Time Flop

Chapter 17

A/N: In case you were worried, yes; I'm still alive. Get excited.

Mabel entered her old home feeling enough nostalgia to make her cry.

Everything in the front room was covered in a distinct sheet of dust or dirt. Several splintered logs and shards of broken glass peppered the north side of the room, where Dipper found a large, triangular hole in the front wall...

Dipper's chest contorted in pain. He slumped to the floor, feeling his chin tingle. He reached up, and felt the stubble there growing noticeably beneath his fingers.

What's happening to me?! He thought. Mabel and Pacifica rushed to his side.

"Dipper, what is it? Your jewel is glowing!" Mabel said. Sure enough, Dipper observed his jewel on his wrist shining furiously. It began to pull lightly on his arm, as if it were...

Guiding me...

Dipper stood, following where it led. It led him up the stairs, down the hallway... And into the twins' room. There, he found Soos standing amidst thousands of shards of glass, and computer mainframes. There was a hole in the wall the size of Dipper's head.

"This is where it began, dude." Soos said, without looking up. "This is where the twins split before the final reconnaissance mission. The one that claimed Dipper Oakes' life." Dipper scanned the room. It was nothing like home... Where were the twin beds? The splintering roofs? The drawers, the toys, the posters... Where did it all go? Why would they-

There was a hand underneath one of the larger screens.

Dipper rushed to lift what he could off of the body. The arm he uncovered seemed to still be intact with it's owner, whoever they were. It was pale, and pudgy. The fingernails were short and ragged, the probable result of a nervous habit. Soos waddled over to help.

After ten minutes of lifting heavy equipment off the body, Soos gasped as they found the face.

"Oh my waffles, dude..." He exclaimed.

"It's Gideon!"

~<>~

"That's him, alright..." Pacifica said, sipping her "tea". Mabel had found the propane tanks were intact under the stove, and had used them to warm some water. Gideon's corpse lay in front of the group.

"How did he get here?" Dipper asked. The others shrugged and looked down.

"The last time we saw him was when we first confronted The Overlord... But, why come back? How did he survive the fall?" Pacifica said. Dipper's chest pain returned with a vengeance. He clutched his chest, rolling off of the couch at which he was seated, and onto the floor. His vision went black.

~<>~

I told you not to trust them... The voice said. Dipper opened his eyes, revealing a pitch black void in which he was floating. They will only betray you... Just like HE did... Dipper flailed his arms in an effort to position his body in what he felt was right-side up.

"Who are you?" He asked. The voice made a sound that resembled a chuckle, if your chuckle sounds like gargling nails and blender blades. Whatever it was, it mad Dipper's spine shiver.

You know who I am... Or, you did. Before... Well, I'm sure you remember, don't you, kid?

"Not really! Whoever you are, show yourself! Now!" Dipper demanded. The voice sighed.

Mortals... Always believing that brute strength can win my discussions. Either way, I think it will be interesting enough to at least let you gaze upon my glory...

Suddenly, in front of Dipper, a great, blue light exploded into existence, like a star going supernova. Dipper tried to raise his arms to shield his eyes, but found they were being held at his sides.

Watch, Dipper...

A figure appeared as the light began to fade. A man, dressed in black and grey, with a long, flowing, black cape trailing behind him. His long, trimmed black hair followed his cape in the breeze that Dipper couldn't feel. Everything on this person was black, or very dark. Everything, except for his pale skin, and his blue, glowing, left eye. The other was covered by a triangular eyepatch...

"The Overlord..." Dipper said. The person laughed.

Please, Dipper... He said. Call me Will. Shall we discuss the girl?