Author's note: Of all the Gravity Falls AUs, I've made up my mind to work with one but following a slightly different path. Little to say, little to add. Let's go!

1. Monster

There was an old record playing. He knew the song well. It was so appropriate for that night in particular. "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is a classic, almost a promise of peace of quiet beyond the grave. Some place where his sins weren't hanging on the walls, right in front of all the folks. The club had gotten darker over the years but they always had the hope that things would get better, but it was a measly idea, Fids knew it. Just like hiding whisky inside a milk can. Always gets rotten, whether you like it or not. Especially in that club, where things always seemed to take the wrong turn.

Fiddleford McGucket, the club's geek and one of the men on top, stared blankly at his glass of whisky, wondering if the boss would consider his offer or not. You could never tell with someone like him. Black magic was his only safe bet now, despite the income and alcohol. No new gadgets or booze mixtures, just some chalk drawings and chicken blood all over. Blasted voodoo! Who believed in such hobo talking anyway? There are no such things as loas or magic. It's just some slave's drunk ranting! It is based in no real facts. It will never be like science! Stat. Sh…

Clonk! A sudden bang startled him. A gun shot? So early? No, it was just Stanford Pines, his colleague and the boss'favourite 'pet'. The guy could have been a brilliant scholar if it weren't for his bad taste in choosing friends. Fids sneered. The guy was a genius, a tortured one but sharp. Sometimes the best weapons have flaws, thought McGucket to himself as he looked at his friend. Perhaps Bill thought the same about Ford and made him his favorite because of that. Midnight meetings, secrets and who knows what? Fiddleford felt slightly jealous. Still, tonight it was different. The man seemed to be hiding from someone. His six-fingered hands were shaking as he clutched something close to his chest. Fids blinked. It couldn't be, right? Had Ford made it?

"Are you crazy, Sixer? You wanna see us killed?" the thin man chided before turning his attention again to the object. It was red with gold trimming and a monocle hung up from it. It was an old book, its cover in taters, but its contents were unique. "You stole it? You finally got it?"

"I had to get it back, Fids. It's my only chance to make it out alive" Ford hid it inside his coat.

"If Bill finds out…"

"He won't. He's with guests. I'll be long gone before that" the six-fingered man couldn't help it and stole a gulp from Fid's bottle.

"Gee, Six! Take a break, will you? I took me days to find the secret stash" McGucket grumbled. "I need that more than ye!"

"It's from the boss, remember? I can get you more" Ford sighed in content before lighting a cigar and dumping himself on a chaise longue. It was almost midnight. Bill was busy with his my guests and life seemed good for a change. "All I need now is some time off, that's all. The Northwests are getting to close to our turf. It's time to make tracks" the six-fingered man began to play with his best blade.

"You brother won't like it, Six. If he ever finds out that is"

"See if I care, Fids. He didn't give a… Never mind! He picked a girl over me and never looked back, nor will I. I got my findings, he's got nothing but his gloves and booze" the scholar gritted his teeth.

"He's your twin, for Heaven's sake! He came just yesterday looking for ye!"

"Wait, wha?" Ford was now really startled. "Stan was here?"

"Yes, I told'im that you were gone. He's worried, Six. Stan might not be bright but he's not stupid. He knows that Bill's…"

"He knows NOTHING! If I hear you rat me out, Fiddleford, I'll skin you with me bare teeth" his friend walked up to Fids, making him cower. A yellow glint had appeared in Ford's eyes, making them look like a cat's. McGucket nodded. "Good. Now I better leave before Bill sobers up. I don't want to run into him, not now"

"And what about me, Six? I can't just hike a car to California! Bill will get ma gut for this!"

"He won't, Fids. Not you. You're too precious" Ford got up and headed for the door. "I'll write as soon as I'm clear. Get home soon, old friend. You don't want trouble coming your way" the scholar listened carefully. Nothing. All was quiet. Too quiet, in fact. Ford opened the door and they were startled to find a well-dressed gentleman of dark skin and a skull painted on his face.

"Bonsoir, gentlemen. Leaving already?" the stranger smiled.

"None of your damn business, Freddy" Ford's hand went to his gun. "Let us through"

"I could do that but on one condition" Frederick was Bill's favorite guest, a Louisianan bokor who seemed to understand the strange and twisted whims of the mafia boss. His teacher, Jose, was the most feared bokor of all and a Cimarron albino. "I could really use that book for meself"

"Keep dreaming" the six fingered man pulled out his weapon.

