A/N: Ok, I just want to say I'm really sorry for not posting this on the date I said, which was like two weeks ago. There's a perfect logical explanation for that, but I don't think you're interested on it. So, this is the final chapter of this story, and maybe then I'll add one more with interesting things about the whole thing.

CHAPTER 8

Stan and Bloomscorch watched how, in the blink of an eye, a huge amount of pink chewing gum appeared between Dipper and Soos, and extended around them. It covered the mirrors and the stuffed animals. Mabel fell to the floor. All the spectacle of lights and trembling ceased immediately and Stan and the monster were hanging again from the ceiling as silence filled the room.

Dipper opened his eyes. He saw he had separated a little from Soos because of the explosion. His whole body was covered by gum until his chest, and his left arm was also trapped. He saw Soos in front of him. Only his head was visible. He was looking down at where the rest of his body was.

"Gum?! Chewing gum again?!" He yelled. "How is it possible?!" He looked at Dipper. "You!"

Dipper was relieved that his neck was free from Soos' grip, but he was still very weak and felt sleepy. He just smiled a little.

"You should have never tried to hurt Mabel." He told him. "Oh, by the way, your little chimera project over there" He pointed to Stan and the monster. "It has been permanently cancelled."

Soos face changed to one of disbelief. He tried to look behind him, but the gum around his neck didn't help him. He tried to move inside the gum, clenched his teeth and groaned. He shut and opened his eye, trying to concentrate.

"Don't bother yourself trying to escape or using your powers." Dipper said. "This is an improved gum, you're not going anywhere." He closed his eyes for a moment. He could've really used some rest.

"Dipper! Are you okay?" Mabel called him.

Dipper had forgotten about her. He stayed with his eyes closed waiting for her to approach.

"I'm fine, Mabel. Just get me out of here."

"That was awesome!" She shouted again. "I'll go and help you once I get rid of this stuff!"

Dipper opened his eyes. He made an effort to move his body to find Mabel. He saw her to his left. She was on the floor, a few feet from him and Soos. Her legs were covered with gum.

He opened his eyes even more. "Mabel! Y-you were not supposed to get trapped by the gum!"

"I almost escaped, but it got on my legs."

"Listen! You still have the soda and the Smile Dip, right?" He asked.

"Yeah" She said and took them out of her night gown.

"You have to get out of there at once! And use them on Soos! You're our only hope!"

"Oh don't think about it!" Soos yelled. He was looking at Dipper with all the anger that was forming inside of him. "Kid, you have finished with my patience."

Mabel was fighting against the gum, which was really strong. She had a little on her hips, but her feet were totally pasted to the floor. "Dip! I-I can't! This thing… I can't break it!"

"I told you only the special soda can dissolve it!" Bloomscorch shouted. "But don't think of it! I can't reach my pocket!"

Dipper looked at them. "Can't you break those ropes?"

"Kid, if there was a way to get rid of them, we would have done it a long time ago!" Stan yelled at him.

Dipper started to get nervous again.

"Okay, we just have to… we just have to wait for the effect to pass!" Said Mabel.

"He combined the gum with the soda." Bloomscorch said. "It could last for hours!"

"We can't wait that much time!" Dipper said.

"Don't worry. You won't have to." Soos said.

Dipper turned to him. Soos' face had changed. He had a different expression, one that was disturbing. He wasn't angry or smiling evilly. He just looked directly into his eyes. Dipper felt this wasn't good.

Soos moved his body inside the gum and there was a sound similar to a balloon exploding.

"My grappling hook!" Mabel yelled. "He still has it!"

There was movement on the gum around Soos' neck. Dipper saw how it was being pushed by Soos' hands. Then, the gum started to break little by little.

"No!" Dipper said. "Mabel! You have to break it too!"

Soos smiled. "You almost did it, Dipper." He closed his eyes. His body started to shake because of the incredible effort. Little by little he started to advance through the gum.

"He… he can't do that!" Bloomscorch said. "That gum blocks his powers, and now is enhanced by the soda!"

Mabel looked at his trapped legs. "Wait" She said. "This is chewing gum right? Maybe I can chew it!" She moved her body to the front, trying to get closer. "Ahhh! If only my mouth could reach my feet!"

Soos moved more inside the gum. He was now close to Dipper. He looked at him on the eyes and smiled.

"How many times do I have to tell you that I have prepared for this all my life?"

Suddenly, the gum between them was torn by the hands of Soos. He had been able to break the gum by using the grappling hook first. Even though he opened a whole on the sticky matter, he managed to liberate only his left arm.

"Mabel! Guys! You have to find a way! Anything! Now or…"

Soos used his only free arm to grab Dipper's shirt collar.

"Listen to me, boy." He said. "You have interfered with my plans for the last time."

Dipper glared at him. He took Soos' left arm also with his only free arm. "I won't let you get out of here! You can struggle all you want, but you'll have to kill me to get out!"

Soos smiled again, looking down. "It's funny you say that now…" with an incredible velocity, Soos grabbed Dipper's neck. "Because that's what I was planning to do."

Dipper felt a powerful grip around his neck. He quickly moved his hand to it.

"You are really smart and courageous, and that's why I thought you could be useful." Soos said as he continued to press on Dipper's neck. "But you have also become a threat that I can no longer tolerate."

"No! Soos! Let him go!" Mabel yelled.

"Have you lost your mind?! Let him go now!" Stan shouted.

Dipper tried to put his hand between his neck and Soos' fingers. It was useless. He felt Soos squeezed even more.

"Soos! You're gonna hurt him badly! Stop!" Mabel yelled again. She was now trying desperately to liberate her legs.

"That's exactly what he wants…" Bloomscorch said with huge eyes.

Stan looked at the monster. Fear was invading him as he saw things had suddenly become catastrophic for his nephew. Bloomscorch started to swing, trying to break the rope. They had already tried that. A lot.

"You must be thinking you ruined everything for me, right?" Soos asked him. "This is nothing but a little delay. We'll rebuild everything, and start again. Only this time, you won't be here. " He squeezed more. He had started pressing only a little, and then he increased the strength. Now, he wouldn't contain himself.

Dipper's face started to turn red. His vision became blurry.

"Soos! Soos!" Mabel yelled with watered eyes. "Soos! Please stop! Don't do this!"

Stan was now panicked. There was absolutely no way they could release themselves. He could tell that Soos wasn't faking. He won't stop until Dipper was…

"Look what you caused Stan!" Soos shouted. "He was trying to save you! Now, you'll be responsible for this too!"

Dipper started to let out awful sounds. He wasn't breathing anymore. He let go Soos' arm. So… this is how it ends… He thought.

"Dipper! Dipper!" Mabel turned to her Grunkle crying. "Grunkle Stan! Please! Do something!"

"Good bye, Dipper Pines." Soos told him.

"Soos!... I'm sorry!" Stan yelled with all his strength.

Soos blinked. "You're sorry for what?" He asked.

Stan breathed quickly. "I'm sorry… for treating you so bad… forgive me, ok?!"

Soos wasn't expecting this. Not even in a million years he would've expected this. His hand relaxed a bit.

"Y-you… y-you… wha… what y-you just… said?" He asked again with a confused look.

"I said forgive me!... But now… you have to let Dipper go! Let him go now Soos!"

The moment Soos heard that, his hand opened a little. It was something involuntary, as if someone else had done it for him. He opened it just a little, but it was enough to let Dipper breathe again. His lungs filled with air and he coughed several times.

Soos watched it. What was he doing? Why did he do what Stan said? He got angry, and closed his hand again.

"Don't do it, Soos! Please! You don't want to hurt him!"

Soos stopped. Again, it was as if he was losing control.

"Stop! Shut up Stan!" He yelled.

"I won't! It's the only thing I can do to stop you from hurting him! He's innocent! He never did anything to you… I did all those things to you! And I'm so sorry!"

Soos shut his eyes with rage. He wasn't able to concentrate. He wanted to keep doing what he was doing seconds ago, but he couldn't stop paying attention to Stan.

Mabel looked at her brother. He seemed to be unconscious. She saw also that Soos was acting weird. "What's going on with him?" She asked to nobody.

"It's working! It's actually working!" Bloomscorch said. "Haha! I can't believe it!"

"What are you talking about?" Mabel looked at him.

"It's just like what Dipper did in the parlor!"

"Soos… I uh… I guess I want to say forgive me for… not paying enough attention to you… Also for not giving the respect you deserved." Stan continued.

"It was so evident! How couldn't we see it before?" Bloomscorch said. "There's only one way to deal with emotional issues…"

"But the truth is…that you are very important to me… Soos… And I… I probably would have never succeeded without your help."

Bloomscorch let out a small laugh. "And that way… is emotional closure!"

