Chapter 50

Mystery Shack

After the twins had made it back to the Shack from their excursion, Dipper wanted to go straight up to the room to work out what all they saw but Mabel made him sit down and eat the lunch they had taken with them. His smashed sandwich was still pretty good for a peanut butter and jelly. Since they were at the Shack he was able to supplement the sandwich with some chips and an apple. Once she was sure he had ate Mabel let Dipper head up to the room the work on the board.

Dipper stared at the board some more and for some reason added orange trees to the board. He went ahead and added the theft of Bill's statue to the board. He also added the disappearance of the satyr Nigel, the fight with the Catmen, the death of the Hand Witch, the name Morrighan (those two he connected), Grenda and Candy's run in with the Candyman, Nate's anxiety attack (which he instantly connected to his and Mabel's attack), and his new position as the Mediator.

Mabel came into the room as he was finishing up, looking over at the board she looked as if there was suddenly a light bulb going off over her head. Looking at Dipper she said, "I just remembered some thing. I've seen trees like those orange ones before."

"You have, where?", Dipper asked as he was trying to decide if there was anything else he should add to the board. He wanted to have it somewhat ready for when Tony, Francis, Pacifica, and Wendy showed up after school.

"There was a set like them out on Scuttlebutt Island when Tony and I fought the Kitsune," Mabel said as she was still looking over the board thinking it could use some sprucing up, "And now that I think about it, I don't remember them still being there when the fight was over."

"So these trees have appeared near two of our battles, but disappear after the fight was over.", Dipper said as he scratched his chin. He went ahead and attached the orange trees to the Catmen and to the Kitsune but with a different color string as he was just guessing on their parts.

"I'm trying to remember if I've seen them anywhere else but I'm not getting anything," Mabel said as she went and sat on her bed. Something was still bugging her, but it was really just there at the back of her mind. She couldn't get it to come out.

Sensing her discomfort Palmer climbed up on the bed and started lightly rubbing the top of her head.

Realizing he was getting nowhere with the board Dipper pulled out his Journal and began writing down his observations about the Catmen. He called Mabel over to ask her to draw out a figure of one of them on the page so he knew where to not write. She pulled her phone out and began looking over the pictures she had taken and using them as reference she drew a picture that took up a quarter of the page and under it she labeled them as 'Hick Cats'. When she was done she gave Dipper back the Journal. He took time to add in what observations he's made: They were fully furred during day time so most likely not -thropes of any type, they were fully bipedal, from the way they talked they were carnivores and not above preying on humans, lack of respect for the at least one of the forest's police force, and they had some sort of modesty as the where loincloths. He'd have to go out with a group later to do more research on them.

Looking up he saw they still had around forty-five minutes till the gang should be out of school. After all the running and fighting he'd done today he decided to go ahead and get a shower.

Bunker

Looking at the size of the room they were putting together, Testosteraur knew they were not putting together another Lab room or kitchen. It was almost tall enough that Leaderaur could not only stand up in it but palm the ceiling. It was also around the length of a football field and almost half that in width. It was also one of the few rooms that had more than one entrance. There was a door on either end that led back to tunnels that eventually led back to the main room. There was also a third tunnel that had lead to had opened around two thirds of the way up the east wall that Ford and Fiddleford had sealed off with glass from inside the ship they were getting supplies from. It had already been tested to be mostly impervious. They set up some control banks and made it an observation post to watch over this room. He finally began to understand, this was going to be a room to test their mettle in combat and other skills needed in their upcoming trials.

Piedmont, CA

Kirkwood Technologies 2:45 PM

Adam Pines was sitting at his desk working on some code he needed to get done before he left next week. He had turned in his two week notice to personnel and also put in to use up his remaining sick and vacation days so that Friday will be his last day with the company.

"Pines!", he heard his boss bellow from his office. Putting his screen saver on Adam got up and headed towards the office.

"You called Mr. Sadler," Adam said as he walked to the door.

"Yes, yes. Come in and have a seat," Curt Sadler said as Adam walked into the office, "First off I wanted to pass on my condolences, I really only remember meeting Elaine once but she was a sweetheart. Next I've heard you've given your two week notice."

