Little Dipper

Debate

"Is everything in place?" Gideon asked quietly.

"Yes." Tad nodded. "Everyone will be here soon, let's take our positions."

Gideon nodded and floated off to the side.

–

"Everyone in town is here at the Friday Debate, ready to see how the candidates will face off! It's certainly been an exciting week for everyone!" Shandra Jimenez said as the seats filled up with people. "We're just going to have a quick chat with each of the candidates before we start. Let's start with Mr. Stanford Pines over here! Mr. Pines, a word for our viewers?"

"Oh, sure!" Stan turned to the camera, cutting off his conversation with Bill and Preston. "What do you want to talk about?"

"How confident do you feel that you'll win this debate?" Shandra asked.

"Well, that's a million-dollar question." Stan chuckled a bit. "Ah, I think I'll be okay, but it's gonna be a tough fight. I was kind of hoping he wouldn't get this far, but it looks like Bud is determined to go through until the end so I'm gonna do my best!"

"Well, we'll see how you do at the end of this! Are you ready to be covered in bird-seed?" Shandra asked cheerfully.

"I'm in my best suit for it." Stan laughed.

"Alright, thank for your time. Let's move on to the other candidate." Shandra went over to where Bud was standing with Ford. "Mr. Gleeful, a word for our viewers?"

"Who's actually still at home right now? Looks like everyone's here!" Bud laughed.

"Well, your son isn't here." Shandra pointed out.

"Oh, yeah. Well, I'm sure he'll show up." Bud shrugged. "So, you wanted to talk to me?"

"I'm sure. How confident do you feel that you'll win this debate?" Shandra asked.

"Well, I'm feeling very confident, yessiree!" Bud beamed. "I think I have a pretty good chance here, and that this time tomorrow I'll be in the Mayor's Office!"

"Wow, such confidence! Well, that's all we have time for now, it's time to start!" Shandra said, turning to the camera as Bud walked over to the stage, Stan walking to it in the background.

–

Ford walked over to Bill and Preston. "Do you think he's ready for this?"

"Why don't you? You're his brother, you should be supporting him." Bill said firmly.

"Because I know that my brother can't win this kind of stuff." Ford said firmly. "He's not leader material."

"And you think Bud is? Sixer, you really know nothing about this guy." Bill looked at him.

"I know he misses his wife and son, but they're avoiding him." Ford frowned. "He can't sleep at night because they're gone."

"No, he can't sleep at night because he's used to going to the Society of the Blind Eye to zap people's minds every night." Bill said tensely. "It has nothing to do with his family and more to do with the fact that he's been doing it so long he doesn't know what to do with himself anymore."

"Bill, shh." Preston nudged him. "It's starting."

"Where is Gideon, anyway?" Ford frowned.

"I dunno, last I saw he was working on a big art project in the school gym." Bill shrugged.

"Sounds like something a child would do." Ford looked towards the debate again.

It was started to get pretty heated, Bud and Stan going at each other. Then, out of nowhere, a large sheet came down on top of both of them, covering the full length of the stage. On the sheet was a rather terrifying scene of Gravity Falls in flames with a few giant figures standing around laughing as people cowered in fear. The crowd gasped, screamed and murmured and then Gideon came down from above and landed on the stage, his eyes glowing.

"Gideon?" Bud said as he and Stan come out from behind the sheet to look at it. "What is this?"

"This is what is going to happen to our town no matter WHO wins this debate." Gideon said firmly. "We should be focusing on preparing to protect ourselves and you guys are arguing about whether or not it's ethical to use a bomb! Guess what? SHE. IS. FIRE!" He pointed at the pink giant woman in the picture. "A bomb would do nothing! They are standing in the flames like it is a sauna! We need to evacuate and we need to prepare to fight. Because they are coming, and nothing we can do will stop it. Every night, I have the same vision, and it could be happening any day now. Let's stop arguing! We need a leader that will protect us and lead us, NOT someone that runs away!"

"Are you taking his side?" Bud asked.

"I don't care WHO leads, honestly. I'm tempted to suggest TAD, because he's the only one who is actually helping me with finding out about these people! We've gone to talk to that guy in the playhouse, we've talked over methods, we've tried to find a rift in time-space that is somewhere in town, all while you have both been focused on this useless thing! Guess what? If we all die, it won't matter who wins this! You can do this after we've won but, until then, we need to focus on preparing for the damn apocalypse!" Gideon snapped, glaring at both candidates.

Stan had the decency to look ashamed. Bud was gaping in shock. "Wait, where did you learn that kind of language?" Bud asked.

"Seriously? That's what you're focusing on?" Gideon groaned. "Honestly, just...we have a very REAL threat to worry about. We don't need a mayor, we need a general. And you, father, are not a general." He turned to the crowd. "It's time to make sure we're ready. Personally, I liked Stanford's suggestion for how to handle the apocalypse, so let's go with that. Now, get out of here and start preparing!" He pointed to the exit.

"In a stunning turn of events, Gideon Gleeful has come out of nowhere and interrupted the debate with shocking news that have jarred the townsfolk. It seems we're going to have to continue this when the danger has passed. This is Shandra Jemeniz at the canceled Friday Debate. I'm going to make a panic kit." She walked away from the camera.

The crowd dispersed to go and do the same and then Dipper and Mabel came out of hiding with Tad. "Grunkle Stan, Gideon's right." Mabel said, walking over to him. "Let's go home and prepare. We haven't found the rift yet."

Ford stared in silence as Dipper went over to Bill to lead him away from the area. He knew exactly where the rift was, but he couldn't risk Bill knowing about it. No, that would surely jump-start the apocalypse! After all, Bill was probably laughing behind their backs as he made plans with his "friends" back in the Nightmare Realm.

"It's a really good picture." Bill commented as they walked back to the Shack. He paused and looked over his shoulder. "Oi, Lee! Election's done for now, get your butt back home."

"I'll see you after the apocalypse, then." Ford told Bud.

"Yep, see you then." Bud shrugged. "Can't argue with Gideon and his visions, I really can't."

Ford nodded and walked after the group, pausing to look at the ominous picture before hurrying on.