Dipper was awake when Beithe got up at her usual ungodly hour. What sleep he had been able to get, after Fenris had visited and thoroughly shamed him, was fitful and restless. He felt like the worst brother in all the realms. Mabel had been suffering, and he hadn't noticed. He hadn't spent enough time with her to be able to notice.

Dipper stood up off the sofa, and wandered into the kitchen, where Beithe was preparing her morning coffee. He ran a hand through his hair, causing it to stick up in clumps, and sighed. Beithe turned around, her eyebrows arched in surprise.

"You're up early," she commented. "You look like hell," she added as an afterthought.

Dipper smiled wryly. "Thanks, that's the look I was going for." He eyed the coffee brewing in Beithe's French press with longing. "There wouldn't be enough in there for me to have a cup, would there?"

Beithe grinned. "I always make more than I need," she said, as she opened the cabinet and grabbed another mug. "Is something on your mind?"

Dipper pulled a chair out from the kitchen table and sat down with a thump.

"Fenris blipped in to see me in the middle of the night," he said.

"Oh?" said Beithe, her back turned to Dipper as she poured steaming black coffee into two mugs. "You take cream or sugar?"

"Uh, yes. Lots of both, please," said Dipper sheepishly. He'd always considered taking one's coffee black to be a mark of maturity. Now that he was a god of mischief, he doubted he'd ever be mature enough to take his coffee black.

Beithe turned around and plunked Dipper's caramel-colored brew in front of him before sitting down on the opposite side of the table so she could face him. She held her coffee in both hands, and blew on it for a moment before taking a slow sip.

Dipper did the same. When he looked up from his cup, he noticed Beithe staring at him intently.

"Well?" she asked.

"It's really good," said Dipper.

"Not the coffee, genius, but thanks," said Beithe with a grin exactly like Wendy's. "You said something about Fenris blipping over here last night, and you seemed upset—what's going on?"

"Oh, I did, that," said Dipper, his cheeks warm. "Apparently I'm a horrible brother. Fenris told me Mabel's cried herself to sleep almost every night since we've been back from the Green Realm. She's been miserable, and I haven't noticed. Hell, I haven't been around her enough to notice."

Beithe frowned, and took another slow sip of coffee before responding. "Miserable how, exactly?"

"Well, the thing Fenris seemed most worried about is that Arden is pushing Mabel too hard in her training." He sighed, and stared down at his coffee, ashamed. "I was actually supposed to have already spoken to her on that subject, but I got sidetracked…with the handfasting and everything… and I forgot."

"Pushing her too hard in what way?" asked Beithe. "I've been friends with Arden for centuries. She is a goddess of the sacred wild, and of the hunt—she is not malevolent. If she is pushing your sister in her training, I'm sure it is not without reason."

Dipper looked up from his drink, and met Beithe's eyes.

"Beithe, both Soos and Fenris have told me that Mabel comes home from her trainings exhausted and coveredin bruises. Arden doesn't let her wear any type of protective gear. Soos said that he's heard Mabel sobbing in the shower when she thought no one could hear her. Arden makes her train every day—doesn't give her a day of rest."

Beithe looked away from Dipper, and took another drink of coffee. Dipper frowned. He wasn't sure he was really getting through to Beithe, as she had never been a human herself. He sighed, and continued.

"Mabel isn't a goddess like you or Wendy… she's human, and only thirteen years old, to boot. Imagine someone treating Wendy like that when she was younger, and hadn't come into her godhood yet. Or treating your human sons like that."

Beithe frowned, her brow furrowed. "Yes, it does sound like she is being a bit tough on your sister. But Dipper, I'm not sure there is anything you can do about that. Mabel is Arden's protégé. She is training to be her priestess. It is not looked upon kindly for a god or goddess to meddle in the training or education of another god's mentee."

"Beithe, you said it yourself—you've been friends with Arden for centuries!" said Dipper, desperation clear in his voice. "Can't you come with me to the Gravnemeta and help explain why she can't keep running Mabel ragged the way she has been? Please?"

Beithe heaved a sigh, and gave Dipper a small smile. "You realize no matter what we say, we can't forceArden to change the way she's doing things, right?"

Dipper grinned. "So you'll come with me? I want to go soon, before Mabel gets there for her training today."

Beithe nodded, and drained her coffee mug, then got up and placed it in the sink.

"Yes, Dipper, I'll go with you. Just let me go get changed out of my pajamas. Be ready to blip in five."

Dipper gave her a thumbs up, and downed the rest of his sweet, now-lukewarm coffee in two gulps. He knew they'd be able to help Mabel. Arden was one of the good guys. She had to listen to reason.

