A while later, people started arriving at the shack. The first to come, were Wendy's Changeling friends, with Nate and Lee charging in while in their animal forms (much to Bill's complaints), while being followed by the rest of the group. After that, more and more people started filling up the shack, and the building was brought to life by loud music and lights.

Outside the shack, Dipper was checking people for invitations. So far, he caught a few gnomes in a trenchcoat trying to sneak in, and a few kids whom weren't invited. It didn't take long, before he grew needlessly bored.

Why had he agreed to this, again? Oh yeah, so he could have the chance to dance with Wendy. Well, that plan seemed to go straight into the gutter.

"Hey, Pine Tree."

Dipper turned, and saw Bill standing beside him. He noticed that the boy was holding two cups of punch. Bill avoided his gaze, and awkwardly handed him the other cup.

"Thought you might be thirsty," He muttered. "Know this, I didn't do this because I care, it would just be a bummer if the bouncer fainted from dehydration or something."

The brunette smiled at him. "Noted," He said, before taking a sip.

Dipper glanced at the blond, and strangely, Bill didn't move from his spot beside him. The Guardian began to notice that him and the boy were slowly growing friendly towards one another. Dipper swore not let this dwell any deeper, because it'll just bite him back in the neck once Bill turns evil.

"So..." Bill started. "You seem down in the dumps, what's on your mind? Again, not like I care, I'm only curious."

Dipper sighed deeply. Bill already knew about his crush on the redhead, so he might as while confide with the boy about his love troubles.

"I wanted to ask Wendy to dance," He admitted. "But, I'm stuck here all night. Hey, you think you can--"

"Hell no," Bill remarked. "You promised, Pine Tree, you ain't moving from this spot."

Dipper grumbled softly, then turned away from the other. "Figures, you say that."

Bill peered at him, and then his expression softened. "Ugh, fine!" He snapped, surprising Dipper. "If I help you, will you stop moping?"

Dipper nodded eagerly. "Of course! So, you'd take my place?"

"No," He said. After a pause, he added softly. "But, there is a other way..."

The Guardian watched in confusion, as the blond stepped inside the shack while beckoning him. Eventually, Dipper followed.

❇❇❇

The two were now walking down a dark hallway, while muffled music boomed from the party. Dipper was wondering where they were going, when Bill spoke after what felt like an eternity of silence.

"So, how exactly are you planning to ask Red out?" He questioned.

"Oh, I have the whole plan figured out," Dipper replied, confidently.

"Plan?"

The Guardian nodded. "Yep," He said, then reached into his shirt and pulled out a piece of paper. He unrolled it to the point of it touching the floor.

"What the heck, dude?" Bill asked, incredulously.

Dipper ignored him, and read the top of his list. "Step #1: getting to know each other through playful banter. Banter is like talking, but smarter."

"That's dumb, don't be dumb," Bill shot back.

"See? This isn't banter," The Guardian remarked, folding his list and tucking it back into his pocket. "This is something I want to avoid with Wendy."

The blond tossed his head back in annoyance. "Listen, I may be clueless when it comes to your cosmic junk and monsters, but I know my way with romance."

"What does a kid know about romance?" Dipper retorted.

"Obviously, more than you," Bill declared. "Firstly, get rid of that list, just be yourself around her. Sure, I might find your personality irritating, but others might find it...enduring, even."

If the Guardian didn't know any better, he might've thought Bill was giving him a compliment, in his own way.

"I'll think about it, Bill," Dipper told him. "But for now, I'm gonna stick with my plan. Also, where are you taking me?"

Bill glanced to the side, and suddenly paused in his tracks. Dipper followed his lead, and followed the boy's gaze to the door they nearly passed.

"It's in here," The blond said, before reaching for the door.

He turned the rusty doorknob. There was a soft click, and Bill opened the door, while it emitted a loud whine. Behind the door, was a pitch black room, then Bill flipped a switch inside. Almost immediately, a light flickered on, revealing an assortment of items on shelves, with one particular object in the center.

"A copier?" Dipper questioned, as Bill moved inside.

Bill approached the machine, and patted it promptly. "Yep, this is the answer to all your problems."

The Guardian furrowed his brow in annoyance. "Bill, is this one of your jokes?"

"Surprisingly, no," He answered, calmly. "Believe it or not, this copier not only copies paper...but people, too."

Now, Dipper was frustrated. If Bill was content on playing around instead of helping him, then why was he even here to begin with?

"Since there's nothing here for me, I'll just go--"

"Wait!" Bill stopped him. "I'm telling the truth!"

Then, the boy knelt down and reached behind the copier. Dipper observed him curiously, and by the time Bill stood back up, he was carrying a hamster cage with a cloth covering it. The cave was rattling slightly, something moving from inside.

"What is that?" Dipper demanded.

Bill pointed to him then to the cage, indicating that the Guardian should watch carefully. He gently placed the cage in the center of the floor, before removing the cloth. Dipper bit back a scream. Inside the cage, was a severed hand, and it was still moving around.

"Bill, what--"

"Relax," Bill told him. "When I was copying invitations, I decided to play with the machine for laughs. I couldn't believe my eyes, so I tested it a second time, which explains the Frankenstein Hand over here."

Dipper stared, then a question popped into his head. "Wait, what part of your body did you copy the first time?"

