Well, you all said you wanted both an epilogue and a sequel. Usually Epilogues are NOT this long. I ended up writing an extra 5,000 words again...lol. This isn't necessarily an epilogue. Instead, I'm calling it a "CHEPILOUGE" You know, chapter + epilogue? CHEPILOGUE.

Make sure you read the author's note at the bottom of the page. Enjoy!

-Williebadger618

No Goodbye-Part VI (EPILOGUE)

Dipper's POV

Two Weeks Later...

Two weeks have passed since we left the foster home with Soos. Since then, everything in Gravity Falls has been normal...well, normal as Gravity Falls gets, to be exact. We arrived to the Mystery Shack late in the day; around 6pm. We were greeted by Wendy, Melody, and Mabel's pet pig, Waddles. He remained in town since Mom and Dad didn't want a pig living with us in our suburban Californian home. And, after everything that happened at that house, I think it was the right decision. Mabel would have been so heartbroken if Waddles got severely injured.

The night we came to Gravity Falls, everybody at the shack wanted to know the full story. Even Soos, and he doesn't even know the whole thing; just the information Mrs. Megan told him. I wasn't ready to say anything about it...not when the memories from that night are still fresh in my mind. Mabel didn't even want anybody to talk about it. The two of us were still emotionally scarred because of the horrific scenes we saw in our old house. It was too hard to say without breaking down in the process. We would constantly get pressed for answers by everyone, including the townsfolk and the friends we have made last summer. But thankfully, Soos stepped in and told everyone to back off. "They'll tell you when they're ready." He would reply. Man, without Soos, I think my sister and I would snap if one more person asked us.

Since our return to the town, Soos has been on the phone a lot. He was talking to the police about getting our belongings from our house, he called our school so we could get our records transferred up to Oregon so we could attend 8th grade here. Even Grunkle Stan called to tell us when they would be returning home. He said the first week in December. Him and Great Uncle Ford wouldn't be home for Thanksgiving, but at least they'll be here for Christmas. And from what I have heard, Oregon gets a lot of snow and the temperatures are frigid in all hours of the day. Cold enough to produce snow. My sister and I have never seen snow before...I'm actually excited to see it.

Last week, after Soos being on the phone for a few days, he explained to us that we had a road trip to take back to Piedmont. We had to go back to our old house and get the belongings we want shipped up here, we had to go to court for the prostitution of Frank Pines, and we had to attend our mother's funeral. I rather just go back to Piedmont just to ship my belongings up to Gravity Falls. I didn't feel like breaking down in court or at the funeral. But even if I tried to protest, we would have to go regardless.

House Visit (11.20.12)

After another eight hour car ride, Soos pulled up to the front of our house, where two officers patiently awaited for the three of us to step out of the vehicle. I could see three other guys in matching white polos, waiting by a huge moving truck that was in our driveway. Looks like they would be helping with our move and loading them in the back. From my passenger side window, I could see two news vans with reporters waiting on the sidelines, about five police officers trying to hold back the crowd, and a sea of our old neighbors behind yellow crime scene tape. They were all waiting find out our thoughts about the situation at hand, and I don't need the world to find out the havoc Frank caused for our broken family.

Soos, Mabel, and I, stepped out of the car, and thats when the reporters started running over towards us. My sister and I tried to hide our faces from the cameras while Soos escorted us towards a nearby police officer. The rest of the cops held back the neighbors and politely told the anchormen to back away from us. Thank goodness for the help of the police. An officer took us inside with two of the movers following behind.

When Mabel and I entered into our house, everything looked different. Even though we haven't been here since the incident, the scenery of the house just seemed different to me. I glanced at Mabel, who had her eyes locked on the carpet in the living room. The dried up blood stains were still visible to our eyes, and unfortunately, it brought back visions of seeing our deceased mother lying in that very same spot. I heard my sister beginning to sniffle, but I just gently put my arm around her, as the officers lead us up to our bedroom.

In our bedroom, Mabel and I had two separate cots on either side of the room. My sister's side was full of boybands she liked and pictures of me and her friends hanging on the walls. My side barely had anything on the walls, unless you count a picture of my sister and I when we were twelve. We must have spent two hours up in our room, trying to decide the things we want to take with us to Gravity Falls. I ended up picking my case full of books I had stacked on my side of the bed, all of my clothes, my backpack, and a couple of pictures, including that one on the wall. My sister picked all her arts and craft supplies, her clothes, her backpack, the posters and pictures, and her scrapbook supplies. The movers gently packed everything we wanted and took it down to the moving truck one by one. Soos even helped too, taking some things and storing it in the back of his vehicle.

