry, Bill's in some major trouble," the boy informed. His heart shattered at the sound of Mabel's gasp and immediately wished he had chosen different wording.
"Where...where is he?" Mabel said trying her best to sound strong.
"I don't know for sure, but I found a document sayin' he's with an Agent Aaron Harrison," Gideon answered. "He used to work at a research center on the outskirts of town."
"Is that where he is?" Mabel asked.
Gideon sighed. "It's all I got to go on." He looked over his shoulder at the machine he temporarily rendered useless. "The computer won't work until it's been manually reset. That'll take 'til morning and I don't have the password."
Mabel stood silent for a moment. She glanced over at the still deliberating gnomes and then to her friends, both of whom looked ready to use force on the smaller creatures.
"The address is 737 Grass Fire Lane," Gideon said.
Mabel sighed. "It's better than nothing," she said. She went to turn off the walkie talkie then stopped. With a sad smile she spoke, "Thank you, Gideon."
The boy couldn't help but blush and grin despite the dire situation.
With that Mabel ended the conversation. She met eyes with Grenda who wordlessly asked for an update. Pacifica moved to her feet tired of sitting down waiting for an answer. There was a chance they'd be lead to a dead end, but they had no other option.
Mabel ran up to the gnomes. Those in the outer circle closest to the approaching human looked up as she halted behind.
"We don't have time, please tell me you'll help us," Mabel begged. The gnomes on the outer circle moved out of the girl's way. She knelt down in front of Jeff. "Please, I won't ask you for anything ever again."
Jeff crossed his arms. "I'm sorry, Mabel, but we just can't help that monster."
The majority of the gnomes voiced their agreement. Mabel gasped. Jeff made the mistake of looking up to see tears trickle down her cheeks.
"Then you're just going to let him die," Mabel spoke, her voice coated with thick mucus.
Guilt welled up in Jeff's chest. He looked out at the others wondering if they should take another vote. Some of the faces showed sorrow for the girl's tears and others unmoved. He swallowed the pain within.
"We're not risking our lives for someone who tried to kill us," the gnome leader tried to explain. "I'm sorry, Mabel," he said and reached out to pat her head. The brunette pulled away. He then added, "But we can't just forgive him."
Pacifica gritted her teeth. She pushed by Mabel and snatched Jeff up off the stump. "Well it looks to me like you're no better," she snarled. Those fierce blue eyes glared at each of the surrounding gnomes. "People make mistakes. You're all guilty." She dropped Jeff on the ground.
The gnome leader rubbed at his aching hip from where he landed on a rock. Two others rushed to help him up then they all stared at the purple-clad blonde.
"He's trying to make himself a better person," Pacifica said. She put her hand over her chest. "Someone who's been one way for so long, that's hard." She bit down on her lip. "It's hard," she repeated in a softer tone. The girl inhaled then continued, "It takes time, but he's trying."
"Yeah, and didn't Mabel forgive all you for what you did to her?" Grenda added.
Most of the gnomes hung their heads in shame.
Pacifica swallowed spit that had collected in her throat. "And when you needed help, didn't she forgive you and her uncle protected you from the demons?" Pacifica placed her hand over her heart. "I still have my memories from that day, and I remember how you ran to that hole in the ground."
Mabel smiled at the other two girls. She stepped forward and put a hand on each girl's shoulder.
"Besides they're coming back," Mabel stated. Pacifica gasped and the other gnomes all looked up, muttering. "Bill might be our only chance of fighting back."
Jeff looked to the gnomes on his left and then to the right. For the most part they all seemed to have changed their mind.
With a sigh the gnome leader spoke, "Alright, we're in." There were some shouts of agreement in the crowd. "Anyone who wants to stay behind can, it won't be held against you."
Quickly the gnomes formed into one. Grenda and Pacifica watched with gaping mouths as thousands of tiny creatures transformed into a towering one. Just like last time, only now Mabel watched while wearing a smile.
The gnome giant reached out his hand for the girls to climb on. Mabel and Grenda wasted no time, but Pacifica stared warily at their transportation. Not in the mood for any further delays, Grenda grabbed her blonde cohort and pulled her into the gnome giant's hand.
Only a handful willingly stayed behind. They watched the rest of their tribe march out of the forest, doubtful if they'd even return.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town a man monitored radio signals. Thus far they hadn't picked up any calls to or from the twins' cell phones, or any phones of their friends. It was by pure chance he managed to hear the tiny voice calling for Mabel.
The former agent turned up the volume on his headphones and leaned in closer. The fugitive's voice answered the message, most likely being transmitted via walkie talkie. He grinned, the children were clever, but just not enough to outsmart him.
