PART 1:
Just hours after the last episode, Shandra Jimenez is standing in the rain in front of several clean-up crews, their progress slow. She says that, between the damage and all the money spent on big events the past few months, Gravity Falls has a good chance to no longer be on a map. As she tries to process this statement, someone behind the camera tells her the batteries are dead, just before the power to the camera, and many other places in town, cuts off.
In the living room of the Mystery Manor, now half lit, Dipper's arms and hands are being wrapped, a balm from the Journals having been applied to help fight infection. After the chaos of getting everyone out of the cavern and back to the Manor, Arline and Dipper have been patched up as best as possible. Dipper asks Arline about using his hands again, Arline admitting that if he does move them, he won't be able to without pain. Dipper attempts to make fists but doesn't get very far before the pain becomes too much to handle.
Stan, his fez in his hands, comes into the room and tells the twins that they should go check on Yuki. He is barely able to admit to the twins that he doesn't think Yuki will be around much longer. Looking even worse than he did when he first saw Yuki's burns, and considerably worse than how he reacted when he found out how it happened, the twins walk past Stan and towards Yuki's bedroom.
Standing guard outside are Soos, Candy and Grenda, Soos showing everything Stan is feeling and then some. Wendy is looking into the room, but moves aside as the twins enter, Mabel rushing to Yuki's side as Dipper stays back. Taking her place across from a tearful Pacifica, Mabel sees that Yuki's one good hand is being held by his girlfriend, most of the rest of his body covered in bandages.
He can still talk, but it's hard to do without coughing, and each cough causes Pacifica to cry yet again. Mabel tells him to get some sleep, but Pacifica says he can't because of the pain and their human medicine can't be given to him. Dipper mentions the Panacea-cillin pills, but Pacifica snaps at him that they don't have any more. Yuki tells Pacifica not to be mad at Dipper, but Pacifica blames him for what happened.
Yuki says blaming people won't help anything before turning to Dipper, assuring him that he doesn't hate him. Yuki then reveals that his species has the ability to go into a coma-like state to heal themselves. The problem is that the process is longer than the human lifespan, so even if the process does work, everyone else will be dead by the time he wakes up.
Yuki then says he wants to explain why he worked with Graupner, but as much as the twins say they don't care, he explains anyway. Yuki says that when he first met Graupner, the Warlock offered him a way home, which he refused. Graupner then told him about the dangers he could have planned for the twins, and said that if Yuki helped him with a side-project, he would refrain from trying to hurt the twins.
Yuki admits that he was a bit dumb, Dipper jokingly agreeing. Pacifica slaps Dipper's face and yells at him for laughing after the three sacrifices Yuki has made for them. Pacifica reminds them of Yuki's leaving his species, of him taking the hit for Dipper, and of what he did to Graupner. Yuki admits that life on Earth has been harder than he expected before telling them that his time is almost up, his eyes starting to close.
He tells Pacifica to keep learning what she wants from Zander, and that she's better than her parents. He turns to the twins and tells them to thank their friends for everything for him. He and Dipper agree to another round of chess if the latter is still alive when he wakes up. Yuki then turns to Mabel, telling her that despite all the knowledge he has, he still learned more from her about being human in two months than he could ever learn about anything from anyone else. As Mabel bawls on his chest, he says that he's lucky to have met everyone, wondering what would have happened had the twins left Gravity Falls at the beginning of summer before his eyes close.
Mabel turns to Dipper and cries into him as he leads her out of the room at Pacifica's request, leaving her alone with Yuki. The group outside breaks up as the twins exit, Dipper heading for the porch, staring out at the dark, raining world around him. Realizing the similarities between today's weather and that at the beginning of summer when he and Mabel had hunted for what they thought was a doppleganger, he puts his head in his hands for a few second before the pain becomes too much.
Arline comes outside and sits next to him as Dipper realizes just how many things she has been hiding from him and Mabel. He asks her what the Guardsman is, but her information is limited to him being old. She does say that he is good, explaining what happened to her family and how she met him. Her father, a journalist, discovered that Omir's company was doing some illegal things, but he didn't know it was magic. After he posted his discovery, mercenaries came to Arline's home, killing both her parents and her brother before the Guardsman showed up and saved her life.
