Chapter 4

Have you ever noticed that, when asking someone their favorite color, you rarely ever hear someone mention the color gray? How come? Why couldn't people see the beauty that the color held? It had a multitude of meanings and it was up to the person to make the best of it. Gray didn't have a defined meaning. It could mean you're content or sad or just about anything you wanted it to mean. That didn't mean the color was as depressing as others made it out to be.

However, that could be somewhat bias considering that when it came to Bill, the color usually meant something interesting was going to take place.

In this particular moment, nothing looked as beautiful as this moment did. Everything, besides the two men gawking at him, is drenched in gray. The trees that weren't stirring, the cloud-filled sky that wasn't moving, and the dead grass that was no longer crunching was painted a beautiful, simplistic shade of gray. Everything is completely still and quiet. It was… peaceful.

Bill wanted nothing more than to take a few hours and bask in this moment but he had a deal to make and a snuffed out star to revive.

Bill lowered himself towards eye level with the two men, not bothering with the whole routine of flashy entrances and maniacal laughter. There was no time for that. He realized that this was going to be a long day considering that the two fools in front of him still hadn't uttered a peep other than the yelp from Pine Tree at his appearance.

Bill sighed, they were going to make this difficult, weren't they?

With a huff he said, " Took you long enough. You would think that you two would know better than to waste my time. Let's get this over with already, I've got important things to do and I don't want to waste anymore time than we already have."

Dipper was the first to respond, sputtering like a fish out of water. "B-Bill?" He asked meekly. " I-I don't understand. I didn't think this would work. We defeated you! You shouldn't even be here. H-How can you be here?" Dipper looked like he was about to have a panic attack. He was breathing shallowly, his hands were clutching his hair tightly, and his face was flushed and sweaty. Ford, on the other hand, looked ready to faint. His face had drained of all its color and Bill could see the slight tremors going throughout his body. Here were two of the Pines' who managed to defeat him and yet they still coward at the sight of him. Bill couldn't decide if he should laugh or feel pity for the two.

Bill cut him off with a growl, starting to get annoyed. "Shut it, Pine Tree. Didn't you hear a word I just said? Every second you waste, is another second Shooting Star loses. I don't know about you but I'm not particularly fond of that happening. That said, ca-"

Dipper's head whipped up to look at Bill at the mention Bill's pet name for his twin sister. His eyes burning with rage, hope, and desperation.

"Wait. So you know what's happening to Mabel? How do you know that if you've been stuck in the statue for all these years? Does that mean you know how to help her?"

"Dipper, wait a mome-" Ford could see the tell-tale signs of Bill getting frustrated. He needed to calm down Dipper before things got out of hand. Although it's easier said than done considering Dipper wasn't even paying him a ounce of attention.

"You are going to help her right? Wait, what do you mean you wouldn't be "fond of that"? Why do you care anyways? You better answer me right now Bill! Wha-"

Remember what was said about patience? About how Bill had a limit to said patience? That he had all the patience in the world if it meant that he would get what he want? That didn't apply to now.

"Shut up!" Bill could feel himself starting to bleed red with each question that poured from Dipper's mouth. Did this kid not understand that they were running out of time? How many times did he say that time wasn't on their side? Did he not care that his sister was suffering every second that passed by? Was his curiosity that important that it couldn't wait until after things were taken care of?

Both men flinched, Ford made his way towards Dipper and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Dipper," Ford whispered, afraid to upset bill more than he already was. "You need to calm down and take a breath. I know you have many questions running through your head, as do I. However, we are here for a reason. As Bill has said, we do not have much time. It is already nearing evening. We need to hurry and make a deal. Once that is dealt with, we will come back to deal with Bill. Do you understand?"

Dipper's breathing calmed as he looked into his Grunkle's eyes. He took a deep breath as he glanced at Bill and then back to his Great Uncle. "Yeah. Yeah, I got it."

Dipper straightened his spine out. Standing as tall as he could manage and fixing his composure, Dipper turned to glare at Bill with determination gleaming in his eyes.

"Bill… Lets make a deal."

Ugh, testing is such a pain in the butt!

Anyways~ Sorry! I should have had this up weeks ago and this chapter is pretty short.

Don't worry though! Next chapter should be longer and better. If you see any grammar mistakes then please let me know.

Oh! And thank you so much for actually taking the time to read and follow my story!

Much love~