Another morning - another random piece of furniture broken by Manly Dan. Wendy opened her eyes to the sound of cracking lumber somewhere inside the cabin, which was soon followed by a loud yell of her father. She glanced at the watch on her night stand. Fifteen minutes before the alarm. The girl sighed and crawled out of her bed. Sure thing her father was an early bird. And a very large one.
"Oh, hi, girlie," - Manly Dan yelled quietly. - "Sorry for waking you up, I didn't mean to. It's just that the wardrobe-"
"It's OK, dad," - she said. - "It was time for me to get up anyway. I'll get the broom," - she added, seeing how her dad was grabbing the fragments of furnish and carrying them out of the house. Wendy sighed. Her three brothers were still snoring happily despite the noise, but she was not such a heavy sleeper.
She quickly cleaned the room of dust and flinders, before heading to the kitchen. She decided that omelette would do for the morning, and retrieved a couple of eggs from the fridge, before hearing: "Daughter, make me some, I'm starving." With a sigh she dug six more eggs and some bacon from the fridge. She actually loved her father, and he did love her, but his personality made family affection complicated.
By the time she finished her breakfast, her eldest brother, Hank, was already awake.
"What's up, dad," - he said, coming into kitchen, getting an approving grunt from Manly Dan who was chewing on his bacon fiercely. - "What's up, slick," - he saluted Wendy, watching her from behind his thick forelock. - "What, can't wait to get back to your loser work to hang out with your loser friend?"
"Soos isn't a loser," - Wendy snapped at him. - "And I have a normal work, oh wait, sure it isn't as great as tree logging."
"Children, don't fight," - their dad yelled calmingly once he gulped down the breakfast. His son just smirked, while Wendy ran to her room, mumbling words of goodbye on her way. She quickly grabbed her backpack and made her way out of the house, to the Mystery Shack. While she was at work, she didn't have to spend time with her siblings. She actually loved them, she truly did, and they loved her back. But love in their family wasn't conventional.
That said, she wasn't really fond of her work at the biggest tourist trap in the Pacific Northwest. Her boss wasn't the most pleasant person she has ever seen, and dealing the whole days straight with the tourists, some of which were dead from the neck up, and the rest were even dumber, wasn't her dream work. But it paid, and it wasn't difficult - she may have not been brilliant at school, but she counted well, and cash machine made it even easier. And she had enough free time at work to read girl magazines, goof off and hang out with one of her very few friends - Soos Ramirez.
Yeah, she definitely wouldn't win a popularity contest among Gravity Falls' twelve-year-olds. In fact, all her peers were aforementioned Soos, Tambry - her actual faithful friend from when they were five years old, and Robbie Valentino, perpetually grumpy kid who hung out with them every now and then. So, she didn't have much reasons neither to come to work every day, nor to leave it in the evening. But she did it anyway.
"Oy. I wish you were late," - she heard when she entered the gift shop of Mystery Shack. - "Then I would've cut your pay," - Mr Mystery, also known as Stan Pines, came to the counter, leaning on his cane heavily. Behind him, Soos was visible fixing the vending machine near the 'Stuff only' door.
"Hi, dawg," - he said happily upon Wendy's arrival. - "Mr Pines allowed me to take some candies from the machine for free once I fix it. You want some?"
"Uh-" - Corduroy paused to think. - "Will they be free for me?"
"Ha!" - Stan exclaimed. - "You learn! OK, now cheer up, people. My great-niece is coming to town today, and she's staying for the whole summer. You'll definitely like her. Those who don't hardly live to tell about it."
"Cool!" - Soos approved, while Wendy rolled her eyes. - "What's her name?"
"Mabel Pines."
"How old is she?"
"Fifteen."
"I bet she's so smart! And she can tell us so much cool stories," - Ramirez was already excited.
"Cool stories is her profession," - Mr Mystery promised with a crooked smile before leaving the gift shop to greet the first round of tourists. Soos returned to fixing the machine, and Wendy, having some time before Stan finished the tour in the museum, and the crowd flooded the gift shop, drew a magazine from her bag. When the working routine came, she forgot about the morning talk until later in the afternoon when Stan said:
"OK, kids, the work's over for today. I have to go pick Mabel from the bus station. You can stay at the Shack and watch TV, I'll be back soon, and you'll meet her right away."
"But Mr Pines, she would probably be tired from the road and would want to have some rest," - Wendy retorted.
"You only say that because you don't know her yet," - the old man said. - "She would be overjoyed to meet you guys. Besides, while I'm out you can help yourself to the fridge, there's Pitt cola and some pizza from yesterday, heat it in the microwave."
"Happy to do it, Mr Pines!" - Soos eagerly obliged.
"Wait, why are you so generous all of a sudden?" - Corduroy asked with suspicion.
"My great-niece is coming to stay at my house for the whole summer, that's why!" Stan shouted, genuinely amused. - "You stay out of trouble," - he added leaving the Shack. A minute later, the preteens heard Stan's old pickup truck motor starting and drawing away.
"What's wrong with him?" - the girl questioned. - "He isn't grumpy at all today. He's, like, super nice."
