Chapter 19: The Deep End

It was hot in Gravity Falls. Very hot… very, very hot. Like setting squirrels on fire hot.

Most of the Mystery Shack (sans Wendy) were laying on the floor hot.

"Can we call Gray or Juvia?" asked Mabel, "A water or ice would be really nice right now!"

"I heard that there was mob of towns people trying to kidnap them, the tow managed to run away." Said Erza.

"How do you know that?" asked Laxus.

"Called them seeing how they were beating the heat…" said Erza, "Gray did mange to give enoguh ice to last them for the day…"

"Those lucky bast…" said Stan.

"Language…" muttered Erza.

Stan muttered under his breath.

The radio was playing with Toby making announcements.

"Also on the bright side, pin intended this the opening week that the Gravity Pool." Announced Toby.

"Gravity Falls Pool?" asked Mabel.

"Today?" asked Dipper.

"He didn't' say anything about today." Said Laxus.

"Pun indented?" asked Soos.

"Quick to the car!" said Stan.

However he was too sweaty, thanks to this he was stuck to the wood.

"Erza can you use your massive strength to get me up?" asked Stan.

"Fine." Muttered Erza.

She got him up… along with the floorboards he was stuck to. He headed to the car.

"And remember be aware for random wild fires." Said Toby on the radio.

They all blinked.

"Were you expecting him to randomly be set on fire?" asked Mabel.

"What do you mean you're charging me for the fire!" they heard Natsu yell.

"This is my property so you have to pay for that fire!" they heard Stan.

"Oh… yeah the city hired Natsu to clear all of the random wild fires." Said Erza.

The others nodded realizing that was a good idea to use Natsu in way that didn't destroy everything.

Sometime later, they were all at the pool.

"Ah the pool! A sparkling Oasis of Sumner Enchantment!" said Mabel.

"Yeah, nothing like sitting in a moist tub with strangers, it's like the bus but wet." Said Stan.

"Erza!" called out a voice.

They trend to see Gray and Juvia. Erza and Laxus both joined them.

Gray was calling out opt them while Juvia seemed to be pouting.

"This is where you two went." Said Erza.

"Really?" asked Laxus.

"No one would go to look for us here." Said Gray with a shrug.

"Good point…" said Erza.

Mabel noticed a boy with very long hair and somewhat mustache in the pool with a floaty bed over him.

"Who is that!" yelled Mabel.

"I don't know… but I don't word is he never leaves the pool. He's like a mysterious loner." Said Soos.

"IS it hot out here or is it just him?" asked Mabel.

"It's like the hottest day in the year." Said Dipper, "Besides can't you go one week without fawning over a new crush?"

"Look at his little mustache hairs." Said Mabel.

"Go to him." Said Soos.

Mabel ran over to the pool crashing into people and stuff.

"She's over me already?" asked Gray surprise .

"She's like that all the time." Said Erza.

However Juvia didn't believe it and glared at Mabel.

Over with the other conversation, Dipper told them that Mabel hadn't had a kiss yet.

"Oi Women…" muttered Stan.

That was when someone threw a water balloon at Stan, turns out it was Wendy, who was the new lifeguard.

"Wendy? Where's the life guard?" asked Stan.

"I'm the life guard so I make the rules sucka!" said Wendy who began to throw more water balloon at Stan.

"She's a attacking me with water!" yelled Stan running towards Erza for protection.

"You work here now?" asked Dipper.

"I found out Life Guards get free snack privates plus I get the best seat in the house." Said Wendy.

"Yeah you do..." said Dipper laughing nervously, "I've been laughing too long."

"Dude are you having a secret staring Contest with Wendy?" asked Soos., "Cause I think you're winning."

"Soos!" said Dipper he turned to Wendy, "Hey you want to throw more water Balloons at Stan?"

"I'd love to but I have to spend all day at try outs. We're looking for a new assistant life guard." Said Wendy.

That was when Dipper got an idea.

He took a breath, tried to make his voice deeper, but it failed so he asked in his normal voice.

"What if I was the assistant life guard?" asked Dipper.

"That would be so much fun! You're totally in dude!" said Wendy she tossed him the rescue… thing, "You just have to check with my boss, Mr. Poolcheck."

"Your boss?" asked Dipper.

He noticed a rather crazy looking bald man doing push up with his fingers.

Meanwhile the boy Mabel was into was drinking some lemonade when she popped out of the surface.

"Hello!" said Mabel.

"How long were you underwater?" he asked.

"That doesn't mater." Said Mabel, she coughed up a Band-Aid, "So hey, my name is Mabel."