After that, the Guardsman took her in and began training her, even though she didn't get a lot of answers to her questions. Dipper questions why the man only saved Arline when he could have easily saved the rest of her family as well. Arline insists that her Master is good, but Dipper thinks he is ridiculous as he only does things for reasons when he really had enough power to prevent a lot of the trouble they have faced.
Arline goes inside as Wendy comes out, and finds Mabel listening to a broken Stan telling Soos, Candy and Grenda to head home. Arline says she understands if Mabel doesn't trust her anymore, Mabel refusing to admit those feelings. Arline tells Mabel that the assignment her Master gave her was to come to town and capture Graupner Kinley, admitting that she knew there was a more powerful person out there.
Mabel grumbles and snaps about people keeping secrets and that being why the situation got so bad, wondering if Stan knows about what Arline just told her. Arline admits that he does, explaining the results of the deal they made during Summerween- Arline saw the Portal and told Stan the truth in exchange. Any hope of regaining trust gone, Mabel starts to go upstairs. Before she leaves, she tells Arline about what happened three years ago- Ford came back but didn't tell them everything, and that bit them in the butt. The world was almost destroyed, and had Ford told them the truth instead of stabbing them in the back, he would still be with them.
Back on the porch, Wendy asks Dipper what the plan is. Dipper admits that he doesn't know, revenge being questionable after the cave-in. Wendy insists that they need to do something, but Dipper just shrugs, his ability to do anything gone with his hands. Wendy stiffly says that he at least has the ability to grow up and adapt to his situation. Dipper misinterprets this as he should be thankful for the situation, and won't calm down no matter what Wendy says.
Wendy mentions that he at least has a family and can eat and drink and sleep and stuff. Dipper tells her to keep her self pity to herself, the two staring at each other for several seconds before Dipper realizes the line he just crossed. Wendy goes back inside as Dipper runs into the rainy forest, not going anywhere specifically, just running, getting everything out. After running for who-knows-how-long, he trips and falls to the ground in a glade with gemstones littering the ground.
Looking around the familiar area, Dipper moves to where he knows the Starkissed Stone would be. The four Golems from when they took it the first time show up to stop him. Dipper says that he knows the Guardsman is their boss, and if he doesn't show up soon, he will take the Stone. Wearing his hooded cloak, the Guardsman tells the Golems to leave before turning to Dipper. The figure tells Dipper that if he intentionally takes the Stone again, the Golems won't be the ones to fight him, he will.
PART 2:
Dipper admits he's not there for the Stone- he's there for the Guardsman, specifically the answers he can give. The Guardsman scoffs at Dipper's statement that he is willing to fight for the answers, commenting that Dipper probably couldn't handle the fight. Dipper asks why he won't give him the answers, the Guardsman saying that there might be a reason for that. Dipper asks what the 'reason' is, the Guardsman laughing and saying that it's a secret, pissing Dipper off to no end.
Dipper confirms that the Guardsman and Omir knew each other for a long time, and the the Guardsman could have stopped him a while ago if he chose. Dipper starts to blame him for what happened to his hands and to Yuki, but the Guardsman mentions that going after Kinley how he did was all his decision. Dipper picks up a rock and throws it at the Guardsman, who just lets it hit his shoulder.
The Golems, who had come over after the 'attack,' are dismissed as the Guardsman throws the rock back at Dipper's feet, offering him another chance. Dipper tells the Guardsman that he is being a big jerk who takes nothing seriously before grumbling about being sick of riddles and secrets. The Guardsman tells Dipper to calm down and get a grip on himself, but Dipper continues to rant and demand answers.
The Guardsman causes shadows to wrap around himself, telling Dipper to go for it if he wants answers that badly. He hurls a black spear into the ground by Dipper's feet and tells him to pick it up for help, but Dipper refuses. The Guardsman comments on Dipper's judgement, and Dipper attacks in a rage, but does not make contact, instead getting slapped in the face hard enough to see stars. The Guardsman tells him he can do better, and Dipper attacks in a rage yet again, intending to fight for the answers he wants.
