Dipper, Mabel, and Waddles hastily traveled through the forest. They may have a map leading them to Fiddleford and then to the village, but the wolves might still come. Dipper led the way with a lantern he had borrowed from the castle and the map Ford had given to them. Mabel looked ahead and screamed before running with Waddles at her heels. Dipper looked up from the map and nearly dropped it in shock.
He hurried to the tree Mabel was kneeling at and examined Fiddleford. He looked more dead than alive, his skin pale, almost blue, and heavy bags under his eyes. He must have been searching for them this whole time. Without a single word, much like how they helped Stan when he was hurt, the twins stood on either side of Fiddleford and helped carry him out of the woods.
It was the middle of the night when they arrived home. It would have been comforting if the circumstances weren't so dire. Fiddleford might be dying. The children quickly worked together, fixing medicine, building a fire, dressing their guardian warmly and putting him to bed, until they finally admitted defeat to sleep and curled up with Fiddleford in his bed.
The first thing Fiddleford noticed was how warm he felt. And better, much better. Oh. No. No, no, no! Did he die?! Is he in heaven?! He can't die yet! The children! He wanted to quickly jump up and act, but his body was weak and he ached. Oh. Okay, good. He was still alive.
He forced his eyes open and though his vision was blurry, he smiled weakly to find the kids at his sides. Mabel and Dipper both beamed at him, perfectly safe and okay. Mabel was dressed in her blue peasant dress and cloth headband, Dipper in his navy-blue nest and hat with an orange shirt. He gave Fiddleford his glasses and he croaked, "Welcome back."
"Kids," Fiddleford sat up and slipped on his glasses, then wrapped each child up in a tight hug, which they happily returned. "Oh, thank God. Thank God. I thought I'd never see y'all 'gain."
"We missed you, too, Fidds." Mabel cooed. "You're finally awake…"
"What on God's green Earth happened t'y'all?" Fiddleford asked as he loosened his hold.
"You wouldn't believe it, Fidds!" Mabel cheered as she sat on her knees next to him. "There was this beast in a castle and a talking hammer and an axe and a teapot and all sorts of magic inside and a poor journal who couldn't talk or eat or sleep and…"
"But the beast and the journal - Stan and Ford - are our friends. They took care of us." Dipper cut Mabel off. "Well, everyone in the castle did, but the guys are awesome! They're twins, like us, and under a curse."
"And we have to help them!"
Fiddleford blinked, completely and utterly confused, but then he smiled. "I believe ya."
The twins are a bit surprised, but then again, they were talking to one of the most open-minded people they knew. "You do?" They asked at the same time.
"O'course." Fiddleford said. "I always said this world's gotta lotta thangs we don't quite get. Some thangs are just different, like us. N' I trust y'all enough to know ya wouldn't lie 'bout this. Now, y'all said they're under a curse?"
"Yeah, and to break it, Stan the beast has to fall in love with someone and they have to love him, too." Mabel answered. "We were gonna try to help by finding a match for him, courtesy of the best matchmaker in the world!"
"Hm, well, if…" Fiddleford stopped when he thought he heard yelling coming from outside. "Did y'all hear that?"
"Yeah, what's going on?" Dipper asked and they went outside to investigate.
Stan sat on Abuelita the armchair, watching the sun set behind the woods. His mind was elsewhere. Ford, his journal closed, noticed this and wished to help or comfort him, but the beast, back in his normal attire of red cloak over a white shirt and dark pants, was too distracted to open a journal and read at the moment.
The sun was now gone, all light but from candles lost, and Stan sighed. He needed to say something. He cautiously opened the journal and said, "I'm sorry, Stanford. I'm sorry I couldn't set you free."
Stanley, was the only word for a while, but then Ford managed to write more. You were willing to let me go. Thank you.
"No," Stan shook his head. "It's my fault you're trapped."
Don't blame yourself. I'm the one that summoned Bill in the first place. I fell for his easy flattery, but you saw him for the scam artist he is.
"I didn't exactly make this curse easier for you."
No, perhaps not. Ford admitted, but then quickly added, But your heart was in the right place. You'll never admit this but you were afraid. I understand; when the curse was first brought upon us neither of us knew how to respond. Accidents happen, Stanley.
"Yeah, and I'm chop full of 'em."
Even still, I won't lie to you. All those years you never opened me, kept me in that glass container, I nearly went insane. There were so many times I didn't know if I existed anymore. That wasn't even the worst of it. All I could do was listen and watch you suffer alone.
"I know, I know!" Stan growled. "That was probably the dumbest thing I've ever done, and I've done some really stupid stuff, and I'm sorry."