"What do we know? He must really love his grand-niece," - her friend pointed out. - "Man, I'm very excited to meet her. I hope we make good friends, and hang out together all summer." - Wendy shrugged at this guess and made her way to the kitchen, reasoning it's stupid to lose an opportunity of getting free food from Stan. She and Soos grabbed some pizza and cola, and Wendy pertly took some cheese, bacon and bread to make sandwiches. The friends then proceeded to the living room and positioned themselves in front of TV.
"Hey, GF TV bargain movie marathon is on air," - the girl exclaimed. - "I thought they only show this at night. Hey, Soos, wanna watch it and make fun of their super hilarious movies?"
"Nah, these movies are dumb. Let's watch 'Used to be about history' channel, they always air adventure movies."
"Do you like adventure movies?"
"Yeah, a lot."
"Maybe you want to go on an adventure yourself?"
"I do, but I can't leave Abuelita alone," - he sighed. - "Wait, are you going to make fun of me because I want to go on an adventure?"
"What? Why would I? We're friends, right? Besides, I want to go on an adventure myself. I wish something exciting happened to me. But this stupid Dullsville we live in is just so boring."
"Wendy, don't say that," - Soos reassured her. - "There's Summerween, and that Woodstick festival."
"Pffft, yeah, right, super cool."
"And I've notice a lot of strange stuff about the town, you know?" - Ramirez started reciting. - "I think, the mailman is a werewolf. And then there's that one time when I've seen tiny bearded dudes in red hoods running from the Greasy's in the evening."
"Maybe they just didn't want to pay their check?"
"Oh, yeah, and there's Mr Poolcheck, too," - Soos continued obliviously, while Wendy turned the TV on the UBAH channel. - "Also, I've seen a Gravity Falls Gobblewonker last month, it was huge. Although it was in the distance, and it was misty, and maybe it was a log floating in the lake. And once a girl talked to me, I mean another girl, not you or Tambry, and she started talking to me first, that was really strange."
"Soos, listen, I know all those stories, like about floating eyeballs or that hide-behind dude my dad speaks about. But all these mysteries are lame. Like, elder cousins of the Mystery Shack junk. I wish there was some real mystery. Something really, truly cool. I wish something big happened," - she sighed.
Soos just watched the TV, slowly chewing his slice of pizza.
They watched an adventure movie on UBAH channel, but they didn't even make it to the middle. When the protagonist was about to make an epic jump from the window right on the horseback, sudden noise from the back door startled them. 'Back to the Shack, woohoo!' - came a shout from the hallway. Friends exchanged a look before heading to see the source of the sounds.
In the entryway by the back door they saw a girl, a little taller than Wendy, but clearly older, as her curvy figure indicated. Her dark brown hair reached past her shoulder blades, brown eyes shined joyfully and her smile gleamed with thirty two beautiful perfectly straight white teeth. She was wearing a rainbow-coloured crop top with a huge star symbol, denim shorts and dark-blue leggings with glittering stars all over them. The girl also had star-shaped sunglasses that currently rested on her forehead. In general, she looked like a human version of disco ball, Wendy thought. She realized that she herself, dressed in light green t-shirt and her favoured jeans, with her red hair gathered in twin ponytails, could become a descent ninja in close proximity of the shiny girl. Unexpectedly, upon her and Soos' arrival at the room the guest raised a camera she had in her hand and instantly made a photo of them.
"Boom!" - she exclaimed. - "Hello there, guys. I'm Mabel, but you can call me your guide to the world of entertainment and non-stop fun!" - Wendy rolled her eyes. What kind of introduction is this? But her pudgy friend appreciated girl's manners.
"Oh, that's so stupid cool, I'm Soos by the way. It's so nice to meet you!"
"The pleasure's all mine," - the girl smiled sincerely. - "And you, young lady?" - she asked Wendy, who suddenly realized that she was still standing like a statue with a frown on her face.
"This is Wendy, she's my best friend, and she's super cool," - Soos was quick to give explanations.
"Ah, yeah, I'm Wendy," - Corduroy realized that she was being rude. - "You're Mr Pines' grand-niece, right?"
"Of course," - Mabel's smiled widened. - "And I suppose, you're Manly Dan's daughter? You look a lot like him. Except for hair." - she said.
"Mabel!" - Stan shouted, entering the Shack. - "Get you luggage upstairs. My knees are killing me, and you know it, so don't expect me to help."
"One sec," - the Pines Girl responded, and darted outside. 'Waddles, stay close,' - sounded from out there. In a moment, Mabel was back inside, carrying a backpack, suitcase and a small, but tight bag. And she was followed by a pig. - "Waddles, say hello to our new friends," - Mabel said, and the pig oinked, inspecting Soos and Wendy with its tiny black eyes. It was actually very cute, and Soos didn't falter saying a loud and affectionate 'awwwww!' The girl and her pig then quickly ran upstairs beside Soos and Wendy.
"Gruncle Stan, I'm starving," - Mabel shouted. The kids didn't even notice when she was back from the attic. - "When are we going to eat?"
