Shindig with Demons

Being in a void with nothing in it was a strange sensation to say the least. It was cold to say the least, but it was the type of cold where you shiver. No, it was the type of cold where your heart feels empty and you know that you had done something wrong. The type of cold when you accidentally step on your pets paw or walk onto a stage and look out into a crowd of people. That type of cold was everywhere in the void. And no matter how much Dipper tried, he just couldn't think or feel, or exist. He knew he was here, he just didn't know where here was. Just when he started to yearn for freedom, it was as if something had called out to him. It suddenly turned warm, and it was an emotional warm. Burning from the inside out and just before his eyes he saw it, blue flames engulfed his eyes and he felt air hit his lungs in a wave of relief.

He didn't know what had set him free, but the warmth of it lingered in the air and gave a reassuring tug at his heart. When he looked around it was much worse than he had originally thought. There were tears in the ground the size of lakes, showing nothing but the black abyss below. But the storm that had grown seemed to have moved on, the wind almost non-existent. He could see disaster in the distance but that was of the upmost concern. The two other companions that he had ran away with were still encased in the crystallized prison. 

Dipper walked up to the one where Mabel was trapped, feeling the glass on his hand. It was frozen in time, her facial expression sticking to where it had been written with fear. In that moment of loneliness Dipper wanted nothing more than to set her free. But he doubted his luck would draw twice at whatever had helped him. His last chance of survival was back at the church, and he could only hope that Ford was okay. 

Dipper set off, running as half speed toward where he could only guess was town. The sky was almost pitch black except for the ribbons of red that streaked through the clouds. Everything was illuminated by an invisible source of light,  making the landscape seem almost glowing with a purple hue. The ground was as dead as ever and with each step Dipper made it was like walking on dead apples. Unsettling to say the least, he kept at a steady pace. The forest was almost completely gone so finding his way to the decimated town wasn't all the difficult. 

When he found himself at the beginning of the road, it was almost as if gravity had given up. Some buildings were floating ever so slightly with the debris trailing off into the sea of clouds above. Crystals of black scattered the town, showing that most of the town had been destroyed. Walking through the roads he had once gone gave an unsettling wave of emotion in Dippers gut. It almost seemed unreal at the thought that the world was technically ending. Even the air was stale and had no feeling at all, making Dipper wonder if there was air at all. 

When he got to the foot of the hill he was relieved to see that most of the road was intact, meaning that the climb wasn't impossible. When he started climbing, it truly gave him a sight to see. The entire town was decimated and even far into the horizon he could barely see any green before the inky blackness took over. At the top of the hill the church sat unscathed and seemingly completely normal. The only thing that seemed different than before was a slight glimmer, outlining what seemed to be a bubble surrounding it. It was hard to see but it was there, giving off a slight shock from the debris that drifted too close. 

Dipper walked up to it, walking through it with ease. It felt like what you'd expect a bubble to feel like. Inside of the dome it was a much different atmosphere. The ground had what seemed to be runes drawn. Dipper concluded that the runes were the cause of the strange dome, and had hoped that Ford was much better and trying to figure out a way to fix this mess. 

When he got to the door it was opened ever so slightly, opening without needing to turn the knob. The inside was dark, almost abandon. Everything was where Dipper had left it, the chairs were slightly pushed out from the Table from when the group of four ate breakfast. The window was ajar, letting in fresh air in hopes that it would help Ford. Cereal was still out, sitting on the counter waiting to be either put away or used. Luckily the milk wasn't out, making Dipper question if the fridge still had power. But that wasn't the main concern at the moment. 

"Grunkle Ford? Are you here, and okay?" Dipper called out into the stale room, hoping for at least a pained muffle. Instead all he got was a reply of silence. Walking down the hall Dipper could see the study light was on. Inside was Ford, who was laying on the bed with a pained expression. He seemed to be trying to do some work but failed in a surge of pain. 

"Grunkle Ford! Are you okay? I thought we told you to take it easy." Dipper ran over to him and helped him up, propping him sitting up on the bed frame and steadying his body.

"You think I can just sit here with things going on like this? Wheres the others. I thought you went with them." Ford grumbled a bit as his wounds buzzed with unhealed pain. Dipper felt his heart sink, juggling between telling him they were fine, or that he honestly didn't know.

"They got caught up in the beginning. They seem to be like most of the town, encased in some strange crystal." Dipper sat on the bed next to him, looking at the options they had before them. There was really all that much to be honest. They were in the corner of things, the end of the world already happening and a bit late to try and stop now.