He listened as the boy, although he couldn't quite place the voice, read out the building's address to Mabel. The conversation ceased and the man stood, gently placing his headphones on the desk. With the toothy grin still strong he made his way for the door.
They received warning just in time. Walking through the cooridor he didn't know how his boss would take the news, but at the very least they'd be long gone by the time that girl arrived.
Aaron looked up at the sound of a new presence.
"Gerald, you'd only be here if you have news," Aaron stated not looking away from the monitor that overlooked the room that acted as Bill's prison cell.
He looked over at the former federal agent who had been fired on three counts of treason. He and Gerald had met in the same prison four years ago during lunch. After a month of shared lunches they discussed their plans to escape. Both on best behavior, no one suspected the night they attacked and fled. Three years later they were caught by Abigail Powers and offered their services if she let them go. With her husband's health and will to live fading she accepted their terms and kept their private numbers just incase a need arrived.
Aaron had been shocked to receive the phone call a week ago. The agent revealed she was mere inches from cracking the case and wanted him on standby should his expertise be needed. A friend who owed her a favor whose hacking skills made it too easy to retrieve the dead agent's information. Those hired within the last five years wouldn't know of Harrison's passing. Abigail sent him the bio and other information he'd need to fit the role. Lastly she handed him Harrison's old badge that allowed him clearance to the building. The cops wouldn't question any federal research for they had not known the owner had long since passed away.
Aaron readily accepted the task. For one his debt would be paid, and two, he had been out of the game for too long. How much he wanted to see that fear in his victim's face again.
A quick glance at the monitor showed his current victim laughing. He grinned at this one's odd behavior to torture. It saddened him that he'd have to give up an unique specimen so soon. Perhaps he'd have enough time for one more experiment before Powers arrived to take him to D.C.
"That Pines minor is on her way here," Gerald said. "I don't know how many are in her party, who found the information, or how many more know."
Aaron slammed his hand down on the desk and stood. "Dammit!" he shouted. "We'll need to evacuate." He ordered the others in the building to start moving their luggage, equipment, and any evidence of their being there. He turned to his partner, "Did they say anything about the cops?"
"No," Gerald replied. "And I don't think Powers knows either."
"You get on the phone with that agent," Aaron ordered. He looked up at the monitor a moment before one of his men unplugged it. "I'll move Bill."
Aaron briskly moved through the hallway. He threw open the door to reveal the shackled demon laughing on the bed. Bill stopped when he noticed the shadow. It grew smaller as its owner came into view. Bill greeted his tormenter with a huge grin.
Two doctors followed in suit. One unhooked the various machines while the other observed Bill's vitals.
"Are you here for round two?" Bill asked with a chuckle.
"Sounds fun, but for now we're going on a trip," Aaron said. He moved behind Bill's bed and wheeled him for the van.
Whatever vehicle Mabel and company traveled, they wouldn't be able to outrun his van. Aaron lamented having to leave a personal torture chamber so soon, he had hoped to ask Powers to give it to him as an added bonus.
Bill could only stare as his bed was pushed through the building. He knew he'd soon be taken away from Gravity Falls and ultimately Ford. Although the pain would be unbearable, he grinning already welcoming it. As long as he never had to see Ford again.
The three fugitives rushed out the police station with Ford in the lead. He looked behind him to make sure they hadn't been followed. All the while Soos shuddered at the fact his boss had just punched out a federal agent, who also happened to be a woman.
Ford turned his head too late as he and the other two collided with Lee and Nate, causing everyone to fall to the ground. Soos yelled as the three shrunken members of their team flew. Nate jumped up and dove catching all three of them, landing on his back. He opened his hands to see the three looking disoriented.
"We have to go," Ford demanded.
"Everyone's not here yet," Nate argued.
"We don't have time," Stan added. "They'll be swarming this place soon."
"Now may be the chance," Ford said. "We need to get to the Mystery Shack."
Lee used the flashlight to turn his friends back to their regular size. He contemplated leaving Robbie shorter than him, but wasn't in the mood to hear Ford scold him for making jokes at the wrong time.
"If everyone is looking for us, how are we going to get by unnoticed?" Robbie asked.
Wendy spied a police SUV in the parking lot. She punched her palm and said, "I say we sneak out under their noses."
Wendy threw open the driver door while Stan quickly went under the hood. Robbie and Dipper provided lights from their phones.
The three froze when a car halted behind them. Stan looked up to see the town sheriff staring at him through sunglasses.
"Stan Pines, the man that crazy lady is after," Blubs spoke. "How did you escape?"
"It's too long a story and I ain't got time to explain," Stan replied.
"Please, that agent has my boyfriend locked up somewhere being tortured," Ford said as he came around the corner. "My niece is still missing and that woman you're working for threatened her life."