"Yes sir, I'm moving up to Oregon with the remaining members of my family. The kids and I feel there would be to many bad memories in the area to stay," Adam said to his boss, "They spent the summer up with my uncle and fell in love with the town. We're gonna start over up there."

"I'm really gonna be sorry to see you go," Mr. Sadler said as he reached into his desk and pulled out piece of paper. Grabbing a pen he put his signature on the bottom of it and then handed it over to Adam, "Normally I'd be trying to talk you out of this, but with the tragedy you went through just before the holidays I can understand. I've taken the liberty to write up a letter of recommendation for you. I've also talked it over with a few other higher ups and we're going to still go ahead and give you your Christmas bonus. You've been a loyal enough employee that you've earned it."

"Thank you sir, I really didn't expect that.", Adam gratefully replied.

"We know. But we also know that if you hadn't had your tragedy, you'd probably still be with the company for another ten to fifteen years at least. You've earned it Adam," Mr. Sadler said looking over at his soon to be former employee, "Now get out of here and make sure you get your work done before you head up to Oregon."

Gravity Falls

Gravity Falls High School

Nate and Lee were standing at the stairs leading from the front door of the school waiting on Thompson and the girls. They saw Wendy and Tambry walk out first which was usual, but they didn't see Thompson. They waited a good fifteen minutes before they decided to head back in and look for him. They headed towards his locker but saw he wasn't down that hall, they started to head to another hall when they heard a noise coming from the men's room. Running in the saw a Hispanic guy they didn't recognize pushing Thompson into one of the stalls. Rushing over Nate tackled the guy as Lee ran over to help Thompson get to his feet.

"What's your malfunction man?", Nate asked as he got off of the guy. Looking over he saw Lee helping Thompson get off of the floor of the stall, "You ok, Thompson?"

"I need to wash my face off and take a shower, but I think I'm ok.", Thompson said as he walked out of the stall with his head soaked. He walked back to the previous stall and grabbed his backpack off of the floor.

"Hey, jerk. You never answered me. Why'd you attack our friend?", Nate asked as he and Lee picked the guy up off of the floor.

"I don't need to tell you anything," The guy said as he spit in Nate's face.

Nate drew his hand back getting ready punch the guy but instead just let him fall to the floor and said, "You're not worth it."

"Did he tell you why he was doing it?", Lee asked Thompson. He was watching the guy as he took Thompson's bag so he could try to wipe his face off. Nate took the next sink and washed off the spit.

"He walked up behind me and said something about how a 'Dork like me doesn't deserve a cutie like Alexa', the next thing I knew he grabbed me by the back of the head and slammed me into the door frame.", Thompson said as he pulled some paper towels to the dry off. Both Nate and Lee were shooting daggers at the guy, "the next thing I know He was shoving my head in the toilet."

As the three friends started to head out of the bathroom they heard the sound of someone running towards them. As they started to turn, Nate and Lee heard was the sound of someone hitting the floor. By the time they had finished they saw Thompson rubbing his fist and standing over his prone attacker.

"Let's get out of here," Thompson said passing his friends.

As they walked out of the bathroom Wendy, Tambry, and Alexa were waiting.

"What happened in there?", Tambry asked looking at her friends and seeing Thompson looking soaked.

"Joey, are you ok?", Alexa asked as she rushed to his side.

The guys told them what happened as they walked outside. It took Nate, Lee, Thompson and Tambry to keep Wendy from going back in the school and giving the guy a 'piece of her mind' via her fist. It was only after they reminded her that most of them had to work tonight, that she was convinced to leave well enough alone.

The gang split up and headed their separate ways. Thompson and Alexa went towards his house so he could wash up and get to the theater after he dropped her off at the mall, Nate and Lee headed to Nate's house for some video games, Wendy headed for the Shack, and Tambry headed to Yumberjack's to meet Tony.

