I know these chapters are short some stuff needs to happen like everyone getting caught up to speed with each other (the characters I mean).

Kudos and comments welcome!!!

Chapter Text

The Woodsman sat in his chair on the porch of the mill, enjoying the quiet day. His daughter was resting and he heard The Bluebird family left to check on their eldest daughter far off on the border of the town of vegetables.

Hours and a few cups of tea later, as dusk approached, he felt a chill run down his spine. The action caused him to grasp his axe tightly, walking cautiously off the porch as his eyes scanned to see what was wrong.

A baritone hum immediately had his eyes focused on The Beast, who was humming joyfully, fog coming to claim the night and hide the shadows ready to swallow lost souls. With an angered huff, The Woodsman perched his axe on his shoulder, ready to strike at any moment. "What is your business here?"

The Beast chuckled. "Can I not see an old friend?"

The Woodsman's face pinched. "You lost that right when you tricked me for all those years! Now, answer me, Beau!"

The Beast shrugged, tilting his head as the shadows melted to reveal his more Human facade. His hands were folded neatly behind his back. "Very well, since I'm in a pleasant mood, I'll behave. Have you seen my son?"

The Woodsman lowered the axe, looking Beau up and down suspiciously. "No. He doesn't show himself much these days. Why?"

Beau shrugged again, though his smile grew. "The Cloud Woman."

A look of confusion crossed the old man's face. "What about her?"

Moving one hand from behind his back, Beau approached slowly, a worn rope hanging from his index finger. It wasn't the rope that caught The Woodsman's eyes. It was the small wooden and glass lantern attached to it, swaying lightly in the breeze.

The Woodsman was silent and hesitant, until he saw the small blue flame flickering weakly against the wick. He looked to Beau, trying to see what he was getting at. With a chuckle, Beau closed his eyes, putting one hand to his ear, as if to listen closely for something.

The Woodsman jumped out of his skin, a wave of cold washing over him at the sound of an agonized scream. His head moved about, unsure where it was coming from. "What on this earth?"

"That…" Beau began, holding the small lantern in his claws, looking at it almost softly, "would be my son. He doesn't sense his lantern, so he is losing the sliver of sanity he has. So young, that boy." He shook his head, the expression on his face could only be described as a cat playing with a mouse.

The Woodsman gulped. "As long as his brother is-" it clicked as he didn't see The Beast's lantern on Beau's being. "Where is the younger brother?"

Beau ignored him, continuing to gently caress the lantern. "I'm simply cleaning up my son's mistakes. That stupid Cloud Woman doesn't realize how much she's assisted me in such."

The Woodsman looked to the small lantern and Beau. "What are you planning?"

The shadows crawled back to encase Beau. "My child will never starve as long as he follows his Fate."

With Grunkle Ford's assistance, they were able to get both Greg and Beatrice patched up, though Grunkle Ford found it difficult to not bombard them with questions regarding their physical states and what Greg was, as he'd seen the curse. "All done." He grunted, patting Greg's head.

Greg smiled. "Thank you."

The women stood a bit awkwardly, unsure how to approach their situation. Paz took a deep breath. "Greg. What were you doing in that storm? You could've gotten hurt much more than you are." She hadn't meant to begin scolding him so she covered her mouth. "Sorry."

Greg turned to face the women as Grunkle Ford set Beatrice some place warm and safe for her to recover. "How could you forget us?" He didn't look angry, just sad and hurt.

"We hadn't meant to! We woke up and couldn't remember anything. We tried…but nothing." Mabel cut in, guilt written all over her face. She went and hugged Greg tightly. "I swear we would've never forgotten you on purpose. If we remembered, we would've tried getting to you guys."

Paz joined in only when Mabel gave her a pointed look. "You're safe now."

Greg basked in their warmth, knowing it must've been Wirt's fault that they'd forgotten. He had truly tried pushing The Pines away as far as he could. He couldn't understand his brother's thought process sometimes. "I'm okay now." He lied through a smile.

Hours later, Mabel and Paz set Greg in their room to sleep, Beatrice perched near him as well as the lantern he refused to release. They knew that lantern and didn't like it was there. They still had plenty of questions, but wanted to let him rest.

"Haven't heard from Dip yet." Mabel brought up around a cup of Mabel Juice and some cake.

Paz shrugged opposite the table of her. "Don't worry too much about him." She messed around with finance sheets to distract herself, though it barely worked.

The devil spoke as Dipper rushed in from the rain, slowly falling with his back against the door, his breathing quick and tears mixed with rain falling down his cheeks. He quickly tossed his soaked hat and buried his face in his hands, letting out a shuddering sob.

"Dipper?" Mabel walked over. Her eyes went from concerned to soft understanding. "You remember now too, BroBro?"

Dipper nodded, not wanting to look up. He made a questioning noise in his throat.

Mabel nodded. "Yeah. We remembered when we bumped into Greg-" she was cut off by Dipper grabbing her arms, looking her in the eyes.

"Greg's here?!" He yelled, looking around.

"Shush! And yes. He's sleeping right now but Paz n I can fill you in. Let him sleep." Mabel added, seeing how Dipper kept glancing up the stairs.

He nodded and then shook his head, finally able to gather himself. "Okay. Okay. I'm good now. Sorry."

"It's fine, Drama Queen." Paz cut in, shaking a bag of coffee grounds to get the twins to the kitchen.

Dipper was going to strangle Wirt when he saw him again. He scrubbed his hands against his face. "I should've caught on." He muttered.

"There's no time for that bullshit. We just have to figure out where Wirt is now. He'd never leave Greg for long." Paz snipped, looking for batteries for a few flashlights on the counter.

"Hold on, hold on. Paz, my sweet nacho earring," Mabel cut in, trying to lead a sleep deprived Paz back to the seat, "it's still dark and stormy out. We'd just end up hurt. Greg's been through a lot and I think our first priority should be him. Wirt would want that. Now we're all exhausted after everything, not just the storm, so let's rest, let's let Greg rest, and we can pick up again with a super packed breakfast and when everyone has their thoughts gathered!" Mabel ruffled Dipper's hair as she pulled Paz with her.

Dipper sighed, standing too. "If he's in your room, I'll take him."

Mabel nodded as Dipper followed them.

It was easy lifting Greg, taking the damned lantern with, knowing Greg would feel better with it in sight. Dipper made sure Greg was wrapped up tightly and he curled around him protectively, his eyes not leaving the flickering of the lantern.

Within his chest, he could feel his anger growing. It wasn't just anger, but feelings he wasn't sure how to let out properly. Was Wirt safe? Was he near? Dipper's face scrunched as he held Greg closer, a few tears filled with flecks of gold falling onto the sleeping boy's cheek.