/

Cold, gray light was just beginning to touch the treetops surrounding the Gravnemeta when Dipper and Beithe blipped over.

"Hello Beithe, Dipper. It is a bit early for visiting, is it not?" said Arden, who appeared directly in front of them, her arms folded across her chest. She was in her full goddess form, antlers sticking up through her windswept mass of black curls.

"I'm afraid this isn't a social call, Arden," said Beithe. "Dipper?"

Dipper glanced over at Beithe with a scowl. He had hoped she'd do most of the talking, since she knew Arden best. Beithe didn't make eye-contact with Dipper, but the corners of her mouth twitched slightly.

"You have something to say to me, kid?" said Arden, raising an eyebrow.

"Kid. Ha…be-because goat…" Dipper trailed off. He suddenly didn't know what to do with his hands. Without meaning to, he conjured a pair of fluffy mittens onto them. Beside him Beithe began to cough, in an attempt to disguise the giggle that she'd let slip.

Dipper shrugged. "So I have mittens now. That's… something."

"Yes, that shade of pink really suits you," said Arden tersely. "Now what do you want?"

"Oh, yeah," said Dipper uncomfortably, pulling the mittens off. "So you've been kind of pushing Mabel really hard and she's miserable and I think you should be nicer to her and not beat her up so bad and let her have more rest and some armor maybe?"

Arden stared at the satyr in front of her, seeming to take a moment to process what he'd said. Her face was unreadable as she turned to Beithe.

"Do you think I'm being too hard on Mabel?" Arden asked her old friend, the tone of her voice as unreadable as her countenance.

Beithe scratched the back of her head and shrugged. "The little Norse puppy-god seems pretty sure you're being too hard on her," she said slowly, "and Soos told Dipper that Mabel comes home covered in bruises, and that he hears her crying in the shower."

Arden stared at Beithe for a moment, then turned back to Dipper. "You dorealize what I am training your sister for, right? You know what she is up against?"

"Uh…" Dipper faltered, wondering if it was a trick question. "Creatures invading the Gravnemeta from other realms?"

Arden nodded. "Creatures, yes. But also gods. Gods from pantheons even more ancient than ours. Vengeful gods, who are bitter that humanity has all but forgotten them. Believe it or not, Dipper, not all gods are as nice as those of us from the Green Realm. In fact, I am surprised that mangy Norse whelp has not turned on you yet."

Dipper stared down at his hooves, as what Arden said sunk in.

"You alright, Dip?" asked Beithe, laying a warm hand on his shoulder. Dipper nodded mutely, then looked back up at Arden, fire in his eyes.

"Vengeful gods," he said quietly. "You want my sister—my humansister—to fight vengeful gods?"

"You see now why I am—"

"Arden," Dipper said, cutting her off. "You're going to get Mabel killed! You know mortals can't kill gods. Why don't you do what Puck did for me, and make her a god, to give her a fighting chance?"

"As an elder god, as well as the Green Man's brother, Puck has more freedom than most gods when it comes to bestowing the gift of godhood," explained Arden with a sigh. "I cannot just transform Mabel into a goddess all willy-nilly. She has to prove herself worthy."

"But she might have to fight gods!" cried Dipper. "She can't very well prove herself worthy if she's dead."

Dipper looked at Beithe for back-up, but she held up her hands and shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Dipper, but what she says is true—lesser gods can't… 'godify' mortals the way Puck did for you." Beithe paused and winced at her unintentional rhyme, before continuing. "Not unless they do something big and heroic—something that proves that their character transcends their mortality."

"Dipper, you seem to think my intention is to train Mabel and then just leave her here to defend the Gravnemeta on her own," said Arden, her hands on her hips. "That is simply not the case. She will help me, but I will be with her. I am not going to just leave her by herself when the entire mundane realm is threatened."

"Oh," said Dipper.

Arden smirked. "Feel better?"

"Sort of?" said Dipper, rubbing the back of his neck. "But what about her always being bruised and stuff?"

"What about whoalways being bruised and stuff?" said Mabel, emerging from the trees behind Arden. She was wearing black leggings and a hot pink tank top, her hair hanging loose around her shoulders. "You're not talking about me, are you, Dipper?"

"Woah, I didn't hear you coming!" said Dipper, chuckling nervously.

"Good," she replied, without smiling. "Moving silently through the woods is something Arden has been teaching me. What are you doinghere Dipper?" She glanced at Beithe. "And you, too, why are either of you guys here?"