It's alright. I forgive you. I should have been a better brother to you. I should have seen your pain and done something about it years ago.
"And now you're gonna die like this." Stan said darkly.
As will you.
"Who cares?"
I do! And those children care, too!
The tiniest of smiles flickered on the beast's face. His memory brought back those kids for a moment, a beautiful, glorious moment. Dancing with them, reading stories, teaching Dipper how to fight and hugging Mabel close to his furry chest.
You miss them, don't you?
Stan sighed, a tired old man. "Yeah. I love them."
I know you do. And because you love them, they will be with you, in your heart, for evermore.
Stan, once again, cracked a small smile at that. He had no idea if they found Fiddlebucket or not, or if they ever made it home, but he hoped that they were safe and happy.
Do you wish to see them? Ford asked. Look at my hand. You can see them whenever you want.
Stan, excited, closed the journal and looked at the six-fingered hand. He grinned at the sight of the children, standing at a front door with an old man with a long beard and big nose. His smile dropped when the children looked scared and uncertain. He watched as echoes of voices grazed his large ears.
"What's going on?!" Dipper asked. "What are you all doing?!"
"Dipper!" Lazy Susan gasped. "Mabel! You're okay!"
"But… how…" Blubs stuttered. "Gideon says you were kidnapped by some beast in a castle!"
"What?!" Mabel gasped and shook her head wildly. "No, no! He saved us! He saved our lives! He's our friend!"
Stan beamed with pride.
Lil' Gideon paled. "I… I don't understand. Y-You were t-t-trapped by a monster!"
"He's not a monster!" Dipper snapped. "Mabel's telling the truth! The beast wouldn't hurt anyone. He gave us a place to stay and took care of us."
"Yeah!" Mabel said as she and Dipper left the porch of their home to talk to the angry crowd. "He's sweet and kind and gentle. You don't have to be afraid of him. He's a very good person. He even liked Waddles!"
"No, I don't!" Stan growled with a smile, unheard by everyone except for Abuelita and Ford. The old armchair rolled her eyes, knowing her boss was lying.
Gideon's face reddened, his chubby face curling inward in fury. "Of course! The beast has them under his spell! I've heard of dark magic like this, but never before seen it with my own eyes!"
"What, no!" Mabel cried out. "Officers, you don't believe him, do you? You won't let this happen, will you?"
"Sorry, kids, but we trust Gideon over a couple of odd-balls like you." Blubs said coldly, arms crossed over his chest. "And nothing short of a miracle could ever change that."
"NO!" The kids shrieked and turned to Fiddleford. "Fiddleford, tell them!" Dipper called. "Tell them it's not true!"
The angry mob laughed. "You'd put your word on a loony old man?! The same guy that destroyed the town three times just this month?!" Durland cackled.
"I done rebuilt it every time!" Fiddleford defended.
Gideon stood on his dazzling white horse and called out to the townsfolk, "You see?! The spell spreads! Look at what the monster has done to our poor friends!"
"He's not a monster, Gideon," Mabel snarled and pointed at the white-haired boy. "YOU ARE!"
"ENOUGH!" Gideon hopped down and grabbed her wrist so tight she winced in pain. Stan growled dangerously. Dipper yelled and was about to act, but Ghost Eyes grabbed a hold of him. "Don't worry, Mabel, once I kill the beast and the spell is broken, you shall finally be my queen! Keep them safe! Lock them away! We can't have them gettin' in our way!"
"NO!" Mabel cried out as a big beefy man grabbed her and shoved her, Dipper, and Fiddleford into a cart and it was locked up. "HELP! HELP US!" Dipper rammed his body against the iron doors to try to escape, but it was useless.
"The beast will come after us all! He'll come after us in the night!" Gideon called out to the crowd, who cheered and yelled. "I say we kill it!"
"YEAH!"
"NO!" Mabel cried as tears ran down her face. "DON'T HURT HIM, PLEASE!"
"We're not safe until he's dead!" Northwest concluded.
"He'll come stalking us at night!" Mr. Valentino gasped.
"Set to sacrifice our children to his monstrous appetite!" Manly Dan cried out, hugging his three sons so tight their faces turned blue.
"He'll wreak havoc on our village if we let him wander free!" Lazy Susan feared.
"So it's time to take some action, fellas!" Gideon called out. "It's time to follow me!" And the crowd began to gather guns, torches, pitchforks, and chanted "kill the beast" courageously into the night.
Stan stood up quickly and left the armchair, throwing the door open. "Soos! Wendy! Get over here!" Soos and Wendy hopped over as quick as they could. "We've got a code Piertotum Locomotor! Man the boundaries! Protect the castle! Get ready for battle! Go, go, go!" And the beast left to organize the attack, all the while he couldn't shake away the blossoming feeling that those kids were willing to risk their lives for him. Maybe he was worth it, after all.
