Chapter 12: This is Summerween
(Emily's P.O.V)
Well everyone was in Stan's car and I was squeezed between Dipper and Mabel. As usual it was a crazy ride, ending with a crash in a handicap parking spot.
"Here we are, the Summerween Superstore!" Stan said happily and we all got out of the car and stared at the store in front of us.
"Wait, Summer-what?" Dipper asked.
"Summerween! The people of this town love Halloween so much, the celebrate it twice a year. And wouldn't you know it, it's today!" Stan explained as he pulled out a calendar.
"Do you always carry that calendar in your pocket?" Dipper asked. Stan paused for a moment.
"Yes." He finally said.
"After what I'd seen in this town, no questioning it." I said simply.
"Summerween? Something about this feels unnatural." Mabel said, uncertain of things.
"There's free candy." Soos said in a sing song voice. Mabel and Dipper beamed happily at each other.
"TO THE COSTUME AISLE!" They cheered once we we're in the store. I quickly bought what I wanted as my costume. When I turned a corner I saw that Soos was playing with the cackling skulls.
"Dude, if you like them so much, stop playing with them and just buy one." I said as I bought my costume.
"Oh yeah, good point." Soos said and the twins knocked over several jack o' melons.
"Uh-oh. Think this one's leaking." Stan said as he held a container of fake blood.
"Have the police come and eject the Pines family from the store." A worker said in a walkie-talkie.
"Okay, I'm sorry for what's about to happen." I whispered quickly.
"NOT TODAY!" Stan cried and threw down a snake bomb.
"My eyes!" The worker cried as we rushed out of the store with several supplies.
"You paid for the stuff, right?" Mabel asked.
"Of course!" Stan insisted, I rolled my eyes, knowing that he paid with a 'Stan Buck'. We quickly got in the car and drove right into an inflatable Summerween melon.
"Let move!" Stan cried as the decoration deflated and we drove off. Guess this meant, CUE THEME SONG!
Once we made it back to the Shack it became full on Summerween. Decorations were hung, candy was brought out and Soos put on his costume. I was wearing a black shirt and pants. I wasn't in full costume yet...
"I'm so excited!" Mabel said happily.
"We're gonna have the best costumes, get the most candy..." Dipper said.
"And have the biggest stomachaches ever!" Mabel finished.
"Yeah!" Dipper exclaimed.
"Haha, yeah!" Mabel laughed and the two gave one another a high-five...or four in this case since they have four fingers.
"Dude, I've never seen you guys so pumped." Soos commented.
"Yeah, you should be glad that Gravity Falls second Halloween takes place in Summer and not Spring." I said.
"Well, back at home, me and Dipper were kind of the kings of trick-or-treating." Mabel showed us a memory book of them in adorable costumes. "Twins in costumes, the people eat it up." Mabel said.
"Well, you dudes better be careful out there. It's a night of ghouls and goblins. Not to mention..." Soos turned off the lights and shined a flashlight on his face. "...the Summerween Trickster!" Soos said and dramatic music played.
"The Summer-what-what?" Mabel asked.
"The Trickster goes door to door, so the legend goes, eating children who lack the Summerween spirit." Soos explained.
"How long did this guy exist? Summerween is only celebrated in Gravity Falls." I asked.
"No one knows..." Soos said as the lights turned back on.
"Well, you guys don't have to worry about us." Dipper popped a piece of candy in his mouth.
"We've got spirit to go around." Dipper said before coughing. "Ugh! What is this stuff? I've never even heard of these brands. Sand Pop? Gummy chairs? Mr. Adequate-Bar?" Dipper asked as he held up certain pieces of candy.
"This is all cheap-o loser candy!" Mabel spat.
"Quiet your discontent, children, lest the Trickster overhear." Soos warned.
"Your cape is caught in your fly, Soos." Dipper deadpanned as he left with the bowl.
"Touche..." Soos said before wasting some wax lips. I rolled my eyes playfully and decided to put the rest of my costume on. Soon I heard the door bell ring.
"Trick-or-treaters. Quick! Give'em that terrible candy." Stan called. I smirked and grabbed my final piece of the costume. I made my way to the front door and I saw Dipper with Wendy and Robbie.
