Oh my gosh. I can't believe it's almost been a month since I last updated this story. I honestly didn't think it had been that long. I apologize for the super long wait. I give you a super long chapter, it's just under 10,000 words, and that's after I cut out a few scenes with the thinking they'd fit better in the next chapter. There are a lot of scenes. I wasn't sure how to work everything out, so there's been a bit of rewriting and rearranging of where which scene should be in the order they are. I think it's good now, so I hope you all enjoy.
Thursday is Summerween. So happy early Summerween to everyone. I'll actually be celebrating this year, and will post a video on my Youtube channel.
I've been doing more cosplay and working on my channel. If you're interested, I do cosplay skits (most of them Gravity Falls) and discussions (most of them related to Gravity Falls) you can check out my Youtube channel: Amber Amethyst.
Also, not a lot of Bill in this chapter. It's mostly focused on all the other characters.
Thank you to all the awesome reviewers for your feedback on chapter thirty two: Berrybanana05, Frostbite, London 87, Fantasy Fan 223, Energy witch, RainbowRat, Marisol777, Kenn, and young red-winged soul.
Energy witch has posted a lot of beautiful fanarts for this story and Bonded on her DeviantArt if you want to check them out. Fantasy Fan 223 has posted a great fanart of the last moment in the previous chapter on her DeviantArt if you want to check it out. Thanks for the lovely fanart, you two, I love them. :)
Tempbot1: No, I don't have either. I used to have Snapchat, but got rid of it, because I couldn't figure out how to use it.
Bill stirred. He looked around the empty room with his left eye, the right covered with a sterilized patch. Most of the blood had been wiped away after the doctor stitched up the now dead eye. The strong sent of sanitizer was enough to twist his stomach.
A few measuring units were attached to his head and arm that led to a machine that read his vitals. His head ached as he tried to remember which each of those numbers should be compared to what they revealed.
The door opened and Bill's ears picked up the sounds of dress shoes against the tile floor. Bill strained his eye to see a slimmer form than Harrison. The prisoner tried to sit up, but the straps across his shoulders only allowed him to lift his head. From the new angle he recognized the white coat belonging to one of the doctors. In his aging hands he held a clipboard on which he wrote down Bill's vitals.
"Please," Bill rasped, surprised at the weakness in his own voice. The doctor didn't look his way. "Please," Bill tried again. He coughed away the mucus clotting his throat, straining the already sore tissue, and asked a third time. "Please...I...I need some water."
"Good for you," the doctor replied not taking his eyes off the monitor.
"And, I need to use the bathroom," Bill added.
"Good for you," the doctor said. He lowered his clipboard and headed for the door.
"No," Bill hoarsely called. "Don't leave me."
The doctor stopped solely to speak to the man on his way inside the room. Bill stiffened at the sound of that voice. The beeping of the heart rate machine clued him in to what he already knew.
Harrison made his way towards the bed on which Bill was strapped. With arms folded his leaned over to look into Bill's functioning eye.
"Don't give me that look," Harrison said. "It's only a little longer until we move."
Bill closed his eye. How he wished that machine didn't betray the brave face he tried to wear.
"Once we're set up in D.C., you're going to see many more people," Harrison revealed. "You should be proud, you'll be our first specimen."
"You mean your toy," Bill groaned.
Harrison chuckled. "Not so fun being on this end, is it?" He pressed his thumb against Bill's nose. "You never had a problem toying with people in the past, but now that it's you."
He pushed Bill's nose to the right. Bill bit down on his lip if just to partially alleviate the pressure against his nose being pushed at the wrong angle. Harrison grinned when Bill finally let out a painful cry. He stopped just before the cartilage snapped.
"Sixer told you what you wanted," Bill said.
"And what exactly is he going to do to help you if he's locked up in a federal prison the rest of his life?" Harrison countered.
Harrison picked up a fresh bottle of water. Bill stared at the condensation on the outside that made the liquid within look frosty. He licked the inside of his top lip when the cap twisted off. His stomach dropped when Harrison tilted the opening towards his own mouth.
The agent took a long gulp, the sound mere torture to Bill's parched throat. After finishing half of the water Harrison lowered the bottle and turned to look into Bill's pleading eyes.
Harrison grinned and held the bottle just above Bill's open mouth. "Remember, basic human rights don't apply to you," he taunted, then poured the remaining water over Bill's face.
Bill gasped at first then with his tongue lapped up what cold water he could reach. His heart stung and face burned at the sound of Harrison's laughter. Feeling no less thirsty than before Bill put his tongue back in his mouth. He wondered if Kryptos watched from the Mindscape and if his former friends now observed as spectators, laughing along with Harrison.
The group moved in silence through the woods save for the occasional crunched twig or leaf. Only natural light of the night sky lit their way.
Pacifica groaned that the rough terrain took a toll on her new boots which earned her an elbow in the ribs from Grenda. The blonde threatened to sue her just as Wendy held out a hand to stop everyone.
Just ahead stood the Mystery Shack. Outside lamps along with the lights on inside the house gave the eight a good view of the location from where they peered out from the trees.
On Gideon's cue Torrance and Candy moved on ahead. Before they departed the Gleeful residence Dipper handed over his vest and hat to Torrance. The other boy placed the hat atop the thick brown wig. Gideon's khaki pants were three sizes too big, which required Torrance to fasten his own belt to keep them from falling down.
Candy and Mabel had exchanged clothes back in the dressing room and it looked odd to see her favorite shooting star sweater on Candy's body. The smaller girl wore a wig styled in Mabel's fashion. (For her own comfort Mabel opted not to ask Gideon why he had that wig lying about his dressing room).
Candy and Torrance rushed towards the back entrance of the Mystery Shack. One of the agents caught onto their movement and shined the flashlight just as Candy reached for the doorknob.
"It's the kids!" he shouted.