Soos wasn't able to move now. He had prepared himself for this night. He had considered all the possible obstacles. And when there had been a problem, he had used all his power to find a solution. However, he never considered even the possibility that this would happen. He always thought Stan would try to escape by lying or trying to make someone else occupy his place.

"Mabel!" Bloomscorch yelled. "We still have to give him the soda!"

Soos heard that. He had been losing time. Stan had been making him lose time. Now he was angry again.

"You're lying Stan!" He roared, and with incredible effort he got his other arm out of the gum. He put a hand on Dipper's face.

"No! Soos! It's all true!... And speaking of that… f-forgive me… for all the times I lied to you… which were many. But it was only for making money! I never meant to hurt your feelings!"

Soos clenched his teeth. He wanted to crush that boy's neck. But for some reason, he just couldn't avoid hearing what Stan was saying. Moreover, he wanted to hear what he was saying, and wanted that he say more. That was stopping him. It was messing with his emotions and his will. It was so confusing.

"Mabel!" Bloomscorch yelled. "Can't you get out of there?"

Mabel made another effort to move her legs. "I'm sorry! I just can't!"

"Okay! Then, you'll have to help us get down! We have one last chance! Try to find anything sharp and throw it to my mouth!"

Mabel searched for any sharp things on the floor. The broken wood was far from them. All the remaining broken glass had been covered by the gum. She could try to use the soda and the Smile Dip, but she knew it was all that was left. They needed it for Soos.

"Oh Bloom, there's nothing here we can use!" She cried. "Maybe you can keep talking to him, Grunkle Stan! He seems to be getting weaker!"

She should have never said that. Soos heard her clearly. Weak? Me! Weak?! He shook his head, and realized he hadn't been moving for a long time.

Grunkle Stan was still talking to him. "And when I told you those weird puppies you loved so much had escaped one night… It was also a lie! I put them on a box and left it near the lake. Nobody wanted them! They were really strange, and I wasn't gonna keep them! Can you imagine the money it…"

"Shut up! Shut up! You liar!" Soos screamed.

The green light appeared on Soos' face once again. He clenched his teeth harder than ever and Stan and Bloomscorch were pushed by a force and swung on the air.

Soos breathed heavily. Then he smiled. "It didn't work, Stan! You thought you could fool me with your false regret and stop me! Well, I don't want to hear you anymore!"

Stan's undershirt was torn. Soos closed his eyes and screamed. A piece of Stan's clothes was tied around his mouth again.

Bloomscorch looked in panic. "He has recovered his powers! Oh boy, you have to do something Mabel! You hmmmmmmm…."

Another piece of cloth covered the monster's mouth. Soos opened his eyes. He had made an incredible effort, but he had been able to use his telekinesis despite the gum being around him.

Mabel was watching everything in despair. She then looked at Soos.

"And you" Soos told her. "Do you also have anything to say?"

Mabel looked at her brother. He had opened his eyes, and was disoriented. He was now breathing normally, but he was still in danger."

"In fact… I do have something to say!" She yelled at Soos.

"Well I don't care about it."

A piece of her night gown was torn. Mabel watched in horror. She had a little time to shout a pair of words before the fabric covered her mouth.

"Rotten apples!"

Everybody looked at her confused. Even Dipper opened his eyes more because of the loud yell.

Mabel tried to separate the piece of cloth from her face, but it glowed every time she tried and it remained adhered to her mouth.

"Funny. I bet you weren't expecting those would be your sister's last words to you, Dipper." Soos told him.

He instantly grabbed the boy's neck again. Mabel screamed behind the cloth on her mouth.

Dipper opened big his eyes. He looked to his side. "M-m-m-m-ab…mabl….mabel" He said. "D-don't….b-b-be…a-fraid-d."

"Hahahahahaha! Oh… she should be, Dipper. If only you knew what awaits her!"

Soos laughed. He laughed so loudly, that nobody was able to hear the sounds that were coming from the gift shop. It sounded like someone was hitting metal.

"I think we were saying good bye some minutes ago, Dipper." Soos squeezed harder his neck.

Dipper kept looking at his sister. He didn't want to look at anything else. Mabel kept her eyes fixed on her brother, crying.

I'm sorry… Dip. She told him.

A bang was heard. It came from the gift shop. Everybody heard it. Nobody stopped doing what they were doing. Not even when more strange sounds came to their ears. That was until something came running from the gift shop. It passed through the curtained door, crawling under the big stone disk that didn't block all the entrance, and entered the museum.

Waddles ran to Mabel. He had hit the door of the secret storage room until it opened as soon as he heard Mabel yelled those two words, whose meaning was 'serious trouble'.

Mabel saw the little pig. She had never been happier to see him. Before he got to her, Mabel pointed to Dipper and Soos. Waddles looked on that direction and oinked.

"What?" Soos said, recognizing the sound. "Is that what I think it is?"

Waddles jumped to his face, again. Soos instantly let go Dipper's neck, and tried to fight against the unexpected threat that was scratching and biting on his face.

"Ahhh!... gahhh… you!... not again!..."

Mabel felt the cloth over her mouth wasn't pressing anymore. She took it away. "Go Waddles go!"

Bloomscorch screamed to get Mabel's attention. She remembered him and Stan.

"Oh! Okay. Waddles! You have to help Grunkle Stan!"

Waddles stopped attacking Soos. He looked at Mabel and oinked again.

"Now buddy! Go get Stan…"

Soos agitated his arms and hit Waddles. He was tossed with a lot of strength, but fortunately landed safely on the ground.

"Waddles! Help Grunkle Stan get down!" Mabel told him.

The little pig looked at the old man and the monster, which had their hands tied and their mouths covered.

Soos finally opened his eyes. "I'm gonna kill and cook those tiny fifteen pounds of ham!" He yelled as he looked for Waddles.

"Stay away from Soos, buddy!"

The pig looked around, and spotted Dipper's vest on the floor. He quickly ran and disappeared under it, like trying to hide himself.

"That's not what I meant!" Mabel shouted.

"Hahahahaha! Yes! Don't move! Maybe I won't find you!... Ahhhhhhhhh!" Soos eyes shone again as he extended his arm to Waddles.

Two hands suddenly grabbed his hair and pulled. "Let's see… how you like… this!" Dipper said.

Soos screamed in pain. "Ahhhhhhh!... what the….your other arm! How did you ahhhhh!."

"You thought… you were the only one… who could… escape from this thing? Think again!" He pulled harder and Soos screamed again. "Mabel… now!"

"Waddles! Now!" Mabel commanded.

Waddles came running from under Dipper's vest. He jumped and landed on the boy's head. From there, he jumped to Soos' head. Finally, he made a long jump and landed on Grunkle Stan's back. Stan said some words, nobody understood though. Waddles used his hooves to try to remove the cloth.

"Get the rope!" Mabel shouted.

Soos remembered he also had hands and moved them both to the boy's arms. "Stop now!"

Dipper pulled harder and moved Soos' head back and forward. Soos was holding Dipper's arms, but he didn't let go.

Waddles finally took away the cloth from Stan's mouth.

"Waffles!" Stan yelled. "Get that rope on your mouth and start chewing!"

"What?!" Soos shouted, having listened to Stan.

He got furious. Furious like he had never been. He let go Dipper's arms, and grabbed the boy's neck with both hands.

"Okay! That's it kid!" He pressed.

Dipper let go the hair.

"Ahhhhhhhh!" Soos' eyes glowed again.

Waddles was about to take a bite of the rope around Stan's wrists, when he felt a strange force acting on him. It started to lift him. He desperately bit the rope and his back legs ascended. He was holding with his teeth to the rope.

Stan made an extra effort and grabbed one of the pig's hooves with his fingers.

"Waddles! Hang in there!" Mabel yelled.

"Come here, Waddles!" Soos said with his eyes shut.

Waddles couldn't take it anymore and he separated from Stan.

"Oh No! No, piggy, piggy, come here… No!...Noooo!" Stan yelled.

Waddles oinked frightened on the air.

"No Waddles!" Mabel saw her pig floating near the ceiling like a pink balloon.

Stan closed his hands. Waddles was gone. He didn't cut the rope.

Dipper grabbed again Soos' hair and pulled.

"AHHHH!" Soos screamed. "Hahahahaha… you never give up, right?" He screamed in pain and laughed.

"Nnnnnn-never!" Dipper said.

The boy pulled Soos' hair in different directions. Soos was screaming and laughing. His grip got stronger and then weaker. Then, he squeezed again.

"I… I never give up, and… I'll always fight!"

Mabel looked at Dipper. A last ray of hope shone inside her.

