Love is a knightmare Chapter 4, a gravity falls fanfic

AN: Alright folks. Time for another chapter. I'm glad some of you are starting to take an interest in this new story. Believe me, this is only going to get better from here on. However, be warned. Some of the chapters from this point forward, will start getting darker. But on the bright side, I'm fully invested now so no more unfinished work. I will write my stories to completion. Because I believe in my writing but I will need your help to make me better than I was before. So please, review my work and give your honest opinion to make every chapter better than the last. Thank you. -Dipifica Writer/James Milliken Author of: Town of Horror and The Real Nightmare.

Warning. Chapter contains: Profanity, violence, sexual intentions, and suggestive themes. Reader's discretion is advised.

Chapter 4 Sacrifices

Dipper and the rest of the group set off to the forest that led to the north. Normally, the trek on the road, would take a week if you wanted to reach the farmlands. However, the path that cuts through the forest would take a day or two depending on how fast you move through them. The forest is dangerous though. Feral animals and even monsters were said to inhabit the woods that these eight braved to enter…

"This place is creepy." Grenda stated.

"Yeah…" Candy said trying to stay close to Dipper but looked around nervously.

"It will be alright. Stay close and be alert." Dipper advised because he knew what the dangers the woods presented.

"Pfft. You all are wusses. Only real soldiers can handle this with no sweat." Robbie boasted.

"Yeah. This is nothing." Tambry said acting tough for Robbie.

"All of you, quiet down. Threats could attack us at any moment. Lady Amanda is the only one of us that has the experience to navigate through the wilderness. Especially when nightfall is fast approaching." Bovard stated.

"I've been meaning to ask Mr. Bovard sir. Why are we traveling so late in the evening anyways? Isn't this a little risky?" Dipper inquired.

"Well young man, the king made this urgent request. You all are to escort and protect me while I research a possible werewolf attack on the northern farmland. We had not the time to lose by waiting for tomorrow's sunrise." Bovard explained.

"Oh ok…" Dipper said knowing that this was just an excuse for the king to get rid of Dipper discreetly. But why the king wanted Dipper dead so badly, he did not know…

"Alright. This pathway will lead us towards the forest's center until we reach the old graveyard. The path has been blessed by ancestors a hundred years ago to ward away most violent creatures. But do not let this comfort you. There could be threats that can overpower the ward that's been active for so long. So, be on your guard." Amanda told everyone.

Everyone stayed on the pathway following Amanda's lead. However, hours of marching passed and the darkness of night came. Dipper and the other recruits were starting to feel a little fatigued being their first real mission outside the capital. Especially since this was the first time for Dipper, Candy, and Grenda to carry real weapons and standard armor along with Robbie and Tambry. However, this wasn't Robbie and Tambry's first time wearing this armor and carrying their weapons but only as a sentry for the capital a few years back.

Dipper noticed something though. Even though this was his first time out with his companions, Elise was the most frightened out of everyone. She seemed to nearly cling completely on Amanda while she walked. However, Amanda kept on whispering something to her as if she was scolding her or something. Regardless, Dipper chalk it up to her just being afraid of the dark. If that was the case though, Dipper wondered why she came in the first place…

"Stop here." Amanda instructed and everyone obeyed.

"What's wrong Ms. Amanda?" Bovard asked.

"We need to take a break for a few hours before we head out again. The pathway will end soon since we are near the graveyard. We will need everyone at full strength before venturing any further." Amanda stated.

"Very well. We will rest here until first light. First sentry will be Robbie and Dipper. Both will go twenty yards out and then separate ten yards part for the first hour. Be sure to be vigilant of your surroundings and alarm us if and danger is heading our direction. Amanda, her companion Elise, and I will remain here at our temporary camp until we are ready to continue our march. Switch when the time comes." Bovard stated.

"Understood." Dipper said.

"Whatever, old man." Robbie spat in annoyance that his first watch was with Dipper.