Mystery Shack

After he had gotten done with his shower Dipper dressed and went down to get a drink. Once he was back upstairs Dipper spent the next twenty minutes typing on his laptop. While he was in the shower he had had a thought. Bringing up a translation program he typed in the name Polden' Solntse to see what would pop up in Toggle translate. The language identifier showed it to be Russian, and the site translated it Noon Sun. Yet another Russian connection. He had already found that the Leshy and Rusalkii both were from Russian origins. He went ahead and added 'Russian?' under the question mark labeled Mistress.

Piedmont, CA

Wildbill's Apartment

After his interview with the Detective Wildbill drove around for a bit trying to figure out what exactly he was going to do about the Gym. He knew he was going to reopen it with Antonio in charge for now, but what about a year from now or two or three. He loves the business but with everything going on, does he really want to risk endangering his friends and students any more. He finally ended up heading back to his apartment and Started packing up his stuff. He already knows he'll be up in Gravity falls for awhile and doesn't want to leave anything down here that can be used against those he cares about.

After awhile he had most of his stuff together so he placed the few outfits he was keeping with him in a duffel bag and took it down to his truck. Once he went back up to his room he pulled his dresser away from the wall and slid the back panel off revealing a selection of weapons. Reaching into the selection he pulled out a silver bladed knife, two sets of throwing daggers, and a sickle and chain. He put those items into a second duffel bag.

Once he was done he grabbed his phone and dialed. "Hey Mabel, I have a favor to ask you."

Gravity Falls

Yumberjacks

Tambry was seated at a table drinking a soda as she waited for Tony to show up. They had decided at the reception to get together today to try and get to know each other a little bit. She also thought this would be a good way to repay him for defending her honor. As she was reading some replies to her blog she heard the door open. Looking up she saw Tony coming into the restaurant and beside him was a girl his age with black hair with a blond streak in it. They looked to be in a deep conversation about something and it seems as if he hadn't even noticed she was even there. For some reason that bothered her. She started to get up and leave, but that was when he noticed her.

"Oh, there you are Tambry.", he said waving bye to the other girl and heading in her direction.

"Yeah, I was Just getting ready to head out if you want to talk to your friend some more.", Tambry said looking away from him.

"No way, I came here to talk with you.". Tony said not noticing the color coming to her cheeks, "Besides Mary is just a classmate, I only walked here with her cause she was coming to meet her brother after school. She said he usually gives he a ride home but he had something to do after school and wanted to meet her here."

"Oh, ok.", Tambry replied looking down at her phone. She thought to herself, 'Ok, what's going on here? Why am I worried about him hanging out with another girl.'

"So, uhm, how was school?", Tony asked as he looked over at Tambry noticing how quiet she was.

"It was school," Tambry said with a smirk, "Dull, dreary, and too long. I couldn't wait to get out of there. The only thing different was someone jumped Thompson after school and tried to give him a couple of swirlies."

"What?", Tony almost yelled causing some people to look over at them.

"Calm down, Nate and Lee saved him. And Thompson cold cocked him as he tried to jump them as they left the bathroom," She said feeling a little bit of pride at her friends actions.

"Man, I'd have loved to see that.", Tony said as he looked over at the purple haired tech geek, still trying to piece together why someone as cute as her hasn't already gotten a new boyfriend after how Robbie went and dumped her after he became a jerk.

"And how was your day?", Tambry asked while looking at her phone. In realit she was trying to figure out what was going on. She paused for a moment to take a sip from her drink.

"About the same minus someone getting jumped," Tony said noticing she was still looking at her phone. She looked to be engrossed something and not really listening to him, how were supposed to get to know each other if she had her nose glued to her phone. Trying to get her attention he continued, "Pacifica saying she can't wait for the twins to start tomorrow."

"Uh, huh.", Tambry nodded.

"Candy and Francis holding hands," Tony continued.

"Uh, huh.", Tambry nodded again.

"Grenda joining the debate team," He added.

"Uh, huh.", Tambry responded with another nod.

"Francis and I making out in front of the whole student body," Tony said trying to break through to her.

"Uh, huh. Wait. What?", Tambry said with a shocked look on her face.