As planned the two thirteen-year-olds jumped off the porch and headed for the woods in the opposite direction of where the rest of their crew waited.
"After them!" another agent ordered.
The remaining six watched as several agents and policemen headed out on foot while others climbed into their respective cars heading to block their exit.
"Alright, this is where we part ways," Gideon said in a low voice, just incase a few others lingered.
Mabel nodded for Grenda and Pacifica to head out towards the gnome village.
"Mabel," Gideon called. He took hold of her hand causing her to quickly turn. He stared down for a moment then inhaled a lungful of oxygen and courage. His blue eyes met with her hazel ones. "I just want you to know...I never meant for this to happen."
"Gideon, we have to go, they'll be back any minute," Dipper interrupted.
"If we don't come back alive, I need to know you forgive me," Gideon said.
"Gideon..." Mabel began. She pulled away from the younger. "We don't have time to waste."
Gideon watched the brunette flee from his view with Grenda and Pacifica running close behind. The white-haired boy straightened his bolo tie then turned to the other two members of his party. The three darted for the gift shop door.
Dipper peeked in through the window to find the exhibit hall vacant. He snuck in then beckoned for Wendy and Gideon to follow.
The place looked wrong with the vending machine crashed on the floor exposing the gaping hole that was the entrance to Ford's lab. There were muffled voices and sounds of movement from deeper in the basement. Dipper led the way to the staircase.
Just as they made it a few steps up a cop turned the corner yelling for them to halt. Wendy jumped off the steps and wrestled him to the ground. She grabbed a snowglobe from one of the shelves and bashed it over the man's head knocking him unconscious.
The redhead looked up to see the two boys had moved on ahead. She jumped back on the staircase and hurried after them, no longer bothering to hide the pounding of her heavy boots.
Dipper threw open the door to his bedroom to find it in disarray. He rushed over to his bed stripped of the sheets and blankets. He checked the shelf next to his bed to find his own journal missing.
Lying just a few feet away was the flashlight. He picked it up and turned it on, testing both sides of the light on a pen making sure it hadn't been broken.
The brunet turned to see Gideon stroking the sheets half hanging off of Mabel's bed. He pulled the photo album off of the floor and flipped through it. He opened to the page that read: Failed Summer Romances with a picture of what appeared to be a merman frowning next to a manatee. He lifted the photo to find a picture of his own scowling face. Gideon shut the photo album and with a sigh placed it on the bed.
"I really messed up," he said softly.
Dipper stared at the other boy, not sure what to say. Thankfully for him there wasn't time as the three heard shouting from the floor below.
"They found him," Wendy groaned.
"We have to get outta here," Gideon said.
Footsteps pounded up the stairs.
Dipper pushed open the window.
"I know you ain't serious," Gideon cried.
"You got a better idea?" Dipper argued.
Wendy pushed the dresser in front of the door.
"Yeah, if y'all hadn't broken my amulet," Gideon retorted.
The police and agents rammed against the door.
"There's gotta be something we can use for a parachute," Dipper said as he threw open the closet door.
"No time," Wendy cried and hurried to the window.
The men on the other side slammed the door a second time.
Wendy grabbed Gideon under one arm and threw Dipper on her back, ordering him to hang on. She climbed on the window ledge just as the police busted open the door. Three pushed the dresser away, causing a few to fall down.
Wendy jumped out the window and with her free arm grabbed ahold of the closest pine tree. The tree balked under the weight and Wendy hopped onto the next one that landed them on the ground. Dipper rolled off her back and gave her a high-five while Gideon fell onto his back.
"Let's go!" the redhead yelled and hoisted the smaller boy to his feet.
The three ran ahead, already hearing the sirens in the near distance.
Stan sat on the cot looking out through the bars. Next to him sat Soos with another man they both learned was named Roger who had been arrested for disturbing the peace stood just a little ways off from Soos. The lights had been turned off after Wendy left.
Many years in prison taught Stan to keep a straight face despite all the chaos brewing inside. However with Ford in isolation, Bill in some unknown location, and news of the kids' recent escape made the task much more daunting this go round.
From the corner of his eye Stan saw movement in the corner. Roger moved closer to Soos and slipped an arm around him.
"Let's make this quick," Roger whispered. "The old man there won't even hear us." He nodded at Stan then grinned a half toothless smile at the younger man.
"Dude, just leave me alone," Soos begged.
Stan cracked his knuckles and turned his face closer to the two.
"Don't fight it, you'll just wake up the cops," Roger said and nodded to where the guard dozed off with his hands around waist.
He grabbed Soos' arm and pushed him to the ground. Just as Roger lowered himself on top of Soos, Stan grabbed him by his collar and threw him up against the wall. Roger didn't have time to blink when a right hook bashed his jaw. Roger spit out a rotten tooth.
"You so much as look at him the rest of the night and I'll make sure you ain't got no teeth when ya leave here," Stan growled.
The guard woke with a snort and rubbed at his eyes. He turned on the lights and while scratching his belly groggily asked, "What's going on?"
"It ain't nothin'," Stan answered. "You're just havin' a bad dream."
The guard nodded and shut the lights back off. He sat back in his chair and within minutes fell back asleep.
Stan glared at Roger who moved over to the corner and sat down, keeping his eyes off the two men.
The door opened letting in a bit of light. Soos and Stan watched Sheriff Blubs enter with two cups of coffee in hand. It was odd to see him without the deputy by his side, but Durland had been assigned to help find the secret room in the Mystery Shack.
Blubs passed by the prisoners and moved on into his office, closing the door behind him. Abigail Powers sat in the swivel chair behind Blubs' desk. The sheriff sat one of the cups in front of the woman, grateful she couldn't see his glare behind the shades.
Blubs tilted the coffee cup towards his lips only for Abigail to snatch it right out of his hands.
"Just what do you think-" Blubs began.
"That's not for you," Abigail said and placed the styrofoam cup down next to hers.