Both Dipper and Robbie walked away from the group, whom was setting up a camp fire and settling down for a rest while both of them headed to their posts. It was eerily quiet while Robbie and Dipper walked but suddenly Robbie spoke up once they were away from the group to hear them…

"Listen up Pipsqueak!" Robbie demanded.

"What?" Dipper responded knowing Robbie's usual attitude.

"I'm giving you this one chance to be honest with me. If you don't tell me the truth, I will make sure your secret reaches the king and you will be in serious shit." Robbie threatened.

"Secret?" Dipper inquired.

"Your wounds in the infirmary were instantly healed. No herbal soaked bandages could do that so quickly. So, it could either be one of two things. One, someone used healing magic on you, which would be impossible since all healers are at the magic academy right now. Which leads to the most logical theory… Someone gave you a healing potion." Robbie said which got Dipper real quiet.

"Looks like I'm right on the money. So, shrimp. Tell me who gave it to you and why, or else." Robbie threatened.

Dipper waited a few moments knowing that Robbie wasn't bluffing since he was the one that saw Dipper's wounds right after he gave them to him. However, he was afraid of what would happen if the truth really did reach the king's ear. He wouldn't be the only one that would get punished for it but also Amanda and Pacifica as well.

So, with a nervous gulp, Dipper decided to reveal the truth and prayed that Robbie would keep the secret hidden…

"A-Amanda gave it to me." Dipper said sheepishly.

"What?! Why? You never met her before now." Robbie nearly yelled.

"She…She visited me in the infirmary before you came into the room. She told me that she was ordered to heal me after finding out about my injuries." Dipper said feeling bad about the whole thing.

"Who ordered her?" Robbie demanded.

"…Princess Pacifica." Dipper revealed which he instantly regretted but it was too late now.

"Why is the princess helping you?! That makes no sense!" Robbie yelled.

"She wanted to help me become a squire within the month. Otherwise, the king will have me killed." Dipper explained which made Robbie quiet for a few moments.

"Alright. You are going to do me a favor for this information that you just told me." Robbie said.

"…What do you want?" Dipper asked nervously knowing that this wasn't going to be good.

"I wrote on this note for Tambry to meet me at the graveyard which isn't far from where we are. You are the one that's going to give it to her once our time is up for our shift change. Tell the others I don't need a replacement for my shift." Robbie said.

"B-But what if something happens? Aren't we supposed to alert if something is attacking us?" Dipper asked in a panic.

"Don't give me that horseshit Pipsqueak! The only things out in these woods are animals! Nothing bigger than a bear is out here and they would be too afraid of the campfire to even approach fully equipped soldiers, archer adventuring elves, and the head wizard of our capital! Plus, it's just for an hour anyways you pansy!" Robbie sneered while grabbing Dipper's collar to get his attention.

"O-Ok!" Dipper nervously said and Robbie let him go.

"Do this and your secret will be safe. Tell anyone, and you, that elf, and your precious little princess will be at the king's mercy!" Robbie threatened.

"Fine." Dipper simply said not liking this but he had no choice.

"Good. Now move away from me to your post. We still have the rest of our watch until you go to Tambry." Robbie said with a shove as he took his leave for his post.

Dipper hated that Robbie knows now about him getting healed by Amanda from Pacifica's orders. Especially since this was the leverage that Robbie needed to keep Dipper away from being the next squire. He was worried that his life was over now but couldn't give up now. Dipper thought, perhaps Robbie could be persuaded to let the whole thing go and let him become the next squire but that would be easier said than done…

A few hours earlier in Piedmont…

Mabel was about reach her house. She could hear screams and the smell of fires burning in the distance. She knew the fighting had begun but didn't know who was attacking. She assumed it was bandits but something inside her was telling her there was something more going on but didn't know what. For now, she was focusing on what her father instructed her to do. Which was getting the magic book before the invaders did.

"Finally!" Mabel said to herself as she saw the house after turning the corner.