"Well that got your face out of you're phone," Tony said with a smirk. Then suddenly he got serious as he added, "Seriously though we were meeting to get to know each other more, not so you could continue to update your blog. If that's all you're going to be doing, I may as well head home."

As he started to get up she reached out and grabbed his hand, "Wait."

He turned to look at her and saw her place her phone into her purse.

"You're right. I'm just nervous here and I guess I use my phone like that one kid from Walnuts uses his blanket.", Tambry said as he sat back down.

"Why are you so nervous, I'm the one who should be nervous.", Tony said looking at her across the table, "I'm the one sitting here with one of the cutest girls in Gravity Falls."

Tambry blushed at that.

"Tell you what, let's go up and get some food and we'll just sit here and talk for awhile. Ok?", Tony said as he got up. Once he did he offered his hand out to help her up also.

"Sounds good," Tambry responded. If she had been looking she would have seen a Hispanic teenage meet up with the girl Tony called Mary.

Mystery Shack

Wendy was walking in through the gift shop door. Even though the Shack was now closed through the week she still came in after school a couple days a week to help keep the inventory stocked and to clean up some, or at least that was what she told her dad. In actuality Soos kept her on like this in order to give her some time away from her family. He knew how stressful it was at her home, do he didn't mind giving her a break. It also didn't hurt that her boyfriend was still staying at the Shack.

Soos comes out from the back after hearing the bell from over the door go off. As he saw who it was he stopped and said, "Hey Wendy, I was afraid we had a customer try and come in and there was no one out here to help them."

Nope, just me coming in for my shift.", Wendy said as she dropped he backpack behind the counter, "Where's Dipper and Mabel, not out adventuring still I hope?"

"Nah, dood. Last I saw they had went up stairs after they ate lunch," Soos said as he headed back into the back. He was working on coming up with new attractions for the following spring and summer.

Wendy headed up the stairs two at a time, making sure the creaky one was one she missed. As she neared their door she saw a glow coming from under the door. Worried something was going on she jerked the door open and looked around and saw a surprised Dipper staring back at her.

"Whoa sorry man, saw the weird light and got worried.", Wendy said as she saw Dipper's shocked face.

"No, problem.", He said once he was able to speak, "That was Mabel. She's heading down to Piedmont to help Wildbill move some stuff up here. He's gonna stay in one of the rooms in the Bunker and doesn't trust leaving everything down there."

"Ah. So what are you working on right now?", she asked seeing his mystery cork board out and in use.

"Just trying to see if I can put some of these pieces together," Dipper said as he walked over to the board while she looked at it.

"Orange trees?",Wendy asked looking at one of the weirder entries on the board.

"Yeah, twice now Mabel has seen some orange hued trees near one of our fights, only for them to be gone when we are done. I'd wonder if she had gotten into some Smile Dip if I hadn't seen the trees myself the second time," Dipper responded.

"Ok, and what about this possibility of the Mistress being Russian?", Wendy asked as she pointed towards the center note.

"Well you've fought two different types of Russian based entities that were connected to the White Knight, who we know works for this Mistress. And then there's Polden' Solnste which according to Toggle translate means Noon Sun in Russian," Dipper said scratching the back of his neck, "That's too much to be a coincidence and I really don't believe in coincidences anyways."

"Wait, there was a statue of Bill in the Forest and now it's gone?", Wendy asked.

"Yeah," Dipper sighed, "We just found out about it earlier, while we were out. But according to the people we talked to it was inert and gonna take nearly a millennium for him to gather enough power to even appear in his own dimension let alone here."

"Well that's somewhat comforting, but why steal it if he can't comeback for that long?", Wendy asked.

"If we find out who did it, we'll ask them.", Dipper said with a wane smile. He was looking at the board when something clicked to him. He rushed over to his laptop and after typing for a few seconds he looked over at her and said, "I think I've figured out who the Mistress is."


Chapter 50 is in the books. Next chapter will have more action in it. I had some planned, but the character took over the story again. Just clear something up Thompson's first name is Joesph.

