Hello, folks. This is Tad Strange again.

Unlike my last message, I'm just covering for the author right now. She says that she's too busy with improving her science grade to talk to the readers, so i'm posting this short chapter for her. I don't see what the big issue is, though. I mean, why do people even go to school?

Anyway, she wants the readers to know that she's your average 8th grader, so she has no experience in high school or college graduations.

Oh, and before I go, one important warning:

a DaRkNeSs ApPrOaChEs, A dAy WiLl CoMe In ThE fUtUrE wHeN eVeRyThInG yOu CaRe AbOuT wIlL cHaNgE.

Until then, I'll be watching you!

-TaD sTraNgE

Chapter 5 - Graduation Gift, I Guess?

"You, Mason Pines, are now a Bachelor of Philosophy."

Applause and cheers echoed through the crowd as he stood holding his certificate, smiling wide and proud. He walked back to his seat, but was attacked with a surprise hug from a certain 'somebody'.

"Dipper! Ohmigosh, Dip n' Dots, you did it! You got your Bachelor's degree! Speaking of Dip n' Dots, we have to go out for ice cream. I'm going to get every flavor possible! O M G, just wait until Mom and Dad see your certificate! Eeeeeeeeeee!" Mabel squealed in excitement.

"Woah, woah, Mabel, calm down," he said, chuckling. It turned into a more serious look after a split second when he noticed her breath smelled like something faintly familiar and sugary. "Did you drink Mabel Juice this morning?"

"Actually, I did. And I had Smile Dip for breakfast. Thanks to this guy!" She pointed finger guns at the tall blonde standing by her side.

"Bill!" he groaned. "Stop spoiling her with that stuff. It's dangerous! Besides, you're a demon. You shouldn't even be here. You're supposed to be in Gravi-"

"You're ruining the fun, Pintree." he deadpanned, but it was quickly replaced with a cheery smile and a chipper voice. "Anyway, we've got a graduation party to throw!" He grabbed his arm and started pulling him away, hat and tassel falling off in the process.

"Ow! Bill, stop! That hurts!"

"Pain is hilarious!"

"No, it isn't!"

"Yes it is!"

Dipper groaned again, but was able to successfully get away from Bill's grip by slapping his arm. "We're gonna party until midnight and get drunk!" Mabel exclaimed as they walked out of the building and into the parking lot.

"Uh, y- you're joking, right?" her brother asked with a concerned look.

"Maybe…"

"Mabel!"

"What? You're 23, going on 24, Dipper! An adult! You can't be afraid to drink at least a little alcohol." His sister said, looking back at him.

"That's peer pressure, you know. That- That's just cruel."

"Pinetree's got a point there."

Then, all of a sudden a man dressed in gray was running towards them at an incredibly fast rate. "D- Dip- per! M- Mab- el! It's m- m- me, w- we've h-ave an em- emerg- emergency!" He crashed into them before he could stop himself.

"Ow." the twins said in unison.

They both slowly got back up on their feet. "Blendin?! Wait, did you just say emergency? What's going on, and why do you need our help?" Mabel asked.

"W- well, th- there's an alternate t- time- timeline out in t- the M- Multi- verse, a-and, well… Y- you th- ree ar- e the on- only ones w-who can f- fix i- it. T- Time Ba- by s-said so."

Dipper sighed, who now had his gown off and was putting it in the car. He put on his blue and white pine tree cap, hence where he got Bill's personal nickname for him from.

"I guess we're going back to Gravity Falls after all, then. This is a neat graduation gift, kinda…" he said.

"Mystery Trio?" Mabel asked.

"Mystery Trio!"