"Um, I'm trying to be a good brother, I guess," said Dipper. "Because you're always so tired and miserable and bruised and I think Arden might be working you too hard…" He trailed off slowly at the look of anger on his twin's face.

"How would you know?" she spat. "It's not like I've seen you for more than like fifteen whole minutes since the day you came back from the Green Realm."

Told yousaid Fenris smugly, from somewhere out of sight.

Dipper's eyes darted around the edge of the clearing, looking in vain for his friend, who was hidden among the trees. He then turned to Beithe and Arden, to see if they had heard the Norse god of destruction in their heads. Neither gave any indication that they had.

"Look, Mabel, I'm sorry," Dipper said as he turned back to his sister, breaking the awkward silence. "I just—I didn't realize that—"

"Don't worry about it," Mabel interrupted coldly. "I don't need your help. What I need is to get started training. You should leave."

Dipper flinched, as if Mabel had slapped him. He opened his mouth to say more, but Beithe gently touched his shoulder, the air pressure around him changed, everything went momentarily dark, and he found himself back in the Corduroy's living room.

"I'm sorry to have blipped you away so abruptly, Dipper," said Beithe. She sat down on the sofa and patted the seat beside her. Dipper sunk down into it wordlessly and stared at his hands.

"I was worried that you were just going to end up arguing with Mabel," continued Beithe. "You'd already said your piece to Arden. Now it is up to her as to whether she will heed your words in regards to your sister's training regimen."

Dipper sighed and ran his fingers through his unkempt hair. "I really screwed things up. I mean, Mabel's always been…I've seen her act like that to otherpeople before, but never me. That look she gave me—that's always been reserved for kids who would bully me in school. She always got them to stop somehow… I never figured out her trick."

"So what you're saying, is that Mabel is a protector," said Beithe. "Your sister has always looked after you."

"Well, yeah…I guess," said Dipper slowly. "I mean, we looked after each other…"

"This is how I see it," said Beithe, lightly grabbing Dipper's chin to turn his head toward her. "You're a god now. Immortal. Capable of magic. Mabel doesn't need to protect you anymore. But she still has the protector's instinct—that's most likely what drew Arden's attention to her. Mabel wants to make sure that all her family and friends are safe, and Arden has offered her training to be able to do that. She seems to be taking it very seriously. Dipper, you should allow her this."

Dipper leaned his head back against the couch and closed his eyes. "But what if she gets hurt?"

"I think she's aware of what could happen to her. Arden doesn't mince words. That's not her style," said Beithe, a small smile playing at her lips. "The best thing you can do for your sister now is to be there for her. Remind her she's not alone in all this. Be the brother she deserves."

Dipper nodded mutely. A loud clatter from the kitchen made them both jump.

"Looks like the Corduroy clan awakens," said Beithe, grinning. She patted Dipper on the knee, and got up, headed toward the kitchen.

Dipper stayed in his seat, staring at his hands again, lost in thought.

/

Fenris was pleased to see that Arden had at least listened to Dipper on one account—as he watched quietly from the shadows of the forest, Arden presented Mabel with a hooded, sleeveless, fitted black leather cuirass, as well as matching bracers and greaves.

Fenris crept forward to better hear what Mabel and Arden were saying.

"This isn't because of Dipper, is it?" asked Mabel softly, as she laced up the front of the cuirass. "You don't have to listen to him—I'm fine."

Arden smiled. "I had actually already planned to give you the armor today anyway. Even though leather armor is considered 'light,' it is heavier than the practice clothing you are accustomed to." She knelt to help Mabel lace up her greaves. "I wanted you to gain strength before I gifted you the armor, because wearing it will be tiring and uncomfortable—at first. But I think you are strong enough now to work through any fatigue the armor may cause."

"Oh," said Mabel, her cheeks turning pink. "You think I've gotten stronger?"

"Do not act so humble," Arden said with a chuckle. She gripped Mabel's left bicep. "Flex."

Mabel's ears reddened, but she did what she was asked.

"You are quite a bit more solid than you were a month ago," said Arden. "Your stamina is better too." She stood up, and planted both fists on her hips. "I think you are ready."

Fenris cocked his head to the side. Ready for what? Surely Arden didn't plan on leaving Mabel to protect the Gravnemeta alone.

Mabel's voice echoed Fenris's concern. "Ready for what, exactly?"

"This," said Arden. She held out her hands, and a long polearm with a wickedly sharp-looking sword attached to the end of it appeared in her grasp. "The glaive."

/

Mabel arrived back at the Mystery Shack a bit later than usual, sweaty and disheveled, but grinning at the antics of the shaggy black puppy darting around her feet. She was still wearing her new armor, and her glaive was slung over her shoulder, the sword on its end wrapped in heavy, red wool fabric, tied on with a white ribbon.

