Hello, everyone. It has been a long time since the last chapter, October I believe. Well, here's what's been going on since then. I did make the musical The Little Mermaid. I was casted as a chef and a fish in the ensemble. It was so much fun, even if I did get walking pneumonia right before a performance. Did I let that interfere with me living out my dream, nope. I just kept an inhaler in my costume to take two puffs after the "Under the Sea" song and dance number. I was actually at work, and certain I had bronchitis (I get that every year). I got to where I couldn't breathe and a co-worker made me sit down and catch my breath. Another colleague walked in the door from her break at that moment, pointed to me, and said "You need to go to the doctor." I went to the doctor and was told not only did I have bronchitis but walking pneumonia. I told the doctor, "I don't have time for pneumonia." She said, "Well, you have it." I was told I could still perform and was given medicine.
Also, there's been school. I passed my three classes in the fall semester and am now taking two more for the first half of the spring semester. I'm in an expediated adult program where classes are only eight weeks. We have more assignments a week, but this program is designed for people with full time jobs, families, etc., and making the classes half the time of a normal semester helps us get our degree faster. Therefore with all my energy being spent on work and school, I haven't had much time for fun writing. However, I finished all my assignments early this weekend, and now have a new chapter.
This chapter is over 11,000 words, yes it's very long, and it includes lots of characters. It was originally going to be much longer, but I decided to split chapter 44 and 45 into two parts, because how this chapter ends leaves it on a good cliffhanger. Also, I didn't want to make y'all wait any longer for this chapter. Hopefully, chapter 45 won't take as long to write since I already have a good view of where I want the next chapter to go as far as the major plot points.
As always, a special shout out to the reviewers: Sweetnightmares22, Abigail Rose V, Energy witch, Battleangel911, Guest, and Whinkx. Also, thank you to kayapup215 for checking in with me and the story on Instagram.
Hours passed as Ford worked, fighting away fatigue with trusty espresso. Around five he gave up on the beverage, certain over the years ingesting the substance, his body grew an ultimate tolerance to caffeine.
His jittery hand gripped the handle of his favorite mug that Stan had kept for those thirty years of his absence. Weary eyes scanned the calculations for a fifth time and at the moment he wished Fiddleford was there to check for any possible mistake. In his condition he feared he made many.
Ford glanced in the direction of the upper level with the consideration of ringing his long-time friend for assistance. A quick glimpse at the clock threw away that notion, plus McGucket had done enough for him already.
The scientist gulped down the rest of the lukewarm coffee as he looked over his plans. It would take countless hours to transfer the sketch on the schematics into reality before him. Ford slammed the papers down on the desk, there was no time to waste.
Just then his right eye stung. Ford squeezed his eyes shut and held his free hand against his burning eye. A severe sting pulsed three times before the pressure gradually released. Ford pressed the bridge of his nose and sniffed back loose mucus making its way to his nostrils.
A wave of dizziness crashed over Ford causing him to drop the mug which immediately shattered when it collided with the floor. He caught his balance on the desk, where he stood hunched over as the world around him spun like a carnival ride. The urge to vomit crept upon him. He swallowed a thick gulp of saliva to keep from regurgitating the gallon of coffee consumed throughout the night.
His head pounded. He pressed his fingers against his right eye as he had done thirty years prior, relieved to find no blood. Conscious sense reminded him that the reason for the blood flow all those decades ago slept on the floor above him, although probably not soundly. A part of him wanted to check on Bill, but knew there was no time for such luxuries.
After a few deep breaths Ford felt the dizziness drift away from him. He frowned down at the mess on the floor, while the kids knew to ask permission before heading into the basement, Bill came and went as he pleased. Fortunately Cipher still didn't feel like talking to him, so Bill didn't present any potential hazards for the moment. Just to be on the safe side Ford took a moment to clean up the visible fragments, but too tired to double check for minuscule shards.
Ford returned to the desk where he promptly sat down and unfolded the papers. He pondered if he should check his calculations one more time, knowing exhaustion often led to careless mistakes, and unaware of their unwanted guest's arrival time, there was no room for error.
Ford read over the numbers. His vision blurred causing the author to jerk his head to the side then return his gaze to the issue at hand. He felt his head nod then slapped himself in the face to wake back up. His eyes darted over to where the broken mug lay in the trashcan-one more cup of coffee would be beneficial. He shook away those thoughts as there was no time to spare on a menial task. Too many hours had been sacrificed reversing the original portal leaving no time to lose on making it a reality.
Ford's vision blurred a second time. He jerked his eyes open and pushed away the overwhelming exhaustion hovering over him like a weighted blanket that wanted to tightly engulf him and lull him into a sound slumber. Sleep sounded heavenly, but no matter how much he desired rest, there was no time.
He was the one responsible for the first portal that nearly allowed those creatures into their reality. He was the one who had been careless with the rift, which made its way into Bill's hands after some clever manipulation. Now he was the only one who deserved to sacrifice sleep to ensure those same monsters were never granted a second entrance into their domain-all of humanity leaned on his protection.
He told himself he needed to endure this test for a few minutes more until he caught his second wind, a pattern he was too aware of. A minute passed, then two. At last a moment of strength caught Ford and he greeted the burst of energy that would move him until morning.
The energy burst proved to be a false alarm and within minutes the author fell asleep with his head on the desk.
Bellmar looked up at the sound of the latch loosening and the doorknob turned. The door opened to reveal her undesired roommate who slipped inside wearing a notable smirk. Prior to her entrance Pyronica stopped a servant wandering the hallway to request a dessert buffet to be delivered by Amelie. Upon hearing Amelie had already retired to bed, Pyronica insisted the servant be roused to fulfill her request.
Bellmar shut the Hawthornian book she had been reading from atop the plush bed the princess had been kind enough to lend them. Having traveled many dimensions Bellmar learned specific patterns in their written and spoken languages and Hawthorne's proved to be similar to a few other dimensions she had previously visited.
"Where have you been?" Bellmar asked.
"That's my business," Pyronica answered and rested herself in a large chair in the corner of the room. Her height quadruple that of an average citizen of Hawthorne made for an awkward sit.
"You wouldn't do anything to sabotage our plan?" Bellmar accused.
Pyronica glared at the other demon, her nails sliced into the armrests. "I wouldn't expect the new girl to understand how long we've been searching for a way back to that dimension."
Bellmar jumped up from the bed. "I may be new to your group, but I promise I've been looking far longer than you."
"Please, you're an infant," Pyronica laughed with a dismissive wave.
Bellmar gritted her teeth and clenched her fists, only the threat of Kryptos permanently removing her from his team stilled her from not attacking the larger demon.
"We appreciate you getting us a way to Bill, but we'll take care of him," Pyronica stated.
With a hiss Bellmar was at Pyronica's face, slightly startling the taller woman. "You dare steal this moment from me and I will shred you like an onion." She produced a blade that had been concealed in her gold bracelet. "I will eradicate Bill Cipher from existence, and I will make sure he feels every ounce of pain he caused..."