"Oh? And who is it for?" Blubs asked trying his best to keep his temper under control.
"My husband," Powers answered. "He'll be here any minute." She clapped her hands. "I can't wait to see the look on his face when we put both those Pines behind bars."
"How 'bout next time a little warning before taking over my station," Blubs grumbled.
Abigail downed half her coffee then slammed the cup down on the desk. She reached across the desk and gripped Sheriff Blubs by the collar. The man yelled in alarm and cupped his hands around hers, only to make the mistake of looking directly into those fierce eyes.
"For thirty years you had dangerous criminals living in this town and did nothing to stop it," Abigail boomed. "Perhaps if you did your job correctly instead of treating this as a game, it wouldn't have gotten this far." She released the man causing him to fall in the chair in front of the desk. "Although the circumstances does make me question your involvement with the Pines, and perhaps bribery." She leaned back in the chair. "So either you cooperate or I'll have you looked into."
Blubs trembled. Too long in his career he had readily accepted bribes in exchange for throwing away misdemeanors. Stanley Pines himself was a repeat customer. It wouldn't take long for the woman sitting before him to find that out.
"Whatever you say, Mrs. Powers," Blubs said. "I can't wait to meet your husband."
Abigail smiled.
Before Blubs reached the door Abigail's phone rang. She answered with a smile, but quickly it vanished.
"Are you stupid!" Abigail shouted. She jumped to her feet causing Blubs to stumble out of the chair. "They're children! How can you let them outsmart you again?" She calmed her voice then ordered, "Only two people need to locate that room. Everyone else scour the town for them. I want them brought here to me within the hour."
The call ended and the phone dropped on the desk. She gripped at her bangs then let her glare fall on the sheriff who used the ledge of the desk to help him to his feet. He started at how quick she turned on him.
"You let Wendy Corduroy leave!" the redhead exclaimed.
"Her-her dad bailed her out," Blubs argued.
"She's involved with this case!" Abigail yelled and banged her fist on the desk. "None of them are allowed to leave for forty eight hours."
"She's a minor and..." Blubs began.
His mouth fell open as the woman approached. Despite her tiny frame he found himself backing against the closed door behind him.
The sheriff was rescued by a knock on the other side of the door. Abigail straightened the black tie in the center of her white collared shirt then turned the knob. Her scowl instantly transformed into a smile and she wrapped her arms around the man on the other side of the door.
Taking the other agent's hand in hers Abigail led the man Blubs recalled meeting just last summer. He looked a little grayer and had lost some weight, but he still held that same proud countenance.
"We did it, it's finally over," Abigail exclaimed. She clapped her hands in front of her face. "The Pines brothers are locked up, we located the lab, and have plenty of evidence to put them away for life."
Albert hummed. "So that portal was inside the shack all this time?" he asked.
Abigail sighed. "Unfortunately he's already dismantled it, but I have proof it existed," she said and picked up the folder that contained photocopies of the original photocopied pages. "And he told us the location of those illegal weapons."
Albert smiled for the first time in years and Abigail's heart fluttered. He put his hands behind her head and planted a kiss atop her forehead. Her chest felt like it would burst open at any moment.
"I made the correct decision choosing you," Albert said then turned away from his wife. He looked at Blubs. "Where is that trash Pines?"
"He's just out in the cell," Blubs answered and opened the door.
Albert shook his head. "I don't care about Stanley." His glare hardened. "I want to see Stanford."
Blubs stared at the taller man for a moment then slightly lowered his head and beckoned for the agent to follow him. The door opened and the two men exited leaving Abigail in the doorway.
Stan looked up from where he sat. For a moment his eyes met with Albert's, but the stoic man turned away and continued on to the darkened cell where the Pines man he wanted to greet waited.
"We're almost there," Mabel said to the other two girls. She stopped as they entered the gnome's section of the forest.
Pacifica shuddered at the thought of dealing with those creatures while Grenda stayed alert lest they be attacked. A few minutes passed in silence prompting Mabel to move further inside.
"Jeff!" she called. "Please, I need your help."
They were answered with silence. Pacifica noticed a bearded man watching her from a log and shrieked. The gnome scurried back inside the wood shelter.
"Please," Mabel tried again.
"You only come when you need something," said a familiar voice.
The three girls turned to see the scowling face of the gnome leader with his hands on his hips standing atop a stump. Slowly the forest lit up as gnomes carrying tiny torches surrounded the girls. Pacifica gulped and wished she had taken on the role of decoy with Torrence.
"Please," Mabel pleaded as she approached Jeff. She lowered herself to her knees so that they were on the same eye level. "My friend was kidnapped. They might be doing terrible things to him."
"What friend?" Jeff asked.
Mabel winced as she spoke Bill's name. The murmuring caused Pacifica's stomach to twist and Grenda to clench her fists.
Jeff scoffed, "Then our answer is no."
Mabel jumped up. "If we don't do something he might be killed!" she exclaimed extending her arms.
"Or worse," Grenda added.
"If you ask me, he got what he deserves," Steve called.
A chorus of "yeah's" followed his statement.
"Then you're all going to let an innocent man suffer?" Mabel cried.
"There's nothing innocent about that demon," Phil blurted.
"Good riddance," said Steve.
Half of the gnomes voiced their agreement.
She lowered her arms and balled her hands into fists. She looked into the faces of the diminutive creatures surrounding her. "He's powerless."
"Good, now he'll know how it feels to have someone tryin' to destroy him," Bernard spat.
"He's-he's not like that anymore," Mabel said. Her face heated up and her lip quivered.
Jeff gave her a look that questioned her statement.
"Please, I'm asking as a friend," Mabel said.
The gnomes whispered among themselves.
"I think it's foolish," said Bernard.
"I agree," added Steve.
"We should at least hear her out," Carson offered.
Mabel smiled at that gnome.