Soos stopped laughing and got closer to Dipper. "Of course… but unfortunately… that ends tonight." He moved his hands to Dipper's upper neck, near his chin, and pushed back.

Dipper felt his head was being moved to a position it wasn't supposed to. He instantly felt a pain in the back of his neck, which intensified every second. His heart skipped a beat. His eyes filled with fear and they looked at Soos.

"Oh kid, I'm sorry." Soos said. "Did you guys actually believe nobody was going to die?"

Mabel heard it. She felt something squeezed her heart. "No! Soos! No!"

Dipper released Soos' hair. His weak hands grabbed Soos' arms and tried to take them away. They didn't move a millimeter. Instead, they pushed with more strength.

If Soos wouldn't have been also squeezing Dipper's throat, the boy would've screamed. But the only thing that was heard from Dipper was horrifying moans of pain.

Mabel gasped. She carried her hands to her own neck. "D-d-d-d…"

Dipper continued to moan because of the pain and the fear. His body trembled. His breathing was difficult and accelerated. Soos moved his hands a little more and Dipper had to close his eyes, not being able to emit a sound anymore because of the intensity of what he was feeling.

"I want you to know." He heard Soos in the dark. "That I'm actually pretty sorry for separating you two."

Dipper opened his eyes… and there it was, in front of him. The world went completely silent, and he just watched. He had only lived twelve years, but it had been a lot. And he saw it all pass before his eyes. Every single moment. The things he remembered, and also the things he had forgotten. Every day of his short life was replayed to him. And in every one of them, she was there. From the very beginning, she had been always with him. He saw her smiling, laughing, crying, running, knitting, sleeping, and looking at him. And then, he knew he was going to die. "Mabel…"

When he said her name, the images on his mind disappeared. With the last of his strength, he moved his eyes to one side, and they met Mabel's. She looked so beautiful despite the sadness on her face… she knew it too… what was going to happen.

Dipper didn't feel like crying. He wasn't afraid anymore. He knew Mabel. She was amazing. Smart, strong… just like him. She was going to make it through any situation, even something worse than this… And she was going to do it without him. No, he wasn't worried about her. He only regretted not being able to say good bye.

Dipper smiled weakly at Mabel as a tear ran down his face. You're gonna be just fine, sister. He told her without using any words.

Mabel saw it through her own watered eyes. I don't know… if I will…without you.

Soos hands pushed.

The horrible sound of something breaking was heard.

Dipper's hands, which had been around his neck, fell down. His eyes shut down slowly.

"Dipper…" Mabel whispered as tears covered her face. She felt as if suddenly an empty space had been left inside her. She just stared at her brother's inert body for a moment. Then, little by little, Mabel turned to Soos. When she did it, that empty space was filled with something else.

"You…" She spoke with hatred. "You monster!"

Mabel wanted to let out all of her wrath and throw it to Soos, but she couldn't contain her sobs. "You… you… you broke his…"

Soos relaxed his hands, and opened his mouth.

He never pronounced a word because someone landed on him, placing the legs over his shoulders.

"No, he didn't!" Grunkle Stan yelled. "It was just me cutting the rope with this!"

Stan showed a Swiss army knife on his hand.

"Thank God Waddles put it on my hand before being sent away! And thank God Dipper had it on his vest!" He said.

Soos looked up. He was shocked. So was Mabel.

"B-b-but… if it was you…" She said. "then that sound… that sound…" She looked at her brother's body. "Dipper?"

Soos looked also at him. He patted the boy's face with a hand. "Hey kid, are you still there?"

After some long seconds, a sound was heard. "Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

Then Dipper blinked and moaned again. He sure wasn't aware he was still on Earth.

Mabel's face lighted up like a Christmas tree. "Oh Dippy…"

She then looked at Soos. He returned the look. Mabel opened her eyes big. Soos opened his. Grunkle Stan did the same. "Oh boy…" He said.

Soos threw his arms over the boy again. Stan grabbed his hair and pulled.

"Don't you even think about it!" Stan yelled.

"Ahhhhh! Let me go! I'm gonna kill him! And then I'll come for you!"

Stan pulled the hair with one hand, and with the other he held Soos' arm.

"Mabel! Give me that soda now!" Stan told her.

Mabel reacted and opened the bottle and the bag. She emptied the entire Smile Dip package inside the bottle. "Okay! Grunkle Stan! Catch!"

She was about to toss the bottle. Stan extended an arm, but Soos grabbed it. Mabel hesitated.

"No way that's gonna happen!" Soos yelled.

"Wait just a second!" Stan said.

Soos' strength seemed to have increased. He was trying to reach Dipper with his left arm, but Stan held that one. At the same time, Soos held Stan's other arm, making it impossible for him to catch the soda. It was a real wrestling match, and Soos was winning.

Mabel was desperate and angry. She was trapped in that despicable gum, not being able to help. She looked at Dipper. He probably had fainted because of the extreme pain, but now he was closing and opening his eyes, and moving his head. He was alive. Her brother was alive. She just had to keep him that way.

Suddenly, Soos brought Stan's arms together and with a quick move he grabbed them both by the wrists with his right arm. He finally grabbed Dipper's neck again.

"No! You…" Stan said.

"No mistakes this time!"

Mabel watched in horror. Dipper was still disoriented, but she saw the pain on his face again. The horror passed, and was replaced by rage. The same rage she felt when she thought Dipper was gone. Her hands turned into fists. Her teeth squeaked when she clenched them.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" She roared.

Putting the soda inside her clothes, she reached the gum on her legs. She took it, and with one single powerful move she tore it to pieces. She quickly stood up.

"Aaaaaaaaahhh!" She screamed as she ran to them with her eyes closed.

Stan and Soos were not sure if what they were seeing was actually happening. They were still fighting each other. But when Mabel jumped and landed in front of Dipper, there was no doubt.

"What are you doing little girl?" Soos asked her.

Mabel leaned and bit Soos' arm hard, shaking her head violently like an animal. He screamed in pain and took it away.

"Woah! Mabel!" Stan said.

Mabel turned to her brother and with the same ferocity she ripped the gum around him.

"WHAT THE HECK?!" Soos yelled.

Dipper was much more aware of things now. He looked at her, not believing what he thought she had just done. "M-m-m-mabel?"

She took him by the arms and lifted him. Then she jumped with him to the wooden floor. They fell and rolled.

"Yes! That's my girl!" Stan shouted.

He soon noticed Soos starting to glow below him. The same glow surrounded the twins.

"There's no escape from me kids…"

Stan pulled his hair extremely hard.

"Ahhhhhh! Staaaaaaaaaan!"

Mabel felt the energy around her vanished. She moved to Dipper and took him in her arms. "Dipper! Dipper! Are you okay?!"

"Uhh… yeah… uhhhh…" He said, grimacing in pain. "Hey… is that… Stan?"

He pointed ahead. Mabel turned around. Stan was still on top of Soos, fighting against his arms and pulling his hair.

They watched as Soos' eyes glowed and then turned off, and then it happened again and again. Mabel heard a squeak, and looked up. Waddles was flying in circles through the air.

"Oh my gosh!" She said.

Soos took one of Stan's arms. "Give up old man! There's nothing you can do to…"

"You are not Soos!" Stan yelled.

"What? What are you saying?"

"You are not Soos! So you can't control his body!"

Soos felt it again. His body failed him. "What the… Of course I am! I'm the improved version of him that…"

"No! You listen to me! You are nothing like him! No matter how much you try or lie, you'll never have the right to use his name!"

Soos looked stunned. Surprisingly, he had forgotten fighting. He was trying to put his thoughts in order.

Mabel heard Waddles squeaking again. She looked up and watched him falling. She gasped. Luckily, he landed on Dipper… luckily.

"Owww…" Dipper whined. "Uhhh… Never mind… at this point, nothing can cause me more pain… uhhhh."

Soos was now breathing heavily and sweating. "W-w-well… I'm his other side! And that's also Soos!"

"There was never another side! You just invented that! There is only one Soos, and you have nothing from him!"

"I AM HIM!" Soos yelled louder. "All his hidden emotions, his secret desire for justice… his honor! I'm here to fight for all that! YOU! will pay!"

"No, you're not." Stan said smiling. "Whatever you are, you just used Soos' most secret and darkest thoughts. But you only used them as an excuse to do what YOU wanted to do. Soos would've never behaved like this. You are what he would've become if he had decided to act like an idiot! You are just using him as a disguise in order to harm us. Not because it's justice, but because that's what you like the most!"

The kids were astonished that their Grunkle was saying such deep words. But it was true. There was no way Soos could do all this. Not even think about it. Not even really, really deep inside him.

Soos was trembling now. "Curse you! Curse you! CURSE YOU STAN!" He tried to grab him, but Stan slapped his arm. Soos felt his strength was abandoning him.

