Hello guys! I know it's been forever since you've heard my lovely voice (or rather read my words) but I'm back with chapter 2 of Through the Portal! Before we start, though, I have some things to say:

As you can tell by this being here, you guys convinced me to keep this going. I just want to thank you guys for the support you guys gave me, and I'm glad for the chance to continue this. I love you guys

It has been over a month since the first chapter and two and half weeks since I have published anything else. I'm sorry for how long it took to get to this, and I feel really bad for that. I know it's not an excuse, but the main reason I didn't get to this sooner is because my school's library was closing for the end of the year so I tried to fit in as much reading as I could, which in turn cut down the time I spent writing. I hope you guys can forgive me for that.

Back in the first chapter I had Bill Cipher enter singing "Gold" by Imagine Dragons and "House of Gold" by Twenty-One Pilots as a joke. Because, you know, it would be just like him to know a gold related song 30 years before it came out. BUT NO ONE COMMENTED ABOUT IT! It broke my heart when the songs weren't even mentioned. I don't mean to be mean, but I was kind of disappointed with you guys. Not really, but I wish someone would have noticed…..

As you guys may or may not know, I try to keep my stories as canon relevant as I can. As such, I end up having to do a lot of research and studying for details to make sure I don't contradict anything. Unfortunately for this method (but not for the show itself), Gravity Falls is jam packed with little details and clues, many of which are very hard to find. I won't lie, I missed a few important ones and a few of you let me know about it. I apologize, I tried, but I can't remember everything. I messed up, and I'll probably mess up this chapter and future ones in some way and I apologize beforehand. It's simply something that's gonna happen. But if you can get past that, I hope you will enjoy this chapter and future ones. Enjoy!

Chapter 2

"Nooooooooooo!" The triangle flew towards the portal or flying lights at an amazing speed. Despite its efforts it was too late. With a loud sound that strangely resembled a flushing toilet, the portal closed and disappeared from existence entirely. As suddenly and amazingly as it had appeared it was now gone once again.

Stan couldn't believe it. He gazed at the spot where the portal had been, mouth wide open in shock. It couldn't be true. Stanley was gone. It couldn't- it just- no- HOW COULD HE BE GONE?

The triangle tumbled through the air, his prey suddenly out of reach. Much like Stan it looked all over the room for any surviving trace of the portal, and with it Stanley. Stan scooted back under the table as quietly as he could manage. He didn't know what the fuck this thing was, but if it scared Stanley then he knew it wasn't something to be taken lightly. He could only hope he wasn't seen.

"Aw well." The triangle said, snapping his fingers in disappointment. "I had hoped I could take care of that loose end now, but if he wants to wait thirty years I'll be here waiting for him. Hahaha!" The demon's single eye pointed towards the roof, thinking. "Until that happens, I have to make sure that Glasses and Fez are subdued until I can use them. I also need to take care of these damn journals. And find the others." The strange creature giggled. "Well, it's a good thing I have thirty years!"

With a flash, the triangle turned from yellow to light blue, his hat and limbs turning pale white. He shot off like a firecracker, phasing straight through the roof like a ghost. Even through the mass of concrete and earth Stan could still hear the thing laughing. That laugh scared the crap out of him. It somehow found a way to sound TOO cheerful, like one of those psychotic clowns in the horror movies. All Stan knew was that the less he saw of that triangle the better he would feel.

All too suddenly it was deathly quiet. Stan realized he was alone, completely alone. Not just physically. For the first time in his life, Stanley wasn't there for him. That shocked Stan to his core. No matter how big of fights they had, no matter how long they were separated, the Pines twins had always been able to count on each other, no matter what. In the years after he had left, even though they had been separated by at times thousands of miles, Stan had always known that all he had to do was return to this damn town and Stanley would be here waiting for him. They were there for each other, no matter what. That was what family meant to them.

But now that was gone. It was gone, and Stan had nothing. Just an empty house in a cold, merciless carnival that pretended to be a town. Gravity Falls was truly his Hell.

Stan slowly got out from under the table. He got to his feet carefully, still shaken up by the events that had just transpired. He saw his fez lying on the ground against the concrete wall. It had been blown off of his head by the explosion of energy from the portal opening. He picked it up. "Don't want to forget you, old friend." He said raspily. He placed it back on his head where it belonged, crescent facing forward.