"Hola!" said the boy.

"Are you from Australia." Said Mabel.

The boy laughed, "I'm charmed by your sense of humor and your bold lack of water wings." He said.

"You're so funny!" said Mabel, "And your hair is so pretty."

"No it's full of tangles. "said the boy.

"Mind if I." said Mabel requipping a comb.

"How did you d that?" asked the boy.

"Magic." Said Mabel.

She began to brush his hair.

"Oh Mabel, you're so forward." Said the boy.

"This is it! He likes you. Go for it! Ask him out a date!" Thought Mabel.

She took a breath.

"So hey! You want to go dry off, maybe his the snack bar?" asked Mabel.

The boy suddenly looked a little nervous.

"I'm afraid I can't… for I have a terrible secret, I must go!" said the boy.

He swam away still carrying the floaty bed.

"I'm upset… yet intrigued." Said Mabel.

That was when she saw something scary pop it's head out of the water and she screamed.

She calmed down when she it was just Juvia.

"So are you over Gray?" asked Juvia.

"Don't worry, I got over Gray…" assured Mabel.

"you're not just saying that?" asked Juvia.

"Oh yeah… I eventually realized it was creepy…" said Mabel, "I mean come on… Gray is both my mom's age and not…"

"What?" asked Juvia.

"I grew up on stories about him as a kid!" said Mabel who realized she had to explain in detail, "Now imagine hearing a story of your parent's friend from childhood. Now thanks to a time warp he's closer to your age then your mom's age…"

"That does sound creepy." Said Juvia.

"I know…" said Mabel, "His abs blinded me to the fact that he and my mom were kids together!"

Juvia wasn't sure if Mabel was telling the truth. After all in her head, Lucy, Lisanna and another woman named Ultear (who was their enemy right before they got sent to Earth) were all in love with him…

However she came up with a great idea.

"How about I help you with him." Said Juvia.

"Really?" asked Mabel.

"Then I'll have one less love rival!" said Juvia she blinked, "Did I just say that out loud?"

"Yes… yes you did…" said Mabel.

Nearby Stan noticed a few chair.

"Behold Soos! The perfect lawn chair!" said Stan, "Equal distance to both the snack bar and bathrooms, perfect amount of shade and sun pointed away from where McGucket lotions himself."

"The legends in the car you told me were true." Said Soos.

"I'm surprised it wasn't taken." Said Stan, "And now to sit down claiming it as my own."

Just as he was about to sit down he felt someone kick him.

He turned to see it was Gideon.

"Why hello there Stanford." Said Gideon.

Of course the two began to fight over the chair.

Nearby in the pool (well Erza and Gray were in, Laxus just put his feet in for safety reasons). They saw this.

"Hey, is Gideon getting into a fight with Stan over chair?" asked Gray.

"Yes." Sighed Erza.

"You mean the same kid who brainwashed Natsu?" asked Laxus.

"Yes…" sighed Erza.

Both of them stared at this site.

"I heard the rivalry between them can get really stupid." Said Erza.

"Like how?" asked Gray.

"He pelted him with tomatoes during pioneer day." Said Erza.

"That doesn't sound menacing." Said Gray.

"No… it's not." Sid Erza.

They continued to watch as Wendy "arrested Stan" and placed him in Pool Jail.

Yeah that was a thing at the pool.

Meanwhile Mabel was still checking out the boy.

She would duck into the water whenever he looked her way.

That was when she finally popped out scaring him.

"I brought you this sandwich! It's a little wet so it's sort of good." Said Mabel.

What the boy didn't know was that Juvia was cheering Mabel from underwater.

Juvia then noticed something strange about the boy.

Above the water… the water Mable tired to pry away the secret.

"I like sharing thing! Sandwiches, secrets…" said Mabel, "Share me your secrets beautiful stranger!"

"That wet sandwich does look delicious." Said the boy as the wind blew his hair, "All right but you must not tell a living soul my terrible secret."

Mabel nodded.

"All right you have to stay away form me because…" he said, moved away the floating thing revealing he had a fish tail, "I am a Merman…"

Mabel breathed a sigh o relief.

"Oh I thought you had a girl friend." sighed Mabel in relief.

"Mabel he's a Merman!" said Juvia popping out of the water unaware that he just told her.

The boy stared Juvia.

"Oh this is Juvia… she's a water wizard." Said Mable.

"sorry…" said Juvia realizing she just ruined the moment between the two, then melted in water.

"Look it's fine that you're a merman, I'm a wizard." Said Mabel, "So it balances out."

"Is it a secret?" asked the boy… well mer-boy.