Bellmar ceased speaking and with an angry inhale she backed away from Pyronica who stared at her with a mix of surprise and amusement. A minute of silence filled the room until it was broken from a knock on the other side of the door.
Still smirking at the star-shaped demon Pyronica rose and stretched out her cramped legs. She passed to the door and opened it to see the scar-faced servant from before, her eyes sunken and appearing drowsy.
Pyronica stood halfway in between her room and the hallway. The maidservant handed her a tray piled with pies, pastries, and pudding which Pyronica sat alongside the various fruits and wines she requested a few hours before. Bellmar scrunched her nose at the assortment of sweets.
Amelie kept her gaze away from Pyronica, her pulse raced being in the same room. The rational part of her mind assured her Pyronica wouldn't reveal to the princess the information Pyronica required of her four hours prior. Pyronica had asked her to sit for a moment and while the guest feasted on berries she inquired about the rival princess Maelie ordered dead and the general geography of the neighboring kingdoms, as well as the name of the prince Maelie's heart was set on. Speaking ill of the princess was illegal and punishable by beheading. Still something about that demon's large red eye had forced information out of her.
"You have pleased me, servant girl," Pyronica said and placed a single gold coin in the young woman's hand.
Pyronica shut the door before Amelie could respond. From a few feet away Bellmar watched speechless.
The taller demon ripped the cork out of the wine bottle with her teeth and spit it on the floor. She filled the first glass and passed it over to her roommate who gingerly accepted. Pyronica sat down in the same chair with a slice of pie and a full glass of wine.
She felt Bellmar's gaze upon her and said, "In my home country everyone was classified by their birth. No one's allowed to even dream to rise above their station." She inserted a fork of pie into her mouth and smiled, savoring the sweet and tart flavors. "It was even illegal for the lowest classes to taste desserts."
"Were you the..." Bellmar began, but stopped, wondering if she had the right to ask.
"The lowest," Pyronica answered for her. She finished the remainder of the pie then leaned back in the tiny chair with the empty plate in her lap. "When I became old enough I fought the order which branded me a criminal. They imprisoned me and when I escaped I killed the ruling family."
"And...that fixed your home?" Bellmar asked.
Pyronica scoffed. "The people were brainwashed since birth. They found oppression better than the unknown." She slung the plate against the wall where she watched it break into six pieces. "They branded me a traitor and cast me out." Pyronica smirked. "But I didn't care, I was happy to be free from that place." She clenched her fist and let flames dance around her tightened fingers. "When Bill found me he offered to give me the power to destroy that world in exchange for joining his team."
Bellmar cringed at that name.
"I technically kept my end of the bargain, he never specified how long I had to be on his side," Pyronica explained. "I don't regret taking the deal." Her smirk increased and her eye glazed over with the memory. "It was worth seeing those imbeciles' faces frozen in horror and confusion. Me, the lowest, the one considered on par with feces ending their lives."
Pyronica adjusted herself in the seat. With a smug smile she continued, "I gloated as I slaughtered them. I didn't care. All those years of being forced to bow and beg, and all mercies denied. Treated as property. Those socially above me laughed as they used and abused me in all ways. Many days I was raped, and one time the bastard's seed planted inside me. Ashamed for a miserable insect like me to carry his seed, he beat me until I miscarried. I fought back, hoping for change, but we were squashed before we even made a dent. Imprisoned and subjected to two years of torture. That prison would turn a girl mad." Pyronica chuckled, "And I think it did."
Bellmar sipped at the wine and motioned for the other woman to continue.
"One night I slit the guards throat like this," Pyronica said and mimed holding the hilt of a knife and ran her hand across her own neck. "I escaped and that's when I killed the royals. The nobility turned the commoners against me. I ran as they threw things at me, determined to kill me. I was alone more than ever. That night I met Bill Cipher. He gave me the chance to right it all. All the pain at one moment relinquished and paid in full by their blood." Pyronica shut her eyes and imagined the faces of the nobility while they screamed in their futile attempts to flee. "It was the first time in my life I felt truly satisfied. I screamed in victory, I didn't stop screaming until I lost my voice.
"Once it was all done I returned to Bill," Pyronica said. "He had watched the whole thing. I walked closer and he slowly clapped. Even without a mouth I could sense his glee." Pyronica opened the fists she was unaware she had clenched. "I had avenged my family, my people, and myself. That world was in ruins, all that remained of the tyranny burned by my own hands. It was finally over."
"But you hate Bill?" Bellmar asked.
"He betrayed us," Pyronica spat. "He chose that disgusting human over us. I literally handed him a way to break free and he chose that man. Then he blatantly turned his back on us after we worked to get him back. That's unforgivable."
Pyronica downed the rest of her wine and eyed the bottle on the table, already thirsty for another glass. Bellmar stared into her own glass to be greeted by her reflection, the very face she loathed since childhood.
"Why do you hate Bill?" Pyronica asked.
Bellmar sighed and set the wine glass down on the table next to the bed. "My mother is dead because of him." The bloody image of her mother's body flashed behind her eyes. "My entire existence has been nothing but agony because of him."
The distant memory of the children staring as she walked alongside her mother resurfaced. The pink octagon glared at her daughter and snapped, "They don't want to play with you. Nobody here likes you." Her mother choked back a sob. "Stop looking at them, you're only embarrassing yourself...and me." Their parents had instructed them to ostracize the little star, and any found interacting with her would be sent to bed without dinner-for the first offense.
She felt the blood in her face heat up. "I haven't decided how I'll kill him, but I will watch him writhe as he pleads for death. And then I'll make him think his wish is about to be granted only to let the suffering continue until his body can no longer take it and he finally passes. Only then will I be satisfied."
Pyronica stared with a gaping mouth. Her expression of shock switched into a smile.
"I think I misjudged you, infant," Pyronica stated. She chuckled at Bellmar's scowl at the nickname.
Pyronica jumped up to pour a second and final glass of wine. She tilted it towards her teammate.
"To the obliteration of Bill Cipher," Pyronica toasted.
Bellmar hesitated for a moment. She then took her glass in hand and gently tapped it against Pyronica's. The two downed the beverage as their pact against a common enemy.
Ford stirred at the sound of metal clanging. Groaning, he reached for the glasses on the bedside table and set them in place. Suddenly remembering his recent task he threw the covers off of himself and looked over to see a group of familiar faces working-building the reverse portal.
The author stood, stretching out the slight kink in his neck then walked over to where his brother hammered nails into the railing. Stan wiped sweat from his brow with the back of his glove then continued on with his task.
At the helm stood Fiddleford, checking over the blueprint then forwarding instructions to the rest of the crew. Soos and Tate announced their acknowledgment and worked on.
"What?" Ford asked as he closed in on the others. "How?" He then met eyes with his twin. "Why?"
"You old fool, you ain't gonna get all this done by yourself," said Stan. "Especially when I come down here and find you conked out on your desk."
"Stan said you haven't slept in two days," Fiddleford added. "He called me up, askin' if I can make sense of this here schematic, and me and Tate were over in a jif." Fiddleford waved the blueprints in the air then sat it back down on the table in front of him.