At least he still had this. He remembered when he had first gotten it. His dad had let both of the twins pick out something to get at this old gift shop in New Jersey back when they were kids. Being the nerd he was, Stanley had picked out a massive guidebook to fantasy creatures. Stan distinctly remembered their father being annoyed at Stanley for picking out something so expensive. Stan, not wanting his dad to be mad at him, had picked out a hat he had found for a very cheap price. He had in particular liked the little symbol on there. It was a golden little crescent, which reminded him of night, his favorite time of day. At night he could go without being seen, without being judged. At night he didn't have to face the comparisons to his brother. At night he was free, and the fez helped during the day. He had loved the hat ever since it had been placed upon his head and it had been a part of him ever since.

Good times, he thought. Everything hadn't been quite as shitty back then. Now, however...

Stan gazed around at the wreckage that the room had become. His wreckage, he realized. Stanley had left him the old place. He chuckled. Why could he never escape this damn town? His family had moved here when he and Stanley had been twelve. Stanley had instantly fallen in love with its backwards charms and deep secrets. Stan hadn't, missing their old home in New Jersey. He didn't feel at home in the trees and streams and country folk. He missed the buildings and streets, the cars and people. Oregon, and Gravity Falls in particular, just wasn't his kind of place. It never felt like home and never would.

But now he couldn't get away, no matter how hard he tried. He had only come through because of the job offer he had received at this joint up in Seattle to help sneak some illegal animals to some very rich people. It would have made him a load of money, enough to risk coming through the area. Going through Gravity Falls instead of going around would save him a ton of money in gas. And Stan would never let it be said that he let such a good bargain slip him by. In the end, he had reasoned, it was well worth the risk to save some money. Damn his greedy mind.

Even though he had only planned to stay the night the curse of the town had still somehow caught him again. Hearing Stanley's voice, seeing his face again, had erased any possibly of making it to Seattle. He couldn't abandon his brother if he was needed, even if there was a chance Stanley might not do the same for him. That was how family worked.

But now Stanley had abandoned him again, this time leaving his mess behind for Stan to clean up. Not that this was anything new to Stan.

"What the hell, man?" Stan whispered as he slowly cantered out of the room and into the next. He was greeted by an assortment of mechanical noises as the machines continued working, oblivious of their master's absence. "Why do you seem to think that I'm your assistant? I wasn't born to help you with your little experiments. Why does it always end like this?"

He reached the elevator and glanced at the buttons. They were all weird symbols from some strange language. Stan took a guess and pressed one. To his disappointment there was no reaction. He tried another, then another after that to no success. Finally on the sixth button he was rewarded by a click. The heavy metal door slowly creaked open. Stan stepped inside. Thankfully there were only up and down buttons. The down button wasn't lit, indicating that this was the bottom floor. Stan wouldn't have been surprised if it turned out that there was something else even deeper down, but it looked like that wasn't the case. He pressed the up button and the door heaved shut once more.

"It was never what I wanted, Stanley." He whispered. "I just wanted us to be brothers. You had to make us into some kind of sleuth team. But you got what you wanted, just like always."

Dad had always loved Stanley more, Stan knew. Who wouldn't? Stanley was the successful one. He had brains, and he had charisma. He was a leader, the guy you liked to have around in tough times. Stan was just his delinquent brother, the guy who only got around on his sense of humor. Everyone loved Stanley, and they simply tolerated Stan. Especially Dad.

That's probably why it hurt him so badly when Stanley turned his back on the family to work on his little mystery books, Stan considered. Stan couldn't help but hate the book he held in his left hand, with the number one painted on the cover. Behind it sat the six fingered hand that had become Stanley's trademark. Stan hated that right now too. It was just a symbol of Stanley and all of the selfish and hurtful things he had done.

"You keep hurting us even when you're gone, don't you brother?" Stan said. "After you tore us apart you just had to drag me back into it again."

But as much as he wanted to he couldn't hate Stanley. Perhaps what he had done, but not him. Stanley would always be his brother, the person in the world who knew him as well as he knew himself. There was next to nothing that could break those bonds, even his betrayal. "As much as I hate it I guess I have to play assistant for you one last time." There was a click and the elevator door opened. Stan stepped out into the large, empty house. His house now.

But I can't do that unless you are here in thirty years to let me return. Do you understand? I need you.

Stan sighed. "You didn't leave me much of a choice. I'm back in this town whether I like it or not." He chuckled. "At least now I can get away from the damn hippies."

He approached Stanley's phone and dialed a number. He had to let his employer know that he wouldn't be showing up. "Yeah, hello? Hey Diego, its 8-ball. I called to let you know that I won't be making it up there. Some complications arose and I'm out of the job. Sorry." Stan hung up the phone before the other man could answer. He doubted it would have been a pleasant conversation. And just like that, his old life was gone and his new one could begin. But he wasn't sure he was ready quite yet.

