July 7th

Bill got Amy another gift today. I like it better than the jar of teeth he gave her last month but it's still creepy. It's literally just a big jar of formaldehyde with a big dead bullfrog suspended in it. The frog is cut open, too, so you can see all its insides. I get the feeling that Bill doesn't really know what an appropriate "gift" is.

Amy seems to like it though, oddly enough. For the first hour after he had given it to her, she just sat at the table with it, examining it very closely. She looked pretty fascinated with it. I came inside later to find that she had put it on display on a little corner table near the front door. Honestly, I've seen far stranger decorations at the Mystery Shack, so it doesn't bother or surprise me. I'm kind of into it.

I kind of wish Amy would bring that raptor skeleton downstairs in the living room or something. Speaking of, I think I'll go in that room later to see what other weird things are there. It's all stuff her dad collected over the years. Some of it is stuff that Amy gathered up too. Not sure why there's a covered-up grand piano though. It seems out of place in there.

Okay, so I think Mabel and Bill were like bonding or something earlier. I don't know but it was freaking weird.

Bill found a dead blackbird in the clearing and was just hovering over it, staring at it like a rich person criticizing a piece of art at a museum. He was there for like ten minutes before Mabel and I decided to go see what the heck he was doing. Come to find out he was "watching it decay." …What the heck?! He mentioned something about it having maggots (GROSS) and Mabel said, "Really!?" then crouched down to stare at it with him. I just walked away.

Like thirty minutes later, I went back outside and found them both still standing there staring at a dead bird! Mabel had even named the maggots! Yeesh! My sister can be so weird sometimes.

Then, Amy came over with a shovel and said "Are you guys done yet?" Bill politely told her to wait, stared at the bird for a few more seconds, then said "Okay. We're done." And Amy used the shovel to scoop up the maggot infested bird and carry it away.

What the heck man?

…

After returning from her trip to town with Stan, Mabel excitedly ran over to the old barn where Teeth liked to stay. In it, she found the fleshy monster picking up armfuls of fresh hay and placing them around himself to form a giant nest. He seemed to smell or hear her and paused, craning his neck around to face her.

"Teeth," she said excitedly, a wide grin on her face, "I got you a present!"

"Is it food?" he asked almost immediately.

"No," she told him and began removing something from a small colorful box. "It's what you used to look like!"

He watched curiously as the girl produced a plastic chattering teeth toy and twisted something sticking out of its side. When she let it go, it chattered and clacked rapidly and noisily for a few moments before settling into motionless silence.

He stared down at the toy for a long time before smiling. "I love it! Thanks Mabel!"

They heard a giggle at the entrance and looked over to see Flora peering in. She was smiling with amusement and fondness. "I am glad…that you are getting along so well…"

"Yeah," Mabel said. "We're like best buds, right Teeth?"

"Yeah!" he agreed.

Flora nodded, still smiling. "Very good… I came to see…if you and the others would like to accompany me…to a place in Telmak?"

"Heck yeah we would! Hold on, let me go get everyone." Mabel ran past her through the barn doors and over to the house.

Mabel had quickly informed everyone in the household of Flora's invitation and out of curiosity they all went along. Even Dionysus, and Crusade, who had been lingering close to Amy all morning and purposefully pestering Bill, went along for the journey. Flora led them all to the forest gateway and entered the portal.

Crusade spread his arms out wide after stepping out onto the other side and transformed into his natural form. "Ah, Telmak! It's just as pretty as always." He looked over at the massive tether tree standing in the middle of the lake with Gaia resting at its base. "I always found it odd that Telmak has a portal directly in view of its lifeline."

"The forest portal is not far off from the tree back in Avas," Ford mentioned.

"Yes, but that side of the portal is covered by trees, and the tether is on top of a mountain." Crusade glanced around. "The battlefield of the Great Plains… There are so many flowers." Ford was about to ask him for more information on the battlefield, but the black and white dragon suddenly took off down the hill towards the tether tree.

"He is going…to greet Gaia," Flora said and followed after him at a much slower pace.

Amy looked back with some surprise as Bill entered through the portal. "You decided to come with this time?"

He shrugged.

As Crusade came running up, Zephyr jumped in front of him with a snarl. Paying no mind to him, Crusade lifted his arms up and smiled. "Auntie!"

"Ah, Crusade." Gaia smiled. "I see you have returned to your friendly self. And with humans, no less."

"Well, it was either that or stay in the Spirit Realm," he said. "That place is quite boring, you know. Besides, I was stalking, er, watching these guys for a while. They're not so bad." He curled around behind Amy. "This one is my favorite. Oo! Hello Zephyr~" he growled in an almost seductive tone, causing the feathered dragon to bristle.