Even after the mob marched away, Dipper continued to throw himself against the doors, making loud bangs but no progress. "DIPPER, STOP!" Fiddleford grabbed him and rubbed his shoulders. "You'll hurt yourself, calm down."
"We have to do something!" Dipper cried out. "This is all our fault! They'll kill him! We have to help!"
"Hush, boy, hush." Fiddleford hugged him and rubbed circles into his back. "We'll think o'somethang. We are three geniuses, after all."
Mabel looked out the window, though the bars, and tried to find something that could help. Her eyes dazzled at the sight of her pig as he ran up to the cart and oinked. "WADDLES! Waddles, we need your help! Go get us a pry bar! You can do it, Waddles, go find one! Good pig!"
"Mabel," Dipper scolded. "He's just a pig! There's no way he even knows what a pry bar is!"
"C'mon, Dipper, have faith!"
"No, no! YOU need to be realistic! I love Waddles, too, Mabel, not there's no way he's gonna…"
The pig squealed with joy and the three humans peered down to find a ring of keys in his mouth. Mabel gave her brother a sassy look.
"Well, it's not a pry bar." Dipper quipped.
Waddles tossed the keys in the air and Fiddleford put his arm through the window and caught them. He pushed himself against the door and started to fiddle with the lock and the keys. "One of these gotta be it…"
Manly Dan led the team to chop down a huge pine tree and cut it so they could use it as a battering ram. The mob hoisted it on it's shoulders, following Gideon on his noble steed and Ghost Eyes marching beside him. "Take whatever booty you want, but the beast is mine!" He called out, using the map Gideon had woken up with in his fist to find their way.
Gideon grinned to find the castle before them and they ran up to the giant doors. Miraculously, it only took one hit and the doors flew open, giving the invaders a false idea that this would be easy. They found the castle filled with items in the lobby, like a rich yard-sale. Gideon left his horse outside and led the crowd into the dark and quiet castle.
Books, chairs, chests, dishes, nearly every type of item surrounded the unafraid villagers. Ghost Eyes leaned down to whisper to Lil' Gideon. "Aren't you worried this place might be haunted?"
"Don't lose your head, Ghost Eyes."
The bodyguard picked up an axe from a table and held it, ready to attack anything that may come his way.
"NOW!" The axe cried out, and the castle lit up with life as the battle began.
Drawers smacked people in the face. A coat-rack boxed with one of Manly Dan's sons and won quickly. Pots fell on people's heads and clashed with metal spoons and pans, making their ears ring. A chest consumed people and dumped them back outside like dumping out trash. Grenda stood from the second floor and cried out, "GRENDA'S JOINING THE PARTY!" and she fell on top of Ghost Eyes. Gideon dodged out of the fight and went up the stairs.
Three men were coming towards her to attack, but Grenda had cloth and material swarm around them and soon they were dressed in drag. Two of the boys screamed in horror and ran, but Tad Strange only stared ahead and said calmly, "This is fine."
Robbie was kicking tea cups and trying to squish them, but Candy hung from the above chandelier and spilt boiling hot tea on the crowd. Wendy was running away from Manly Dan's own axe, but Soos came out of nowhere and hammered him in the face, knocking him out cold. Melody burst through the doors of the ballroom and shot her keys like bullets.
Meanwhile, using Ford's given map, Dipper, Mabel, Fiddleford, and Waddles were running up to the castle and gasped to find the battle before them. "Hurry!" Mabel cried out and they hurried up to the front door.
Fiddleford used his banjo to swing at people's heads. Waddles bit people's ankles. Killbone was about to go after Fiddleford for helping the enemy, but Lazy Susan hit him over the head with her rolling in, knocking him out cold. "Susan?! But I thought…?"
"I'm sorry, old friend, I just didn't wanna be locked up." Lazy Susan explained as she and Fiddleford fought back-to-back. "Claustrophobic. Plus I could've very well fight the bad guys locked away, could I?"
"Ah, gotcha. Well then!" Fiddleford swung his banjo and hollered, "Fight like a hillbilly, woman!"
Mabel and Dipper punched people and shoved them out of the way as they hurried up to the West Wing to make sure their friends were okay.
Minutes prior, Gideon cautiously opened the door, a bow and arrow in his chubby hands. His eyes immediately landed on the handsome journal on the table. He noticed the six fingers on the golden hand and he hypothesized that this journal must have the answer to undoing the spell Mabel was under. No wonder it was so well cared for while everything else in the room was ruined beyond repair.