Back at the Manor, Mabel is sitting on her bed and looking through her old summer scrapbook, reminding herself of simpler times. Spying the doodle she had done three years ago of Stan and Ford holding hands, she closes the book as Soos pokes his head in. He says he was looking for Dipper, but Mabel tells him to stay anyway, asking why he's wet.
He says that he took her friends home but came back to try something. He pulls out the Panacea-cillin pill he received from the djinn and says he was so close to giving it to Yuki when Arline came in and reminded him it doesn't work on curses. They turn back to Mabel's scrapbook, flipping through the pages excitedly before remembering all the pain. Soos tells her they couldn't have known, Mabel agreeing that Ford seemed normal before turning to her new scrapbook for this year.
She flips through the pages and photos present, from one she took to promote the Manor, to one after the Talent Show got destroyed. Turning the page from her post-werewolf hairy armpits, both freeze as they see the last picture- the one taken by Omir Steindorf of the eight of them not even two days previously, documenting the last peaceful moment they had.
Sharing a moment of silence over what happened to Yuki, Mabel closes the book, grumbling about Arline being a liar and hiding stuff. Soos asks if she and Arline are still friends, but Mabel admits that she doesn't know, lying down on her bed as Soos starts to fidget. Noticing his nervousness, Mabel asks him what's going on. Sniffling, Soos tells her what Stan told him earlier- he is planning to close the Mystery Manor.
Mabel bolts out of the attic with Soos on her tail and runs into the Gift Shop, where Stan is turning the door sign. Mabel asks him why he's closing, Stan admitting that he's tired of working there. He says all the money he's made is nothing compared to what he has lost, gesturing towards Yuki's room. Mabel tells him not to give up, but he says he's not- he's protecting what he has left: the twins. Mabel is unable to respond as Stan tells her he's calling their parents in the morning and sending them home, then leaving himself and closing the Manor for good. Mabel tries to get him to stay, but he leaves the room, saying he can't handle a third loss like Yuki's or Ford's.
Mabel runs outside and through the rain, plopping herself down at the base of a tree. Hearing rock music, she looks up to see Wendy among the branches above her. Mabel mentions Stan closing the Manor, which Wendy already heard about, and says that closing it wouldn't do anybody any good or make things any safer. Wendy admits that she doesn't know where she's going to go if the Manor closes, the building having become her only real home the past few years.
Mabel tells her she'll figure it out, Wendy scoffing at the similarities between the twins. Mabel laughs along with her as Wendy drops out of the tree and sits on the ground next to her. Mabel admits that Wendy is more like a big sister now, both of them wiping away tears before Mabel jokingly asks when Wendy and Dipper will become a thing. Wendy says that dating while technically dead is weird, and while she's not saying no...
Whatever she's about to say gets cut off as Mabel starts squealing and jumping around, already planning the wedding and excited about being an aunt. Wendy tells her to calm down until she talks to Dipper, mentioning the fight they had. Mabel pulls Wendy to her feet and drags her around so they can find Dipper now and get him to apologize.
Dipper is otherwise engaged, his battle with the Guardsman essentially a complete beatdown. Dipper is thrown into the trees and is forced to use his burned hands to save himself from falling. As he scrambles onto a branch, the Guardsman stands on another branch nearby just as easily as standing on solid ground.
Dipper tries to attack but falls and barely catches a branch. The Guardsman tells him that gravity can be altered but not controlled, and that the Earth uses gravity to it's advantage before pushing Dipper off the branch. Dipper hits several branches before finally landing on the ground, the Guardsman landing lightly next to him. He says that Earth is solid and strong and unchanging, like the body, before telling Dipper to stand.
He mentions Water as being powerful but changeable, Dipper saying that he knows what water is. The Guardsman causes much of the rainwater around them to slam into Dipper, sending him tumbling. Dipper insists that he relates to Water- he's thoughtful and cunning, traits which the Guardsman tells him to use.
The Guardsman conjures a fireball and throws it at Dipper, the flames hitting his burned arms. As Dipper tries to recover from the pain, the Guardsman says that Wind is a great way to travel, using nothing but the air to hurl Dipper at a tree. Dipper collapses to the ground in front of the black spear, his fingers stinging. The Guardsman tells him to stand up, but Dipper's first attempt fails.
