The group rushed out of the shack despite their sore legs. They ran into the forest, Dipper and Mabel leading the way, somehow knowing exactly where Stan would be.
The forest was dark and eerie, the callings of owls and scampering of squirrels being the only sound beside their footsteps. They jumped over gnarled roots and scraggly bushes as they dashed through.
Finally, after what seemed like hours of running, they arrived at the clearing. The statue of Stan lay there, illuminated by the moonlight, his expression of terror frozen in place.
They all shivered when they saw it, even Other Dipper. He walked up to it and touched Stan's outstretched arm. While it still felt like stone, he could also sense a strong magical force beneath it. He stepped back from the statue.
"Well," Mabel said, breaking the eerie silence. "Can you fix him?" "Maybe." Other Dipper replied. "But it might take a lot out of me. Whoever did this was really strong."
"That would be Bill." Dipper said. Other Dipper nodded. "Right. I remember Mabel saying something along those lines when I first got here."
Other Dipper gave a deep breath. "Okay, I'll try to fix him, but be prepared to catch me if I pass out."
Dipper and Mabel nodded. Other Dipper closed his eyes, faced his palms toward the statue, and started chanting softly in Latin. His hands started to glow blue, and soon enough, the statue began to glow too. The trio behind him gasped excitedly as cracks formed, bright blue light shining from beneath them.
Other Dipper furrowed his brow as sweat trickled down his forehead. He felt his energy draining as he carried through the spell. This whole process would've been a lot easier with the help of his sister. He was just now realizing that he had taken her for granted, and was ashamed to admit, he kind of missed her.
Finally, the stone broke apart and a dark but familiar figure tumbled to the ground, cursing and coughing. Other Dipper stood there for a moment before his knees buckled out from beneath him and he fell to the ground. Mabel rushed forward and caught him.
"Stan!" Ford ran over to him grappled him in a bone crushing hug.
"Whoa, when did you become such a softie?" Stan laughed. Ford pulled back and helped him up from the ground. Stan looked around. "How long have I been out? And who's that?!" He asked, noticing the limp figure in Mabel's arms that looked a bit too much like Dipper wearing Gideon's clothes for his liking.
"You've missed a lot." Ford replied, putting a hand on Stan's shoulder. "We have much to discuss."
As the group started toward the shack, Mabel helping Other Dipper along, as he was only half conscious, a swirling blue portal appeared above their heads.
"What in hot Belgian waffles is that?!" Stan yelled and pointed up to the portal. Ford looked up at it, in intrigue and fear. "It... It's another portal, but that doesn't make sense, who else could be coming?"
Soon they'd have their answer, because three figures tumbled out of it. Two of them landed face flat on the floor, much like how Dipper had, but one of them was able to land on her feet in a superhero like pose. But this was no superhero.
She stood and eyed the strangers around her suspiciously. "Who are you?" Ford asked gruffly, putting a hand on his holster in case there was a need to use it. She ignored him and studied her surroundings. Her eyes narrowed when she saw Mabel and Dipper, but they widened when she saw her barely conscious brother leaning against her counterpart.
"My brother! What did you do to him!" She screamed and summoned a knife. Stan stepped forward. "Hey, that's my niece!" He exclaimed. He stepped forward and shielded Mabel along with Ford.
"And that's my brother! What did you weasels do to him?!" The other Mabel accused. Dipper stepped up next to Stan. "We didn't do anything to him, he just wore himself out from freeing our Grunkle Stan." He explained.
Other Mabel glared at him, but she let the dagger in her hand slowly fade out of existence. "Fine," She said. "Just give him back to me so we can go back home."
"Nice to see you too, sis." Other Dipper rolled his eyes. He was standing on his own now, but still swayed a bit and had bags under his eyes.
Paz gasped excitedly and rushed to her feet. "Dip!" She ran over to him and hugged him gently enough as to not knock him over.
"Seriously, who are these people?" Ford asked from where he and Stan stood off to the side, very confused. Stan gasped. "Gideon." He growled menacingly at the boy.
His eyes went wide and he took a few steps back. "H-Hey, Mr. Pines.." He smiled nervously, trying to appear friendly.
"That's Mr. Pines to you!" Stan retorted. Gideon glanced at Ford. "Yeah, that's...that's what I-" He was cut off by the glare Stan sent him. Ford sighed. "Stanley, this is obviously an alternate version of the Gideon from our universe. Judging by his clothes and mannerisms, he is probably the Dipper of his world." He tried to explain. Stan nodded, but his eyes remained suspicious. "Fine, but I still don't trust him."
"If it's anything," Gideon added. "I already much prefer you to the Stan in my dimension." That comment warmed up Stan a bit.
Meanwhile, Paz was crushing all the air out of Other Dipper's lungs. But it didn't matter, because he was doing the same to her. Usually, he wouldn't partake in the hug, thinking it made him look undignified and just letting Paz latch onto him, but it had been so long since he had last seen her he didn't care.