"As…eccentric as ever I see." Gaia tilted her head slightly then addressed the others. "Greetings." She eyed Bill. "Flora told me of what happened. I am glad you are all right."

"You must not find pain quite so funny anymore, do you?" Zephyr narrowed his eyes at Bill who returned the glare.

"Well, you're still as cheerful as ever, aren't you Zephyr?" Crusade rolled his eyes.

Zephyr snorted at him then returned to his perch on one of the tree's large roots.

Flora bowed to Gaia. "I thought they might like to see…the Golden Halls."

"Very well," Gaia nodded and glanced over the guests, stopping a moment to study Teeth who gulped. "I ask that you all keep on your best behaviors. The Golden Halls are like a library of sorts, but it is sacred and unique to Telmak. Mind the other visitors."

"How is a library fun?" Mabel poked Flora's leg as they followed a stone path behind the tree that stretched out to the other side of the lake.

Flora chuckled. "I think you will find it…interesting." She led them to a golden portal at the end of the pathway and waited for them to pass through.

The portal led them to an outside area surrounded by stone walls with vines creeping along parts of them. The interior of the area was large and rows of golden shelves and cases stood like aisles. In several different places among the aisles were golden stone walls that glowered with a pale light. Several different dragons and creatures could be seen, some studying through books, others searching, and a few wild animals roamed around quietly as well. The ground was cobblestone with patches of soft green grass and tiny flowers poking through.

"Whoa," Mabel awed over the place then pointed excitedly at a doe grazing in the corner.

"It's like a library," Dipper looked around curiously, "but it's outside too."

"The books are imbued with magic…" Flora told them, "So they do not get damaged…" She walked over to one of the glowing walls. "These walls…work like the Enchiridion. Gaia used them…to make that book. The Enchiridion…will not speak of the future…but…these can. If they see fit. Please…explore at your leisure."

Most of the other visitors ignored or simply glanced at the humans. However, it did not take long for a few young dragonlings to succumb to curiosity and follow them around. They were particularly interested in Bill who did his best to avoid them, but the little things were crafty and climbed over the shelves and walls to watch him. Amy looked up and chuckled at them. A few of the adult dragons would look up from what they were doing to eye Bill for a moment or greet him before returning to their tasks.

"The dragons know about him, right?" Ford asked Flora after taking notice of the behaviors.

"Bill?... The adults do…yes."

"Why are they not bothered by him?"

She chuckled. "Why should they be? …Dragons have keen senses…a combination of beast and man… He poses no threat to them. Besides… There was a time…many years ago…that he aided dragonkind in our terrible wars with the shadows. He betrayed his master…Ragnarok… briefly by helping us fend off the shadows he had sent to attack us… And he was met with severe punishment later… at Ragnarok's claws… Perhaps you can learn about it while you are here… Or you can read it in the Enchiridion…later." She smiled at the dragonlings whispering to each other. "The little ones…on the other hand…are quite curious. They sense the dragon magic…but they see a human…and sense that he is neither. They must find that…strange."

"How do they see Amy?" Mabel asked.

"To dragons…she is a dragon…our kin. It is not unusual…for a dragon to take a human form. But they know…that she is half-blooded, too."

"Dragonlings are naturally curious and mischievous," Crusade grinned. "They're probably more fascinated about the fact that he only has one eye than anything. Maybe I should tell them to see who can snatch that eyepatch first." He chuckled.

"Please…do not encourage a ruckus." Flora shook her head. "The Keepers will kick us out."

"Keepers?" Ford asked.

Flora used her snout to point at a white stony-scaled dragon perched atop a jutting round ledge in the outer wall. It was high enough to see over the shelves and watched everyone silently with big white eyes devoid of irises or pupils. With its lowered head and spade-tipped tail it resembled a gargoyle. "The Book Keepers are physical embodiments…of magic. They are found throughout the Golden Halls…and they protect it. They are spirits…"

"They're dead dragons?!" Mabel squeaked. She hid behind Flora as one of the keepers turned to look at her with its wide, unblinking eyes.

"There is a difference…between spirits and souls." Flora assured her. "Spirits are special creatures…and all creatures have souls. Souls persist after death…spirits simply exist to protect and guide… They serve many purposes."

Amy stopped to watch the dragonlings pestering Bill. There were four of them following him around and every time he looked at them they scattered and waited for him to turn back around. At first, he was clearly annoyed, but now he seemed to be amused. Especially after one of them tripped over another in their attempt to hide.