"Mabel?" Durland asked from the passenger seat.
Ford watched Powers run out the building.
"Dammit, she's here," Ford swore.
Blubs turned off the car then took the key out of the ignition. He pulled off a silver key and threw it to Ford.
"You found it on the ground," Blubs said then beckoned for Durland to head in the direction of the police station.
Ford handed the key to Wendy who immediately started the SUV. Ford climbed into the passenger seat and the others piled into the back.
The sheriff and deputy briskly walked towards the station's entrance.
"Where have you two been?" Powers screamed. "Those Pines are at large. They're dangerous and I want them apprehended. Dead or alive."
Blubs glanced over his shoulder to see the SUV pull out the parking lot.
"Who is that?" Abigail asked as she pushed by the cop. She stopped as Durland blocked her path. "Who is that?" she asked in a firmer tone.
Neither one answered. Durland moved in front and Blubs behind, trapping the woman in their invisible bubble.
The agent stood seething. Her fingers clenched so tightly her nails dug into the skin.
"Get out of my way, Durland," she growled.
The deputy refused to budge.
Abigail grabbed his wrist and forced it behind his back. She kicked his ankle out from under him then threw him onto the pavement. She heard a click and looked up to see Blubs' gun pointed in her face.
"I'll kill you!" the sheriff yelled with a sob.
Abigail reached into her holster and shot Blubs in the thigh. The sheriff dropped the gun as he fell. He grasped at the wound, blood covering his fingers.
"Daryl!" Durland shouted. He scrambled on the ground over to his fallen colleague, friend, and lover. Gently he put his hand under the other man's head. A shadow loomed over him. He looked up to see those green eyes glowering down on him and the injured.
"Next time don't threaten, just do," Abigail bellowed.
She dashed through the parking lot, her hand in her pocket to grab the keys to her car. She hopped inside and turned on the vehicle. The headlights blinded the two as she sped off in the direction the SUV had gone.
A few feet away in the grass the shrunken versions of Thompson and Charlotte stared with gaping mouths.
"Medical! Requesting medical! Officer down!" Durland yelled into his cell phone. He ripped the sleeve from his shirt with the aid of his teeth. The young couple ran across the parking lot to where the injured lay bleeding out. The sheriff cried out as Durland applied pressure to the wound. Durland then used his tie to hold the makeshift bandage in place.
Blubs groaned as he shifted.
"Shh, it's okay, I'm, I'm right here," Durland said with tear-filled eyes.
"Edwin," Blubs said in a weak voice. He reached up to stroke the younger man's face. A warm tear slipped over his chubby fingers. "If...if I die," he choked out.
"Don't talk like that," Durland gasped. He put his hand on the other man's chest. "You'll be okay. They're sending someone..." he trailed off as tears increased.
"If I do," Blubs continued. He smiled despite the severe pain in his leg. "Just know I...I love you."
Blubs lowered his head and groaned at the new wave of pain. Durland's mouth fell open as he wailed. He tried to keep himself calm, but his hands shook at the very thought of losing his favorite person.
Out of the corner of his eye Durland saw the four inch tall teenagers approach, nearly mistaking them for roaches.
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Charlotte offered.
Durland stared in silence for a moment. He heard his boyfriend groan and nodded. "Please, I need real bandages. Please, stay. Stay with him."
The teenagers nodded.
"Edwin-Edwin, don't leave," Blubs cried as his lover stood. He grasped the smaller man's wrist.
"I'll be right back," Durland replied. He kissed Blubs on the forehead. "I'll be right back," he whispered.
Blubs whimpered when the remaining warmth and light in his life vanished in the direction of the police station.
From inside the building Gideon and McGucket watched the scene transpire on the security monitor. They exchanged glances, neither one knew what to say.
Gideon tilted his head to the side as he stared at the camera. An idea struck him.
"The computer's down, but the videos ain't," Gideon cried. "Come, I'm going to need your help."
Fiddleford opened his mouth then smiled when he caught on to the child's plan.
The men loaded the truck while Aaron strapped the bed against the wall. He pulled on it twice to make sure the precious specimen wouldn't be ruined during transport.
The truck packed, Aaron and Gerald sat in the front seat. The others all piled in their own vehicles. Powers had requested a rendezvous just outside the the border of Gravity Falls where she would take Bill herself. When asked what to do about Mabel, Powers gave permission to take her out.
Gerald lowered the keys towards the ignition. The truck suddenly rattled and the keys landed on the floor. The two looked up at the sound of pounding in the distance.
The rocks on the gravel path bounced around the tires. Gerald stared into his rear-view mirror and eyes widened at the sight of a large pink creature heading their way.
