It started with a nightmare.
The nightmare itself hadn't been anything unusual, just Mike running through a maze made out of several different Fazbear locations as he was hunted down by pretty much every animatronic he had ever encountered. The details of the nightmare itself didn't matter though so much as the feelings they invoked in Mike. The fear, the desperation, the need to escape, to get out no matter what, those feelings had pounded through Mike's being in time with his rapidly beating heart and it caused something strange to happen. He had rammed through a door, hoping desperately it was the exit only to find himself tumbling through the air in his room.
It took him a few seconds of panicked flailing to settle himself upright in the air and take stock of the strange turn his nightmare had taken. He was floating in the center of his room, his body mostly transparent with a slight purple glow that wasn't making the room any brighter. The strangest part was he could see himself lying on his bed, sheets tangled around him from all his flailing from his latest nightmare though he was now settled down.
Mike wanted to believe he was still dreaming, but his life was rarely that simple. Everything was far too detailed and Mike felt far too lucid for this to be a normal dream. Mike glanced at his body again as he debated what to do next. A part of him wanted to explore, to see what he could do in this state and whether he was visible to the others like this, but on the other hand, he had no idea what being separated from his body like this could end up doing to him. Sure, his body seemed fine for now as he could see his chest rising and falling with each breath, but it might not stay that way if Mike traveled too far.
Mike decided not to take the risk yet and attempted to make his way back into his body. It took a little trial and error to figure out how to move like this, but he eventually willed himself close enough to his body that he could reach out and touch it. The moment he made contact, he felt a strong tugging sensation and suddenly he found himself back in his body, his eyes snapping open as he jolted awake.
Mike sat up in bed, staring at his hands and touching his chest to make sure he was no longer transparent, but real and solid. Once he assured himself that he was his definition of normal, Mike eased himself out of bed. He wasn't going to sleep again this night, both because of his nightmare and worry that he could have that strange out-of-body experience again. So his next course of action was to make himself some hot chocolate and wait for the day to start.
Mike didn't tell the others about what happened immediately, choosing to willfully ignore it instead. But when it happened again a few nights later after another nightmare, Mike admitted to himself this probably isn't going to be something that was going to go away.
Discussing it with the others, it was speculated that Mike had somehow developed the ability to astral project to some extent. Ford had several theories about how and why he'd develop such an ability, but the twins were a bit more interested in what Mike could do with such an ability. All of them could agree that the next step though was for Mike to learn how to control it.
Ford began teaching Mike different meditation techniques, attempting to help Mike reach a state where he can purposefully leave his body. It was over a week before Mike had any success and another week before he could leave his body for more than a few seconds. Once he got the process down, he began experimenting with what he could do.
For the most part, Mike was practically a ghost in that state, invisible and untouchable to everything and everyone. With a little concentration, Mike could interact with the world, moving things and picking them up, which he demonstrated by stealing Dipper's hat and floating it far out of the boy's reach. Mike also found that he can make himself be heard by others, though he either have to shout with all his strength or whisper directly into someone's ear. He could even make himself visible for a moment, though it drained him greatly and he usually returned to his body soon after.
All in all, Mike became more comfortable with his new ability and just accepted it as a strange part of his life.
Still, despite all the progress he made he couldn't control it yet while he was asleep and after intense nightmares, he'd still find himself floating in his room as his body settled into a deeper sleep. Mike didn't consider it a problem though as it meant his body could still get rest while he no longer had to deal with whatever nightmare had decided to plague him that night.
Instead of returning to his body in those instances, Mike instead would use the time to practice moving things and maneuvering himself like this. Mike had been phasing through the attic floor, intending to go to the roof, when a muffled whimper stopped him. Looking around, Mike saw Dipper tossing and turning in his bed, obviously trapped in some sort of nightmare.
"Hey… Hey… it's okay," Mike couldn't help but say even though he knew Dipper couldn't hear him right now. "It's going to be alright…"
Mike willed his hand to be a bit more tangible, hoping to at least provide some comfort to his little brother. As soon as his hand made contact with Dipper's shoulder though, Mike felt the tugging sensation similar to when he's pulled back into his own body. He barely had time to yelp in surprise before he felt himself get pulled in.
Mike got a glimpse of red and yellow before gravity reinserted itself on him and he found himself face-planting with the ground. It hurt more than he was expecting, but not as much as if he had been in his own body. Mike sat up and looked around, easily recognizing the torn open sky and the desolate town in the midst of Weirdmageddon.
This is probably Dipper's nightmare and I somehow got pulled into it, Mike concluded thoughtfully, rising to his feet and ducking out of sight. He wasn't sure how much effect a nightmare could have on him, but he rather not find out by getting eaten by a monster. The sound of running followed by glass shattering drew Mike's attention and he turned to see himself(?) entering the ruined mall. It wasn't hard to realize that this must be when Dipper had encountered Molten Mike and Mike quickly hurried after his mind-controlled dream counterpart.
Mike managed to catch up to both his dream counterpart and Dipper fairly quickly and tackled his counterpart just before his counterpart could tackle Dipper. They wrestled for a little bit, Mike having the advantage as his counterpart was surprised by his sudden interference. Just when Mike thought he had his counterpart pinned down though, his counterpart managed to slash him with its claws, surprising Mike with how much it hurt.
Molten Mike used Mike's distraction to kick him off and, before Mike could recover, used his wires to restrain Mike.