"But I know the real Soos is inside. And you and I know he can kick you out of there. So… if you're listening, kid… I'm sorry! I promise I'll be a better boss… and a better friend too!... And I really hope you can forgive me!"

Soos closed his eyes. He felt like something had blown up inside his head. "Stop it! Stop now!"

"Mabel! Now!" Stan said.

Mabel remembered the soda. She extracted the bottle from her night gown. The moment she did it, it scared her that it was shining like a flashlight.

"Wow! What is that?!" She said.

"Mabel… you have to get rid of that thing… now!" Dipper told her.

Mabel threw the bottle. Soos watched and tried to block it, but Stan easily caught it. With each word Stan said, Soos had been weakening. At this point, he couldn't fight anymore.

Stan opened the bottle. Shining golden bubbles came out from it and flew through the room.

"Nooooo!" Soos made a last attempt to stop the inevitable, but he could only raise his hands towards Stan.

"I just want to tell you, Soos…" Stan closed his eyes. "You really mean a lot to me… you know... like a son."

Soos put his hands on his ears. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I AM SOOS!"

Stan stuck the bottle on Soos' mouth. He looked up scared.

"Oh yeah? Well 'Soos', there's only one more thing I have to say to you... YOU ARE FIRED!"

Grunkle Stan squeezed the bottle and all the soda and Smile Dip entered Soos' body. The old man jumped from his shoulders and joined Mabel and Dipper on the floor.

Soos coughed after having swallowed all the bottle's content. He looked at Stan and the twins in front of him. It took a few seconds before the Smile Dip entered his system. Then, all his body started shaking. Soos took his hands to his stomach, and smiled nervously at Stan and the kids.

Suddenly, he saw every object and person in the room shine and vibrate. He stopped shaking.

"O... O… O… Okay… y-you win… this time… dUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"

He opened his mouth and a blinding light came out of it, the same happened with his eyes.

The trio tried to cover their faces with their hands. Mabel held Waddles tightly. A powerful earthquake took place at the Mystery Shack. The walls, floor, ceiling and everything else shook, and surprisingly emitted that familiar and frightening green light.

"This is it, kids!" Stan yelled through the deafening noise. "It's working!"

The Pines family protected themselves with a group hug.

After a few more seconds, the lights disappeared and the sounds extinguished.

When Stan, Dipper, Mabel, and Waddles opened their eyes, they saw Soos in the same place. He was looking at nowhere. His mouth was wide open and he was emitting only one sound.

"Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…"

They walked to him quickly.

"It must have worked." Dipper said. He had recovered much of his strength.

When they were next to him, they saw how really weird his face was looking.

"Soos?! Soos, are you okay?" Mabel asked.

Stan snapped his fingers on Soos' face. "Hey Soos, wake up! Come on!"

"He has totally zoned out, guys." Dipper said.

Mabel took Soos' shoulders and shook him. "Soos! Soooooooos!"

"Mabel, don't!" Dipper took her hands. "After all, this is Smile Dip. I think he has been submerged on his own mind." He put a finger on his chin. "In fact, I think he's trying to find the way to return to reality."

Mabel looked at Soos worried. "Oh Soos…" She put a hand on his shoulder. "I wonder what's happening on his head."

.

..

...

Soos woke up. He was lying on the floor. Or… what he thought was the floor. He stood up and looked down. He was standing on grass… golden grass. He looked around. He was outside the shack, but the shack was nowhere on sight. He looked up and saw a purple sky, with purple clouds.

"What the heck is this place?"

A crash was heard behind him. He turned back and the Mystery Shack appeared in front of him, as if it had fallen from the sky.

"Oh, there you are…"

He walked to it. But when he was two steps from the porch, the whole building moved over the golden grass and suddenly rose in the air.

"Alright…" He said while watching the shack floating slowly just a few feet over him. "Maybe we went too far this time."

He looked around once again. There was no sign of Stan or the kids. He could see some mountains in the distance, but he was sure this wasn't Gravity Falls.

Something hit the back of his head. He turned back to see a bunch of chips floating near his face.

"Well, look at this… oh boy…"

Right behind the chips and higher in the air, another one was floating. Only that this one was the size of a car. It passed over him, and was followed by others similar to it. He noticed that other things were also in the air.

He moved only his head as he saw a giant screwdriver passing by his side. When he turned to his right, a normal size arcade machine was moving slowly near him. There was a game being played on the screen. All the objects kept floating around him. There were more tools like the ones Soos always carried on his belt. There were also big bags of candy, and even an enormous burrito with a Mexican flag stuck on it.

"I guess… this might not be even Oregon." Soos finally said.

"Actually, it is." He heard familiar voice, one that he hadn't heard for a while.

He turned around again, and in front of him was… Soos.

"This is my mind, dude."

"You…" Soos said in total disbelief.

"Yeah, it's me. Surprised? You shouldn't be, considering that it was you the one who locked me up here."

"But… how…" He looked up in many directions. "Why am I here?!… And you! You were supposed to be sleeping!"

"I was at first. But then I woke up, and I saw all the things you did. You have caused too much trouble, dude."

Soos was thinking. He finally remembered it. "Of course! That soda! They made me drink it! Bastards! They got lucky!... Where the heck are they! I'm gonna totally kill them!"

"They're just out there."

Soos pointed to the sky. Soos looked on that direction. A giant television screen appeared on the air. The faces of Dipper, Stan, and Mabel were on it. Soon their voices could be heard also.

"Soos. Soos! Can you hear us?" Mabel asked.

"Mabel. I told you. We'll have to wait."

"They're fine. This is how I was watching you all the time." Soos said.

Soos looked at them. They were fine. Well, not for long, he thought. "Outside, right? That's where I have to go!"

"Oh sorry, dude. I cannot let you do that." Soos told him. "At least not how you want."

Soos turned to him.

"Excuse me? What did you…"

"You heard me. You hurt them all. Everyone. Even Waddles. You are not going to take control of me again."

"Oh really?" Soos said with an evil smile. "I'm gonna have to disagree with you."

"You are not listening. You have lost. They defeated you. They sent you here. And there's only one way out of here."

"Hmmm… interesting. Well, just tell me where the exit is, and we won't lose any more time."

"No way dude."

Soos frowned. "Ahhhhhhhhhh! Tell me where it is!" He ran and lunged toward Soos. However, Soos jumped and floated in the air before being tackled.

"Hey! No need to be aggressive!"

Soos stood up and looked at him. "You can't escape from me!"

He also jumped and flew to Soos. He grabbed him by the neck.

"Ahhhh! Stop doing that!"

"Tell me where it is!"

The two struggled in the air for a while. Finally, Soos felt suffocated by Soos' grip and they both fell to the ground.

Soos got over Soos, his hands still trying to choke him.

"Come on, Soos! I will find it somehow by myself eventually. I know you as well as you do!" He pressed harder on Soos' neck. He just loved how that felt.

"Noooooo… aghhhh!"

"But if you tell me now, I promise I'll make Dipper and Mabel suffer only a little before killing them!"

Soos took Soos' hands and pushed strongly. "Never! I'll never tell you how to get to that floating EXIT door up there!"

Soos stopped crushing Soos' neck and looked up. A big blue door was suspended high on the air. It had the word "EXIT" written on its top.

"Hahahahaha. That wasn't so brilliant from you, Soos." He said releasing him. "I'll see you… No, you'll see me later!"

He flew to the door.

"No! Wait!"

Soos turned the doorknob and the door opened. "Don't worry! I'll soon let you out! I don't want another Soos inside MY head!"

"No, don't do it!"

Soos went through it.

Soos remained looking up.

Suddenly, a cry of fear was heard from the Soos that had gone through the door.

"Ahhhhhhhh!"

It was followed by loud barking.

"I warned you." Soos said and got off the ground. He also flew to the door.

Soos' head came out of the door. "Oh my! What was that?!"

He was pulled inside, but he clung to the doorframe.

"What is this?! You said it was the exit!"

Soos came close to him. "I'm sorry, dude. I guess you don't know me as well as you thought. After all, it's MY head."

Soos pointed up. They both saw as the word "EXIT" changed to "NIGHTMARES".

"WHAT!"

"Yeah, it wasn't so brilliant from you. Now, if you excuse me, I'll go back to the real world. But don't worry, you are coming too… soon."

A large dog paw emerged from inside the door and grabbed Soos.

"NO! WAIT!"

"Yeah… nightmares. They always blow your mind."

The paw pulled Soos inside. "NOOOOOOOOOO!"

Soos moved away from the door. There was some more barking and screaming before it finally closed.

"I hope that will be enough." He said.