"Um," - Stan checked his watch, - "Half an hour, I guess. I'm making stancakes, and then we should start preparations."
"Oh, cool! My newfound colleagues will show me around meanwhile. Come on, guys, let's see what's new in the Shack." - she literally dragged Wendy and Soos to the gift shop. The pig stayed on her heels.
Once inside the gift shop, Mabel started to dance around, muttering something while passing past the shelves with merchandise. Coming close to the cash machine, she slapped a yellow gleaming sticker on it. She noticed Wendy's magazine on the counter, and tossed her a quick glance. She then approached the vending machine.
"OK, while Stan isn't watching, who wants to see some magic?" - not waiting for the answer, she tapped the machine several times, saying 'Bepety boop, voilà'. She then hit the door with her elbow, and the machine opened. Soos' jaw dropped in excitement, while Wendy frowned again. - "Help yourselves," - Mabel said, grabbing several candies and chocolate bars from the machine. Soos followed her example, and redhead girl tossed her hesitations aside. Soon the three of them were feasting on the candies, and even Mabel's pig, Waddles, wasn't left without a treat.
When infamous stancakes were ready, both Pines insisted that Wendy and Soos stay for dinner. Soos was on the seventh heaven, but Wendy was reluctant at first. She thought she would feel out of place on a small family dinner, but she got it all wrong.
"Evening, Mr Pines," - her eldest brother said as he broke into the kitchen when Stan and the kids were in there.
"You again, Henry," - Stan shook his head.
"Hank?" - Wendy asked in distrust.
"Yeah, and you expected to see whom? Mayor Cutebiker?" - he laughed.
"You'll help me to get the table outside," - Stan said.
"OK," - the guy shrugged. - "I brought a couple of pizzas."
"Great, put them on the fridge for now."
"Hank!" - came from behind an ear-piercing shout of excitement and joy. Next moment, Mabel, running into the kitchen, jumped at the Corduroy guy and tried to hug him, but he was too wide for her to embrace properly. He awkwardly patted her on the back.
"Hey, Mabes, finally you're back," - he laughed.
"Get a room, you two," - Stan shouted. - "Or actually don't. Wait at least a couple of years. And help me with the table and the dishes."
"Alright, alright, I'm on it," - Hank said, picking the table up and carrying it outside. Wendy noticed a blush on his face. - "Make way!" - she heard her brother shouting from the back door.
"Mr Pines, did you know that there is a suspiciously looking young man taking your furniture away from the house?" - a miniature brunette oriental girl asked as she entered the kitchen together with a chubby and tall auburn-haired girl who carried a plate with a cake.
"Candy! Grenda! Guys!" - Mabel outcried in obvious overexcitement, rushing to them and hugging them with force. The three of them ran away from the room, tweeting and chatting so much Wendy seriously thought there were at least three more girls she didn't see and only heard.
"What? Who's gonna help with the dishes?" - Stan yelled.
"Don't worry, Mr Pines, I'll help!" - Soos said, and Wendy, sighing, joined him.
The evening was overflowing with surprises - no one other than Old Man McGucket showed up at family meeting. Wendy always felt uneasy around the oddish greybeard. Mabel and Stan, however, were happy to see him. Hank was, too, but mostly because McGucket brought a roasted piglet with him. The dinner was fun. Mabel lived up to her self-proclaimed title of entertainment guide - she was talking all the time, but did not irritate, and she found time to talk to everyone. Wendy and Soos did not feel out of turn at all, and the food was great.
Yet another unbelievable thing was that Stan offered both younger kids rides home after the dinner was finished. So, when Wendy finally got home, she was somewhat puzzled. Doing the chores at home and making dinner for dad gave her a lot of time to ponder about the passing day. She didn't really know what to think about Mabel. On one hand, she wasn't ready to trust a person who's looks could give you an epileptic seizure from all the glistening and shining. But on the other hand, Mabel's personality was really prepossessing. So Wendy decided not to have any prejudice about the Pines girl.
'Maybe we can become friends,' - she thought, laying to bed at the end of the day. - 'Even though Mabel is older than me. I wonder what does she think about Gravity Falls? Does she find this town boring and dull? Probably yes. But why would she come here if she does? I should ask her. What if she really knows something cool about this town? What if she can share some secrets? Nah, she's probably here just to hang out with her great uncle and her friends,' - Wendy thought, drifting into sleep.
She saw weird dreams about Mabel who fought monsters and ghosts, and she, Wendy, was alongside her, fighting together with her and watching her back. Soos was somewhere nearby, too, helping them with what he could.
'Hilarious,' - Wendy thought in her sleep. - 'Nothing like this is ever going to happen.'
Good day kind reader, this is the first part of my first large story. It is my take on Anti-Gravity Falls AU, inspired mainly by AntiGravity Falls story by MagicMoneyPants, which rest firmly in the top five of the best fanfics I've ever read.
This one is going to be rather lengthy, and I'll try to update weekly, but unfortunately can't promise this. All forms of feedback are extremely appreciated. So, please read and review.
Stay weird. Also, merry Cristmas Carol