Jeff tapped his fingers over the inside crease of his elbow. He asked, "Let's say we did decide to help, what could we do?"
"I've seen how powerful you are together," Mabel said hoping flattery would win him over.
Jeff nodded. He looked over the rest of his people. A good number of them shook their heads. The rest spoke in unison, each word drowned out by the next.
The gnome leader turned back to the girl and said, "We'll have to discuss."
"There's no time to discuss," Mabel argued.
Grenda took hold of the smaller girl's arm and said, "We don't have a choice."
Mabel sat down on a log as the gnomes formed four circles of progressing length. Jeff stood in the smallest circle in the center while the other three circles surrounded that one.
"I don't like it," Bernard spoke. "That Bill's nothin' but trouble."
"And I've had enough of Mabel," said Ernest. "This friendship's one-sided."
"Yeah, when's the last time we ever got anything out of any of these deals?" Phil pointed out.
"Not even a thank you," said Handel.
Half of the other gnomes nodded in agreement.
Over on the log Mabel sat staring out hoping they agreed, otherwise all Bill suffered during wasted time would dwell on her forever. Beside her sat Grenda giving her sympathetic glances every few seconds. Pacifica stood to Mabel's right tapping her foot.
"What could they possibly be talking about for so long?" the blonde snapped. She stomped her foot against the dirt path. "Either yes or no, but stop wasting time."
"But she did come to us for help," Carson said once the murmuring lulled. "Are we really going to ignore her?"
"How often did she ignore us?" Ernest retorted.
"Shmebulock," said the gnome by the same name.
"He's got a point," Jeff said. He crossed his arms and sighed. "Her uncle did offer us shelter."
"Against that very thing she wants us to protect," Bernard replied.
"I say we let Bill get what he deserves," said Phil.
"I can't just let that happen," Carson argued. "He might be evil, but we can't let him just be tortured to death."
"He was going to do the same to us," Bernard argued. "But now the tables turned and he needs our help." He crossed his arms. "I say let him rot."
Hot murmurs both for and against Bernard's suggestion rose in volume.
"How about we take a vote," Jason offered before a riot erupted.
There was muffled conversation followed by unanimous agreement.
Meanwhile Mabel sat with her hands around her knees. She stared straight ahead trying to keep her brain from imagining the horrible tortures whoever had custody of Bill did to him that very moment.
"It's okay, Mabel," Grenda said with a forced smile. "We don't know where he is. He might just be in a separate prison."
"There are no separate prisons," Pacifica argued. "There's the holding cells at the station and the main jail."
"Well, maybe he's there," Grenda growled with a glare on the blonde. She took a quick glimpse at Mabel who merely nodded, although obviously tuning them both out.
Mabel reached her hand into her sweater pocket and pulled out the walkie-talkie Gideon was to contact her on as soon as they found out Bill's whereabouts. His reason was the agents were likely tracing any calls making to or from Mabel and Dipper's (and possibly Wendy's) phones.
The brunette looked back at the private deliberation before her. Whatever they decided they needed to quickly.
Ford stood against the door to the solitary cell. He had tried checking for weaknesses, fiddling with the lock, and ultimately kicking it down. Now he listened and waited for anyone to come to his aid. While the others were spared, he'd likely be locked up until his death.
How much it pained him to sacrifice the information, but it was the only way he was guaranteed the children's safety. The look in Abigail's eyes warned him that the twins would receive the same treatment as Bill the instant they were captured had he not. Bill could endure, but the kids were still fragile.
There was little chance he'd ever see his family or Bill again, but at least he had her word his boyfriend would be spared horrible tortures, despite having to spend the rest of his natural life in their custody. He recalled Alicia Remington's words that the bonded demon would not die of old age until their magic was spent. His stomach burned at the realization of just how long Bill might spend as a lab rat.
"I'm sorry, Bill," he whispered.
The author jumped back at the sound of the lock moving. He stood up straight and adjusted his clothes, ready to face whoever came through that door. Be it Abigail, the police, or Bill himself, he'd not falter.
The door opened to reveal a face he hadn't expected. Staring at him was the very man whose career he had ruined.
At the agent's command the lights turned on causing Ford to shield his eyes. The stoic man stepped inside and the door locked behind him.
"Stanford Pines," Albert Powers spoke. "The true Stanford Pines, I finally have the privilege of meeting you. Actually meeting you."
Ford stood quiet, a response that didn't surprise Albert. He moved closer and motioned for Ford to have a seat on the cot. The author declined with a shake of his head.
The agent took a good look at Ford's face. He couldn't understand why he didn't notice the near identical resemblance to Stanley when he first met him. All he could do was blame the effects of the memory gun.
"I'm going to make this quick," Albert said. "Thirty years ago my department first detected frequencies of your portal." He passed by Ford with his hands clasped behind his back. "I was a rookie then. However, since the waves were never detected again, and the men sent to investigate came up empty-handed, it was classified a fluke."
The agent stopped directly in front of Ford. He moved closer so that they only stood two feet away. So much displayed in that man's face reminded him of himself: someone who chased after something for so long only to have it ripped away. The stress, fatigue, and sacrifice that went into that task evident on his face, however grown bitter by never reaching its satisfying conclusion.
"And thirty years later those same readings return," Albert continued. "Your portal as you wrote about in your journal."
"That is correct," Ford said, as there was no use in hiding anything anymore.
"And it directly caused a casualty that nearly destroyed your town, and quite possibly the entire world?"
"Not quite," Ford corrected. Albert lifted a brow. Ford continued, "There is a barrier keeping them in Gravity Falls. I don't understand it, and I don't know what or who caused it."
"Then let's be thankful someone had the foresight to plan for your stupidity," Albert retorted.
The words stung, but Ford could only stare in silence. It was the very thing he thought after nearly letting Bill into his dimension during his younger years.
