Chapter Text
“Grunkle Stan, are you really feeling better now?” Mabel asked anxiously.
“Yep, I'm feeling great!” Stan punched at the air to show how much better he was feeling.
“Well, good.” Bill commented. “Because you've been requested for a battle.” He motioned for them to follow him to the office.
“Who requested me?” Stan asked.
“You're not gonna believe it. Stanford Pines.” Bill opened the office and walked over to sit behind his desk. “He must think that you'll go easy on him. He's trying to get into the castle.” He slid the request form towards Stan. “The question is, do you accept?”
Stan pursed his lips and picked up the form. “...Sure. Why not? I've been wanting to have a reason to punch him.” He signed his name on the form and passed it back. “I'll meet him in the ring.”
“There's also another request, which I was going to turn down right away but I figured I'd ask you first.” Bill commented, pulling out another form. “Gideon Gleeful is challenging Dipper Pines. I know I made it very clear that I didn't want you fighting, but...” He grinned a bit. “This might be fun, eh, Pine Tree?”
“Last time we fought, I beat him with his own robot.” Dipper said, looking thoughtful. “I wonder how it'll go without it?” He nodded. “I'll accept his challenge.” He walked forward and signed his name on the form, right under Gideon's.
“This is going to be quite the show.” Bill grinned.
–
Word, of course, got around the arena fast that two new challenges had been issued and the demons started placing bets. They worried that Bill would be mad about them betting against his spouse, but when someone approached the subject, Bill just laughed.
“I'm not going to beat up Gideon if he wins, so why would I beat you guys up for betting on him? Go ahead, place your bets, just know that I am certain that my Pine Tree will win.” Bill said with a glint in his eye.
Dipper, however, wasn't so sure about that. He hadn't seen Gideon in weeks, and he knew that he had been spending a lot of time with his great-uncle. What had Ford taught him? And did he have any tricks up his sleeve that Dipper didn't know about? It was always no-holds-barred aside from the no-death rule.
“You alright?” Mabel asked him as she helped him bathe. “You're shaking.”
“I'm just...I'm nervous.” Dipper admitted. “Why did Gideon challenge me? Is it just because we fought before? Or is there some other reason?”
“Maybe he wants to talk to you secretly, where the roars of the crowd will keep Bill from hearing.” Mabel suggested.
Dipper was stunned. “I...didn't even think about that. Maybe that's why Ford challenged Stan, too?”
Mabel shrugged. “It's just a theory. I mean, I don't know why he'd be attacking you when you've been there for him when he needed it.”
Dipper nodded and then Mabel stepped back so he could get out, the imps wrapping a towel around him. “I guess I shouldn't dress like I've been for the fight. Think Bill will get me some other clothes?”
“Ask him.” Mabel shrugged, stepping away from the bath.
Dipper nodded, staying still while he was dried off. “I will.”
–
“What are you planning, poindexter?” Stan asked, walking into their room. “Why are you challenging me?”
“Because I wanted to punch your lights out and it's not allowed outside the arena.” Ford said boredly as he watched Gideon work on some kind of crafts project. “Why do you think?”
“I think that it's never that simple with you. What are you planning?” Stan asked.
“I'm planning to win, if that's what you're wondering.” Ford looked at him. “I'm not weak anymore.”
“Whoever wins gets a prize of their choice.” Gideon said calmly, pausing in his project. “You can find out when the time comes.”
Stan frowned. “What are you doing to this kid? He was just starting to be somewhat sane! Did you suggest he challenge Dipper?!”
“No, that was my own choice.” Gideon looked up at him. “Dipper and I have some unfinished business. The last time we fought, the robot fell over and ended it before we found a winner.”
“And what do you want, if you win?” Stan asked.
“You'll find out.” Gideon looked back at his project.
Stan slapped his hand to his face. “This is your fault, Ford.” He walked out. “I'm going for a walk, I need to cool my head.” He closed the door and walked down the hall.
Ford watched him go, then looked at Gideon. “I hate to do these mind-games, but he's too deeply in Bill's pocket to be honest with him.”
“Oh, I enjoy the mind-games. It's the one thing Bill and I have in common.” Gideon grinned a bit.
“You're a little bit scary once you're over your grief.” Ford commented.
–
“You want a new outfit?” Bill asked. He and Dipper were cuddling on the throne, Bill's fingers gently running through Dipper's curls.
Dipper hummed in pleasure and nodded. “Yeah, to fight in.”
“I guess I could get you something.” Bill shrugged. “You'd only use it once, though.”
“How come you won't let me fight more?” Dipper asked.
“Because you're too important to me.” Bill kissed his cheek and then his lips, smiling. “I don't know if I could control myself if you got badly hurt.” He stroked down his body gently, making Dipper shiver with pleasure. “The only one I want you moaning in pain for is me.” He murmured huskily.
“Not to interrupt, sir, but we've located McGucket's ship.” A demon came into the room. “It was outside the Pines residence in Piedmont, California, and there's signs of cars being parked there recently.”
Bill looked up from Dipper in annoyance, but listened quietly before nodding slowly. “Pine Tree, you have any idea where they could be?”
“Well..there's my dad's company building. It's pretty high-security.” Dipper shrugged.
“Most of the city is holed up in a skyscraper, and there's all sorts of anti-demon things set up around it. If they're in that skyscraper, we're not getting them.” The demon pursed its lips.
“Sure we are.” Bill grinned darkly. “I just need to call a few of my friends, that's all. Not sure why they didn't come through in the first place.”
“Friends?” Dipper asked.
“Yeah. My friends are much stronger than the rest of these guys, about as strong as me. We'll take the skyscraper together and drag ol' Fiddle-diddle and your clones and Question Mark's girl back to Gravity Falls.” Bill got up.
And my parents?” Dipper asked.
Bill pursed his lips. “Eh, why not. If they're alive.” He walked out of the room. “I'll have your outfit made, Pine Tree. Go play.”
Dipper watched him go, his brow furrowed a bit.
–
“'Friends'?” David turned away from the target to look at 3. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that Bill said he's going to call his 'friends' and attack the tower.” Tracey said, looking nervous. “Quatro just woke up and told me.”
“That's not good.” David bit his lip. “I don't know what we'll be up against. I'll have to have a meeting.” He turned to go, putting the practice gun away. “Thank you for telling me. You should go back to sleep.”
“Thank you,, but I think Quatro's not ready to go to sleep yet.” Tracey said, shaking his head. “I'll go back to him, though.” He turned and walked off.
David sighed, running his hand down his face. “How many 'friends' are we talking, here?” He muttered.