"Nope!" said Mabel, "Though being a merman does explain your fish language."

"That was Spanish." Said the mer-boy.

"Your voice is so deep and masculine." Said Mabel, "How old are you?"

"I am 12 years old, merman's voices change when are like three." Said the mer-boy.

"So what's your name?" asked Mabel.

There are some who call me Mermando!" said the mer-boy who started randomly playing the guitar, "Because that is my name…"

"But I don't understand Mermando… what are you doing in this pool?" asked Mabel, "Was a sea witch involved?"

"It is a tragic story." Sighed Mermando.

He began to tell how one day he was swimming with the dolphins. But one day he was caught by some fisherman who wanted to eat him.

He was sent to Gravity Falls he managed to escape but due to a series of events he ended up beached. But was able to survive thanks to some deer.

However evenly he ended up in in the pool after fall down a hill.

"But now that you know what I mean you must be seriously weirded out." Said Mermando.

"Wizard." Mabel said again.

"Oh… right…" said Mermando.

"But even if I wasn't a wizard you're still the coolest guy I've ever met. And you can play at least one cord on the guitar." Said Mabel.

"You are like no other human I have ever met. Would you like to engage in a game of Marco Polo?" he asked.

Yes,! Oh yes!" said Mabel hugging him.

"You're covering my gills! I can't breath…" he said.

"Oh sorry… said Mabel.

They began to play.

Meanwhile Stan was glaring at Gideon who was enjoying the seat her stole.

"I can't get to him…" said Stan, "Or else Pool Patrol will throw me back into pool jail."

"Stan… just enjoy the day." Sighed Erza.

"I can't…" said Stan, "It's the principal of the thing! I mean this is the worse thing he's ever done."

Erza and Gray both stared him.

"I can't even…" sighed Erza, "I'm going for a swim…"

"Do you know what he did?" asked Gray.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Said Stan.

Gray sighed and joined Erza in the pool.

That was when Stan got the idea to use his watch to burn Gideon… it didn't work.

As Dipper (who managed to get the job) and Wendy trolled Soos by telling him that pool ducks were alive, it was time for the pool to close.

Mabel and Mermando were brushing each other's hair when they heard the announcement.

"The pool, she closes." Said Mermando, "Can I see you tonight."

"Sure where… want to go for a walk?" asked Mabel.

"Merman." Pointed out Mermando.

"Oh right, I'll be back tonight." Said Mabel.

She got out of the pool and was joined by Juvia.

"So how did it go?" asked Juvia.

"It's been doing good…" said Mabel.

"SO you're going to meet him for tonight." Said Juvia.

"I am…" said Mabel.

"Oh…" said Juvia with a teasing smile.

"Juvia…" said Mabel blushing.

That night Mabel managed to sneak to the pool, she mange dot climb over the fence by using the pool skimmer though breaking it big time.

Once she was in the pool she showed Mermando a scrap book.

"This is my family doing human stuff." Said Mabel, "Here we are the Ardency of Science looking at these fish in the aquarium. And here are at Shark Experience in Discovery Kingdom…"

"an we move onto something else" said Mermando getting a little uncomfortable about aquariums.

"Oh here's us taking a walk in around Lake Merritt." Said Mabel, "And here's me kicking Dipper in the legs, he couldn't walk after that. Can you imagine, having no legs."

"Can we move away from this." Said Mermando.

"Oh here's my family at Disneyland!" said Mabel, "That was a fun day."

Mermando saw the picture and sighed.

"What's wrong?" asked Mabel.

He tired to play his guitar, but it was filled with water so he had to empty it.

"I used to have a family, back in the ocean." Said Mermando, he grabbed his neck revealing it was a locket with a picture of his family inside, "How I miss them."

"Why don't you leave the pool?" asked Mabel.

"I've tried only once, but it required a plan oh so daring." Sid Mermando.

It was him trying to jump our and failing. He was half fish after all.

He did reveal that the wolves did come.

"But I'm glad I'm here, because I met you." He said to Mabel.

A shoot star appeared in the sky.

"All right Mabel! This is your chance! It's the perfect time to kiss." Thought Mabel.

She made the kiss face.

"What are you doing?" asked Mermando.

"Um… I was making that face because of some sour candy I was eating…" said Mable making a face.

"Can I have some?" he asked.

"I'm all out." she lied.

The next day, Dipper was called to his boss and was told about what happened to the pool skimmer. And that if he failed in preventing one more piece of pool equipment he would be fired.

And he was really enjoying the job what with spending time with Wendy.