Ford smiled as Fiddleford McGucket had a hand in building the original portal, he had no doubt the bearded man could construct it all again with his eyes closed.
"Wait, how did I get in my bed?" Ford questioned.
Stan pointed his thumb at his own chest and answered, "I carried your dumb ass there. You were out cold and heavy as a log."
"No wonder, the man's solid muscle," Fiddleford teased.
Ford hid his face behind his hand, not in the mood to see the smug grin on his brother's face. He then noticed a presence missing from the basement. "Where's Bill?" he asked.
"Probably still sleepin' off his hangover," Stan replied. "Can't say I blame him, though. He said his eye was bothering him again."
Ford sighed and averted his gaze away from his brother.
"Hey, I didn't mean nothin'," Stan said.
"I know," Ford replied. He slid his hands into his pockets, remembering that Bill would soon have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Boyd, in which they would discuss amputating his eye if an infection had set it. Based on Stan's news of Bill's complaints there was a chance.
Tate and Soos rushed up the stairs into the elevator. Before Ford could ask Fiddleford explained he sent his son to retrieve extra scrap metal he had laying about his garage.
"How long do you suppose this will take?" Ford asked.
McGucket put his hand on his chin and stared at the progress they already made. "Depen'in' on when the boys get back, and how hard we work, I reckon it'll be done by sundown."
"That's a relief," said Ford.
Ford noticed his old friend staring at him.
"Are you sure you wanna go through with this?" Fiddleford questioned. "I mean if we close this portal fer good, there ain't no goin' back." He put a hand on Ford's shoulder. "This was yer dream. You risked e'rything for this."
"And we saw what a disaster that turned out to be," Ford replied. He gave his friend a half smile. "I've never been more certain."
"You know what they say about hindsight," Fiddleford said with a laugh, then slapped Ford on the back. "I learned it's best not to go 'round regrettin' things." He pointed to the side of his head. "Or tryna forget for that matter."
"You are the wisest of us two, and I was a fool to have let my ambitions cloud my judgement," Ford admitted. "Thirty-one years ago we stood in this same exact spot. I should've listened to you then."
"Yeah, you should've," Bill said as he stepped off the elevator. The three older men turned to face the glowing gold eye, then the rest of his figure moved into the light.
Bill had met with Soos and Tate on their way out of the basement. Clutching his head he questioned the source of all the noise, to which Soos quickly explained their endeavors. Figuring they'd need his assistance Bill popped two Advil then headed down to check on their progress.
"Good mornin', Bill, how're you feeling?" Fiddleford greeted.
"Terrible," Bill groaned. He sneered at Ford. "And if you had listened to your friend here, I might've been spared all this pain."
"I never would've considered the portal had it not been for you," Ford snapped.
"Yes, it was my mistake, wasn't it," Bill replied with a grin. "You were so eager, so in love with the prospects of fame. So determined to show that college they made a mistake in rejecting you. And me." Bill chuckled. "I was so desperate I clung to you, and I came so close. It was my mistake, and one that cost me everything." He glared at Ford. "Now I'm forever stuck to you." He spit at Ford's face then gripped his bandaged eye. "Damn, my eye hurts."
"I think you need to sit down," Fiddleford said and led Bill over to a chair.
Bill pushed McGucket away and gripped the top of the chair to steady himself into the seat.
"I'm ready to rip this damn thing out myself," Bill hissed.
"Did you take your antibiotics?" Stan asked.
"No, I don't remember where I put 'em," Bill answered. He put a hand against his pounding head, wishing for another bottle of gin to block out the pain.
"We don't have time for delays, if you're not going to help, I suggest going elsewhere," Ford said without looking at his ex.
"Stanford, have some compassion," scolded McGucket.
"No, he's right," Bill spat. "In this condition I'm no good to you and your portal anyway. Can't remember a damn thing about how to construct it."
"Come on, Bill, that's just the pain talkin,'" Fiddleford reasoned. He put one arm around Bill and with the other led him back towards the basement's exit. McGucket looked over his shoulder and called, "We ain't gonna build nothin' much else 'til the boys return. After ya finish what ya got, Stan, take a quick five."
In silence the two men exited the secret basement. Hit by the sudden light penetrating through the holes in the wood Bill groaned and clutched his throbbing head. McGucket helped him into a darker room.
"Stanford didn't mean what he said, he's under a lotta stress right now," McGucket offered.
Bill chose not to respond, or even show that he heard or comprehended the other man's words.
"I hope ya find yer medicine and ya take it," Fiddleford said as parting words.
By the time the twins and Madison woke the rain had stopped. Mabel checked the weather channel to discover the forecast predicted clear skies for the next three days. She laid her head back on the pillow while her mother stepped into the shower. Her eyes scanned the newspaper which the quality had substantially improved since another reporter took over Toby Determined's business.
Since the day the FBI raided the Mystery Shack there had been various rumors in the press that ranged from drug busts to money laundering. Today's rumor suggested the Pines brothers sheltered international criminals. Mabel chuckled at the partial truth considering Bill still safely resided in those walls.
She turned the page to see the big event for the day: a year after the earthquake an upstart Gravity Falls family constructed a family fun center where the wreckage of the Fearamid once cluttered. There was to be a celebration two hours before opening in which Pacifica Northwest was given the honors of cutting the ribbon. The Northwest heiress was also scheduled to sing before the grand opening. Everyone was invited to attend free for the opening day.
The female turned her attention to where her brother laid on his side reading from notes he copied out of Ford's journal. She whacked him over the head with the newspaper then threw it on top of his book.
"I think we should go, everyone's going to be there," Mabel said. She laid down on her back and stared up at the ceiling. "I want to see Candy and Grenda again. Plus I think Wendy's going to be there."
"I actually was hoping to talk to Bill," Dipper said as he pushed the newspaper away.
Mabel sat up. "Bill?" she questioned.
Dipper scanned the limited information his great-uncle had wrote on the Henchmaniacs.
"Yes, Grunkle Ford said they'll be coming back soon. Bill hasn't said much about them, but I think if I ask him he can give us some information and-"
"And Mom's not going to let you go near him or the Mystery Shack anytime soon," Mabel groaned.
Dipper sighed. He looked down at the picture of the fun center that planned to open in three hour's time. His eyes lit up and he snatched up the paper.
"Mabel, I have an idea," Dipper cried. Dipper whispered his plan in her ear.
Mabel looked skeptically at her brother for a moment then said, "You know, that actually might work."
"We just have to get Mom to agree," Dipper said.
Mabel placed her hand over her heart. "You just leave that to ol' Mabel."
The twins waited until their mother emerged from the bathroom dressed in her clothes for the day and the towel wrapped around her damp hair. The girl slowly approached with a smile and the newspaper folded in her hands.
Before Madison could ask Mabel opened the newspaper to the story about the event planned for the day. Madison skimmed the article and with a nod of her head agreed they could go. Mabel pumped her hand in victory then winked at her brother who nodded and shoved the journal into his vest pocket.
Three hours later the twins and their mother boarded the almost packed bus heading towards the new destination. The three felt the eyes of the townspeople follow them as they made their way to their seats. Madison kept her eyes down and ignored the various murmurs.
