Reasons To Be Missed AU
[Book 1: Time Crawls On]
Summary: In an alternate reality from the original timeline, Fiddleford McGucket finds himself meeting up with the Stan Twins within his -and their- last year of high school. Due to his premature interactions with the Pines boys, causes a chain-reaction that splinters them into a completely different set of events. A Mystery Trio AU.
Genre: Adventure, Family, Mystery, Horror, Romance, Angst, Humor
Main Cast: Stanley Pines, Stanford Pines, Fiddleford McGucket
Support Cast: Carla McCorckle, Buddy Gleeful, Hersilia Deirdre (Mrs. Gleeful), Orrick Blubbs, Aegeus Durland, Gompers the goat, Bill Cipher, Preston Northwest, Young!Priscilla, The Gnomes, "Lazy" Susan Wentworth, Toby Determined, Boyish Dan Corduroy and family, Tyler Cutebiker and his mom, Free Pizza Boy, Poolcheck Boy, Eustace "Huckabone" Befufftlefumper, Experiment #210: The Shapeshifter, Celestabellebethabelle, Summerween Trickster, and Ma and Pa Duskerton.
[Arc 1: A Different Start]
Chapter 1: True Friends Are Hard To Come By
"Hey, Hey! Psst."
A boy in his bed groaned and turned away from the bothersome, whispering voice; his eyes and nose scrunching up.
"No, come on. We gotta get up, Poindexter! Today's gonna be a great day, I just know it!"
Sensing the pointlessness of attempting to sleep through his brother's urging, the boy twisted back around and opened an eye.
"Since when do you want to get up early, Stanley? It's just another school day. What's so special?"
Stanley scoffed and got down from the side of their bunk bed.
"You're right, it's just another boring school day —However! This is the day I'm gonna ask my girl out to the prom!" His eyes lit up and he gave his still-sleepy brother a beaming smile. "This day is gonna be the best in the whole year, 'cause this will be our first public outing. It will officially make us a couple, Ford." Getting off his bed, Ford rubbed his eyes and reached for his glasses.
"I was under the impression that you and Carla already were "officially" together. Have you two not been going out on dates since February? It's going to be the end of April soon, Lee. I'd say you've gone "public" ages ago." The brawnier twin crossed his arms and watched as his nerd moved to and fro, getting ready for the day. Stanley, himself, had chosen to get ready before waking his brother.
"Well… we are. We just haven't ever done girlfriend-y, boyfriend-y things at school. We'd be an "official couple" in front of the school and cement our relationship."
"I don't really think it matters if our fellow students know." Ford took the time to give his brother a worried look. "Since when do you care what our peers think? Is something going on between you two? I like Carla, It'd be a shame if you frightened her off."
The brainiac laughed when Lee gave him a light shove.
"Yeah, yeah, yuck it up while ya' can." The troublemaker rolled his eyes, trying to keep a smile off his face. "And nothing's wrong… I think. I just don't like how that stupid "flower-power", poofy-pantsed wimp keeps lookin' at her."
"You mean, Thistle Downes?"
"Yeah… look, we gotta get to school earlier than usual, so that I can ask Carla before first period."
"Why so soon?"
"No reason."
At Stanley's forlorn look, Ford couldn't help but think something else was going on that his brother didn't want to admit. Instead of asking, the brainiac merely patted his shoulder before heading toward their shared room's door.
"Let's go see what's for breakfast, then we'll head out for school. Like you said, today's going to be great!"
"Heck yeah!"
Being driven by Stanley to school, as usual, was a hectic and dangerous affair. Not that it fazed Stanford anymore, as he allowed his body to move side-to-side with his brother's corybantic swerving and illegal speeding. It was a wonder how they hadn't crashed, yet, in the three to four years his twin had bought the car.
At least, he supposedly bought it.
The Stanmobile had merely been a thought process in Lee's mind one day and an actual, working car the next. Who knew where and how his brother attained the vehicle?
Ford wasn't exactly inclined to figure it out. Such as it was with a kleptomaniac for a brother.
"EY, MOVE IT! YOU DRIVE LIKE MY GRANDMOTHER."
"I think that is a grandmother, Lee."
"Oh."