In the pool, Mabel and Mermando was playing ball, Mermando didn't catch it.

"Is something wrong?" asked Mabel, "Is this about your family?"

Mermando made a dolphin noise.

Mabel knew what she had to do.

"Enoguh is enoguh! I have had! I am going to bust you out of here and get you back to your family." Said Mabel.

"But escape is impossible…" said Mermando.

That was when someone popped out of the water. Both Mabel and Mermaid freaked out.

"Oh it's you…" said Mermando.

"If you need help, I'll gladly provide it." Said Juvia.

"Oh thank you Juvia!" said Mabel.

Mable hugged her so tightly she partially turned to water.

Mermando stared at Juvia.

"My body is made of water…" said Juvia.

"I see…" said Mermando.

That night Dipper was on night watch at the pool.

That was when someone broke in cutting the fence.

That person was Stan.

"Stan? You're the one wrecking the pool supplies?" asked Dipper.

"No my crime is better!" said Stan, "I'm going to sneak and steal that seat before Gideon shows up!"

Dipper face palmed, his mom told him about his stupid fared with Gideon.

"Why is everyone having that reaction to our latest feud?" asked Stan.

"You really don't know?" asked Dipper.

"Know what?" asked Stan.

"Just never mind…" said Dipper, "Just please leave, I can't deal with you right now."

"Fine… I'll just…" said Stan, that was when he started running towards the chair.

"Get back here!" yelled Dipper chasing him.

While Dipper was distracted Mabel drove the Mystery Cart through the whole Stan made with Juvia riding next to her.

"Mabel!" called out Mermando.

"Are you ready to get out of here?" asked Mabel.

"But it is imposable." Said Mermando.

"No it's not!" said Mabel, "You see my original plan was to duck tape together prosthetics made out of fish stick to give you people legs…"

"Intriguing." Said Mabel.

"But then I told Mabel that I can hide you in my body until we can get you a place where you can make it back to your family." Said Juvia, "Don't worry, you'll be safe."

"All right…" said Mermando remembering what happened to her body earlier.

Juvia began to cry.

"Oh how I wish that Gray was the only one who was ever inside me!" cried Juvia.

"What is she crying about?" asked Mermando.

Mabel shrugged.

Once Juvia got over that she lifted him up using the pool water and then began to hide him in her body.

That was when there was a shout of "Who's there"!

They turned to see Dipper.

"Mabel? Juvia?" asked Dipper, "Is anyone not breaking into the pool tonight? Who's next Soos?"

That was when Soos jumped over the fence.

"I'm okay!" said Soos.

"Go home Soos." Said Dipper not even turning around.

"All right." Said Soos.

That was when they heard Mermando clear his throat. Juvia had to fake clearing her throat.

"Well I guess we should get going!" said Mabel.

"Wait! I saw you take something out of the pool!" said Dipper.

"Run!" yelled Mabel.

Juvia knew it was better to run just with her cargo then attack Dipper so both of them ran into the Mystery Cart.

"Hey! Get back here!" yelled Dipper.

They sped way.

"So where are we going?" asked Juvia.

"To the lake!" said Mabel.

Se they drove away, Dipper called out.

So Dipper followed in them the Pool Mobile.

"Bring back what you've stolen in the name of pool law!" yelled Dipper.

"Pool Law is Dumb!" yelled Mabel.

"Did you see that child in solitary confinement…" said Juvia.

"Yeah! That's totally messed up!" said Mabel.

They got to the lake, however Mabel ended up crashing the mystery carts, sending both of them flying.

Thanks to it, Juvia ended up ejecting Mermando form her body.

Dipper saw this and stopped the Pool Mobile.

"Was there a Merman inside of Juvia?" asked Dipper.

"Yeah!" said Mabel, "You see he's my new friend. And he's really nice! And we combed each other's hair!"

"Okay, okay…" said Dipper.

"Xo any ways, Mermando, Dipper, Dipper, Mermando!" said Mabel.

"Nice to meet you!" said Mermando who was clearly having problems breathing, "Also I think I'm dying!"

She began to cry out for water in both English and Spanish.

"Oh no! Mermando!" cried Mabel, "Dipper you have to give him CPR!"

"Um… Mabel…" said Juvia.

"Mermen don't breathe air." Said Dipper.

"I could just…" said Juvia.

"Then do reverse CPR." Said Mabel.

Before Juvia could say or do anything, Dipper ran over to the Pool Mobile, grabbed ad bottled water and gave Mermando Reverse CPR. She took a picture of this to black mail Dipper later in life.

Mermando was breathing better.