Dipper, who had selected the window seat, kept his eyes on the outside. Once the new passengers had seated the bus driver took off. Dipper's eyes watched the familiar sights blur into one.
Two more stops allowed for more people to enter and only one exited. Every every seat was occupied and a dozen more passengers stood. As they neared their destination chatter rang out. Mabel's eyes caught sight of the new location and she pushed Dipper out of the way to get a better look at the building. According to the article there was to be a larger arcade than the current one in town, two go-kart tracks, an indoor gym, a dance club, karaoke booths, a bowling alley, and numerous food stalls in the state's now largest food court. Everyone attending intended to make a full day of the affair.
The bus came to a stop which cued the majority of the people to jump from their seats. The doors opened and a crowd rushed off the vehicle to join the already immense crowd. Madison made them wait until everyone else had exited before they could take their leave, much to Mabel's dismay.
The building was just as big as the Gravity Falls Mall. There were three floors planned with fun activities and rumors of more eventually being added on as the years passed. Mabel squirmed at the thoughts of what attractions would one day join the already exciting lineup. In front of the building sat a makeshift wooden stage with a podium and two other microphones. A red cloth ribbon blocked the entrance, which was not scheduled to open for another half hour.
Local vendors and food trucks encircled the new building. So many wonderful sweet and savory smells wafted through the air. Mabel grabbed her brother's hand and pulled him in the direction of a cotton candy stand. There were fifteen people ahead of them, but all Mabel could see was the pink and blue swirls of sugar.
Dipper smiled at his sister's reaction. Over the last few days he wondered if she would ever return to her normal state. Neither Mabel nor Bill shared many details of what happened with Thalen, and for his sister's sake he didn't bother to ask.
The twins returned to their mother both holding a stick of cotton candy and a soda. For a moment Madison wanted to buy them something healthy, but reminded herself it was summer break; however, she made a mental note that once they returned home there would be no junk food for the duration of the school year.
While waiting the twins discussed the attractions they wanted to visit first. For a moment Dipper forgot his reason for wanting to come until a slim figure approached behind.
The twins turned to see the skinny man wearing a trenchcoat five sizes too big, a fake beard, a pair of sunglasses, and a hat. The siblings looked at each other, chuckled, and then burst into laughter.
"Bill, why are you wearing that?" Mabel asked in between laughs.
"I told Question Mark this wouldn't work," Bill said and ripped off the beard.
"How did you get away from Grunkle Ford?" Mabel questioned.
"The department of homeland security called and that's when Question Mark and I got to work," answered Bill. "He said I needed a disguise so the agents wouldn't see me."
"That might fool Blubs and Durland, but Powers and Trigger aren't so dumb," said Dipper.
"I thought you were under house arrest," Madison said as she stepped between her children and Bill.
"Oh, I am, but none of these cops are going to care," Bill said dismissively. "I couldn't stand being near Sixer anymore."
Mabel lowered her face. "You're still fighting," she said quietly, but the words still reached Bill's sensitive ears.
The blond looked down at her and for a moment a pain struck at his heart. However, he recalled Ford's words to McGucket earlier that morning and the anger prevailed.
Before anymore questions could be asked a finger tapped at the microphone cluing everyone to turn their attention to the stage. Mayor Cutebiker stood there in his combination of short jean shorts, fancy jacket, and green trucker hat.
"Good afternoon, town of Gravity Falls," the mayor called. "Today marks an exciting one for the whole town as we open our new Grand Fun Center!"
The audience cheered and applauded.
"This leisure center has been designed and paid for by the Grand family," Cutebiker announced then addressed the wealthy family seated to his left. He invited Sylvester Grand to step up and say a few words.
The smug middle-aged man with dirty blond hair, dressed in a relaxed suit approached the microphone. He provided the typical speech about wanting to give back to the town and provide a place where people of all ages could have some well-deserved fun. The response won him a lot of praise from the crowd.
"Ugh, he's such a yawn," Mabel said.
"But he did give us this place, so he can't be all boring," Dipper replied.
"But he's trying too hard," Mabel said and watched Sylvester take his seat.
Her attention then fell on the boy about her age who sat next to the man responsible for the new leisure center. He was handsome with chestnut hair and a huge smile. No longer did the activities inside enthrall her.
Still clapping, Mayor Cutebiker resumed his spot at the podium. "We are all grateful to you, Mr. Grand."
The audience roared again to which Sylvester held up his hand acknowledging the praise.
"And now to ring in our new fun center we will be blessed with the beautiful singing of Miss Pacifica Northwest," announced Cutebiker.
The audience clapped as the Northwest heiress made her way to the microphone which Tyler Cutebiker lowered for her. She wore a knee-length flowy, yellow halter top dress. Her hair was styled as normal, and ears, neck, and wrists adorned with costly jewelry.
Pacifica's soprano voice graced the ears of the townsfolk with the Gravity Falls anthem that had been written by her great-great-grandfather over a century ago. A few in the audience hummed along, but no one else dared to sing over her. Sylvester's son gazed lovingly at the singer, no longer interested in the three-story amazement his family billed and built.
Pacifica finished then bowed before the town.
Mayor Cutebiker handed the Northwest girl the immense pair of scissors which the weight dropped her arms. Sylvester Grand stepped up beside her and together the two sliced the ribbon now proclaiming the Grand Fun Center officially open.
The crowd rushed for the doors. Mayor Cutebiker grabbed Pacifica and moved her out of the way. The doors were thrown open and the screaming group ran inside.
"Mom, we have to go before everything is full!" Mabel exclaimed pulling her mother's wrist.
"Mabel, dear, I'm not going to let you get trampled," Madison protested. "We have all day, you'll get a turn."
Once the area cleared out the Pines family and Bill made their way to the entrance. They stopped to look at Pacifica who smoothed her dress after the near-death experience.
"Are you going in?" Mabel asked.
Pacifica shook her head. "It's much too crowded. I have the rest of my life." She put her hands on her hips and added, "I might even rent the place out for my birthday next year."
Mabel lit up, hoping to get an invite. She then remembered her mother stood behind her and she got her way, they'd never visit Oregon again.
The four stared in amazement at the brightly colored interior. Each step of the staircase alternated in the seven colors of the rainbow. Balloons floated through the air, the large fan blew them back down, and then the helium inside forced them back to the top creating an endless loop. The framed pictures changed every five seconds giving the onlookers much to gaze upon.
Meshed chatter echoed throughout the numerous rooms. Children, teenagers, and adults alike rushed from one area to another. A few modern paintings hung on the walls, along with several sculptures intended to spark conversation.
Mabel forgot all about the Grand boy.
Dipper led the group to the directory that stood over in the right corner by the entrance. The couple in front traced the direction of where their desired location then skipped off. Dipper stepped up to the plastic sign with his sister next to him.
"There's so much to do, what should we try first?" Dipper asked out loud. He put his finger on the map of third floor, rationalizing that everyone else probably started with the bottom two and there'd be fewer people at the top.
"Giant ball pit!" Mabel screamed and pressed her finger against the mapped location.