As we descended down the staircase for the final time, an officer stopped us in the middle of the stairway. "Kids, before we leave, we have to go and retrieve your personal documents. Do you know where your parents would keep them?" I know exactly where they kept all of our information...

"It's down in the basement in a large chest on the far side of the room." I explained.

The officer nodded. "Can you come down and show us so we can get the chest?" He asked. Mabel and I looked at one another on the steps. Head back down in that basement? The basement where we almost got killed?

~Flashback~

"Dipper?" Mabel whispered to me, as I moved my head towards her direction. "If tonight is...the end..." She began, but I cut her off.

"No, sis." I whispered to her as quietly as possible. "We're gonna make it through this, just like we always do."

"But...if something happens, I just want you to know that I'm sorry for everything I've done to you to piss you off, or cause you to hate me." She replies with tears leaking through her eyes. I take my one hand and wipe them away as I felt my own tears beginning to rise in my eyes. I release another shaky breath before I reply.

"None of that matter's Mabel. I could never hate you. You're my twin sister and best friend on this earth. We'll make it through this." I say in the most positive way I could think of.

"But, if we don't..." She says, but I cut her off once more.

"No. There is no goodbye, Mabes. We're going to survive. No goodbye." I say reassuringly. She bites her lip in fear, but it only wants me to hold her tighter. No goodbye... I kept repeating in my head. This would not be the end of us. We will make it.

...

"Hahaha." Dad said sinisterly. "I found you Dipshit." That's when I took a huge deep breath, reluctantly approached the man with the killing weapon, and waited for the right time to strike. "And of course, you're with your fucking bitch sister. She's nothing but a whore." He spat.

...

I took the bat and swung it so it hit him right in the head. He fell like a sack of potatoes, limp to the ground; the weapon escaping his grasp. It took me a few moments to realize what I had done. I looked down at him; the father I use to have...now unconscious on the basement floor.

~End Flashback~

"I...I can't." I said after remembering that horrific scene from almost a week ago. Going down in that basement just brought back too many memories. "I can't go back in that basement." I acted like a scared little kid who was afraid of the boogey-man lurking in the shadows. I know Frank is in custody, but the thought of descending down that set of steps just caused horrific flashbacks in my mind. Mabel had put her hand on my shoulder as a shortness of breath began building up in my body. She rubs her hand back and forth on my shoulder blade to show that everything was okay. And I knew things were okay, but this whole situation wasn't easy for the both of us.

"Officer, I'll go down and retrieve it with you." Soos says from behind Mabel and I. The officer only nods in response and continues down the staircase. Soos gently squeezes past us and turns around on the steps and faces us. "You said it was in a large chest by the far side of the room, right?" He asks.

"Y-yeah. It's black too, if that helps." I reply with a shaky breath, trying to calm myself down. Soos places a hand on my shoulder in comfort.

"You two dudes just stay here on the steps. I'll go get the chest. I'll come get you as soon as I'm done helping the officer." Soos replies. Mabel and I nod back in response as Soos turns around and completely goes down the staircase, meeting the officer at the bottom. The two of them cut the corner as Mabel and I take a seat on the staircase. Mabel wraps her arms around me in comfort as I cling to her, trying to calm myself from the flashback I witnessed. I tried to think of something else to take my mind off of it, but it's hard to think of something when I've been through hell for months with my sister.

Time just seemed to stand still as Mabel and I awaited for Soos to come back. It seemed like an eternity, but he soon returned after five minutes. He then scooped us up in his arms and took us out of the house. He walked us over to his truck, now packed and full of our stuff. He placed us on the pavement where Mabel and I scrambled into the passenger side, waiting for Soos to get in the driver's seat. I glanced out of the passenger's window once more; the sea of neighbors was more sporadic than earlier. One news van was missing in action. They all stayed behind the police tape.

Soos got in the truck moments later after securely fastening everything in the back. "Ready to go?" Soos asks as he hooks his seatbelt and turning on the truck, shifting it into drive in the process. Mabel and I nod our heads in unison as Soos begins to drive away from our house, and towards the direction of a hotel. As much as I wanted to go back to Gravity Falls, we still had two more stops to go to. The only difference would be that these stops will cause the waterworks to escape from my eyes. And I didn't want to cry. Especially in front of people.

Piedmont Court House (11.21.12)

Dressed in black clothing, Mabel, Soos, and I entered into the court house, where the hearing of the killer would be taken place. I really thought I saw the last of him back in that hospital room last week. I had nothing to say to that man. He knows the hardships he caused for my family. He knows the hell he put us all through. I know he's not sorry for what he has done. He's never been sorry. Everything that I told that killer last week was the truth. He's nothing but a lying asshole, who took our mother away. I didn't want to go into that court room, and have to see his deceiving face again. But we all had to make sure he would go to jail for a long time.

