Back To Gravity Falls: Beware the Beast (Multiverse Crossover)

Into the Woods

Full chapter title: Into the Woods (to Find Hyleoroi)
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Norman was shellshocked; he didn't expect Dipper to agree so readily, so when he did-- he found himself at a loss for words.

"Really?" Norman asked, brain slowly shifting back into gear.

"Yeah, Norman-" Dipper was leaning towards exasperation, "get over here. Bring the van if it's not too much trouble, we may need to go visit... some old friends." Dipper said with a tint of irritation before a sound in the background caused Dipper to utter a quick, "Hold on, Norman-- What, Wendy? Oh, okay. Good idea. So, Norm, nevermind about the van; Wendy said she can go home and get her truck and she can take us all to the course."

"The course?"

"Long story, uhm..." Dipper sighed, "I'll explain when we get there. I hope you are of the open-minded sort."

"Have to say I am," Norman grinned a little, then his face fell when he looked at the door to Greg's room. "I'll wait on the porch, on the railing."

"Be there in about a half hour, and I don't know how long we'll be out so bring some stuff to eat and drink, a jacket, whatever you need. Tell Wirt it may be a while, but to call you if he gets worried. I'll keep our phones charged. See you in a bit." With that, Dipper hung up.

The abrupt end to the phone call left Norman in a daze as he explained the situation to Wirt (who was less than pleased that his cousin was digging into such a dangerous situation, but respected his cousin's judgement). Wirt reluctantly agreed to let Norman go as long as he kept Wirt updated. And so, Norman Babcock packed a backpack filled with a few sandwiches, a couple bottles of water, his phone, a spare set of clothes, his multitool, and his handheld camcorder that he always kept in his pocket (should a perfect filming moment arise).

Always the boy scout, he could hear in his mother's voice whenever she'd see Norman overpacking for the sake of preparedness.

Probably would've made a good one if he had actually signed up like I told him to and stopped watching those crappy b-movies and went outside once in a while, his father always muttered back to her.

Norman always pretended he couldn't hear them.

***

When Norman was saying his goodbyes to Greg, he heard the front door of the inn open and shut; quiet words were exchanged, so quiet, that Norman only caught a bit of it before he left Greg's room to meet the girl in the lounge. The girl's voice, which he now realized could only be Wendy's, caused him to edge closer quietly so he could hear them better.

"--well I have been thinking about it and--" A female voice spoke quietly, then drifted off with the breeze through the windows, her words faded in and out with the gusts of soft wind.

"Yeah, I know, it was a dumb idea but what else could I do? You know... with--" Wirt's voice was clearer but lowered when he realized he was speaking too loudly to be considered a whisper.

"He's hot on the trail, what do you expect me to do? Play it off?"

"Well, how about you decide--" Wirt's voice cut short when he saw Norman rounding the corner. Wirt's expressionless face became a smile, "There's a Wendy here for you, she says the twins are already outside. "

Norman nodded, adjusting the backpack strap on his shoulder before acknowledging Wendy with a nod, catching the last few words between the two as he opened the screen door leading outside.

"This conversation isn't over." Wirt whispered emphatically, bordering on anger.

"Same to you, Wart." Wendy whispered pointedly, tapping his arm with her palm before following behind Norman.