Madison chuckled and said, "I suppose Mabel's made our decision."
"What is that?" Bill asked.
Mabel grinned and grabbed hold of Bill by the elbow. "Oh, you just wait and see."
Behind them they heard protesting shouts and turned to see Candy leading the way with Grenda close behind, dragging a struggling Pacifica.
"We're a little late, I had an appointment this morning," Candy greeted.
Grenda stopped in front of the group and finally released the other girl.
"Pacifica was going to miss out on this fun day, but I convinced her otherwise," said Grenda.
"Convinced? More like kidnapped," Pacifica argued.
"Don't be so dramatic," Grenda countered.
Mabel laughed then informed the group of their destination. All save for Pacifica agreed, however Grenda threatened to carry her up the stairs if she elected not to cooperate. Dipper grabbed a paper map from the directory stand then followed after the rest of his group.
Dipper insisted on them taking the elevator instead which all immediately agreed. The glass doors opened and all seven stepped inside. The elevator quickly escalated to the top floor giving its passengers a grand look at the incredible activities housed on the first two stories.
The soft chime clued the group to having arrived at their location and they filed off, some more eager than others. Mabel took hold of Bill's hand and nearly dragged him in the direction of the ball pit. They rushed through the open door and stared in awe at the Olympic sized pool filled six feet deep with shining plastic balls. Slides of various heights and designs led into the pit. A rope dangled from the ceiling allowing the guests to swing into the pit.
Mabel and Bill threw off their shoes and shoved them into a cubby. Bill also stripped of the trenchcoat and hat revealing black jeans and a red t-shirt underneath. The two rushed up the steps that led to the tallest, enclosed slide. Mabel reached the top first and when given permission by the operator she threw herself down, yelling all the way. Mabel landed in the pit of balls, some of them splashing at the sudden impact. The girl maneuvered her way away from the slide and waited for her friend to emerge.
Laughing, Bill popped out of the tube and sunk under for a few seconds. The blond head popped back up and he swam backwards through the plastic spheres.
"So, whatcha think?" Mabel asked.
"Amazing! It's like swimming without the horrible drowning part," answered Bill.
A moment later Dipper, Madison, and Candy landed in the ball pit from various slides. Grenda opted to jump in from the ledge causing balls to crash onto her friends.
Pacifica stood over by the wall, arms crossed, watching the others move about the pit.
"Come on in!" Mabel called.
"I am wearing a dress," Pacifica protested. "There are boys present and it's not appropriate."
"Lame!" Grenda yelled.
Dipper only smirked and said, "Fine then, you can just stand there and be boring."
Pacifica sneered at the Pines boy. "Boring?" she cried. "No one calls Pacifica Northwest boring."
"Yeah, well I just did," Dipper jested.
She removed her flats then ran up the steps that led to the spiral slide. The group watched the blonde twist about as she descended towards the pit, and dumped inside.
She swam her way over to Dipper and said, "How's that for boring?"
"Not bad," Dipper replied.
Pacifica gave him a sly grin. "Then how about this?" Before Dipper could register her words Pacifica dunked him underneath the balls and snatched the hat off of his head.
"Hey!" Dipper shouted when he broke the surface.
"You want it, come get it," Pacifica teased and swam away from the boy.
The others laughed while Dipper chased Pacifica around the pit. He cornered her against the edge and pressed his body up against hers and grabbed her bicep as he yanked the cap from her grip. Pacifica stared up at the boy who was a few inches taller than herself, his hand still grasped her arm. Dipper then realized his close proximity to the girl and he immediately jumped back and apologized, cheeks slightly flushed.
"How 'bout we just forget that ever happened," Pacifica offered.
"Yeah, that, uh, that sounds good," Dipper agreed.
Behind him Mabel watched with a grin. Despite what Dipper and Pacifica agreed to, Mabel never would forget.
"Look out below!" Wendy called as she grabbed hold of the rope and swung into the pit next to her friends. Nate and Lee cheered from where they stood on the ledge, waiting their turn to follow their friend's action.
"Wendy, you made it," Dipper greeted.
"Made it? We were the first ones in," Wendy replied. "We just finished a game of laser tag, it was awesome." She indicated Lee and Nate with her finger.
"Where's the rest of you?" Mabel inquired.
"Thompson and Tambry had to work, and Robbie's joining us later," Wendy answered.
Nate lost his grip on the rope and fell backwards into the pit earning him a hearty laugh from Lee who stood next to Wendy. The embarrassed boy frowned at his friend's guffaws and punched him in the arm. Lee ceased laughing then punched Nate back. The boys engaged in a punching match for a few rounds until their laughter ended the violence.
"Wendy, should you really be doing all that in your condition?" Madison asked, pointing to the now swaying rope.
"Chill, Mama Pines, I'm only two months, it's perfectly fine," Wendy said with a dismissive wave.
"I'm not to sure," Madison retorted. "You got a life forming inside of you and you need to be cautious. The first trimester is the most crucial."
Wendy huffed and moved away from the older woman. Dipper gave his mother a pleading look then followed after Wendy. The redhed slumped into the balls, leaving only her head above the surface.
"I'm sorry, she sometimes takes the protective mom role too far," Dipper said. "She means well. Really."
"I'm really getting tired of people's well meaning," Wendy confessed. "Just yesterday Thompson insisted on carrying in my bags for me. It's annoying."
"Well, I'll let you know that anyone who wants the best for you will want you to get proper nutrition," Dipper said. "I saw there's a dessert bar here, so maybe after here, we can give it a shot."
"Cakes and ice cream isn't exactly proper nutrition," Wendy said, giving Dipper a playful shove.
"No, but no one's going to deny a pregnant woman dessert," Dipper concluded.
Kryptos woke feeling rejuvenated. He stretched his arms above his head and a smile formed as he thought of in just two hours he'd be in the dimension that currently housed Bill Cipher. Before the day's end he'd witness the painful demise of the creature he once considered his leader and friend.
He leaned forward with a slight frown at the fact he promised both Bellmar and Pyronica they'd have the honors of murdering Cipher. Whoever received the opportunity he cared not, he'd let them fight for the right. While he wanted to end Bill himself, he'd have to keep his end of the bargain, but he'd at least enjoy watching Bill squirm as he breathed his last breath.
The door handle jiggled catching Kryptos' attention. The leader figured it was either one of his lackeys eager to move on to their next dimension, or one of the servants bringing him breakfast. The rhombus' mouth dropped when the door opened to reveal a face he thought he'd seen the last of.
"How did you?" Kryptos began as he threw off the covers.
"Escape?" 8-Ball finished. "Escape from the place you abandoned me to rot?"
8-Ball closed the door behind him and Kryptos jumped into the air. He levitated close to where his former teammate seethed by the door.
"Did you think their dungeons would hold me?" 8-Ball growled. "They just got lucky I was injured enough to be incapacitated for a while. It took no time for me to escape their puny locks."
"So you've come for a fight?" Kryptos asked. He smirked. "I guess I could use a little warm up before facing Bill Cipher."