Eventually, one of them, a blue one with jagged yellow stripes down his sides, worked up the nerve to approach Bill. The dragonling sniffed at him then quickly stood up on its hind legs in surprise when Bill suddenly turned. "What do you what?"

"Stick!" the dragon barked.

"What?"

"I want," it pointed at the black cane he was holding, "fancy stick!"

He showed the dragonling the cane. "If I give it to you, will you go away?"

"…Yes!"

"Fine," he let the dragon take it.

With a cute squeal of delight, the dragonling ran off to show the others his new toy. Amy laughed as he pranced around with it while the others cooed over him. "Aw, how sweet," she smiled as Bill approached.

He glanced back at the dragonlings. "They're amazed by a 'stick.'"

"They're babies," she said. "Yearlings, by the looks of it. I hope you weren't planning on getting that back."

"I can just make another one," he said. He crossed his arms as the dragonling ran up to them again. "I thought we had a deal that you would go away now."

He smiled at Bill, obviously not understanding what he was saying, then looked at Amy. "Scent like flower!"

"Huh?" she looked confused.

"You," he stepped closer to her and sniffed. "Like glowing flower. Whatsit?"

"Oh," she thought for a moment. "An Amaranth."

"Yah!" he got excited. "Amaflower! You smell like Amaflower. Whatsit?"

"Amaranth."

"Yah!" He glanced around then poked at a nearby glowing wall. Several words in dragon text formed and images of different Amaranths. "Er…what say?"

She looked over the text. "There are ten species of Amaranth flowers across the realms…Common Amaranth, Blood Amaranth, Nightshade Amaranth, Sirensong Amaranth, Full Moon Amaranth, Golden Amaranth, Blooming Sun Amaranth, Phantom Amaranth, Sky Amaranth, and Crystal Amaranth."

"This one!" He pointed to the image of the white flower.

"Full Moon," Amy said.

He looked at her and smiled. "It's you! And," he pointed at the bright red Blood Amaranth, "this one, too!"

Amy and Bill exchanged odd looks before the dragonling tapped on the wall. She read what he was pointing to. "The ten Amaranths live far apart, offspring of the tether tree. When brought together, the flowers combine elements and the dragon is set free." The images of the flowers swirled in a circle before combining and the image of a dragon appeared. It was the image on the Enchiridion's cover, displaying the different elements. More text appeared. "The power of life and love will not elope, when the flowers are the final hope. The bane of evil and judge of souls. The magic Amaranths will play their roles. When spirits are lost and shadows roam, a land that once was called our home. When all are scattered, bleeding, battered. Avas, Sava, Telmak, Druunire, will bloom our last hope's desire. Offspring of the tether tree, light the world and set us free."

The dragonling got excited as the dragon in the image appeared to roar, causing the images of dark and vile creatures to move away until they had vanished. "Good story!"

They looked over as Crusade came around the corner and said something in a strange tongue, a combination of clicks, growls, and strange words. "Tsi'yalt lan kaiug, saa pa'dragon? Yalt lan ka'fa hul?"

The dragonling nodded and replied in the same language, which Amy recognized as the dragon language. "Yal. Melahm Belrai-Stef'aquol."

"Surgewater eh?" Crusade smiled at the dragonling. "Fancy name for a little guy."

"Fancy!" he held up the cane.

"Indeed!" Crusade nodded.

"There you are," a soft voice said from Crusade's side. The dragonling squealed delightedly and bounded over to his mother. She lowered her head as he neared, allowing him to headbutt her snout. He was incredibly tiny compared to her. "Silly little thing," she said with a smile. "Enough pestering. It's time to go."

"Go home?"

"Yes, my sweet. Let's go home." She nodded to Amy and Bill, then to Crusade before lifting Surgewater up onto her back and leaving.

"Bye-bye!" the dragonling called happily and waved to them.

Amy waved back while Bill stared curiously after them. "Must be nice," Amy said absently.

"What?" Bill tore his gaze away to look at her now.

"It must be nice to know the love of a mother. That's all."

"Yeah," he said and looked away. "Must be…"

"What are you guys muttering about over here?" Crusade asked and shoved his large form between them, nearly knocking Amy over and pressing Bill against the enchanted wall.

"Watch it!" Bill snapped irritably.

"Ack, Crusade!" Amy complained.

The dragon only laughed but quickly silenced himself once the nearby Book Keepers set their unsettling gazes upon him. The gargoyle-like spirits watched him closely, unblinking, for several long moments to make sure that he would now be quiet before they finally turned away from him.