She pushed the back door to the house open, and called out. "Grunkle Ford, I'm home! Sorry I'm late, I—"

She stopped short, as Pacifica swept in quickly from the gift-shop with her finger to her lips.

"Ixnay on the odsgay!" she muttered, and glanced behind her to the tall, bespectacled young man following her through the door, who raised a single eyebrow at Mabel's attire and weaponry.

"Is there some kind of medieval faire or re-enactment going on, Paz?" he asked with mild curiosity. "Fancy dress party, maybe?"

Pacifica shook her head gently, and held a hand to her forehead. "Yeah, Den, you just missed it, though. This is Mabel. She lives here. Oh, and her puppy, Fenris. Mabel, this is my cousin Denis. I was just giving him a tour of the Shack. He's visiting for the weekend. I get to chauffer him around."

Denis glanced at his cousin and smirked. "That implies that you're the one driving mearound, cuz." He held his hand out to Mabel, and smiled. "Nice to meet you."

Mabel looked down at her dirty, blister-covered hand, winced, and then held it up and waggled her fingers. "You probably don't want to shake this—but nice to meet you anyway, Denis."

Denis withdrew his proffered hand.

"Well, Mabel should probably go clean up," said Pacifica, as she attempted steer her cousin away by the elbow. "She smells like… exercise."

Mabel looked down at her feet, her cheeks red. Fenris, noticing her embarrassment, yipped to draw attention away from Mabel's discomfort. He needn't have, however.

"Wow, Paz, that was rude of you," Denis scolded his younger cousin, pulling his arm away from her. "You don't smell bad, Mabel. You actually smell nice, like pine trees and leather."

Mabel's cheeks turned an even deeper shade of crimson, as she looked up at Denis from under her eyelashes.

"Pacifica never has been one to use tact," continued Denis, gracing Mabel with a winning smile. "I'm not sure she knows the meaning of the word."

Fenris could tell Mabel wasn't embarrassed anymore. In fact, she seemed pleased. Fenris didn't know how to feel about that. He was used to being the only one to be able to cheer up Mabel. He should be happy that Denis's words had comforted Mabel. Instead, Fenris felt a hollow sensation in his gut, and… anger? Denis hadn't done anything to be angry about. Confused, Fenris, let out a small whimper and sat on top of Mabel's feet.

Mabel leaned her glaive against the wall, and reached down to pick up the puppy, holding him to her chest.

"What's wrong, Fen?" she asked, rubbing his ears gently. He burrowed closer against Mabel, and let out another small whimper, enjoying the attention.

"I've never heard him whimper like that before," Mabel explained to Pacifica and Denis, before focusing again on Fenris. "You okay, buddy?"

"Do you mind if I take a look at him?" asked Denis, reaching toward Fenris. "I'm taking college-level classes this year and next so that I'll be able to become a certified veterinary technician after I graduate high school."

"Oh, that's really cool!" enthused Mabel.

"Ugh, don't encourage him," muttered Pacifica. "Unless you want to be lectured on proper canine nutrition and the importance of spaying and neutering your animals."

Mabel shrugged and grinned. She held Fenris out toward Denis, face first.

Fenris felt his anger flare up again, and a low growl rumbled deep in his chest. He snarled at Denis, forgetting that he was not in his fearsome wolf form. The snarl did the trick, however, and Denis withdrew his hands.

"Fenris!" cried Mabel. "What's gotten into you? Bad boy!" She sat him unceremoniously on the floor with a thump. "I'm so sorry, he's never acted like that before!"

Mabel was upset with him now. Fenris had seen Mabel upset plenty of times before, but it was never at him. Thoroughly ashamed of himself, he tucked his tail between his legs and stared at the floor, his ears drooping.

"Aw, it's okay," said Denis, with a wave of his hand. "If he's not feeling good, he may act different than normal. If he doesn't seem to perk up by tomorrow, you may want to take him to your vet, though. Especially if you notice any vomiting or diarrhea."

"Okay, ew," said Pacifica. "On that note, it's time to go, Den." She began to push him back toward the gift shop door.

"Okay, thanks. Nice to meet you!" Mabel called out as Pacifica and Denis disappeared into the gift shop.

Mabel turned back to Fenris, who gave her his most pitiful puppy dog eyes.

"Yeah, you shouldbe ashamed, mister," she said, crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm gonna get cleaned up. You go to my room and think about what you've done."