Ford rolled his eyes at his bro's antics and continued to read through the textbook in his lap. He had a test coming up in English and hadn't gotten around to getting through his third re-reading of the contents, overachiever as he was. He had, instead, wasted time yesterday evening by attending to his twins whimsical shenanigans.
He didn't really blame Stanley, however. Not everybody was as intellectually inclined as he was.
It wasn't long at all until the Stanmobile swerved into a parking spot in front of their high school; cutting off another student, who honked, shouted obscenities, and drove off in search of a different spot.
"Haha, that's right, sucker!" Lee grinned at his rear view mirror, while turning off his beloved car. Ford chuckled and opened his door, making sure to grab his backpack.
"Come on, Lee. Before you've angered the majority of the parking lot."
"Aw, what, Sixer? Afraid of a good ol' throw down in front of the school? Get some practice in before our next boxing class."
"You, of all people, know that I'm not one to get physical if I don't have to. That's more of your thing."
Locking the car, the two made their way to the front door of the school. Passing by a whole assortment of teenage cliques and keeping to themselves.
Making their way into the halls, Lee sped up a bit and began to haphazardly walk backwards.
"With all that heavy textbook carrying and a bit more effort into boxing, I'd think you'd make a decent fighter."
Ford made a face at Lee, before they stopped at their shared locker.
"I don't want to put effort into such brutish things. My time, and yours by the way, would be better spent in our studies. If you put half as much time as you do in your boxing, into your schooling, you'd probably not be failing the majority of your classes."
"I'd probably not be failing them, if you'd've continued to just do my homework for me." The brawnier brother argued, accepting the textbook that was handed to him by Ford.
"I'm not helping you cheat, anymore. You need to do your work and take responsibility for your actions, Stanley." The brainiac gave him a hard look.
The troublemaker rolled his eyes and moved away without looking where he was going.
"On that note, I'm gonna get going now. I still need to see Car— Oof." Lee stumbled back, as he had twirled away from his brother and ran into someone. Someone incredibly smaller than him —evident in the fact that the individual fell onto his back, as if socked by a swinging tether ball; all belongings strewn on the ground.
"Heavens to Betsy! By golly, I do be apologizin' for my inattention." The scrawny teen scoured the floor around him, most likely looking for the round spectacles that had flung away during his fall.
Lee picked them up and handed the glasses to him.
Ford had already begun helping, by picking up the different items that had dropped out of the stranger's backpack.
"You, uh, okay there? Didn't mean to run into ya'. Shoulda been watching where I was going, myself." The brawnier brother helped the teen up, dusting off any dust or dirt that may have picked up on his clothes. The twins noticed that the other boy had shoulder length light brown hair, a long nose, and was as skinny as a pole.
"Well, I suppose it might have been both our faults, friend." The boy gave a goofy smile and held out his hand. "Fiddleford McGucket, pleased to meet yer acquaintance."
"Stanford—"
"—and Stanley—"
"—Pines." They finished together, taking a hold of both the surprised Fiddleford's hands and shaking them with mischievous smiles.
"Most call us the Stan Twins." Lee mentioned proudly.
"I've seen you around before. This is your first year here, isn't it?" Ford gave the smaller teen a tired smile.
"Yep, I'm stayin' with my uncle, who lives here. My pa found himself a good job up somewhere in Oregon. Unfortunately, there isn't much of a high school up there that will give me the proper units that I need to get into my chosen college. So, I'm spending my senior year here, in Glass Shard Beach."
"You like it here?" The brainiac asked as his brother caught sight of the clock in the now crowded hall.
"Hey, I really gotta get going." Stan started jogging down the hall. "See ya' later, Poindexter, Fiddleford!"
They watched him until he disappeared around the corner.
"Uh… yeah. When I first got here, I was as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full o' rockin' chairs. What's yer brother up to?"
"He's wanting to ask his girl out to prom. I think he's worried that he's losing her to someone."
"I wish him the best."
"I think he'd appreciate that. What do you have for first period?"
"Social Studies with Mrs. Rogers."
"I happen to have the class right next to hers, Geology with Mr. Wrocks. Mind if I walk with you, Fiddleford?"
"I don't mind, none." He smiled. "I reckon we're going to be great friends, Stanford."
