System repairs complete. Starting up in 3… 2… 1…

Mike groaned as he slowly returned to consciousness. His body was sore and achy all over, though he couldn't remember why. Now that he thought about it… his memories were a little fuzzy at the moment…

"Mike?" came Dipper's voice from somewhere by his side. "Is that you?"

"… Dipper..?" Mike slurred, prying open his eyes. He had a hard time making out the room he was in as there was something weird happening with his vision. It was glitching slightly and he could swear there was some sort of technical readout scrolling up one side. But Mike was able to force himself to focus on Dipper's concerned face and ask, "…What happened..?"

"Do you think it's really Mike?" Wendy asked from somewhere outside of Mike's field of vision, making Mike confused by the question. "Or is it just trying to trick us?"

"His eyes are purple again and aren't glowing as much, so I think that's a good sign," Dipper said, glancing over at Wendy before looking back at Mike. "How are you feeling Mike? What do you remember?"

"…I feel like I got tased again…" Mike moaned, reminded of how much his body ached. "…don't know why though… why wouldn't my eyes be purple..?"

"… It's hard to explain…" Dipper said nervously, what seemed like a scan checking on Dipper now going across Mike's vision as he focused once more on the boy. "Do you at least remember going to look for Mabel?"

"…Mabel..?" Mike said, forcing his mind to think back. He remembered talking to Mabel… baking cookies for her… Mike's eyes widened as memories came flooding back to him.

"…Molten Freddy… Cipher… the deal… You need to get away from me Dipper!" Mike said in a panic, attempting to bolt upright only to realize he couldn't because of his restraints and a sharp pain in his chest. "…Ooowww… that hurt… I'm tied up?.. That's good…"

"Calm down Mike," Dipper instructed, gently placing a hand on Mike's shoulder. "What were you saying about Molten Freddy? Did you make a deal with Bill? What happened?"

"I was looking for Mabel when Molten Freddy lured me into a trap using her voice," Mike explained, finally realizing why he was seeing things. "While I was caught, Molten Freddy mentioned he had made a deal with Cipher. When the sky tore open, it felt like my body got melted and rearrange… which I guess makes sense since I got… fused with Molten Freddy..? And resurrected? I'm not exactly sure about the details, but the important thing is that in exchange for this, they promised to kill you Dipper!"

"I noticed that part," Dipper grimaced, absentmindedly touching the cut on his cheek, making Mike's heart jump as he realized how close he must have come to killing Dipper. "Luckily, Wendy was able to save me before it was too late."

"And I can totally kick your butt still," Wendy confirmed, brandishing her bat threateningly. "In case that stupid bear takes control again."

"That's good," Mike sighed in relief, though it was short-lived as he became aware of a growing presence in his mind "I don't know how long I can remain in control. I can already feel them waking up…"

Mike tried to keep the animatronics' mind asleep, but it was slowly gaining strength. From Wendy and Dipper's perspective, they could see a bit of yellow start to seep into his purple eyes.

"… you should run…" Mike said, his voice sounding strained as he did his best to stay in control. His vision glitched a little again as it focused on Dipper, the words "Priority Target" flashing along with the Pine Tree symbol. "I don't want to risk you getting hurt because of me."

"I've got an idea I want to try first," Dipper said, pulling out his taser out. Turning it on at quarter power, Dipper used it on Mike. Mike jerked as he was shocked and the yellow faded from his eyes.

"That is not very fun after being shocked so recently," Mike groaned, breathing heavily as the pain subsided.

"But it worked at least," Dipper said, unable to keep the relieved grin from his face. "So as long as we shock you every now and then, you'll be able to stay in control.

"If that's what it takes…" Mike replied with a determined grimace. It certainly wouldn't be pleasant to be shocked all the time, but he'd gladly deal with it if that's what it took to keep Dipper safe from him. Wendy and Dipper seemed satisfied with the results and undid most of his restraints. They did keep his hands tied in front of him, just as an extra precaution on Mike's insistence. Sure, it wouldn't hold Mike for long, but it would buy the others a few precious moments.

"So what's the plan now?" Mike asked as he joined the others around the campfire. (His body felt so foreign now, having parts suddenly restored after so many years and new parts integrated into his being. He knew he should take stock of all the differences but he couldn't bring himself to do it. So he just pushed the issue aside to worry about it some other time.)