Mabel grabbed her glaive and started up the stairs at a trot. Fenris, who was normally right at her heels, slowly slunk up the stairs behind her, his tail still between his legs. He couldn't stop thinking about what he'd done… he was as confused about it as Mabel was.

/

Mabel was finishing her daily studies in Ford's laboratory when she heard the faint clomp of hooves, as well as the shuffle of human footsteps coming from the floor above.

"Oh great," she muttered. "Hey Fen, your buddy Dipper's here…oh." She peered under the table where Fenris would normally be laying at her feet, and remembered that he'd stayed up in her room this time—of his own volition, in fact. Mabel felt a twinge of guilt. The scolding she'd given him had definitely taken, maybe a little too well.

Mabel closed her notebook with a sigh, and tossed her pencil lightly aside. She wasn't particularly sure she wanted to see Dipper after this morning, but she wanted to ask him about Fenris's strange behavior. She stood and stretched her stiff muscles, then strode to the elevator and rode it up to the gift shop.

Mabel pushed the secret door behind the vending machine open, and nearly jumped out of her skin as she was hit by a wall of sound.

"SURPRISE!" cried the roomful of people.

The gift shop had been decorated with multicolored balloons and streamers, and fairy lights were strung on all the walls and doorways. There was a small buffet of snacks, complete with a chocolate fountain, set up on the counter next to the till.

Dipper, Wendy, Beithe, Arden, Grenda, Bork, Soos, Melody, and both Grunkles grinned at Mabel as she stared at them, mouth agape.

"Wh—I—huh?" was all Mabel could manage.

Dipper stepped forward, wringing his hands nervously. Before he could open his mouth to speak, a pair of fluffy, pink mittens appeared on them.

"Oh—what—again?" he said. He sighed and pulled the mittens off, and held them out to Mabel. "Mittens?"

Mabel reached out and took the mittens, clutching them to her chest. "What… what's this for?"

"Oh, well, apparently when I don't know what to do with my hands I conjure mittens," explained Dipper. "Not really sure why…?"

Mabel laughed. "No, Dipstick, not the mittens. (Thanks, though, they're really nice). But the party? Why the party?"

"Oh, hurr durr," said Dipper, facepalming. "Yeah, the party. It's just kind of… because? I wanted to do something to show you how much we all appreciate you—how much Iappreciate you. Things have been… different…lately. But you're still the best sister I could ever ask for—and you're training so hard, and sacrificing so much, just to protect us all. You're amazing, Mabel. I'm sorry I haven't been a good brother lately."

Mabel tried to respond, but the lump in her throat prevented it. She wiped her eyes, which were leaking for some reason, and threw herself forward, hugging her brother tightly.

The room burst into cheers, startling Mabel again. She had forgotten anyone else was there. She pulled back, and looked at her friends and family.

"Well, are we going to party, or are we going to party?!"

Dipper grinned. "There's the Mabel we all know and love! Hit it Soos!"

"You got it, Goat Bro!" cried the man-child, with a thumbs up. Soon 80's pop music was blaring, and Mabel was dancing with Grenda and Wendy, without a care in the world.

/

The party was going strong. Soos and Grenda were competing to see who could eat the most chocolate-covered marshmallows, while Stan took bets. As Dipper watched his sister laughing and cheering from across the room, he felt a warm hand slip around his waist from behind.

"Hey pretty lady," he murmured, leaning back into Wendy's embrace.

"Hey yourself, boy-o," she whispered into his ear, before gently nibbling on his earlobe.

Dipper involuntarily shuddered. "You…you are such a tease," he said, his voice trembling.

"And you wouldn't have it any other way," Wendy breathed hotly into his ear, her soft fingers tracing a path over his bare chest.

Dipper bit his lower lip. "Hnnnnggggg," was all he could say. He backed up slowly, until he and Wendy were both in the aisle between two of the gift shop shelves, out of view of the rest of the party. When he was sure no one could see them, he swiftly turned, grabbed Wendy's waist, pulled her close, and pressed his mouth against hers forcefully.

Wendy returned his kiss with just as much force. She ran her fingers through his shaggy brown hair, gripped it tightly, and pressed her whole body into his. She ground her hips into his, and moaned low against his mouth.

Dipper pulled his mouth away from hers, panting. Their eyes met, and in Wendy's glittering emerald gaze he saw nothing but lust. He smirked, and leaned in so his mouth was next to her ear.

"Turnabout's fair play," he breathed. "Time for me to tease you." He nibbled her earlobe softly, then moved down, and gently kissed the hollow at the base of her throat. He began to unbutton her flannel shirt, and continued to press kisses into her neck, and then trailed his tongue slowly down her chest, to the top of her cleavage.