"Man, those things give me the creeps…" Crusade grumbled.

…

Later that afternoon, Crusade, now in his human form again, was sitting in the old barn eating cookies he had snatched from Amy's pantry.

"Can I have some?" Mabel asked.

"Nope," he replied.

"Why not?!"

He looked at her and smiled. "Because, you'll get diabetes."

"What?!"

He laughed at her confusion.

Amy walked in only moments later to find Crusade trying to fend off Mabel and holding the box over his head. Teeth walked over to them and sniffed before snatching the whole box of cookies in his jaws and devouring it, which earned him shocked stares from Crusade and Mabel.

"What?" he tilted his head. "You weren't eating it."

Amy laughed at them.

She looked back outside to where her horse was standing stiffly and staring intently at the sky. His muscles twitched and he stamped one of hind hooves in an irritable manner. She walked over to him and followed his stare. She did not see anything, but she could faintly feel something's presence growing closer. "What is it?" she mumbled.

Sensing the tension, Crusade and Teeth stepped out of the barn to look around and Dipper and Mabel followed curiously. "What's up with you guys?" Mabel prodded Teeth's arm.

"Er," he frowned and backed into the barn a little. "Something angry is coming."

"The aura seems familiar…" Crusade watched as Bill walked over to Amy. "Seems like…two?"

"Two what?" Dipper asked.

Suddenly, a strange golden ring appeared in the sky. Two more shapes, a triangle and a square, birthed from the ring, turning in opposite directions. A blast of light shone from the ring as a figure shot through it at high speed, followed by a second figure and the portal disappeared.

"This might be bad," Crusade gritted his teeth and moved aside for the horse as it ran into the barn for shelter.

A large dragon covered in long brown and white feathers landed before them and stood tall on his hind legs. He had pale red eyes and black needle-like horns and claws like eagle talons. Short golden feathers laced his spine and four white wings protruded from his shoulders.

A bit further back landed another dragon. He was white with short golden spines, upwards curled horns, and red eyes and pink claws. The only feathers he had were the ones on his short white wings. He was a bit shorter than the other dragon and did not appear as menacing.

"Yep," Crusade said. "Probably bad."

"Who are they?" Dipper asked.

"Cupid and Icarus," he said. "Sons of Ouroboros."

"Wouldn't they be good then?"

"Wellllll, not for me…or Bill. See, Icarus is a soldier of Sava. He spouts proclamations of justice and fate and goes around avenging the dead. 'Those who kill many with selfish or evil intent must suffer the same fate.' That's something he's known for having said. He's the reason you humans believe in karma."

"You killed people?" Mabel looked at Crusade.

"Uh, duh. The whole 'humans are a parasite' thing not ring any bells? Now, Bill… Well, that guy is definitely screwed."

"What about the other one?" Dipper asked.

"Cupid? He's Icarus' younger brother. Humans got the whole cupid and love thing from him way back whenever. Not sure why they chose a naked baby for it though… Anyways, from what I know he helps Icarus judge people's fate and is also a soldier of Sava, an archer actually."

Icarus suddenly shot them a glare. "Do not face me with such pitiful forms!" His voice was clear and proud. He slammed his tail down on the ground and with a crack of thunder Crusade and Bill had both reverted to their dragon forms. He eyed Amy curiously for a moment, surprised that she did not change. "Hmph!" With a flash of glittering light, a golden sword and shield appeared and the dragon was now armed. He did not seem surprised when Ghost suddenly appeared. "You have come to claim your sibling?"

Ghost nodded and said something in dragon. "Mel kein mel mo'kilna. Rossas parsun mo."

"Fate has swayed for you, this time." Icarus narrowed his eyes at Crusade who returned the glare. He pointed his gleaming sword at the yellow dragon that was glaring at him. "Unfortunately for you, fate remains steadfast!" A pillar of light struck down from the sky and pierced through Bill's right wing, pinning him down.

"What's going on?" Mabel ran over to Ghost. "Is he going to kill him?!"

Ghost watched angrily and Crusade bared his fangs in a snarl, but neither made a move. "No beast is to interfere with Icarus' judgement." Ghost told her. "It is a law amongst dragons. Ouroboros commands the task and Icarus carries it out. I just do not understand why Ouroboros decided this now after…" he trailed off.

Icarus readied his sword. "This is the end." The dragon brought his sword down with full force and a loud sound like metal hitting metal echoed throughout the area with a flash of blue. Everyone was surprised to see the sword slammed against a barrier of blue light, barely pushing its blade through. Even Bill stared wide-eyed at Amy standing in front of him with her arms out to hold the barrier.

