"And how exactly am I supposed to beat Bill?" Asked Dipper yet again.
Blendin sighed. "Once again, we will train you to beat him." It was clear that Blendin was agitated.
"And how exactly are you going to train me against basically a god?"
"Easy," said Blendin. "We've got to make you become a god"
"What? I'm no god." Said Dipper in disbelief. "Look at these noodle arms! I'm not all knowing!"
"And if Bill was all knowing, he would have come here and killed us any time he wanted to." Said Blendin. "Now shut up, you will be brought forth to Time Baby."
"Isn't Time Baby dead?" Asked Dipper.
"No, he had to reassemble his molecules. Took a thousand years and a lot of glue."
Dipper's stare was blank.
"The glue part was a joke, dipstick." Said Blendin.
"Don't call me dipstick."
"Sorry, dipstick."
Dipper narrowed his eyes in disgust. "Can we hurry up with this I would prefer if my family wasn't burnt to a crisp when I return."
"You keep this up and I'll go back later than I was planning." Said Blendin.
That shut Dipper up.
"This way." Said Blendin, leading Dipper through another corridor, with a large set of doors at the end.
"This sure is a sophisticated and ornate chain of underground chambers." Said Dipper.
"This will sound corny, but we had too much time on our hands." Said Blendin. "We needed something to do or we'll lose our sanity. We managed to salvage our culture along with our sanity. All our families are dead, and Cipher presumed we were dead too. If you pull this off, the balance in reality will be in check again as it was before August of 2012."
"Then why me? You're much better trained than me."
"Ever heard of the term prophecy?"
"There's another prophecy?"
"No. The one your great uncle predicted was misinterpreted." Said Blendin. He pressed a button on his watch and a projection came out, showing the cave painting. He zoomed in on one part of the painting, very minuscule. No human would have seen this when he did. In the black cloud that destroyed Bill was a highlight of one person. In even smaller detail was the constellation of the Big Dipper on the person's head.
"I...is that me?" Said Dipper, pointing at the person with the constellation on his head.
"No, it's actually Gideon." Said Blendin. Dipper gave him a blank stare. Blendin sighed. "Of course it's you."
"Oh. Of course." Said Dipper, who silently calls himself stupid in his head. "So what now? I don't intend on wasting any more time."
"Buckle up. You've got two phases of training to go through: mental and physical." Said Blendin. "Cipher's a very unpredictable opponent, and it's imperative that you are trained widely, so you are able to counter his attacks."
Dipper nodded. "How long is this training going to take?"
"As long as necessary." Said Blendin, leading Dipper down yet another corridor.
"Where are we going now?" Said Dipper.
"If you shut up for two seconds maybe I can explain." Snapped Blendin. He sighed. "I'm taking you to where you will complete your mental training."
"I don't want to waste any more time. I want to train now."
"Be patient." Replied Blendin. "This kind of training takes time. Like all of your enemies, you must be prepared for anything!"
"What about when I faced Gideon? Or the first three times I was against Bill?"
"Facing Gideon was only using your instincts, and you had the aid of the mindscape and the journals against Bill." He said. "Bill is a quick learner most of the time, and after the first few times, he'll learn not to underestimate you."
Dipper nodded. "So, what am I going to start first?"
"First you have to complete the mental training: an essential when fighting someone who can toy with your consciousness."
"What're you gonna have me do? Solve sudoku puzzles?"
Blendin frowned. "You done with the fucking jokes?"
"Yes sir. I guess you can't take a joke." Said Dipper under his breath.
"We haven't taken jokes in years, Mr. Pines." Said Blendin. "Now follow me one last time."
Dipper sighed. "This is a never ending labyrinth!"
"That's the point. Now come."
Blendin lead Dipper into a very large but dark room. The hum of electricity echoed off the walls, making the hairs on his arm stand straight up.
"So leaving me in here by myself in the dark will help me?"
"You fool!" Snapped Blendin. "We are not alone in this room."
Dipper faced Blendin. "I'm really starting to think you're only trying to waste my time here. Unless Time fucking Baby himself shows up I'll see myself out."
Dipper felt an unusually large being in presence behind him.
"He's right behind me, isn't he?" Said Dipper. Blendin nodded yes, and Dipper turned around, finding the large, bald behemoth.
The enormous baby towered over Dipper, making him look puny.
"Uh, hi." Said Dipper weakly, while waving at him.
Time Baby turned to Blendin. "You say this man is the chosen one?" His deep, masculine voice impressed Dipper. He was certain his voice never got that low in his infancy.
"Uh… hello again." Dipper said weakly. "Not that I mean to interject at all, but aren't I supposed to be training in preparation against-"
"Silence!" Boomed the Time Baby, his voice shook the cavernous room, and caused Dipper to cringe at the loudness of his voice. I knew babies were supposed to be loud, but this is ridiculous! He thought to himself.
"Sorry, your highness." Said Dipper as he bowed in respect to the time lord.
"Rise." Said Time Baby. Dipper obliged.
"Your timeliness, the boy must be trained." Started Blendin to the giant infant. "He is the chosen one, the prophecy says so." He flashed the hologram of the cave again and zoomed in on the figure with the Big Dipper on his head.
Time Baby pondered in thought. "How could such a puny, weak human be the chosen one?"