Albert cleared his throat then asked, "Aside from Bill, are there any other interdimensional concerns?"
Ford sighed and looked away. "There is," he answered. Albert motioned for him to continue. "Before July half of those creatures will return. I don't know how many more will be with them. We are currently searching for their weaknesses now but-"
"And you didn't this to be important enough to tell me before now?" Albert interrupted.
"What choice did I have?" Ford hotly replied. "If I did, I knew this is exactly what would happen." He threw up his arms. "You captured my brother and two other innocent people. My niece and nephew are in danger, and you locked away Bill to be tortured for my answers."
"I assure you no harm will come to the innocent," Powers replied.
Ford glowered. "Then explain why I had to witness Harrison rip out my boyfriend's eye?"
"Harrison?" Albert questioned.
Ford was stunned at the other man's question. He calmed and answered, "Aaron Harrison. He has Bill strapped somewhere and took his-
"I never suspected you to be callous," Albert interrupted. Again Ford was surprised at the agent's words. Albert glared at Ford. "Harrison was a dear friend of mine. Your attempts at humor are ill, even if I could express it. Even more, I don't understand how you found out."
"I...I don't find any of this funny," Ford said. "My boyfriend is being tortured. And all I have for peace is a promise your wife made to ensure he'd not be harmed." Ford paused for a moment then added, "Although, I'd suggest that if you want any success in defeating these monsters you release Bill."
"Why release their ally?" Powers inquired.
"He's not their friend anymore," Ford returned. "He wants nothing more than to see them destroyed...and they want the same thing for him."
"And you don't doubt he's lying?" the agent asked. "You wrote yourself he can't be trusted."
"I've seen inside his mind, I know the truth," Ford argued.
Albert thought for a moment. "To be frank, Mr. Pines, I believe you can't be trusted," he said. "We will keep an eye out for these invaders, just incase, but I'm certain the world will be better off with you behind bars."
Albert headed for the door.
"You're making a mistake!" Ford yelled.
"My only mistake was trusting your story last time," Albert said.
With that he left the cell. The lights turned out dousing Ford in darkness.
"Does everyone know the plan?" Gideon called to the group.
Everyone nodded and verbally confirmed their answer. The white-haired child looked over at the brunet boy who had been his greatest enemy the year before. Dipper handed over the flashlight to Nate. Everyone except for Lee stood in a line in front of the teenager.
Nate held the flashlight out before him and flipped to the pink crystal. The light enveloped the others and the two teenagers watched with gaping mouths as their friends shrunk down to four inches tall.
"Whoa, they look like mice," Lee said. He moved down to his knees to get a better look at his companions to see they were exactly the same just much smaller.
"Yeah, it's cool, but we ain't got time for gawkin'," Gideon barked.
The blond teen backed up surprised at how intimidating he could be at such a tiny size.
Lee picked up Fiddleford's three inch electric screwdriver and inserted it into a leather pouch. The teenager snugly attached the straps of the pouch around McGucket's shoulder. Fiddleford stumbled a bit, but quickly caught his balance.
"Should I shrink it some?" Nate asked.
"Bad idea," replied Fiddleford. "The head still needs to be able to fit."
Lee held his hand over his mouth and snorted. Nate chided his friend on being immature despite laughing himself.
A police officer headed across the parking lot to the door. Nate and Lee leaped behind a bush while the other seven waited for their entrance to open. Humming a tune the cop opened the door allowing the shrunken humans access to the station.
"Here's where we split up," Gideon whispered.
Thompson took hold of Charlotte's hand and they hurried off in the direction of the fuse box. Meanwhile Gideon and McGucket darted for the sheriff's office while the remaining three scurried down the hallway that led to the holding cells.
Wendy shuddered at the thought of having just left that horrible place only to be back two hours later.
Dipper skidded to a stop causing Wendy and Robbie to bump into him. Wendy fell backwards only for Robbie to catch her before she collided with the floor.
"We're going to need the key," Dipper said. He pointed to the sleeping officer who wore a set of keys on his belt loop.
"Right, and how we gonna get it, just ask him?" Robbie scoffed.
Wendy glared at her ex and stepped forward to grab onto a fold of the sleeping man's pants. Dipper grinned and the two climbed. The guard snored as they scaled the garment.
The two stopped when the guard snorted and mumbled something. His eyes fluttered open for a moment then he turned his head and fell back into slumber. Wendy and Dipper continued their excavation. The female reached the key ring first and wrapped her feet around the belt loop.
Four miniature hands grasped onto the ring and pulled. Dipper lost his footing and fell. Wendy reached out for him to late, her green eyes widened. Dipper grabbed onto one of the dangling silver key. His face blanched at the thought of how he nearly plummeted to his death.
Using the key ridges as a ladder Dipper pulled himself back up.
"It won't budge," Wendy said.
"We don't even know which one we'll need, we'll have to take the whole thing," said Dipper.
"How are we going to get it off?" the redhead asked.
Dipper searched his pockets to find them empty. Wendy grumbled at leaving her hatchet back home.
"Here, use this!" Robbie called. He thrust his shrunken pocket knife towards the two.
With her feet still encircled about the loop Wendy leaned backwards. She reached for the knife only for it to miss about an inch and fall back down. Robbie caught it then climbed up as Dipper made his way down. The two met halfway and Dipper tossed the knife up to the girl who had stood back up.
The blade sawed at the belt loop. The sliver of fabric released from the hem and the key ring fell along with Wendy. Dipper and Robbie grabbed onto the falling metal which brought them to the ground. The ring spun twice bumping Robbie up against the desk, Dipper on his belly, and Wendy on her side.
Dipper ignored the bruising on his stomach and rushed to help Wendy to her feet.
"Hey, you okay?" Robbie asked as he rushed over.
"I'm fine, you two, chill," the girl replied.
"Why do you care so much anyway?" Dipper asked halfway shutting his eyes.