Icarus quickly pulled his weapon away and jumped back a great distance with a flap of his wings. He stared at Amy in disbelief. "You would dare to protect him? For what purpose?! He is a demon and a coward! He will never make amends for what he has done! He cannot even face truth!" The dragon did not sound angry, but it was clear he was trying to change her mind. The barrier dispersed and she only glared at him. He closed his eyes. "Hmph, foolish. You wish to stand up for a beast like that then so be it! You, too, will taste the end of this sword!"

As Icarus readied his sword, Ghost hissed through his teeth and quickly dashed forward and grabbed Amy. The sword slashed through the ground and Icarus glared up at the white dragon who had taken to the sky.

"As if Ragnarok wasn't enough," Ghost glanced over his shoulder at Amy on his back. "Now you've gotten me entangled in this mess!"

"I didn't ask for your help," she retaliated.

"You are as foolish and as stubborn as your mother!" Ghost snorted out green fire and quickly dodged Icarus as he bolted after them. "Your mother was also always getting me into nonsense!"

"Ghost just broke dragon law," Crusade stared up in awe. "I'm shocked!" He looked over to Bill and gritted his teeth to see Cupid there.

Ford and Stan had run out of the house at the commotion, closely followed by Dionysus. "What in the world is happening!?" Ford wasn't sure what to focus on.

"The lizards are everywhere!" Stan said.

"Did he just call us lizards?" Crusade looked at Teeth who shrugged in response.

Ghost disappeared as Icarus swung at him and reappeared a bit further off. Icarus snorted. "I can't tell if your dreamweaver tricks are cowardly or wise."

"We'll decide when one of us falls," Ghost retorted.

Ghost blasted green fire from his mouth which Icarus blocked with his shield. Icarus dispersed the flames and bolted forward, sword outstretched. With a great flap of his wings Ghost forced himself up and flew around, narrowly dodging each swing of the sword. Any slash that he couldn't avoid he faded away from, but he knew he could not remain in the Spirit Realm when the others were at risk, so he kept reappearing a small distance away. Ghost was skilled with magic, not close combat, and Icarus was much faster than him with a sword and shield that deflected magic.

Cupid watched from the ground as his brother chased after the white dragon. He blinked then looked down at the pinned yellow dragon writhing and struggling to break free. He stared blankly and cocked his head at Bill. Doesn't he know he can't escape my pillars? He looked back up at the battle. Yet he is trying so desperately…

Amy held on to the spikes along Ghost's spine as he kept dodging and attacking. Several times, Icarus came dangerously close to striking them. Icarus shot towards them from an angle. She felt Ghost catch his breath, eyes wide with surprise, and knew he would not be able to avoid this one so she braced herself as well.

Ghost turned quickly, but Icarus still managed to clip Ghost's wing and throw him off balance. So much so, that the white dragon's wing buckled and he crashed into the ground in a plume of dirt and debris.

The impact caused Amy to loosen her grip and she fell from the dragon's back and landed roughly on her arm. "Ghost," she got up and pushed against his head. His eyes flickered open and with a grunt he tried to get up.

Cupid watched the dragon struggling to get up; the impact was surely painful for such a large beast. He glanced up at Icarus preparing to dive down with his final blow. Beside him, Bill hissed angrily and tried to rip his wing away from the pillar. He is very savage in this form… Cupid began to debate in his mind. He glanced from Icarus to Bill and then to Amy. It is fueled by his fear. He looked down at Bill. So…he's trying to get to the woman. He kept glancing between Icarus and Bill as Icarus outstretched his sword and plunged. I see… Forgive me, Brother, but you were wrong. Cupid raised a claw and touched the pillar and it dispersed with a 'ping.'

Feeling the force holding him back vanish, Bill bolted forward with a wolf-like snarl and rammed into Icarus just before he reached Ghost and Amy. Icarus tumbled and dropped his sword. Caught off guard, he was not prepared for the blast of blue fire that followed and he roared as it hit him in the face. He shook his head and glared at the yellow dragon through watery eyes. Bill bared his fangs and prepared to lunge at him.

"I think it is time for everyone to calm down," Cupid said to himself as a beautiful golden bow appeared in his hands. He pulled back the string as an arrow appeared at the ready, its tip a smaller version of the golden portal from before. "Everyone needs some time off now and again. A little trip should calm everyone's nerves." He aimed to the sky and let loose.

The strange arrow flew up with a whistle and burst as it reached the sky. With a crack, a golden wave swept over the area and everyone vanished.

To be continued…