"Mmmmm," said Wendy. "Don't stop, Dipper. Please don't stop…"

Dipper?

Dipper's head shot up immediately. "Are you fucking kidding me?!"

"Um, what?" snapped Wendy, all traces of lust melting away from her gaze.

"Oh, shit! No, no, no, nononono! Not you, Wendy!" said Dipper, panicking. "Sorry, sorry! Fenris just talked to me, in my head."

Wendy stared at Dipper for a moment, and then burst out laughing. "Gods, you're adorable when you panic."

Dipper feigned irritation. "I'm not adorable, I'm manly."

Wendy raised an eyebrow. "Mandorable?"

Dipper pursed his lips. "That is acceptable."

"Good," said Wendy, gently booping Dipper on the nose. "Where is the pupper, anyway? I haven't seen him all evening."

"Now that you mention it, neither have I," said Dipper, frowning.

Dipper, can I have a word? I'm in Mabel's room.

"He's in Mabel's room," supplied Dipper.

Wendy narrowed her eyes. "But you just said—"

Dipper grinned and tapped his forehead.

"Ah," said Wendy, as she rebuttoned the top of her shirt. "You better go see what he wants. I wanna see who won the marshmallow-eating-contest anyway."

Dipper nodded. "I placed my bet on Grenda. If she won, Grunkle Stan better pay up."

Wendy grabbed Dipper's hand and gently squeezed it. "As for our…discussion…that was interrupted? We'll continue that later." She winked, then turned and strode over to the rest of the partiers.

Dipper's cheeks flushed. "Yes, ma'am."

/

"What's up, dog?"

Fenris raised his head to see Dipper standing in the doorway of Mabel's bedroom, a cheeky grin on his face. Fenris sighed, and rested his chin on his front paws again.

"Oh come on, not even a little waggle? Nothing?" said Dipper, pressing his hand against his heart. "I'm hurt!"

Ha. Ha.

"Okay with the sarcasm, then," said Dipper, slightly miffed. He sat down on the edge of his old bed, and stared at the forlorn puppy laying on the floor. "What's going on with you? How come you're not downstairs enjoying the party?"

Oh, so that's what all that noise is. A party. I can hear Mabel laughing. Is that Denis guy there?

"Oh…oh crap. Nobody told you about the party," Dipper said, guilt sweeping over him like a wave. "I'm so sorry, dude. We all assumed you were hanging with Mabel, like you always do, and would find out about the party when she did. So, you've been up here the whole time? And who the hell is Denis?"

Fenris felt his tail wag involuntarily. Denis wasn't there. Good.

Yeah, Mabel was upset with me earlier, so I didn't want to make things worse by following her around. And Denis…he's the blonde human's relative.

"Oh, yeah, Pacifica did say she couldn't come to the party because she and her parents are entertaining family from out of town. That makes sense," said Dipper with a nod. "But what could you possibly have done to upset Mabel? She loves you! And you can't even talk to her, so it's not like you said something rude…"

Fenris lowered his head, and couldn't look Dipper in the eye.

I was… well. Pacifica embarrassed Mabel… and then Denis comforted Mabel. She smiled at him a lot. Mabel was handing me to him because she thought I might be sick…and he does school or something for "veterinary technician" and basically I growled and snarled at him and that made Mabel mad.

Dipper was silent for a long moment—long enough that Fenris dared to look up at him. Finally, Dipper spoke.

"Dude. You're jealous."

Jealous?

Dipper chuckled. "He comforted her. And that made you mad, right?"

I don't know about mad… it's just…I am used to being the one who makes Mabel smile. I found it…disconcerting…that he so easily was able to take my place.

"Well, to be fair, he can actually talk to her, and you can't," said Dipper. "But that doesn't mean he took your place… words can be very comforting, but that doesn't mean Mabel will find any less comfort in you."

Fenris sighed. I wish I could talk to her. Stupid non-human-shaped vocal cords.

Dipper awkwardly knelt down to onto the floor, and reached out to scratch the top of Fenris's head.

"One awesome thing about Mabel," said Dipper thoughtfully, "is that she doesn't hold grudges. Not for long, anyway. I bet she's already forgotten all about your… incident… with Denis."

I hope so. I don't like being in the dog-house.

"Ah! Haha I see what you did there! That's more like it," Dipper said, grinning. "We need to hang out more often… I'm worried that your witty banter skills are becoming rusty."