Well, soon I may be going to a more sporadic schedule or taking a small hiatus. I will try to keep to my normal schedule but I have to be moved out of my current house by the 30th. This means I will have to take time to pack and move. This is going to be even more problematic as we don't currently have a place to move into. My phone may also be turned off sometime after the 20th, prob closer to the 24th. I will post whenever possible after my phone is off. Life is just really kicking my derriere.

The names so far:

Shifter/Dipper – Shapeshifter, highly intelligent.

Will O'/Wendy – Spectral powers, naturally athletic.

Glamur/Mabel – latest in a line of mystics, intelligent but artistically inclined.

Freerunner/Tony – Peak physical condition, muscles & skin density increased, intelligent.

Flux/Francis – Transmutation, highly intelligent (biological studies).

Charger/Pacifica – Battle armor, rich, secret sci fi fan.

Vaccine/Nate – toxin/antitoxin production, immunity to poisons, viruses, and toxins.

Delphi/Tambry – Team hacker and communications expert, Techno-Shaman.

Schematic/Candy – Gadget creator, highly intelligent, trivia queen (I know I need to include this third one some :-) ).

Also remember to check out my other Gravity Falls works:

Gravity Heroes: Sidetracks, a series on one shots & drabbels that are stories that are in the Gravity Heroes-verse but aren't necessarily required to read the main story-line. It's essentially my take on the classic Marvel Comics Presents. Chapter Seven follows Wild bill after he returns to Piedmont and delves into a few of his past lives that were re-awoken by Polden' Solntse.

I also would feel honored if any of my works inspire any art. If the do I would love to see them. Thanks again to all who have read this far. I have received art now from Deviou5, Siryleleen, & Polydactyly Zodiac. These will be posted soon in my Deviant Art account as fan art and credited to them. Thanks again you three. I'm happy to see different interpretations of the characters from the GH AU. Let me know by PM if you do and I'll send out a list of the full descriptions to you. The art is now up at fereality. deviantart just remove the spaces. A new pic of Yami is now up.

Again I'd like to give a shout out to EZB, SuperGroverAway, ddp456, & A Pleasant Dream (formerly Popcat131). It was their stories that made me want to get back into writing and to want to start with Gravity Falls. Please check out their stories if you haven't already.

Please review. I'm always open to constructive and helpful criticism, though if you're gonna troll please move on.

On to the reviews. Without further adieu:

Reader The Keeper of Worlds: Thanks. Glad you liked the art, Sirkylelenn was the one responsible for getting the artist. The expansion starts now. ;-)

Reader Rdk3: Thanks. Mainly they were made for throw away critters. I needed some throw away jerks and I thought some red neck cat people would be a little funny.

Glad you're back. The pieces are almost all together for this story-arc, plus setting up some for the next one. I'm sort of proud of the work I'm putting in on the gang. Yeah, I had someone question if he was just working with the gang just due to his honor or whether he was truly trying to revoke being manly, so I decided to flesh him out some more. May bring Multibear in for that. As for Ford's knowledge of being a freak, well I certainly know how it feels myself and found that part easy to right. When you leave out all of the scientific stuff, he's actually the third easiest person for me to right, as he and Dipper remind me a lot of myself. I was a freak through most grade school, I was the nerd in a class of nerds. And I had to be tested in order to be there, IQ tested in the 160-170 area if that says something (not trying to brag cause believe me it's never really helped me that much).

The reveal will becoming soon and it won't just be at school. The statue and Bill are now gone. They are visiting some people that make a demon mafia look like a preschool class. If you want an idea look up the cities I wrote he messed up in. Stan will be around, tossing the cons in here and there but this is the fall and winter season which is usually the slow period for most tourist shops. He will be conning some in town, but thanks to his help during Weirdmageddon people actually respect him some so the cons won't be as frequent. Now once Pacifica comes out to her family, if they cause trouble we'll see some big con work going on. He's already accepted her as family (started during Weirdmageddon, her dating Mabel has added to it) and we all know the lengths he'll go to for family.

James can be one, we'll just have to see how that progresses.

Reader Polydactyly Zodiac: Thanks. Nope, no lie. Where would the fun be if I told you what was gonna happen.

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