"Just Ford is fine."
"Then it'll be Fidds, to you."
"It's an honor to meet you, Fidds." The boys grinned and began their walk to their day's first class; catching up and getting to know each other.
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It was at lunch time when Ford and Fidds saw Lee. He had slammed his tray of cafeteria food onto the table, startling them, and roughly sat down on the bench. A scowl adorned his face. They could practically see the imaginary stormy rain cloud pouring above his head.
"Everythin' all right there, feller?" Fidds frowned in concern. He had set his pencil down and directed his attention away from the schoolwork that he and Ford had been going over.
"Peachy-keen." The brawny twin grunted, putting his focus at angrily poking at the mystery meat they were served that day.
"That bad?" The brainiac twin raised an eyebrow, taking a bite out of his mashed potatoes. His eyes narrowed. "Is that a black eye, Stanley?"
"...Maybe." Lee's brother sighed at his answer.
"I leave you alone for a portion of the day and you've already gotten into some type of tussle."
"You never complain with my fighting when it's keeping the bullies off you." He defended. "Besides, it wasn't like I was trying to. Crampelter and his goons decided to jump me and it kept me from getting to Carla."
"You weren't able to ask her to prom?" Fidds frowned.
"Nope." Lee gave him a curious look. "Ford told ya'?"
"If that's okay?" The smaller teen gave him a bit of an intimidated smile. Noticing his discomfort, Lee let a crooked smile grow on his face and slapped his back.
"Aw, you're fine. I don't mind!" The smile dropped. "I mean, I did manage to catch her before she went into her first class, but instead of letting me ask her, she told me to meet up with her at our favorite burger joint. Tonight."
"That's good, right? She's wanting to meet up with you after school." Fidds hoped his words gave a bit of relief to his new friend.
"I didn't like the expression she was wearing." The more athletic twin wrung his hands. "It doesn't help that I'm pretty sure I saw Thistle Leaving Carla when I reached her."
"You don't think she's breaking up with you, do you? I mean… you two have been really good for each other, Lee. I don't think I've seen you or her smile as much as when you're around each other." The more intellectually inclined twin patted his brother's nearest arm.
"But, But, what if she does kick me to the curb for that hippie nitwit?! Ugh, girls are hard work." The stout twin ran a hand through his hair.
"Y'all have known me for less than a day and we've barely interacted with each other, but still you both treat me with kindness and friendship. If she is letting you go for that Thistle Downes, then she doesn't know what she's missing out on." The twins' new friend commented with vigor. "I've had a couple run-ins with Thistle and, well… let's just say he's only got one oar in the water. She won't be happy with him for long."
The twins gave him blank looks.
"...It means he's dumb."
"Oooooooohhhhh."
"Yeah, that's true."
The warning bell rang, warning the students that their next classes were in five minutes. As it turned out, all three shared PE together and they swiftly went their way to the boy's locker room in the gymnasium.
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It was just as Fiddleford was on his way to his room, ready for bed, when his uncle's house phone rang right next to him.
"CAN YEW GET THAT, FIDDS? I GOT MY HAND STUCK IN THAT ONE VASE AGAIN!"
"HOW DO YA' EVEN LIVE, UNCLE HUCK?"
"THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION, SONNY."
The southern teen chuckled and answered the phone.
"Howdy, to ya. This is Fiddleford, Huck's nephew. Can I help ya?"
"Fidds, it's me, Ford! I didn't know who to turn to with this, but… you seemed to have pretty good advice. Turns out, Carla really did break it off with Lee and I have absolutely no idea how to get him out of his slump. I've never seen him so unresponsive and my parents went out on the town, can you help me out here?"
"Oh, donkeyspittle…"
A couple weeks into the three's new friendship, and they had already fallen into an easy schedule with each other. It was like they were all pieces to the same puzzle.
The fiasco with Carla was a rough spot for Lee, but it wound up turning out okay after the first week. The southern-born teen was happy that he could help Ford out with his brother. He had wondered what their parents were doing in all this, but decided it was too early to question a potential sore spot.
It also didn't take long for Fidds to learn how hard school was for Lee.
"I bet you think I'm pretty stupid, huh?" Lee tried to joke, but the scrawnier teen could see the hurt in his eyes.