Stan walked outside. He saw his car parked next to Stanley's, a huge pile of junk squeezed into the back seat. That had been his entire life since he had left Gravity Falls, and somehow this place had reeled him back in as though it weren't finished with him. Now his old life, what had been his for the past few years, was gone. Not that he missed it, but it had been a symbol of freedom for Stan. It had been a sign that this place hadn't been able to hold onto him forever.

Look how great that turned out. Just when he thought he was free this damn place reminded him that all it had to do was call to him and he would be trapped once more. How pathetic.

Stan got into his old car and started it. He could worry about all of this tomorrow. And the day after that. And on and on for the next thirty years. For now, however, he needed to go for a drive. Hopefully it would clear his head.

He wondered what was on the other side of that portal. What would Stanley find? Was it something similar to Earth, or was it something completely new? What wonders and adventures would await his twin? Most importantly, was it safe? Stan knew full well just how long thirty years could be. Even for the most cautious and safe minded people the world was teeming with all sorts of danger. Stan doubted it would be any different wherever Stanley was going.

Stan saw the lights of the diner he had eaten at earlier. He wondered how that beautiful waitress was doing. He would love to take her on a date later. That would be nice. His mind set, Stan pulled into the parking lot.

He got out of his car smoothly, hoping he could still get something positive out of tonight. It couldn't make up for the bizarre and otherworldly things that had changed his life earlier that night, but maybe it could provide a nice distraction.

He stepped inside, adjusting his glasses and putting on his best smile. He spotted Susan sitting at a stool, looking sad. He approached her. "Don't worry, babe. You don't have to be sad anymore. I'm back for you."

She whirled around, shock evident on her face. Stan was confused. He didn't know why she would be so surprised to see him, but now he was back and ready to have a pleasant night. His smile soon disappeared when he saw her shock morph into fury.

"YOU!" She shrieked, grabbing him by his shirt. "How dare you steal my car! You dirty, lying thief!"

Stan's hands went into the air. "Whoa! Calm down, woman. I didn't steal anything!" He had no idea what she was talking about

"Don't lie to me, Stan Pines!" She shouted. "You're a thief and a grifter!" Several of the patrons had gotten out of their seats, likely to help her. Deputy Blubbs in particular caught Stan's eye as a potential threat.

Stan knew staying was a bad idea. He had to get out of here before things got crazy. He pushed Susan away as gently as he could. He had to get this crazy bitch off, but he didn't want to hurt her. As soon as she was separated he sprinted out the door. He didn't know what she was talking about, but he knew it could only lead to trouble.

"Son of a bitch." He muttered as he fumbled for his keys. "Why is everyone but me crazy in this damn town?"

Soon he was driving away from Susan and everyone else that had been after him back there. He had gotten away, but he couldn't help but wonder what the reason for that raucous was. What had Susan meant about him stealing her car? He would have remembered doing that. Curiosity soon won out and Stan pulled over on the side of the road. He got out and started walking back to the diner. Maybe if he spied for a few minutes he could figure out what was going on.

A few minutes later he was peering through the trees at the diner. He saw Susan talking with a short man. The man had brown hair and glasses and was furiously scribbling into a notebook. After a minute the short man thanked Susan and left in his vehicle. Stan wasn't sure, but if he had to guess the small man that had just left was from the newspaper.

Just as Stan was about to leave another man approached Susan. This man was hidden beneath crimson robes, the hood of which covered his face. Stan was intrigued by this mystery man. He strained to hear their conversation.

"-re you?"

"Someone who can help. Tell me, did you see anything... unexplainable tonight?"

"Actually, yeah. I made a friend today in my diner, and he left. Then he came back and acted like a completely different person. He asked me weird questions and even stole my car! Then he comes back again pretending like nothing happened. I don't know what was wrong with him."

"It's alright, dear." The man said soothingly. "Was there anything else you can remember?"

"Uh yeah. I'm not sure, but I think I may have seen some sort of flying triangle. It kind of looked like the triangle on a dollar. How crazy is that?"

"Very." The man replied dryly.

"Yeah, it was weird." Susan assured the man "It had this really big eye, and a top hat, and even a little bow tie. It just flew right by, as though it were a bird or something."

"That must have been terrible. This is something we must report to the authorities." The man said. He waved over to a van that appeared to have more similarly hooded men inside. "We can take you to the police, if you like."