"Thank you for saving me…" said Mermando, "Why didn't you just roll me over opt the lake or have you Water Friend put me in the lake."

Juvia just shrugged at the twins.

Mermando got into the lake, however he was coughing.

"You okay?" asked Mabel.

"My throat hurt from coughing, I don't' know if my family will hear my call from the mighty ocean depths." Said Mermando.

"I have an idea"! said Mabel.

She ran over the Pool Mobile and saw a Mega Phone. She grabbed but Dipper took it away from her.

"Wait! That's pool properly! If it turns up missing I'll get fired!" said Dipper.

"Dipper! Don't you know what it's like to be in love with someone. Even though in your heart it will never work out?" asked Mabel.

Dipper sighed.

"Here…" he said with a sigh.

"Thanks Dip." Said Mabel.

:Thank you so much Mabel!" said Mermando, "I never met anyone like you."

"Same here. "said Mabel, "Well expect for a zombie, a gnome and a couple of cute vampires…"

"I don't remember the vampires. "said Dipper.

"Girl talk." Said Mabel implying she at least told her mother.

Mabel looked at Mermando.

"I guess this is it." Said Mabel.

"Not quite." Sid Mermando.

He leapt out of the water and the two kissed.

"So beautiful." Said Juvia blushing a little.

Dipper on the other hand was disgusted.

"My first kiss…" said Mabel she turned to Dipper, "And he was yours too."

"Don't include me into this." Said Dipper.

"Good bye Mabel." Said Mermando.

"Goodbye Mermando." said Mabel.

She walked over to Dipper.

"Thank you so much Juvia." Said Mabel.

"Your welcome." Said Juvia, then she turned creepy, "Just remember Gray is mine…"

Mabel nodded.

She turned to Dipper.

"You did the right thing." Said Mabel.

"I guess…" said Dipper.

"Oh wait! I just remembered! I always wanted to do this!" said Mabel.

Somehow this reface was well known in the ocean as well. So Mermando jumped over her while her arm was in the air.

"Is that a reface to something?" asked Juvia.

"It is." Said Dipper.

And so the next day Dipper got chewed out by Mr. Pool Check. He turned in hi whistle and Mr. Poolcheck ate it.

Dipper sighed and walked away moping.

Turns out it wasn't all bad.

"Hey Doofus." Said Wendy not in her swim suit, "Guess who just got fired."

"What happened?" asked Dipper.

"Poolcheck found out I was taking too many snacks." Said Wendy.

"How many?" asked Dipper.

Wendy lifted her hat revealing a bunch of ship.

"You want opt break the rules somewhere else?" asked Wendy.

"sure!" said Dipper.

Nearby Mable was put her feet in the water.

"You all right?" asked Juvia showing up behind her.

"At least you're not showing up from underwater." Said Mabel.

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Juvia.

"Nothing…" said Mabel.

That was when a bottle with addressed to Mabel came from the filter.

She opened and read the letter inside.

"Dear Mabel, I am back home with my family and I am very happy. Our first kiss holds a special place my in heart. Well… hearts. As a merman I have like 17. Horrifying but true. More bottles on the way." Read Mabel.

She giggled at the bottles.

Juvia smiled.

"Juvia." Said Mabel.

"Yes?" asked Juvia.

"I'm going to try to get you and Gray together." Said Mabel.

"You mean it?" asked Juvia.

"Oh yeah." Said Mabel.

Meanwhile at the Guild Hall. Gray was talking to the team when he got a chill.

"You okay?" asked Lucy.

"I'm fine." Said Gray.

"Maybe it's because of the fact you're not wearing clothes. "said Erza.

"Oh come on!" yelled Gray.

At the pool, Stan laid in his chair. Waiting for Gideon to show up.

And he did.

"Stanford!" said Gideon surprised, "Well you won this time! Put her there."

Stan tried to move but he was stuck to the chair.

Gideon laughed.

"Unless I predicted your plan and coated the chair in glue last night. Enjoy that chair… forever." Laughed Gideon.

Stan was stuck to the chair.

"Erza! I need your massive strength! Erza!" yelled Stan.

Stan was unaware that Erza didn't go to the Pool that day.

But indeed Erza somehow sensed what happened and face palmed.

"You okay?" asked Happy.

"I'm fine…" sighed Erza.

And so Mabel had another crush… but this time she got a got a kiss out of it.

Even if chances were good that she would never see Mermando again, at least she helped him get home and that's all that mattered.

Next Time: Something strange happens that causes everyone in the shack to switch bodies! What happened and does it have to do with the hidden room that was recently discovered? Find out next time!