"I see, well they should be fine then. They're just stuck in a small rip in time and space. Once we fix everything they should be set free. My real question is, how did you escape?" Ford raised an eyebrow, eyes filled with both concern and curiosity. Dipper didn't know if he should tell him the truth, feeling as if it was bad enough that things were going the way they were. Its not as if he had voluntarily tried to go against his warning, things just sorta happened and these strange occurrences started to follow him from the day he got to this town.

"I honestly have no idea, I guess I just had the weakest link seeing as I was the last one to get snared?" Dipper hoped that he'd just drop it. It didn't help that he himself wasn't even sure.

"Well I suppose that that's and issue for another time. For now we need to brainstorm on what to do. This is an incredibly powerful demon and I dont think I can fight it with just what I have." Ford rubbed his chin a bit, deep in thought. Dipper released a small sigh, things really didn't seem to good at the moment. 

"Hey Grunkle Ford? What is this demon. I know you said that it was something with the combined energies of Lena's soul and all that, but that thing was monstrous." Dipper looked at him with a bit of hope. He really did enjoy stories, even if now was not the ideal story atmosphere. 

"I suppose that is somewhat weird huh? Well its not necessarily Lena in there anymore. You see, when Lena was killed and her soul was shattered, she was left with little to no power. But what most people dont understand is that the people of the town weren't the ones who killed her and shattered her being. It was actually her own power that did it. When she cast a curse on the mob of people that came at her it created a sort of curse on herself. This curse split her heart in two, her Anger and hate being manifested into a nasty demon that was far beyond that of a normal demon. But she also had a side that was filled with love and passion to balance it out. That side of her gave the final attempt to try and destroy the evil she herself had created." Ford tested his wounds a bit, wincing a bit as he poked on of his sides.

"But destroying something that powerful is near impossible, so she did the next best thing. Splitting it off into five and locking them into unknown places to prevent people from seeking out that power. The ones who seek it out are the ones who desire the power for themselves, wanting to use it along with their own power. But that's not how demons work, they dont listen to others orders and that's clearly what happened. Whoever had done this is either dead or regretting it in the split zone." Ford looked at his hands, seemingly looking over his thoughts.

"The split zone?" Dipper knew that they should start thinking of ways to prevent this disaster, but stories always tied in his fascination.

"Yes, a realm created by the Mad Man of a demon. Its a space between the fabric of dimensions and reflects time and reality itself. I'd like to compare it to hell, but that would be too generous." Ford scoffed at the though before reaching for a book on his desk. Dipper quickly sat up and grabbed it for him, making sure he stayed rested for as long as possible. They both knew that he needed it.

"A dimension? No, something in between a dimension? Wouldn't you need more power than a demon to do that?" Dipper wanted more. He was practically information starved throughout the summer. All he found were mysteries that have been left blank.

"Well, yes. A normal demon would have no where near the amount of power to create something like that. Not even this demon would be strong enough to do something of the sort. But that thing wasn't just any demon. It was a monster that would put even Satan himself into shame." Ford glared at the book in his hands, opening it to a page with a very unsettling picture. It was not a new picture to Dipper, but he didn't say anything. The eye scribbled in dark strokes, almost out of fear. 

"It was a human gone demon. Usually the ones that go demon are the lowest class. But he was a monster. Even in the monsters world he was something to be feared. Devouring other demons and taking their powers through flesh and bone. He was as old as time, terror throughout the ages and soon enough he became an issue. His power grew too grand and he started to get a bounty on his head in the exorcist's realm. My mentors mentor was one of the ones who tried to fight up against him when the hidden war had just begun. But he was keeping his true power a secret, in hopes that he could unleash an all out attack. And it worked. If he was free again, it would make us wish that the world had ended." Ford closed the book and looked over to Dipper, who was now listening with wide, fascinated eyes.

"And that's that. We dont talk about him, we dont think about, because his very existence gives him power. We need to figure out a way to at least free the others. I cant get out of bed. let alone walk all the way to where they are. If only I still had some of the holy relics we'd at least be able to put up a fight. But I had to get rid of them since Stanley kept almost breaking them." Ford gritted his teeth and Dipper was left to think by himself for a moment. 

"What about others? Wouldn't there be other churches and other exorcists to help deal with them?" There were bound to be multiple exorcists in the world, seeing as if there weren't that would be complete bologna.