The court process wouldn't be so easy. According to what the police told Soos, the judge is planning to ask to hear testimonies from both my sister and I. I actually didn't have a problem repeating the same words I said to him back in the hospital room. But I could tell my sister did not want to speak with him. Despite how she feels about Frank, the judge will make her say something. I would speak for her if I was allowed to, but I knew the judge would want to hear her own point of view out of her mouth. And I can't argue with the law; nor can my sister.

The hearing was scheduled for 9:15am. People started making there way either to the audience seats or the jury booth a little bit after 9:00am. Soos, Mabel, and I remained outside of the courtroom until we were called in by the bailiff. We all sat quietly, not uttering a word to each other. Soos had his hands folded in his lap while my sister and I linked our hands together. We kept squeezing out grasp in reassurance. I was praying the verdict would end up with him going to jail. But all I could do was hope that our testimonies would be good enough to have Frank behind bars for a long time.

"All parties in the matter of Pines vs. Pines. Step forward please."

-=O=-

Judge Mower, who was presiding this case, called me up to the stand. I sworn in, confirming that I would tell the truth about the events that occurred in that house last week. The judge then starts off asking me questions about how long Frank has been abusing me, if I was the one who knocked him unconscious that night in the basement, and if he attempted to try and kill us with the killing weapon. Every time I gave an answer to Judge Mower, Frank would constantly roll his eyes and scoff, as if the information I gave the Judge was a lie. How can I lie about something that was true? Besides, its all on file. There's a police report and documents recorded from Child Protected Services. He can lie all he wants, he knows he's going to jail.

"Mason Pines, we would like to hear a final testimony, if you may." Judge Mower states as he folds his hands together. I look back towards Mabel, who sends me a sincere smile. I could see the tears lines reflecting off from the ceiling lights as she sniffles lightly. I send a smile back towards her, before turning around and taking a look at Frank once more. I then sigh aloud and begin my final testimony.

"No words can describe how hurt, upset, and angry I am at you. You have a true screw loose up in your head; you've snapped and I don't know why. You killed my mother. Nothing in this world can bring her back. You may act sorry, but I know you're not. I hope prison will open your eyes and realize the mistakes you made. I hope and pray you stay in prison for the rest of your life. You went to far this time...and you can't fix it. Have fun in prison. I will make sure I'm not around to see you again." I say as I lower my head and wipe away the tears that had came to my eyes.

"Thank you, Mason. You may sit down now." Judge Mower replies as I leave the podium and sit down in the first row of seats, in between my sister, and Soos. Mabel grabs my hand tightly, as I return the squeeze just as tight. I feel like that was the hardest thing I ever had to do. To officially stand up in front of people and let out my rage and anger to someone twice my size. But I'm glad I did it. I'm hoping the jury makes the right verdict.

After I sat down, Judge Mower called my sister up to the stand. This was the moment she was dreading all morning. She didn't want to go up there and face Frank and give a testimony, but she had to. As much as she wanted to run out of the courtroom, she still had to answer the judge's questions. She calmly stood up, and walked up to the podium, with shaky hands.

She sworn in like how I did, and the judge began asking her similar questions he asked me. Mabel would actually wait a few seconds, mentally collecting her thoughts and trying to hold back her tears as she gave her answers. I kept my eyes locked on Frank the entire time my sister spoke. The difference I saw with Frank's facial expressions was odd. When I spoke, he rolled his eyes. Yet, when my sister spoke, he would send sympathetic eyes. It looked like to me that Frank was trying to get Mabel to change the story. But I didn't worry because my sister doesn't lie to anyone. And I knew she wouldn't lie if she was under oath. She didn't even look at Frank.

"Mabel Pines, you may now give your final testimony, whenever you are ready." Judge Mower says into the microphone. It takes her about a minute to fully get herself together so she could finally muster words towards the bully. Frank and I both knew how forgiving Mabel was, but I hope with everything she went through with me last week, she will gain enough courage to say words that will sting. I just hope my thought was right.

"Where do I even begin with you?" She began as she sniffles aloud. "...you hurt me and my brother for far too long. I...I've been so scared to come up here this morning to talk about all the things you have done to me. My brother has more courage than I ever will when it comes to lunatics like you. I know you may act sorry, but its all just a lie...and you know how much I hate liars. I know you'll be in jail for a long time, and I don't want to see you again. I don't want to get hurt anymore. But at least I'll be safe...with my true family...with my brother. At the end of the day...Dipper's all I need." She concludes as she wipes her eyes and tries to pull herself together once more.