"No. I just think a different approach to learning is in order, is all."
"A different approach, how so?" Ford cut in, very much for his brother getting more help in his studies.
Fidds thought hard about Lee's personality.
"Well, perhaps something more hands on and tangible? Or somehow be able to relate the work to real life? Does that make sense?"
"I think I know what you are getting at and believe it to be a viable solution!"
"I stopped listening at "different approach"." Lee was picking an ear.
The geniuses rolled their eyes.
"We should also see about getting him better at paying attention, even if he doesn't want to." Fidds turned to Ford, who nodded.
"Agreed."
The two nerds decided to start practicing their tutoring theory within the walls of the school library; dragging the reluctant amateur boxer along with them. The three set to work in bringing in the boxes, from the Stanmobile's trunk, that carried items that Fidds and Ford had scrounged up.
"Geez, what did you fill these things with? Bricks?" The athletic twin complained to the other two, even though he still managed to carry twice as much as they were.
"I don't see why you're complaining, Stanley, when this is for your benefit." Ford grunted as he set down the box he was carrying.
"I'm just saying. If these really are full of bricks, then I'm sure there's enough here to build a whole house! Even the library lady is giving us the stink eye." All three turned briefly at the glaring old lady. Fidds tilted his head at her and leaned to the twins.
"Are you sure that's a lady?" He whispered in hopes of not being heard. "I'm fairly certain that I see scales glinting in the light."
Ford looked to his new friend in awe.
"Y-you see it?" At the smaller boy's confused nod, he continued. "Everyone else we've talked to about the librarian being a potential reptile of some sort, shook off our accusations as crazy imaginations. You're the first one to notice, or at least admit it."
"What type of reptile, do ya think?"
"Well, we don't really think of her as a reptile anymore. Due to… let's say research; Lee and I have come to the conclusion that she is more of an amphibian."
"More like snooping in places we're not supposed to." Lee butt in, snickering. Ford swatted at him. "Like the office, here in the library, her house—" Lee's twin slapped a hand over his mouth and looked over at the librarian. Thankfully, she seemed to have busied herself with a stack of brought back books; checking them in.
"Don't admit that so close, Lee! We still don't know how far her senses extend."
"Wow." Fidds sat down and gave the twins a wide eyed expression. "Do you deal with things like this all the time?"
"Yep." They both answered.
"I even have a notebook filled with a whole bunch of notes and drawings of all the different, crazy encounters we've had with the paranormal." The brainiac twin reached into his backpack and grabbed said notebook; it was torn and dirty. Obviously used a lot and expressed many different adventures.
Taking a look at the clock on the wall, Ford nearly shoved the notebook into Fidd's hands.
"I actually need to get going. Sorry about running off but I need to get to the hardware store for some supplies, for my Science Fair project."
"Oh." The smaller teen blinked. "Well, that's nice, Ford. What's it gonna be?"
"A Perpetual Energy Sustaining Device." The intellectual twin proudly answered, before giving a quick wave. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I really need to get to the store before it closes!"
And off he went.
When Fidds looked over to Lee, he noticed the almost angry expression on his face.
"What's wrong, Lee?"
"What? Wrong? Uh, nothing. Nothing's wrong. Why do you ask?"
The southern-born boy narrowed his eyes at the other and adjusted his round glasses.
"Now, I'm not gonna force you to tell me. However, I'd like to let ya' know I'm here if you wanna talk, okay?"
"Yeah, okay. Thanks." The brawnier teen relaxed.
"It's no problem at all, my friend."
They were quiet as Fiddleford set up the physical examples of what he wanted to tutor Lee in for the afternoon. The nervous strumming of the athletic twin's fingers permeated the silence, as he tried to decide whether or not he was going to tell Fidds his dilemma.
"We had plans, y'know." He spoke up before he had realized his words.
"What?" Fidds halted in his actions.
"F-Ford and I." Lee cleared his throat. "We had plans to travel the world in search of adventure and treasure. We already have a nearly full book of creatures that should probably, honestly not exist."
He gestured to the worn notebook.
The spectacled genius looked at the notebook he had left on the table, this time actually opening it to view the contents. He was shocked at all that he saw.