However, Mabel saw the front door was already broken open and she feared the worse. So, without a second thought, she charged up to the house. When she got in though, she remained very quiet to not alert whomever broke in. Nearest her, in the front hallway, there was a standing coatrack. Quietly as possible, Mabel took off all the coats and held the coatrack like a spear. Even though it wasn't the best of weapons, it had to do for now.

Suddenly, Mabel heard a loud breaking noise as if someone was searching for something. She knew there were only a few things in the house that had glass and the cabinet where her father kept the magic book was one of them. Cautiously, she advanced to the study where her father kept the book. When she peeked into the study through the doorway, she then saw someone she recognized.

"Gideon!" Mabel said with a sigh with relief as she reviled herself.

"Ah Mabel. I was expecting you." Gideon said with a mischievous smile.

"We don't have much time. Bandits are attacking the village and-" Mabel said until she stopped right in front of Gideon and noticed he was holding the magic book with the number 2 on it.

"Gideon…What are you doing with that?" Mabel said getting suspicious.

"Why my dear. Lil ol me, has discovered the true power behind this book. All I had to do, was make a deal with someone to give me the ability to use this tome's magic and now I have it!" Gideon said while his eyes glowed light green and used the magic to rip away the coatrack in Mabel's hands. She then jumped back in nervousness.

"Gideon…What are you doing?! Why are you like this?!" Mabel demanded.

"Because I want you. AND I WILL HAVE YOU!" Gideon shouted in a darker tone voice.

He then used the magic to try to grab hold of Mabel but thankfully she managed to dodge as she rushed to get out of the house. However, once she reached the front door, it slammed shut from Gideon's magic…

"Going somewhere my dear?" Gideon said in his sinister voice that shook Mabel to her very core.

She then sprinted up the stairs but the floorboards of the house burst with her every step. Gideon was trying to grab ahold of Mabel but was proving difficult since he couldn't fully control the magic power yet. Mabel then ran into her father's room and slammed the door shut. Near the door was a heavy dresser which she struggled to push in front of the door to hold it in place so hopefully Gideon couldn't get in. Thankfully she managed to move the dresser to block the door in time but her panic only grew.

"What do I do?! What do I do?!" Mabel was saying to herself while she was panicking with each breath.

"Mabel! Don't you know, it's impolite to treat your future husband this way!" Gideon said from outside the door.

"GO AWAY!" Mabel screamed as frightful tears rolled down her face.

Suddenly, she saw the window that led outside. She quickly ran over to it and struggled to open it. She then was startled by Gideon's banging as he tried to get in. Sweat poured down Mabel's face as she pushed harder on the window until it finally opened.

"I HAD ENOUGH!" Gideon's distorted voice shouted as he used the magical power to blast through the door to the bedroom.

But when he entered, Gideon saw Mabel going out the window and climbing up to the roof. Enraged, Gideon gave chase as he used the book's magic once again to make himself levitate. He then flew out the window and spotted Mabel reaching the top of the roof…

"No more running my dear!" Gideon said while smiling.

"Why are you doing this!?" Mabel cried with tears continuing to pour out of her eyes.

"For years, I was stuck living in this shithole village! I wanted to live the finer way of life. With only the best of nobility. However, my stupid father told me that I would be the next financial official once I succeeded him. I DIDN'T WANT THAT!" Gideon shouted as he swung his arm and the magical power scraped off a major fraction of the house in his anger. Luckily, Mabel wasn't on that part of the house.

"Did you think I wanted to be the next head of the village?! I wanted to be with Dipper in the capital! But now he's gone and I have no choice in my role neither! But do you see me crying about it like a whinny little buttmuncher!?" Mabel shouted.

"SHUT UP!" Gideon shouted while hitting the house again with the magic.

Mabel was feeling the house becoming unbalanced. It was ready to collapse from all of Gideon's attacks. It was only a matter of time before it fell.

"Gideon! What would your parents think about how you are acting!? Aren't you worried about hurting them with the way you are right now!?" Mabel shouted.

"Oh. I doubt either of them feel anything right now…Since I killed them!" Gideon revealed which shocked Mabel.

