The two teams met up at the start of the middle path, both of them having successfully retrieved the ingredients they needed.
"Hey Dipper, can I talk to you real quick?" Mabel asked her brother quietly, shuffling her feet a little in the cocoa dust.
"Sure Mabel," Dipper agreed, sensing it was important. Giving a nod to their Grunkles, Dipper and Mabel walked off to the side for the talk. They weren't far enough away that their Grunkles couldn't easily hear them, but it still gave them some semblance of privacy.
"So what is it?" Dipper asked when Mabel didn't say anything immediately.
"Dipper… I wanted to apologize," Mabel began, taking a deep breath to help steady her nerves. "I know I've been selfish sometimes during our adventures and sometimes my teasing will get out of hand, but I swear I didn't mean to be mean to you! You're my twin brother and I love you, even though you can be a big dork sometimes… the point is… I want to support you in your dreams, not hold you back. So if you really want to take Ford's apprenticeship, I'll be happy for you."
"I appreciate that Mabel," Dipper smiled. "But I'm not taking Ford's apprenticeship."
"Don't just say that because I got upset and ended up getting us all stuck on this crazy train!" Mabel insisted, waving her arms in emphasis. "I don't want us to end up like our Grunkles and not talk to each other for years because of some stupid mistake! So please Dipper, don't worry about me if this is what you really want! I just want to make sure no matter where we end up in life, we'll still be friends!"
"Of course we'll be friends," Dipper assured seriously, putting a hand on Mabel's shoulder. "And I mean it about not taking Ford's apprenticeship. Grunkle Stan and being on this train helped me realize that for a lot of this summer, I've focused too much on growing up as fast as I can. I've pretended to be older and more mature than I am because I wanted to be taken more seriously."
"And because you had a crush on Wendy," Mabel teased.
"Oh shut up," Dipper replied in good humor, a faint blush coloring his face. "That had nothing to… not entirely… moving on! The point is, I'm going to grow up soon, so I need to enjoy the time I have left to just be the kid I am. If in a few years Grunkle Ford still wants me to be his apprentice, I'll probably take him up on it, but not now. Besides, I don't want to miss your awkward high school years."
"Pfft, you'll be way more awkward than me," Mabel laughed before smiling at Dipper. "I'm glad you're not moving on yet, but when you do, I'll make you the coolest adventuring sweaters ever!"
"And I'll wear them every day," Dipper agreed, holding his arms open. "Awkward Sibling Hug?"
"Sincere Sibling Hug!" Mabel replied instead, leaping into his arms.
"Pat! Pat!"
Mabel - 0
Dipper - 0
The twins didn't notice that their numbers had dropped down to zero, but they did notice when two lines of light appeared in the air. They watched with surprise and awe as the lines traced the outlines of two doors before they combined into one door. There was a flash before revealing a tunnel of light with the Mystery Shack seen at the other end.
"Is that the way out?" Mabel asked in surprise and hope.
"Yeah, look!" Dipper said, holding up his hand and bringing it next to Mabel's. "Both our numbers dropped down to zero. I guess this talk was the last problem we needed to work out."
"We can go home!" Mabel cheered, grabbing Dipper's hands and dancing around with him. "We can go home and tell everyone about this crazy adventure. I can't wait to tell Candy and Grenda! Do you think we can celebrate with ice cream Grunkle St-"
Mabel cut off as realization appeared on her and Dipper's faces. Together they looked at their Grunkles who were smiling at them sadly.
"Sorry Pumpkin," Stan said, showing his still high number while Ford did the same. "But we've still got things to work out. You two go on ahead, we'll catch up as soon as we can."
"I don't want to leave you!" Mabel said, hugging Grunkle Stan. "We'll just wait to go home with you! I'm sure the train wouldn't care!"
"It's alright sweetie," Stan assured, returning Mabel's hug. "Ford and I have a lot of issues we need to work out between ourselves and it's probably better if we're alone for that."
"Alright," Mabel reluctantly agreed, squeezing Stan tightly one more time before stepping back. "Just don't too long!"
"I'll do my best," Stan promised, though he was unsure if he'd be able to keep it. Ford and Stan had a lot of hurt and emotional garbage between them and neither of them were good about expressing their feelings. They could be here for a long time…
"Thank you for looking out for me while we were in here," Dipper said, getting his own hug with Grunkle Stan. "I know we didn't always get along, but I'm so glad we came up to Gravity Falls, and that's not just because of the awesome adventures we had."
"Careful kid, you're getting dust in my eyes," Stan replied, wiping the moisture that somehow appeared on his face. He pulled Mabel back in and held both twins close. "Dipper knows this already, but you two are the best thing that ever happened to me. No matter what happens next, just know that I love you and I'm glad I got to know you two better."
"Love you two Grunkle Stan," the twins replied before stepping back.
"Grunkle Ford," Dipper began, shifting a little nervously. "I'm sorry but-"
"I know Dipper," Ford assured, wrapping his nephew in a hug. "And it's alright. It was wrong of me to try and take you away from your family so abruptly. You are a wonder brilliant kid and I look forward to having more adventures together in the years to come, but you don't have to be my apprentice until you're ready."
"Thank you for understanding Grunkle Ford," Dipper smiled. "And I look forward to learning from you and playing more Dungeons, Dungeons, and More Dungeons together."
"Of course and maybe we'll even convince Stan and Mabel to play with us more," Ford replied, getting a chuckle out of Dipper. Dipper then stepped back while Mabel cautiously went forward."
"I look forward to getting to know you better," Ford said, smiling softly.
"Me too," Mabel replied, returning the smile. The two shared a hug before Mabel stepped back.
"Mystery Twins?" Dipper asked, holding out his hand to Mabel.
"Mystery Twins," Mabel agreed, taking the offered hand. Together, the two of them stepped into the portal and returned home, the exit closing with another flash of light. Stan and Ford stood there for a moment, just hoping that the younger twins were safe.
"I guess we better get going…" Ford suggested awkwardly, gesturing to the path that lead up the mountain.
"Yeah… I suppose we should," Stan agreed, avoiding Ford's gaze as he helped gather up their supplies. Together they once more resumed their journey through the train car.
Stan - 1023
Ford - 1297