Right after he finished speaking, everything vanished around him. There was no more ground or sky. Only white light surrounding him.

"Yes!" He yelled, and closed his eyes.

...

..

.

"Yeah, it's true! He did it again!" Mabel shouted happily.

Dipper had seen Soos look directly at him. And he did it again.

"Is he waking?!" Stan asked.

Soos blinked several times until the images in front of him were clear. He looked around at everybody.

"Soos…" Dipper looked directly into his eyes. "Is that really you?"

There was silence. Soos broke it after a while.

"Of course it's me, bro!"

Everybody sighed relieved when they heard Soos' old voice.

"Who were you expecting? Anti-Soos?"

Dipper laughed. "Actually, that's exactly who I feared could show up."

"Well, no need to worry." Soos said. "I've already taken care of him."

"So you defeated him?! I-I mean, you destroyed him?!" Dipper asked excited.

"Dude, it was you who defeated him. All of you guys! Really! You should've watched yourselves! It was… like the ultimate fight or something!"

"Wait" Mabel said. "Were you watching us?"

"Yeah! And forgive me, dudes. I wanted to help you, but it was impossible. I was trapped in there."

"Well! That's very interesting! Now that you are all safe, would you mind helping me a little?"

They heard a familiar voice. When they looked at one side, they saw Bloomscorch crawling over the gum covered floor. He was still trapped in a mess of rope.

"Oh Bloomscorch! We are so so sorry for forgetting about you!" Mabel ran to him.

"I was trying to release myself all the time." The monster said. "It was hard without the knife. You could have given it to me before leaving, Grunkle Stan."

"Hehe… I'm sorry, pal. I was on a hurry, trying to save the kids. So, no hard feelings, right?"

"Not at all." Bloomscorch smiled. They cut the ropes around the monster. "Now, we could use some of this." He extracted the can of gum dissolving soda from his pocket and approached Soos. He had to use almost all of its content.

"Oh, thank you, buddy." Soos said as the gum around him evaporated, letting him out.

Two objects fell to the floor when Soos stepped out of the gum: Mabel's grappling hook and Dipper's journal.

"Come here you!" Mabel leaned to grab her grappling hook. She felt a little shiver when touching it. "Well. This should never fall again into the wrong hands."

Dipper cleaned the cover of his book. "Good! I thought I'd never see it again." He said.

"So…" Stan said. "You were also listening to everything we were saying?" Stan rubbed the back of his head."

Soos looked at him. "Yes…" He looked down. "Were you uh…Did you really mean all those things you said about me, Mr. Pines? Or were you just faking and trying to fool that other guy."

"Of course not!" Stan yelled. "I-I mean, it was real… well, maybe I kind of exaggerated a bit with the screaming, but that's uh… that's pretty much what I think."

A tear dropped from Soos' eye. "Oh Mr. Pines… Come here dude!" He embraced Stan in a big hug.

"Oh, okay…" Stan patted his back. "Yes… awkward moment."

Soos broke the hug and cleaned his face.

"Soos!"

Mabel jumped to him when he was turning around, and hugged his neck. "I'm so so happy you are back!" She said closing her eyes.

Dipper did the same with Soos' belly. "Yeah, buddy! I… I missed you a lot!"

"I missed you too!" Soos hugged them both.

Dipper separated from him. "So, what really happened to the other guy?"

"Well, I don't know. I thought I would see him somehow here. I was… Owwwww"

Soos clutched his stomach. "I… I… I think I had too much soda… whoaaaaa"

"It must be the Smile Dip. We gave him a lot." Mabel said.

"Dude, I think I maybe want to puke a…"

"Don't worry. The feeling will fade away. Mabel has gone through it before, and we know… whoa! What is that?!"

A green light appeared under Soos' shirt. It ascended quickly to his throat and got to his mouth.

"Oh no! Sorry dudes… Ghaaaaaaa…"

Soos spitted out of his mouth something that was shining in green light. It landed some feet away from them on the gum.

"Oh boy, is that…" Dipper said.

"Yes… the Trickster's heart!" Bloomscorch said.

The thing was a deformed amount on black matter with green sparkles on it. It was surrounded by a green aura. Suddenly, it ascended on the air.

It had been defeated. They were smarter than it, and they expelled it from its host. It needed a host to be able to do what it was meant to do. So it looked for a new one.

It looked around and saw six candidates. Actually five. It wouldn't pick Soos again. It didn't want to go into the pig either. That would have been very inconvenient. So it directed its attention to a weak twelve year old boy. His body had been seriously damaged. He wouldn't be able to fight against it. It had made its choice.

Everybody saw how the thing that had come out from Soos glowed and flew to them with incredible speed. Dipper realized it was coming to him. "Uh-oh."

Just before it reached the boy's mouth, Bloomscorch jumped in front of him, opening his own mouth.

That was not where it wanted to go. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

The monster took it inside and closed his mouth. His eyes glowed and his whole body flashed and changed to many colors. There was a brief vibrating sound before he regained his normal appearance.

He turned around. "Done!"

"Wh-what was that?!" Stan asked.

"That…" The monster said. "Was him… or it. It doesn't matter. Now it's gone!"

"Did you really just eat it?!" Soos said in panic.

"Relax buddy. I told you guys. That was why I came here. To eat the Trickster's body and store that evil force inside me." He patted his stomach. "Thanks to you, I finally did it! Yes baby!" He raised his arms.

Everybody was still a little shocked.

"So, we did it, right?" Mabel said. "We won! Woo-hoo!" She also agitated her arms and turned to her brother.

"Yes, Mabel. We won." They smiled widely and fist bumped.

Stan leaned and hugged them both. "I just want to tell you I'm really proud of you two. Especially you, Dipper. That… was manly."

Dipper smiled at him. "Thanks, Grunkle Stan. It really hurts to be a man."

"Oh, you have no idea!" Stan said. Mabel elbowed him.

"Hey! I think I kinda helped a little too, right?"

"Oh yeah, little weasel! You sure did!" He said giving her a noogie. "Now that you mention it, how did you manage to break that gum with only your hands? I couldn't believe my eyes!"

"Yes Mabel." Dipper said. "H-how did you do that?"

Mabel rolled her eyes. "Well, nobody messes with MY brother without ME doing something about it. I don't really know… the sugar maybe?"

Dipper smiled at her. "Well, whatever it was, I'm glad it happened."

Waddles came to Mabel oinking and jumping.

"WADDLES! How could we forget about you?! My tiny, chubby and pinky hero who saved us three times tonight!" She rubbed her cheek against his.

"Wow dudes. It's been a crazy night!" Soos said. "I… I just wish we had something to remember it… If only we had had a camera crew with us. Like in those haunted houses movies. They would've followed us all the night and recorded everything!"

"Yeah…" Dipper said. "Hey! Wait just a second! We don't need a camera crew! We had our own camera! Where is it?!"

He looked everywhere. Without any particular reason he looked up and saw it. The device was hanging from the ceiling by a piece of gum. It had been tossed there when he made the last trapping gum explode. As if that wasn't lucky enough, the camera was pointing to them.

"What are the chances of that happening?" He asked himself.

With the help of Soos, he reached it and used the last of the soda to clean the gum off it.

The camera was on and recording. The time on it was eighteen minutes before four o'clock in the morning. He searched for the record files.

"I can't believe it! Everything is here! Hahaha!" He laughed excited. "This material is priceless! Now no one would dare to say we are crazy kids, Mabel!"

"I really hope you're right, kid." Stan approached him. "Because we're gonna need to sell as many copies of it as we can in order to survive."

"What are you talking about? We're not gonna sell this as if it was fake Mystery Shack merchandise. This footage has to be taken to an expert to be analyzed!"

"Well, before you do that, maybe you should start analyzing our situation." He walked to the center of the museum. "Can you guys imagine how much it's gonna cost to repair all this damages? The shack is completely ruined! Especially the museum and the gift shop. We can't open like this in the next few hours! There are no attractions at all. And let's not talk about the house. It's a mess."

They walked to Stan. "What do we do now?" Dipper asked.

Stan sighed. "The way I see it, we're completely out of service for a few weeks. I'll have to use my precious savings to get the shack fixed, but until that, we'll have to move to a motel or something. I just hope this town and we can survive without the Mystery Shack for a while."

The kids were also worried. Maybe they'd have to return home after this. That was something they didn't want.

"Oh come on, guys." Bloomscorch said. "It's not that bad. At least you're together, right?"

Mabel looked at him. "You're right, Bloom. But I think we are broke, and Grunkle Stan is gonna lose all his customers." She said with a sad face.

Bloomscorch felt really bad.

"Well, like he said, as long as we are together everything will be fine… I guess." Dipper said.