"Now who might you be?" Molten Mike asked, studying his captive.
For obvious reasons, Mike had never seen himself when he had been mind controlled by Molten Freddy. But now he was faced to face with this nightmare counterpart and Mike could now see how unnerving he had been. The way his face twisted in a cruel smile, the poisonous yellow eyes, and the obvious bloodlust that seemed to radiate from his predator posture all screamed a dangerous killer. And while Mike wanted to just brush it off as the twist of the nightmare, or just focus on the fact a killer animatronic was the one in control, there was a part of Mike that couldn't help by but believe he might have looked a lot like this if he had followed in his father's footsteps.
"Not answering huh?" Molten Mike taunted when Mike remained silent, making Mike shiver slightly at hearing his voice twisted like that. "I guess it doesn't matter. I'll just kill you and- AAHHH!"
Molten Mike was cut off as Dipper jammed his taser into the dream counterpart, having snuck up on it while it was distracted. Molten Mike fell over limp and the wires holding Mike loosened and dropped to the floor.
"Thanks, Dipper," Mike said massaging some of his sore muscles. "I had not been expecting a dream creation to hit so hard."
"Dream creation…" Dipper mumbled, face scrunched up in confusion and thought as he looked between the Mike standing before him and the one passed out on the ground. "…this… this is a dream, isn't it? And you're the real Mike…"
"Yep! You've figured it out like usual," Mike grinned, ruffling Dipper's hair. "Sorry about entering your dream uninvited. I was just passing through the attic and noticed you were having a nightmare. When I tried to comfort you I ended up getting sucked in… and I'm not sure how to get out of here now that I think about it…"
"You'll probably get kicked out once I wake up," Dipper replied. "And if your being here prevents me from waking up for some reason, it won't take long for the others to realize something's going on and figure out a way to help us."
"I guess that's true," Mike agreed before a screech of a monster in the distance reminded them that this wasn't the safest place to have this conversation. "So… want to see if I have any dream powers that let me change this place to not being in the middle of Weirdmaggedon?"
"Yes! Please do," Dipper nodded, both eager to see what kind of powers Mike might have and to end this nightmare.
"Okay, let's give it a shot!" Mike said with a clap of his hands, only to pause for a few seconds as he realized he had no idea what to do. Mike eventually just shrugged and closed his eyes, trying to picture a place different than where they currently were. Someplace quiet and peaceful where he and Dipper would feel safe to talk.
"Wow!" Dipper gasped, letting Mike know it worked. Opening his, he saw that he and Dipper were standing on top of a grassy hill under a lone tree, looking out over a sunset sinking behind a forest.
"Much better," Mike said, sitting down on the soft grass and patting the ground next to him. Dipper took the invite for what it was and sat down while Mike continued, saying, "I'm not going to ask about your nightmare, as I'm already invading your privacy enough as it is, but if you want to talk about it, I'm all ears."
Dipper only nodded, looking out over the sunset and Mike soon turned to look at the view himself.
"I'm not scared of you or anything like that," Dipper eventually started. Mike turned his head slightly towards Dipper to show that he was listening but made no other move besides that. "And I'm not scared that Molten Freddy will come back and hurt me again… I'm more scared that either he or something else could take you away and we won't be able to get you back."
"This isn't the first time I've had this nightmare," Dipper continued, tearing up blades of grass."And you didn't get to the part where it goes from a memory to an actual nightmare. Usually soon after I zap Molten Mike and he returns to consciousness nearly instantly… he's still the one in control. Not because he has you still trapped, but because you aren't there anymore. Your soul had either been consumed by him or outright destroyed. Sometimes my nightmares go further where Grunkle Ford and I try everything we can possibly think of to get you back and nothing works. You're gone forever and I couldn't do anything. I hadn't even known you needed help until it was far too late…"
"Hey it's okay," Mike assured, pulling Dipper into a hug as tears began to flow from the younger boy's eyes. "I'm right here. I'm okay… you managed to save me and I'm not planning to go on anywhere any time soon."
It was impossible to tell how much time was passing in this dream world as the sun never actually moved, but eventually, Dipper's tears came to an end.
"Is there anything I can do to help you feel better?" Mike asked once Dipper calmed down.
"Being able to see you every day again is already helping a lot," Dipper explained. "Seeing you laugh and smile, going on adventures with you, and just knowing you're nearby helps assure me that you're alright. But maybe… if I have another nightmare… Would it be alright if I came and… woke you up to make sure you're alright? Mabel does that whenever she has nightmares about Bipper."
"Whatever you need," Mike easily agreed. "I know Stan, Ford, and I have all checked on you two and each other more than once because of nightmares, so it's only fair if you get to do the same."
"Thanks, Mike," Dipper whispered in relief.
They stayed like that only a little longer before Mike decided it was time for him to attempt to leave Dipper's dream. After making sure Dipper would be fine, Mike imagined himself leaving Dipper's mind. Mike felt the same tugging sensation and soon found himself floating in the attic. Checking over Dipper, Mike was pleased to see that his little brother had settled into a deep peaceful sleep.
Feeling weary from using his powers in this new way, Mike headed back to his own body to get some more sleep as well. While Mike didn't plan to be entering the dreams of his family often, especially not before he knew whether they'd be okay with it or not, Mike couldn't help but enjoy the thought that he could help soothe some of the nightmares that plagued his family.