"I left my jacket here. Again." Wendy said and took her jacket.
"What's with the candy? You're goin'..." I didn't get Robbie a chance to finish his sentence cause I jumped, wearing a white hockey mask and held up a fake chainsaw.
"RAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" I screamed as I made the chainsaw activate. Robbie flipped out!
"AHHHHHHHH!" He fell backwards and stumbled away. "GET AWAY, GET AWAY!" He pleaded and I burst out laughing and lifted the mask.
"Happy Summerween." I laughed. Dipper and Wendy burst out laughing.
"Oh geez. I didn't think you would freak out that bad..." I said and calmed down as Robbie stood up.
"Yeah well, I was just messing around. Totally wasn't scared of that toy." Robbie said.
"Who said it was toy?" I asked sinisterly and Robbie stepped backwards. I laughed again. "I'm just messing with ya. It's a toy." I said.
"So you going trick-or-treating with the kids? Lame." Robbie said.
"Uh duh! It's my first Summerween in Gravity Falls. Same with Dipper and Mabel. Plus: free candy." I said as we walked back up the steps of the Mystery Shack.
"Yeah, I guess that makes sense. Hey if you guys get the chance, you should come to this party with us. Tambry's parents are out of town, and it's gonna be OFF THE CHAIN." Wendy said.
"Maybe we'll swing by later. Depends how fast we move." I said.
"Yeah, I'll check with Mabel. Maybe we'll see you there." Dipper said as Wendy and Robbie hit in the van.
"If you're not too busy playing dress up." Robbie scoffed, and Wendy elbowed him.
"Have fun tonight! Hope you can make it!" She waved as they drove off.
"So you're going trick-or-treating?" Dipper asked.
"Yeah, I love Halloween. Something tells me I'll like this to. Georgia and I even helped around with a haunted house at the orphanage." I explained as we walked in the Shack.
"Wait, you mean your sister?" Dipper asked. I flinched for a sec then relaxed.
"Yeah, we dressed up every time we could. One time I was a 'computer virus' while she was 'snap-chat'. It was fun." I said and Dipper nodded.
"Sounds cool. Welp I better get in my costume." He said and walked up the stairs. Soon Candy and Grenda showed up and Mabel happily greeted them.
"Grunkle Stan, these are my best friends, Candy and Grenda." Mabel introduced.
"I am so sweet I could eat myself." Candy joked, earning a laugh from me.
"Hello, Mr. Pines!" Grenda greeted.
"You got a cold, honey? Something wrong with your voice there?" Stan, now dressed as a vampire, asked. I quickly nudged his shoulder.
"What do you mean? Why would you say that?" Grenda asked. Stan said nothing and waved his cape, walking off.
"Is Waddles coming with us?" Candy asked.
"I wish he could, but he has some very important meetings to attend!" Mabel giggled. Waddles then walked in wearing a suit. He then ran over to Mabel.
"File these documents under 'I', for 'I have a curly tail'!" Mabel laughed and the girls giggled.
"What about your brother?" Grenda asked.
"Oh man guys, just wait until you see Dipper's costume! It's amazing! Here he comes now!" Mabel said and I gasped as Dipper came down the stairs, dressed as peanut-butter!
"Introducing, for the first time ever, Peanut-butter and Jelly!" Mabel announced.
"Awww." The rest cooed.
"I will make you internet famous." Candy said and snapped a photo of the two.
"Wow nice job guys. You really pulled that together quickly." I said, impressed.
"Aw, shucks. Hey are you coming with us?" Mabel asked.
"Yep, first Summerween, free candy. I don't see a reason not to go." I shrugged.
"I guess this place is filled with Summerween Spirit!" Mabel said happily and then their was a knock on the door. Dipper then answered it.
"Trick-or-treat." A creepy voice asked and I took a good look at the Summerween Trickster.
"Uh...dude aren't you a little too old for this? To do it by yourself I mean..." Dipper said.
"Just give him the candy." I said and tossed some in his bag. "There you go, Happy Summerween, and bye." I then closed the door quickly.
