Brave

Chapter Seventeen

Art by Elentori

Hello my charming critters! Not sure about you guys but school's over for me! Yay, sorta... *sniffs* I miss my friends. You know what my dad said though?! He was like so... Charm when schools over where you gonna travel? And I just- He's lucky I didn't kill em'. Anyways! Hope you enjoy! Love - Charm

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After everyone left the room, the Pines twins and Pacifica scooped Bill out from the barrel. They all rushed upstairs to Dipper's room where the broken tapestry was stored.

McGucket, after reassuring Dipper, carried Bill to his room to fix him up since he's the royal doctor and all. Soos left the others on their own and went off to who knows where to fix up the castle.

Dipper and Stanbear went into his room while the girls stood on guard.

"The tapestry! Mend the broken bond. The witch gave us the answer! Mend the bond! Stitch up the tapestry."

Stanbear raised a brow, asking how'd they stitch the tapestry. Dipper chuckled nervously.

"Uh... I taught myself to sew and knit out of pure boredom." They heard Mabel squeal.

"You'd make a perfect wife!"

"Wha- hey!" The girls laughed at the flustered Dipper, even Stanbear joined in with a light chuckle. Dipper continued to look for the needle and thread.

He heard the laughter stop and turned around to see Stanbear with pure black eyes. Stanbear dropped a plate of fruit nearby and ate on the ground like a ground.

"Stanford! No... please not now!"

Meanwhile, Stanley was proud of Dipper standing up for the kingdom and others. He decided to tell Stanford, perhaps the good news will help him feel better.

"Stanford! You'll never guess who just solved our little suitor problem." Stanley opened up the room and gasped. The room was a mess.

The bed was in shambles, the cupboards were tossed around the room, and random clothes were on the ground. Stanley walked over the other side of the bed and noticed a torn suit with claw marks nearby. Making Stanley think of only one other possibility.

"Stanford!" Stanley searched around the room for any sign of his brother. "No, it can't be true."

He continued to walk the halls shouting Stanford's name. He came across Mabel and Pacifica chatting while guarding Dipper's room.

"Girls! Have you seen-" He was cut off by some growling. "What's going on?!"

The girls glanced at each other nervously and dismissed the noise. "It's nothing Grunkle Stan! Just... the wind? Yeah. It's just the wind and creaky floor boards, ya know?" Mabel chuckled nervously but Stan didn't listen as he barged into the room.

"Sir, we can explain!" Stanley gasped at the sight of Dipper trying to calm down a black bear.

"Dipper!" He wielded a dagger at the bear who only growled in response. "Get back ye foul beast!"

"No! Stanley! I can explain!"

"Dipper stay back!" Stanley stood in front of him protectively while the bear stood on its hind legs.

"No! No! Don't hurt him!" As soon as they heard Dipper's cries, Mabel and Pacifica ran into the room and grabbed Stanley's arms. Stanley was still able to overcome them and tried to stab the bear.

Dipper got in the way, resulting in his arm getting scratched. He quickly covered up the blood trickling, at that same moment Stanford's human mind returned. His eyes widened, his paw was still lifted in an attack pose and he glanced between it and Dipper.

Dipper noticed the look of horror in Stanford's eyes. "It's alright. It's alright. It's just a scratch."

Stanbear shook his head and rushed past everyone. "Stanbear!" Dipper cried out, about to chase after him. That is until Stanley stopped him.

"Oh, count your stars, lad. It almost had you. Are you hurt?" Stanley checked Dipper for any injuries. "Where's Bill? He's always with you."

"Uh... well... he..." Dipper looked down at the ground and said nothing.

"The bear got to him didn't he? It got to Stanford too." Stanley growled and grabbed a nearby sword.

"No! It's your brother, Stanford!" Mabel shouted, standing in front of the door in an effort to stop him.

"You're talking nonsense!" He pushed the girls out of the way and into the room with Dipper.

"It's the truth! There was a witch and she gave me a spell."

"It's not Mordu!" Pacifica added.

"Mordu or not," Stanley took out a key and locked the kids inside. "I'll avenge my brother. But I'm not risking losing you guys too."

"No, Grunkle Stan! Listen to us! That bear is your brother Stanford!" Mabel banged at the door and watched as he walked away.

"Stanford!" Dipper tried to bust through the locked door. "Just listen to us!"

Hearing the commotion, Wendy walked in. Stanley handed her the key and told her not to let them out.

They heard Lord Merman shout bear and a ruckus roared. Stanley rushed down and commanded the men to take down the bear.

The trio rushed over to a window and watched Stanbear getting chased. "No! Stanbear!"

Dipper rushed back to the door. "Wendy. Wendy! HAND OVER THE KEY!"

"No can do Dipper. You heard Stanley's orders!" Wendy crossed her arms and leaned lazily against the wall. Dipper cursed under his breath. "Now what?"

A shadow loomed in the entrance of the hallway, Wendy glanced over and gasped. The girls cursed under their breath and Mabel tugged Dipper's sleeve nervously.

"Heh... funny story, we asked Will to bake some of his amazing pastries but uh..."

"He must have eaten the cursed pie and became a bear!" Pacifica rushed out and turned to look out through the door.

"Oi! Back ya foul beast!" Wendy stood in a fighting stance and faced Will-Bear.

"He doesn't look well." Pacifica inquired.

"Makes sense cause he randomly turned into a bear."

Dipper gasped. "You think he saw Bill?!"

"Oh no..."

"Oh no? What does that mean? Oh no?!"

"You never wanna face Bill when he's mad." Dipper replied.

"And you never wanna face Will when he's..."

Dipper and Mabel faced Pacifica, simultaneously stating, "Sad!"

"What's the bi-" Pacifica couldn't finish her sentence when a wail cut her off. Wendy backed away from the crying bear and covered her ears.

Her eyes widened upon overhearing the trio's conversation. "Will?! That you?"

The bear kept crying. Yep, that's him.

"Please calm down!" Wendy awkwardly patted the sitting bear.

"Get the key!" Dipper hollered. Will did as told and snatched the key from Wendy's hands. She was gonna take it back but Will only cried louder.

"Alright! Alright! Have it your way! Just please calm down." Will waddled over and unlocked the door. Wendy stood nearby being cautious not to make the bear cry.

Dipper continued looking for the needle and thread. "Needle and thread. Needle and thread. Needle and thread!" He kissed the small needle. "Ya beauty!"