Gideon walked into the room to take the journal, but the door slammed behind him and he spun around, arrow ready to shoot. His eyes widened at the huge gray beast before him, peering down at him with cold brown eyes and on all fours like an animal.
"Last chance, kid." The beast growled warningly. "Get out before things get ugly."
"You mean uglier than you, never!" Gideon declared and shot his arrow.
Stan dodged it, but soon saw that it was a distraction so the little troll could run to Ford. The beast tried to get their first, but just a few feet shy and Gideon had the journal in his chubby hands. "I got it! I got it!"
"Give it back." Stan snarled.
"Why?" Gideon asked coldly with a wicked smile. "Why's it so important, monster?"
"Just give it to me." Stan was careful to sound firm, but he looked in no hurry to hurt a kid or his brother.
Gideon opened the journal to find it blank. He flicked through the pages roughly, losing his temper, and when he concluded that the answers he was looking for were not here, he ripped a page out and yelled in fury. Stan grunted and sunk, like he was in pain. Gideon noticed this and grinned as an idea came to his twisted mind. This journal must be the source of his powers! Destroying it would free Mabel! Gideon ripped out another page, then another, and another.
Stan growled on all fours and curled in on himself in overwhelming pain. He tried to shake his head and clear away the distraction, but he could practically hear Ford's screaming in his ears, even if it was only his imagination, and it was maddening. "Stop it… stop it… STOP IT!" Stan gnarled at Gideon.
"Or what, huh?" The child mocked. "What are you gonna do, huh? Huh?! Face it, foul creature, without this book you're nothing!" He laughed and tore out another page.
Gideon suddenly cried out in pain and dropped the journal. Stan huffed and puffed to try to compose himself. He looked up to see Dipper and Mabel standing in front of him, facing Gideon, both of them wearing scary looks and Dipper had his fists curled and ready to strike again.
Gideon rubbed his pale chubby cheek. "Ow! What the… how did you…?"
"Doesn't matter." Dipper snapped. "You're leaving. Now."
"Oh, am I, boy?" And Gideon ran to him to punch him.
While the boys punched each other and fought, Mabel hurried to Stan and petted his shoulder, trying to soothe him and help him feel better. "Stan? Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Hazy still, Stan weakly looked up at the girl and smiled. "Mabel… you came back."
"Of course we did." She looked back at the fight and saw that Gideon was having a slight advantage. He shoved into Dipper and they both fell through and broke a window, toppling down the roof. Mabel and Stan yelled with worry and ran after them.
The boys tumbled and rolled, punching and slapping each other. Dipper fell on a balcony and groaned with ache while Gideon squealed and kept on going. He fell on a slanted roof and staggeringly got up. Like a scrawny cat, he climbed up to Dipper and kicked him in the jaw. Dipper quickly rolled up on his feet and used the lessons Stan had taught him to fight.
Mabel quickly slid down the slanted tile roof and jumped into the fight. She punched Gideon in the jaw and found that his stuck-up traditions made him not hit a girl. She and Dipper took advantage of this weakness and worked together to beat up their enemy until he fell and didn't get up. He rubbed a swollen black eye and looked up at the angry pre-teens before him. The beast, he noticed, was over on the next roof and letting the twins handle their own battle with a huge smile.
"Listen, Gideon," Mabel said coldly. "It's over. I will never ever be with you."
"Yeah!" Dipper backed up and Mabel kicked him in the head, just hard enough to knock him out cold.
Stan hopped down behind the twins and had his hands on his hips. "Nice technique, pumpkin."
"Stan!" They both cried out with relief and ran up to him. Stan got on one knee and engulfed them in a hug. Mabel nuzzled her face into his fur and Dipper held him tightly. "We're so sorry, we tried to stop them but they wouldn't listen to us!" The boy said.
"It's okay, kid, it's okay." Stan soothed and rubbed his back as he purred. "I know."
"You know?"
Mabel gasped with a huge grin. "Ford! He showed you, didn't he?! You asked to see us, didn't you?!"
Stan shrugged and put the kids down to ruffle their hair. "What can I say, I missed you knuckleheads."
Mabel squeezed his paw. "We missed you, too, Stan."
Meanwhile, Gideon's one unswollen eye opened yellow and slit, like a cat's. He rose and flexed his fingers and arms, getting used to his body. Standing with his back to the happy reunion, he began to cackle evilly.
A chill ran down Stan's spine. His grip on the twins tightened. "I know that laugh."
Dipper's jaw dropped. "No… it couldn't be… it's impossible..."
Gideon turned around and they saw his eye. Stan growled protectively and hunched over the kids. "Bill Cipher."