"Look, I just been thinking," Robbie said holding out his hands in front of him. He scratched at his head. "If it is my kid, I don't want it damaged is all."
Wendy gave a skeptic look at figuring the previous nights incident had more to do with it.
Manly Dan threw open the door half drunk startling all four of the Corduroy kids. Mayor Cutebiker followed closely behind Dan as he had been the man's ride home.
"Wendy!" he roared. "Tell me it ain't true."
The girl stood at the mention of her name. She waited for her dad to elaborate, but he only repeated his question.
"He heard some unpleasant news at the bar," Tyler clarified. His face flushed and he lowered his head as he said, "About you being pregnant."
Wendy's heart sank.
"Dad," she said and slowly approached the massive man. "I...I was going to tell you."
"When?" Dan growled. "When I come home to see you cradlin' another child?"
"No, I...after summer," she said softly.
Dan stood silent for a moment. Wendy wished he would yell or growl out a punishment, anything beside standing there with that look of disappointment on his face.
"Must think I'm a fool," Manly Dan finally said.
"No, that wasn't it, I..." Wendy began. Her heart swelled as the man before her lost all trust in her. "I didn't want you to know until after summer."
The three younger children ducked out of the room, although the older two still listened behind the closed door.
"Was it that Valentino boy?" Dan snarled.
Wendy opened her mouth, but the words wouldn't form. She lowered her face and nodded.
Manly Dan clenched his fists. "And Janice and Greg said nothin'," he hissed.
"They don't know," Wendy replied. "Robbie, he...he's denying it's his." Wendy stared into her father's eyes, an exact match of hers. "But I swear he is. I'm not sleeping around."
"He don't wanna take responsibility?" Dan growled. He turned towards the door and opened it with a fist leaving a dent where he punched the wood.
"Dad, don't," Wendy cried.
"Daniel, I think you need to go to bed," Tyler suggested taking hold of the larger man's arm. "We can talk about this after you sobered up."
"Stay out of this," Manly Dan snapped at the mayor. He stomped up to his truck and threw the keys in the ignition.
"Dad, you can't drive like this!" Wendy cried.
"Daniel, please stop," Tyler begged.
Wendy opened the driver side door and begged for her father to switch places. After a stare off Dan shifted over into the passenger seat allowing his daughter to take the wheel. Wendy threw on her seatbelt then ordered through the rolled down window for Tyler to watch her brothers until her return.
The whole way Wendy continuously glanced over at her father hoping he'd pass out and they could save the discussion for a better time. However he kept his stare strong and ordered the girl to drive faster.
Wendy shuddered when she pulled into the parking lot for the Valentino Funeral Home. Dan wasted no time throwing off the seatbelt and stumbled out of his seat. He slammed the door then stomped on up the stairs. Wendy followed close behind and prayed that her dad didn't punch out whoever opened the door.
Manly Dan pounded on the door hard enough to make Wendy tense. She feared to look at potential damage he might have rendered to the door. Hurried footsteps approached and the door opened to reveal Greg Valentino staring dumbfounded at the two visitors.
"Is something wrong?" Greg asked.
"Where's that little sh- you call your son?" Manly Dan barked.
"I beg your pardon," Greg gasped.
Dan barged in through the entrance. Janice entered into the foyer to see the large, angry man searching the area.
"I'm sure this is all some big misunderstanding," Greg said. He put his hand on Dan only for the latter to pull away and glare at the smaller man.
"Greg, what's going on?" the woman asked.
"I think Robbie might've done something," Greg answered.
"Ain't no might've," Manly Dan growled. "He got my daughter knocked up and left her to fend for herself."
Janice gasped with her hand over her mouth.
"Oh dear," Greg said. He ushered the guests inside. "Please, come have a seat. I'll get Robbie." He called upstairs for their son to join them.
Robbie grumbled all the way down the stairs. He approached with the black hood over his head and his hands shoved into the pockets. He opened his mouth to deliver a smart comment when he noticed the other man in the living room. The teenager froze and muttered a swear under his breath.
"You!" Manly Dan growled and rose to his feet.
"Dad, please," Wendy begged.
Manly Dan sat back down as Robbie backed towards the door.
"Robbie, Mr. Corduroy here tells me some shocking news," Greg stated. "Are you aware Wendy is pregnant."
"Yeah," Robbie muttered.
"Is it your child?" his father questioned.
"Maybe, I don't know," Robbie spat. He heard Manly Dan's knuckles crack and it was only Greg's hold on his arm that kept him for bolting for his room.
"Robbie, you know it's you," Wendy said. "I haven't slept with anyone else."
"Wendy, everyone knows you're a sl-" Robbie blurted.
Janice gasped at the sound of that word leaving her son's mouth.
Manly Dan and Wendy jumped to their feet. They stopped at the sound of a loud slap. Robbie held his stinging face and Greg lowered his hand, his blood boiling.
Greg adjusted his glasses and said, "I've never been more ashamed in my life." He turned to Manly Dan and with a smile said, "I'm sorry for all of this, Mr. Corduroy." He glared in Robbie's direction then smiled back at the visitor. "I promise I'll take care of it."
Manly Dan cooled down enough to accept the other man's apology. Janice led him and Wendy to the front door leaving Greg alone with Robbie.
"Robert Stacy, I am appalled and embarrassed," Greg said. He ceased speaking and took a deep breath to keep the anger from spilling over. "I've let you get by with too much and this is the result."
Robbie, still in shock that his father actually slapped him, didn't dare speak.
"You are not a child anymore," Greg continued. "It's time you step up and start acting like a man. I will not tolerate that kind of behavior again. That girl is possibly carrying your child." He turned his back on his son. "If I hear of you abandoning your child again, you can find somewhere else to live."
Dipper decided not to ask any more on the subject. Although he did hope that Wendy had the sense not to let Robbie's change in attitude persuade her to go back to him.
