The Cipher Fighters: Finding Mabel
Chapter 21:
Eventually, morning came back to Gravity Falls. Dipper and Wendy returned to the shack, covered in dirt, sweat, and scratches. Gideon dashed over to them.
" Anything," he asked, hope sparkling in his eyes.
" No," Dipper shook his head. " No sign of her, yet."
" We only managed to search within a five mile radius," Wendy continued, setting down her backpack. " We couldn't go any further, because a dumb mountain lion was nearby. Yeah, we'll be going back later on tonight for another search."
" Oh," Gideon looked down at the floor, frowning.
" Hey, don't worry," Dipper assured, placing a hand on his shoulder. " We'll find her. The creatures of the forest are helping us search for her as we speak. They'll tell us if they see anything."
Back in the forest, Mabel was sound asleep in a little hammock, toward the canopy of a tree. Dozens of gnomes crowded around her, watching and waiting. The woman's eyes fluttered open, landing on the group. She widened her eyes and yelped, sitting up. The gnomes stared at her, smiling. Mabel raised an eyebrow.
" Uh, hello," she greeted, waving a hand.
They kept gazing at her, still grinning.
" This is kinda awkward," she placed a hand on top of her head, chuckling and looking away. " I, uh, think I should be going now. Thanks for the bed. Bye."
She started climbing down, branch by branch. The gnomes followed and met her at the forest floor, standing behind her. Mabel turned around and waved goodbye, forcing a grin. She turned to leave, but one of the gnomes stood in front of her. He held out an apple. Mabel picked it up, cradling it.
" I suppose I could stay for breakfast," Mabel shrugged.
The gnomes led Mabel to an area behind the bushes. They gathered around some tree stumps, where an assortment of food was placed. Mabel looked around before choosing a stump to sit at. Once she sat down, she began eating. Another gnome approached her, holding up a crown.
" Is that for me," Mabel questioned and the gnome nodded.
" You are the guest of honor," the gnome uttered.
Mabel put the crown on top of her head and squealed, grinning widely.
" Thank you," Mabel chimed.
" Oh hail, Queen Mabel," the gnome announced as he turned to the group.
" Oh hail, Queen Mabel," the group repeated.
" Can we bang her now," one of the gnomes asked.
Mabel choked on her food a bit and spit it out, coughing.
" Queen," Mabel widened her eyes.
" Yes, you are our queen now," Junior stated, walking through the bushes. " Our other queen got eaten by that mountain lion last week. Anyway, we are really horny right now. So, if you would just, uh, drop your panties and spread your legs, that would be great."
" You lied to me," Mabel muttered.
" Of course," Junior scoffed, rolling his eyes. " It was the only way to lure you back here. Duh."
Mabel glared at him then stood up, leaving the dining area. Junior chased after her.
" Mabel, come back," Junior hollered. " Just give it a chance. Maybe you'll like it. You'll always be satisfied."
Mabel shook her head as she continued storming off, tossing the crown onto the ground. Mabel continued walking further into the forest from there. Meanwhile, the search party expanded, allowing more coverage of the forest floor. Dipper was reading a map, while Wendy navigated with a compass. Gideon was trudging behind them, staring at the ground with glazed eyes. Pacifica was above them, jumping from tree to tree (A skill she picked up from Dipper and Wendy when they were all kids). She was in charge of looking out for Mabel and potential dangers the rest of the group may not see. Candy and Gabe were in another part of the forest. They were using a GPS device and tying ribbons to tree branches to keep track of where they were going (Neither were very experienced with the woods). Emergency crews were scattered everywhere, keeping in constant contact with walkie-talkies, while turning every stone. Helicopters buzzed by Multibear's cave, alerting him. Multibear poked one of his heads out of his cave and ducked back inside until they passed. After they passed, he dashed into the foliage, heading toward the Man-cave. The manotaurs were gathered around Leaderaur, chatting.
" I don't like these giant bugs," Pituitataur grimaced. " Only a matter of time before they swoop down and eat us."
" Well, I don't like all of these humans here on our turf," Testosoraur grunted, folding his arms.
" I hear Destructor is with them, though," Chutzpah stated.
" You think he is declaring war on us," Beardy asked.
" Destructor," Chutzpah raised an eyebrow then shook his head. " Not likely. He's not man enough."
" Perhaps I can explain," Multibear raised his voice as he stood in the cave entrance, making the herd look his way.
" Multibear, you know you are never to come here," Leaderaur growled, glaring at him.
" I know, but it's urgent," Multibear announced, approaching the group. " The humans are looking for Dipper's sister, Mabel. You know about that, right?"
" Uh," One of the manotaurs uttered, pupils going off in different directions as the others turned to him. " Maybe. He came by yesterday and told me a story about a maple tree and how badly he needed it to be some sister or something. I don't know."
" Scrotusaur, why didn't you tell us," Testostoraur questioned, glaring.
" I forgot," Scrotusaur shrugged and Leaderaur snarled, facepalming.
" Fan out and search the surrounding areas when night falls," Leaderaur commanded. " If she is Destructor's sister, she should have the same scent as him."
" Yes, Leaderaur," the clan obeyed.
" You, too, Multibear," Leaderaur turned to the bear. " We need extra eyes, ears, and noses. I won't rest until all these humans got what they came here for and have evacuated our home. Destructor and his friends and family, I can trust. The rest, kill if you must."
The multibear nodded his main head, but silently promised himself only to scare the humans, if need be.