Fenris whuffed softly. Feel free to come hang out in the woods with me while Mabel trains. I still don't trust the antler lady. She reminds me too much of the antler guy. The one who wanted to shoot me in the face with an arrow? Who tried to grope your tree-princess? Antlerita may not be a 'bad guy' in the same way her brother isn't a 'bad guy.' But you can be an asshole without being evil, you know?

Dipper laughed. "I want that printed on a t-shirt. 'You can be an asshole without being evil.'" He stood up and walked over to the door. "How about you come join the party? It sounds like it's still going strong."

Nah, I think I'll stay up here. But thanks for talking to me. You're not bad for a Green Realm dude.

Dipper flapped a hand at his friend. "Aw shucks, you're makin' me blush." He opened the door, then turned and nodded to Fenris. "Later, doggo."

Fenris lay on the floor, alone with his thoughts, until Mabel returned.

Dipper was right—Mabel didn't hold a grudge. After the party wound down, she came upstairs and fell into bed.

"Fen?" she mumbled, feeling around for her puppy in the darkness. Fenris cautiously hopped onto the bed, and touched his nose to her cheek, causing her to giggle. She picked him up and held him close like a teddy bear.

"You're a good boy," she murmured into his fur, then kissed the top of his head. "I love you, Fenris."

I... love you, too.

/

Morning dawned much too early, as far as Mabel was concerned. She groggily dressed in leggings and a tank top, and was beginning to head downstairs when she heard a soft whuff. She turned to see her shaggy, black puppy, his head cocked to the side, holding one of her leather bracers in his mouth.

"Ah, crap my armor… and my glaive!" She grabbed her cuirass and started putting it on over her tank top. "You are sucha good boy, Fen! Arden would have turned me into a moose or something if I forgot all my new gear the day after she gave it to me!"

Fenris sneezed. He wouldn't put it past Arden to turn Mabel into a moose.

Once Mabel was garbed in her armor, with her glaive over her shoulder, she took off for the Gravnemeta at a run. She would have to set her alarm even earlier now, to make up for the time it took to don her armor, with all the straps and laces involved.

As Mabel approached the Gravnemeta, she shooed Fenris away. "You know if she sees you she'll just get angry," she said apologetically, reaching down to pat his head. He licked her hand, then whuffed softly, and scampered off to find a hiding spot with a good view of the clearing.

For about an hour, Fenris watched as Mabel repeated the same glaive drills over and over, with Arden occasionally stopping her to correct her form. Fenris felt his eyes growing heavy. He hadn't slept until Mabel came to bed late last night. He wasn't sure if it was because he was in the mundane realm, or because he was in the body of a puppy, but it surprised him how much sleep he required now. In his full wolf form, he barely required any sleep, and in the dog form he'd been in when he first met Dipper, he could usually go days with only a short nap to sustain him.

Fenris yawned and blinked slowly, laying his head on his paws.

A scream tore through the Gravnemeta, and Fenris shot up, suddenly on alert. The sun was higher in the sky than he remembered it being only moments ago. He must have actually fallen asleep. He blinked blearily, his heart pounding.

"ARDEN! SOMEONE, HELP!" shrieked Mabel.

Fenris flew into the clearing, and his hackles rose. Three grayish, winged, humanoid creatures were swooping down at Mabel, raptor-like claws on their feet outstretched. Arden was nowhere in sight.

Fenris had never seen creatures like these. Their eyes glowed a deep red, as if lit from within by some demonic hellfire. When they opened their mouths to shriek, foul black smoke poured out. They reeked of decay.

Mabel was putting up a good fight, slicing and jabbing at the creatures with her razor-sharp glaive, not allowing them to get close enough to attack her in earnest. However, she was tiring quickly, and was clearly outmatched.

One of the creatures managed to dodge the glaive, and raked its claws along the exposed flesh of Mabel's upper left arm. Blood flowed fast and freely, and Mabel cried out in pain.

Fenris saw the creature who had just injured Mabel wheel around, and smile malevolently as it held its hands together, and formed a ball of blue flames. Mabel didn't see it, being busy trying to keep the other two winged creatures from flying low enough to strike her.

MABEL GET DOWN!screamed Fenris with all his might.

All that Mabel heard was a high-pitched yelp from her puppy. She turned to look at Fenris, her eyes wide, as an enormous ball of sapphire flame hit her back and blossomed out around her, throwing her to the ground.

It wasn't a choice, it was instinct—with the sound of a sonic boom, Fenris exploded into his full wolf form.

DIPPER, WENDY, BEITHE, ANY GODS WHO CAN HEAR ME—GET TO THE GRAVNEMETA NOW! MABEL IS HURT, BADLY!