"This is very detailed, Lee. You and Ford really did all this?" The scrawny boy looked up, eyes wide.
"Heh, yeah. And this was all mostly here in Glass Shard Beach, alone. Just guess all of what else is out there?!" His grin dropped and he sighed. "Heck, on our last birthday, I even got Ford this new and expensive journal —that I may or may not have swindled- so that he could properly record our findings like true explorers. But I think those plans are no longer happening. Ford's gone and trashed them."
"And why's that?"
"Because of the Science Fair. He now has plans to go to college and become some famous scientist or whatever."
Fidds pondered on his friend's words. The smaller boy could understand how this could cause the twins' plans to be put on the back burner, but not necessarily ended.
Maybe he wasn't getting all the facts?
"Stanley, I feel like there's more to this than you're letting on. Is there anything else?"
Lee hesitated and bit his lip. He didn't exactly want to appear weak to his friend.
"I-I don't… I've never…. Ford and I've never been far apart for too long. A day, tops. We've always been stuck at the hip. And— and he's planning on leaving me for some stupid college on the other side of the country!"
The librarian harshly shushed the athlete, as he had been getting too loud in his anger and frustration.
"You could always go with him." Fidds patted his arm. The other teen blinked.
"Come again?"
"I said you could go with him. What college is he trying to get into?"
"Uh, called West Tech, or whatever."
"That's quite the goal, West Coast Tech. I'm trying to just get enough credits to get into a college. Not exactly certain of which one, myself."
"The winner of the Science Fair gets a scholarship there."
"No kidding? Maybe I should sign up." Fidds chuckled and leaned back in his chair.
"The sign up slips are posted right outside the office."
"Thanks for the tip."
"Yeah, sure. Don't tell anybody about the scholarship, though. I think it's supposed to be on the down low; to keep kids from sabotaging the other's projects or something."
"I won't."
The boys grew silent again. Fidds went back to prepping the tutor session that had already gone on longer than he had hoped, and they hadn't even started! It had been a good idea, then, for them to decide to only tackle one subject before moving on to the next.
They got right to work on figuring out a better way to teach Lee on his math. Fidds figured that they would start one of the harder subjects, much to his friend's exasperation.
It wasn't until they ended the session and they were beginning to pack everything up when Lee brought his problem back up again.
"What would I do? And where would I go? If I decided to leave with Ford."
"Well. For starters, a job would be good. You could do that. And you might have to rent an apartment. They don't let non-students stay in dorms for long periods of time, if at all." Fidds shrugged.
"A job." Lee blinked. Working for money had never been on his mind before; too caught up in the clouds with his future dreams of exploration, monsters, and hot women.
"Yes."
"And renting."
"Well, o' course. Need a roof over your head, right?" The southerner chortled as he tried to fit a couple objects too many into one box.
He looked over to his friend, to give him a teasing smile, but stopped short at the vaguely panicked expression that greeted him.
"I can't get a job! At least, not a good one." Lee turned away, shoulders slumped. "The only thing I'm good at is scrubbing barnacles off the bottom of boats."
"Why would you think that?!" Fiddleford couldn't believe what he was hearing. Lee was the most confident and loyal person he knew. He was also smart and clever in his creativity during stressful situations, more so in relaxed ones; he was only having a hard time in school because he needed a different way to be taught, was all. That fact was confirmed with the tutoring they had done today. Stanley's math had been completed and Fidds was fairly certain that if they continued he'd be where he needed to be to be able to study on his own.
Stanley slowly turned back around to face his friend, head low. He mumbled his answer and Fidds came closer
"Lee, where is this coming from?"
"...The Principal."
"What?" Fidds reeled back, startled.
"I was sitting on the waiting bench in front of the Principal's Office, a couple days back, 'n he was talking about how "great" and "smart" Stanford was, to my parents. He had called them and my brother in about that secret scholarship opportunity I was telling you about. That he was rooting for my bro to win it." Lee sighed and scratched the back of his neck. "When Ma asked about me, he said: "There's a saltwater taffy store on the docks and somebody's gotta scrape the barnacles off it"."