"P-Please stop! Y-You don't have to-" Mabel started to say until Gideon finally grabbed Mabel with his magic and brought her up to his level.

"Have to what? Hurt you? Lust on you? Kill everything you hold dear in front of your very eyes!? Hahahahahaha!" Gideon laughed.

But then, Mabel felt Gideon's magical grip loosening and she managed to free her right arm. With Gideon in the middle of laughing, Mabel punched him in the face with all the strength she could muster. Gideon lost control of his levitation and the two began to fall from the air. They both fell into the ruined house which made it collapse.

"AH!" Gideon groaned as he grabbed his back in severe pain from the impact.

Luckily, Mabel survived the worst of it since Gideon took the brunt of the fall. She was several feet away from Gideon and his magical grip was now gone. After she refocused, she noticed the magic book was in front of her…

"DON'T YOU TOUCH THAT!" Gideon shouted but was ignored.

"After all you've done, you will pay for this!" Mabel shouted as she grabbed the magical book.

Suddenly, a surge of magical power flown into Mabel and Gideon was at awe. This was nothing compared to what he went through when he made his deal a day before the attack…

Yesterday…

"Gideon. Take care of the invoices. I have to talk with the local merchants while your mother is gathering dinner ingredients." Bud Gleeful said.

"Ugh! Fine!" Gideon whined as he went into his father's office where the invoices were kept.

"Lousy good for nothing father! Why is he the village's finance official if he can't handle this himself!" Gideon ranted to himself.

Suddenly, the room seemed to be frozen still. All around Gideon was grey and, in his mind, it felt like time stood still. Then, out of nowhere, a man wearing a dark suit appeared. In blue flame, Gideon saw this man had an eyepatch with a yellow triangle on it. Furthermore, his unnatural blonde hair with a demonic smile really unsettled Gideon…

"W-What's going on!? Who…or what are you!?" Gideon demanded with fear in his voice.

"No need to panic kid. I'm going to call you Pentagram, if that's alright. Hahahahaha!" The mysterious man said while laughing.

"Don't play games! Who are you!?" Gideon demanded.

"My name is William. B. Cipher. Or, you can call me Bill for short. Hahahahaha!" Bill laughed.

"…Ok…Bill…So, what do you want?" Gideon said getting cautious.

"Well for starters, I want you to take what you desire. My only cost is that you serve me." Bill proposed.

"S-serve you?" Gideon stuttered in nervousness.

"Yes. I will give you the ability to wield the magical book that the local lord has. Once you do, you can take everything with your new magical power. My only condition is that you serve me when the time comes and without question. Fail me…and you won't like what will happen." Bill said with sinister voice.

Gideon hesitated before he spoke again…

"Would this power get me the one I want?" Gideon asked.

"That'll depend on you little Pentagram. Now… Do we have a deal?" Bill asked while extending his blue flame hand.

"Deal." Gideon said with a smile of ambition as he took the demon's hand and the deal was struck…

Back in the present day of the village…

"Gideon! It's time you paid for your crimes against Piedmont! You're under arrest!" Mabel shouted as she used the magic to make the earth grab Gideon and hold him in place.

"DAMN YOU! I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE! YOU CAN'T STOP M-" Gideon said until everything froze again and everything was grey around Mabel and Gideon.

"W-What is this?" Mabel questioned.

"N-NO! Please! I did my best! Don't do this!" Gideon shouted and Mabel looked at him in confusion.

Suddenly, Mabel saw Bill appear but what she also noticed was that Gideon knew this being. She then saw in horror that Bill opened up a demonic hole that had many hands grabbing the screaming Gideon. Despite his resistance, Gideon was being ripped open and Mabel was terrified that Gideon was being tortured. Then, the hands pulled Gideon down into the hole of hellfire and it closed up. When it was over, Bill turned his attention to Mabel.

"Well now. I'm sure you wished for that to be over. I'm going to call you Shooting star." Bill said.

"Pl-Please don't hurt me." Mabel begged.