"In his defense, your honor, he and his twin sister were the only two humans ever to baffle Cipher." Stated Blendin. "I've carefully watched the two since our face off in Globnar, and the boy's skills are impressive for his age."
"But you forget this was three years prior, Time Elite Blendin. A lot can change." Said Time Baby.
"I respectfully disagree. I have also watched him just this last week, and he showed the same, if not more, amount of confidence and bravery." Replied Blendin.
"Though they are valued attributes, bravery and confidence will not win the battle against Cipher." Time Baby said.
"That's precisely why he needs to be trained in order to confront Cipher." Argued Blendin. "I know this kid, your highness, and I think he's worthy to defeat Cipher once and for all."
Time Baby stopped to think for a second. Dipper glanced nervously over at Blendin, who was sharing the same look. They turned around to face the time lord when it looks like he made up his decision.
"Dipper Pines," boomed Time Baby's deep, menacing voice, "I decide that I shall train you in preparation for the impending encounter against Cipher. This will not be an easy task, but I have been convinced that you are capable of this. Training begins in an hour. Dismissed."
And with that, Time Baby flew off into the darkness, leaving Blendin and Dipper alone once more.
"I have no idea if I should be anxious or relieved or mortified." Said Dipper.
"Honestly, you should be all three." Said Blendin. "You are the biggest investment for me in my time career, so even I've got expectations."
"That takes some pressure away." Said Dipper sarcastically.
"We'll get used to it. A lot is at stake here, Dipper. Our entire universe's fate lies in your hands."
"That helps even more."
"I don't think the universe much cares." Blendin left the room, leaving Dipper there.
Even if the prophecy is true, and I am the 'chosen one', how in God's name am I supposed to defeat a trillion year old, all knowing, all seeing demon from another dimension with powers beyond the comprehension of a twelfth level intellect? Dipper thought to himself. The light in the room dimmed significantly, emphasizing the emptiness in the room. I haven't been more scared in my life. I feel so alone… so empty…
No. Dipper reassured himself. I understand the prophecy and I understand that I must do this alone. If not me, who else? I have the most experience against Bill, and I already studied his tactics from earlier. He stood up. I have to fight this alone. For Mabel, Stan and Ford, hell, even the guys at the Shack, I've got to put the demon down while I can.
With a new motive in his head, a new purpose to fight for, Dipper walked out of the door of the room, ready to do whatever it takes to train and save the ones he loved, as well as the entire universe.
He was ready.
. . . .
In a cloudy orb, Dipper is seen leaving a large, dark chasm, looking more confident than ever. A menacing chuckle emerges from a dark figure looming behind the mystical sphere.
"Oh, foolish, but brave Dipper Pines…" the figure said, between his evil laughter. The figure looked closer to the orb, revealing the teenage version of Bill Cipher's face. "You are persistent, but predictable. I will wait, along with my buddies here until you return triumphantly only to see me slowly murder the ones you love. Only then will I grant you Death's sweet release." Bill cackled again as the mysterious ball shrouded into darkness.
Bill got up from his session of meditation. With a little bit of stretching, he then strutted over to where his captives were kept. There is seen Mabel, Stanley, and Stanford Pines, held captive against pine trees by a thick layer of rope. Bill watched in enjoyment as the prisoners continued their attempts to escape.
"Why must you struggle? It just makes this more amusing to me." Said Bill to the three. Mabel stopped struggling first and faced Bill.
"Dipper's going to stop you. He's going to kick your ass." She said in spite.
Bill sighed. "Oh, if only that was to be true." He said. "The boy might stop me, but there's nothing saying I'll kill you after I finish him."
"If you wanted us dead, you would have killed us at least a thousand times by now." Said Ford. "What are your true motives? To instill a sense of false hope to crush those you loathe [us]? To prolong your role in the good vs evil balance? Or are you just too scared to finish us?"
"No." Said Bill almost too quickly. "I want you to suffer a miserable death after interfering-"
"That's precisely what I thought." Interrupted Ford. "What's a villain without a hero?"
"Shut up!" Said Bill.
"Face it. You're nothing without us. You love being the bad guy against us. That's why we're not dead yet." Ford continued chiding Bill. "You always enjoyed when we beat you time and time again."
"SHUT UP!" Shouted Bill, backhanding Ford, who did not expect this random act of rage. A trickle of blood dribbled down his chin. "Soon enough you will know why I haven't exterminated you pests yet. For now, we wait."
Bill calmed down and retained his composure. He walked away from the prisoners. "Soon…" he said to no one in particular. "Soon… the true prophecy will come true and my destiny will finally, after one trillion years, be fulfilled."
Everything is going according to my plan. Thought Bill. Everything is set. Now I just have to lure the big fish once I cast the bait. Then and only then, will I achieve ultimate power over this universe, and get rid of my stupid act as a villain.
. . . .
A/N: At long, long last! Chapter 19 is out! I'm so sorry for taking so long, life happens, you know? I'll try my best to get Chapter 20 out by late April to mid May. Not making any promises. As always, review and stuff. I really do check them all out and respond to most of them. Remember when I said Chapter 20 would be the end? Yeah, well I kinda lied. I have no idea how long it will take, but the chapters will definitely not exceed 35, maybe even 30.