"Thank you, Mabel. You may take a seat." Judge Mower says into the microphone. She quickly leaves the podium and returns to her seat, leaning inwards towards me as I put my arm around her in comfort.

"You did good, Mabel." I whisper into her ear as I rubbed her shoulder.

"Thanks...but you did better." She replies in a quiet tone. I squeeze her in comfort, knowing this nightmare was almost over.

My sister and I then return our gaze to the judge. He quietly wrote down some side notes before removing his spectacles and turning his gaze towards the jury. He saw them whispering their decisions to one another, and gave them several minutes to talk amongst themselves. When the majority of the jury looked towards the magistrate, he banged his gavel on the podium.

"Has the jury reached a verdict?" Judge Mower inquiries as the man to the far left of the audience stands up.

"We have, your honor." The man replies. The three of us stand up in the stands to find out what the decision was. Mabel and I linked our hands together once more, patiently awaiting for the jury's decision. Frank also stands up from the prosecutor podium next to the judge and awaits to hear the verdict that would hopefully alter his life. "We find the defendant, Francis Arnold Pines, guilty. The following charges have been put against you: first degree murder of your wife, Jessica Marie Pines. Child abuse and endangerment of twin siblings Mason and Mabel Pines. You have been sentenced to twenty-five years in prison, without parol."

Mabel and I let out huge sighs of relief when the verdict was read. She and I embraced in joy, knowing he was going to prison. Soos, joined in on the hug, with waves of relief flooding through our bodies. After two and a half hours of sitting in this court house, the answer I had been hoping for actually came. We were finally free. We were finally safe. We would never have to see him ever again. Although I was expecting a sentence to life in prison, I can withstand him 25 years behind bars. As long as I know he'll be sentenced for his crimes, then this outcome was fine by me. We watched Frank be handcuffed and taken out of the room with shackles on his wrists. Frank won too many battles. But, in this case, Mabel and I won the war.

We then all followed the sea of people out of the courtroom with big smiles on our faces. Twenty-five years in prison for Frank Pines...serves him right. Soos, Mabel, and I make our way out of the courthouse itself, and walk towards the truck. We piled in one by one, satisfied by the events that had happened this morning. But our smiles were soon faded away with grim looks on our faces, when we remembered the final stop we had to go to before we could go back to Gravity Falls.

Piedmont Cemetery (11.21.12)

The last band of cars made their exits out of the cemetery the second Soos pulled in the lot. We unfortunately missed the funeral and the ceremonial burial of our mother. If the court case didn't take all morning, maybe we would have been here on time. The funeral was set for 10am, and the burial at 11am. We just missed the burial by a half hour. Soos stopped the truck as we watched two gravediggers fill the hole. Mabel and I scrambled out of the truck and ran over towards the hole, trying not to trip on the roots of the nearby oak tree or the other tombstones.

"Hey kids, what are you doing?" The one gravedigger asked in an annoyed tone. But I didn't care. I came here to say goodbye to my mother, and I would do it regardless of my feelings.

"Who are you burying?" Mabel asked politely.

"The deceased body of Jessica Pines." The other gravedigger responded. "Why? You family?"

"We're her children." I clarified. The two gravediggers look over at one another, and then back at us.

"Well, why didn't you come to the ceremony?" The first gravedigger asked.

"We got..." I began to say as I looked over towards Mabel. "We got sidetrack with something." I say in a defeated tone. I had a gut feeling mom was angry with us that we didn't come to the ceremony. But I couldn't just up and leave the courthouse without finding out the verdict of Frank. I wanted to make sure he'd pay for his wrongdoing by serving his time in that prison. I'm hoping mom understood. "I know it sounds selfish and all, but if you understood our position, you would know."

"Alright, kid. Don't sweat it. We'll give you two some space to say goodbye." The second gravedigger said. I nodded back towards them as they laid their shovels on the ground and walked away, giving Mabel and I some privacy.

I couldn't believe I was saying goodbye to my mom this way. It should have been done formally back at the funeral home. But the service men can't wait for everyone to show up; family or not. I wish I could go back in time to the funeral, but I couldn't do that. This was reality...and I now have to face life's consequences for my misconduct. Man, and I thought Frank was going to have it bad.

"So...who should go first?" Mabel asked as she took hold of my hand. I look over towards her; tears beginning to drip down her face once more. I felt my own eyes begin to tear up as I kept thinking about what I should say to mom. There was so much stuff I wanted to say to her, but it had to be something short; the gravediggers were waiting.

