Gravity Rises (S3)

MV: Part Fourteen

"All right," Gideon said, "I should go."

Dipper patted Marigold's neck. "Marigold, will you take me up to Mabel's moon with Gideon?"

The peryton was hesitant. There was bad magic up there, she said. She didn't know if it would be safe for any of them.

"I know, but I want to go with Gideon to save my sister," Dipper said. "Please?"

Marigold and Rowan shared a look. Okay, the peryton agreed. She would go, but she would leave if it got dangerous.

"Thank you."

"Rowan. . . ," Gideon began. He hesitated for a moment. "Thank you," he said. "Thank you for everything. Please take Ford and my mother to the hamadryads and ask them to heal him. Once he's been healed, take them to the Mystery Museum, and make sure the servants there don't see you."

The buck agreed. They said their goodbyes; then Rowan banked, turning to a particular spot in the forest, as Gideon and Marigold flew up to Mabel's moon.

Dipper had almost forgotten about the servants at the Museum. Together, the boys had fought seven servants and won, and somehow that felt like all of them. But it wasn't, Dipper knew. They still had to deal with the servants and the Order members back at the Museum. He wondered if the Corduroys had convinced anyone to switch sides while he was gone.

With a start, he realized they hadn't been gone for very long. They'd left that morning, and it was evening now, since Gideon had first gone to visit Ford around dinnertime. Dipper had no idea what time it was, but they'd been in the Manor for less than a day.

With that thought, he started to feel tired. He almost suggested to Gideon that they find a place to sleep for the night and then go after Mabel in the morning. But right after he had the thought, he realized how stupid it was. They had no idea how much longer Mabel had before. . . before it was too late. They couldn't rest while she still needed them.

Gideon seemed to be thinking the same thoughts, for he looked tired but determined.

Mabel's moon loomed above them as they flew towards it. It was big and blue, and Dipper could feel the evil emanating from the bright cracks in its surface. Marigold's thoughts got more and more worried as they got closer.

Soon, the wind picked up. At first, Dipper thought it just happened to be windy, but the wind kept getting stronger and stronger, until Marigold was buffeted back and forth in its strong gales. The wind didn't seem to affect Gideon (who didn't rely on aerodynamics for his flight) nearly as much as it did Marigold. Her wings beat the air; she surged forward, but then a strong wind knocked her back. She tried again and again but didn't seem to get anywhere.

"Fall back!" Gideon called over the wind. He flew down, away from the moon, and Marigold gratefully followed.

Dipper gently rubbed Marigold's neck. I can't do it, she told him. I'm sorry, but I can't. She flapped her wings to stay in the air, but she looked tired.

"Please," Dipper said. "Please try."

"Dipper," said Gideon, who was hovering nearby, "I don't think she can make it. The wind is too strong. I have to go on my own."

"No, please, one more try! I have to get up there!"

"Dipper. . ."

Marigold tossed her head. One more try, she said. One more.

"Okay," Gideon said to her. "If you want to."

Dipper felt Marigold gathering her strength. She nodded, and she and Gideon started ascending again.