"Okay, that was a little creepy. And it's Summerween." Mabel said. There was knocking on the door again. Dipper opened it to find the trickster once again.
"Look man, just go to another house! You got your candy!" Dipper said and slammed the door. Uh oh...
"Dipper, wasn't that a little rude? Where's your Summerween hospitality?" Mabel asked. Another knock on the door.
"I'm not getting that." Dipper said.
"Well I am!" Mabel then opened the door. "I apologize for my brother, he's just eager to..."
"SILENCE! You have insulted me! For this you must pay... with your LIVES." The Trickster threatened, cutting Mabel off.
"Aww, what a cute little mask! You're a funny guy, aren't you?" Mabel said.
"Uh, he just threatened us and you pay attention to the mask!?" I exclaimed as the monster entered the Shack.
"Funny, am I?" He asked and Gorney came up.
"Twik-owr-tweet! My name is Gorney." He greeted. Trickster then grabbed the and ate him whole.
"Remember meeee!" He cried as he fell into the stomach we screamed in fear.
"Gorney!" Grenda exclaimed.
"Dude...WHY!?" I yelled.
"There's only one way for you to avoid his fate." He said and poked Candy on the head, she and Dipper clutched each other in fear.
" I need a treat. If you can collect 500 pieces of candy, and bring it to me before the last jack-o-melon goes out... I will let you live." Trickster said and he blew out a jack-o-melon that he pulled from out of nowhere...
"Five hundred treats in one night? That's impossible!" Dipper exclaimed.
"The choice is yours, children. You must trick-or-treat... Or DIE. Bwahahaha." The Summerween Trickster then crawled across the Shack's room and out of sight. We ran outside sand watched him disappear.
"Oh my gosh Mabel, do you realize what this means?" Dipper asked.
"I do. It's the most intense trick-or-treating ever! Yay!" Mabel said happily.
"Well, at least you're staying positive." I sighed.
"Who was that guy?" Candy asked.
"It's the legend Soos told us about. It's true!" Mabel said.
"Well considering what we saw in this town, not to surprising." I said.
"What do we do what do we DO!" Grenda asked, shaking Dipper. Soos then ran out.
"What's goin' on out here, dudes? I heard a ruckus. Hehe. That's a funny word. Ruckus." Soos asked, before laughing at the word ruckus.
"Soos, a monster is making us trick-or-treat or else he's gonna eat us!" Dipper explained.
"I got a picture!" Candy said and show us a pic with an adorable filter.
"When did you take that?" I asked.
"That is a Candy secret." She replied as Soos examined the photo.
"The Summerween Trickster! Oh man, dude, you guys are in crazy bonkers trouble." Soos said fearfully.
"How are we gonna get that much candy in one night? There's no way!" Dipper panicked. Mabel then stood on some Summerween decorations and clapped her hands.
"Listen up, people. Now some might say that being cursed by a blood-thirsty holiday monster is a bad thing." Mabel begun.
"I wet myself." Grenda nodded.
"But that monster messed with the wrong crew. With Candy's spirit, Grenda's strength, Dipper's brains, Emily's courage, and... Soos here, we'll get 500 pieces of candy and have fun doing it too, even if it takes all night!" Mabel exclaimed. We all cheered excitedly.
"To the streets!" Mabel declared and we started to head out.
"We better hurry, people will turn in and I don't wanna be in a dark street with a monster lurking around." Dipper said.
"Okay, enough talk." I slid my mask over my face. "It's go time." I said serious tone.
"YEAH!" Everyone else cheered.
After grabbing a wheelbarrow, we made our way through the town. I saw Manly Dan with his sons break down a door and Sheriff Blubs and Deputy Durland dressed as each other.
"I don't understand why we can't just buy our candy and be done with it." Dipper said, pushing the wheelbarrow.
"That sorta takes the fun out of trick-or-treat-or-die." Mabel said.
"I'm trying to take the DIE out of trick-or-treat-or-die. This night is supposed to be fun, not life threatening." Dipper huffed.
"Come on, of we hurry, we'll survive and still have candy left over." I assured him as we walked up to Lazy Susan's house. Some other kids has knocked on her door so we just come over.