"Don't worry kiddo. I only came back for that useless worm. You and your village will be spared…for now." Bill said.

"Why? Why were you targeting us to begin with?" Mabel asked while still very scared of the demon before her.

"Well, my dear, part of the puzzle is in your hands right now. I'm sure you find out soon enough why I'm here and…what my plans are. Until then, grow stronger because you are going to need to." Bill said.

"What do you mean!?" Mabel demanded.

"Remember this! Reality is an illusion and your universe is hollow. Bye!" Bill crazily shouted before he disappeared in blue flames and everything around Mabel turned back to normal.

Mabel looked around in a panic but the demon was gone. Gideon was also gone but the attack on the village was still happening. Gripping the magic book tightly, Mabel dashed to where the battle was. She needed to help any way she could before all was lost…

David was fighting Mark while the militia was doing their best to defend the village from his men. Fires continued to spread and entire buildings were being enveloped in flames…

"Give it up Pines! You are going give everything you kept from me!" Mark shouted while fighting David.

"Damn it, Mark! I already told you; we couldn't pay you the whole amount! And you resort to this!? Killing my people, burning the village, and pillaging like bandits!" David shouted in anger as he pushed Mark away.

"Enough of your lies David! I know all about the money. You will give us what is owed. One way or another!" Mark said as he readied his stance for another attack.

Suddenly, rain came out of nowhere and put out the fires that Mark and his men started. Everyone stopped fighting and saw someone walking up to them.

"Enough! Time for you all to pay!" Mabel shouted then lightning struck Mark's men and they fell to the ground as charred corpses.

"Damn it! That little weasel must have gotten himself killed before I could get to him myself." Mark said.

"You're not going anywhere!" Mabel shouted but then felt dizzy and dropped to the ground.

"Hmph. Seems like the girl doesn't know the limits of her magic capacity. Until next time, Pines!" Mark shouted as he grabbed a smoke bomb from his bag and smashed it to the ground.

Mark made his escape and what was left of the militia tried to give chase. However, David rushed to his unconscious daughter and picked her up. He didn't know that Mabel mastered the magic from the book. However, he saw the toll it took and Mabel was now unresponsive. Given little choice, David took her away to give her the rest she needed…

Back with Dipper…

The hour was up and Dipper began to walk back to the camp. In the distance he saw Robbie walking towards the graveyard that wasn't too far away. Dipper knew that Robbie and Tambry were probably going to fool around and Dipper was nothing more than the messenger. The note that he got from Robbie simply said graveyard on it…

"Sigh…Why can't they just wait until we get back?" Dipper said to himself.

Finally, he reached the camp and noticed that Bovard was reading a book with a small light spell a few yards away from the campfire. Amanda and Elise were also a few yards away sitting on a log talking to each other in hushed voices. However, the only ones that were actually sitting by the campfire were Grenda, Candy, and Tambry…

"Here." Dipper simply said to Tambry as he gave her the note.

"Sigh…" Tambry sighed in slight annoyance.

"What did the note say?" Candy asked.

"Robbie just forgot his canteen. I'm going to just led him mine for now." Tambry lied as she grabbed her canteen and began to walk away.

"Wait. Isn't someone else supposed to switch with Robbie?" Candy asked.

"Robbie told me he didn't need anyone to switch with him and not to worry about it." Dipper said fulfilling his deal with Robbie.

"Pff…Looks like he just wants to show off to win points to get into the selection ceremony." Grenda said as she took a big bite out of the turkey leg, she brought with her.

As Tambry disappeared into the darkness of the woods, Dipper sat himself in her place where she was at the fire and opened his own canteen for a drink. He kept the secret he told Robbie from Grenda and Candy. Even though they were friends, the less people that knew about him getting special help from the princess the better…

"So. Those two went to screw around, didn't they?" Grenda simply questioned which made Dipper spit out the water he was currently drinking.

"W-What?" Dipper stuttered.