"We would be able to rely on them if the demonic energy originated from another source other than here. But Gravity falls is like a battery for the stuff and if its this bad here then its bound to be bad every where else. And this demon isn't stupid enough to leave Gravity falls, probably has a hive somewhere close by." Ford seemed a bit lost now, hope was getting a bit low and all Dipper could really think about was Mabel and her face. He felt like he could've done more if he really tried. But it was too late now, and he needed to find a way to fix all this. 

"Well any who, we should be fine here for now. The barrier will hold strong for a while, so if your tired you should go head to bed. Your going to need that energy in the future." Ford opened up another book that sat on the night table. Dipper responded with a nod before leaving the room and walking down the hallway. Things seemed pretty bad and he doubted that he could get any sleep no matter how tired he was. But Dipper headed up the ladder regardless, sitting on his cot when he got to it. It was inviting, but his thoughts were running wild.

Dipper reached underneath the bed in hopes of finishing a book for both entertainment and and a distraction. His hand bumped something cold and metal, grasping the edge and pulling it out. It was the picture frame, the small talisman shimmering its metallic black in the apocalyptic purple light drifting through the window. He traced his fingers around the edge of the frame, fiddling with the back of it. Unlatching the back, he took out the small piece of paper and rubbed it in between his fingers. It was old, having the feeling of rice paper. A terrible, terrible idea ran through his mind just then. And idea that made him regret thinking it and yet it flared to life in his mind, taking up every other thought he had. 

Dipper gently placed the paper in his wallet and got up from the cot, looking at the wall for a bit before sighing. He really was going to do this. He crept down the stairs and peaked into Fords room quickly. He was working hard, deep in thought. Dipper snuck quietly into the kitchen and propped open the door. When he stepped out of the door he looked to the clouds, the thick blanket like ceiling left nothing of the once blue sky. He knew that what he was going to do was a bad idea. The worst idea he could ever do. The type of idea that got you to the therapist if another human being found out because they think your insane. And yet it didn't stop him from walking out of the bubble, it didn't stop him from walking down the hill and turning to the left into the now, black forest. 

Dipper felt his pulse rise, the realization that danger still might be near. The ground still gave its usual squish, making an uneasy feeling in Dipper's throat. He found a small clearing through the woods, following it down to where the door was. It was like like passing through another barrier, the ground hardening into normal dirt and the tree's going back to normal. It was almost as if the corruption refused to go beyond a certain point.

When Dipper got to the body of water, he felt that distinct pull of an invisible force on his legs yet again. Instead of running, he accepted this time, walking towards the stone door on the other side. He was ready to feel the chill of water, but it never came. A small stone bridge erupted from the water, leading a pathway to the very ominous door. Upon reaching it, he felt the tug stop and he was left there to observe. 

When he touched the stone it was warm, not a burning hot but a welcoming warmth that made his palm not want to leave. He pondered for a moment, wondering how to get it open when his back pocket became to hum. When he took out his wallet the talisman that was sitting peacefully burst out and sprung into the air. It sat there for a moment, leaving Dipper a bit shocked. It slowly started to float forward, reaching the door and pressing against it. The stone slowly began to turn into smaller cubes, falling away into itself. The paper went forward and so did Dipper. The doorway closed behind him, leaving nothing but darkness before him. When he was about to panic the room flared to life with blue fire. Torches on the wall growing until it illuminated the room fully. The door was much smaller than the corridor it seemed. The ceiling grew up into an ark and pillars stretched up to touch it all the way down to the floor. It was more like a castle throne room than anything. 

Dipper kept walking, the pathway leading deeper and deeper into the darkness, the light following him where he went. The paper kept an easy to follow pace, slowing down if he fell to far behind. After a few minutes of walking the floor seemed to change, turning into a black charcoal with hints of what seemed like gold. A little more down and Dipper had to stop, the paper disappearing into a little ball of flame after reaching its destination. 

What sat before Dipper was a monstrosity of a scene. Red robes spun around the small ending in a spiders web, nothing but a chaotic order of pattern. In the center of the robe sat a black figure, completely wrapped in what seemed like fabric. Papers, no talismans resembling the one Dipper had were attached to the ropes, the patterns varying in anything from different languages to the same eye shape. The rope was frayed, the edges where it touched the wall were slowly turning stiff, gold starting to take over. And the feeling of the room. It was the strangest thing Dipper had ever felt, and he was locked in a time and space rip. It was warm, not muggy hot and not really temperature at all. It was more a blossoming feeling of hope and rejoice. It took over Dippers feelings like a waterfall and all he could feel was relief. 