Stan looked at him. "You know, kids, maybe it would be better if you go back to Piedmont for the rest of the summer. I think that's what your parents would like. I'd better call them as soon as the sun comes up. That is, if the telephones are still working."

Dipper and Mabel didn't want to hear those words. They knew it was probably going to end that way.

"Oh dudes, I'm really sorry!" Soos said. "It was all because of me! If only I hadn't eaten that candy!"

"It's not your fault, Soos." Mabel said, grabbing his arm. "We… we will be fine."

There was a silence between them. Bloomscorch couldn't take it anymore. He closed his eyes and sighed.

"Okay" He said. "There's a way to fix all this."

"What are you talking about?" Dipper asked.

"I'm saying that I can help you with this, so you can get your house fixed right now."

"Thanks little freak." Stan said. "But unless you can do magic, I don't know how… Ohhhhh"

Bloomscorch gave him a look. "It's not magic anyway." Then he took another item from his pocket. It was a shining metal sphere. "Look guys, I'm not supposed to use this. So, if I do it, don't ever mention it, okay?"

Everybody was confused.

"Just gather around me."

They obeyed. Bloomscorch stayed on the center of the group. "Now, don't ask me how it works, but this will help you." He placed a hand on the sphere and whispered something in an unknown language. "Okay, stay close, and don't panic."

They heard a whistling, and the shack started to vibrate again. Dipper looked down. There was a lot of debris on the floor. Pieces of wood and glass moved away from them. Dipper followed them to the walls with his eyes. He saw the windows shaking. Then, he saw something amazing.

The bent wood of the frames returned to its original position. The glass that had been broken came from nowhere and formed again the glass panel. In a matter of seconds, the window looked as new.

The same thing was happening all around them. The gum that had given them so much trouble was retreating and converging on one single point. The wood boards of the floor joined again, covering the big holes that were scattered all over it. Stan watched in disbelief as the fur, wire and other elements stacked over the feet of the Sascrotch to rebuild his most valuable attraction.

All over the room, the objects returned to their respective spots, and what had been broken repaired itself. It was as if someone had pressed a magical rewind button. The mirrors were fixed in a minute, and just like in a fairy tale, they went out of the museum one by one, through the curtained door.

"Now we can move." Bloomscorch announced. "Let's follow those mirrors. I bet you'll want to see the rest of your house is perfectly fine."

They ran behind the mirrors. As they entered the gift shop, they saw all the damage on it was also being fixed. The window Stan broke was finishing assembling and the big stone disk had returned to its location in one of the corners. The exit door was also completely repaired.

"How is this possible?" Dipper said in awe. "How do you…"

"Hey! I told you. Don't ask." He pointed to the last mirror, which was going through the "Employees Only" door. "Let's go to the living room."

They entered the living room. A few hours ago, Soos had made a complete mess there. Stan had almost cried when he saw his TV destroyed. Now, it looked as old as always, but it was in one piece. The rest of the furniture was on its place.

"So" Bloomscorch said. "I guess all those mirrors will go back to where they belong. You don't have to worry anymore. Everything is exactly where it was before the other Soos showed up. Also, you'll be glad to know that your toy guns are perfectly safe on your room."

He was right. All the items from the kitchen that had been blocking the porch door, and that were set on fire after that, had returned to their place. The attic and the kids' room were as messy as they always were. The roof had also been repaired. Even Wendy's secret spot had been rebuilt.

"Wha… wha…" Stan tried to say something. "T-this is great! F-for a moment I thought we were actually in trouble! Haha! Come here little freak!"

Stan embraced the monster so hard his eyeballs looked as if they were going to explode.

"You… you are welcome." He told Stan when he released him.

"Sweet, Bloom! Now we don't have to leave the shack before the summer ends! Thanks a lot!"

She was going to give him another hug, but Bloomscorch stopped her. "Okay, okay. I know. We don't have to get so physical."

"Still, thanks buddy. This means a lot to us." Dipper said.

"Well, it's the least I could do. Considering that you helped me to complete my first mission ever."

Dipper smiled at the monster in silence. It had been a crazy night. Things got really dangerous at some points, but luckily, it all had ended well.

"Then, I guess you'll be leaving now…" He said with a little sadness in his voice.

Bloomscorch sighed. "Yeah, you know. I'm gonna be kind of busy for some days. I mean, the extraction process is very quickly, but I'll have to answer a lot of questions. Tests will be done, Oh! And don't ask me about the paperwork that will result from all of this. Hehehe…"

"Oh, Bloom. We'll never forget you." Mabel said approaching him. "Especially because we'll have this awesome movie of we three kicking Anti-Soos' butt!"

Bloomscorch looked a little worried. "Yeah… about that. You guys can not tell anyone about me or the candy, or all that happened here tonight. We prefer to remain undercover…"

"What are you talking about?!" Grunkle Stan interrupted him. "We defeated that evil guy, whoever he was, and we have enough evidence on that camera to prove it! Oh boy! Can you imagine how much money we can still make from it? I'm talking about big screenings every night! With special tours through the real locations where everything happened!"

"No! You can't do it!" Bloomscorch said really worried.

"Why not, dude?" Soos asked him. "I'm sure everyone will love you!"

Bloomscorch closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Okay, you know what? I think I have something that I can give to you in exchange for your silence."

"And what is it exactly?" Stan asked.

Bloomscorch took out a plastic bag from his pocket. "Fortune cookies!"

Stan looked at him disappointed. "I don't think so. I used to offer them on the gift shop, but people complained a lot because their fortune never came true."

"Oh, but I'm sure you never offered these. They are one hundred percent guaranteed to be true. Every one of them. You just have to read the fortune while eating it. Come on! Try some before deciding."

The monster offered a cookie to Stan. He took it, not really excited about it. Bloomscorch also gave one to Soos.

"Look, if they are a lie, I will know. I have a lot of experience with these things."

"Trust me!" Bloomscorch said. "They will make you forget about selling that recording!"

Dipper suddenly felt something wasn't right.

Stan extracted the tiny piece of paper containing his fortune. He read it while eating the cookie.

"You are not going to... you are not going to remember anything about this night?"

Stan was confused. But soon it made sense to him.

"…anything about this night." Soos read too. "Interesting…" He said.

They didn't say anything for like a minute.

Dipper and Mabel looked at their Grunkle's face, then at Soos. They were staring at nothing. The twins approached them.

"Stan? W-what's happening? What was your fortune?" Dipper asked him.

"Soos! Are you okay? Was it something bad what you read there?" Mabel moved Soos' body.

They didn't react. Mabel continued to shake Soos. He suddenly blinked.

"Wow. What? Bad? No! It wasn't something bad. Just a little strange. It says I won't remember anything about tonight."

Mabel and Dipper looked at each other with concern.

"I mean, it was strange because it's absolutely true!" Soos said. "I can't remember anything! Isn't this scary, Mr. Pines?"

"It sure is! I stopped buying these useless cookies a long ago, but who would've known? This one was completely accurate. I can't even remember what I'm doing downstairs…"

He saw the twins. "Kids?! Why are we all up from bed? Was it one of those little tremors that only take place at one spot? I heard they are very… wow! Kid! What happened to your face?!"

Stan grabbed Dipper's face and examined it. He had stains of dried blood near his mouth and nose. Also he had one black eye. His hair was messier than it used to be, and his clothes were wrinkled.

"What?! Don't you guys remember it? Bloomscorch! What did you gave them to…"

Bloomscorch was gone. He had exited the living room some minutes ago.

"What are you saying, kid?" Stan told him.

Dipper couldn't believe it. "What?! Bloomscorch! The candy monster! Come on guys, you have actually forgotten all the things we did tonight?"

Stan rubbed the back of his head. "Monster?"

"Yes! Bloomscorch!" Dipper said.

"Bless you kid." Stan told him.

Dipper rolled his eyes. "Ahhh! He erased their memories, Mabel!"

"Bloom? But how? And why?"

"I wish we could ask… him." Dipper saw the monster through one window. He was outside the shack, jumping and making signs to them.

Dipper didn't know what it was, but there sure was a good reason to make Stan and Soos forget about everything. He decided to play along with the monster until he could talk to him.

"Uuuuuh… Yeah! That's exactly what happened, Grunkle Stan." Dipper said. "One of those mini-tremors that only affect one place. Haha! Yeah. It hit the shack while we were sleeping. Mabel and I were trying to get out, but it was so dark I tripped and fell downstairs."

"Wow. I can't remember it." Soos said.

"I guess you two woke up too fast. Sometimes it has that effect." Dipper said, hoping they would believe that.

"I guess you're right." Stan said. "B-but what is Soos doing here anyway? It's like four in the morning!"