"Trick-or-treat!" We said in unison.
"Is everyone in costume? Chimney sweep, elephant man, squeegee, ant farm, sandcastle, and black snowman! Perfect!" She said and gave us each a handful of candy.
"Enjoy!" She said and we walked down the steps.
"Happy Summerween!" We waved and she closed the door.
"Great start gang, at this rate it may only take us a hour...give or take." Dipper said as he examined the candy.
"Then let's get a move on!" I said and we walked down to the next house. Mabel's eyes then lit up.
"Dipper! I have an idea that'll up our game!" She squealed and whispered a plan in his ear. Soon we were at another house and Dipper rang the doorbell.
"Do you really think this will make a difference?" Dipper asked, before Mabel could answer a biker answered grunting.
"Hat a ta tah, Tah tah ta... TWIIIIINS!" They danced and finished with jazz hands and smiles.
"Tada!" I added and threw glitter over them that Mabel kept, for emergencies. The biker looked up happily and a single tear fell down his face. He then dumped several pieces of candy.
"Thank you and Happy Summerween!" We called as we ran off. And so the montage began. We ran all over town, collecting and counting as much candy we could get. It was actually a lot of fun! Of course people started to blow out their jack o' melons, but we kept going.
"Okay, next house." I said and rang the door bell and Toby Determined answered.
"Hello." He said and we all screamed.
"What a horrible mask!" Mabel cried in horror.
"That's just my face. This is a mask." Toby then put on a green goblin mask. "Roar!" He said in an unconvincing voice.
"Oh, yeah. That's actually better." We all said in agreement and the reporter sighed sadly. Later we continued through the town and stopped to count one more.
"498, 499. We did it!" Mabel cheered and joined. "All we need is one more piece of candy." Mabel added.
"And it's only 8:30. Perfect timing, the nights still young!" Dipper said. Mabel hugged her brother.
"Mwah! Thanks for coming, even though Wendy was going to a party." Mabel said.
"Wait, you knew about that?" Dipper asked.
"Uh yeah! I figured we would stop by after we went trick or treating, but then, you know the whole, Trick-or-treat-or-die thing happened." Mabel said.
"Oh...well we still might be able to go. Let's just get the last piece!" Dipper said.
"Dude, I'm gonna go around and grab the truck. Soos, away!" Soos said and ran off to get the truck.
"Last one to the last house is a pair of wax lips!" Mabel said and rushed off with Candy on her tail.
"Not me! Nooo!" Grenda called and we chased after them. Dipper and I followed suit.
"No fair, you had a head start!" I cried and we made it to the last house. Once we got the candy I tossed a single piece in the wheelbarrow and sighed.
"There all done." Dipper said, and Mabel looked towards McGucket.
"He has the last jack o' melon." She reported.
"Ehehe! Good night!" The old man laughed and blew the candle out. Lights in the streets started to flicker and the Summerween Trickster appeared.
"Knock knock." He said, in a deep voice. We looked up at him. "So children. Where's my candy?" He asked.
"Right here!" Mabel said and gestured to our wheelbarrow.
"What!? You actually did it?" Trickster gasped.
"Yeah, well a deals a deal. You get yummy candy, and we get to live to see next Summerween. Win-win, and Happy Summerween." I said and we started to walk away, but the Trickster stomped his foot in front of us.
"I never lost to children before, and I won't start now." He hissed and grew this extra arms, ripping through his clothes. Dipper grabbed some of the candy from the wheelbarrow, but it was just absorbed.
"That's not normal." I said quickly.
"Go, go, go, go!" Dipper cried and we made a break for it. The trickster tried to grab me, but I held my hands out in front and a green, circular beam was shot out and rippled through the street and the Trickster stumbled back.
"What in the world?" I asked and stared at my hands.
"Ahhh! Dipper!" I turned and saw that Mabel was grabbed by the monster.
"Mabel!" Dipper cried and was grabbed as well. I then realized what was about to happen and jumped out of the street as Soos crashed into the Summerween Trickster. Everyone went flying and fell down, but we're all safe.