Dipper says the Guardsman is too strong and can't be beaten, but the Guardsman reminds Dipper that his strength has nothing to do with Dipper's ability to stand. Thinking clearly for the first time since he got hurt, Dipper stands up and picks up the black spear, holding it at the ready. The Guardsman, however, surrenders, bowing to a stunned Dipper.
The Guardsman says that if Dipper had picked up the spear, he would have done that, but he was able to tell that Dipper wasn't thinking straight, hence the fight/beatdown. He adds that the fight had its own purpose- to make Dipper think better an to make him feel better. Dipper is confused, and the Guardsman's next question about the weighting of the shadow spike only confuses him more, Dipper not having paid attention to the weight in his hands.
Dipper then realizes that there is weight on his hands and he isn't feeling any pain. He quickly unwraps the bandages to see that his hands are completely healed. The Guardsman says that when the four elements of the Paths combine, they are able to do things like create life. He adds that he would know, as he himself created the Paths. As Dipper processes this, the Guardsman pulls out his real, glittery black spear, and Dipper throws the spike in his hands away from them.
Dipper mentions the Stone, the Guardsman calling it the Stone of Conservation. He says that it was created over four hundred years ago by a Mage who used it to save the world, sucking up eighty percent of the magic in and around earth. Dipper asks if it's the cause for the magic around town, the Guardsman agreeing, saying that the magic leaks out of the stone and contaminates the area with something he calls 'residual Arcana,' or magic pollution.
Dipper asks why Omir would have wanted the Stone, the Guardsman explaining that it's like a sponge. It can absorb, but it can also be squeezed and the power in it can be used. Dipper asks what Omir would use it for, the Guardsman saying that it's something he doesn't like talking about, but it's bad. He tells Dipper to be careful around Magic- it's powerful and corruptive, and compared to Graupner and some other magicians out there, Omir is a nice one.
Dipper asks the Guardsman if he and Omir were close once, the Guardsman admitting that Omir was his first student of the Paths, something he created to help balance out to corruptiveness of Magic. Dipper mentions that the way Omir was fighting was similar to how Stan and Ford would fight, minus the explosions. The Guardsman tells Dipper that the last big explosion didn't kill Omir and that the Sorcerer is still out there somewhere. Dipper asks if the Guardsman would kill Omir if he had the chance, but his question is met with silence.
Dipper apologizes for the question, but the Guardsman tells him it's natural to be curious. He says that Dipper doesn't know a lot about him, but he knows a lot about Dipper. Dipper asks if he and Mabel will get a chance to get to know him, the Guardsman saying there's a lot to catch up on but maybe, if they are lucky. He tells Dipper that Omir isn't done and that things are going to start getting more intense very soon. On that note, Dipper turns to leave. Half-way up the slope, he turns back to thank the Guardsman for fixing his hands only to find that the figure has disappeared. He turns back around and starts running back towards the Manor.
Deep underground, two security guards lead Omir Steindorf to where they found scorch marks he told them to look for. Omir dismisses the guards and walks over to a pit with a chain hanging down into it. He jumps into the pit and lightly lands on the floor, Graupner Kinley dangling above him. He uses his staff to hit the body, calling his apprentice an idiot when Graupner opens his remaining right eye.
Graupner say that he's at least still alive, pulling himself off the end of the chain. Omir tells him that he's animate, not alive, and asks how he figured out the secrets of a lich. Graupner said the deal he made, and the research he got out of it, was more helpful than people realized, happy in what he has become. Omir tells him he has become an abomination, but Graupner brushes it off, saying he feels fine and that he's always been a monster to somebody. He kneels in front of Omir and asks if he can continue serving, Omir saying that he can. Standing up, Graupner asks for his next orders.
Cryptograms:
Svzormt rh lmob gsv urihg hgvk. Healing is only the first step.
Zdu kdv frph. Ohdyh Judylwb Idoov zkloh brx vwloo fdq. War has come. Leave Gravity Falls while you still can.