"That is uncalled for!" The scrawnier teen burst out, causing his friend to jolt. Fidds ignored the librarian when she attempted to hush him, his cheeks burned with outrage. "Why, he's lucky he's in a high position, 'cause id've slapped him ta sleep and then slapped him for sleepin'!"
Lee vaguely understood what his friend meant by that and felt a bit appreciated.
"But he's right, Fidds. I mean, he ain't the first one to tell me I was too stupid to make it in life beyond jobs like barnacle scrapin'."
"In general or by the teachers?" The southern boy was rightly cross with the situation. How could they not see the potential in Stanley? What he was capable of? They discouraged him merely because he took a longer time grasping concepts?
"Both. Even my Pa."
"That's…! That's…" Awful. It was awful to hear. Well, it didn't matter, because Lee had him and Ford. They would stick up for him. "Well, you have me and Ford helping you, now. We'll get you up to speed and soon you'll be flyin' with the rest of the flock."
Lee gave a small smile, still feeling a little down. His eyes glimmered with the appreciation and warmth that filled his heart.
"Yeah, at least I've got you, pal."
The two boys finished packing the rest of the boxes into the back of the Stanmobile and had decided to get themselves some cream sodas at the nearest Ice Cream Parlor, for a job well done.
"What do you mean you're competing?!"
"Exactly what I said, Stanford." Fidds deadpanned, giving his friend a frown. "I'm joining the Science Fair with a project of my own."
"Wha— I— No! You can't!" Ford sputtered. He couldn't believe his ears. Didn't his friend know what was at stake? His future!
"And why not?"
"Yeah! Why not?" Lee smirked, clearly enjoying his brother's tantrum. It had been about a week now since his brother had very clearly kicked him to the curb, like a used and no longer wanted toy, for the Perpetual Energy thingamajiggy.
At least, that was how he felt.
"Lee, now is not the time to antagonize your brother. Now again, Ford; why not?"
"Because I need your help with mine. If you're competing then you won't be allowed to help!" The brainiac twin waved his arms around, as if the motions would help get his point across.
"You are more than capable of finishing your project. I've seen your blueprints and notes; they look pretty good to me."
"But you've got an impeccable skill when it comes to machines! Your expertise would have improved my work beyond "pretty good"."
"Well, shut my mouth, Stanford, cause I dare say you're intimidated."
"Where on earth would you get that idea?" Ford's cheeks were turning red.
"Well, you seemed to have been gettin' along just fine on your project without me so far. Don't see why you'd need me ta start helping out now." The southern boy shrugged. Then a glint entered his eyes, one that the other intelligent teen couldn't properly decipher. "There isn't something else goin' on that I don't know about, that could have you worried?"
"Some— something else? No. No, not at all." Ford thought about the secret scholarship prize for the winner. The one that his Principal had told him and his parents. "Know what? You're right. I can finish this project by myself and win to boot."
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Alrighty, it seems we've got ourselves a friendly little wager then." They shook hands, determination filling their expressions. Then a happy grin grew on Fidd's face. "Now, how's about we go grab ourselves a diner burger and hang out on the beachfront? I don't think I've ever properly visited all the things to do out on the docks."
"Then you're in for a treat!" Lee slapped the scrawny teen's back, causing him to stumble. "We'll take ya' to all the great haunts. What do you think, Sixer?"
The two turned to see Ford's retreating back.
"Ford? Where ya' goin'?" Fidds' smile drooped.
"If I'm going to finish my project, and beat you, then I need to use up all the time I can on it." He gave a lazy wave back at them, not even bothering to turn around. "See you later."
"Ah, forget him. He doesn't know what he's missin' out on." The brawny twin sniffed, trying to hide his hurt behind a facade of indifference. A defense mechanism that he didn't think he'd have to use for his own brother's actions.
"...If you say so, Lee."
"I do say so, Fidds. Now let's get a move on, cause we got some pretty awesome places to irritate, haha!"
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There was no place in Glass Shard Beach like the Docks. The smell of carnival food wafted through the air, sweet and thick, as hundreds of people moved without a care in, out, and around the many shops that took residence beside the seaside.
Two teenage boys practically pushed people out of their way as they half-ran, bursting at the seams with laughter.