"He was here for another Horror Sleepover!" Mabel said. "But it was cancelled, because everybody fell asleep. You first, Soos."

"Oh, yeah. I think I can remember something about that."

Dipper was relieved. They bought it. Now, he wanted to talk with Bloomscorch.

"So, it's still dark, and my whole body is killing me. I think we'll just go to bed now." He took Mabel's hand and advanced to the porch door. "Good night Grunkle Stan!"

"Wait kid! I think you should get those bruises examined. You know, all my employees must be able to work at their full capacity."

Dipper tried to think on something. "I… I… It was nothing. I'm totally fine. But I think I heard noises coming from the museum. Maybe some attraction fell down."

When Stan listened to that, the look on his face changed. "What?! Oh no! That's the last thing I need! Soos, since you are here so early, give me a hand."

"Yes, Mr. Pines!" They went to the gift shop and then to the museum.

...
...

The kids went outside the shack. Bloomscorch came out from some bushes.

"So it wasn't fortune cookies after all." Dipper said.

"Sorry kids. I had to do it. They were out of control. As I told you, we want to keep this on secret. That's why we sometimes use this 'rewind machine' to erase all major evidence."

"Oh, so that's why you used it here." Mabel said.

"No. A destroyed shack is not what we call major evidence. Trust me, we have faced much bigger problems. This could have easily been caused by a gas explosion or something like that." Bloomscorch took a little bag from his pocket. "I used it because… I didn't want to see you guys being that miserable."

"Yeah… Thanks again for that." Dipper said.

"Yeah… Unfortunately… since I used something you were not supposed to know of its existence, and since you came in contact with all this candy tech… I… I'm gonna have to make you forget too."

Bloomscorch extracted something from the bag. Before the kids could react, Bloomscorch was aiming a party pooper at their faces.

"Wait… what?!" Dipper said.

"The cookies aren't the only item that can erase memory. We only use them as a trap. This memory party pooper is what we normally use."

The kids walked back. "Hey, man… y-you don't have to… w-we promise we won't tell anybody, right Mabel?"

"Yeah! Nobody ever believes us anyway!"

Bloomscorch walked to them. "I have to kids. Why do you think nobody knows about us? This is the standard procedure after coming in contact with humans."

The kids stopped walking when they got to a wall of the shack. There was no escape.

"Oh please, Bloom. After all we've come through together. Are you really going to do it?" Mabel said.

"I will." He said, getting ready to fire.

Dipper and Mabel hugged each other.

"Okay!... Then, just do it already!" Dipper said. He and Mabel closed their eyes.

Bloomscorch looked at them. There was silence. Seconds passed and nothing happened.

"I mean… I must do it." The monster said. "I must… but I can't."

The twins opened their eyes. "Really?" Mabel asked.

"Yeah…" Bloomscorch lowered the party pooper. "I can't erase your memories guys. That wouldn't be the right thing to do after all you did for me."

"Oh Bloom!" Mabel ran to him and almost choked him with a hug. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

"Ufff…Yeah, yeah." He said when she released him. "Many rules were broken tonight, so I guess one more won't make any damage."

"Won't you get yourself in trouble for this?" Dipper asked him.

"Nah, we have more important things to worry about than two kids saying they saw a candy monster. Especially if they have nothing to prove it." Bloomscorch took Dipper's camera out of nowhere and threw it at him.

"What? How did you get it…"

He saw the monster was holding the memory card with his fingers.

"Hey! Give it back!"

Bloomscorch put it on his interdimentional pocket.

"It's already gone, Dipper. But don't worry. You'll have it back after I remove the events from tonight."

"Oh man! That's not fair!" Dipper said.

"Don't worry Dipper!" Mabel said. "We don't need a video to remember Bloomscorch!"

"No. But that was probably the best paranormal activity recording in history."

"Oh, people would've said it was a fake video." Mabel told him.

"I guess…" Dipper said disappointed. "So, are Soos and Stan gonna be okay?"

"Yes, don't worry. It doesn't cause any harm to the people's brain."

"Then, why didn't you use it against the other Soos? It could have helped!"

"I doubt it. Both the cookies and the party poopers were created to work on human minds. That other Soos was not human."

"Still" Mabel said. "I wish you hadn't erased their memories. Soos and Stan were getting along pretty well."

Bloomscorch smiled. "You don't have to worry about that either. They only forgot the things that happened tonight. Their emotions are something different. Even if they don't remember what they said or listened to, the way they feel towards each other will be the same. I can assure you that Grunkle Stan is gonna be at least a little nicer with Soos."

The twins smiled at each other. "Well that's good news." Dipper said.

They all three remained in silence for a moment.

"Well… we… we just would like to thank you for everything." Dipper said. "You know, for coming here tonight and help us. We would have been lost without you, Bloomscorch."

"On the contrary." The monster said. "I have to thank you Dipper and Mabel, for helping this inexperienced guy on his first mission. You… you were the real heroes tonight."

"Oh, you are just saying that." Mabel said blushing.

"No! It's the truth guys. I mean, you saved me. If it wasn't for you, I would have run away and we wouldn't have retrieved this evil force. It probably would've destroyed the whole town with you included."

"Yeah." Dipper said. "That could have happened."

"I'm really thankful to you. I… I just wish I had something to give you, Wait a second… let's see… if… in this interdimentional thing…" He searched on his pocket and took something out. They were some pieces of candy.

"Cool! Is that some special candy that grants us some supernatural abilities?"

"No, they are not." The monster said.

"What do they do?" Dipper asked.

"They… they do nothing." Bloomscorch said a little sad. "It's just some loser candy I took earlier in your room, thinking it looked suspicious. I'm sorry guys. I don't have more of the cool stuff left."

"Oh… Oh well." Dipper said. Then he took some candy from the monster's hand. "It's okay! Who wants to celebrate with loser candy?"

"I want!" Mabel said.

Bloomscorch smiled widely.

Dipper gave some to his sister. Then he raised his hand on the air. The others imitated him.

"For friendship!" Mabel yelled.

"Alright!" Dipper said. They looked at Bloomscorch.

"Sure. For friendship"

They all ate the candy in silence.

"Wow, it's really bad." Mabel said.

"Yeah…" The boys said.

"So tell us Bloomscorch." Mabel said still chewing the awful candy. "Are you some kind of Candy Fairies?"

"Well… we are not fairies as you can see. Let's just say we are some kind of quick response team against every evil threat related to food. My section deals with food for children."

"Wow!" Said Mabel. "That's so awesome! Now we have a friend on the special supernatural forces! Hey, if you need help anytime, you can contact us!"

"Well, it's not that simple for a human to become one of our collaborators… wait! No! That's not what you think!"

"Woo-hoo!" Mabel screamed.

"Mabel calm down… what? Really? Can we be part of your organization?"

"Oh boy… You weren't supposed to know that. I suck at keeping classified information safe."

"Yes!" Mabel yelled again. "So is there an academy for humans? We're gonna need awesome nicknames, Dipper!"

"Mabel! Calm down! We're not even supposed to know about this!"

"I'm thinking that you could be the Candy Monster! And you Dipper, you could be something like… Adorkable Guy. That's so appropriate for you!"

"Mabel…"

"And I of course will be the Gravity Falls Chick! Who…"

"Mabel! Stop!" Dipper yelled. "And besides, that nickname already belongs to someone."

"What? Really?"

"Yes. There's a girl on the internet that uses it. She writes uh… weird stuff."

"Ah! Dang! I hate her!" Mabel turned her hands into fists. "Well, it's not like I can't think on something better."

"I'm sure you can." Dipper walked to Bloomscorch.

"So, I guess this time you DO have to leave."

"Yes. The sun will rise in a few hours. I should better hurry."

"I'll miss you Bloomscorch! Don't forget us please! And about that admission to your group…"

"I'll miss you too, Mabel. I'll see what I can do." They got close for one last hug.

Dipper extended his arm to him.

"Thanks again, for everything."

"The same to you. It was a pleasure."

They shook hands. Dipper lowered his head so no one could see his eyes.

"Oh God, Dipper. Are you crying?" Mabel asked.

"…what?... no…"

"Yes you are!"

"Mabel! I'm not!... I'm a man!"

"It's alright little bro!" Mabel said, poking him on his face and stomach. "Cry! Cry! Cry!"

"No!... Mab… just… stop… it… ahhh!" Dipper tried to block her fingers, showing his wet eyes.

"Hahaha." Bloomscorch laughed. "You really are weird, kids."

They exchanged looks one last time before the monster walked to the trees. Then he looked back.

"I'll see you around... Mystery Twins." He said.

He waved his hand, and with that, he entered the forest.

Dipper sat on the grass with his back on the wall. Mabel joined him.