"Alright, we need to carry this over to the cell," Dipper said.
He grunted as he picked up a section of the metal ring. Wendy and Robbie assisted with lifting. The three slowly moved the object away from its owner. One of the keys fell backwards and clang on the ground.
Just then the guard arched his back then stretched his arms. He yawned and shook his head. The three abandoned the key ring and darted under the desk just as the guard looked down.
"Oh man, my keys," he said in a drowsy tone. "That'a been bad if someone'da picked it up." He yawned again then went to hang the ring back on his pants. The guard noticed the torn loop and shook his head. "Musta ripped it on the door," he said to himself.
He clasped the key ring to the loop on the other side of his pants and gave the cells a once over. Seeing no movement he headed for the break room stretching his arms above his head.
"Great, now what?" Robbie grumbled.
"We'll think of something," Dipper replied.
Just then the lights went out.
"Of all the timing," Robbie groaned.
Thompson and Charlotte had completed their portion of the mission.
"Soos, get up," Stan called. He stepped up against the door. "It's a blackout, now's our chance."
"Mr. Pines, I think this is a bad idea," Soos protested while Stan searched his pockets for something he could use to pick the lock. "If we run we'll look guilty."
"We are guilty," Stan retorted. "Dammit, I got nothin'." He turned towards the outline of the younger man. "You got your screwdriver on ya?"
"They took everything," Soos replied. "Says they'll give it back when I'm released."
Soos recalled the sorrow in his grandmother's voice when he called her from the station phone. She had no money for bail, but he assured her it was all a mistake and he'd be released in two day's time.
"Grunkle Stan," Dipper called from below.
"Whoa! Did you hear that?" Stan asked and put his hand up to his ear.
"Down here!" Dipper yelled.
Robbie and Wendy joined in with the shouts.
Stan lowered himself to his knees and squinted behind his glasses.
The lights turned back on causing everyone to shield their eyes for a moment. Stan looked down to see the miniature version of his nephew along with Wendy and Robbie standing outside the cell.
"Dipper?" Stan asked. "What happened to you?"
"No time to explain, we have to get you out of here," Dipper said.
"We think Bill might be in real danger," Wendy explained.
"Dudes, maybe you can sneak up on the guard and steal the key under his nose," Soos exclaimed.
"Uh, we kind of just did...and failed," Dipper replied.
"No time for keys," Stan said with a dismissive wave. "Any of you kids got somethin' to pick a lock?"
"I have just the thing!" Dipper cried. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the President's Key. Unfortunately it was way too small now to fit into the lock.
Robbie handed over the tiny pocket knife. Stan scrutinized the weapon for a moment then figured it was worth a try. He plunged the knife into the lock and listened for the click. Soos wrung his hands as he knew in his heart this was the wrong choice. Roger also closed in, his hands clasped in hopes the door would open.
The lock clicked and with a large grin Stan threw it open. Roger cheered and pushed by the old man. Soos scooped up the three teenagers in his hands. Stan and Soos with the three shrunken members of their team in hand fled the cell.
"What if they come lookin' for us?" Soos asked.
"I don't think they will for a while," Wendy replied with a smug grin.
Lee and Nate waited in the bushes just outside the police station. Thankfully most of the officers were out scouring the town for the Pines twins and Wendy, so there weren't many people going in and out of the entrance.
The pan in Lee's hands had grown cold, but he hoped that those inside were okay with eating the dessert at room temperature.
"Man, how long's it take the pull the breaker?" Nate groaned.
"It's Thompson, he probably doesn't know how," Lee joked. He laughed for a moment then sighed.
Not a minute later did Thompson and Charlotte flip the switch darkening the station. The teens nodded at each other then rushed inside.
Nate used the flashlight on his phone to illuminate the shadowed interior. They passed by the bathrooms then shone the light on the next door. He smiled at his friend then pushed open the break room door.
The limited light source showed a basic outline of a few chairs, a table, a kitchenette and a small television. Soft snoring alerted them that one of the officers slept in the recliner.
Sucking on his top lip, Lee slowly and quietly placed the pan on the table. He winced at the slight noise then looked over in the slumbering man's direction. He let out a sigh of relief and backed into his friend. Lee yelled out and Nate grasped his shoulder and clamped a hand over his mouth. Lee's heart raced as he recognized the face of the person who grabbed him.
Nate shut off the light and the two hurried out of the break room. They only managed two feet when the lights turned back on. The two teenagers halted at the command of a loud voice behind. The two looked at each other and slowly turned their heads.
It was an older woman with a stern face. She started towards them. Lee locked eyes with Nate who nodded in response. Lee mouthed "one"..."two"... Before he reached three the two bolted for the door. The policewoman yelled for them to stop and ran after them. By the time she reached the door they had already disappeared from sight. With Powers having most of their force out scouring the town for the Pines twins, there wasn't time or bodies available to chase after two delinquent teens.
She made her way to the break room where two others entered ahead discussing the strange power outage. The policeman who reset the fuse box followed after. The noise woke the previously snoozing man. The five noticed the pan of brownies resting on the table. The female pulled back the aluminum foil.
"Who brought this?" she asked.
"Probably Durland," the youngest in the group suggested. "He's always bringing everyone treats."
She shrugged and accepted a plate from her colleague who had restored power. The plates were passed around and the female cut a generous slice for everyone in the room. She and the man who had just been sleeping sat down in the chairs. The youngest officer sat on the table, one stood over by the stove, and the last leaned against the wall. They delighted in the sweet treat they credited to Durland.
Due to their small height it took close to ten minutes to locate the office. Gideon and Fiddleford pushed the cracked door open and slipped through the narrow entry. Laughing, Fiddleford scaled the metal legs of the chair and helped his huffing, red-faced partner. Out of breath, Gideon thanked the older man who pulled him onto the seat of the chair. Gideon sat down for a moment while Fiddleford moved on ahead to the main computer.
