Yeah... Edit: Fixed some grammar errors, like lol why does no one mention them. Thanks for that, actually.


Ford rummaged through the many bottles and containers of spell making supplies in the basement. He had everything from watermelon seeds (you'd be surprised) to the root of the bickwick tree (a small tree, to be sure, but extremely potent. Best sleep he ever got was from the tea he made with that root) He searched faster- getting more frantic when what he wanted wasn't to be found, nearly knocking things off the shelves.

Another moment and he stopped. It wasn't here. He scowled at the shelves. What could have happened to it!?

Ford had been looking for a very specific ingredient needed to create the protective barrier around the Sha- his house. It was a lavender colored powder- something he had created from several different magic born plants from within the woods. They were extremely difficult to discover and retrieve! Not to mention the process of grinding each one into a fine powder. Ford pushed his glasses off his face as he rubbed at his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. He already had the unicorn hair necessary for the process! The only thing he needed now was that powder, but it was gone! He tried to think back to thirty years ago- what had he done with it?!

Stan certainly didn't know about this room- something he kept very well hidden, another secret room. He was glad of it, Stan might have sold all his store had he known about it.

He thought back to when he was researching Gravity Falls, but it had been so long ago and thinking back brought memories...memories that were much too painful to dwell on now. He had a duty to perform. He couldn't be getting distracted by a past he couldn't change.

Ford took a deep breathe and released a sigh, letting all his frustration flow away with it, replacing it with determination.

It was either get the ingredients or stay at the mercy of Bill and his tricks. It wasn't even a choice- not really. Ford returned the bottles and containers to their proper spots and made sure the room was well sealed before turning to leave.

The journey would take several days- most of what he needed hiding in remote corners or deep in the woods. Not ideal, yet it was better than staying like this. If he had the barrier, not only would the nightmares end, but Dipper and Mabel {and Stan} would be safe. Ford was especially concerned for the boy, he had already been tricked once, not that Ford could judge him.

Ford made his way upstairs. He would need some equipment. Now if only he knew where his camping supplies were...

He found them eventually. They had been in the closet where he'd left them. They were old and dusty. He could only suppose that Stan had no use for them, but they would suffice. He had swiftly packed a backpack with everything he'd need. Not that he needed much for himself- most of it was tools so he could create his concoction as quickly as humanly possible.

Ford wanted to just leave- but he supposed everyone needed to know what was going on and why he was leaving. He wanted them to be safe while he was gone, after all. He quickly scribbled down a note of where he was headed and why he was leaving before heading out the door.

He stepped out into the outdoors and took a breath of fresh forest air. He'd missed this.

...

Stan wasn't worried. He wasn't.

...He was worried.

Mabel had found the note that his brother had left about needing supplies. He'd reread it enough to have it memorized.

Family,

I am heading on an expedition into the woods for Lavedoctaus, a concoction pivotal in creating the barrier and in which I seemed to have run out of since I had last lived here. It's made of several plants, most that were rare back in my day, each one residing in different parts of the forest. At the least, the journey should take less than three days. At the most, perhaps a week, although that is unlikely. I'll be taking my journals with me, they hold the map necessary to find everything I need.

Please, be safe, and do NOT make a deal with Cipher while I'm gone.

-Stanford Pines.

It had been ten days. Stan was definitely worried.

Stanley sighed. Both the kids were starting to notice- he could see it in their eyes. He hated that. The worry. Who was he to worry about? The only thing those kids should be worried about is homework and making friends. Not an old cranky guy they were hanging out with for the summer.

Although, these thoughts were pointless. No matter what he thought they should worry about, they were still worried about him.

He was at the table, staring at the note. He had just closed up shop and his anxious thoughts were overtaking him once more. Despite their argument, Stan still cared. He had never stopped caring. Even though it seemed like Ford had.

Stan folded the note up and left it on the table. Holding it wasn't going to fix anything. He wasn't even sure why he was so worried! Ford could obviously take care of himself.

Yet.

Ford also wasn't one to overestimate. If Ford said at most that it would take a week, then at most it would take a week. He'd always been like that. If he said it would take him an hour to finish his paper, then that's how long it would take. Now sure, he would fuss over it and stay up way too late going over it over and over again, but still. It was finished.

Stan was about to get up and try and distract himself when the kids walked into the kitchen. They looked up with matching smiles.