"The hell is that?" Gerald asked as he threw off his seatbelt. He and Aaron stepped outside the vehicle.
Gerald reached under the seat to reveal the stolen machine gun. He threw the strap over his shoulder and aimed it at the rapidly approaching giant. One eye closed he pressed his finger against the trigger. The large hand swooped down knocking Gerald backwards. The gun fired at the van leaving a straight vertical line of bullets in the side. Aaron ducked behind the other side of the vehicle, grateful it was bulletproof.
Gerald moved to his feet. He aimed at the leg and shot, injuring a few gnomes, and killing one. The gnome giant turned. Gerald aimed at the open hand reaching for him. He managed to take out two more gnomes before the collection grabbed him by the middle.
Meanwhile Mabel, Grenda, and Pacifica hurried down the gnome giant's back. They landed on top of the SUV then slid down the side of the automobile.
"I think we found the right place," Grenda commented.
The gnome giant squeezed the human. The machine gun rammed into Gerald's abdomen causing him to yell out in pain. Three of the gnomes broke free long enough to slice the strap and the gun fell to the ground below. The giant then slung Gerald headfirst atop the van, knocking him unconscious.
Aaron snuck around back aimed with a knife, stepping over bloody gnome corpses. He sliced at the heel causing a few of the gnomes to fall out of position. He cut again, completely severing the foot from the rest of the body. The giant wobbled as a several gnomes plummeted to the ground below.
"Is he inside somewhere?" Pacifica asked.
"We'll have to split up to check," Mabel replied.
The gnome giant fell atop of the van, shattering into hundreds of smaller gnome bodies. The impact knocked the vehicle over on its side. Mabel picked up the sound of groaning inside.
"Someone's in there," the brunette called.
Grenda beckoned for her to follow inside, but Mabel's instinct told her to check the vehicle first. Grenda looked at Pacifica then followed her friend. The two threw open the doors to see the bed knocked over. The groaning man laid facedown on the floor, his head a mess of blonde curls with his arms and legs still strapped to the bed.
"Bill!" Mabel called.
The blond looked up at the mention of his name. Through a blurry eye he saw the outline of a small girl with brown hair. He blinked away the clouds and Mabel's smiling face came into view.
"Am-am I dreaming?" Bill whispered.
Emotion took over Mabel. She threw her arms around Bill's lithe body and wept into his chest. Bill winced at the pain from where he had been stabbed a few hours earlier.
"I'm so happy you're alive," the girl said, her words barely audible due to both sobs and her lips pressed against Bill's shirt.
She looked up and for the first time noticed Bill's bandaged eye. She bit down on her lip and fought the urge to cry again. She swallowed the sobs as it wouldn't help at the present moment.
The shadow signaled Mabel that another presence entered the overturned van. Mabel turned her head to ask Grenda if she had something to cut the straps only to meet with the enraged face of Aaron.
Mabel stepped in front of Bill with her arms held out on either side. Bill could only watch helplessly as the girl trembled in a futile attempt to protect him. Aaron only laughed. He moved further inside, ducking to keep from hitting his head. Just outside the other men captured Pacifica and Grenda.
"So you must be Mabel Pines," Aaron chuckled. Bill felt heat rise from inside. Aaron grabbed a handful of the teenager's locks and pulled her to her knees.
Bill grunted and struggled against the restraints.
"Don't exert yourself, Powers still wants you intact," Aaron said to the demon. He returned his attention to Mabel. "You though, you have no value."
Mabel headbutted him in the chin then kicked him in the shin. Aaron yelled as the girl escaped his grasp. Mabel looked behind her not knowing what to do. Unfortunately the hesitation proved to be her enemy as Aaron was on his feet in no time.
"You'll pay for that you little sh-!" Aaron yelled as he grabbed the girl by her arm. His arm slid around her neck, pressing her throat into the crease of his elbow. He grinned at the feel of her heartbeat palpating against his skin. With the other hand he revealed a knife and pressed the blade against her cheek.
"Mabel!" Grenda and Pacifica screamed in unison.
"I have to give him up, but you I can still slice up," Aaron laughed
"Get off her!" Grenda shouted and stomped on her captor's foot. He howled releasing the girl. Grenda elbowed him in the nose. He fell to his knees, blood seeping through his fingers.
The knife slid down, slitting Mabel's face. The girl yelled in both pain and alarm.
Bill's vision blurred yet again, only this time he saw the room erupt in red and then a blinding white light. Both Aaron and Mabel looked up to see the entirety of Bill's eyes a deep scarlet.
And end chapter. Again I apologize for a long wait. Even more I hope this chapter was worth the wait. Thank you for reading. :)