Other Mabel watched them, glaring with all her might. If looks could kill, Other Dipper and Paz would've been disintegrated. Mabel walked up to her counterpart.
"Hey, other me. I know we didn't get much of a chance to talk, you know, seeing as we were stuck with each other's brother for the past few days." Mabel said. "So, I just wanted to say that... I really love your hair. It's so shiny and glossy, what conditioner do you use?" She asked, smiling brightly. Other Mabel puffed up her chest. It felt good to be complimented, even if it was by this sillier version of herself. "Sorry, but a magician never reveals her secrets." She replied smoothly.
"But," She added. "I have to say that the braid looks good on you. It works with the whole... uh, crazy, peppy vibe."
Mabel's face practically glowed. "Aw, thank you!" She rushed to give her counterpart a hug. Other Mabel stiffened, not prepared for the show of affection.
Dipper walked over to Gideon, who kept glancing over at Stan nervously. "Hey man, you alright?" He asked. Gideon shrugged. "I guess. Though I keep finding bits of grass in my teeth from face planting into the ground."
Dipper cringed. "Yeah, I saw that when you arrived. But that's basically how I came here too, though instead of grass it was good old concrete." "Yikes, that's rough." Gideon replied.
There was a moment of comfortable silence between them as they watched everyone conversing with another. "It's nice here," Gideon said. "Even though this looks like the same forest from my dimension. Still, you can hear a lot more animals noises than back home."
Dipper nodded. "Yeah, I noticed. Wonder what's up with that?" He replied. Gideon sighed. "It's too bad I won't get to see more of your dimension, that'd be really fun." He said, smiling sadly.
"Well, why not?" Dipper asked. "Your Dipper might have to rest for a day or so, why not then?" "Well, the demon that sent us here seemed way too eager. He tried to hide it, but I could see it in his eyes. Will seemed really suspicious too. That's why I want to go home as soon as possible." Gideon explained. Dipper shook his head. "Wait, what demon sent you here? I thought Will had somehow been able to conjure a portal here for you guys."
Gideon shook his head. "No, it was his counterpart, the yellow Will. I think his name was Bill or something." Dipper straightened. "Did he ask for something in return?" "No, he said he didn't need anything right now, whatever that means." Gideon shrugged.
Mabel and Other Mabel both walked over to the boys. "Actually, speaking of Will," Mabel started. "Where is he?"
Gideon shrugged. "No idea. I thought he came here with us." He answered. Other Mabel scoffed. "I bet he teleported back home, the coward."
"Actually, I'm right here." Said a timid voice.
It seemed to come from nowhere, until Will suddenly appeared beside them. Other Mabel frowned. "You can turn invisible?" She asked. "How did I not know this?"
"Well, the whole point of being invisible is to stay unnoticed, so..." Will shrugged. Gideon crosses his arms. "Why were you invisible, though?"
"Well, I know for a fact that this Dipper's great uncles have bad experiences with my counterpart, so it's probably best if I remain unseen, just in case they mistake me for Bill." Will explained. The others nodded in understanding.
Other Dipper and Paz finally pulled back from their hug. "I've missed you so much." Paz breathed. Other Dipper smiled. "I... missed you too."
They joined hands and walked over to the small group forming over by the side of the clearing. Other Mabel nodded in greeting. "Brother." She said simply. "Sister." He replied.
Ford cleared his throat. "So, do you think you have the strength to create another portal to your dimension?" He asked Other Dipper. He nodded hesitantly. "I think so."
Gideon scoffed. "That's encouraging." He said. Other Dipper glared at him. He shrunk under the withering stare.
Then Other Dipper and his sister both faced each other and held their palms out to one another. They both chanted Latin, and blue energy crackled in the air around them, making the hairs on the back of everyone's necks stand up.
A portal formed far above them, swirling menacingly. Everyone from the other dimension felt a magnetic pull towards it. They were all slowly lifted up to the portal. Dipper, Mabel, Ford, and Stan watched excitedly as their counterparts and acquaintances were pulled toward their home.
But, just as they were to reach the portal, the magnetic pull that had them flying to their home gave out abruptly. The portal disappeared, and they were thrown back to the ground on their behinds.
There was a moment of confused silence. "...Wait, what?" Dipper asked. Gideon looked around confused. "What happened?"
Maniacal laughter sounded around them. Dipper's stomach lurched. He knew that laugh. He looked at Ford and Stan, the fear in their eyes confirming that they also recognized it.
"Well, well, well," The menacing voice of Bill echoed around them. "Looks like I finally got my wish. Every single threat to me, plus some, all in one easy to destroy circle."
————————————————————-
Oof, sorry for that cliffhanger, but this chapter has already gone on long enough. So sorry (but also kinda not sorry).So, yeah, climax time. I'm thinking maybe a few more chapters (like three or so) for this story but that should be it.
Gogreendreamer: Thank you for the constructive criticism, I'll definitely try to incorporate it for the rest of the story. Feel free to point anything else out if you find something that needs work!