8-Ball scoffed. "Then I suppose I'll keep my secret concerning a certain dimension you want to travel to." He indicated his eyes which made Kryptos flinch for a second. He turned his back on Kryptos and added, "If you can get there in time."
8-Ball reached for the door knob, but Kryptos blocked his way. The demon much smaller than 8-Ball hovered with crossed arms and a glare.
"You saw something?" Kryptos asked.
8-Ball smirked. "Then you do remember what my eyes can do," the green creature replied.
"What did you see?" Kryptos asked.
"I need your word that you will not betray me again," 8-Ball negotiated. "You or that disgusting girlfriend of yours."
"What did you see?" Kryptos repeated in a lower voice, tapping his index finger over the crease of his inner elbow.
"I will tell you our time is limited," 8-Ball revealed. His glare matched the leader's. "Now I need you to give your word before I say anything else."
Kryptos grinned. "Finally showing some initiative," he said.
"Then I have your word?" 8-Ball gritted, his eyes narrowing.
Kryptos extended his hand. 8-Ball observed the gesture for a moment, checking for any sign of a trap, and when none came, he accepted.
"Now what did you see?" Kryptos asked a third time.
"Our dawn correlates with Bill's dimension's sunset," 8-Ball stated.
Kryptos shook his head waiting for the connection.
"Bill's human and his friends are building something similar to the portal from when Bill first worked with him. Only it will prevent anyone from ever crossing into another dimension again."
"You mean, we'll be stuck here forever?" Kryptos growled.
"Precisely," 8-Ball answered. "Unless we can find a way to intervene."
Kryptos held out his hand and blew the door off its hinges. The servant sweeping the hallway screamed. She crouched in the corner with her hands over her head. The rhombus darted over to the parallel room that housed his male comrades. He pounded on the door until a drowsy Pacifier opened the door.
"What's the rush?" Pacifier asked with a yawn. "I thought we still had two hours." He glanced up to see 8-Ball towering over Kryptos and asked, "What's he doing-"
"No time," Kryptos interrupted and grabbed Pacifier by the neck. He yanked the other demon out of his room and yelled, "We need your services now. It's an emergency."
They all had their thoughts when they heard about the dessert bar, but walking into the restaurant every expectation was exceeded. For one price the guests were treated to an endless buffet of delectable desserts.
Bill's eyes lit up and a dribble of drool leaked out the corner of his mouth. If Heaven were a real place Bill had finally stepped foot inside.
A line of twenty stood ahead of them. Bill and Mabel danced as they imagined the various sweets that would grace their tongues. Madison considered coming back after everyone had a nutritious meal to which all the kids and Bill negated.
After what felt like an eternity it was their turn to pay. Bill threw the dollars on the counter then waltzed into the buffet line where he twirled the green tray and plucked items from the line. Pudding, cakes, pastries, cookies of all types, fudge, muffins, truffles, jello, crepes, pie slices, tarts, scones, all welcomed at his fingertips. His tray was packed full halfway through the line. He stared longingly at the section he had not a chance to visit and promised those desserts he'd come to greet them soon.
Madison paid for herself and her children. She monitored their choices, but Mabel sneaked a few more items when her mom wasn't looking. She reminded her children the likelihood they'd receive stomachaches if they ate too much junk on empty stomachs, to which they played deaf.
Much to Wendy's chagrin Lee took care of her bill. Had Robbie been present, he would've done the same.
Once they filled their trays with sweet delights they sat down at a fifteen-person table in the center of the restaurant. Bill had scarfed down a third of his desserts before the last person joined their group.
Bill looked over at Pacifica's tray across from him to see a plate of tiny, cute cookies in varying pastel colors.
"What is that?" he asked pointing to the desired item.
"Macarons," Pacifica stated and brought a pink one to her mouth. She bit down on the slightly crunchy dessert revealing the strawberry ganache in the center.
"Can I have one?" Bill pleaded giving her the puppy dog eyes.
Pacifica rolled her eyes. "Don't beg, it's pathetic," she scolded then tossed a blue one into Bill's outstretched hands.
He took a bite of the almond-based cookie and delighted in its texture and flavor. He made a mental note to grab a handful on his second trip.
Bill's eyes scanned the restaurant and noticed the ice cream and milkshake bar in the very back, a section he hadn't made it to yet. He looked down at his tray to see a glass of chocolate mousse and one of strawberry shortcake he still needed to finish along with one last piece of vanilla fudge.
"It was nice of Mr. Grand to let all of us come here for free, well, except for the food," Candy stated.
"Do you know him?" Dipper asked Pacifica.
"Not really," the blonde answered then took a long gulp of her strawberry milkshake. "He's been invited to our yearly soirees, but my dad doesn't really like him. He's new money you know, and my dad doesn't appreciate his growing influence."
"He seems really nice to me, even if he does try too hard to be cool," Mabel said.
The brunette looked up to see the son of the very man who was the subject of their conversation on his way out. She blushed and followed his every move. He was surrounded by a posse, mainly of girls their age, all laughing at something he said, but that didn't bother Mabel, as she figured she had more personality than all those girls combined.
"What's his name?" Mabel asked as the boy left.
Pacifica looked over her shoulder then rolled her eyes. "Cornelius," she answered followed with a frown. "Don't tell me you're taken by him too."
"Fine I won't," said Mabel with folded hands and her face pointed to the air.
"You don't like him?" Dipper asked.
Pacifica shrugged. "Not really." She glanced over from where he left then added, "I don't know why, but there's just something...off about him."
"The same can be said about everyone in this town," Wendy said.
The others agreed then returned to their food. Aside from Bill most of the eating had slowed. Dipper and Mabel soon regretted not following their mother's advice as they started to feel the oncoming of a stomach ache.
Bill excused himself then went to the bar for his second servings. He returned causing some of the others to gag.
"You can't be hungry to eat all that," Wendy said holding her stomach.
"Hey, Cipher Bomb is the baddest, he can probably eat eight tray fulls," Lee cheered.
"Nah, I'd say more like twelve," Nate bet.
"Or fifteen," Lee upped.
"Stop, I don't want to watch him spew if he takes your stupid bets," Wendy interrupted.
"I'm eating my ice cream," Bill said with a full mouth. He dipped the spoon into the foot tall, blue glass filled with five flavors of ice cream and topped with chocolate chips, M&Ms, gummy bears, Oreo pieces, whipped cream, and sprinkles.
"Well, Mabel, I don't think you're the sweet queen anymore," Candy teased and nodded towards Bill.
"Is that a challenge?" Mabel cried and hopped up in her chair, slamming her hands down on the table.
"No, and you're not eating any more junk until you get some real food in you," Madison interrupted.
"Ugh, who invited the 'rent," Nate grumbled under his breath.
Wendy pulled out her phone and sighed at both the time stamp and the lack of messages.
"Still no Robbie?" Lee asked as he finished the last bite of mousse.
"I get he's helping his parents, but if he's going to be over a half hour late, the least he can do is call," Wendy complained.
"What's he doing?" Dipper asked.