But they were not his own, making him feel odd at the same time. Concern trying to take over but failing this strong entities persuasion. 

'Set me free' It was a whisper in the back of Dipper's head, leaving a tingle that ran down his spine all the way to the tip of his toes. It was not welcoming what so ever and in all honestly Dipper didn't really want to set this thing free. But his options were limited now, and he was already here. 

"Will you help me?" Dipper felt himself curl in on himself a bit, his hands gripping his heart in hoped of trying to stop this shiver that shook his core.

'I always have, haven't I? ' Dipper didn't know what to say. He didn't know if it meant that it helped others before or if it means him. But before he could stick on the question his mind wandered back to the crystal, to the fire that pulled him out. To the first time he met Lena and her attack against him. The same fire burning away her magic in attempt to save him from death. He didn't even think about his next actions this time, putting his hand on the rope and tugging at it to feel its strength. 

It didn't feel strong at all, making a creak when pulled a bit too hard. The movement of the rope echoes back to the black blob in the center, making it sway a bit. This was his first step toward making either a good choice that saves the world, or much worse. Dipper pulled on the rope, tearing it from the walls with a ripping noise that bounced around the corridor. The other ropes seemed to respond to this, burning away in that oh so familiar blue fire. The red whipped into flares of embers before releasing its prisoner. 

The black lump fell to the floor in an unsettling shlomp, moving in a living manner before manifesting into a more humanoid shape. It slowly crept toward Dipper, dragging its legs over to where he was standing. Dipper felt like he needed to run, to hide and escape from this thing. But he didn't, he made this choice so now he was seeing it through. The blob slowly raised it arms and reached for Dipper, wrapping itself around him in a hugging manner. Before Dipper could realize a sharp pain seared through him, making him grunt in a choking pain before seeing before him the being slowly disappear into him. It soaked through his clothes and he could feel the strange liquid being move around his torso.

The went away and so did the slimy feeling on his chest. The pain slowly went away as well and Dipper was left alone in the room. Well he wasn't alone, he could feel it. It was just not here so to say. Dipper lifted his shirt to see metallic black ink imprinted on his skin into different shapes. Dipper took a moment to observe his body, noting the way the ink twisted into a way that made a triangle on his chest with the familiar eye at the center. He felt his hand on his back, tracing the small indent that made a circle. It had many symbols and twist, making him note to check it out in a mirror later. 

The strange tattoo like images twisted all the way down to his arms, wrapping around his wrist's with what Dipper could only call tribal symbols. I mean, he was thinking of getting a tattoo but this seemed a bit extreme even for him.

'Take me to it ' The voice was closer to him now, and he felt the warmth all over his shoulders. It was the weirdest sensation that left Dipper with a twisted and concerned expression. 

"T-to what? And why did you uh," Dipper motioned to his whole body.

'I am not yet to full strength. I have bonded to you to make the regenerative properties stronger. Take me to the beast that torments you. ' Dipper gulped a bit, nodding before turning back down the corridor. His walking slowly turned into a slow sprint, the thought of freeing his sister making his heart pump. The outside was just as it was and now with the ability to run full speed, he took it. He felt his whole body lurch and he headed straight for the storm. The soft, squishy earth was no longer squishy. With each step he made the terrain around them turned back to its normal self. The sky made a shattering sound, falling apart into its blue. Dipper didnt know what type of power this was, but it cut through the other demons power like butter. 

Dipper burst into the small clearing where his friends were trapped, resisting the urge to run to them now. It would be best for them not to realize what he had done. The storm was a bit father away now, but for one reason or another he didnt feel fatigued by the run at all and continued his run to where the center of it all was. The restoration of the world was stopped now, the ground turning back to its mushy dead apple feel. Before he could question it he felt a light grip on his ribs.

'My power is weakened. We are close to a strong power source. We will need to get closer if you want to me to kill it.' Dipper didn't really like the idea of getting closer, but at this point he really didn't have a choice. When he got closer he was able to finally see what Ford meant by Hive. A large crystallized black ball sat in the middle of the valley. Its outstretched limbs tearing once again into the earth below. It seemed to be growing by every second and Dipper wondered how he was going to get into a thing like this. 

No matter what though, he felt like he could do it. His blood felt stronger in his veins now and his bones pulsed with a new found power. Dipper walked forwards, feeling the wind kick up and signal that he was now in the storms hold. His sights were now set on saving this town, saving his sister.