"Y'all might want to think about it twice, Six. Death ain't the scariest thang on this here world" the voodoo witch doctor kept on smiling. "And I know tha'little book is only one of tha three you wrote. All about ma Patrons, ain't that sweet? Some science man y'all are. Writing bout thangs ye don't understand"

"You and Pepe can save it, Fred. I ain't afraid of you lot" said Ford, but the bokor could see him shake.

"Oh, but y'all are. I know a man who believes from a mile away, Doc. And Bill is part of our little circle, so why not his dear poppet? Pepe 'The Bone Man' taught him well" the witch doctor leaned on his walking stick. Fids gulped. If Ford didn't leave immediately, Bill was going to get him for sure. Then someone knocked from the outside, or more like banged the door. "Ah! There's your guest of honor, mon ami! I won't bother ye much with it. Got Friends to feed. Just one last thang. I'll be keeping a close eye on that beauty just in case ye came to loath it. Tell me when y'all want to get rid of it, okay? And as for yer boss, fun's about to start" Freddy disappeared into the shadows. "Bonne chance!"

"Hu?" the scholar blinked. Several shots rang through the door to the upper floor. A crossfire was taking place in Bill's office and was expanding to the lower floors. Fids and his friend shared a glance before fleeing. Ford ran towards the scenario where One-Eyed Susan was entertaining the audience. The crowd was clueless at first, until the sound of guns and the falling of part of the office's floor into the stage reached them. Hell broke loose in seconds. Gunshots, blood and shouting took over the club "The Blind Eye". Fire was started in one of the tables and they all scampered towards the doors. Ford remembered Stan's visit. Could his brother really be there? There was only one way to find out. Fids was nowhere in sight. The crowd was too thick to find him.

The six-fingered scholar ran to one of the side exits, trying to avoid attention. He had almost made it, when a bullet flew past his head, scratching his right temple. Ford turned around and saw Bill staring at him with his only eye. Ford tried to run towards the doors, but his body refused to obey. Blood began to fall, blinding his side.

"Going somewhere, Fordsie? I don't think so. Not without me" the boss had an ugly wound in his side his insides fighting to break through and a gun in his hand. "I won't let you, Six" Bill's only eye shone yellow bright and Pines felt like being pushed out from his body, his mind going dumb. "You stole from me, now it's my turn!" the scholar was losing consciousness when the upper beams began to give away. The club's ceiling felt on the screaming William just in time for Ford to snap out of it and feel a bullet wound in his middle. Blood pooling in his shirt, the man walked towards the main street. The firemen had just arrived to put out the large fire, and standing near them was Stanley, still trying to find a way in.

"Oh, come on! You guys have to let me in! It's my brother I'm talking about! C'mon! Make way already!" barked the young man. Judging by his clothes, Stan had just returned from one of his clandestine boxing matches. Unlike Ford, he knew he was destined to rule the ring, like Papa had taught them back in New Jersey. "Bloody uniforms!" Stanley walked away from the main door and looked for a back alley. In his last visit, Ford's friend had told him about it. And just in time, because when he saw Ford barely standing, the younger twin had to almost fly to catch his brother. Stanford had lost too much blood already and his legs gave away the instant he could feel Stan by his side. "Sixer! Ford? What the hell did you do this time? Are you all right?"

"As… always… late… for… numbers… in time… for… knuckles…" Ford passed out.

"Ford? FORD! C'mon! Don't do this to me! It took me too long to find ya! Wake up, Sixer! Wake up, please! SIX!" Stanley held him in tears. "Help! Somebody, please! I need a doctor! Git me a stupid doctor! HELP!"

The club burnt to its bones, leaving no soul behind. The remaining members scattered and the identity of Bill's murderer was never revealed. Rumor had it that the Northwest had something to do with it, but the police dejected it. There was no point in investigating the death of a mafia boss who lived by a nickname, with no birth date nor family. Bill was only a living myth to all, but Ford. The Eldest Pines twin was fighting for his life in the bleakest infirmary with Stanley with his side. Only the book of red covers, now darker due to the blood, could proof that there was once a top-hated demon in town.

Getting the mood right for the story. Thank u Lackadaisy for being such wonderful inspiration!

More to come, friends.

Bonne chance!