"I'm not really supposed to say," Wendy began. She put her hand against her mouth and spoke in just above a whisper, "But those bad guys Bill axed the other night." She took a glimpse over at the blond still chowing down on junk food, then returned her attention to the brunet. "They were moved from the morgue, and the feds asked Robbie's parents to embalm them before transporting them back to D.C."
Dipper narrowed his eyes. "Why even go to all that trouble?" he questioned. "I say just let 'em rot. It's not like anyone's going to mourn them."
Wendy's eyes widened at the boy's statement. She watched him glance over at his sister who was still in conversation with Candy and her heart softened.
"Well, maybe the other two, but not the one who tried to kill Mabel," Dipper said quietly. He placed his spoon down on the table. "You know she's still having nightmares about him."
"Man, I'm so sorry," Wendy consoled.
"We've been through a lot, but this one, I'm afraid it's going to haunt her for a long time," Dipper explained. And it's all because I was stupid, he added in his head.
Bill finished the last of his desserts. He wiped the frosting from his lips then leaned back with his hands against his full belly.
"That was divine," he said then gripped the table to help hoist himself up. "Well, it's time for some pie and maybe a few more of those cookies."
"Bill, don't you think you've had enough?" Dipper asked.
"Yeah, you don't want another tummy ache," Mabel added.
Bill pouted and sat back down. He noticed that his stomach did feel full, and he didn't want to be drowsy and in pain later, unable to enjoy the rest of the attractions. Besides, there was still a chance they could stop by on their way out and grab some treats for the road.
"Where to next?" Madison asked.
Dipper pulled out the folded map from his vest pocket. A few of his friends gathered around to gander at the vast amount of rooms available inside the building.
"How about karaoke?" Mabel cheered and pointed to the labeled area.
"No, I say go-karts," Lee retorted.
"Ooh, there's a bounce house carnival," Candy exclaimed.
"Candy, we just ate a bunch of sweets, let's give it a moment to settle," Grenda replied.
"The arcade looks cool," said Dipper.
"Dip Dot, you play video games all the time, do something fun," Mabel groaned.
"You know, we can split up," Wendy suggested.
After a quick deliberation the group agreed to Wendy's idea. Dipper slipped the map back into his vest pocket and his fingers brushed up against his personal journal, reminding him of the reason they smuggled Bill into the fun center. He surprised everyone by joining the group of girls and Bill, who agreed to check out the karaoke area, while Wendy and her friends headed for the go-karts.
Much to his dismay he noticed his mom tagging along. The boy glanced around and grinned at the sight of the local news reporter broadcasting along with her camera crew. Dipper slipped in between his mother and Mabel, slightly pushing his mom next to Shandra.
The reporter turned around to confront the person who bumped her only to see the twins waving at the camera. Shandra smiled and put her hand on Madison's shoulder.
"I'm here with one of the guests," Shandra said into the camera. She faced Madison and placed the microphone in front of her face to get the woman's name.
Madison glanced over to see her children and their friends walking away without her. She tried to follow after, but Shandra's grip was too firm.
"What's your name?" Shandra repeated.
"Madison-Madison Pines," she answered, hoping the interview would soon be over. At least she was aware of where they headed, although not entirely certain they were unaware she no longer followed.
"Madison Pines, are you a Gravity Falls resident?" Shandra asked.
"No, actually I'm from California," she answered.
"California? And you came all the way here to check out the Grand Fun Center?"
"No, I'm only on vacation here with my family, and we thought we'd give it a go," Madison said and successfully pulled away from the reporter. "But this place is a lot of fun."
Madison darted away, leaving Shandra perplexed. The cameraman only shrugged. Nonetheless, she finished her segment, then made a cutting signal across her neck. Her smile fell the moment the camera turned off and the woman ranted about never wanting to meet another Pines in her life.
The six hurried into the karaoke booth before Madison caught up. The girls pounced on the karaoke book and skimmed all the fun songs available. Dipper sat down next to Bill and pulled out the journal.
"While you're waiting for your turn, I'm going to ask you some questions," stated Dipper.
"Shoot," Bill consented.
Dipper turned to where he taped a photocopied page of Ford's writings on his dealings with the henchmaniacs while traveling the various dimensions.
"You know your old friends, the ones who are coming back?" Dipper began.
"What about 'em?" Bill asked, his words sharper.
"Can you tell me about them," said Dipper. "Any weaknesses? Special abilities?"
Bill sighed and leaned against the back of the cushioned seat. Grenda won the round of paper-rock-scissors which earned her the right to go first. She selected the song "I Love Rock and Roll" by Joan Jett and the Black Hearts.
"I wish I could remember kid, but most of my brain's been locked away," Bill confessed. "I can tell you some of their abilities. Pyronica can use fire, it's in her name."
"She can summon fire?" Dipper asked.
"All she has to do is point and the person catches on fire," Bill clarified. Dipper jotted the notes down on the page next to the taped paper. Bill continued, "Xanthar shows you what you fear most if you look in his face."
"Oh, like the gremloblin?" Dipper asked.
"Exactly, but when he paralyzes you, he'll go in for the kill," Bill replied. "8-Ball can look into other dimensions, that's actually how we found Fordsy the first time."
Dipper scowled at Bill for a few seconds then turned his attention back to the journal.
"And Pacifier can take control of the recently dead," Bill added. He folded his hands in his lap and sighed again. "I can't remember much about Kryptos. He was always so friendly and loyal to me, I never cared to find out. What I do know I can't remember. That door is locked."
"Can you try?" Dipper asked.
"I dunno, we tried when actually inside my mind," Bill explained, although he left out the part where he chose to go into the adjacent room.
"Try," Dipper demanded.
Bill groaned, but not in much of a mood to argue. Besides, he too wanted to remind himself of any of Kryptos' weaknesses, and Handrina made it clear she was not going to help them access the Mindscape again.
Bill shut his eyes and focused his thoughts solely on Kryptos. The images of the torment they subjected him to when he was imprisoned in his own mind during the coma surfaced. The thoughts switched to pleasant memories where Bill and the other henchmaniacs teased Kryptos, who was willing to go along with their games in order to please his leader. That was back when he dated Pyronica, and the others were still in his favor, and he in theirs.
He searched his limited memories of Kryptos, but could not recall a single moment in which Kryptos showcased his special powers. As far as he knew Kryptos didn't possess any special abilities, other than copying his, and that was in the Mindscape. For the first time he wondered if perchance Kryptos did appear they'd be going into battle blindly.
A sharp pain suddenly shot through Bill's head causing him to hold his skull and shut his eyes. The girls were too intrigued with Grenda's off-key growling of the lyrics to even notice Bill's change of demeanor.
"What's wrong?" Dipper asked, dropping the journal on the floor, and put his hands on Bill's arms.
"Sometimes if I think too hard about something that's been locked away, I get a severe headache," the blond answered. He wiped away a trickle of blood from his nostril.
Dipper pressed the call button on the panel next to the door which prompted an attendant to pop her head inside. Dipper requested a glass of water for Bill to which the server agreed and hurried off to fulfill the request.