Susan glanced uncomfortably at the van. "I'm not sure I-"

"Please. We insist. You wouldn't want anything bad to happen along the way, would you?"

"Well I guess not-"

"Good! Let's be on our way, then." He grabbed her wrist and led her to the van.

Stan wanted to go help her with these strange men, but he knew he couldn't. He was vastly outnumbered and he had no idea what these strange men were capable of. He had no choice but to watch.

But most of all, I'm going to need you to survive.

Just who were these nutjobs anyway? Whoever they were, it would be best to just watch what happened and report to the police if their intentions turned out to be less than innocent.

It didn't turn violent as the hooded man led Susan into the van. Nonetheless, Stan was suspicious of their intentions. He had a feeling that they weren't going to the police like the man had promised. He just wished he had some inkling as to who these strangers were. The van drove off, hooded men and Susan inside. Stan could only hope her fate was a good one.

He made his way back to his car and started it up. He let out a huff of rage and punched his car. He couldn't believe himself. That girl had been in trouble and he hadn't done a thing. He pulled back up onto the road a drove on. What was wrong with him? Sure he had been outnumbered, but that was no excuse not to help her. Was it logic that had led to his inaction, or was it something else?

Was it because he was a coward?

Maybe. But no matter the excuse, Stan knew that even though he had no choice doing nothing was ultimately the wrong thing. That girl could be hurt or worse because he didn't have the balls to act. He would have to live with whatever happened to her because it was his fault.

Stan suddenly realized that while being distracted by his thoughts he had arrived at a very familiar place. A place he never thought he would see again.

"No way." He breathed as he pulled his car to a stop. "How is this here? This is impossible." It looked just like it, but how could this be here? Somehow, someway, this was a perfect replica of Stan's favorite place in the world.

Glass Shard Beach.

"But how?" He muttered as he got out of his car and walked towards the place he had thought would only live on in his memories. "You're supposed to be in New Jersey."

It all looked perfect. The swing set, the fence line, even the ocean view. But how was this possible?

Feeling like he was in some sort of dream world, Stan sat down gently on the left hand swing. "What the hell is going on?" He had a feeling Stanley had put this here. Who else would have known about it? It had to be him.

He remembered the great times he had spent here with Stanley, without a care in the world. It had been bliss, perfection. He had been happy, as happy as he had ever been.

It made today seem that much darker in comparison.

"Dammit, Stanley," he muttered, "Why did you have to go?" He swung forward and backwards, just like he had done as a kid. He gazed up at the moon, the bright orb that illuminated the ocean below. It truly was beautiful. "I wonder if you can see it, bro. I hope you can."

He noticed a faint rustling. He glanced around. The moon was bright enough that he could see all around for about twenty yards. There was no one there. Stan looked around for whatever could have caused it, but found nothing. "What the hell?" He wondered out loud. The wind picked up slightly and he heard it again. It was close. He realized that the noise was somewhere around the swing set. He looked at all of the bars, finding nothing. He checked under the seat, discovering a small slip of paper taped to the bottom. He pulled it off. There was writing on it, but it was told dark to make out the words.

He brought it over to his car. He opened the door and pulled his flashlight out of the glove box. It came on with a click and he pointed it at the paper. In his gravelly voice Stan read,

"Dear Stanford, if you are reading this it means you have discovered the replica of Glass Shard Beach I created. It also means that I am gone. I'm sorry, Stan."

The pain of Stanley's disappearance hit him again, stronger than ever. It was like a furious fire had been lit in his chest, and he had no way of putting it out. Stan barely registered the flashlight slipping from his grip. The paper crumbled into his hand. He fell to his knees and sobbed. He rested his face into the smooth leather seat as he cried. "Dammit Stanley! You knew I would need you! You could have just tossed your damn journal into that fucking portal. You didn't have to leave! Why, you motherfucker?" he continued sobbing into the leather seat.

He stayed like that until he fell asleep, weary of the cold, unfeeling world around him.

Well, how was that? Did Dobby perform the task to master's liking? Let me know in the reviews, and be sure to follow and favorite so I can feel a brief moment of relevance before I go back to my usual mediocrity. Also be sure to check out my other stories and my friend Solo Gamer who also has good stories you would like. Before I end this, I would like to ask what you guys would like to happen to Stanley. Honestly I'm not sure what I'm going to do with him so any suggestions would be very helpful. Until next time,

-Darthlane

P.S. don't forget to turn to the dark side (we have cookies!).