Fenrir leapt at the creature who had thrown the fireball, snarling. It dodged his fangs, and his teeth came together with an audible clack. The creature opened its mouth, and appeared to be shouting, although Fenrir heard its voice as no more than a harsh whisper.

"We know who you are," it hissed. "You bring nothing but destruction, chaos, and misery. You are fighting on the wrong side, Fenrir. You are one of us. Join us. Embrace your destiny."

NEVER.

Fenrir leapt, and snatched the creature's legs, yanking it out of the sky, and shaking it around like a rag-doll. With the creature still in his mouth he raced closer to the giant oak tree, and shook it so that its head hit the tree trunk with a loud crack. Fenrir spat the mangled creature out, so that it dropped limply to the ground. He placed a gigantic paw against its chest, but he needn't have bothered—the creature was not moving, its eyes now a dull pink, its mouth frozen in a terrified scream. Not wanting to take any chances, Fenrir clamped his mouth over the creature's head, and with a loud, sucking, popping noise, tore the creature's head from its body. Its blood burnt the insides of his mouth like acid, but if Fenrir felt pain, he didn't acknowledge it. He turned, his chest heaving, to attack the other two creatures—but they were gone.

Instead he was met with the sight of Dipper, Wendy, Beithe, Puck, and a small, unfamiliar woman, standing over Mabel's prone form. She was laid out on a stretcher, a light blanket over her lower half. Her face was bone white.

Mabel!he cried in anguish. She's not—is—is she?

"Mabel is in critical condition, but she's stable," the small woman spoke up. "I am not as good as Arduinna at treating battle injuries such as these, however. Where is she?"

Fenrir sat down with a thump, his eyes not leaving Mabel's ashen face. I don't know. I—I fell asleep, and woke up to Mabel screaming, under attack from three malevolent winged creatures. I have no idea where Arden is.

"Three?" questioned Beithe. "When we arrived we only saw the one you were fighting."

"Then the other two could still be out here somewhere?" asked Dipper, hatred making his voice hard. He peered at the tree line, as if expecting them to jump out.

Puck, who was being unusually quiet, finally spoke up. "Sirona, you and the others take Mabel to my—Tad Strange's house. I have a spare bedroom you can use as a temporary clinic. Fenrir, you stay. We need to talk."

Fenrir watched anxiously as the rest of the group blipped Mabel away to Tad Strange's house. Once they were gone, he turned to Puck.

I didn't mean to let her get hurt.

Puck looked taken aback. "You didn't. In fact, when it comes time to point fingers, it's Arden who's going to have a lot to answer for."

Oh,said Fenrir sheepishly. Then what do we need to talk about?

"Come with me," said Puck, as he wandered over toward the oak tree and the creature's corpse. "I want to poke it with a stick."

Um.

Puck chuckled darkly. "I just wanna find out what kind of baddy we're dealing with, kid. Was it any kind of creature you've come across before?"

Fenrir shook his head. Never. But whatever they are is pure evil.

Puck produced a large stick, and indeed, began poking the creature's mangled body with it. He then poked its decapitated head, which was lying face down, so that he could see its facial features.

"Yeesh," said Puck, taking a step back. "Almost looks like a weeping angel. Have you seen a blue box around here anywhere?"

A blue—what?

Puck flapped his hand impatiently. "Pop culture reference. Never you mind. Now, how did it attack?"

Well, claws… and it took Mabel down with a big blue fireball. Fenrir felt his blood run cold as he remembered the face Mabel had made—her wide, surprised, eyes—as the fireball exploded against her back.

"Well, shit," said Puck. "I think I know what they are. And there are a lot of them. I've never dealt with them, because their realm has been tightly sealed for millennia…yeah," Puck rubbed the back of his neck, and poked the creature's head so that it was no longer staring vacantly up at them. "Yeah, this ain't good. I gotta go find Arden."

Fenrir barely heard anything Puck said. He couldn't get Mabel's face out of his mind. He heard a soft pop, and when he looked up, Puck was gone, leaving him alone with the remains of the creature who had nearly killed Mabel—who had said he was 'one of them.'

Fenrir threw his head back, and let loose a long, mournful howl, that echoed off the nearby mountains. Mabel had been attacked, and when he tried to warn her about the fireball, he'd only ended up startling her, and distracting her from her foes. He couldn't protect Mabel in his puppy form, and he doubted very much that he would be able to comfort her as a gigantic wolf.

Why does it have to be either/or? Why can't I keep her safe, and comfort her? Why can't I just talkto her?

Fenrir wailed in frustration, and took off at a run, into the woods, in the opposite direction of Gravity Falls.