Grenda reached the final chorus of her song while Candy jumped and clapped along, all while Pacifica sat down, although her foot swayed to the beat. Mabel glanced behind her and her smile vanished as she made her way over to the boys.
"Dipper, what did you do?" Mabel gasped.
"I'm fine, Shooting Star," Bill said with a smile. "Just a simple nosebleed, nothing serious."
Dipper handed him a tissue he kept in another of his pockets. Bill twisted the tissue into a cylindrical shape and shoved it into the bleeding nostril. The attendant returned with the requested cup of water than Dipper immediately accepted. The cup was then offered to Bill who seated himself against the plush back cushions.
"I hope you don't mind, I think I'm going to sit karaoke out for a little while," Bill said then slowly sipped the cool water.
"That was great, a real show stopper," Candy cheered as she applauded.
"Who's next?" Grenda asked, still on a high from her performance. She looked over at the blonde and said, "Surely you're gonna sing."
Pacifica replied with a smile, "You know, I actually would like to sing for fun for once, instead of it always having to be a performance." She stood and accepted the microphone then entered in the code for her desired song.
"Hey, Pinetree, you're girlfriend's singing," Bill teased.
Dipper's face turned red. "She's-she's not my girlfriend," he hissed in a hushed voice. Dipper glanced over at Pacifica who sang along to the text on the screen then glared at the laughing demon beside him.
"Right, and that's why you're blushing," Bill retorted.
"No, I'm not," Dipper cried and put his hands over his face which caused Bill to laugh harder.
From outside their door Madison watched the exchange. She had described them to the attendant who directed her to their booth. However, as her hand hovered above the knob she looked in and all anger for being abandoned vanished.
She saw how well Mabel got along with the other girls, which wasn't too much of a stretch for her daughter who never knew a stranger. What more Dipper got on well with Mabel's friends and even the older group of teens from earlier.
Madison left the booth and headed for the exit. The attendant called out to her, to which Madison responded that her children were alright for the time being, then walked off to find another activity until the karaoke session ended.
After a half hour of singing their time was up and the six were forced to exit to make room for the next group. Dipper let out a sigh of relief as there wasn't time for him to sing, which he refused to do while Bill was in the room. Bill admitted to feeling better and even treated the kids to a rendition of an REO Speedwagon song to which they all enjoyed.
They stopped when they noticed Madison seated on a bench outside the karaoke area. She saw her children and their friends and inserted her phone back into her purse.
"Were you out here the whole time?" Mabel asked, suddenly guilty they left her mom on her own.
Madison shook her head. "I checked out the gift shop, but didn't see anything worth buying." She patted the leather purse and added, "Then I called your great-uncles, but it kept ringing. I hope everything's okay."
"Fordsy and Stanno are working on something important right now, they probably didn't even hear the phone," Bill often ignored the rest of the world when wrapped up in his work.
Wendy texted Dipper that they engaged in two rounds of go-karts, but now the line was too long to consider a third, so they would meet them at the bounce house carnival. As soon as Dipper shared the news the seven headed in the direction of said attraction. The three teens stood outside the entrance while the sounds of excited screams echoed from inside.
Mabel, Candy, and Grenda rushed inside, simultaneously shouting. Wendy informed Dipper, Nate, and Lee that she felt nauseous and wouldn't be jumping today. Wendy sat down outside, Dipper and Madison seated themselves beside her.
"Hey, Dip, go enjoy yourself," Wendy said. "I'll be fine, I just have to wait 'til this passes, or puke when it comes. You don't want to see that."
"I've been in plenty of bounce houses, this is more of Mabel's thing anyway," Dipper replied.
"Too bad today's the only free day," said Wendy. "From now on we'll have to pay the full price to get in. But I guess thirty dollars isn't bad for everything there is to do."
"Yeah, we can come here all next summer," Dipper said. He winced then looked over at his mom. "If we can, that is."
"I'll have to talk to your father," Madison replied. "And you and Mabel will need to be honest with me."
"We are," Dipper said.
Madison interrupted, "I know there's something more going on that you two, and all of you..." Madison glanced over at Wendy. "...are hiding. And it's more than that Bill being an alcoholic."
Dipper lowered his head.
"I wasn't born yesterday," said Madison. "And unlike your father, who wants to believe his uncles are as good as he's always imagined, that ridiculous story about a misunderstanding with a journal just doesn't make sense. Not enough to move an entire police force and trash the place like that."
"Wow, Mrs. Pines, I didn't think you were that observant," Wendy said.
Madison grinned. "Where do you think Dipper got his intellect?" she said and rubbed her son's head.
"My mom is too observant," replied Dipper.
"I can sit here with Wendy if you want to go jump," Madison offered.
"Maybe a little," Dipper said and hopped down from the bench.
Just then Wendy's phone rang. She nearly dropped it when she pulled it out of her jeans pocket. Robbie's name and picture showed on the caller ID.
"Robbie, where are you?" Wendy answered. Robbie's speech was hurried on the other end. "Wait. Calm down. What happened?"
Dipper stopped then made his way back over to Wendy.
Wendy stood up and Madison followed.
"You're not making any sense," Wendy said. She listened to the frantic voice explain what occurred at his family's shared residency and business. Wendy's face blanched. "How? How is that possible?"
"What's going on?" Dipper asked.
Wendy glanced down at the younger teenager then said, "Dipper, you've dealt with this before. Can you..." she trailed off as she heard a female scream in the background. "Robbie!" Wendy yelled.
Several nearby onlookers stared over in her direction.
"Robbie!" Wendy cried again and the phone went silent.
Wendy stared at the quiet phone with her mouth agape and complexion pale. Dipper slowly approached her.
"Robbie," she gasped. "He said Thalen."
Dipper shuddered at the name of the man who nearly killed Bill and his sister.
"His-his family's embalming him," Dipper reminded her.
Wendy shook her head. "He stood up off the slab."
Meanwhile Bill ceased jumping in the castle-themed house. He fell to his knees and the engravings on his pinky glowed red. Mabel knelt down next to the crouching man.
"Bill, what's wrong?" Mabel asked. She took hold of Bill's tattooed finger. "Bill?"
"Something's not right," Bill said and grasped the wall to lift himself to his feet while the floor moved from the other patrons bouncing.
Bill slid out of the bounce house, landing on his stomach. Mabel was quick behind him, and the other three girls followed when they noticed her exit.
Bill stood up and clutched his stomach with his glowing hand. His eye flashed red for a second causing the others to back up, then returned back to their golden hue.
"Bill, what's..." Mabel began, slightly trembling.
"Pacifier," Bill said. He gasped then cried, "Stanford!"
And there's a stopping point.
Two closing notes:
1. For those of you who have read Pacifica at the Shack, yes that's the same Cornelius. I went ahead and introduced him in this story, even though he plays a much bigger role in that one.
2. There is literally nothing on the Henchmaniacs. The journal only states that they work for Bill, and there's not much information on them on the Wiki, which leaves a lot of room for writing their abilities and backstory. I took a lot of liberties with Pyronica's story, but it's intended to flesh her out more.
Anyway, thank you all for reading chapter 44. Chapter 45 will be up soon.