Once he caught his breath, Gideon followed where Fiddleford had fled. The engineer had already moved on to the back of the CPU while Gideon faced the monitor straight ahead set on screensaver where the gold letters that read: Gravity Falls Police Department bounced back and forth across the blackened screen.
Fiddleford threw off the heavy pouch and let out a sigh of relief. He massaged his shoulder for a second or two, then picked up the tool. He grunted and took a few deep breaths as he positioned the screwdriver in place. He felt the weight lessen and looked over his shoulder to see Gideon's arms struggling to hold the tool up. Sweat poured down his face.
Once the head was secure McGucket pressed the trigger and with the help of Gideon they guided the first screw out of the locked compartment. The screw clanged against the table and rolled ahead, stopping at the back of the keyboard.
Fiddleford lifted the bottom of the screwdriver then urged Gideon to move on to the second screw. The eleven-year-old groaned, but complied. He dropped the tool when they arrived to their destination. Gideon held his hands on his knees taking deep breaths.
"Mabel-Mabel better appreciate this," Gideon said in between breaths.
"Ya really like 'er don'tcha?" Fiddleford asked with a smirk as he positioned the screwdriver against their second and final screw.
Gideon smiled. He stood up. "'Course I do, but she don't like me back," he lamented. Gideon wiped at his sweating forehead. "I tried to make things better, but only made 'em worse."
Fiddleford pressed the trigger and the second screw fell on the table, just missing his foot. He lifted the door exposing the interior of the CPU.
"I gots this, you go on to the front," Fiddleford instructed.
Gideon obeyed. He moved over to the keyboard and stepped on the space bar. The screensaver disappeared showing the welcome page requesting a password. Meanwhile Fiddleford moved a few wires around inside.
About a minute later he called to Gideon, "Okay, it's voice recognition!"
Gideon smiled. He spoke out an override code he had learned a little over a year ago. The combination allowed him access to the main computer for a total of five minutes. Afterwards the computer would crash. Gideon muttered under his breath for the aged computer to hurry. By the time it loaded the countdown on the bottom right of the screen showed three minutes and forty two seconds.
"Pines case," Gideon said. Thirty files popped up. "Stanford Pines," he clarified. The list narrowed down to twenty two. Gideon huffed. The countdown showed three minutes and ten seconds. "Bill Cipher," he said.
Only one file remained. Gideon grinned then ordered the file to open. Within the once password-locked folder resided fourteen documents. Gideon scanned the titles until he found one named Journal and the other Bill. He looked from one to the other and demanded to open Journal.
Images from the journals, including some he recognized from the one he used to be in possession of loaded on the screen. He stared at the photocopy of the page instructing how to summon Bill Cipher and his heart swelled. All the torment and destruction that occurred last summer was due to him seeking petty revenge on a family.
The child narrowed his eyes. A part of him wondered why he went to all this trouble to help someone who only caused misery for thousands of years. A quick glance at the screen reminded him he had two and a half minutes to find what he needed.
Perhaps he could tell Mabel that he simply ran out of time. Surely she couldn't hate him for an accident.
"Gideon, everything okay?" McGucket asked as he rounded the monitor.
Gideon took a sharp breath. He stared at the old man for a moment then smiled before returning his attention to his task at hand. He had two minutes and four seconds left.
"This folder won't help us," Gideon said. He instructed the computer to go back. With his voice he opened the folder titled Bill. Inside were thirty two documents on the demon himself.
Gideon ordered the screen to scroll to the bottom. In the last document it detailed that Bill had been taken into custody by an agent Aaron Harrison. Finding no phone number or other means of contacting Harrison, Gideon pulled up a directory.
Gideon spoke the name of the agent and waited for it to slowly load. His stomach jumped at the sight of having less than a minute to go.
The directory loaded the information page and Gideon paled at the sentence following Harrison's name, address, number, and unit. It read: Agent Aaron Harrison, deceased August 2008.
Fiddleford stepped closer to Gideon. "What's wrong? You done look like you seen a ghost."
Gideon pointed to the screen. "If it ain't a ghost, then Bill's not with who they say he is," the child replied.
"He's gotta be around here somewhere," Stan said as they ran through the hallway.
The hallway turned and Stan skidded to a stop to avoid slamming his face against a wall. Soos bumped into him causing him to throw up his hands. The handyman gasped when he realized his three friends flying in the air. He reached out and caught Dipper and Robbie. Wendy slipped through his fingers. The girl grabbed onto his wrist then climbed back up where the other two sat disoriented.
The conman looked both ways and grinned at finding no one around. He beckoned for Soos to follow.
"Jackpot," Stan called when he found the solitary cell. He pulled at the door then grumbled at his initial hope failing. He pounded on the door. "Hey, Sixer! You in there?"
Immediately Ford rushed to the door.
"Stanley," he yelled back. "How are you...?"
"The kids here are geniuses," Stan replied. "Now stand back, I'm gonna bust you out."
Ford followed his brother's instructions. Soos and the teenagers expected Stan to break down the door. Instead he reached into his shirt and pulled out the ID badge he stole off the desk. He pressed the bar code against the machine and after two seconds of reading showed a green light and the lock unlatched. Stan grasped the handle and pulled it open, releasing his brother.
A quick round of smiles were all the greetings they had time for as soon after they turned to head back for the exit. As soon as they reached the end of the hallway they all stopped at the sight of the last person they wanted to see blocking their exit.
With crossed arms and a heeled shoe out in front, Abigail spoke, "It's the end of the line."
And end chapter. There were originally going to be at least two more scenes, but I'll save them for the next chapter, this one is already lengthy enough. Yes, a lot happened here, but I hope it was all interesting, suspenseful, and with some good twists. Bill will have more of a role in the next chapter.
Again, Happy Summerween to everyone.