Author's note: We move on and yes, I've been doing some researching about Gravity Falls and Journal 3. I'm getting a lot of interesting clues… including Dipper's real name! OMG! I really have to read that book! Don't worry I won't let out much spoilers but, boy, this is awesome!

(Throat clearing) Ok, back to the chase!

4. Two Rivers Make an Ocean

Stanley has just finished selling all the hats and a full box of merchandising. It's been a great day for sales, no matter what Ford thinks of this 'Mystery Junk'. It's true that he understands why his brother is so mad at him (or at least a little better) and that is why he lets Dipper close to him but things are still from being settled down. Ford has shown no gratitude towards him and is obviously not keeping his part of 'staying away from the kids'. Still, Stanley feels bad for being incapable of having the big talk with his twin. Is not like he had ruined something in the dimension where Ford was.

Well, it is around closing time. And where the heck are those kids?

"Wendy? Have you seen those two knuckleheads?"

"Nope" she is relaxing behind the counter. "But I admit it's getting late."

"(Sigh) I don't wanna go fetch them"

"They're probably fine, man. They have faced monsters and zombies. Chill!"

"Sure" he walks towards the vending machine. "Soos have you…?" the large man is holding a flashlight and a rope. He's staring at Stan like a dog waiting for its usual walk. "Forget it!" Stan walks down to the lab where he finds his twin dozing with his head on the table. "He! Now look who's tired!" Stanley stands near him and touches the shoulder but only gets a confusing mumbling. Ford seems to be somewhere far and by the looks on his face, not a very pleasant one. Several coughs remind Stan that his brother is still sick. "Ford? Stanford? C'mon, pointdexter! Rise and shine!" nothing so Stanley looks for something useful around the room. "Sixer! C'mon! I could use a six-fingered hand for a change! Wake up!" aha! The electric gloves! Maybe a small shock will do the trick. "Wakey, wakey, IQ!"

"No, no, please…"

"C'mon, Sixer! I promise I will go easy on ye"

"I… need… more… time"

"I need help to get those kids so wake up already!" Stan put on the gloves.

"The… plate… Oracle"

"Hu?" now that is new. "Ford? Are you all right?"

"NO!" he begins to trash and turn in his sleep.

"Ok, that's it!" Stan forgets his initial plan, grabs hold of his brother, shakes him hard and finally, slaps his face. "WAKE UP, YOU NERD!"

"Hu?" the scientist opens his eyes and stares at his brother. "Stanley?"

"No, his twin brother. What the heck were you dreaming about?"

"… Nothing" Ford makes sure that his glasses on his nose.

"Suuure. Anyway, I guess you haven't seen the kids, right?"

"No, why? What time is it?"

"Late. Dipper and Mabel should be back by now" Stanley seems concerned.

"Perhaps I can be of some assistance, if you let me, that is" Stanford gives him a emphatic look. "Where was the last place you saw them?"

"I send them to the forest to run an errand"

"…" the older twin guesses what that errand was and rolls his eyes. "Do you really have to involve them in this… your business?"

"Do you have any better idea, pointdexter?"

"They're kids. They should be playing not getting you attractions"

"And they do play and such but, they also have been all summer fighting creatures, solving mysteries and doing things far more important than just wandering the multiverse"

"Just wan… (Sigh) Stan, one of these days we really have to talk about my thirty years and trust me, it's not pretty"

"Then save it" the youngest twin frowns but cannot conceal a distress look. Stanley is sure that his brother has suffered a big deal and under that turtleneck are the scarring proves but Ford will not give him a hint, then why even try? "Though I'll need your help to find them" he adds between his teeth before walking towards the door.

"Stan, let me give you hand. We can cover more terrain if we go together"

"… Fine" nods the business man before turning to see Stanford doubled in pain with the coughing. "Ford?"

"It'll pass" he breathes slowly while speaking with a raspy voice.

"Maybe this was a bad idea. You should be in bed" Stan tries to feel his brother's forehead but he's not allowed.

"I have been through worse. C'mon!" he leans on the table and for a moment, tries to walk away from it but his legs feel like lead and his head is turmoil. His twin doesn't have second thoughts this time and helps him up the stairs. Soos is not in the living room nor is Wendy. Have they left? "I need a moment, Lee"

"…" it's been a long while since Stanley heard that nickname. He lets his brother lean on the door frame. "You sure you can do this?"

"Absolutely"

"…" Stan changes strategy and puts Ford on the chair. "There" they wait for a few minutes. "Any thought of where they can be?"

"They can't be too far"

"I hope so" they both hear a shrilling shriek. Waddles comes into the room in a frenzy and squeaks all hell loose. "What's wrong with this walking football project?"

"He seems worried about something" Ford is able to attract the pig to his side and the animal pulls from the man's coat. "C'mon!" he tries again to stand up and is more or less successful. Both twins head for the door where the little girl is talking to Wendy and Soos. "Mabel!"

"Pumpkin! I was worried sick!" Stan hugs he before getting up again to make sure his brother does not fall. "Why haven't you come back earlier and where's my new display?" Ford nudges him. "What? Oh, right! Where's that book worm of your brother?"

"(Pants) He… he's…"

"Take it easy, Mabel" Wendy kneels down to her size. "Soos, bring me some water"

"No, wait! Dipper… Dipp… Bro-bro is in trouble!"

"WHAT?" they all go breathless.

"Where? What happened?" the red-haired girl tries to remain calm.

"We went exploring and… we saw… a fox and… I thought of your story, Grunkle Stan. I thought it could lead us somewhere special" this makes the old man feel guilty. "We followed it… to a weird cave and… we were having a look and… and…"

"And what? Please don't leave me eating my t-shirt here" pleads Soos.

"Dipper felt… There was a… ravine… I… tried… but… I" she starts to cry.

"Sssssh. It's all right, Mabel. It's ok" Wendy hugs her.

"He's still down there… I… I couldn't…"

"You have done enough coming to tell us, big girl. We take it from here" the teenager looks at Stan.

"… Soos! Get the car, pronto!" Mr. Pines orders and they all get in. Mabel then spots the fox waiting for her to follow back. "Ok, which way?" the girl stick her head outside and the animal nods before running in a certain direction.

"That way!" she shouts and they start their chase through the woods.

GF

Dipper stays still while the large figure moves around the room. It seems to be investigating the boy. A small ray of light lets the child see the many feathers that cover the creature and several gashes and arrows from long ago. Dipper finds it extremely hard to stay calm but the strange animal seems to have calmed down now that they're alone.

The boy takes a minute or two to have a look around. It looks like a cave that leads into an old mine but, strangely enough, there are elements from the Mayan period and other cultures carved in the walls.

"Why did you come back?" says an old and wise voice. Dipper goes pale. What does this mean?

Leaving you on the flames! Hehehehehe! How evil of me!

Trying hard to not get into spoilers.

More real soon!