Nightmares and Daydreams

Chapter 29: Plan of Attack

Dipper's Pov

By the time we got back to the shack, everyone else was already there. I was actually surprised and relieved to see everyone alive and okay, even Robbie and Gideon. Speaking of which, they were the first ones to notice that we had come back. "Oh wow, the short stack is alive," Robbie said as if he was surprised to see me. I rolled my eyes and walked into the shack with Greg and Wendy.

McGucket had a layout of the town on the table and everyone crowded around it while listening to the inventor speak. "It looks like we won't have to build a robotic thingamajig to break into the pyramid this time," McGucket pointed out. Both Stan and Soos were relieved because it took forever for us to get the Shack back into proper condition after the first Shack-O-Tron.

McGucket pointed out an area in the back of the fearamid that was covered in edelwood vines. "We could use them to climb i-" "No," I quickly said, cutting off Gideon. Everyone looked up at me and I blushed and nervously coughed. "Sorry it's just those branches are sentient... kind of. If we touch them they will attack, we should find another way around."

Ford and Mabel nodded in agreement and we looked over the map again to see if there was another entrance. Fortunately for us, there was. Unfortunately, it was the front door of the fearamid. Which caused a lot of debate.

"Are you crazy we can't just waltz into the front door! Cipher will catch us for sure!" Gideon argued. Clearly, he was still scared after being Bill's entertainer during Weirdmageddon, which I could understand. "Well, what else are we gonna do, give up!?" Pacifica shot back. Things looked like they were going to heat up so Mabel slammed her hand on the table, catching everyone's attention.

"Look people, squawking at each other is not gonna help. I say we rest and get back this tomorrow." Soos took off his cap and fiddled with it then apologetically looked at Mabel. "Sorry dood but... I don't think we have time for that." "Yeah, there might not be a tomorrow! Wendy added. 

I backed away from the conversation and sank into my thoughts. Wendy and Soos were right, we couldn't keep waiting. But marching through the front door definitely didn't seem like a good idea. Plans and thoughts floated around in my mind until I finally thought of something.

"I could distract him."

Everyone gave me a shocked look, surprised that I would suggest such a thing. "What!? We are not using you as bait!" Ford yelled. It was as if the mere thought of me doing anything remotely risky would get me killed. I frowned at his overprotectiveness but tried to remain calm. We didn't need another fight breaking out.

"Great-Uncle Ford, I know it's dangerous but if I can keep Bill distracted then it will give us enough time to sneak in and draw the circle." He shook his head and crossed his arms, giving me a stern no. Knowing that I wasn't going to get through to him, I turned to everyone else. Sadly, it looked like they shared the same feelings as Ford. "Listen, kid, I've gotta side with Sixer on this one. Who knows what that freak could do to you?" "But he can't do anything to me! That's why I should go!"

Ford ran a hand through his hair and sighed, gaze drifting from the map up to me. He had a stern look on his face but I smiled because behind that look, was one of hope. He might actually be considering my plan. "You know this is a huge risk?" "Yeah, I know." He paused and looked around at everyone else, all of them giving him an incredulous look. "Y-you're not actually thinking about sending our nephew in there, are you Sixer?" "He would do better than all of us," Great-Uncle Ford admitted with a sigh.

"I can do it, Great-Uncle Ford, trust me." Ford gave me a determined smile and placed a hand on my shoulder. "I trust you Dipper. But we're not sending you in blind." He turned back to McGucket and they started discussing possible exit points and weapons we might need. We came up with a solid plan to sneak into the fearamid and prepared for anything we might face. With our weapons in hand and plan in mind, we set off for Bill.

~~1-hour timeskip~~

The outside of the fearamid looked so deserted, I began wondering if it was even necessary to sneak in. The place just felt so... empty, what if Bill wasn't even in there? No of course he's in there, I just have to find him. Still, it was unnerving that the fearamid was so quiet. No huge parties or creepy monsters playing spin the human. And the edelwood surrounding the castle looked so... dead. It was as if life was drained from them. I hesitated then reached for one, surprise flashing across my face when they didn't move to attack me.

Shaking my head, I focused on my real mission. Distract Bill and give my family enough time to draw the circle, ending the demon's reign of terror. With a deep, calming breath I took one step into the pyramid. I waited for something, anything to happen, but it was dead silent. I took another step forward, pausing for a moment, before walking into the fearamid. I heard something move and turned around to find the edelwood branches growing and blocking the exit. "No, no, no. Th-this wasn't supposed to happen." I ran towards the door and tried to rip the edelwood off, but ended up cutting my hand. I hissed as blood slowly leaked from the wound.

All of a sudden, a horrible sense of dread began to fill my body... like something was watching me. I turned back around and froze in place when I heard his cold, dark, voice.

"FE FI FO FUM. IS THAT PINETREE I SENSE? THIS SHOULD BE F̶̫̩̽Ṵ̶͕͖̰̏N̴̤͉͙̑́̊͜͝!"

Characters seriously need to learn not to split up. Like damn Dipper, would it have killed you to bring another person with you? We've got a few more chapters before this wraps up so prepare. I'll see you on Friday my lovelies. 

Bye-bye!