"We're alive! Yeah!" Grenda said happily. The truck stopped and Soos went out.
"Woah..." He gasped.
"Soos!" The twins cried happily and ran over to him.
"That wasn't like, a regular pedestrian, was it?" Soos asked hopefully. I held in a giggled.
"It was the monster!" Mabel explained.
"Thanks, Soos. Phew. I'm just glad it's over, right?" Dipper asked.
"You got that right bro-bro. He just backed out of our deal!" Mabel cried in annoyance.
"I guess that guys a sore loser." I shrugged and we all got in the truck. I sat with Candy and Grenda in the back.
"Did everyone remember to put on their seatbelts?" Soos asked.
"Yes." We all chorused.
"Let's go." Soos said then started the truck and we drove off. I then noticed a,able was rubbing her bruised elbow.
"Hey, are you okay?" Dipper asked.
"Yeah, guess I fell harder then I thought. It's not as bad as it looks." Mabel insisted.
"There's probably some bandages back at the Shack." Dipper said. Mabel then glanced out the window.
"Uh, guys?" She stuttered and we all saw the Trickster reform itself to a more menacing looking beast.
"Of course it can regenerate! Why wouldn't it be able to regenerate!?" I exclaimed in frustration as the Trickster jumped on the back of the truck. Soos swerved it and he fell off, hitting a telephone pole.
"Breaks! Breaks! Breaks!" Dipper cried, pulling on Soos' cape. We crashed right in the Summerween superstore.
"Ow...why?" I groaned and saw the Trickster was right behind us.
"We have to hide!" Dipper cried and we all hid in the shelves of an isle. The Trickster then ripped the door of the truck and kept looking for us.
"It's blocking the only exit. Everyone, stay quiet!" Dipper whispered.
"Uh, like duh!" Mabel whispered back. The Trickster then growled.
"We have to escape." Candy said.
"What if it sees us?" Grenda asked.
"If only there was something we could use to cover our bodies and faces with. You know, like a disguise of some kind." Soos said thoughtfully. We all smirked as each other and quickly put on the cloaks and Skelton masks, while Soos wore a gorilla suit.
"This way! Almost there!" Dipper said and turned around. "Soos!" Dipper cried. Soos was standing right in front of the cackling heads.
"Stop!" Dipper exclaimed. "Soos, don't you dare!" Mabel warned.
"Sorry dude, today's been way too stressful. I need some levity." Soos said and pressed a skull, but nothing happened.
"Oh thank goodness. It was out of batteries." Mabel sighed and then saw that Soos wasn't giving up.
"Soos no!" Mabel and cried as Soos struggled to open a pack of batteries and pressed the head once two were in.
"No matter the score, I'm always a-head! Nyaha nyaha." The skull laughed and I face-palmed.
"Hahaha! This cackling head's the voice of a generation!" Soos laughed as he slapped his knee. The Trickster came up from behind Soos. He pressed the skull right before he was eaten.
"Hey monster!" Dipper yelled. Truck,step turned to us and we charged with several weapons, me still having my chainsaw, and attacked. I tried to cut open his stomach. Grenda chopped off an arm and tasted some stuff that fell on her.
"Salt water taffy? Gross!" Grenda spat. Dipper attacked a leg.
"What are you...? Wait it is." Dipper then realized he was tasting actual candy.
"You really haven't figured it out yet?" Trickster then picked us all up.
"Don't you recognize me? Look at my face! Look closely." The Summerween Trickster then removed his mask, revealing a face made out of candy. We all gasped.
"Loser candy!" Mabel said.
"Wait who gets rid of candy corn?" I asked, but was ignored.
"That's right! Did you ever stop and think about the candy at the bottom of the bag that no one likes? Every year the children of Gravity Falls throw away all of the rejected candy into the dump. So I seek revenge; revenge on the picky children who cast me aside. I'm made of every tossed piece of black licorice, every discarded bar of old chocolate with like that white, powder stuff on it. You know that stuff!" Trickster monologued.
"I hate that stuff." Mabel glared.