"Well, this was… a different night." He said looking at the sky. There were some stars on it, and the moon had appeared again between the clouds.

"Yeah. It was really crazy." Mabel was also looking up. She then turned to Dipper. "Especially when you put me on your shoulders. How did you do it with that weak body of yours?"

"I-I don't know. I think it was the perception of danger."

"Awww. You had an adrenaline rush because of me? That's so sweet." Mabel hugged him.

"Thanks." He said, hugging her too. "Also, thanks for saving me from that psycho Soos."

Dipper felt Mabel's body tensed.

"Hey, are you okay?"

She hugged him really hard.

"I... I almost... I almost lost you Dipper!" Her voice cracked.

He also embraced her deeply. "Yes... I almost lost you too." Tears ran through his face one more time.

"Let's not do it again, okay?" She said.

He smiled. "Okay"

They remained like that for a moment. Then Mabel broke the hug and laid her head on his shoulder. She yawned.

"You know, Dipper, I think you totally made it up to me for trying to ditch me on Summerween."

"It's good to hear that." His eyes were closing. He was also very tired. "Maybe... we should go to the attic now... Mabel..." He rested his head on hers.

"Too many steps... Let's just stay... here... for a while." She said, falling asleep.

"If you wish..." He fell asleep too.

...
...

"So, did he actually do it?" Wendy asked him.

"Of course!" Soos answered. "He told me this morning! He just needs some photographs from us to complete all the paperwork."

They were at the gift shop. Wendy was on her usual spot behind the cash register. Soos was in front of the counter, drinking a bottle of a golden soda.

"Cool! Paid vacations and accident and sickness insurance! I can't believe we are talking about Stan." Wendy said.

"Yeah." Soos said. "He told me he didn't want to get in trouble with the government, but I know he really wanted to do something nice for us."

"Wow, that is so… not Stan."

...
...

"Well, what do you say?" Bloomscorch asked.

"Absolutely not!" The creature in front of him told him.

"Oh really? I just thought that…"

"They are children, 6-18! You have to wait at least until they turn thirteen to recommend them for collaboration service."

"Oh!... Of course. That's alright." He said. Mabel still had a chance.

"Now." His superior continued. "The video you brought has been very helpful to us on studying the real capacities of this entity. We'll have to conduct more experiments to understand it completely though. You were exposed to this strange force for an entire night so… would you be interested in spending some time on Research?"

"You know something?" Bloomscorch said. "I think I could go there for a while and give you a hand, but I would like to be back on the field as soon as possible. Maybe I could stay on this part of the globe… if that's okay with you."

"As you wish 6-18." He said. "But don't get too used to it. Evil can strike anywhere at any time."

"You don't need to tell me."

-o-

And so, that was the end of it. The scariest, strangest, and most dangerous night Mabel and I had in Gravity Falls. Well, at least until now.

Everything went back to normal after that. Grunkle Stan hasn't told us about the secret storage room below the gift shop yet. Maybe he never will, but it's cool to have one place to hide and have fun for a while without him even imagining where we are. However, we have to be careful not to leave any trace when we go down there. But that's just Grunkle Stan, always hiding things. At least he treats Soos better now. Unfortunately, we might have gotten ourselves some more chores in the shack.

We haven't had any notice from Bloomscorch, except for one morning, two days after that night, when we found a strange package on the window of our room. It contained the memory card that was of course missing those few hours of supernatural events. There was also a box of multicolored candy, which I had to hide from Mabel because she wanted to eat it the moment she saw it. I'll let her have some when I finish reading the indications Bloomscorch left in a note. I hope he didn't send us anything too dangerous.

And that's all about it. I have to say that despite our life changed just a little after this experience, I think we learned an important lesson. Emotions are something powerful. They can help you to do good things, but they can also try to kill you. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT underestimate them. Especially when there are supernatural forces involved.

Dipper stopped writing. He placed the pen on the mattress and took a final look at the pages he had filled with the narration of the events. He titled it "The Mystery Shack's Night After Summerween Madness".

"Hey Mabel, it's finished!" Dipper said, getting off his bed and sitting on the edge of it.

Mabel looked at him from the other side of the room. "Oh. Good for you, Dipper!"

"So, what do you think?" He asked his sister, showing her the journal opened.

Mabel was busy putting some boxes back on a shelf. "Oh well." She said without looking at him. "Besides the fact that no one will believe a single word of what you wrote…" She held a box in her arms and turned to him. "I think the title is too long."

Dipper chuckled. "Well Mabel, this journal is full of things no one believes in, except for us."

He got on his feet and walked to his sister, who continued with her work.

"I also think it's a long title, but it's appropriate enough. It describes well the whole thing."

"If you say so." Mabel said, putting another box on its place.

"And… also… I couldn't think of anything better." Dipper looked to one side a little annoyed. "Technically, since almost everything happened after midnight, it wasn't really, hehe, a 'night'! But… I wasn't gonna call it 'early in the morning', right?"

Mabel placed one last box on the shelf. "There! I finished too, Dipper!"

"Great. I was thinking you could read this and give me an honest opinion." He concentrated again on the book. "Maybe correct some little mistakes since I can't remember by myself the parts you told me about. You know, being unconscious was…"

Mabel snatched the journal from Dipper's hands and threw it to his bed.

"Hey! Why did you do that?!"

"We can take care of your writing later. Now, we're ready to begin!"

"Begin with what?" Dipper asked confused.

"You'll need this." Mabel handed him a tiny spoon.

"We... Are we gonna eat something?" He asked.

"Not 'we' silly! Just you!" Mabel said smiling widely.

She moved to one side. Behind her was an opened box on the floor. It was full of little and colorful plastic bags.

"Oh… that." Dipper said, finally understanding.

Mabel took one of the bags and gave it to her brother. "You didn't forget about it, did you?"

"No. Of course not."

"Then, go on Dip!"

"Yeah… it's just that…" He said a little nervous.

"What?"

"Uh… well" He hesitated for some seconds. Then, he took a deep breath and looked directly into her eyes. "Mabel, I don't think it's a good idea. We both know how dangerous this is."

"Oh, come on Dipper. You promised!"

"Yeah, but, I was thinking again and… nobody should eat this thing."

"No buts, bro. You promised to eat a little if I threw it all away. I emptied all the boxes and put all the bags on this one. See? This is all the Smile Dip that I was hiding in the room. Ready to go. Just waiting for you."

Dipper looked at her with a worried face. "Do I really have to?"

Mabel approached him and put an arm around his back. "Come on, Dipper!" She said smiling. "This close to death experience has brought us even much closer! We can now share more of our personal things! This is a good opportunity to start."

Dipper sighed. He had promised. So…

"Okay Mabel." He said. "But if something weird happens, it'll be your fault."

"Don't worry." Mabel said behind the video camera. "If anything happens to you, I'll register it. You know, for science!"

Dipper took another deep breath and opened the bag. Then, he extracted a little of the Smile Dip with the spoon. He put it into his mouth. He tasted it for a second and then swallowed it.

"Soooooo, what do you think?" Mabel asked.

"To be honest…" He said tasting what remained on his mouth. "I was expecting… something worse."

Dipper suddenly felt something rushing to his brain. He saw sparkles everywhere.

"AHHHH!" He yelled scared, dropping the bag.

"What?!" Mabel asked.

"I felt something… extreme." He said while blinking and touching his head. "It probably was nothing… So... I did it. Now get rid of this!"

"A promise is a promise." Mabel said putting down the camera.

"It wasn't that bad. It's… Wait… What the… Mabel?... Why is your face… pixelated?!" He said scared again.

Above Mabel's neck was a set of many tiny squares arranged in a pattern that resembled her normal face.

"What are you talking about, Dipper?" She said confused. Her lips moved awkwardly.

In that moment, Waddles entered the room running. Dipper watched in horror as the pig seemed to teleport from one spot to another, instead of using his legs. He was also formed by tiny squares.

"Waddles! Come here!"

The pig jumped into her arms, leaving a shining trail behind him. Mabel's whole body was now pixelated. Little hearts appeared above them as Mabel hugged Waddles.

"Aaaaaaahhhhhh…" Dipper said.

"Hey, Dipper!" Pixelated Grunkle Stan appeared on the door with a mop and a bucket. "Here you are! Stop hiding in your room. Some birds decided to use the roof as their toilet. I need you to go up there and make the sign shine! Here, use this."

The mop and the bucket flashed on Stan's hands and vanished. They instantly appeared on Dipper's pixelated hands.

In front of his eyes, shining letters showed up:

*v* NEW TASK ASSIGNED! *v*

"Oh, for all the Chaos Emeralds..." Dipper said. "This was not a good idea."

.

.

.

THE END