"You can go first." I say as I released a shaky breath. Mabel nods back to me and takes several steps to the newly dug grave. It takes her a few moments for her to find words to say to our deceased mother, but I know no matter how much effort she put into this goodbye, it wouldn't be easy to let go.

"H-h-hey mom." Mabel began. "Umm...I-I don't know w-what I sh-should even say. ...I guess I c-can st-start out by saying...saying thank you. Thank you...for...for standing up to dad...and protecting D-Dipper and I. I-I know you were sc-scared that n-night...I was too. I-I just w-wish you were still...still here with us...being able to watch Dipper and I...grow up. But...if it makes you f-feel any b-b-better...Grunkle Stan...and Grunkle Ford...they plan to take c-care of u-us. I know you w-would always...always make s-sure Dip and I were t-t-taken c-care of. I...I will make sure they will do a g-good job a-at it. I...I love you, mom. Please...don't f-forget that. I...I'll see you again...in the clouds."

Mabel then falls to her knees and sobs loudly. I walked to where she was and crouched down next to her, putting my arms around her in a tight embrace. She clinged to me, crying into my shoulder. That was definitely one of the most hardest things Mabel ever had to say. It's never easy when she goes through something like this. I held her for some time, letting her cry out her pain as I fought back the urge to sob myself. But soon, it came time for me to say my farewell to my mother...and I wasn't ready.

After five minutes or so, Mabel got up and gave me some space to talk to mom. I was not ready to speak. I didn't really think of any words to say to mom...I focused on my sister's goodbye. My emotions attempted to get the better of me, but I wouldn't let them succeed until I said some form of goodbye. And I knew I had to say something to her before she was completely buried six foot under. I stood up, placed my hands in my pockets and builded up some form of confidence to speak with my deceased mother.

"...Hi mom." I start. "The past few months have been...pretty crazy, huh? Anyway, I'm sorry Mabel and I didn't come to the funeral...we got c-caught up at the courthouse." Tears started leaking from my eyes. I wiped them away vigorously and continued to fight through the pain. "...If it makes things better, Frank's going to jail for a long time. Y-yeah, he won't be...hurting anybody for a long time...Mom, I also wanted to thank you for trying to p-protect Mabel and I from Frank. I know you...you s-s-sacrificed y-your l-life to s-save us...and I truly appreciate it." I inhale a deep breath before continuing. "Mom, I want...I want to make you a promise. Your job was to protect Mabel and I from Frank...well I want you to know...that I vow to protect Mabel for the rest of my life. ...If she got injured that night...I would never forgive...myself. I promise you I will keep her safe from anything. From a monster. From a bully. From Frank. I'll protect Mabel for as long as it takes. I may be the little brother, but siblings look out for each other. ...I-I p-p-promise." I couldn't say any more. I just couldn't. The tears from my eyes started falling down like a waterfall. But I didn't break down yet.

Mabel approaches me and puts her arms around me, hugging me tightly. I return the embrace, sniffling lightly. She then moves her head in front of my face, yet not letting go of me. "Dip?"

"Y-yeah?" I reply, holding in my tears.

"It's okay to cry." She says looking at me sympathetically. That's when I lost it. I started crying...probably harder than Mabel was. She pulls me back into the embrace where I buried my face into her shoulder. She did the same. I clung onto her like my life depended on it, as the two of us sobbed in each others arms. Going through a death in the family is never an easy experience...especially if this family member's life was cut short by that evil nutcase.

I heard a car door open up and slam shut, as footsteps walked closer towards us. Figuring it was Soos, I attempted to pull myself together...but my emotions weren't done flooding through my body. Soos ended up escorting us back into the truck; Mabel and I never lost our grip on each other. He quietly shifted the vehicle into drive, beginning to leave the heartbroken scenery.

-=O=-

The car ride back was mainly silent. We were heading back up to Gravity Falls where we would permanently settle in within the next couple of days. Mabel laid her head on my shoulder; the constant crying caused her to pass out. I kept my one arm around her as I just kept thinking back at the promise I made my mother. Protect Mabel. That was my goal. I wouldn't let my mom down. She protected us from Frank...now its my turn to protect Mabel through anything. I may had to say goodbye to my mother, but there will be no goodbye with my twin sister.

I promise, I will protect you, Mabel. I promise.

As you can tell by my CHEPILOUGE" this story is getting a sequel. Well, unless you think it still needs one. Let me know. I do have a plan for one. But you guys are the judges.

Hope you all enjoyed. See you later

-Williebadger618