Bill cleared his throat. "I don't want to talk about it."

"You photocopied your butt, didn't you--"

"I said I don't want to talk about it!" He snapped. "Anyway, all you need to do is clone yourself, and then you'll be in two places at once."

"But, how do I get rid of the clone after I'm done with it?" Dipper asked.

Bill didn't answer immediately, instead, he reached behind the copier again. This time, he pulled out a canteen. He moved over to the cage, and peeled the cap off it, before upturning the canteen over the disembodied hand. As a stream of water poured on it, the hand started spasming violently. Then, to Dipper's amazement and horror, it melted into a glob of wet paper.

"These things easily disintegrate when wet," Bill explained, tossing the empty canteen aside. "If your clone gives you any trouble, it'll be easy to dispose of."

Dipper stared at the puddle in the cage, his mind racing with possibilities of how this might go wrong for him. He was a Guardian, he was supposed to prevent Weirdness from running wild, not using it for his own personal gain! Still, it was only this once, after this, he swore not to use magical oddities like this again.

"Alright, Bill," He sighed. "And, thanks..."

Bill only nodded, avoiding the brunette's gaze again. "If you need me, I'll be rejoining the party, and I better see at least one of you guarding the entrance." Then, he left without another word.

After that, Dipper took a deep breath, before turning to the copier before him.

❇❇❇

Meanwhile, Will was with Mabel, as the party buzzed with activity around them. He couldn't understand why some people found this enjoyable. Everything was too loud, people constantly bumped into him, and the flashing lights made his vision blurry. Will was certain he would've died, if Mabel wasn't with him.

Unlike him, Mabel looked like she was having a blast. Dancing crazily to the music, while Will stood awkwardly against a wall.

"Will, why aren't you joining me?" She asked, still dancing. "C'mon, show me your moves!"

Will shook his head. "No thanks, I'm good here."

Mabel finally stopped dancing, and moved over to him. "Are you sure, because it's seems like you're trying to sink your head into your shoulders."

"Is it working?" He replied, weakly.

"Almost, but you haven't perfected it yet," Mabel chuckled. "If you want, we can step out to get some fresh air. I think my friends will be here soon."

Will regarded her gratefully. "That sounds nice."

Then, the two pushed through the crowd of people, before eventually stepping outside. Will was relieved to feel a cool breeze on his face, far more relaxing than the stuffy air he was previously in. Mabel and him stood in the comfortable silence. Strangely, the Guardian's eyes were trained on the night sky, and Will assumed she was stargazing. He decided to follow her lead, and looked up. He smiled, when facing a dozen twinkling lights freckling the sky. Then, something else caught his attention...

Barely visible against the dark sky, were two nearing dots. As they drew closer, Will saw the outline of massive wings.

"What the...?" He trailed off, too shocked by what he saw.

"Ah! They're here!" Mabel exclaimed, happily.

Will was confused, until the shapes in the sky neared the ground, before landing in front of them. As the mysterious figures stepped into the light, they were revealed to be young woman the same age as Mabel. They both wore dark blue outfits, with boots that reached halfway up their thighs, and silver circlets around their heads. One of them was very buff, with brownish red hair tied in a ponytail, and a mole on her right cheek. The other one was daintier than her companion, but still lean, and she had long black hair, and golden spectacles. Lastly, both of them had huge, sleek, black feathered wings.

Will stared. If the wings weren't the most shocking thing about them, they also had weapons! The muscular one had a huge sledgehammer, and the smaller one held a staff with a razor sickle on each end of it.

"Will, this is Candy and Grenda," Mabel smiled, pointing to each woman when introducing them. "And they're not only my best friends in the world, but also my loyal Raven Warriors."

"Does that explain the wings?" Will questioned, gingerly.

"Yeah, it's a funny story actually," She started. "Candy and Grenda were originally ravens. I came across them when they were trapped by hunters, so I gave them human forms and then--"

"And then, we punched the life out of those hunters!" Grenda exclaimed, in a surprisingly low voice. "Then, after that, we swore our loyalty to Mabel."

"Yep," Mabel agreed.

Candy moved closer to Will, and leaned down to inspect him curiously. "Mabel, you never said your human friend was this adorable."

Will flushed, then stepped back sheepishly. "Oh, thanks..."

"Candy's right," Grenda said, then lifted the boy off the ground. "He's so cute, I can squeeze him until he pops!"

"Mabel! Mabel!" Will cried in panic, trying to squirm out of Grenda's grip.

"Be gentle with him, guys," Mabel said, seriously. "Will is a little fragile."

"Oops, my bad," Grenda responded, putting Will down.

He breathed in relief, on the same time when the pair folded their wings over his back gently.

"We hope to know more about you, Will," Candy smiled, while adjusting her glasses.

Will smiled in return. Mabel's friends seemed rowdy, but at least they were nice.

Mabel caught their attention, by saying. "OK, now that you guys are here, the real party can finally begin!"

"I'm gonna chug down the punch bowl!" Grenda announced.

Will looked at her nervously. "Please, don't--"

"TOO LATE!" She yelled, then with a roar, she charged to the entrance of the shack.

"Girl sure loves her punch," Mabel chuckled, then beckoned the others forward. "C'mon, we should be there for moral support."

With that, Will followed the Guardian, once again rejoining the party.