Little Dipper

Attack of the Clones

"Any sign of her yet?" Mabel asked anxiously. "What if she doesn't show up?"

"Then she will lose the wager by default, on the grounds of her cowardice keeping her from seeing if it's better or not." Gideon said, offering her a glass. "Have something to drink and sit down, you've been on your feet all day."

"Okay." Mabel nodded, taking the glass and going to sit down.

"Mabel, you okay?" Dipper walked over to her. "Do you need anything?"

"Maybe a bit of air." Mabel stood up. "I'm just gonna head over to the gift shop, okay?"

"Want me to come with?" Dipper asked.

"No, you keep partying. But, come find me if you see Pacifica!" She headed out of the room.

"...I don't know what she looks like, though." Dipper frowned.

–

Mabel stepped into the gift-shop and sighed, walking over to look out the window. "I just gotta impress her. I'll make her eat her words. How dare she talk badly about my family. Money isn't everything." She clenched her fists.

She heard the vending machine move behind her and turned to see the Mabel clones coming out. "Girls, what are you doing out?! You're supposed to stay down there during the party!"

"We decided that it was unfair." Mabel 2 said, pulling out a handkerchief as the clones moved around her. "We did all that work, and we don't even get to enjoy it? I don't think so. Girls, grab her."

"Hey, leave me alone!" Mabel cried as the clones suddenly grabbed her. "Let me go, you...you creeps! Help! Dipper, Gideon, he--!" She cried, then was cut off by Mabel 2's handkerchief.

"You need to keep your mouth shut. Let's bring her downstairs. Then we can take turns enjoying the party." Mabel 2 said, leading the way back into the elevator.

–

Bill looked over at the gift-shop, frowning. "Kid." He tapped his cheek. "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?" Dipper asked quietly.

"It sounded like your sister. Let's go check it out." Bill nodded firmly.

Dipper nodded, then went to tug on Gideon's sleeve. "Gideon, I'm worried about Mabel."

Gideon frowned and nodded, heading for the gift-shop with Dipper right behind. "Why, what did you hear?"

"Well, I didn't hear anything, but Bill heard something that worried him." Dipper said as they stepped into the gift-shop.

"The vending machine." Bill breathed.

"Why is it open?" Gideon moved closer, just in time for Mabel to step out, adjusting her sweater. "Mabel? Are you alright?"

"Of course I'm alright! Why wouldn't I be alright?" Mabel asked, running her fingers through her hair.

"You're...paler." Dipper commented.

"Shooting Star, is everything alright?" Bill asked.

"Don't be silly, Dipper, I'm fine!" Mabel assured him, patting him on the head.

"Shooting Star!" Bill snapped. "Look at me!"

Mabel walked past them, as if she didn't hear him.

"That's not Shooting Star." Bill hissed.

Gideon held out a hand. "Retaw." He said, water coming out of his hand. Mabel gasped and tried to protect herself before she melted to the floor, the sweater the only thing left.