"Did —haha— didja'ya see his face?! If he was scowling any harder, his head would have rolled right off!" Lee clutched his stomach and leaned against the wall as they stopped in between two shops. Fidds was wheezing so hard he had fallen to his knees with his forehead against the ground; he didn't have the strength to answer. His arms felt like jelly and his face ached from smiling so hard. "Oh-ho, man. You —haha— ya' look like a rag doll!"
The gruff twin's comment shouldn't have been so funny, but the two went into another fit of laughter anyways. It wasn't until both were sitting against a wall, side by side, catching their breath when Fidds spoke.
"I should really feel bad for messing up his foyer. I doubt his employer is gonna be happy."
"Nah, he deserved it, trust me. This one time he called my mom up with something about how I "destroyed his kitchen" and set fire to his "precious Petunias" within the garden at his house."
"Did you?"
"Well… Yeah. But how was I to know that the manager to my Pa's favorite restaurant just so happened to be Crampelter's dad? I got the whole family banned and didn't hear the end of it for months after." Lee rolled his eyes.
"Why does Crampelter and his friends go an' pick on you and Ford? I don't think I've ever seen those three mess with anyone else like they do ta you two."
"They were really bad bullies back in elementary school and Crampelter didn't like how I would always stand up to them. He figured out pretty quick that the only way to get me bothered was by messin' with my bro. I'm not exactly sure why he still goes after us, when he's mostly quit bullying."
"Maybe it's the familiarity of it? You gave him the worst trouble, so he hurts you more than most and he's too prideful to apologize. So now he just does what's most comfortable: bully and belittle you."
"Sounds like a better explanation than I would've ever given." Lee shrugged and got up. "Alright, breaks over. We've still got a few more places to visit before nightfall."
They returned to their walking and sightseeing; something they had originally been doing before deciding to mess with the restaurant. A thought got caught in Fidds mind. He decided to voice it.
"I wonder how Ford is doin'?"
"Who cares?" Lee frowned, shoving his hands in his pockets and kicking a rock away. "Not like he's wondering about what we're doin'."
"I highly doubt that, Stanley." The smaller boy shook his head. "He's gotten himself in a right tizzy about all this Science Fair nonsense. I'm worried."
The athletic teen sighed at his friend's insistence.
"How's your project doing? I don't think you've spoken more than a word on what you're plannin'."
"You know that idea I had about portable computers? Well, I'm goin' ta finish it right up and present it at the fair."
"Ha! Aren't you already almost finished with that? Isn't it lucky for you that you're already an inventor. No wonder Poindexter's sweatin' bullets!" Lee's shoulders shook with his laughter, pretending dramatically that he was heavily affected by Fidd's playful shove.
"It's probably a bit unfair, but I'm not exactly shootin' for the prize like your brother. If he wins, great! If I win, great! Either way, I won't be too bothered by it."
"And if somebody else wins?"
"Great! Now, let's go bother your brother."
"Ugh, fine."
A/N: Hello and welcome to my story!
Important: I would like to make it clear that this is an AU of my own creation; based off and inspired by many other created AUs within this fandom. While I do like to stay as close to canon as possible, there is always something that I like to add and/or change.
One big difference, Shermie does not exist in my AU. This was first truly started in my mind before anybody realized that the Mystery Trio wasn't a viable theory. Before it was realized that Stan isn't possibly the twins' secret grandpa.
Another big difference, is that my GF AU is connected to my IZ AU; however any big crossovers between the two will be in their own fic later down the line. However, I will have Professor Membrane within this story, playing a pretty small role. He'll be taking the place of Shermie, essentially.
There will be OCs in this; character inserted in that will, hopefully, bring more depth into the quirkiness/intrigue of the Falls (I had this whole past for the town that had been created before the 8 ½ President Episode). I understand that OCs aren't everyone's thing, so I thought that a fair warning was in order.
This is purely for my enjoyment, but all are welcome to come in and enjoy it with me.
Optional Questions:
Are there any adventures/situations you'd like to see the Mystery Trio face?
Is there perhaps a Gravity Falls resident that you'd like to see them interact with? Any particular reason why?
Did you have a favorite part of this chapter? I'd love to hear it!
I'm sure you noted the ciphers in place of sub-breaks; Have you decoded any? Let me know.