"No one would eat me. But now, I'm going to eat you." Before the Trickster could put any of us in his mouth he paused for a moment. "What is that?" He asked and Soos burst through his stomach.
"'Sup, bro?" He asked and then Trickster fell, coughing up jelly beans.
"Dudes, you want some of this?" He asked, eating a piece. We silently shook our heads.
"Wait, you actually think I taste good?" Trickster asked.
"Uh sure. I guess so." Soos shrugged.
"All I've ever wanted is for someone to say that I was...good." Trickster then began to cry candy corn. "I'm so happy!" He said.
"Crying makes it a little weird, but..." Soos took another bite out of the 'heart'. "...guess I'm still eating." Soos said, and Gorney broke free form the chest.
"'Sup, Gorney?" Soos asked.
"I've been twaumatized!" The kid said simply.
"Home now?" I asked.
"Yes!" The kids chorused without hesitation, we then started back to the Shack.
"Hey, did any of you guys see that great light when the Trickster tried to grab Emily?" Dipper asked.
"Yeah...what was that?" Mabel asked and everyone turned to me.
"Uh...I'm not sure. Guess it must have been Summerween magic." I said, everyone seemed to agree with that. Once we got back we went inside the Shack and into the family room.
"Hey Stan!" Dipper said.
"Hi Grunkle Stan!" Mable waved.
"Hello Mr. Pines!" The rest of us greeted.
"How's it hangin'." Stan said.
"Hey Dipper!" Wendy waved, she was messing around with a jack o' melon.
"Wendy!" Dipper gasped.
"I didn't see you at the party. Where were you?" Wendy asked.
"Oh, guess of git caught us trick or treating with my sister." Dipper said and out and arm around Mabel. She gave him a hug in return.
"Yeah." She said.
"The party was lame anyway. Robbie ate a lollipop stick-first and had to go home sick." Wendy explained.
"Awww, and we missed that." I fake whined and the twins tried not to laughed, but Mabel then frowned.
"Aw, man. We went to every single house, and we didn't even get to eat any candy!" She sighed.
"Candy? How's that for candy?" Stan asked and pulled out two giant bags of candy.
We all beamed happily and watched some weird movie with a women screaming and an alien. Dipper then gave Mabel a bandage on her arm and she gave him a grateful smile. I chewed on a chocolate bar as Waddles munched on some candy that was in his bowl.
"You know, kids? I've been thinkin'. At the end of the day, Summerween isn't about candy or costumes. Or even scaring people. It's a day when the whole family can get together at one place and celebrate what really matters: PURE EVIL! HAHAHAHAHA!" Stan laughed and we all cackled menacingly for a moment and then there was a pause.
"I ate a man alive tonight." Soos said simply and we all stared at him weirdly.
Later that night, I trudged into bed. And guess who decided to pop by! Please note my sarcasm.
"Hello Emerald! How've you been doing?" Bill asked.
"Do I need to call Bear-Bear?" I threatened.
"Sheesh, no need to be rude! I'm just wondering if you had a nice Summerween. Even though Candy Man Almost has you. Good thing that magic stopped him. Know anything about that?" Bill asked.
"I tell you what I told everyone else. It was Summerween magic. Nothing more." I said.
"If you say so...but I know your hiding something from me, and if you won't tell me then it must be something important." Bill said. I rolled my eyes.
"Maybe I just like my privacy, which I'm kinda lacking right now!" I yelled and crossed my arms.
"Okay, okay, I'm going. Remember, reality is an illusion. The universe is a hologram, bye gold, bye!" Bill said and disappeared. I then summoned a pillow and screamed into it.
Not all of it was annoyance, part of me was excited he actually said one of his famous quotes. Now, I just needed to figure out what I should do next. I then heard a growl behind me.
"It's okay Bear-Bear, he's gone. Let's just eat some candy." I said and walked to my plushie.
Author's Note:
YAY! I'M DONE! Okay, important things, I've started school, so we all know what that means, updates will be less frequent, but won't stop. And as always...PLEASE REVIEW!
It's gives me plenty of inspiration to keep writing and I want to know your thoughts on the chapters, so please, don't be shy!
Hourglass Cipher:...you should be. You should be...