Oak Tree | BillDip

Chapter 24 - Satisfaction Brought It Back

A few days later, they were sitting on the throne when Bill suggested to Dipper that they should visit the library.

Dipper squirmed a little on the throne. "Bill, I don't know... Remember last time?"

Bill stared him down. "That was years ago. You were human and untrained. You're stronger now and you've faced Tad Strange twice, I think you can go back to the library." 

"You're right," Dipper sighed.

And so Bill teleported them in front of the large, beautiful doors to go inside. Bill opened the doors, and on instinct, Dipper grabbed Bill's hand for comfort. The boy's face heated when he realized what he did, but he didn't let go. Bill didn't say anything but he squeezed it, leading him inside.

Bill waved a hand and suddenly all of the lights in the library were lit. It was the same as he had last seen it—three levels of books, books, books and comfortable places to read...and hide. It was full of tidy tables, cushioned chairs and couches, and fireplaces. It was cozy despite the chaos of the place outside of it. Dipper focused on his breathing as Bill lead him to a higher level of the library, where most of the seats were. He sat him in a chair and he stood in front of him.

Dipper rested his arms on the comfortable chair's arms and clenched his fists. "Close your eyes," Bill told him. Dipper's eyes must have widened in fear or something because Bill then said, "Don't worry, I'll be at the top level."

Dipper was about to protest, but Bill held up a finger and interrupted, "You need to conquer these fears on your own. Just call if you need me."

Dipper picked on a loose thread of his shirt. "What if Tad gets me?" It was such a childish thing to say, but still.

Bill's voice became softer than he had ever heard it. He assured him, "Hey. Tad cannot do anything to you because you have control over your mind. Tad noticed that this was the place you enjoyed the most out of the Fearamid and he used that to his advantage and he attacked your mind and tried to kill you. But now he can't since I taught you how to use your own mind to attack. You've learned how to protect it, too."

Dipper took a deep breath. "Okay. Thanks, Bill. I think I can do it," he said and closed his eyes.

He heard the demon teleport away from him. He clenched the arms of the chair and waited. And waited.

And then he fell asleep and dreamt.

He was outside of the Mystery Shack while Weirdmageddon was swarming around it. But the unicorn hair wasn't around the house—the weirdness was traveling inside and outside the shack and henchmaniacs where laughing and squealing out of delight.

What? I thought Bill kept our deal... Why would Bill break it?! We had a deal!

And then he heard the screams of his friends and family inside.

"Mabel!" He shouted. He launched forward, but he was stuck in place. He looked down at the glowing, blue cuffs encircling both of his wrists and holding him down. No, no! He felt the strength and magic in him slowly vanish as he tried to break through these cuffs.

But he could do nothing as he was forced to watch the chaos and darkness choke and swallow up his friends, family, and home. Nothing as the darkness swallowed him up too.

He breathed out a sigh of relief when the cuffs suddenly vanished, but he yelped at the void around him and when he started floating.

"Well, well, the little tree is powerless."

Tad Strange.

"No, I'm not," Dipper asserted. "It was a dream. It was an awful dream you made me see! I can beat you!"

"Really?" Strange purred. And then claws attacked his mind. He felt those claws falter a small fraction. "Has Bill really taught you this?" Tad scoffed. "I'm impressed."

That's when Dipper began to fight back, but with his mind. He warded off those cursed talons by imagining a strong wave of stars forcing them away. He squeezed his eyes shut as he blocked out Tad Strange altogether—he made himself stop listening to his voice. He made his mind shove him away. That ocean of stars was now a new barrier. Nothing will break through.

He opened his eyes. Tad Strange was gone. Dipper was not in the dark void anymore. He was back in the library and Bill was in front of him. That's when he realized what he did.

He jumped up in joy and punched a fist into the air victoriously. "Bill! I defeated Tad Strange by myself with my mind! You were right, I could do it!" But Bill wasn't smiling. He wasn't even looking at him, in fact. His emotionless eyes were downcast.

"Bill? What's the matter?" He sunk back down in the chair.

Bill's gaze flashed to Dipper's. He was frowning and almost looked offended.

Dipper furrowed his brow. "Bill?"

"I'm not going to break the deal, Pine Tree."

Oh, right. That dream. Bill was a dream demon, after all. He chewed on his lip.

"I never break deals. You know that I'll always protect your family."

Strong emotions overcame Dipper's senses. That's when Dipper grasped Bill's shirt and kissed him. "I know, Bill," he whispered on the demon's lips. "Thank you."