"We spotted where we think Mabel is being held while you were unconscious," Dipper explained. "We're going to go rescue her."

"We're going to hot wire a car from the used car lot," Wendy added, looking positively thrilled at the idea. "We had basically just been waiting for you to wake up to see whether you were you. Now that we have our answer… here…"

Wendy tossed something to Mike that he barely managed to catch with his bound hands. Looking at the object he found it was a chocolate granola bar.

"Dipper and I have already eaten and packed our supplies," Wendy explained. "Once you've finished that we'll head out."

Mike nodded and tore open the wrapper, marveling a little at the fact that he'll be able to eat food after so long. He took a bite, savoring the chocolate and honey flavor. As soon as he swallowed, Mike realized just how hungry he was and quickly devoured the rest of the bar.

"Dude calm down, it was just a granola bar," Wendy laughed as she handed Mike a water bottle.

"Maybe, but it's the first thing I've eaten in several decades," Mike replied unapologetically, sipping some water. "So excuse me for getting a little excited about it."

"When we beat Bill, Mabel and I will make sure you get to try a lot better food than just a granola bar," Dipper chuckled before his expression dropped. "If we defeat Bill…"

"One step at a time," Wendy encouraged. "Let's just focus on getting your sister back first."

"Right," Dipper agreed with a firm nod.

With everyone prepared, they left the mall and began sneaking their way through the ruined town. It was pretty shocking to Mike, who had basically been asleep this whole time, and there was more than one time that either Wendy or Dipper had to pull him out of danger because he had either been distracted by something or didn't know something was deadly even though it looked harmless. (It would have been so embarrassing, after all, he's been through, to have been permanently killed because a literal mailbox tried to eat him.) Soon though they managed to reach their target.

"The abandoned auto-mart," Wendy said as they snuck in and looked around. "Free cars right for the hot-wiring. We just found our ride to Mabel. I wonder if they have a tank. I've always wanted to drive a tank!"

"I can't believe this place is just abandoned," Dipper added quietly, slightly creeped out by all the broken cars.

Mike had been in a lot creepier places and was about to say as much when he heard a slight 'tink'. Looking down, his eyes widen as he saw a dart had attempted to pierce his robotic arm.

"Take cover!" Mike immediately instructed, pulling Dipper with him as he ducked behind the nearest car. Wendy reacted quickly enough to join them as well, meaning they all managed to avoid the other darts that had rained after them. The three of them soon found themselves blinded by headlights as several large cars surrounded them.

"Well, well, looks like we got ourselves a pair of ground walkers," One of the drivers taunted the group.

"Heheh! Ground walkers!" another driver laughed. "Heheh! Ain't got no wheels!"

"Listen Discount Auto Warriors!" Wendy called, glaring them down as best she could.

"We just wanna make it to that bubble out east," Dipper added confidently. "We have no quarrel with you!"

"Oh, but that's where you're wrong! Hands where I can see 'em." A large dark shadow countered. They had no choice but to comply as they were severely outnumbered.

"Y'all fellers ain't goin' nowhere." The shadow concluded.

"Y'all?" Wendy wondered in confusion.

"Fellers?" Dipper said in thought before his widened in realization. "Wait... Gideon!?"

"That's Sheriff Gideon!" The young boy revealed, lights turning on to show him clearly. "Under the authority of Bill Cipher, I place you three under arrest! Oh, hi, Wendy! Have we formally met? And I don't know who you are and you're tied up? Are you their prisoner?"

"It's complicated," Mike replied shortly, unwilling to reveal too much.

"Wooooo-we! Look what the apocalypse dragged in!" Gideon taunted as the three were forced closer to Gideon and knocked onto the ground before him. "Y'all are in a twelve-piece bucket of deep-fried trouble now! Ghost-Eyes! Spitoon!"

"Ugh, it's Gideon," Dipper rolled his eyes in annoyance while Gideon spat out a piece of gum.

"And he's gotten folksier," Wendy added as well as the three of them rose to their knees. Mike didn't have the same history with Gideon as the others, but the kid was quickly getting on his bad side.

"Ma' old pal Bill figured you might try to rescue Mabel. So he appointed me, master of these wastelands, and keeper of the bubble!" Gideon taunted. "My sweet precious Mabel's trapped inside and I HAVE THE ONLY KEY! Wrapped around my... well I wouldn't call it a neck exactly, wrapped around this little pocket of fat under ma' head?"