"Well, it's obvious. It's not like they were trying to hide it when Robbie asked you to give Tambry that note. I just wished they would be more considerate, especially since we are deep in these woods with danger lurking around…" Candy said then suddenly Amanda came up to the conversation.

"Do you mind repeating that?" Amanda demanded as her anger began to rise.

"Oh…um…it was nothing." Candy nervously said.

"What she said." Grenda agreed.

"Sigh! So called recruits. And they want to be royal squires. They don't even qualify as decent soldiers! Stay here! I'm going to drag those worthless dogs in heat back to camp! Dipper!" Amanda shouted.

"Y-Yes Ma'am?" Dipper answered.

"You are going to accompany Elise while I search for those idiots. And you two shall take the sentry posts right now." Amanda ordered as she turned her attention to Candy and Grenda.

"Understood!" Candy and Grenda obeyed as they got up quickly and grabbed their weapons to head to their posts.

Dipper saw all three of them go, then he turned to where Elise was. He never met Elise before but for some reason, Dipper was getting nervous. With each step closer to Elise, Dipper's heart was slowly picking up in rhythm. Finally, he reached her but she still had her hood on her head so Dipper couldn't see her face…

"H-Hello. Mrs. Amanda asked I accompany you until she gets back, if that's alright?" Dipper nervously said.

"It's fine." Elise simply said in a low voice.

Dipper then sat on the same log with her but kept a respectable distance. It was quiet for a few moments but then she talked again…

"Why are you here?" Elise asked but Dipper felt her voice was familiar this time.

"Oh like I said…Amanda wanted-" Dipper said until he was interrupted by Elise.

"No not that…Why are you on this mission?" Elise asked.

"…Well to be blunt, I was order to. The king wanted all five of us trainee recruits to escort the court wizard and protect him. To be honest…I feel like this is just another excuse to put me in harm's way to remove me from becoming a squire." Dipper explained.

"That's just like him." Elise spat.

"Sorry?" Dipper inquired.

"N-Nothing." Elise quicky said.

"Ok…Well regardless, I will still give it my best. Though this is my first time on a mission like this but hopefully I can be of some use. I'm not as skilled as Amanda though and I'm sure you are equally as good as her." Dipper complimented but was met with silence for a few moments until Elise finally spoke again…

"I'm not much of a warrior or archer but I can create potions that can help you if you need them…" Elise offered while blushing but Dipper couldn't see in the dark.

"Hey…I could be wrong about this…but have we met somewhere before?" Dipper asked as he got a little closer.

"N-No! I…We…" Elise stuttered as she backed away.

"Sorry! I promise I wasn't going hurt you. I just wanted to see your face and-" Dipper said until both of them were startled by a ghostly rabbit that glowed in front of them.

"WHAT IS THAT!" Elise shouted in fear as she ran to Dipper's side.

"I don't know but stay behind me!" Dipper said as he readied his sword.

"Put your sword away!" Bovard said as he made his way to them.

Suddenly, the rabbit hopped away into the dark…

"That was the mythical spirit called Phantom." Bovard explained.

"Phantom?" Elise inquired.

"Yes. It's neither evil nor good but a warning." Bovard said.

"What do you mean?" Dipper asked.

"Well…Normally, this creature wouldn't show itself to anyone. However, those of pure heart may glimpse it when it arrives. But this is seen as an omen. Whomever sees this spirit, will soon be face dangers that doesn't belong in our world…" Bovard explained.

"Why?" Elise asked.

"Who knows…But it's been recorded for generations. To think, it would show up here of all places and-" Bovard said until they all heard a scream in the distance.

"Quickly! We make haste!" Bovard said as he, Dipper, and Elise rushed to the sound of the danger…

Little did they know…the danger would be greater than any of them ever realized…

TO BE CONTINUED…

AN: Again, I am sorry for the wait. Work and home kept me busy. I won't lie. Sometimes I get preoccupied with other things as well. However, I promise you that I won't forget you all and I will post new chapters in the future along with other fanfics. I look forward to continue writing for you all. Thank you. -Dipifica Writer/James Milliken