Oak Tree | BillDip

Chapter 26 - Light Drowns Out the Darkness

"I missed you so much, Dipper," Mabel sniffed as she grabbed at Dipper's shirt.

Dipper squeezed her tightly. "I missed you, too. All of you." He pulled away from the hug but still kept his hands on Mabel's arms. He scanned his family—Ford, Stan, Wendy, and Soos.

Stan and the rest of them were staring at Dipper, excluding Ford, who was glaring daggers at Bill. "We know you did something to my nephew," growled Ford. "We've been hearing rumors that you turned him into a demon. You made him steal the equation and now we're finally going to do something about it!"

And then Ford pulled out a large weapon. Dipper knew what it was. It was the one weapon that could kill Bill Cipher—but if you miss once, that's it.

Dipper yanked himself out of Mabel's arms. Her arms went taut with shocked surprise as her eyes landed on the weapon.

"Grunkle Ford, no!" Dipper stood between Bill and his uncle.

"Kid..." Stan said.

Ford inhaled in and exhaled out. He didn't look at Dipper as he muttered, "Wendy, Soos...restrain my niece. I'll deal with him."

No, no, no, Dipper gasped as Wendy and Soos held a thrashing Mabel down. "Dipper! Dipper, don't let him destroy Bill!"

The boy looked at his friends' eyes, begging them to let go of her...but all he saw was guilt and regret in their eyes. They didn't want to hurt him and Mabel like this.

Dipper's head turned toward Bill. He doing anything. He couldn't do anything, Dipper realized. The deal. Dipper bounded over to him and grasped Bill's arm. "Bill, what do I do? You can't do anything to them, but I—"

"No," Bill interrupted. Bill's brilliant hazel eyes landed on Dipper's at last. "Let him shoot. After all I've done, I deserve it."

Dipper couldn't believe what he just heard. "Bill, no..." he took Bill's hands in his and squeezed them hard. "Listen, you do not deserve to die. Turning back into a human vanquished the evil inside of you, I know it. You are good. You are everything to me. I love you." Dipper didn't realize he was crying until he felt hot, fat his tears sliding down his cheeks.

Bill let go of Dipper's hands and wiped his tears away. He took a shaky breath. "I—you're right. You always are. Dipper, I love you too. Thank you." His eyes started to get watery.

But before Dipper could kiss him, he heard a weapon whirring alive. The boy slowly turned around and Bill slid a protective arm around Dipper's waist.

He studied his family's faces—so full of surprise. But none of betrayal. Except...

"Did you brainwash him," Ford said darkly.

"Why would I do that, Sixer?" Bill balked, surprised. Dipper's mouth gaped open.

Never!

Ford took a warning step closer. Bill stepped in front of Dipper and Dipper wanted to step on Bill's foot because he was supposed to be the one protecting him. "What did you do to him?!" He shouted. The entire throne room was silent. Mabel stopped thrashing.

Bill snarled and was about to say something, but Dipper beat him to it. "No one brainwashed anyone, except yourself." He took a step forward, taking Ford by surprise. Ford lowered his weapon a bit. "I chose to stay here. I chose to do everything. Besides, Bill can't brainwash me since my mind is protected! You've convinced yourself that Bill has done horrible things to me without knowing. You've convinced yourself that there are no second chances. I could have stayed at the shack four years ago but I went back to Bill because I trust him! I love him!"