"Gideon, you have no right to keep her in there!" Dipper shouted in anger.

"Bill explained it to me nice and simple: she was always destined to be mine!" Gideon says as he takes a newspaper article from when he was dating her from his hair. "And now that I have her in a cage she'll learn to love me! I have an eternity to wait! Ghost-Eyes! Ready to escort our friends to Bill's dungeon?"

"Uh! No! Hey!" Dipper struggled as they were picked up by Gideon's henchman.

"Dude… you are one sick kid," Mike couldn't help but grimace in disgust.

"This isn't going to work Gideon," Wendy said confidently, even as she was dangled in the air.

"Oh? And why's that?" Gideon asked, filing his nails to show unconcerned he was.

"Cause after I break Ghost-Eyes' arm and steal that key from your neck, I'm gonna wear your butt on my foot like a rhinestone slipper!" Wendy said with deadly seriousness and Mike found himself believing her.

"Oho, and what makes you think you can do all that?" Gideon laughed along with his gang.

"'Cause I'm a flippin' CORDUROY!" Wendy declared, easily flipping her body around, yanking on Ghost-eyes' arm and making him drop Dipper as he shouted in pain. As Dipper and Wendy worked together to take down Ghost-eyes, Mike tried to take down the guy holding him, but it was hard while being held in the air. It made him wish he still had his taser…

Taser Mode Activated

"Huh?" Mike couldn't help but say in confusion as those words flashed briefly flashed across his vision. His attention was drawn to his hands as his the segments of his robotic fingers spread out and electricity began to dance between them. Mike didn't have time to question it (or freak out about it) and immediately broke his bonds and twisted enough to slam his hand against the henchman holding him. The henchman shouted in pain and was forced to drop Mike.

Taser Mode Deactivated

Mike's hand returned to normal as those words flashed across his vision again, allowing him to catch himself from his fall. He quickly joined Dipper and Wendy, who were using Gideon as a hostage as they ran to a nearby car. Wendy then drop-kicked the boy into the others and they all scrambled into the car. They began racing across the wasteland as the Discount Auto-mart Warriors pursued after them. It was an intense and terrifying race, especially as they passed through several bubbles of madness. As they jumped the canyon, it became obvious they were going to crash on the other side.

Wanting to protect Wendy and Dipper, Mike's body acted on instinct. Two wires came out to wrap around Wendy and Dipper's waists while two more tore a hole in the car's roof.

"What?" Dipper barely had time to ask in shock before Mike leaped out of the new opening, pulling everyone free just as the car started to roll. Mike skidded across the ground in what could be considered a nearly perfect super-hero landing pose, Wendy and Dipper held up in the air by the wires and out of danger.

"Nice save dude!" Wendy praised. "That was awesome!"

"You okay Mike?" Dipper asked, unable to help but feel slightly concerned at seeing Mike using the abilities that had been used against him before.

"I had no idea I could do that…" Mike admitted in awe and slight fear. "And I'm not quite sure how to get you down…"

As if responding to his thoughts, the wires immediately dropped Dipper and Wendy and retreated into his back.

"Ouch," Dipper couldn't help but say as he and Wendy landed roughly on the ground.

"Sorry," Mike apologized, helping Dipper up while a mysterious cloaked figure helped Wendy. The figure turned out to be Soos and unfortunately their happy reunion was cut short as they became surrounded by Gideon and his henchmen.

Mike tuned out Gideon's bragging and Dipper's responses as he felt Molten Freddy stirring within him again. He had to focus all his efforts on remaining in control as Dipper managed to persuade Gideon to switch sides.

"You okay dude?" Soos asked as he noticed Mike beginning to shake as he curled in on himself.

"…No…" Mike grunted, his eyes slowly becoming more and more yellow. "Dipper… hurry…"

Dipper immediately responded and shocked Mike with his taser. It hurt, but Mike felt relief as Molten Freddy became dormant once more. With that issue taken care of, for now, the group approached Mabel's prison bubble.

"Okay, remember, guys. This is a prison bubble designed by Bill." Dipper warned. "We've got to prepare ourselves for what we find in here."

"Whatever it is, we'll do it together," Soos assured, before sticking his hand out. "For Mabel!"

The others placed their own hands on top of his with a "for Mabel" too. With determination, Dipper stepped forward and unlocked the chain. Hand in hand, the group stepped forward to face whatever awaited them inside.