"Hey, Grunkle Stan!" Mabel bounced from the doorway.

"Hey." Dipper gave him a half-wave.

Stan grunted and tried to move past but was hindered by a Mabel. She frowned.

"Grunkle Stan! You can't leave yet, I haven't gotten to question you what we're gonna do about your sad face!" She pouted and Stan cocked a brow.

"Uh...what?"

Mabel rolled her eyes and pointed at the chair, a 'no funny business do as I say or I will glitter you' look in her eye.

Well, guess this was as good a distraction as any. He sighed,

"What is it you want? Money? I already taught ya both how to forge it." He crossed his arms and leaned back in the chair, wanting whatever Mabel wanted to get to the point.

She sat in a chair across from him and then dramatically stood up again. "Grunkle Stan, you need to go on a rescue mission!" She declared, both perfectly serious and dramatic.

Stan stared uncomprehendingly. "Uh, what was that? Dipper, what did she say?" Stan looked to Dipper for help, who had been nodding along with his sister as he prepared sandwiches on the counter.

"You heard her. We- well, you need to go rescue Great-Uncle Ford!" Dipper gestured to the note on the table. "We've read it to and we both know that Great-Uncle Ford was supposed to be back by now."

Stan looked to both of them, surprised written all over his face. He knew they'd noticed, but he didn't think about actually doing anything about it.

"You want me to...go on a rescue mission for Ford? Kids, I don't think that's a good idea." Stan rubbed at his neck uncomfortably. "I mean...I know the forest pretty well, but I have no idea where to start! Plus, who said Ford needed rescuing? Don't you two do stuff like that or somethin'? Why me?"

Mabel grinned, "So you two can make up, of course!" She paused, "Hmm, and to make sure he's okay too. Even crazy fit science adventurers can get hurt." She gasped, eyes wide and pleading, "Grunkle Stan! What if he's hurt! C'mon, now you have to rescue him!" Mabel hug on his arm. "PLEASE?!"

Stan shook her off and chuckled. "Fine! Fine! I'll go! Just don't rip my arm off before I even start!" Stan stood up before glancing down again. Dipper was holding a plate of plastic-wrapped sandwiches.

He smiled sheepishly, "For the trip. It might take a while." Stan took the plate and the kid ran off again. Before Stan could figure out what to do next he came back in with a bag. Stan stared at it in horror and jumped,

"Kid! Where'd ya find that thing!?" It was a red duffle bag. Obviously worn and battered from years of use. Dipper's brow furrowed in confusion at his outburst.

"I found it. I figured since Great-Uncle Ford took the camping bag, that this would be big enough. It looks a little torn up, but I thought it would be fine." Dipper's head cocked to the side,

"Is it not okay? I already packed it..."

Stan's horrified expression worsened, his jaw-dropping and Dipper's mouth snapped shut. Mabel tugged on his jacket sleeve.

"Grunkle Stan?"

Stan snapped out of it, flinching away. Mabel stepped back, but Stan just smiled in apology and hesitantly took the bag from Dipper.

"No, it's fine, kid. Just...ah. I don't associate this bag with much of anything good. That's all." Stan swung it onto the table and unzipped it on one fluid, practiced movement. He muttered under his breath.

"Thought I threw this thing out..." Stan shuffled through everything Dipper had packed it with and raised an appreciative brow. He turned to Dipper with a grin,

"Hey, you thought of everything!" He huffed and flipped the hat off Dipper's head with a quick flick of the fingers. Dipper grinned as he went to catch it. "I'll make a criminal outta you two yet!" Stan zipped the bag back up and hoisted it over his shoulder.

Dang, this was not something Stan had wanted to feel again. He hated how familiar it felt sitting there.

...

After making sure he was prepared {even though prepared meant heading off into the woods with limited supplies and no idea where he was supposed to be heading,} he stepped outside the door and took a deep breath.

It's just an adventure- right? You're not homeless anymore...you're doing this willingly. Stan swallowed hard and took a step forward.

I'm coming, Ford. I'm coming.


This is for my girl, Fantasy Magic! I was supposed to upload this ages ago. It will continue, I actually have an idea of where it's going! SO...enjoy I guess.

Stan: Stick and Stones may break my bones, But my fist can break your nose.

Ford: What? That has nothing to do with anything.

Stan *blinks*: What?

Ford: ...were you asleep?

Stan: Uh...maybe?